So is your motorcycle a....?

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Do you anthropomorphize your motorcycle? If so, do you refer to it as a...

Female (she)
20
29%
Male (he)
5
7%
Gender neutral (it)
10
14%
I don't anthropomorphize; its a machine.
34
49%
 
Total votes: 69

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x01660
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So is your motorcycle a....?

#1

Post by x01660 »

I've been thinking about the psychology of vehicle ownership, and especially to those who work on their vehicles, and don't just see it as a means of getting from point A to point B.

So I'm wondering if you imbue your motorcycle with human characteristics, and if so, why?
-x01660

"The best motorcycle is the one well ridden" anim-cheers1

"The individual has always had to struggle to keep from being overwhelmed by the tribe. If you try it, you will be lonely often, and sometimes frightened. But no price is too high to pay for the privilege of owning yourself." ~Friedrich Nietzsche
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CYBORG
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Re: So is your motorcycle a....?

#2

Post by CYBORG »

Slow day at the computer????
1978 custom GL1000
1977 custom with 1200 engine
1985 gl1200
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x01660
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Re: So is your motorcycle a....?

#3

Post by x01660 »

CYBORG wrote:Slow day at the computer????
A bit, lol. I actually show up to work about 2 hours early every day. Get my coffee, check the news and forums, etc. Allows me to settle into my day so I can be ready to interact with the public when my shift actually starts.

I know, I know... I can't stand most people, yet I work a job where I interact with them... :shock:

Plus, when your workplace looks like this, its hard not to indulge just a little bit... ;)
MNH.jpg
MNH.jpg (113.68 KiB) Viewed 1009 times
-x01660

"The best motorcycle is the one well ridden" anim-cheers1

"The individual has always had to struggle to keep from being overwhelmed by the tribe. If you try it, you will be lonely often, and sometimes frightened. But no price is too high to pay for the privilege of owning yourself." ~Friedrich Nietzsche
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Sidecar Bob
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Re: So is your motorcycle a....?

#4

Post by Sidecar Bob »

My GoldWing is called Mr. Honda (Mr.H to those that know it), partly because it was big enough that it deserved to be called "mister" but mostly because I read an article about Soichiro Honda while I was putting it together.

My winter machine is what the Brits call a "bitsa" (when first assembled it had parts from over a dozen bikes and the count has risen over the years) so, while not even close to being a show custom, it isn't quite like any other bike around either. In other words, it is sort of goofy & odd. When it came time to name it I had been listening to episodes of the Goon Show in the shop so it was natural to name it after "The Famous Eccles"
Mr. Honda ('83 GL1100/Dnepr) summer How a motorcycle evolves thread
The Famous Eccles ('84 CX650EI/VeloUral) winter Never Ending Build (CX500forum)
Click: Colour schematics for all GL1000 & GL1100 and GL1200 standard models plus instructions on how to download the full size version
"A guy with two sidecars can't be all bad." - Cookie
Another guy with two sidecars..... Hmmmm... must be something to that....
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Re: So is your motorcycle a....?

#5

Post by OCR »

My CX500 Custom is named Scruffy. 'cause he don't care!

The 77 GL1000 has been named SWMBO.
79 CX500custom
76LTD
77Goldwing
2001 Polaris Scrambler 500 4X4

Secretary Caroline Lodge 681
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x01660
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Re: So is your motorcycle a....?

#6

Post by x01660 »

My GL is Athena. I named her that because I'm at a point in my life where I'm striving for wisdom, competence, experience, personal strength and life skills. And Athena is the goddess of all of those things.

I always name my vehicles after Greek deities. My last bike was Pandora, and she NEVER ran right.... I guess you could say she was a veritable Pandora's box... :mrgreen:
-x01660

"The best motorcycle is the one well ridden" anim-cheers1

"The individual has always had to struggle to keep from being overwhelmed by the tribe. If you try it, you will be lonely often, and sometimes frightened. But no price is too high to pay for the privilege of owning yourself." ~Friedrich Nietzsche
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Re: So is your motorcycle a....?

#7

Post by rcmatt007 »

my 78 is the 78... then there is the LTD.... then there is the sidecar bike... and the "79 project" and Beth's Harley and my harley
-Rodger-
all it takes for evil to prosper is the want of a few good men to do nothing-Edmund Burke
The question is not how much time do you have, it is what you do with the time that you have Gandalf
"One of the greatest dignities of humankind is that each successive generation is invested in the welfare of each new generation." Fred Rodgers
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78 constantly modified/customized since 1978, BOTM June 2015 de-evolving this very moment viewtopic.php?f=30&t=65511
76 Ltd "cookies bike" ALMOST DONE
79 project, finished, FOR SALE
'86 1200 (Beth's)(FOR SALE) with motorvation sidecar (sidecar sold) , July 2017 BOTM
'17 HD Road king and 08 HD Heritage softail (Beth's) (FOR SALE). I guess you can say we have MBS
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Rednaxs60
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Re: So is your motorcycle a....?

#8

Post by Rednaxs60 »

Mine are known as the '85 or '95, gold or white one.
"When writing the Story of your life, don't let anyone else hold the pen."

Ernest

1985 GL1200 Limited Edition
2014 Can-Am Spyder RT LE
2021 Royal Enfield Himalayan
1995 GL1500 SE CDN Edition (sold)
2012 Suzuki DL1000 VStrom (sold)
Ontario 1985 GL1200 Limited Edition (sold)
2008 GL1800 (sold)
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Lucien Harpress
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Re: So is your motorcycle a....?

