Does your Bike have a Name?

[MurphyPeoples]

Reading posts on the forums I often find that postings off handedly include a "name" for the bike in question. Examples include names for bikes like "Ruby" for a Red AirHead, "Black Beauty" - for obvious reasons, and numerous others.

Does your bike have a name? After working for 3 straight months on my 1980 R100T and re-skinning it into a R100S, I've thought about it a bit. Does this make me weird? I don't know. But I can tell you what I felt this past Tuesday when I got to take her out for her first trip in over 90 days..... "Serenity". Man... it just felt so good. Like a million pounds of weight off my shoulders riding on my old gal. Uh!

Love to hear from you.
Murphy

[Rod Sheridan]

My previous BMW was called "Klunker", anyone who rides an airhead knows why.

My present airhead is called "Ferrous" because she's red in colour, and, well, you see she had a fair amount of rust on her when I bought her. (Now she just has dirt and a lot more miles).

Regards, Rod.

[Rapid_Roy]

My RT is Ol' reliable, my R100/7 is the Deerpuncher, and my R50 is Ol' Paint.

[MurphyPeoples]

My previous BMW was called "Klunker", anyone who rides an airhead knows why.

My present airhead is called "Ferrous" because she's red in colour, and, well, you see she had a fair amount of rust on her when I bought her. (Now she just has dirt and a lot more miles).

Regards, Rod.

"Ferrous!"-
Gawd.... I couldn't stop laughing! That was a classic one.
Murph

[PAGoldsby]

My previous BMW was called "Klunker", anyone who rides an airhead knows why.

My present airhead is called "Ferrous" because she's red in colour, and, well, you see she had a fair amount of rust on her when I bought her. (Now she just has dirt and a lot more miles).

Regards, Rod.Ferrous? Shouldn't it be a Buell? (Err ...)

My /7 was named "The Blue Devil" by the girlfriend, but I prefer the Teutonic twist: "Blaue Teufel".

[screwtop]

My '94 RS was "Frauline Boxer" and my '02 GS is "Gooney-Bird"

[jdmetzger]

My /7 has no official name. I've considered "Renovatio", considering how things have changed since I purchased it (my first bike).

... but I think "The Island" kind of ruined the name, since "it's been done".

[pvtpepper]

Tshunke-Witke

[lamble]

My GS only gets named when I get a service bill from the Dealers.
Mozi.

[Oldhway]

The RT is "Tatonka" (the White (silver) Buffalo) and I had a Kawasaki once named "Not Again Dammit".

[nh7robmw]

I've already dubbed my just acquired humongus black and silver R100GS/PD "Negrito" (the little black one).

Previous Beemers: Petrovska, (R60/2), Elektra (R75/5) but for some reason I never got around to naming my red K100RS. Now I'll have to ponder why...

I've named most of my cars, too, including our current Bimmer Z3 "Bluto."

[BeemoKat]

but I'm too lazy to find the previous thread in the archives. Anyway, mine are
Manfred & Max.

[Holly]

I never got around to posting in the previous thread, so here goes.

My late, lamented BMW was called Frejuvagn, Icelandic for Freya's chariot.
My current ride is Frelsi, Icelandic for Freedom.

Holly

[BMWDEAN]

Just about all of them do. There's Scarlett, Iowa, Lucille, Weiss, Rocket, Big Blue, and Dominican.

[antaeas]

My R1200RT is named Artie, a masculine name. I don't think of my motorcycle as a living being, but English doesn't allow gendered things. This machine has male characteristics (to avoid boring anyone, I'll not list them here).

More about the name: I had a pony named Artie, a willful, stubborn gelding. My father's first name and my middle name are both Arthur, a kingly name, associated with "leadershsip and bear-like ferocity." Finally, "Artie" implies art, a nod to BMW's unique aesthetics.

[torinokuchi]

My wife named my 2004 GSA "Torinokuchi"

short for "tori no kuchibashi (鳥の嘴)

in Japanese = bird beak.

