Why

[Oss]

Why do we do things?   Why do we gravitate to certain people or products?

One of my mentors once said there is Why, How and What

Example   Tivo   Not a commercial success altho everyone uses it, just not inspiring.
another the same Gateway, they are kaput
Both sold on the WHAT

Example  Apple. Their why statement is totally different than everyones
Another  Dr King Jr  The rally in washington dc was of course before the internet, yet so many came
Perhaps 250000.
They came because he said I believe and so people, a good number NOT people of color, dropped everything and came to listen because it resonated with them and they were willing to put up with anything to help him  The WHY


So it is with 45

His message was and remains I love this country.  Our country is being hurt.  I want to put us first and stop this hurt  In fact he switched parties because of this.  He really is no Republican but that was the only people who would appreciate his message on the economy at the time so he switched, as Reagan did before him

 I never was involved in politics before and really am not now but for posting here and my trip this week
45 inspires people because his WHY is us.

Nobody gives a rats a$$ about a 12 step plan, or anything that is a what, it is the why we are wired for in the end

But people respond to the message when there is a why in it.  Some react to the messenger instead

Free country so whatever floats your boat

Just thought I would put this out there  Also stock up on anything you need for your family

WHY did you buy a Valkyrie?   Why are you here?  Why do you do what you do

Let me hear. Bruce, I think we all get you but feel free to answer anytime as all members

[DDT (12)]

Evan,

Funny, I was just typing away (but not feverously, Rob) on a piece about this very subject... well, almost. I may post it when I've finished proofing it and checking for errors... no guarantee, though. Your question does haunt many of us... It perplexes us all to no end...

It is frustrating to attempt to answer, because just like with most really important topics it is so difficult to succinctly define and state... to quantify and express. It also requires lots of deep thought... simple rhetorical responses are just so much easier... Still, your questions remain, and they deserve consideration... I'm certainly wrestling with them myself... Looking forward to enlightenment...

DDT

[The emperor has no clothes]

That's what I love about you both. Philosophical but non judgmental. I bought a Valkyrie because the store I was working at got sold and I took a transfer 45 miles away. I didn't want to be stuck driving a car, and the Honda 400 I had wasn't going to cut it. I am here mostly because I met and rode with some of the SoCal guys. Subsequently met and rode with others around the country. I'm here I guess because I have friends here. Why do I do what I do ? Now this one is really deep. I guess maybe I'm not sure what I do. Unlike you, I have been political since is was 13 and started delivering the newspaper at 5 am. It's part of who I am. I am a proud American thru and thru. I think it's hard for some to see others with differing politics as a proud, patriotic American. I've been labeled just about every vile thing one could be labeled on here. (And that was from friends)  Hell, even my dead father has been crap upon on here. I guess I must feel I have some pretty good friends here to keep coming back. 

[Oss]

anyone else care to delve into Why?

It takes courage and if I know anything about Valkyrie riders they have the courage to be different and proud

[Alien]

Well, as I took the non-political pledge, I will stay away from that part and tell you why I bought my Valkyrie.

I have always been into cars because of my Dad.  I grew up around hot rods and such.  When I was a kid, I had a poster of a hoodless, fenderless, blown 34 Ford coupe with Zoomies.  That car, with the engine hanging out of both side was so cool!  Such a middle finger to stuff like the 1982 Chevy Citation my Mom drove.  All of my friends were into Michael Jackson and Prince.  I was listening to Posion, Motley Crue, Guns N' Roses, Skid Row, Ratt, Warrant and Ozzy.  I've always been an outsider, always been the Alien, long before I got the nickname.

When I started riding, it was honestly for cheap transportation.  I never really connected it to anything more.

One day, I went over to my Dad's house to watch a NASCAR race with him (we were both into it pretty heavily at the time).  All of a sudden, I saw a Valkyrie commercial.  Now, all the motorcycle commercials I had ever seen were of a group of people sedately riding down a nice road.  Not this time.  I saw a single huge black motorcycle, with a giant engine hanging out both sides (just like that 34 ford in my childhood bedroon) powersliding across a dry lakebed.  It was the most rock and roll thing I ever saw!  It didn't pretend to be practical.  There was no mention of fuel mileage.  There was no veiled message that this bike would make you more socially acceptable.  Instead it showed violent, needless excess.  So rock and roll!  I vowed that day that I would own one.

It took a few years for me to grow up and be in a financial situation to make it happen but I did.  The Mothership and I found each other and we have been best friends ever since.  The best part is I was right.  It is SO ROCK AND ROLL!!!!

Ride Safe,

Alien

[hubcapsc]

WHY did you buy a Valkyrie?

