Yeah, that's right--two.  Not one, not three, but two. 

"Nice bike." 

I admit it.  I live to hear it.  I enjoy coming to a halt at a red light if there's a crowd waiting to cross the street just so I can savor the looks and hope that I might hear it.  Some might call me an "attention whore," but I'm all about the bike in this situation and could care less if they gave me the time of day. 





Depending on where you put the inflection on the word it can infer almost anything:

"Niiiiiice bike."  When I get this one it's usually said in a low baritone and reminds me a of one of Barry White's old songs.  I half expect to be asked out on a date whenever I hear it.   

"Nice bike!"  It's usually yelled at me with a cracked voice and bloody vocal cords by what I imagine are non-riders trying to rise above the clutch bangin' away and pipes that haven't seen new packing in 14 years.   

"Nice bike."  I like it when they just mouth it.  They realize that I have earplugs in and a seventy-gazillion decibel machine under me, and there's no point in bothering to make the sounds that go with the words. 




I don't even have to get the "Nice bike" myself.  It's cool just to hear other people--mostly men of course--say it to one another.  It's a way of saying, "We like the same thing, and therefore I probably like you," without all the M4M inferences that would normally be associated with two men saying that outright to one another.  I like the sense of camaraderie associated with it, how a simple set of words says so much, sets the tone for a possible future friendship, or at least a feeling of goodwill from a passing stranger. 

So tonight, anonymous gentleman, you know not how you made my night.  My initial feeling of concern that you were walking at me and looking at me too intently on a dark and empty street faded as you revealed your intentions and defused my fear with a simple, "Nice bike."  I was instantly put at ease and felt compelled to give you a hug instead of just a polite wave, but you rounded the corner before I'd made up my mind.

Next time you see me, save your "Hello's," your, "Hi's," and your "How are ya doin',"'s and just gimme a, "Nice bike."

 

Beautiful!!!!
I almost cried at the end. 










I thought that you were going to crack out the "so tonight Mr. Wish you had my unbelievably sexy italian bike because that would make you a paragon of style and manliness like I am but alas you are not worthy guy, here's to you"!!!

Great post.

Nice, yes it is a nice feeling. Also people next to you in the cages looking at you like for a couple of minutes straight without moving the look elsewhere. But I mostly get people jumping in the air when I drive past or come to a red light braking real fast at the last moment enjoying the sharp brembos and then people give me angry faces and scream something - I usually just respond with a little throttle Damn can't wait for the next summer and some hot days of nice riding around town  [moto]

Niiiiiice post belle

Well put!! I'm with you all the way with two additions that REALLY make me happy. The first is when children stop playing and stand in frozen awe, mouths open and a touch of drool starting to form as they catch sight of the bike. All the while, their parents are showing that noticeable look of, "oh shit.....now I'm going to have to talk them out of that someday."

The second is when another rider goes out of their way to come tell you "Nice Bike" at gas and convenient stops. Hearing it from pedestrians is nice. Hearing it from a true believer is fantastic.

I got my first "nice bike" earlier this week as a man was crossing the sidewalk. Definitely made me smile. 

 got my first NICE BIKE from a guy who FLEW by me in traffic on a pedal road bike. scared the living shit outta me.

Good post. I was in the right part of my lane at a light yesterday when a cruiser (metric or harley...dunno) pulled up next to me and the rider asked, "Is that a Monster?"
I replied, "Sure is."
"Nice." with the head nod and all.

Maybe he was just being polite since we were sharing the lane (since I always make room for another bike) but it was cool enough. 

BTW mostrobelle "nice bike". 

Oh man, two words and the first thing I thought of was ........ well you know.

Nice bike? Yea every now and then to pretty frequently.  It is just a motorcycle though and Harley's are more expensive and retain value better.  Go figure.

LA

Quote from: AleksT on November 07, 2008, 03:16:16 PM
Good post. I was in the right part of my lane at a light yesterday when a cruiser (metric or harley...dunno)

WTF, gimme a break. 

Quote from: kopfjager on November 07, 2008, 06:30:00 PM
WTF, gimme a break. 

No break for you. It's better than hearing "PULL OVER" from a loudspeaker. Those two little words aren't quite as good.

Que?

Next time I see you, I'm going to mention "Nice writing" you seem to have a knack for it. 

Quote from: superjohn on November 07, 2008, 04:24:24 AM
when children stop playing and stand in frozen awe, mouths open and a touch of drool starting to form as they catch sight of the bike.

^This one always makes me laugh!  My neighbor's kids always stop what they're doing and just stare as I ride by...  Had the opposite happen the other day though, a young kid was walking down the street as I passed and he looked straight forward and put his hands over his ears...classic!