Does the brand of the motorcycle say something about the person?

I wouldn't say the brand defines a person, but it can certainly tell you what they're like, how much they make, where they live, which are all clues as to who they are.

I'd say the style can tell you quite a bit about them though.

I was given a bit of truth by many old time riders when I first entered the world of motorcycle riding.

It's not what you ride, it's that you ride.

I make the bike, not what the bike makes me.

Image is a driving force for many motorcycle purchases. The advertising agencies employed my the manufacturers have done an excellent job convincing you that everything will be better if you ride one of THEIR bikes.

I will tell everyone here that reads my answer. Image is way over rated. Just buy a machine that fits your needs and just enjoy the ride. The only image I am concerned with is having a machine that has never crashed. I do not want to have a collection of scars to show for my many years and miles of riding.

The only judgement I will make concerns safety gear. I shake my head when I see a rider choosing not to wear a helmet. Stupid, foolish rider. That includes my dear sister. Sadly she has fallen for the Harley image.

Good Luck to all and keep the rubber side down.

BTW if you ever met me you would find it hard to believe I used to race motocross in the day. I do not fit the mold for an MX rider. And I can honestly say I still miss dirt riding. I had so much fun back then.

Not at all. Brand means nothing, a person could have all the money in the world and ride a Honda rebel because he just wants to ride and doesn't have enough time to make it worth a big spend... or someone could be poor as a church mouse and work his *** off for years to finally afford a real high end or expensive bike he's dreamt of for years. You don't know by what the ride is.

There are definitely preconceptions about who rides a particular kind of bike. I certainly have my own, but I have enough decency to not throw them at someone for the sake of being a jerk like so many around here seem to enjoy doing. I'll definitely throw them back at someone who is like that and trying to ruffle my feathers though. Most of these smug arrogant little posers wouldn't have the spine to say most of the things they type to my face.

Currently, I ride a Harley, have had Kawasaki and am considering a Honda.... but it'll have to be a great leap forward to go from the Harley to a Honda before I'll do it. My Harley is an 01 1200 and no money out of pocket, I'd see an 04/05 Honda 1100/1300 as being a comparable value

Captain awesome I love your answer - and btw I rode a triumph sport (speed 4) - I think it said 1. Im an idiot as its got all of the disadvantages of a sports bike (uncomfortable long term riding position , not exactly town friendly) without the advantages (a fairing , good resell value - i got thumped on resale because they discontinued).

or

2. I want to be a bit different - kind of like BMW guy - although i had a matching luminous mettalic green Roof lid instead of a white one.

Id still buy another one though - it was a bit nuts.

I think the brand you ride can say something about who you are, but then again, it can say different things, as well.

Harley: You like working on your own bike or you can appreciate "the cadillac of motorcycles" or you are just another jerk with a credit card

Jap Sport: You appreciate good engineering or you are just another jerk who likes to go fast

Jap Cruiser: You can't afford a Harley or you bought into the (way too old) stigma that Harleys suck or you are just more frugal with money

BMW: You are in a completely different class of riders and you are probably weird. Why do they like white helmets so much?!

Italian bikes: You spend lots of money for something you can for half the price, but hey, it's Italian!

Triumph cruisers: You are old school.

Triumph sport: I've never seen anyone ride these.

I would sit on any bike before you buy. Go to a local Kymco or Honda, or other dealer. You cannot tell from the seat height or any other measure if YOU will be able to put YOUR feet on the ground while sitting on the bike. FYI... stay away from Internet "dealers", the should be be called stealers for the junk some sell.

I don't care what other people ride. It's the attitude that speaks volumes, not their brand of motorcycle. I bought my bike because I like it, not because I am trying to make a 'statement.' That's ridiculous.

Wouldn't matter to me what you ride, its more about the ride than what your on. I ride a Harley but my Dad rides a Goldwing, he enjoys the ride as much as I do. The only preconceived notion that I can think of is that you know something a non-rider hasn't experienced yet. Those that ride know!

captain awesome forgot the honda gold wing . the best touring motorcycle on the planet. we gold wing owners come from all different backgrounds and we ride bacause we enjoy the ride. we demand a bike that is as close to perfection as

you can get. the gl1000 and gl1100 were from japan.starting

with the gl1200 they were assembled in marysville ohio.

when the gl1500 was made it is a made in U.S.A. bike along

with the gl1800 and the valkerie.

For some people this theory holds true. Someone that wants to look like an American bad *** will more than likely get a Harley Davidson, or some kind of custom, chopper, or bobber. Those that want comfort may just want the Harley. For those that are young (in mind), want speed, and to appeal to other younger folk may want to get a sportbike. Chill, laid back, comfort mongerers may want a sport tourer or touring bike. Some people just take what they can get. . .

I think it says a lot about who you are...not that we all have preconcieved notions, (although a lot do), but most people do associate it to who you are.

To me, (coming from a Family of Harley riders, even with me beginning to ride) motorcycles are a hobbie, a way of life, something thats so much more defining than a car.

But thats the want. People who have motorcycles really do want to say something, (Even just riding says something, especially for me as a girl) When you go and buy one, you want it to say something about you, about your personality, your way of life, etc.

Hogs, you can't really define a Hog rider lol...Harley's in themselves say so much about who you are. They are a family, where ever you go, there is respect, pride (like the answerer before me said) and lots of cool. Lots of people want to buy one just because of what it says about them. But the true Harley riders, they ride just to ride.

Crotch Rockets are seen as young, thrill seeking, loves speed, etc.

Touring bikes (Like honda, bmw, etc), give off a sense of travel, more of a hobbie, free spirited, etc.

I know that a lot of people ride just to ride. But there are stereotypes (what would the world be w/o them). Frankly in my opinion, I don't think it matters what you ride. But it does say something about you, whether you mean for it to or not.