[chasman]

Both do...Einstein and Max.

[Newstar]

I don't believe you can name a bike (or anything else). You have to wait until it reveals its name to you.

My bike is called the B. I think it got its name partly because it's the little B in the garage (my F650 GS) as compared to the big B (1150 RT). It is also yellow, referring to a bee.

Weird? Maybe. But that's how it happened for me.

[2beers]

You got to be a Monty Python fan to get it. It always gets me into trouble. And a little bit of peril is healthy.



:laugh Spankings.....?

[GSTom]

Its a natural for the R1100RT-P bikes. Here's mine:

Shamu

[co_g30]

Think "Sound of Music" Maria.

Long story short, previous bike was Gretl since she was smallest of three vehicles we'd named using the "sound of music" lineup of female names.


You'll have to read below entry to understand.

LINK (http://redlegsrides.blogspot.com/2006/10/goodbye-gretl-hello-maria.html)

[alien_hitchhiker]

La otra mujer

[grw]

Does your bike have a name?

I never gave a bike a name until recently. I bought a 1985 K100 (through the IBMWR Marketplace) and the name just came to me. I decided to call the silver bike "Helmut" and I have no idea why.

Oddly in German Helmut is a compound word which literally means "helmet courage".

No vanity plate as of this writing.

-Gary

[patiodadio]

Of all the bikes I have owned, my 94' R 1100RSL is my soul mate and only the second bike I have ever named.... I call him "Adolph". I have had him for 3 years, traced his history and found I am the 5th owner......This bike has found a home. I hope to keep it the rest of my life and hand it over to my grandson someday.:german

[FredRydr]

"The bike."

Fred
'07 R (a/k/a the bike.)

[Gilly]

Nope, it's just an inanimate object there. A collection of steel tubes, aluminum castings and forgings, wires, fiberglass, rubber and plastic.

And a soul, of course. Of every person who dreamed of it, designed it and built it.

But no name. It's just a machine ;) .

Gilly

[130253]

Betty Lou

[MurphyPeoples]

I like Shamu alot! Also I think it's genius to use the Sound of Music Ladies names.
I don't know "why" but I have NEVER named a bike until this 1980 R100. I'd always said "the RZ" - "the Katana" - "the Lawson Replica" - and so forth.

After the months of wrenching on this thing, and getting her out that first time - it just came to me. Seemed Weird.
Murph

[mrich12000]

Tinck

Small bell around her lower rad hose. Previos owners named her always dependable K75RT.:german :brad

[Rapid_Roy]

Nope, it's just an inanimate object there. A collection of steel tubes, aluminum castings and forgings, wires, fiberglass, rubber and plastic.

And a soul, of course. Of every person who dreamed of it, designed it and built it.

But no name. It's just a machine ;) .

Gilly

So w see your point, you felt you didn't have to name yours.
It seems others felt that way too, and some only named certain bikes.
However, all devices we sent into space were also just collections of wire and metal.
The Rocket doesn't have as good a ring as Apollo though, IMO.
Also, there was more than 1 rocket so if you have more than 1, the bike doesn't cut it.
I find this peek into the Human psyche fascinating, but then again I am weird.

[henzilla]

Like boats...figure bikes deserve a name...

My RT is Heidi...sweet Alpine gal

The daily roadster is Black Betty...yeah, from the song ...bam ba lam...

and the new addition GS is GiSelle...long and lean...:brow

Had a 77 HD that was "D*#! Bike" most the time:laugh

[MurphyPeoples]

So w see your point, you felt you didn't have to name yours.
It seems others felt that way too, and some only named certain bikes.
However, all devices we sent into space were also just collections of wire and metal.
The Rocket doesn't have as good a ring as Apollo though, IMO.
Also, there was more than 1 rocket so if you have more than 1, the bike doesn't cut it.
I find this peek into the Human psyche fascinating, but then again I am weird.

