Although the saying, 'beauty is in the eye of the beholder', is essentially true, the subject that is being beheld also has some contribution to the final perception that it garners. This is true for motorcycles as well, and although what some people might find beautiful, others might not. While looks should not be the only deciding factor behind the purchase of a motorcycle, there is no denying the fact that it plays a major role.
With numerous developments and advances in technology and design standards, motorcycles from the early 2000s have flaunted some truly notable looks. While some of these bikes look gorgeous and included elements that enhance the overall look of the motorcycle, others have overdone it and thereby failed to impress audiences through all these years.
10 Still Looks Good: Kawasaki Concours 14
With the same classic looks of the Ninja ZX-14R, Kawasaki's Concours 14 has been tuned for touring and looks absolutely magnificent on the road. The design changes in the Concours 14 provide comfort to riders, easy maneuvering at low-speed, as well as easier handling. Kawasaki has ensured that the handlebars are closer, allowing the rider to enjoy a comfortable and upright position while driving.
Stadium-style-seating saddle for the rider and a flat pillion seat further enhances the comfort levels of the Concours 14. An improved exhaust shield, electrical windscreen with multi-position vent, color-matched hard saddlebags with a quick-release feature, and additional options for cushier seating and extra storage make the Concours 14 one of the best bikes from the 2000s that features delectable looks. It is also one of the best Kawasaki motorcycles ever made.
9 Didn't Age Well: Victory Vision
A tourer that has been designed to look like a chopper. With numerous articles criticizing Victory Vision for its bad looks, it is no wonder that it is undoubtedly one of the worst looking motorcycles that the 21st century has witnessed.
Apart from the overstyled features of the Victory Vision, a bike that seems to not grasp the idea of simplicity at all, it is oversized as well. Trying to imbibe and exaggerate every design aspect that has ever been celebrated, Victory Vision has only been able to create a complete disaster.
8 Still Looks Good: Norton 961 Commando
A café racer, exactly how it should look, Norton's 961 Commando is a motorcycle that respects purity and purpose in design and form. An amalgamation of classic design elements with modern biking technology, the Norton 961 Commando is an engineering delight that provides top-tier comfort and riding experience to bikers. It is also available in a sport version.
It is a motorcycle that deserves to be kept in museums owing to the exquisite styling it showcases. It would be safe to regard the Norton 961 Commando as an artistic masterpiece, rather than just a motorcycle, and is one of the sexiest modern-day bikes with reinterpreted classic looks that people can purchase.
7 Didn't Age Well: BMW C1
While there are many bikes that can be rightfully referred to as the best BMW motorcycles, the C1 is not one amongst them. The C1 from BMW is a weird motorcycle, to say the least. Although it is registered as a motorcycle and bikers require a bike license to get to ride it, it is decked with weird features that simply do not make any sense.
It has a huge windscreen, a roof, and even requires the rider to put on seatbelts, things unheard of before in a motorcycle. Furthermore, all the safety features that the C1 has, combined with how slow this thing is, should make it a safe motorcycle, but it is not even close. Coupled with the ugly looks, it is not just a bad-looking bike but a bad motorcycle overall.
6 Still Looks Good: Triumph Speed Triple
Triumph is a name to be reckoned with and is one of the most popular British motorcycle manufacturers. Apart from being a powerful motorcycle with a three-cylinder, 1,050 cc engine that is capable of producing a top speed of 150 mph and a 134.84 hp of power output, it is also extremely good-looking.
A very practical motorcycle for open roads, as well as cities, the Triumph Speed Triple is quite affordable. Being a naked bike, it has the adequate aggressive looks that should complement such a motorcycle, while also being quite compact.
5 Didn't Age Well: Ducati 999
In spite of being in the market for quite a long time, Ducati 999 has failed to impress the buying audience. To put it plainly, it is an ugly motorcycle that maligns the name of Ducati and the great models that the company produced before this monstrosity, including the esteemed 916, 996, and 998.
In an attempt to create a motorcycle that was better than the 916, Ducati simply managed to create something that looked exponentially worse than its inspiration. Impractical in its build, with a hard-to-replace under-seat exhaust and weird headlights, Ducati 999 has had its value depreciate over the years owing to the incredibly bad looks it showcases.
4 Still Looks Good: Buell Lightning XB
Light and nimble, the Buell Lightning XB looks good, but the actual beauty of this motorcycle is how incredibly fun it is to ride. Buell made sure that they styled this adept streetfighter using the most minimalistic design features, and the decision paid off brilliantly.
There are many surprising facts that people didn't know about Buell Motorcycles and one amongst them is the reason behind the Lightning XB's immense design success. The main reason the design of this motorcycle was so unique was its fuel-in-frame feature that enabled the designers of the XB Lightning to experiment with different styles and looks, creating one of the most gorgeous motorcycles of the 21st century.
3 Didn't Age Well: Honda Rune
Released in America as a limited edition model, the Honda Rune is one of the ugliest motorcycles that exists. The launch of this motorcycle in the American market was an attempt to steal away some of Harley-Davidson's customers.
However, this was a failed attempt as the Honda Rune has the tendency of becoming quite boring with every consecutive glance. Furthermore, its bulky frame and rear fender do not help the aesthetics of this motorcycle but ruin it further.
2 Still Looks Good: Ducati Streetfighter 848
If looks can kill, Ducati Streetfighter 848 is one motorcycle that definitely has those abilities. Ducati is a company that is quite well-known for the incredibly stylish motorcycles it creates and the Streetfighter is probably one of the best examples of the company's genius. Having features that look incredibly ripped and sharp, the Streetfighter exudes aggression.
Having an L-twin 849 cc engine, the Ducati Streetfighter 848 not just looks badass but has the capabilities to provide a complimentary performance. Additional features that make it incredibly sexy include the lightweight racey forged wheels and single-sided swingarm. A delight for customizers as there are numerous of this Ducati motorcycle that has been customized to perfection.
1 Didn't Age Well: Ducati Multistrada
It is rare to have Ducati produce a bad-looking motorcycle, but accidents do happen. One such huge accident from the designing department of Ducati is the Multistrada. It is one motorcycle Ducati execs would want to keep on the DL. Owing to its horribly bad looks, the motorcycle was dubbed 'Uglystrada' for quite a while.
Ducati seems to have either overdone design the Multistrada or missed the concept entirely. With a weird-looking headlight, the Ducati Multistrada seems like a strange machine rather than a classy bike.