Can a Bike have too much "soul"?

[mike in oregon]

Hey all.  I'm new here, but have horrible (wonderful) motorcycle addiction.  This is something I've been thinking about for some time.   I've had certain bikes that are more tools to get from a-b (IMO), but I seem to pay more attention to my surroundings and have more introspective rides on them-more smelling the roses, and enjoying myself in a more sedate (and safe) manner.  Examples for me were bmwf650, R1150R, HD 883 Sportster (stock pipes and jetting).  Now,  I'm not putting down these bikes at all.  They all have magical qualities and good and bad points.

Lately (past few years) I've been getting bikes that, for me, are and absolute hoot to ride, but I get soo wrapped up in their character, that most of the time I'm on them, it's all about the bike-sounds, vibes, speed. Examples -Ducati monster 800, KTM 950 Adventure, and most recently KTM 950 super moto.  These bikes, particularly the 950 sm, are like your buddy in high school that constantly dared you to go a little faster, drink one more beer.  I find more and more that I miss being able to go for a nice exploring ride without searching for a stretch of road to get to triple digits.  I guess this all boils down to that I'm getting older?? (I'm 38)  

Anyone else have oppinion or similar thoughts?

BTW, I only have my 950 sm and a new f650, and the 950 is going to be sold.

[Baz]

My Bandit continually tells me to sleep with Jessica Alba!

I am telling you there are voices!

But on the serious side, I have experianced a soul in every bike or vehicle I have owned.

[curvesurfer]

I don't think soul is the issue, but rather, the ability of the bike to provide a rewarding experience without encouraging triple-digit speeds.

If the 950SM is your kind of fun but puts your license at risk, why not try a DRZ400 SM? Owners rave they're an absolute hoot, even at modest speeds.

[Schneegz]

My Bandit continually tells me to sleep with Jessica Alba!

Bandit?  You call it Bandit?  Isn't that kind of a dog name?

[Schneegz]

This thread begs the question; if a bike can have "soul", then there must be a bike that is the James Brown - the Godfather of Soul - of bikes.  What bike, then, is the Godfather of Soul?

[Busy Little Whiner]

Anyone else have oppinion or similar thoughts?

Mr.RC45 is possessor of souls... mine and others pretending that the exotic is theirs...



 

[Orson]

bikes with 1980s paint jobs should be put to the crusher.

I mean come on...80s paint jobs are like 80s bands..A Flock of Seagulls  

[Joey Stalin]

There is no such thing as "soul" for a motorcycle. It's a mechanical device made up of metal, plastic, and rubber. Soul, at least in the automotive world, is an oft-used excuse for vehicles that don't perform as well as their competitors in most measureable ways, but still grab the heart strings of the driver. It's a typical problem that afflicts Euro snobs who won't look at anything Japanese as being anything more than an appliance, despite any performance/value/quality/styling superiorities. Thankfully this does not seem to afflict the motorcycle world as badly, with the exception of Ducati, because the Japanese make some damn good bikes that are well appreciated.

[cworley5150]

Bandit?  You call it Bandit?  Isn't that kind of a dog name?

Would that be "Sammy the One-Eyed Bandit"?

[andmoon]

A bike has soul when
it's so ugly nobody steals it
it hasn't had a bath in over 50K miles
the odometer has rolled over a few times
it runs diff. day to day depending on its mood
it knows the way home
you talk to it
.
.
.
e
t
c
.

[TheRedOnesAreFaster]

Harleys have too much soul.  It's the packed-in soul screaming to get out that makes all that racket.

[Bad Dad]

Soul??     Oh, It's got SOUL! It's a damn Soul Train

[buckeye]

I don't know if this bike has soul, but it was probably made in Seoul.  

[ChuckBecker]

There is no such thing as "soul" for a motorcycle. It's a mechanical device made up of metal, plastic, and rubber. Soul, at least in the automotive world, is an oft-used excuse for vehicles that don't perform as well as their competitors in most measureable ways, but still grab the heart strings of the driver. It's a typical problem that afflicts Euro snobs who won't look at anything Japanese as being anything more than an appliance, despite any performance/value/quality/styling superiorities. Thankfully this does not seem to afflict the motorcycle world as badly, with the exception of Ducati, because the Japanese make some damn good bikes that are well appreciated.

Rubbish.  The product of artists can have soul (James Brown, "Father of Soul").  Sculpture, paintings, music, poetry, literature.  Musical instruments, for goodness sakes.  When a human being creates something, if it is art, it reflects or embodies the soul of the person who created it.  Big4 bikes certainly can have soul, but usually the singular vision of the individual creator has been distilled out ("industrial art" as opposed to "fine art").  The Euros simply seem to have a finer appreciation for the human essence in design, the Big4 seem to be more driven by market demands and mechanical excellence.

Just 'cause I can't sing or dance doesn't mean that music and motion aren't very real.

[jstark47]

These bikes, particularly the 950 sm, are like your buddy in high school that constantly dared you to go a little faster, drink one more beer.  I find more and more that I miss being able to go for a nice exploring ride without searching for a stretch of road to get to triple digits.

If the katoom does that to ya, stay the hell away from Speed Triples!  

[Windblown]

Yes, Though I might or might not consider it "Soul".

I drive a boring A$$ truck and I don't have any idea what it's top speed is because it would still be a boring a$$ truck even maxed out, it just wouldn't be fun.

I have a Concours and don't know what it's stop speed is because it would still be a Concours even at top speed, again it wouldn't be fun on top. More than likely it would be a dangerous handful..

I have a Sprint and have a pretty good idea what it's top speed is. (And shame on me for knowing it)

I don't have a liter bike because for me it's not worth the cost to buy and insure for a perfomance envelope that I would never have any business finding.

[Leanintree]

I would say, YES... it IS possible for a bike to have too much soul.

I use as example and old friend of mine. A few years ago, he had the means to purchase a Duc 748 in red. After almost 5 years of ownership, that Duc has sat in his office for 9/10ths of it's life, and has a grand total of 750 miles on it. I see this as a bike that has more soul than it's owner. It has so much soul that he can't ride it. It has so much soul that he uses it as art, not as transport. Now it sits in his garage and still screams "SOUL!". At least when it's not screaming "You're destroying my soul!!! Ride me you namby pamby!!!".

Why must that 'soul' also come with pain and misery? Maybe that's the tradeoff...

Leanintree

[cbsnbiker]

This is the best answer I've read:  

http://www.sport-touring.net/forums/index.php/topic,1938.msg40719.html#msg40719

[bikerfish1100]

any bike that has a cold-start ritual to which only you are privvy, and prevents anyone else from successfully getting it running. yeah, that got soul.

[kendenton]

A bike has soul when
it's so ugly nobody steals it
it hasn't had a bath in over 50K miles
the odometer has rolled over a few times
it runs diff. day to day depending on its mood
it knows the way home
you talk to it
.
.
.
e
t
c
.

  I read this post and you came to mind - then I saw that you wrote it!