The Walking Dead

[gpolakow]

Maybe it's me. I love machines, cars, boats, airplanes, but most of all, the greatest transportation machine in the galaxy, motorcycles. And I can't pass one or have it pass me without scoping it out. If I see one parked I almost always sidle up to it, no matter what the make, and just look at it, admire the lines, you know. So today I am at subway for lunch admiring my LT parked in the parking lot from inside the store. And I am watching (admit it, you've done this, too) to see how people passing by it going to and from the store respond to its exceptional (let's face it) beauty and style and personality. Now, I don't really expect most women to pay much attention. Generally speaking machines are not their thing. But it amazed me how many guys of all ages walked right by my bike without showing the slightest bit of interest. Maybe one or two would turn their head slightly, but no real once over to take it all in. And,mind you, I live in an area where you rarely if ever see an LT. I just don't get it. Have we become a nation of the walking dead where we are so wrapped up in our own concerns we can't take time to even notice what's around us -- you know, smell the coffee, check out the beauty of nature and motorcycles? I guess so. It just plain baffles me.

[KMC1]

I just don't get it. Have we become a nation of the walking dead where we are so wrapped up in our own concerns we can't take time to even notice what's around us -- you know, smell the coffee, check out the beauty of nature and motorcycles? I guess so. It just plain baffles me.

HEY! Shouldn't you be at work right now! LOL! :p
Yeah, I hear you man, we work too much and don't really seem to worry about enjoying life enough. I think we should start with reducing our work hours and increasing our vacation time. Let's start spending our money on us, instead of trying to fix all the world's problems. What you're noticing is a direct result of poor policies and an increasingly socialist society, IMHO.

[meese]

I don't get it. Sure I enjoy bikes immensely, and my bike in particular. And I can appreciate other bikes as well, though the chrome-and-bling cruisers or clown-graphics sport bikes don't do much for me. But I could care less if someone looks twice at my bike. I bought it for me, and my pleasure derives from riding it. Whether some else notices or not is immaterial. In fact, when I do get an occasional "nice bike" or similar, it kinda makes me wonder. After all, I didn't build it, I just picked it out and laid down some cash. Anyone can do the same.

[gpolakow]

I don't get it. Sure I enjoy bikes immensely, and my bike in particular. And I can appreciate other bikes as well, though the chrome-and-bling cruisers or clown-graphics sport bikes don't do much for me. But I could care less if someone looks twice at my bike. I bought it for me, and my pleasure derives from riding it. Whether some else notices or not is immaterial. In fact, when I do get an occasional "nice bike" or similar, it kinda makes me wonder. After all, I didn't build it, I just picked it out and laid down some cash. Anyone can do the same.
Yes, that's kind of my point. It's not that it was my bike, it's that it was an unusual and attractive machine and no one noticed. It just surprised me.

[meese]

Sigh. No, this isn't some grand socialist plot. In fact, wasn't it the left that pushed for shorter work hours, weekends free, and basically eliminated child labor? Doesn't that count as standing up for ourselves against the uncaring monolithic corporations and greedy bastards who run them?

It is simply that we as Americans already have it too easy. Generally we are already too comfortable, too content, and too lazy. In fact, you could say that the cause of all this is the fact that we have so little responsibilities to ourselves or others, so we simply choose to be selfish and materialistic.

[meese]

Yes, that's kind of my point. It's not that it was my bike, it's that it was an unusual and attractive machine and no one noticed. It just surprised me.It's unusual and attractive compared to other bikes. But for someone who has no interest in two-wheeled transport at all, it's just another object and the subtleties are lost.

I will also park in a place I can see the bike if possible. I want to trust people, but I don't take too many unnecessary chances. Sometimes I just watch to see if anyone does notice it. Very few do, but those who do are probably other bikers, or wish they were, so they have some interest already.

Occasionally, we'll get an older couple come up and start telling us all about the R75/5 they rode all over Europe, or that the rode their Wing to every state. Those are usually fun stories, and unless we're pressed for time, I'll usually let them reminisce for a while. They get it, and so we share a deep understanding, if only for a few moments.

[BDC]

And I can't pass one or have it pass me without scoping it out. If I see one parked I almost always sidle up to it, no matter what the make, and just look at it, admire the lines, you know. And I am watching (admit it, you've done this, too) to see how people passing by it going to and from the store respond to its exceptional (let's face it) beauty and style and personality.


