04-03-2018, 02:16 AM
You're simply dismissing 'character' by using it as a snide euphemism for 'flawed,' as if Ducatis are the only bikes with 'character.' There is plenty of good character, too. My VFRs had character for days. You can brush aside those good qualities as mere 'features,' but then you could do the same with people. Steve lies a lot. Mary is often late to meetings. Fred is a real Type-A personality. Kate is moody. Amy is quiet and reliable. Drew is brash and abrasive.
All 'features' of a person. All parts of a person's character.
It's no different with bikes. Whether it's a person or a motorcycle, individual traits help define the overall character. You can definitely sense the different characters of a CB1100 vs a CB1000R. They're equally reliable, and both have similarly-sized I4 motors from the same manufacturer, but the two bikes go about their business quite differently. They impart different messages, different sensations, imbuing the rider with different responses, different feelings.
It's pretty simple. You think of a CBR1000RR as athletic and racy. You think of a Gold Wing as secure and comfortable. You think the same of Usain Bolt and Santa Claus.
All 'features' of a person. All parts of a person's character.
It's no different with bikes. Whether it's a person or a motorcycle, individual traits help define the overall character. You can definitely sense the different characters of a CB1100 vs a CB1000R. They're equally reliable, and both have similarly-sized I4 motors from the same manufacturer, but the two bikes go about their business quite differently. They impart different messages, different sensations, imbuing the rider with different responses, different feelings.
It's pretty simple. You think of a CBR1000RR as athletic and racy. You think of a Gold Wing as secure and comfortable. You think the same of Usain Bolt and Santa Claus.