I like where you go with this Roy.... but actually "the" Rocket was called "Saturn V", and Redstone, Atlas, Vanguard, Thor, Delta, now Ares of course, and so forth.
This from a guy that grew up living across the Indian River from the launch pads at the Cape.
Murph

[lenrt1200st]

2006 R1200ST Graphite/Silver

Her name is ZeitGeist, Time Ghost or Spirit, I like the translation...Spirit of the Age. But, I've heard it called though ghost, too. Now there's a thought!

Some bikes are for making time, she's good at making time stand still.

Len

[tdomek]

My newest ride, a maroon '04 R1150RT, is "Maureen", for the legendary pugnacious redhead, Maureen O'Hara. My pearl white ''83 R100RT is "Cinderslut", Cindy for short.

[Rapid_Roy]

I like where you go with this Roy.... but actually "the" Rocket was called "Saturn V", and Redstone, Atlas, Vanguard, Thor, Delta, now Ares of course, and so forth.
This from a guy that grew up living across the Indian River from the launch pads at the Cape.
Murph

I defer to your knowledge and the fact that I do everything like that. Wrongly.
They did name them though. I wonder why we do that?
Even some of the people here didn't name all their bikes, but most at some point did name at least one. I wonder if there is a name for that.:laugh

[BeemoKat]

I defer to your knowledge and the fact that I do everything like that. Wrongly.
They did name them though. I wonder why we do that?
Even some of the people here didn't name all their bikes, but most at some point did name at least one. I wonder if there is a name for that.:laugh

attributing human characteristics to non-humans.

[BubbaZanetti]

Steve

[mandypants]

My bike is purple, and I call her Murple.
She's named after the FLAVOR purple, not the color. You know, the way grape bubble gum and Popsicles taste.

The F800ST that I rode to the National got a nickname..."Cookie Monster"...because it was blue and it was GOOD ENOUGH FOR ME!

I really shouldn't name bikes that I don't own. It's sort of like naming a cow on the way to the slaughterhouse...

[Rapid_Roy]

attributing human characteristics to non-humans.

Just by naming them? I thought you could only use that term for living creatures. I call my 1 bike Deerpuncher, (because thats what it did) but I have never actually punched a deer, nor do I know anybody who has.

You did that on purpose, so I would have to think about this a while and not post!:laugh

[alien_hitchhiker]

Call me 'the man'

[Cruzin]

If I were to name my passion, it would be Edmund! The name of my father; who will always ride with me no matter where I go.
Where ever I my go:german , my father will be. :german

[derail412]

Biel short for Jessica Biel... my wife calls her Biel the Beemer

[wmubrown]

I am terrible at coming up with names for things, so I usually don't name cars, bikes, etc. However, sometimes a name just hits you.

My last K1100LT was the first bike I'd named. Riding one evening, with the PIAA lights blazing, I was passing a semi and his CB came across my audio system (probably illegally modified for higher power) and he said... "hold on, I've got a comet coming up in my mirror" and thus 'Comet' was born.

She went out in a blaze of glory, true to her name.

So I bought another bike, the current K1100LT. She was a lot of work, and every part I touched was oily, sandy, and dusty. Two names instantly came to mind: Sandy and Dusty. For some reason, 'Dusty' won out. Maybe because I've never known a woman name Dusty ;)

[BeemoKat]

You did that on purpose, so I would have to think about this a while and not post!

I'm a devil that way, Roy.

[terham]

Heinrich, Hans und the silver one. I haven't owned the silver one (R1100S) long enough to name it yet, or rather his/her name hasn't been revealed to me yet.

My wife refers to them as the black one, the white one and the silver one. Probably more descriptive than the names I've given them.

[YELLOW_S]

Well I have a R1100S, and her name is Ameila. (Look below)

I have a track/race SV650 I can't think of a name for it.

[Rapid_Roy]

You did that on purpose, so I would have to think about this a while and not post!

I'm a devil that way, Roy.
As a musician, I could probably name other ways you are a devil.
Especially if you went down to the Crossroads.
:laugh

Naming stuff seems to be a stretch for that definition.
When I named my bikes, it wasn't to give them human characteristics or because they had human characteristics.