It's not just you. It's me as well. My wife often tells me off for looking at other bikes when I ought to be concentrating on driving the car.

I think we enjoy other peoples approval because we like to share with others the pleasures we enjoy. However in the UK soccer gets people really excited. It leaves me cold. I guess it's just horses for courses.

Big Daft Chris

[K1200LTryder]

I can sit back and watch people looking at my LT and enjoy it. Especially when a couple ride up on a HD product, and the female gender of the pair almost always makes elbow contact to the ribs of her pirate partner and says "we really should get one of those, that thing looks real comfortable !"


Other comments include...." I didnt know BMW made motorcycles"

..."at least it's not a Honda"

..."is it electric?"

This could be a thread revival, it has been discussed here alot recently.

Face it, anybody who reads forums like this is for the love of motorcycles, and those that dont, well,.....the old cliche " If I had to tell you.........."

[gpolakow]

It's unusual and attractive compared to other bikes. But for someone who has no interest in two-wheeled transport at all, it's just another object and the subtleties are lost.

I will also park in a place I can see the bike if possible. I want to trust people, but I don't take too many unnecessary chances. Sometimes I just watch to see if anyone does notice it. Very few do, but those who do are probably other bikers, or wish they were, so they have some interest already.

Occasionally, we'll get an older couple come up and start telling us all about the R75/5 they rode all over Europe, or that the rode their Wing to every state. Those are usually fun stories, and unless we're pressed for time, I'll usually let them reminisce for a while. They get it, and so we share a deep understanding, if only for a few moments.
Yes, I have had those encounters, too. It's like you don't really have to say much of anything because you connect on a level of understanding that almost makes words beside the point. In a way, it's like this forum. We are a group of individuals with a wide range of thoughts and beliefs on almost every topic except one, our love of motorcycles and motorcycling. Those similarities connect us, I think, more powerfully than any differences we may have on other topics.

[gpolakow]

It's not just you. It's me as well. My wife often tells me off for looking at other bikes when I ought to be concentrating on driving the car.

I think we enjoy other peoples approval because we like to share with others the pleasures we enjoy. However in the UK soccer gets people really excited. It leaves me cold. I guess it's just horses for courses.

Big Daft Chris
Yes, Chris, I think that's part of it -- having others like what we like is a way of sharing an experience.

[CajunBass]

Believe it or not, some people simply don't give a hoot about motorcycles one way or the other. Just like I don't give a hoot about Gothic architecture. My wife will point out a building, and to me it's just an old ugly building. To her it's a work of art.

[sheldan2]

I think it all depends on where you live, if my brother and I go riding together( he lives in Ontario) he has a hayabusa, he will have more people stare and ask him questions about his bike and totally ignore mine. In Gastonia it was the complete opposite.

[skaboots]

when my wif and i go places, people always stop...to look at her Victory :( !!! Mine rarely gets attention from the uninformed. :histerica

[VincesBMW]

Did you ever pass a car with a boy drooling on the window looking at you. Man I have. I think all of us who love bikes are the same kindof people who would have loved horses in the old west. We love the open road and the freesom that it all brings we loved playing cowboys and indians as kids. It's the same spirit, the spirit of freedom. Some people be they men or women can't relate to the open road and the freedom it brings.

My 2 cents

[pkpr1998]

Maybe it's me. I love machines, cars, boats, airplanes, but most of all, the greatest transportation machine in the galaxy, motorcycles. And I can't pass one or have it pass me without scoping it out. If I see one parked I almost always sidle up to it, no matter what the make, and just look at it, admire the lines, you know. So today I am at subway for lunch admiring my LT parked in the parking lot from inside the store. And I am watching (admit it, you've done this, too) to see how people passing by it going to and from the store respond to its exceptional (let's face it) beauty and style and personality. Now, I don't really expect most women to pay much attention. Generally speaking machines are not their thing. But it amazed me how many guys of all ages walked right by my bike without showing the slightest bit of interest. Maybe one or two would turn their head slightly, but no real once over to take it all in. And,mind you, I live in an area where you rarely if ever see an LT. I just don't get it. Have we become a nation of the walking dead where we are so wrapped up in our own concerns we can't take time to even notice what's around us -- you know, smell the coffee, check out the beauty of nature and motorcycles? I guess so. It just plain baffles me.

I think most of us here can relate. Being on a bike since I was nine I have always gawked at other's bikes and wonder what people are thinking as they walk by your own scoot.

