| Author | Message | ||
     Electraglider_1997 |
http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/articleshow/38 21292.cms | ||
| Teeps |
I worked on a few Kawasaki W1's and W2's back in the day. I'm glad "they don't build'em like they used to." | ||
| Edgydrifter |
"Quite what Kawasaki was thinking when it turned the reliable VN-series cruisers into the Drifter, a 1940s Indian Chief look-a-like , isn't clear." Well, as a Drifter owner myself, perhaps I can clear things up for Glynn Kerr. The Drifter (originally the Super Chief) was a design exercise that Denny Berg and Cobra USA did for Kawasaki. After its unveiling at the Reno Dealer Expo, public and dealer support was so strong that Kawi shipped the show bike off to Japan where it was fast-tracked into production. It was not designed as a counterfeit Indian. It was an homage to Indian lines and an exploration of what Indian might have built if they'd had a 1990s-era v-twin (it is helpful to remember that the Super Chief/Drifter was designed prior to Indian's Gilroy resurrection). Beyond that, his implication that the Drifter styling somehow compromised the reliability of its Vulcan platform is ridiculous. Yes, the rear fender attached to the swingarm makes mounting saddlebags and other touring accessories a pain in the bee-hind, but as a solid, pleasant-to-ride cruiser it has few material flaws. I've ridden mine over most of the western US and Canada, and it has never once let me down. Too bad it's going to spend summers in the garage now that I have the Uly. Anyhoo... speaking of derivative designs, lets take a gander at Mr. Kerr's artwork. Here's his proposal for an updated Honda Shadow.  And there's a sketch he did for a new Kawasaki 750.  Hmmm... both these designs have a certain something about them that I can't quite put my finger on... OH WAIT, I know--they're friggin' HARLEYS! Last time I checked, the Drifter had a permanent spot in the Chicago Athenauem museum of design. How about the "reknowned" Mr. Kerr's crappy Bajaj bikes? Surely they must be in the permanent collection of a similarly august museum. Yeah, not so much. That guy can go pound sand. | ||
| Xbimmer |
Yeah the guy seems full of himself, I would have preferred an article about MZ's past successes, especially in light of trying to keep up with the moto world while operating behind the Iron Curtain. He was right about one thing, and I quote: Honesty in design is simply a matter of showing things for what they are. There's a thin line between enhancing the appearance of certain parts, and disguising them to look like something else. Perhaps this is why we all appreciate racing bikes - there's nothing on them that doesn't have a clear purpose. Sounds like he's talking about Buells to me... | ||
| 4cammer |
Glynn Kerr is a tool. Sorry, had to be said. How is that Fischer selling Glynn? | ||
| Dbird29 |
I think that article was in this month's Motorcycle Consumer News magazine. Easy money selling the same exact article to multiple publishers. | ||
| 4cammer |
"I think that article was in this month's Motorcycle Consumer News magazine." His monthly column is one of the reasons I let my sub to MCN run out. If it did not come from his pen it has to be junk. |
