Re: True...
The ZX12 is not old styling or technology wise. The motor was designed to beat the Hayabusa, and would have, had Kawasaki not had to throw the fight. The frame is more advanced than ANYTHING else out there. It's what we techies might call "transparent aluminum age" technology.
The ZX9 made competitive power for years with a smaller motor, which if it were bored to 1000, would make competitive power with the GSXR100.
Distictive is not the same as nice looking, in my book. It seems that many people think a motorcycle has to look different, and that different is modern. Well, I think most modern bikes are ugly.
It all seems to start with the '96 GSXR 750, which it took a few years for me to like. The new GSXR series is much more pleasant to look at. Then here comes the TL1000R, and then the Hayabusa.I've been riding, and keeping up with motorcycles since 1980, and overall, it is Suzuki which most often has assaulted me eyes with less than inspired styling. Can anyone here remember the Maduras? I don't want to. The RF series looked good but the tail was huge. Also the Ferrari Testarosa gills went out in the late '80s. The old Katana's were Ok, except I always saw the 600 Hurricane's silouette every time I saw one. I am not impressed with the new Katanas. They look like the guy who did those oval Ford Tauruses designed them.
Yamah's major styling faux-paus are limited to the GTS1000, which many don't remember.
Honda? The Pacific Coast was nice looking, but I always thought of it as an 800cc Vtwin scooter.
It seems everybody wants to have a two headlight look. I don't like my motorcycles with faces, thank you very much.