I've always loved motorcycles. My father loved motorcycles. I was on
my Harley at a Sons of Confederate Veterans poker run. Before my
group left I was walking around in the sea of black Harleys that all
looked just alike when Frank Smoak showed up on a giant red motorcycle
with a chrome car engine. That's why I bought a Valkyrie   ...

Why are you here?

Valkyries and the kind of people that are attracted to Valkyries, I think...

Why do you do what you do

Sometimes I do what I do because I think it is what Jesus would have
me do. Just keeping on keeping on the rest of the time, hopefully
constructively...

-Mike

[f6john]

I’m sure the Valkyrie commercial had a big influence on me. But to be honest,it was a friend of mine that got me back on a motorcycle. He had not owned a bike in quite some time and was interested in getting back in the saddle and had every intention of dragging me along. I actually influenced him into his first Valkyrie purchase, a black 99 standard. He was just as impressed with the Valkyrie as I was. He bought in late fall of 99 and immediately started to buy accessories, windshield, bags, pegs, ect. Around September, I had some serious chest pain and ultimately has to have a heart stint installed. That got me to thinking about my situation and how I wanted to spend my time. By December my chest pain returned and after a heart cath it was determined my “ widow maker” was 90% blocked so I didn’t go home and went straight to surgery for a bypass. Recovery went well and 30 days after the surgery, I took my friends Valkyrie out for a spin and I was fully hooked. I was really in no financial position to be buying a motorcycle but I didn’t let that deter me and by April I was sporting my black and silver 99 standard which the dealer had already added the Hondaline windshield, and no in the box crate deal for me, I was $12,800 out the door, ouch!

I found the VRCC by accident I’m sure. It was the first Internet forum I had ever joined. I was looking for parts and mechanical knowledge as I knew I couldn’t afford dealer shop rates and boy did I hit the jackpot with the VRCC, espically the early days with so much innovation and customization going on. From the very beginning, except for the windshield everything that went on the bike was used. I bought used leather bags then later upgraded to used hard bags. The Supertank I put on was used when I got it too, then came a used set of bag rails, then a used Corbin seat, the gunfighter model. I used eBay a good bit but I scored on the VRCC classifieds too. At one point, I had bought an Ultimate set set and Dave Ritsema had an Ultimate seat he wanted to trade for a lo boy and that trade happened due to the classifieds. I bought a Corbin solo seat from Mike (hubcaps) which is still on the bike because of the classifieds. I learned how to adjust my valves from info gleaned on the tech board and learned how to avoid problems down the road by reading about issues and solutions offered on the tech side of things. In 20 years of ownership mu Valkyrie only went to the dealership garage once and that was due to a time crunch and trying to get the bike ready for Daytona which didn’t work out for me no missed that year.

I attempt to be positive addition the the board since I have received much more than I have put in.

[Oldfishguy]

“Why do we do things?   Why do we gravitate to certain people or products?”

People.
I gravitate to people that have passion for something, real passion.  It could be just about anything, ie: motorcycles obviously, log cabin builders, fishermen, book readers, etc.  And then I gleam from them what is it they love soooo much.  From some, I take a little wisdom, others I take a lot of wisdom . . . and then I typically move on; for I am more comfortable at a distance to many.

Quite frankly though, most people do not have a passion. And for those, I feel they are missing out.

Products.
Simple, elegant design and function.  And more so, design.  Original paintings, old stained glass windows, old quarter sawn oak furniture, paint on a motorcycle tank that looks so deep it has no bottom, etc.

Dare to be passionate. Dare to look for elegance and surround yourself with it.

[The emperor has no clothes]

“Why do we do things?   Why do we gravitate to certain people or products?”

People.
I gravitate to people that have passion for something, real passion.  It could be just about anything, ie: motorcycles obviously, log cabin builders, fishermen, book readers, etc.  And then I gleam from them what is it they love soooo much.  From some, I take a little wisdom, others I take a lot of wisdom . . . and then I typically move on; for I am more comfortable at a distance to many.

Quite frankly though, most people do not have a passion. And for those, I feel they are missing out.

Products.
Simple, elegant design and function.  And more so, design.  Original paintings, old stained glass windows, old quarter sawn oak furniture, paint on a motorcycle tank that looks so deep it has no bottom, etc.

Dare to be passionate. Dare to look for elegance and surround yourself with it.

Excellent frigging post ! 

[Romeo]

Flat 6 versus V twin? Why? Because it is different, first of all, and secondly, it’s  not only different, it’s better. I’ve never been a fan of change for the sake of change, I don’t believe you have to change, or die. Yet, I love new ideas.
I hold my conservative beliefs because they are tried and true, but mostly because I’ve not seen any progressive ideas that work better for the most of us. I believe in self reliance. Why, because it nurtures innovation, builds character and demands freedom.
You don’t lead by following.