Personality Type v. Type of Bike - a poll

[R Doug]

I’m not a big social bug.  I enjoy time by myself or with a very small close group of friends.  I can actually gain energy from being in either of those situations.  However, ask me to go to a function where I’ll be meeting with a big group of people I barely know and it zaps my energy.  I believe that’s the feeling of most introverted people and I am an introverted person.    

When thinking of which of my friends do I feel most compatible being around, they are folks which could be found this site (i.e. sport-touring types).  I find that people I consider to be my closest friends ride a sport-touring motorcycle.  That said, there are people who I have met that have ridden sport-touring bikes all their lives and I can’t stand being around them for more than 5 minutes.  But, the majority of folks in the sport-touring crowd seem to be like me personality wise.  

I have taken personality tests over the years and they have pretty much summed up how I think of myself.  On the Myers-Briggs, my result was an ISTJ.  On the 16 possible outcomes, I scored the highest when it comes to the ISTJ’s below.

•   How they focus their attention or get their energy (Extraversion or Introversion)
•   How they perceive or take in information (Sensing or Intuition)
•   How they prefer to make decisions (Thinking or Feeling)
•   How they orient themselves to the external world (Judgment or Perception)


And, for those of you familiar with the FIRO-B™ Interpersonal Relations, I scored a low 7 which pretty much means I would prefer for work by myself without the input or help of others.  And, I keep close with a very small group of individuals.  


Short of asking everyone who reads this poll to take the Myers-Briggs or FIRO-B personality tests, I’m curious about how my fellow STNrs see interpersonal relationships.

[denydog]

This is tough one.  I don't ride a cruiser, but I don't think the bikes I ride are really sport bikes.  I guess they are sport oriented though.  I like having many friends, but I can only deal with a few people at one time.  Large groups are fine, but like I said, I can only relate to a few people at a time.

So I'm not really sure how to vote.  I don't recall how I've scored on personality tests in the past, but I think of myself as a moderately self sufficient / independent / introvert.

I do know that I'm not necessarily drawn to people like me.

[sammyseaman]

None of the above.

[bomber]

Like MB, this poll is too limiting (you KNEW that was coming). ;-}

I've taken MB a number of times, and it keeps telling me that I'm a fascist that should be a shepard (for the solitude) --

The fact is, many of the "choices" forced on you in MB, and here, are convenient only for purposes of the test instrument -- many folks (like you and me) like being solo or in smaller groups. This doesn't mean we don't want many friends -- we just don't want them all at the same place at the same time (if we're their).


There certainly DOES seem to be a social component to the choice of bike styles -- I've long thought that a couple of my cruiser riding friends were riding more for the social interaction than for the riding.

[Windblown]

Another ISTJ here.

A small group of like minded people can be enjoyable. Big crowds?  

I invite folks in to the Sphere for riding, hunting, and work. Other than that I prefer the company of my dog.

[dm_gsxr]

INTJ for MyersBriggs

On Insights I'm a Coordinator (53) at mostly teal

And on StrengthsFinder, I'm:

Responsibility
Intellection
Input
Consistency
Learner

Work has us take these tests from time to time

As to the poll, I don't completely fit. I'm really a total loner preferring to ride by myself all the time. I will make short rides (like a day ride) with local groups but I'm not 100% comfortable, especially when we're socializing before and at lunch.

Carl

[ConPilot1]

So you've only defined 2 types of bikes in the poll. Sport or cruiser.
What about standards, (Bonnie, etc.), dual sport, Big sport-tour (Connie, FJR)?

Anyway I voted the first option.

[jay547]

This is tough one.  I don't ride a cruiser, but I don't think the bikes I ride are really sport bikes.  I guess they are sport oriented though.  I like having many friends, but I can only deal with a few people at one time.  Large groups are fine, but like I said, I can only relate to a few people at a time.

So I'm not really sure how to vote.  I don't recall how I've scored on personality tests in the past, but I think of myself as a moderately self sufficient / independent / introvert.

I do know that I'm not necessarily drawn to people like me.

you just saved me alot of typing.

[R Doug]

"sport oriented"  not sportbike.   Basically, cruiser or other.    

 Let's face it, in US motorcycle riding there are people who rider cruisers and people who ride something else.  There is a very rare bird that has a cruiser and some other road legal bike that's not a cruiser.  

[stevent]

Doesn't really apply, I'm a middle aged fat guy that rides a touring bike, even worse a Harley. .....So by conventional wisedom or stereotype I should be slathered in leather, shining my catalog custom motorcycle and hanging around HD dealerships and "bike nights" at some tavern with all my "bro's"

The reality is I wear a Hi-Viz 'stitch, wash my stock bike once or twice a year, rarely drink and abhor crowds, even worse crowds of pirates and bad boys on their noisy ass penis extensions. I ride almost everywhere I go and generally mind my own beeswax....so what? "cruiser guy that don't like crowds"?......

[maddjack]

Dear R Doug,you forgot this choice

I ride sport bikes, adventure bikes, crusiers, and anything with 2 wheels .I hang out with a certain "criminal element  R Doug Garry, mrs Dante's Dame" at STN,I am sorta social  

[R Doug]

There is a very rare bird that has a cruiser and some other road legal bike that's not a cruiser.  

Rare birds you are.  

