What makes a bike sexy?

[Threeteas]

At the basic level, a bike is bits of metal, plastic, rubber and other gubbins. A bike has nothing to do with reproduction of the human species, indeed it has more to do with limiting procreation (long rides-hard saddles, crashes etc...).

So what makes a bike sexy?
You can drape them in sexually attractive people, but as I said elsewhere, that's lazy association and still only says sexy people ride, or are attracted to bikes...it doesn't say that a bike is inheritantly sexy.

So where did the sexy bike come from and can any BMW be said to be sexy? I know my GS doesn't raise my carnal desires, it's just so...functional.

Is it a need to anthropomorphise inanimate objects?

Who started sexing bikes? What's the chronology? Has the initial daring do riders and their appeal, been taken by the bike manufacturers and turned into attributes of the machines rather than the riders?
Are bikes male or female and why/how?

 

[The_Veg]

I think that both of my bikes are DAMN SEXY!

I'm not really sure why though- they just kinda move me that way.

 

[Threeteas]

association

I think that both of my bikes are DAMN SEXY!

I'm not really sure why though- they just kinda move me that way.

Y'see, now I don't think a GS, even the 12 could ever be sexy of itself. So is it the association with the ability to ride places (exotic places) that makes you find it sexy?

 

[Rapid_Roy]

I make my bikes sexy.

IMO, people attribute "sexy" to bikes, as a machine, they are not.
I like the lines of an "S" model but I don't get aroused.
What makes a person like a certain bike?
All owners like their bike for some reason, but I don't think it is sex per se.
Sometimes a bike is just a bike.[/Freud]

 

[sheridesabeemer]

I lusted over my GT for a few years before I could afford to buy it; the poster is still hanging in my office. I don't think of my bikes as male or female, but dang it sure looks good. And if it looks good, maybe I'll look good once removed.

No one comes up to the K75 and tells me how great the bike looks...but I hear it all the time on the GT...something about the lines, it looks like a bike should look, like it's going fast while sitting still...maybe that's it. Maybe it's the promise of speed that's sexy!

 

[testinglogin]

I'm with Roy; it's all in the rider.

 

[jenunn01]

Will you still love me when I'm 64....

I think motorcycles a whole suggest an image of youth....some more than others. In our culture youth is sexy. I'm sure my son's 1000 CBR looks at lot sexier when he is driving it than when I am. I'm not so sure my GS looks sexy under any circumstances but that doesn't keep me from hoping.

 

[testinglogin]

I think motorcycles a whole suggest an image of youth....some more than others. In our culture youth is sexy. I'm sure my son's 1000 CBR looks at lot sexier when he is driving it than when I am. I'm not so sure my GS looks sexy under any circumstances but that doesn't keep me from hoping.

If you're wearing full gear, nobody can tell how old you are.

I think that's the reason I have rolled past a number of cops going uhhh... slightly over the posted limit without a problem (so far!).

 

[bubbagazoo]

I make my bikes sexy.

My wife riding on the pillion makes my bike sexy. Otherwise, it's an appealing piece of machinery.

 

[Threeteas]

sensory stimulae

But there is sexiness attached to bikes. So where does it come from, the aesthetics, the association with speed/danger, as JK said that control that's needed, the marketing spin, youth, expendable capital, or does it go back to knights in armour, cowboys and that historical aspect.
Can a Ducati be an Armani suit and a HOG the Marlboro man?
Even the fact I though of those similies shows how deeply the imagery is ingrained.
Is it all hype and manipulation and a bike is just a hunk of metal and plastic? And if it is, then why is it so difficult to see beyond that hype?

I bought GSs because of the differences it offered after years of Kwaks and Aprilias. I bought it because it promised long distance escapism and I have to admit, I like the image of a globe trotting, rugged, go anywhere guy that comes with the bike. But I could just as easily ridden across the US on a Honda Cub, so I was manipulated by the images. The idea of what the bike could bring to me was appealing. What the bike made me a part of, was appealing.
It sensory arousal, not sexual. Which is why I find pictures of a semi naked bint straddling a bike and insult. That's just a lazy image. It arouses the wrong sensory stimulae for me.

 

[OfficerImpersonator]

I'm with Roy; it's all in the rider.

Sheesh - now you have to go get a room all by yourself

-Just another jealous old married guy

 

[testinglogin]

Sheesh - now you have to go get a room all by yourself

-Just another jealous old married guy

Now I have to? That's all it's been for a while, I'm afraid!

Rumors of my luck with the ladies have been greatly exaggerated.

 

[OfficerImpersonator]

I lusted over my GT for a few years before I could afford to buy it; the poster is still hanging in my office. I don't think of my bikes as male or female, but dang it sure looks good. And if it looks good, maybe I'll look good once removed.

No one comes up to the K75 and tells me how great the bike looks...but I hear it all the time on the GT...something about the lines, it looks like a bike should look, like it's going fast while sitting still...maybe that's it. Maybe it's the promise of speed that's sexy!

The "old" K-GT has the organic curves like the prior incarnation of the RT. I think it's the swooping fairing curves that make certain models "sexier" than others. Without attempting to channel J.K., curves are more "feminine". The current K-S also has sexy curves.

Those owning new GTs and RTs might contradict me, but the angular lines of those bikes are more "masculine", IMHO, and for a heterosexual guy like me ("not that there's anything wrong with that" for you Seinfeld fans), curves are better than hard edges and angles.

Take Gail's remarks about her K-75. Add a Pilcher fairing and it's an entirely different bike, appearance-wise. The angular stock K-75 is given a flowing gown with the Pilcher and it become more sexy.

Curves are where it's at

 

[OfficerImpersonator]

Now I have to? That's all it's been for a while, I'm afraid!

Rumors of my luck with the ladies have been greatly exaggerated.

Who started those rumors? You?

 

[testinglogin]

Rumors of my luck with the ladies have been greatly exaggerated.

Who started those rumors? You?

If I say it enough times, it will have to come true!!!

 

[OfficerImpersonator]

If I say it enough times, it will have to come true!!!

If the rule of the self-fulfilling prophecy works, let me know. I want to apply it to PowerBall lottery tickets.

 

[Threeteas]

focus

...alternatively gents, we could discuss what makes bikes sexy.

 

[Scootertrash]

In the spring of 2002, I was riding to Arizona on my R1200C. I was stopped by a state trooper near the entrance of the Salt River Canyon on Highway 60.

He was explaining about the road construction, the riprap mesh the highway department was installing and 45 minute delay because of the escort vehicle. Not once did he make eye contact with me. Instead he was checking out my bike. At that instant, I understood why some women get upset with men who talked to women's breasts.

Yeah, I know I got a sexy bike....

 

[OfficerImpersonator]

...alternatively gents, we could discuss what makes bikes sexy.

I did, no one responded, so I moved on to my second favorite MOA forum activity, teasing Josh.

 

[Threeteas]

patience

I did, no one responded, so I moved on to my second favorite MOA forum activity, teasing Josh.

Perhaps we have a slow burner with considered responses. I do hope so, don't you?