Originally Posted By: boraticus
No machine has "soul" that's a property given to living things with comprehensive and cognitive abilities. Labeling a machine as having "soul" is no more than a marketing ploy to get people to buy a product that will fill a void in one's personality or to boost one's self perception. It's no more than an image massaging exercise.
A machine should be measured by it's ability to accomplish what it's designed to do. A motorcycle in my view, regardless of brand and designated style, should be responsive, relatively powerful, nimble handling, comfortable and above all reliable.
As measured by the above criteria (real world), metrics (including Euro bikes) are by far and large in the forefront.
Regarding the Valkyrie, class and personality are, well, subjective conclusions based on one's preferred styling. High on aesthetics, low on what really matters.
I own one for reasons that do not include the "class and personality" references above. I ride a Valkyrie for it's impressive smoothness, power, excellent handling, stone axe reliability, decent fuel economy, good comfort and technical sophistication. The fact that it's eye appealing doesn't hurt but that's waaaay down on my list of what matters. It's a unique machine and I'm fortunate to own one.
I agree completely with this post. No such subjective description of any motorized vehicle as having a 'soul' really makes any sense. Not to dismiss HD's.....or any other bike, but the bike that best fits the needs of it's owner is the most suited bike to that particular owner....be it Harley, Ducati, or Honda. But 'soul'? No way. Besides all that stuff...my comments were more based on the culture, not the machine. But in the interest of civility I'll leave it at that.