[peacemaker24]

INTP, here, and voted sport oriented, prefers a few friends.  Though, in fact, I also own a Harley, but the second most unpleasant riding experience I ever had was going on a big H-D pack ride.  Ugh.  The first most unpleasant was wrecking.  At that, though, it was almost a toss-up...

There is a very rare bird that has a cruiser and some other road legal bike that's not a cruiser.  

Umm, is a Sportster a cruiser?

~~~Jesse

[Andrew]

I ride a GSA and just don't care about what others think about what I ride.
Although I find lots do like the GSA

[mugwump58]

Doesn't really apply, I'm a middle aged fat guy that rides a touring bike, even worse a Harley. .....So by conventional wisedom or stereotype I should be slathered in leather, shining my catalog custom motorcycle and hanging around HD dealerships and "bike nights" at some tavern with all my "bro's"

The reality is I wear a Hi-Viz 'stitch, wash my stock bike once or twice a year, rarely drink and abhor crowds, even worse crowds of pirates and bad boys on their noisy ass penis extensions. I ride almost everywhere I go and generally mind my own beeswax....so what? "cruiser guy that don't like crowds"?......

Plus 1 rep points for straying from motorcycle.com

[Windblown]

Looks like what might become apparent here is that the majority of motorcycle riders are introverts. But it could just be that the extroverts are hanging out in public somewhere. LOL

Hmmm... Gotta be some government grant money in that question.  

[nnjhawk02]

I can hang w/ big or small crowds - never taken any of dem testes  

But I'm a Gemini, thus well rounded & w/ being the youngest in mi familia, well adjusted.

w/ dat said - as far as riding a VTR turned into a ST and prefer to ride w/ peeps I know, seen too many accidents w/ people trying to ride over their abilities.

But lately I've adjusted - turning more introverted, tried of BS from people, especially friends....  

[knolltop314]

Showed results to the Wife.  As she walked away shaking her head I could hear the mumble, "That only proves there's alot of sickos around".  

Carol prefers large herds and can't fathom why I don't ..................  

[Loki]

Well, I ride a big sport bike, like to be alone.

Hate crowds, they make me very tense and edgie(sp) Protective is the better word.

And my Wife says about the same thing, calls me anti-social.

L;

[squeezer]

None of the above.

Yeah.

[bassjones]

I am generally an extrovert who enjoys large groups of people, but when I ride, I prefer to ride alone...  

[Redbandit14]

I ride alone or with a couple of Friends quite a lot.
I have TONS of friends Not just acquaintances but friends who I can call to bail me out at 4am. (Not that Ive had too) ( Recently)  
I love spending time alone. And love big parties that i can meet new friends at.
I have a bunch of pirate(ish) friends who i sometimes ride with and have no trouble socializing at stops with.  

In other words i don't fit.

I'm good with that  

[croach1776]

I enjoy riding with a few (3 or less) friends. Once it starts getting over 4 seems there will always be someone breaking down, not having enough money for lunch etc, or being an a-hole. Plus safety factor - too many riders - problems being able to avoid dangerous situations.

[Ax1464]

Being a lifelong motorcyclist who now rides a 400cc scooter and considers it just a different type of motorcycle, I don't fit in with any group.  I think a lot of riders get confused by a 'Stich-wearing scooter jockey gettin' it done in the twisties or doing 80mph down the highway.  That's OK, though, I'm not much of a conformist people-person anyway.  

[Mac]

I am an INTP.

[stevent]

Plus 1 rep points for straying from motorcycle.com

LOL ya' found me huh? I recognized you too but was too polite to say anything (ahem)............MO's a fun site but I'm on a few others as well, it's nice to get around.....

[rayian]

Well, I don't mind large crowds and I don't mind small groups but when it comes to riding I prefer to ride alone.

[Mookie]

I have a supermoto, a super duke and a negative rating of over a hundred.  What's that say?  

[rabbott5]

Without thinking about it when I bought a few years back, I would say my 98 Concours fits me pretty well.
Old design, well maintained, a few extra pounds, quiet on the outside, spirited on the inside, reliable.

[Windblown]

I have a supermoto, a super duke and a negative rating of over a hundred.  What's that say?  

I think it's pretty self explanitory.  

[R Doug]

I have a supermoto, a super duke and a negative rating of over a hundred.  What's that say?  

+1 rep points for you  

[STJoe]

Wow, did I end up on the wrong side of this poll.  

Sport type of bikes tend to attract my interest, cruiser do not.  

I spend my professional life in front of large groups, meeting and working with customers nation wide.   It has been a while since I took my last personality test, but I've always ended up well onto the extrovert side.    

"Rides" with large numbers of cruisers chugging along in formation does not appeal to me.  

A day of blasting canyons with friends does, which reminds me how much I miss the mountains.  

   

[stevent]

Hey can I change my vote???????? I got rid of the Harley and bought a GS....everything else is the same except now I'm this like Adventurous world traveler kinda' guy........

[mjrfd99]

I guess I have many personalties.

[bubba zanetti]

I am an INTP.

Me too.

INTP in my case = KTM Adventure ... the trees and squirrels don't talk to me.

'No' to people.

[cjohns]

Wow, so NOT what I thought the results would be AT ALL!  

[R Doug]

Wow, so NOT what I thought the results would be AT ALL!  

Get us behind a keyboard and we're social animals!  

[greywolf]

I ride both , (FJR and HD FLHX)  while I thoroughly enjoy riding with friends, I do most of my riding solo.
Not big on crowds or large events , I ride to get away from them.