What do our MC's say about us?

[lucian]

I sometimes find myself making observations about how peoples choices can often reveal insight to other aspects of their personality. Some people actually resemble their pets for instance, or the car they drive may reflect on weather they are the practical type or an extrovert. I can't help but wonder if people see a particular choice of MC as an extension of one's self with perhaps a deeper maybe unrecognized association. Surely with all the choices on the market today there must be more to the equation than just favoring a particular brand or category ect. Maybe we have less control over the choice than we think? Hope this isn't too deep but thought it would make for interesting conversation.   Happy Holidays to all    dave

[Adk.IBO]

All to often loud and obnoxious makes me think loud and obnoxious. I happen to love a fine sound from a high performance internal combustion engine creating gobs of horsepower. Unfortunately not everyone has that appreciation and I don't believe those of us who do have the right to inflict it on those that don't. Dinner is on... I'll check back...

[redrider]

I started out riding older kids mini-bikes. Way faster and less effort than the Schwinn banana bike or varsity models I had. I was early on riding the bicycle to the local motorcycle shops and we had a British dealer. Those bikes as well as the ones from the continent were the stuff of dreams. Japanese offerings were and still are ho-hum to me. Yes, I have owned 3 but would not trade one of my Euro bikes for a thousand Asian ones. I was exposed to the café racer theme and have stayed there, mostly. Even the Mille GT has Superbike bars and a Corbin seat. Exhaust mods with baffles give the sound I like. I also like the direct, connected feeling of the Café style suspension. If you see me on a cruiser, make sure it is the sidecar hearse model. I will be in the box.

[lucian]

If you see me on a cruiser, make sure it is the sidecar hearse model. I will be in the box.
R

    Didn't see that one coming.

[Gliderjohn]

I can not explain why but I like the roads less traveled. Guzzi is most definitely a road less traveled, plus when sorted and dialed in they are great riding bikes. Sometimes they really aggravate though.
My first ride was a Suzuki GS400. In my younger years I hung out at a major biker bar in Wichita with my Suzuki. Since I rode it a lot and was good natured about taking any crap about my "rice burner" I was well accepted and even defended at times. That was also a road less traveled. That bike said I like to ride and and a Japanese two wheeler is still better than a four wheeler.
My second was the T-3. Get attention about every stop. Feeds the ego nicely.  H-D riders really have a negative word about a Guzzi.
For many years I flew planes without motors, says similar things I think.
GliderJohn

[canuck750]

I think it says I like clean uncluttered styling that highlights the power train, that I prefer the unconventional, respect the history of a marque that has been around for 90+ years, and know that what I prefer to ride is about a close to limited production, hand made as is possible in the price pint... and that my head is stuck in the 70's.

[redrider]

If the Bike and I are reflections of each other, then We might not be the latest, greatest, asphalt melting, ground bound missile but We can give a fair account of ourselves when things get twisty.

[SmithSwede]

Most of my bikes have subtle clues that suggest I'm a cheap bastard. 

[Sheepdog]

I hope that my taste in bikes indicates that I have diverse interests and that I'm not afraid of going against the grain. Also, I like a bike that is not so big and stops/turns well.

[Chuck in Indiana]

Buncha weirdos ride em. I fit right in..
*love* the engine, though. Every Guzzi I've ever ridden speaks to me in one way or another. Don't need no boring motorcycles. 

[Sasquatch Jim]

 Mine definitely show that all my life I have been addicted to motorcycles.
 I can't break the habit even though my disabilities say that I should not be riding anymore.

[AH Fan]

I think it says I like clean uncluttered styling that highlights the power train, that I prefer the unconventional, respect the history of a marque that has been around for 90+ years, and know that what I prefer to ride is about a close to limited production, hand made as is possible in the price pint... and that my head is stuck in the 70's.

Yes........... I think that is a very good explanation of my reasoning as well.
Also have one of those hi tech German machines I like to ride from time to time for perspective and all......... just never gives me the comforting character I feel with the air cooled Gooses.   That's all.

Lucian.... we have to get together for a pop someday.

Seasons Greetings all.

Ciao

[lucian]

Lucian.... we have to get together for a pop someday.

Seasons Greetings all.

Ciao

 :1: Sounds like a worthy goal for 2016, it would be a pleasure.