[BeemoKat]

As a musician, I could probably name other ways you are a devil.
Especially if you went down to the Crossroads.
:laugh

Naming stuff seems to be a stretch for that definition.
When I named my bikes, it wasn't to give them human characteristics or because they had human characteristics.

I'll concede the anthropomorphism point.

Here in our office, we've named all kinds of stuff, from the giant roadcase named Hoffa, as in the final resting place of, to Vince, the old Scully 2 track.

Seriously, I have no idea how this naming of stuff started, maybe with the ancient Greeks painting eyes on their ships to help avoid hazards?

[Rapid_Roy]

I am guessing it started with the invention of names. That is just a guess though. Hoffa:laugh I like it.

[griffin738]

I named my bikes and have re-named them many times. On different days, different names just make more sense.

Here's a shot of Beauty Queen (formerly Moose (formerly Big Pig (formerly unnamed (formerly Beastie Bike)))).

http://griffin738.smugmug.com/photos/162766148-M.jpg

[gambrinus]

"Baby" As in "come on baby only a few more miles to that exit with the gas station.

"Rotten Bastard" As in "You Rotten Bastard, we almost made it.. only 100yds short!"


RW

[MurphyPeoples]

"Baby" As in "come on baby only a few more miles to that exit with the gas station.

"Rotten Bastard" As in "You Rotten Bastard, we almost made it.. only 100yds short!"


RW

Man ! I couldn't stop laughing! I like this idea of a multiple personality bike!
Murph

[Braddog]

Reading posts on the forums I often find that postings off handedly include a "name" for the bike in question. Examples include names for bikes like "Ruby" for a Red AirHead, "Black Beauty" - for obvious reasons, and numerous others.

Does your bike have a name? After working for 3 straight months on my 1980 R100T and re-skinning it into a R100S, I've thought about it a bit. Does this make me weird? I don't know. But I can tell you what I felt this past Tuesday when I got to take her out for her first trip in over 90 days..... "Serenity". Man... it just felt so good. Like a million pounds of weight off my shoulders riding on my old gal. Uh!

Love to hear from you.
Murphy

Hey, you used me as your example! :thumb

I've also got a '74 Yam RD250 (Goldie), and my wife has an '04 Yam 125 Vino (Silvie). We kind of tend to go with a color theme.

[Seeker]

I have not named my 1150RT but I do call it a sweet Whore now a again.

[LeBoutillier]

Yup, It's "Tigger", my trusted steed. 12GS Even got a tail hanging off the back.

[crgrbrts]

My Marrakeschrot K75S is named Red Sonja.

[AZ-J]

My wife and teenage daughters dubbed my sunset yellow F800S Tweety Bird, ala my forum nickname, Tweety1, the operator of Tweety Bird.

Here is Tweety Bird in the driveway! What a great ride, and I do have a luggage setup in tank bag and strap on expandable saddlebags.

http://lh4.google.com/mookowster/RrVaVP-CMLI/AAAAAAAAAE8/4rNQCVCZSi8/s800/IMG_0200.jpg

[Hoorenga]

A friend of mine who was an all around mechanic and now runs an Airhead repair shop had a policy of never naming a vehicle. His theory was that once you named it, it took on a different status, similar to a beloved pet. This may not seem like a problem but he said that he has seen more than one owner throw thousands of dollars at "ol Blue" because of this attachment, when in reality it was time to put the old girl down and move on. He figured that giving it a name brought the vehicle into a dimension reserved only for living thing. I don't know that I agree but it's an interesting thought.

Hoo

[griffin738]

I can't remember mine the Post It keeps blowing off. :hungover

Maybe put the post-it inside your face shield? Ok, maybe a small post-it!!

[PGlaves]

My old K75 was "Old Smokey" for well earned reasons.

My R1150R is "Bullwinkle." Once you've seen it the name becomes obvious.

[RandallIsland]

When in a thousand pieces like today, Myrtle Beach.

