What makes a Calendar Winner?

YamadudeXS650C · Sep 7, 2019

It is Calendar Season !

So, what makes a Calendar Winner?

I imagine that your list of potential "winning" qualities is as long as mine.
Long, hard work in the garage.
Attention to detail.
Creativity.
....and so on.

I'd like to mention just one aspect of my own interest, a photographic offering which has depth.

By this I mean a great photo taken by the owner, and one that represents a backstory to the bike.

In 2018, we had Jamessgs4's incredible cross-country trip, and the excellent photo he shared from his trek through Upstate New York.

This morning, Fawksey offered us a superb, personal image from his neighborhood.
#6249 http://www.xs650.com/threads/what-have-you-done-to-your-xs-today.32082/page-313

" ... yes the house is a couple of doors down from mine. The owner “Link” passed away this summer and as you can see he wasn’t into modernising the house much. Rare to see a house without double glazing round here. "

So, what makes a Winner, for you ?
.
.

Wulfbyte · Sep 7, 2019

In my eyes ,all the bikes, even the ones with some patena and rust!, goes for the owners too, are winners , especially the ones with a good story behind the pic! It definitely will be hard to be the judge! I would put all the winners on the cover!

MaxPete · Sep 8, 2019

Hmmmm....I love to see the spectacularly pretty and clean restorations because they are witness to labours of love and tremendous effort on the part of, often, an average Joe (or Jim or Bob...say...), but I must admit, that I also like the slightly crusty daily riders too.

I am partial to stock bikes and mild cafe conversions - but something with a bit of a story is also great to see.

On the issue of patina, these are, afterall, motorcycles not Stradivarius violins or Faberge eggs worth $3 million dollars...

Pete

650Skull · Sep 8, 2019

In the first or second calendar most of the bikes were choppers/trackers/cafe's with the odd XS1............no one would think of a Special as calendar material.........I put up RG's bike as a recognition for him and his contributions.............well the special, (in those days all people would say about Specials "was they are only good to chop", RG's bike made it in as the 13th month...........Mind you i didn't vote till the last min and used my votes to help get RG's bike in

a bike is a bike, and in my mind, and i think this was pointed out when the calendar was first muted, it is about owning the bike and what your connection is to it..........hell the shittiest looking bike can still be a well maintained reliable ride when the pretty one next to it isn't maintained properly and runs like a bag of shit..........Pretty doesn't necessitate good or be Calendar worthy

TwoManyXS1Bs · Sep 9, 2019

I like creative, shiny, with a touch of dementia...

xjwmx · Sep 9, 2019

That '77 guy who kept getting thrown off here from some unknown reason had the best photos ever. Looked like Calvin Klein ads.

gggGary · Sep 9, 2019

Folks that have posted and contributed regularly on the forum is a big plus. IE it's as much the motorcyclist as it is the motorcycle.

FLEA · Sep 9, 2019

good question , have noticed over the yrs of the calendar the type of bike has been changing a lot from yr to yr , restored seems to be coming back into flavor again but who knows this yr

madmax-im · Sep 9, 2019

What makes a great calendar??? The content...XS650s in any form pretty much will do that for me...I have no say here since i am basically a fringe player but I'd like to see more restored bikes in there...I enjoy seeing what other people have created ..and there are many variations on this theme..but to me I enjoy seeing the restorations be they OEM or resto-mods...No matter I will be ordereing one when they come out... :smoke:

member28833 · Sep 9, 2019

mad maxi-im, you watching the calendar days go by so fast ?
Do you have an e d a of your Special II?
Perhaps you will have time for a pic?

madmax-im · Sep 9, 2019

Machine said:
mad maxi-im, you watching the calendar days go by so fast ?
Do you have an e d a of your Special II?
Perhaps you will have time for a pic?

