I would like to know if someone has a suggestion for a first motorcycle kit. I have built about half a dozen cars, but no motorcycles. A kit that is somewhat complicated, but not requiring too much scratchbuilding is what I’d like. Also, I’d like any tips/hints on building motorcycles if you have any. Thanks in advance.
HEY,
I have never built a bike before but from my experience with other models, i suggest getting a tamiya kit. Get a racing bike or a sport bike as they seem to look pretty easy. For the model itself, go to megahobby.com to find what you want. Sorry i cant help more.
Randy
By all means get a Tamiya kit. The fit and detali is fantastic. If you can afford it go with the 1/6 scale. You can get those pretty reasonably priced on Ebay, usually around $75.00 after shipping. If that is too high, then go with the 1/12th scale series. The detail is very good and look very good OOB. I’d start with one that isn’t too complicated of a paint or decal scheme ast the decals are a bit of a challenge with all the compound curves found on bikes. Here’s a picture of some of my bikes with both the 1/6th scale and 1/12th scale bikes to show you. There is a 1/8th scale Revell Snap Tite kit in this pic of a Harley Springer Softail too. That was the only one of that type I could find, and as far as Snap Tites go, it’s not bad looking at all. With some work, it could be made into a very nice model.
edit: The small Harley Police bike is an Imex kit and not bad either.
The majority of up close references I have seen for sport bikes would be easy to do. Build it , then drop it on the floor. Around here where I live that’s how a whole lot of them wind up looking every weekend.
hi, if you want a somewhat complicater 1/12 scale bike get yourself a vincent blackshadow from revell or a harley from imai (with comicbook instructions for builting)[:p] have lots of funn
Hey, Hammerfly, this is quite a neat little collection there! Any more??? Have never built a 'bike either but I’ve often been tempted…
Hammerfly, have you ever build the Tamiya 1/6 or 1/12 Suzuki GSX1100 Katana?
If so, I’d like to see a pic.
Thanks
The six in the photo, plus the Tamiya 1/6 scale police Harley are the only bikes I’ve done so far. I almost picked up the 1/12 scale Katana last Thursday while I was in New Oleans, but decided to get the sanding and finishing set from Model Detail instead. I thinki that was the name at least. I only started doing motorcycles three months ago after having a bad motorcycle wreck myself. I’m going to be out of commision for the next 6 months or so learning how to walk again so I thought I would make a change from aircraft for a change of pace. All of the above are box stock, but I’m about to start a Yamaha YZR 500 that I found some neat photoetched parts for. I want to doll it up a bit too adding all of the electrical lines and things this time around. After that one, I’m doing another FXE1200 like the big blue one in the picture, but this time I’m going to play American Chopper on it and make a hardtail frame and stretch and chop it a bit. I’m going to try my hand at a stretched tank and scratch out an exposed belt primary for it. I found an Arlen Ness die cast that has some awesome wheels and tires I want to use for it too. I’ve been slowly accumulating parts for the clhopper and can’t wait to get strarted on it. But, the Yamaha comes first so I can take a shot at the aurthoring contest that FSM’s sister publication is having. I thought I may as well try and do something productive while laid up from the wreck, and the prize money would sure come in handy since I’m not bringing in any money for the family now. I just can’t understand it, the kids just keep on eating like there is no tomorrow, no matter how hard I try to beak them of the habit, they just keep on eating. 
LOL
wow, thanks for all the responses! I wasn’t expecting that much! lol But yes, I figured Tamiya was pretty much tops, but then I do like the idea of having to scratchbuild a little just to make it more complicated; after all, that’s when you’re really proud of your work ;). Once again, thanks a lot.
Definately go for a Tamiya 1/12 scale bike -
The Revell Vincent Black Shadow will drive you nuts it it’s your first bike…
Any Tamiya kit will build into a nice model with absolutely NO fit problems - in fact, you have to do something pretty wrong to make any bit on any Tamiya kit fit poorly.
The 1/6 scale kits are a little easier to build because they’re so much bigger, but they cost a fair amount more. Some of the racing bikes can get a little hard because of the sometimes complex decals and painting required. Start on an easy one, then work your way to the more complicated models.
Have fun and show us the final results…
Cheers
LeeTree
Even on a Tamiya 1/6 motorcycle you can still improve a lot of things with scratchbuilding.
First Bike Kit?
There are a few makers out there: Italeri, Revell, IMAI(now gone), Aoshima Tamiya, Protar, Heller, etc.
Tamiya & Aoshima (IMHO) make the best Models, Protar & Revell (often same kit but Revell costs more) are not that hot.
Italeri is Italeri. [;)]
Good Kits for a beginner are some of the cheaper and older Tamiya Kits, go for a plain road-bike like a Katana, CB750F, or similar
Aoshima are a bit more tricky to assemble but still nice Kits.
Imai used to make some rather “not so nice” Harley Kits(I think Tamiya got the licence now), just before their demise thei released a set of 6 custom harleys that were quiet nice as you did the same customisation steps as on the original Bikes.
One big advantage I see of the old IMAI and Aoshima Kits is that you end up with plenty of spare parts for the spares box.
For a beginner I would recommend some of the Heller 1/9 or similar Kits.
Aoshima and Tamiya tend to have often plenty of plated parts, which I strip and repaint.
On all of the Kits you can do quiet a bit of customisation and improvement.
I have built more bike models than cars. I would recomend the Yamaha R1. Its my favorite build. You cant go wrong with any of them though. The detail is insane and they fit together perfect.
This is my other favorite
This is my 4 favorites
Awesome bikes!!!
i know tastes are different but i feel its a shame to put all your work in detailing the engine of a racebike and then have to cover it (or place it besides the bike[;)]) myself are only building naked or racebikes and shoppers,customs . also i feel those racebikes look allmost all the same just with different decals on them ( man some are going to hate me [:D]) anyway hope you enjoy building bikes like i do and hope to here fropm you again , see ya
I agree to a certain level. Most of the race bikes seem to be much the same thing. Although when you build them you definatly see the differences. The frames and body pannels are always different.
If you really want to show off the engine you can leave a side pannel off. Its just a couple screws holding it on.
Where do you get chopper kits? Or do you scratch build them?
Nice bikes Xcmbike