Otherwise, Myrtle ... just Myrtle.

[bmwcliff]

My wife believes in naming cars, bikes, etc. When I got the Rockster, she pestered me about a girls name, being the girly green that it is. I was working in Dothan, Ala. at the time with a new hire named "LINDY", so with her permission, the bike became," Miss Lindy". I dont see how she could be anything else.:nyah

[sgtboring]

That's what it costs every-time it visits the dealer:banghead

[Rapid_Roy]

That's what it costs every-time it visits the dealer:banghead

:laugh :eek :(

Ouch.

No matter what I name them, they still don't come when I whistle.
Dang.

[NN9S]

Personality I never felt comfortable around anyone who named their bike :sick

[swleejr]

Too new, haven't thought of anything yet, haven't gotten to know it..

[MurphyPeoples]

That's what it costs every-time it visits the dealer:banghead

This is another classic that helped me have a good laugh first thing in the morning!Thanks!
Murph

[BeemoKat]

No matter what I name them, they still don't come when I whistle.
Dang.[/QUOTE]

Just like my dog with no legs.

[BubbaZanetti]

The F800ST that I rode to the National got a nickname..."Cookie Monster"...because it was blue and it was GOOD ENOUGH FOR ME!



funny, i named that very machine "Slow Poke" for its lack of easy wheeling ability:nyah

[tessler]

funny, i named that very machine "Slow Poke" for its lack of easy wheeling ability:nyahDude, you were just too long for that bike. I saw you in the corners trying to put both knees down. Mandy and I thought it was da bomb! :nyah

[hondarider]

My bike is named "Steve"

I like to sit out in the garage on a warm summer night and just stare at Steve's voluptuous curves

I like to ride Steve hard on a Sunday morning and then stop for ice cream when we're done

I like to buy shiny farkles for Steve

I even enjoy giving Steve the occasional lube job

Steve and I are close in a way that only residets of MA and VT can understand

Steve is my soulmate











Please don't tell my wife...she just won't understand the special love that Steve and I share.

[hondarider]

Is the seat sheep skin or cow hide ?

Steve and I prefer to go bareback...that's how we roll:brow

[rottenbiker]

Well my BMWs have never been named but the KLR I now have has been fondly nicknamed the pepto bike..........

[Brownie]

I always wait for this thread to pop-up!

"Igor" 1982 R100RS (133K miles)

"Inga" 2004 R1150RT (36K miles)

any guesses where the names come from?????? :nyah

[clowry]

Hey Brownie!

Only thing that comes to mind is Young Frankenstein with Gene Wilder, Marty Feldman & Teri Garr...

Cheryl

[mrbshields69]

For my bike I wanted something really cool. It is a 650 and is a silver blueish color. So I was thinking Silver hawk or something. I told my wife about the whole naming process and she said that it was silly. Well that stuck. So now it is Billy is going to go ride Silly.

[terham]

...the pepto bike..........

I'd say the name fits.:laugh

[Brownie]

Yep!!!!! It's my all time favorite movie.....hence the goofy monikers!!:violin


Thanks...Shep

[crgrbrts]

pronounced "Eye-gore" of course, right?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jvrqoCCia_g

Craig
Washington, DC
"Red Sonja" K75S

[PAGoldsby]

pronounced "Eye-gore" of course, right?"What hump?"

[Brownie]

You guys are awesome......can't you just hear the "Transylvanian Lullaby" playing in the background!!!!!:violin Shep

[wmubrown]

I always wait for this thread to pop-up!
"Igor" 1982 R100RS (133K miles)
"Inga" 2004 R1150RT (36K miles)
any guesses where the names come from?????? :nyah

I guess Frau Blucher is too long?? ;)
Whhhhhiiiinnnyyy...
http://www.snopes.com/movies/sound/blucher.rm

[billpierce]

My grand daughter has named all my vehicles. There is

Amy Audi
Molly the VW bug
and my red r1100s is Vanessa

I guess Vanessa is kinda sexy :blah

[Brownie]

John................my '97 LT was the "Frau," the RT is so svelt, it had to be "Inga," like Teri Garr, no??