I'm watching the weeks and counting the days..i meet my new to me ride on Sept 27th as it is being brought to the VYR by Cafefill....There are pics out there already..but I would defer to the builder to post in the calendar thread..not me..so if he wishes to do so..he should get the credits on the calendar...

xjwmx · Sep 10, 2019

gggGary said:
Folks that have posted and contributed regularly on the forum is a big plus. IE it's as much the motorcyclist as it is the motorcycle.

I'd want my bike to be judged on its merits alone. That way nobody can say your bike wasn't that good but you're an ass kissing forum member

Plus when awards go to family it's kind of like the whole thing's collapsing.

gggGary · Sep 10, 2019

xjwmx said:
I'd want my bike to be judged on its merits alone. That way nobody can say your bike wasn't that good but you're an ass kissing forum member Plus when awards go to family it's kind of like the whole thing's collapsing.

Dunno, we've had a few bikes "come in from nowhere" when guys heard about the calander. A shop, or just someone that had never been on the forum. No matter how nice I'm kinda meh about them. Heck even Trigger cuz you had it so long and done some serious trips or one of 5 twins bikes because of all he's done round here.

MaxPete · Sep 10, 2019

I agree - I definitely favour contributors rather than someone looking to build the value of their bike prior to selling it.

madmax-im · Sep 11, 2019

madmax-im said:
I'm watching the weeks and counting the days..i meet my new to me ride on Sept 27th as it is being brought to the VYR by Cafefill....There are pics out there already..but I would defer to the builder to post in the calendar thread..not me..so if he wishes to do so..he should get the credits on the calendar...

Decided theres no reason why I couldnt nominate Phil and his 1980 Special-Two...so i have... :smoke:

Jim · Sep 11, 2019

gggGary said:
Folks that have posted and contributed regularly on the forum is a big plus. IE it's as much the motorcyclist as it is the motorcycle.

Agreed. Speaking for myself of course.... but if you only pop in here 2-3 times a year... and then only 'cause you have a problem you can't figure out.... my vote's not there. It'll go to someone who contributes to this site in whatever way they can. Hell.... you can't even throw sumpin in the "Justa Joke" a couple times a month... really?
You don't need to be a tech guru, just be an active member.

member28833 · Sep 11, 2019

madmax-im said:
Decided theres no reason why I couldnt nominate Phil and his 1980 Special-Two...so i have...

IMO a Special II of this caliber is a very nice contribution to a calendar. Beautiful bike !
Now, the existing picture could sure use some “photogenic personality”.
I am hoping to see an upgraded more beautiful setting on any calendar shot. It’s very easy. Just find a great place to snap a pic of what really represents your bikes home life ? Even I’ve managed that in the past.. tho my bike is nothing but a bone and parts pile lately lol.. No, not looking for a nomination. Just a couple examples.
Do it ..

Wulfbyte · Sep 11, 2019

Jim said:
Agreed. Speaking for myself of course.... but if you only pop in here 2-3 times a year... and then only 'cause you have a problem you can't figure out.... my vote's not there. It'll go to someone who contributes to this site in whatever way they can. Hell.... you can't even throw sumpin in the "Justa Joke" a couple times a month... really?
You don't need to be a tech guru, just be an active member.

Very much agree with you on that Jim!

GLJ · Sep 11, 2019

I think a calendar winner is like porn. Everybody has a opinion of what it is and everybody knows it when they see it

MaxPete · Sep 11, 2019

What makes a Calendar Winner?

Central New York XS650

XS650 Addict

Lucille, Betty, Demi, Gretel & Big Sue money pits.

Cockytoo

BBQ Hunter

XS650 Guru

If not now, When?

XS650 Guru

Yamaha...Go your own way...

Race the wind

Yamaha...Go your own way...

XS650 Guru

If not now, When?

Lucille, Betty, Demi, Gretel & Big Sue money pits.

Yamaha...Go your own way...

Beyond the edge is the unknown. Here be Dragons

Race the wind

Attachments

XS650 Addict

Never go faster than your guardian angle can fly.

Lucille, Betty, Demi, Gretel & Big Sue money pits.

Similar threads