Head or Heart?

[Adam Ef]

Those of you who are familiar with my bike history in recent years will know that I've changed bike a fair bit (too much as far as insurance admin costs go). I've been thinking about my choices recently as even though I decide to sell a bike I often miss certain things about them. Part of the causes of all my changes seems to be the idea of a bike, compared to the reality and it got me thinking. I often like bikes because I like the idea or look of them and was thinking that's a bad way to make decisions and maybe why I've changed bikes so much in the last couple of years. Or is it a bad way to make decisions. There are a few times I've gone with my head and put practicality first and felt like I'm getting away from what a bike is meant to be about... fun, excitement and yes, getting a warm glow when you see it parked up or when you open the garage door. Without that and the excitement of riding it proudly there are times on long journeys when I've thought I may as well just be in my van for practicality purposes.




I am aware too that heart decisions often sway me to invest more money than head ones and that often leads to making some of the decisions I've had to in the past, as far as letting bikes go. I loved my Street Triple for example, but at the time it didn't fit the purpose of what I needed to use it for enough for me to justify having that much money tied up in it. I loved to look at it though and always got excited when I knew I'd be going out on it.


Interested in what other people think. Do you think decisions are better made with your head or heart as far as bikes go? Have you ever bought a bike that functioned well for what you need it for but bored you? Or bought a dream bike but not found it working for what you need it for? What would you put first?

[garynortheast]

Short reply. I've been lucky. My curvy SV is practical and huge fun to ride. Makes me smile everytime I ride it. Satisfies both head and heart.

[Dave20046]

Those of you who are familiar with my bike history in recent years will know that I've changed bike a fair bit (too much as far as insurance admin costs go). I've been thinking about my choices recently as even though I decide to sell a bike I often miss certain things about them. Part of the cuases of all my changes semmes to be the idea of a bike, compared to the reality and it got me thinking. I often like bikes because I like the idea or look of them and was thinking that's a bad way to make decisions and maybe why I've changed bikes so much in the last couple of years. Or is it a bad way to make decisions. There are a few times I've gone with my head and put practicality first and felt like I'm getting away from what a bike is meant to be about... fun, excitement and yes, getting a warm glow when you see it parked up or when you open the garage door. Without that and the excitement of riding it proudly there are times on long journeys when I've thought I may as well just be in my van for practicality purposes.




I am aware too that heart decisions often sway me to invest more money than head ones and that often leadds to making some of the decisions I've had to in the past, as far as letting bikes go. I loved my Street Triple for example, but at the time it didn't fit the purpose of what I needed to use it for enough for me to justify having that much money tied up in it. I loved to look at it though an always got excited when I knew I'd be going out on it.


Interested in what other people think. Do you think decisions are better made with your head or heart as far as bikes go? Have you ever bought a bike that functioned well for what you need it for but bored you? Or bought a dream bike but not found it working for what you need it for? What would you put first?

Heart leads ,head does the deal. I generally buy bikes becasue I want one but I usually do a lot of research first and then make sure I get an alright deal when I buy. Obviously you can still have bad luck or buy a sh1tter. I've got a pretty impractical bike at the minute and I can't afford to drop it but I'm having fun bimbling on it, will probs sell next year just want to have enjoyed it.

That said I've had my SV 11 years, it's always going to be in the stable - I thnk that's more heart ...but my head says it doesn't owe me anything.

[daktulos]

I'd say shortlist with head, make a decision with the heart. No bike is perfect, so go for the one which excites you most.

[DarrenSV650S]

I bought my last car with my head. Cheap to run, low miles, great condition. Sensible. I hated it

Went back to an exciting, expensive unreliable car. I love it :D

[Bibio]

its not the bike its what you want from it.


i like my SV as it does everything i ever want from a bike, its a sort of goldilocks bike. i have also invested a lot of money getting it to what it is now so i'm also reluctant to get rid of it.

[Red Herring]

If you buy one bike it's always going to be a disappointment in some way.

If it's a really expensive exotic bit of kit that gets your pulse racing just looking at it let alone riding it then you're going to regret commuting on it as "that's a waste" or getting caught out in the rain let alone a salty winter evening as that's going to spoil it.....

If it's a practical set of wheels it won't make you feel special, if it's a light nippy back lane scratcher you won't want to go on holiday with it, if it's a great holiday bike then it's a lump to chuck across the fens......

Just get yourself a big garage then slowly fill it with bikes that are good at what they do best.... You can only ride one at a time so they each last a whole lot longer and you don't have to sell something you really like just because your needs have temporarily changed.... Even insurance doesn't really cost that much more, you just need to keep an eye on MOT's and decide which you want to tax at the moment. I'm up to twelve bikes at the moment, and I've had some of them for over thirty years, and no I'm not made of money. The newest one is a 2008 bike, and the most valuable is probably £4k's worth...... If I sold the whole lot I'd probably struggle to buy one new decent bike, and I can't think of a single one on the current market that I would want to do that for.

[Bibio]

Just get yourself a big garage then slowly fill it with bikes that are good at what they do best.... .
best answer :cool:

[Adam Ef]

That is a great answer... not the encouragment I need, but I like it.

[SV650rules]

Motorbiking is no different to any other sport, equipment makers work on peoples heads leading them to believe that their bike will make you a better rider, more fun etc - that is why the Chelsea tractor of the motorbike world ( GS1200 ) sells so well. I will just relate the experiences in fishing and golf. I used to work with a guy who loved golf and I used to give him a game sometimes, every time I played against him he either had a new putter ( remember the ones with 3 balls in a line etc that used to promise you would never miss another put ? - notice that Tiger Woods used a bog standard putter ) or new clubs, like Taylor Made or Ping, the irony was that his brother played with Donnay clubs ( you could get a full set including bag from Sports Direct for £90 ) and his brother used to beat him every time they played. Also the time we went fishing with family, my 8 year old niece was there with a Pink 'Barbie Rod' and 3 of us had carbon fibre rods with all the trimmings, the upshot was we were casting across other side of river and caught nothing, while she was just dropping the float in the water 3 foot out from the bank, well we caught nothing except weeds while we spent a lot of time unhooking fish for my niece, and no matter if it was a little Dace or a decent Perch she was just as excited.

There is a phrase that covers it 'all the gear and no idea' but a dream for equipment salesmen...

[Bibio]

There is a phrase 'all the gear and no idea'
pretty much covers a lot of people who ride motorbikes these days.

[Dave20046]

pretty much covers a lot of people who ride motorbikes these days.

I'm in the "too fat for my gear and wobbling in fear" camp these days:smt082

[embee]

As said, there's no "one size fits all" bike.
I use an NC700 for touring, great economy, does the job fine, efficient and uninspiring. I've had it for 7yrs now, I think it's a keeper.
I have the SV650 for fun, and can't see me selling it in the near future. I've had it from new in 2001, so approaching 20yrs ................... I think it's a keeper.

[SV650rules]

The SV is just the right height, weight and power for me, sweet engine, has very little vibration, good spread of power, handles well ( at legal speeds ). The exhaust note is magic, like a Ducati but cheaper and a lot more reliable... I like the NC700 as well - and if I commuted that would be my bike, but can't have more than 1 bike - and now I only go out in dry weather the better finish on Honda is not necessary...

[DJ123]

Like with any vehicle purchase, it all depends on why you're buying it.

For me, it's a practical sense for both bike and car. But i try to at least get interesting vehicles so it is not a complete and utter bore to drive or be in.

Bike; good MPG, luggage capacity, comfortable for all day rides.
Car; estate, towing capability, space for the family.

Both vehicles hit the mark of practicality for me, but also have their quirks and ability for enjoyment too.