OK, I give up

[Sidecar Bob]

OK, I give up.

The article about the Z1000 (Feb. 2010, p. 20) refers to it as a "naked bike", but on p.22 you mention the "body-panel-incorporated turn signals".

How can it be naked if it has body panels?

For that matter, what you refer toas an "angular headlight asembly" is (according to the pics) really a frame mounted fairing.

Imagine that. A "naked" bike that comes from the factory with a frame mounted fairing.

Maybe seeing Uwe naked has just messed you up too much and you wish he had only been as naked as the Z1000.

[Uwe W.]

Maybe this explanation will ease your definition dilemma Bob. Take a look at the sport/naked buyer's guide that is conveniently located in the same issue. Notice that every bike under the sport heading has a covered engine? And all of those in the naked section have exposed engines? There is a couple of exceptions, but I would argue they were placed in the wrong list. It's not a lack of plastic trimming that defines a naked, but whether or not you can see what's underneath its skirt.

[Sidecar Bob]

So by that definition a GL1100 Interstate would be naked?

If that's true, how would the GL1100 non-Interstate model be classified?

That's like saying that someone is naked when they are wearing jeans & a t-shirt because someone else prefers to wear a full leather race suit.

[TimP]

Brit-bike enthusiasts, rejoice! The entire segment is going Commando!

[yzf1000jon]

Pun intended I'm sure. Jeans and a T-shirt are just a legal ticket different than being naked (no difference in protection really), especially compared to leathers.

[Sidecar Bob]

Just because Ashley McIsaac decided racing leathers made a nice fashion statement, I'm not going to wear them to work in a hot factory in August.

Anyway, my point is that naked means naked, not wearing less than the other guy.

A bike with a frame mounted fairing just isn't naked, whether it's a sport bike or not.



(& considering the pic we would all like to forget, Uwe should understand this)

[motrhead]

Maybe this explanation will ease your definition dilemma Bob. Take a look at the sport/naked buyer's guide that is conveniently located in the same issue. Notice that every bike under the sport heading has a covered engine? And all of those in the naked section have exposed engines? There is a couple of exceptions, but I would argue they were placed in the wrong list. It's not a lack of plastic trimming that defines a naked, but whether or not you can see what's underneath its skirt.

I know it's an old discussion, but I can't resist commenting. I agree with sidecarbob. A naked bike doesn't have a fairing. Period. It definitely shouldn't have lowers either, but as soon as there is even a quarter fairing, it ain't naked. Once you add a quarter fairing it's something different.
I was still regularly buying the expensive British mags back when the whole streetfighter/naked thing too off, and I thought the definition was pretty clear? I never considered my CX650E to be a naked bike, just a standard. My Seca 650 is naked. My RZ350 with upper fairing but no lowers is still not naked, despite a visible engine. That's how it's supposed to work, although some of the manufacturers are trying to pretend otherwise...

[yzf1000jon]

I think we (north american bike market) just ended up dropping the standard label. Naked-Sportbike-Cruiser kind of took over as the major distinguishing labels that Joe public recognizes. Just say "sport touring", "adventure touring", "supermoto", or (god forbid) "Trials" to your non biking neighbour and they'll give you a glazed look like you're talking about mars landing procedures. I would like to think that the attitude the bike conveys has something to do with the category it falls into when it sits in a grey area, but I think some people (here mostly) would object to the Wing falling into the "couch" category ;) so that won't fly either.

[TimP]

Just to put my two cents in: I'm with Bob. So to speak. Naked is naked. My half-faired VTR is not. Not even close. A Speed Triple with a fly screen is not. Well, almost.

But a bikini-faired bike is not naked. If so, it would not be allowed on Daytona Beach.

Give me a big C-cup nacelle, long, long stanchions and something that rolls at the bottom with nothing plastic in between. That's naked.

Not that there's anything wrong with that.

[motrhead]

I would like to think that the attitude the bike conveys has something to do with the category it falls into when it sits in a grey area, but I think some people (here mostly) would object to the Wing falling into the "couch" category ;) so that won't fly either.

Amen brother! My GL1100 Wing is a naked bike with just a fender and a big eight inch round headlight out front...and nothing else. Definitely naked, even if it does ride like a couch.:D

[YellowDuck]

The whole project of rying to stuff bikes into one category or another has gotten pretty stupid, given the diversity of machinery out there. It's kind of funny watching the CC buyer's guides, and seeing where they put different bikes - I'm sure they agonize over it.

Why not do what the Italian magazines do, and just have one gigantic buyer's guide, organized by nothing more than manufacturer? Easy. We'll find the step-though powercruiser retro touring motard hybrid if we are looking for it.

[motrhead]

The whole project of rying to stuff bikes into one category or another has gotten pretty stupid, given the diversity of machinery out there. It's kind of funny watching the CC buyer's guides, and seeing where they put different bikes - I'm sure they agonize over it.