#9

Post by Lucien Harpress »

Hm..... "Worthless pile of garbage" is pretty gender-neutral, isn't it?
1997 Valkyrie- Light Cutomization, but Too Busy Riding
1980 KZ1300- Bike's Haunted
1976 GL1000 (Yellow)- It Runs (Poorly) and Doesn't Leak (Mostly)
1974 Velosolex 3800- Better Than Walking
1972 CB750- Broke the Chain And Ate the Motor
1969 CT90- The Most Fun You Can Have on 90ccs.
1965 CA77 Dream- Needs a Full Teardown, but Complete

All advice I give is only valid until an expert corrects me.
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pidjones
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Re: So is your motorcycle a....?

#10

Post by pidjones »

I'm ex-Navy. Ships are always female. The names of my bikes are gender-neutral (Black Pearl, the Hunley, Rocket), they are all most definitely female.
"Love 'em all.... let God sort 'em out!"
Ex 2006 GL1800 - the Black Pearl SOLD! to make room for:
2021 Can-Am Spyder RT Limited Dark Chalk Metallic
1975 Red GL1000 project - ex Pistol Pete project
1972 Triumph T150V Trident rescue - finished and FOR SALE!
1976 Yamaha RD400c
1978 GL1000 with '75 engine - the Hunley
Ex 1978 GL1000
Ex 1979 GL1000
Ex '79 CB750F rat bike
Ex '86 SEi
Ex '77 GL1000
Ex '76 RD400
Ex '72 Penton 125 set up for flat track
Ex '73 RD250
Ex '68 TR6C - chopped
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dontwantapickle
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Re: So is your motorcycle a....?

#11

Post by dontwantapickle »

I don't anthropomorphize; its a machine.
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scootsx2
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Re: So is your motorcycle a....?

#12

Post by scootsx2 »

dontwantapickle wrote:I don't anthropomorphize; its a machine.
action1 action1 action1
1975 GL1000 Sidecar Outfit
1982 CX500-based Trident ex-Police Trike
2001 GL1800 MotorTrike
2006 Vespa LX150
1956 Francis-Barnett Falcon 74
195x Solex 1700
196x Solex 2200

St. Louis, MO

The dude abides.

Brothers of the Third Wheel - Gateway Chapter http://www.btw-trikers.org
Vintage Japanese Motorcycle Club http://www.vjmc.org
Francis-Barnett Owners Club http://www.francis-barnett.co.uk/
Antique Motorcycle Club of America http://www.antiquemotorcycle.org/
Vintage Motor Cycle Club http://www.vmcc.net
British Motorcycle Charitable Trust http://www.bmct.org/
VeloSolex Club UK http://www.velosolexclubuk.com/
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ritalz
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Re: So is your motorcycle a....?

#13

Post by ritalz »

My 75 is called Max and the 85 is NCC1985. (long stories]
Al

2003 Goldwing Daily Rider
1975 Goldwing 'Max'
1984 Goldwing New Bagger Project
1976 Goldwing 'Grocery Getter' Sold
1985 Goldwing Interstate 'NCC-1985' sold
1981 Silverwing Sold
1982 Goldeing Project Sold
1981 Goldwing Parted Out
1983 Goldwing Project Sold
1973 CB500F Long Gone
1966 CL77 First Street Bike
http://www.ngwclub.com/gallery3/index.p ... ans/ritalz
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x01660
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Re: So is your motorcycle a....?

#14

Post by x01660 »

ritalz wrote:My 75 is called Max and the 85 is NCC1985. (long stories]
HA!

Registry number: NX-01660
Ship Name: USS Athena
Ship class: Pantheon

Its an experimental shuttlecraft, running on an ancient form of propulsion. For use when animatter reactors fail...

lolol
-x01660

"The best motorcycle is the one well ridden" anim-cheers1

"The individual has always had to struggle to keep from being overwhelmed by the tribe. If you try it, you will be lonely often, and sometimes frightened. But no price is too high to pay for the privilege of owning yourself." ~Friedrich Nietzsche
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Track T 2411
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Re: So is your motorcycle a....?

#15

Post by Track T 2411 »

I've named my bikes, all female, with the exception of Grumpy, which was named by my granddaughter (it does fit, lol). It helps the famdamily keep them straight. They also each have their own quirks, or personality, if you will...
"I have no special talent. I am only passionately curious." - Albert Einstein

"He that is good with a hammer tends to think everything is a nail" - Abraham Maslow

"If you can't take the time to do it right the first time, how are you ever going to find the time to do it over?" -Unknown

Current Rides:
'Grumpy' - '81 Standard, now fully dressed.
'Layla' - '81 Standard w/dealer installed fairing and Hondaline bags.
'Scarlett' '76 'Survivor' nekkid as a j-bird!

Under Construction:
The 'Jalopy' '78-'79 Mash-up
'Quikie' '81 gl1100I back on the lift, project with the step-son!

In The Shed:
'81 gl1100I barn find aka "Josie, the farmer's daughter." (almost comatose build)
'77 gl1000, roller parts bike.
'82 gl1100I, 'Old Crusty' titled roller parts bike (free!)
'82 gl1100I, My first 'Wing, and an expensive lesson!
New2U Bike? Read Me.
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