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It's interesting how some people develop a relationship with inanimate objects. Baseball players with a particular bat or glove, bicycle racers have their 'lucky' gloves, Tom Hanks had 'Wilson' in the movie Castaway... if you think for a bit you can come up with many, many instances of a bond with and object.
In our case it's motorcycles, for some it's brand loyalty, some find the good of the XS1100. Sometimes we filter our perception to where the good qualities overshadow the defecits in design or construction.
Some see their bike as merely transportation. An efficient way to get from here to there. Costs less to purchase and maintain than a car and the ability to get there quicker if traffic gets slow.
Others seem to find a meaning in riding. Getting out of town is a joy. The open road, wind, less stress.... get out and ride somewhere, or nowhere.
Some are happy when cleaning the bike. A time to unwind and reflect and there's actually something to show for the effort, a shining example of machinery/art.
Some really enjoy tinkering on their bike. Anyone here ever adjust their camchain when you know it really dosen't need it yet? They strive to keep the bike as well-maintained as possible, after all their life depends on the bike.
Some take this further by modifying their bike. Squeezing the last bit of power out of the design and upgrading things that can be upgraded at technology advances. Customizing the machine into an individual work of art with custom paint, seat, tank, fenders, etc.
There are different reasons we do this, each has their own reasons. Lonelyness, get away from stressful situations, hobby to pass idle time, just keeping the dang thing running so I can get to work tomorrow, a long list here.
I find myself fitting into many of these niches (or else I wouldn't be typing this). I enjoy tinkering on the bike. I look for what needs attention after 20 years on the road and determining if it needs to be adjusted or replaced. I'm proud when people notice and appreciate an old bike that is shining. I also take pride when I pull into work in the middle of winter, pouring rain, bike covered in road grime. Shows dedication to riding. I like zipping around town on errands or to appointments. Fortunately I have no need to split lanes even though traffic can get snarled at times, just no need for it around here. I like riding out in the countryside, no one around, fresh air (even by dairies
), bugs, open and soothing. Then there's roadtrips. Riding all day or many days. Sometimes it's to a place or sometimes it's just a direction. Mostly I ride alone, I'm used to that, I enjoy solitude. I do like riding with others or in a group but I enjoy the freedom of solitude. This probably comes from being a loner most of my life (ya think?). I like to ride fast, I like to ride slow (just not as often). I like to ride long distances. 5, 6, or 700 mile rides are a joy. Shorter rides are just as good. Somedays I pick a direction and ride that way for 1 hour then turn around and come home.
In my case having 2 bikes is handy, having one to ride while the other is being worked on keeps me on the road. One bike gets mostly maintainence work done on it as I'd like to keep it (relatively) stock. The other has had many upgrades and no doubt will get more. Both bikes have their niche even though they are both XS1100's.
Some understand us, some don't. Appreciate comments from both. Those that don't see our obsession probably have something they are just as passionate about that we might think strange. Embrace life and don't rule anything out.
In our case it's motorcycles, for some it's brand loyalty, some find the good of the XS1100. Sometimes we filter our perception to where the good qualities overshadow the defecits in design or construction.
Some see their bike as merely transportation. An efficient way to get from here to there. Costs less to purchase and maintain than a car and the ability to get there quicker if traffic gets slow.
Others seem to find a meaning in riding. Getting out of town is a joy. The open road, wind, less stress.... get out and ride somewhere, or nowhere.
Some are happy when cleaning the bike. A time to unwind and reflect and there's actually something to show for the effort, a shining example of machinery/art.
Some really enjoy tinkering on their bike. Anyone here ever adjust their camchain when you know it really dosen't need it yet? They strive to keep the bike as well-maintained as possible, after all their life depends on the bike.
Some take this further by modifying their bike. Squeezing the last bit of power out of the design and upgrading things that can be upgraded at technology advances. Customizing the machine into an individual work of art with custom paint, seat, tank, fenders, etc.
There are different reasons we do this, each has their own reasons. Lonelyness, get away from stressful situations, hobby to pass idle time, just keeping the dang thing running so I can get to work tomorrow, a long list here.
I find myself fitting into many of these niches (or else I wouldn't be typing this). I enjoy tinkering on the bike. I look for what needs attention after 20 years on the road and determining if it needs to be adjusted or replaced. I'm proud when people notice and appreciate an old bike that is shining. I also take pride when I pull into work in the middle of winter, pouring rain, bike covered in road grime. Shows dedication to riding. I like zipping around town on errands or to appointments. Fortunately I have no need to split lanes even though traffic can get snarled at times, just no need for it around here. I like riding out in the countryside, no one around, fresh air (even by dairies
), bugs, open and soothing. Then there's roadtrips. Riding all day or many days. Sometimes it's to a place or sometimes it's just a direction. Mostly I ride alone, I'm used to that, I enjoy solitude. I do like riding with others or in a group but I enjoy the freedom of solitude. This probably comes from being a loner most of my life (ya think?). I like to ride fast, I like to ride slow (just not as often). I like to ride long distances. 5, 6, or 700 mile rides are a joy. Shorter rides are just as good. Somedays I pick a direction and ride that way for 1 hour then turn around and come home.In my case having 2 bikes is handy, having one to ride while the other is being worked on keeps me on the road. One bike gets mostly maintainence work done on it as I'd like to keep it (relatively) stock. The other has had many upgrades and no doubt will get more. Both bikes have their niche even though they are both XS1100's.
Some understand us, some don't. Appreciate comments from both. Those that don't see our obsession probably have something they are just as passionate about that we might think strange. Embrace life and don't rule anything out.
I to, after a hell day at work will wander out to the garage, grab a cold beer and make a couple of laps around my 11 looking for something to do to it. Most of the time I do not find much so I grab a rag and the polish. Someones bound to notice that smashed bug on the casesaver.
I have owned alot of bikes and I can see this one following me to my grave, or putting me in in it.
Why do I make what could be a 15 minute ride to the bike shop a 80+ mile, hour long trip? Cause I can, cause I like to ride. I can plonk along at 40mph or blast past cars like the Enterprise chasing a Klingon battle cruiser. It is a love affair with a mechanical object. Not unlike my human counterpart, it can be cranky, mean and just not nice to be around. Most of the time it is a amiable partner, content to do do what I ask of it, a relationship, I take care of you and you will take care of me. I have been asked, when it is apparent I am in a bad mood, "why don't you go out ride for a while". I do, and I come back calm and collected, or at the very least, more tolerable of my surroundings.
) 
Pullin' into garage after first ride on an 11 in a long time, Skynard---------------Free Bird on the tunes 
, feelt like--how poetic! As I type this Segar/ on the road again playing!
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