[Brownie]

One poster recently implied a level of discomfort being around folks who name their motorcycles.

Actually people have been naming their machinery for years. Combat aircraft are the most notable, but many civilian aircraft are named as well. Many of my Marine artillery brothers had pet names for the mighty 8" piece, as did the BB gun crews did in WW II with the 16" tubes!

Almost every aviation EMS base I know of has named their (mostly) loyal steed, our EC-135 is "Gretchen"

Not to put a damper on an otherwise enjoyable thread, but I feel pretty darn comfortable being around us silly bike namers!:usa

[iRene]

Now that you all mention it, my R bikes were always "the boxer"
at our house because my husband always had K bikes.

For the year that we both had K75Ss, it was suddenly necessary to differentiate.
Mine became Kanary because he was the Dakar yellow one.

The R1150R that followed was the Roadster. Not very imaginative.
They just don't seem to need naming to me as a rule. :dunno
I'm sure if the new bike has a name, he will tell me what it is.

[OUTBACKUFO]

the Mandrian Yello Y2K 1150GS had a name of TANAMI for the desert i rode across in australia...

my current 2002 Silver UFO 1150GS is named OOdnadatta for a place i had a close encounter of the third kind in a fog storm in the middle of another Australian desert on the Oodnadatta Track road...

[RTRandy]

I think they name themselves if you'll just let them. Trigger is always faithful and waits patiently for me.



.

[wsteinborn]

Not really.
My first bike eventually became known as "the grape" because it is purple, but we don't call it that very often.

No bike since then has been named.

[rgvilla]

Pancho, my last name is Villa, and believe it or not Pancho Villa saved my grandfathers life in Mexico in 1915. I was also called Pancho by my mates in the army.

[tessler]

Pancho, my last name is Villa, and believe it or not Pancho Villa saved my grandfathers life in Mexico in 1915. I was also called Pancho by my mates in the army.
That is so cool! :)

[einnar]

My F650 doesn't have a name yet, but someone on here wants me to name it "Mr. Buzzy Pants"... :dunno

[SCQTT]

In the garage at the moment I have.


1993 R100GS (Purple/yellow) "Grape Ape"
2004 R1150GS Adventure (Silver) "Edward Grey"
2005 R1100S Replika no name yet
2007 R1200GS Adventure "Sonyabelle"

[barryg]

I'm in the process of refurbishing my '74 R90/6. I'm modeling it after the elegantly bulbous BMW passenger car 501/502. The Baroque Angel. :heart

[DSBMW1]

Both my bikes have names.
What used to be an R1100R is now the mighty Dragon Slayer, and the old R60/6 has become the Cafe 60. Both are slightly modified.

[mandypants]

My F650 doesn't have a name yet, but someone on here wants me to name it "Mr. Buzzy Pants"... :dunno

I think Mr. Buzzy Pants is a great name! Whoever came up with that must be beautiful, talented and HUMBLE! :brow

It looks like a Mr. Buzzy Pants to me....:heart

[Scootertrash]

I call mine "The Moped".

[godzilla]

ZoomZoomZoom is my 85K's Name. (Think of the Mazda commercials on TV)

[einnar]

I think Mr. Buzzy Pants is a great name! Whoever came up with that must be beautiful, talented and HUMBLE! :brow

It looks like a Mr. Buzzy Pants to me....:heart

Will you be offended if I only agree with 2 1/2 of those statements? ;)

[twins4life]

My RT is named: "Long tall Sally". Anyone riding an RT will understand... German: "lange hohe Sally"
"long tall Sally she, built for speed she got, everything uncle John needs oh baby"

Long: Long way to the ground since in the saddle I am on my tip toes
Tall: See above
Sally: Just like female names and it flows better than "Long tall Broomhilde"

The 1100R hasnt revealed her preferred name as of yet.