I have been thinking on what attracted me to the Guzzi world. It started out with the need for a bike to take longer rides on than the Bonnie was comfortable with two up. After passing on a buddy's HD RK I went to N.H. to test the cali 14 and  instantly I knew this was exactly what I had been hoping to find.  Only now am starting to realize that there is more behind my acquired taste for things Italian. One of the best men I ever knew, who taught me the copper trade and so much more was an Italian, he changed my life. My wife of 31 years is also Italian, and yeah she definitely changed my life. I also ended up acquiring a used Griso from a fellow board member as I missed a lighter bike for general hoodleming around town and solo rides with buddy's and it has only added to my admiration for all things Italian. It is hard to quantify but I like how they do it their way regardless of what everyone else out there is doing. I'll be damned if that's not exactly how I think too. Thanks for all the interesting responses.   dave

[Hymes Inc.]

I would believe my bike tells people "this guy is making this up as he goes" which seems to be how I do everything really.

[oldbike54]

I would believe my bike tells people "this guy is making this up as he goes" which seems to be how I do everything really.

 Damn , thought that was just me ...

  Dusty

[Hymes Inc.]

Damn , thought that was just me ...

  Dusty

You have good company sir  I get it from my dad.

[oldbike54]

You have good company sir  I get it from my dad.

 Waking up in a new world every morning is much more interesting than the alternative 

  Dusty

[Rox]

Guzzistas are a unique breed. Small number . Quirky personalities. Tend to not care about trends.
Guzzistas can also be on the cheap side and do more "improvisions" more than "modifications".
90% of Guzzistas I've encountered ride fast , calculalated and clean but not quick , sporatic and aggressive.
    We wear true riding gear that more works than looks good. We ride Italian bikes but nothing like a Ducatista or Aprilista whom can be more posh and flashy . Nothing like BMW riders who are slow and highly reflective...lol Not like the JapBike riders( I use the term "Japbike" in an endearing way, not dirogatorial ) who are more technological with the latest and greatest . Guzzistas have a timeless style and haul ass with our dated technology. We can assimilate with the British riders but we never come close in their numbers or ride in the groups.

We are a unique breed.

[SED]

Most of my bikes have subtle clues that suggest I'm a cheap bastard.

That, and I'd rather ride them than wash them! 

[lucydad]

My Guzzi is a lot like my home made, world famous spaghetti.  That is complex, takes a while to fester, but worth all the ingredients and patience.  Very filling, tasty, and very filling and satisfying.  Others ask for the recipe, but there really is none, other than in my head and heart after decades....

[Adk.IBO]

All to often loud and obnoxious makes me think loud and obnoxious. I happen to love a fine sound from a high performance internal combustion engine creating gobs of horsepower. Unfortunately not everyone has that appreciation and I don't believe those of us who do have the right to inflict it on those that don't. Dinner is on... I'll check back...

Well, after reading other's responses my response didn't have much Guzzi content😔. I've always gone my own way or at least I like to think I have. Different I am I guess... Hence my Guzzi😛👍...

Stay safe, John

[Tobit]

My list of MCs owned is short.  Weirdness began early with a '73 Hodaka Wombat.  Then a beater '73 Yammie 360, a new '76 Suzuki GT500A (500cc two stroke twin), on to a new '84 kawi GPz750, then to a new '86 LeMans IV which remains.  Other bikes were a '91 or so R100RT, a Guzzi Monza and Cal III Touring.  Along the way were several vintage Montesa 247 and 348 Cotas during the '90s.

So, mostly odd bikes.

What does that say?  Beats me.

Why does the LeMans IV stay, even if rarely ridden anymore?  It's unique, is low tech, sounds great, is comfy, does everything I need it to do and is easy to maintain without service department intervention.  A must for all my vehicles. 

Tobit

[pebra]

I hope that my taste in bikes indicates that I have diverse interests and that I'm not afraid of going against the grain. Also, I like a bike that is not so big and stops/turns well.

I feel that was well put.
Thanks!

[SeanF]

My 850-T just looked at me and said:

You are not your job. You're not how much money you have in the bank. You are not the car you drive. You're not the contents of your wallet. You are not your f#cking khakis. You are all singing, all dancing crap of the world.

[Penderic]

Next, ask the passenger what they think.


 

[rocker59]

I've quit trying to figure out what I want to do when I grow up.  I just fell into a bunch of things and here I am.  Unfortunately, as a "plan", that did nothing for my upcoming retirement.

You, too, huh ?

[lucian]

My 850-T just looked at me and said:

You are not your job. You're not how much money you have in the bank. You are not the car you drive. You're not the contents of your wallet. You are not your f#cking khakis. You are all singing, all dancing crap of the world.

   This is getting  good !