Emotions

[faffi]

We have talked about desire vs requirements, lust vs functionality and irrational vs rational - or things to that effect - lately.

I would like if I was rational in my decisions, but the fact is that I am basing them on emotions, no matter how good I am to disguise them as rational. Basically, when I buy what I consider a rational motorcycle, it just mean I have been able to find rational arguments to justify my purchase.

If I am honest, engine sound matter to me. Actually, I would embrace a totally silent ride, with no wind, tire or engine noise. But that is not going to happen, so the next best thing is a reasonably muted, relaxed sounding engine. Like a twin with a not too noisy system. A four or a six with a loud pipe is fun for ten minutes when attacking a winding road, but tiring over a full day.

Looks also matter. If I am going to love a bike, I must like the way it looks. For transportation, comfort and function trump looks, but I ride primarily for fun only, not transport.

Comfort IS important - I do not care how good a bike is otherwise if it is a torture rack, or doesn't handle halfway respectively. And a reasonable amount of simplicity is also something I value highly, because I prefer to do maintenance and - when required - repairs on my own. The easier and quicker these are to perform, the better.

[Huzo]

A motorbike serves a desire and a desire is not a need.
A lovely bike tells you what you want to hear, so it is you that builds the frame into which the subject must fit. The requirements are as many and varied as your desires and for that reason we will never completely agree on attractiveness when it comes to bikes.
It is not much different to forming a relationship, it is a conglomerate of emotions that rattle down and settle in a vision that stirs the emotion or not.
There is no rationality attached to an irrational pursuit.

[Dr. Enzo Toma]

A motorbike serves a desire and a desire is not a need.

That may be true for your situation and mine, but not for all. Motorcycles and scooters are a primary means of transportation for many, with work and livelihoods dependent on them.

[Moparnut72]

I bought my V7 in October. It has 1,200 miles on it. All but 200 miles are from in my small town doing errands and other business. But it is something I like to ride as well as look at. 
kk

[bronzestar1]

Having owned seven Guzzis over the last 40 years, buying one is NEVER a rational decision! 

[Bill W]

Hell I think its EGO!!
I get so much attention with my Cali 1400 that my ego wouldn't let me buy another bike to replace it. Heck about a year ago I bought a Honda CTX1300 which I bought for the looks and the bullet proof engine. It is a beautiful running machine but in the in that last year I've put about 400 miles on it and about 2000 miles on my Guzzi

[SIR REAL ED]

Hell I think its EGO!!
I get so much attention with my Cali 1400 that my ego wouldn't let me buy another bike to replace it. Heck about a year ago I bought a Honda CTX1300 which I bought for the looks and the bullet proof engine. It is a beautiful running machine but in the in that last year I've put about 400 miles on it and about 2000 miles on my Guzzi

Well said!  Humans are creatures of vanity and peer pressure/admiration is often a major factor in making decisions.

Whenever I think of buying an older motorcycle or car or truck, in recent days a pristine 1976 Yamaha XS650C, the internal mental debate begins:

"I can only delude myself so much that owning and riding that bike will make me feel 18 years old again.  But how cool would it be to ride that bike to the local vintage car shows!  Yeah, but after 3 or 4 times per year, that would get old.  And if no one notices my bike..... because they are ogling the 1963 Corvette parked next to me..... Another battery, another registration..... Money spent, space occupied, time for maintenance, for x hours of pleasure per month..... Nah, I don't need to buy that bike/car/truck!"

"It is the eyes of others that ruin us.  If all but myself were blind, I would want neither fine clothes, nor a fine house."

I often wish I could cultivate the mindset of a collector, but to date, I have been unable to do so.  Some day maybe....

[Perazzimx14]

Hell I think its EGO!!
I get so much attention with my Cali 1400 that my ego wouldn't let me buy another bike to replace it. Heck about a year ago I bought a Honda CTX1300 which I bought for the looks and the bullet proof engine. It is a beautiful running machine but in the in that last year I've put about 400 miles on it and about 2000 miles on my Guzzi

If you want attention get a sidecar rig. If you want non-stop attention put a pup in the hack. Every stop will take 10x longer than normal and your pups picture will be on 100's of random strangers phones.