Why not do what the Italian magazines do, and just have one gigantic buyer's guide, organized by nothing more than manufacturer? Easy. We'll find the step-though powercruiser retro touring motard hybrid if we are looking for it.

But most of us love categories. It's an important part of bench racing. Each style and brand of bike gets it's own secret little fraternity to identify with.That's why I hang out on ADVrider, SportTouringnet, DualSportBC and BCSportBikes, not to mention the CX, GL,XJ and RD groups. When I'm not riding I'm dreaming about the perfect bike for each category. I could never live with just one :)
So are you officially starting a rumour about a new 800cc Vespa ?:D

[Sidecar Bob]

Which CX & GL groups and what might I know you as there?

[motrhead]

I've been on the CX500enthusiasts group on Yahoo for ten years, occasionally lurk on ChopperCharles, and was on the CXGL group that moved to Multiply and died. There is also a CX section on the NGWclub naked Gold Wing group. I'm a mod on CX500enthusiasts ("deanwst"). It's nowhere near as busy as it used to be though. Yahoo groups seem to be dying out.I am "motrhead" pretty much everywhere else on the net. I haven't been as active on the CX groups for the last two or three years as I used to be. I had an Ascot FT500 for a couple years and got sidetracked.:) I passed the CX on to my brother to ride, and I have another one with the engine out that I may revive soon. It was going to give it's heart to a Morgan 3 wheeler replica, but I have a 920 Virago engine for that now, so the CX may become a homebrew adventure bike:D
No, I can't leave anything alone. My GL1100 is getting a 1000 shelter (the fake tank), superbike bars and a 4-2-1 exhaust. My Dad was a hot rodder, and the apple didn't fall far from the tree.

[Rocking Couple]

Amen brother! My GL1100 Wing is a naked bike with just a fender and a big eight inch round headlight out front...and nothing else. Definitely naked, even if it does ride like a couch.:D

Fenders eh? That almost nudges it out of the truly naked class doesn't it? :D

[Sidecar Bob]

Yeah. I hear you. My Dad wasn't much into cars, but I built model cars growing up so the bug bit from there and came out again when I got bikes. I still build models, but now some of them are 1:1 scale ;-)

I think I know you from NGW. I haven't been around there much lately for the same reasons I wasn't around here much for a long while. I have been trying to get back there for a couple of weeks but every time I think I might something else comes up. Man, I can't wait to retire so I can really get something done......

[Sidecar Bob]

Fenders eh? That almost nudges it out of the truly naked class doesn't it? :D
Yeah. When I joined Naked GoldWings I had to ask if my '83 with the fairing removed but the bags on and the trunk only on when needed qualified as naked. They said OK, but now that it has a sidecar I'm not sure if I should start looking for a "Differently Clothed GoldWings" group ;-)

[motrhead]

Fenders eh? That almost nudges it out of the truly naked class doesn't it? :D

Almost...I have a bobbed chrome fender off of an XS1100 for the rear, and I would love to go fenderless on the front; I'm putting Distanzias on this thing and plan to run it on gravel roads:confused::eek:, so a bobbed sportbike fender is going on the front-probably off of my old CX650E or maybe from a Seca 650 -we'll see what fits.

[motrhead]

I think I know you from NGW. I haven't been around there much lately for the same reasons I wasn't around here much for a long while. I have been trying to get back there for a couple of weeks but every time I think I might something else comes up. Man, I can't wait to retire so I can really get something done......

You know their address changed,right? It's NGWclub.com now. Some former members have had to email the mods to get reinstated. Not a big deal.
I'm finally getting something done on my bikes since my job ended (I'm getting severance pay right now) - especially with the beautiful, warm, snow-free weather we're having out here in BC this year...
Speaking of which,I have to go pull the carb off of my Bultaco right now and get it fixed for someone to have a test ride.

[motrhead]

Yeah. When I joined Naked GoldWings I had to ask if my '83 with the fairing removed but the bags on and the trunk only on when needed qualified as naked. They said OK, but now that it has a sidecar I'm not sure if I should start looking for a "Differently Clothed GoldWings" group ;-)

It's okay, they even allow guys with dressed Wings to hang out there. Just don't try to call them naked ;)
You won't be the only guy with an outfit.

[Sidecar Bob]

You know their address changed,right? It's NGWclub.com now. Some former members have had to email the mods to get reinstated.
Yeah. The last time I spent any tme there was just after they changed. I have posted replies to old threads that have been dredged up recently so I know I'm still current.


You won't be the only guy with an outfit.
Heck - I'm not even the only one there with 2 outfits ;-)

[yzf1000jon]

Interesting note in an american mag's test of the Kawi, American Kawasaki refused to use the term Naked when describing it. Begging the question, what is it anyway?

[motrhead]

You mean besides ugly?:D