I remember the first time I saw an LT about 7 years ago I wondered what the heck was the machine.

After I saw a few of them I thought to myself, self, one day this may be the bike for me!

So I wents out and bawt one; it is a dandy machine and there is not much out there that can come close to it.

[c00k1e]

What amazes me is the number of people that have said "nice bike" about my ST1100, but never the K1200lt.
My ST is a pig ugley, 12 year old, unwashed winter hack held together with gaffa tape!
I never liked the boxyness of the ST1100, but love the lines of the K12.
Maybe it's down to the fact that the ST is so obviously a workhorse and the K12 looks too bling

[Lynn_Keen]

We all know that a large percentage of the motoring public dislike motorcycles and don't much care if it's a beautiful BMW K1200LT or a noisy V Twin of some sort. They just think their noisy and dangerous and should all be banned from the highways! On the other hand, a large percentage of the public is into CARS. My evidence is that when ever I park my MINI COOPER S in a public parking lot I almost always have someone walk up to me and ask about the car. They all end the conversation buy saying "I'm thinking of getting one".

[c00k1e]

I know how the Americans love the Mini - I had a 1960s rust bucket mini in the '80s. Used to live near Ipswich. American Airforce guys who hadn't settled in yet, used to hitch a bit back then and they would leave the car prety white faced after a trip back to base. That car used to do some speed for its size and had many a hole in the passenger floor!

We all know that a large percentage of the motoring public dislike motorcycles and don't much care if it's a beautiful BMW K1200LT or a noisy V Twin of some sort. They just think their noisy and dangerous and should all be banned from the highways! On the other hand, a large percentage of the public is into CARS. My evidence is that when ever I park my MINI COOPER S in a public parking lot I almost always have someone walk up to me and ask about the car. They all end the conversation buy saying "I'm thinking of getting one".

[rando]

I have had several people come scope out the LT and tell me how that is their dream bike. I tell em to buy one. Buy it used, no excuse for blaming price when you can get a great machine for less than $10K.

I don;t remember the shado or Vstrom generating quite as much response.

randy

[BobW]

I've had several people admire the LT. Once I was riding up Central Expressway in the center lane and a guy in a BMW car, I think it was a 7 series, came up fast on my left, slowed just after he passed me, waited until he was right beside me, cruised at my speed looking at the bike. Then he dropped back, crossed over to the lane on my right and pulled up beside me for a bit, gave me a big thumbs up :yeah: and sped off down the road.


When I'm on the KTM I get a lot of people admiring it, making comments and asking questions.

[K1200LTryder]

We all know that a large percentage of the motoring public dislike motorcycles and don't much care if it's a beautiful BMW K1200LT or a noisy V Twin of some sort. They just think their noisy and dangerous and should all be banned from the highways! On the other hand, a large percentage of the public is into CARS. My evidence is that when ever I park my MINI COOPER S in a public parking lot I almost always have someone walk up to me and ask about the car. They all end the conversation buy saying "I'm thinking of getting one".


Too bad it aint a real Mini Cooper "S"

You couldnt get one in USA....but you could in Canada !

I had one....1275CC's of screaming torque steer ! (and 125mph to boot)

Traded it in on a '69 Alfa Romeo 1750 GTV...now that's a car I shall always miss.

No slighting the new style Mini's, afterall, they are built by BMW.

[Offwego]

One of the things I love about the LT is no one pays attention. When I go on tour I don't have to worry about it When I want lookers, I ride my Harley. When I park it, I always worry about it and come out to find people checking it out. I have to lock the forks, ignition, front wheel and set the alarm. With the LT, I turn it off and take the key. I never worry about it. That's why the LT is a luxury tourer! Part of luxury is not worrying.

[KMC1]

One of the things I love about the LT is no one pays attention. When I go on tour I don't have to worry about it When I want lookers, I ride my Harley. When I park it, I always worry about it and come out to find people checking it out. I have to lock the forks, ignition, front wheel and set the alarm. With the LT, I turn it off and take the key. I never worry about it. That's why the LT is a luxury tourer! Part of luxury is not worrying.
That's cause the thieves know the minute they drive away on an LT it's already worth less than when they stole it!! :histerica :histerica :histerica

[Offwego]

That's cause the thieves know the minute they drive away on an LT it's already worth less than when they stole it!! :histerica :histerica :histerica
Unless they part it out!!!:histerical: