Bike snobbery drives me crazy

[Windmill John]

I sold a bike in the past because of it; yes I know that's my fault.
I had a while ago a cracking Vigor; see attached.
I sold this because of street cred, but that was a stupid thing to do.
having had a dominator afterwards, I think the ride was better on the Vigor.
Has anyone else ever sold a bike because of someone else, or am I being too honest admitting it.
I also regret selling a Guzzi Nevada for a T3, the Nevada had cracking grunt and comfort.
I've had sports bikes, they're just not me.
My best bikes? Transalp, GS, R80 and my first bike DT100 Yamaha.

[Boris]

Has anyone else ever sold a bike because of someone else, or am I being too honest admitting it.

I have the opposite problem. I couldn't bring myself to buy a BMW for years because of either the pipe and slippers or the Ewan and Charley thing.

I still pause for a moment before telling when people ask me what I have.

[GilesMDavis]

I have the opposite problem. I couldn't bring myself to buy a BMW for years because of either the pipe and slippers or the Ewan and Charley thing.

I still pause for a moment before telling when people ask me what I have.

I'd like to get a BMW because of the pipe and slippers thing

[AlanH]

I'd like to get a pipe and slippers

[Warthog]

The snobbery, but also the reverse snobbery drives me crazy, too.

Never bought or sold a bike because of it, but it is still a reminder that motorcycling has become a really superficial pursuit for many: really only a status or image booster rather than the freedom joy of biking that got me into it.

On the on hand then you have 500 mile a year folks who will judge you if you don't have titanium carbon everything, and the reverse snobbery of those who treat you with disdain if built the bike yourself and then ridden it to the moon and backwith only a bin-liner for shelter.

You could argue that BMW owners have suffered from both ends. Derision for the R100RS rider from the Sunday blast crowd and now howls of "rich wannabe touratit loser" if you buy a R1200GS, and strangely sometimes more so if you dare tour on it...

I should just ignore both sides of the spectrum, but people judging based on just what they see is tiresome after a while. We all do it, but a lot of people never get round to reassessing their initial judgement even when they get to know someone a bit better...

Lesson to be learnt? I guess if you like a bike then sod what everyone else thinks...

[Windmill John]

I'm, with you Warthog, I now ride bikes for me.
BMs are good bikes; 30,000 plus miles on my GS confirms - shame about the dealers.
But I do get cheesed off with a lot of the non nodders.
I'm not thick enough skinned to let it wash over me.
Still, the arm chair brigade can kiss it when I'm touring the rhine next month on my Trannie.
Oh, BTW, I also commute, off road and maintain my bikes.

[Warthog]

Oh, BTW, I also commute, off road and maintain my bikes.

I bet you're one of those loser wannabes who services their bike with "tools" and "oils".

I use my teeth to torque up bolts and whittle toenails for washers. I don't even need oil: I just spit in the crankcase, coz I is a real biker and you isn't!!

[winxp-master]

I have the opposite problem. I couldn't bring myself to buy a BMW for years because of either the pipe and slippers or the Ewan and Charley thing.

I still pause for a moment before telling when people ask me what I have.

I reckon most people take the p!ss because there jealous, i'd have a 1200GSA if i had the money.

I guess if you like a bike then sod what everyone else thinks...

Why do you think i ride a v-strom

[Warthog]

I reckon most people take the p!ss because there jealous...

Second that.
Especially for the reverse snobbery thing. HUBB can be quite bad for that, IMHO. Saving up for a year long trip is expensive and I think people either resent people who don't have the same financial resitrictions, or feel that those who haven't circumnavigated on a clapped out 600 single with carry strapped to the bike somehow steal their thunder.

"I'm more of an overlander/hardcore rider than you so I will dismiss you: don't think you're one of us" type thing...

[z-weiser]

snobbery - tell me about it - I ride a maxi scooter - only tourers and occasional adv bikes nod!

I'm still on two wheels and I'm the same guy they nodded to when I was on the bandit (see same bikes most days on the commute!)

ho hum

sod it!

(nods)

Z