Why do we call bikes "She"

I have a few bikes. My brother in law has a few bikes. He brought his little girl (shes 11) around the other day. She overheard us talking about bikes and said to her father "Daddy, why do you call bikes "she?" Why does it have to be a woman. Is it because women are seen as possessions?"

I was shocked!

But it made sense. Why do we call our bikes women? Ive done it once or twice but not a lot because I think its silly to call a bike a woman, or anything other than "MY BIKE."

But whats with this? Is it ingrained in us from an early age that bike are possessions just like women? Or a think to be admired just like women?

interesting.

It goes way back to sailing ships and beyond. Just tell her women call their bikes he or him for the same reasons.:lol:
Steve

SWest wrote: It goes way back to sailing ships and beyond. Just tell her women call their bikes he or him for the same reasons.:lol:
Steve

I understand that it goes "way back" but way back to what? Ideas of ownership still? What would you say to my niece? "Oh honey it just goes way back?" The reason Im asking is, i KNOW what i wanted to say to her but shes too young to understand it. Its the same reason naked women pose next to cars at car shows. Its all about them too being a "possession." I dont have any duaghters (sons only) and I dont want any. This world is too hard on women.

I have a daughter and three granddaughters. My daughter doesn't have those hangups and she is teaching her daughters not to. They come home with these ideas from school and have to be deprogrammed. It was tough for me as a single parent then and it is even harder now. The one thing that made it worthwhile is she watched and learned from me. She grew out of the fads of a teenager and turned into the responsible woman I'm proud of. You take care of your family, pets, bike etc. not because they're possessions, it's because you love them.
Steve

SWest wrote: I have a daughter and three granddaughters. My daughter doesn't have those hangups and she is teaching her daughters not to. They come home with these ideas from school and have to be deprogrammed. It was tough for me as a single parent then and it is even harder now. The one thing that made it worthwhile is she watched and learned from me. She grew out of the fads of a teenager and turned into the responsible woman I'm proud of. You take care of your family, pets, bike etc. not because they're possessions, it's because you love them.
Steve

it has often been said that kids speak the truth because they are innocent. My niece doesnt have "hangups" she basically seeing that in this world, certain attitudes are present. She simply observed that with bikes and cars, women seem objectified. I *AM* teaching my sons not to see women in this way, not to see them as objects or notches on theirs belts. This is a sign that was outside of a frathouse as college classes resumed. This is the "problem" in society I think:

A strong family unit cannot be controlled. That's why this is and has been happening.
Steve

Hi 650dude,
When you say "we", aren't you asking from the male perspective?

slmjim refers to his bikes & cars as "she", things beautiful and to be cared for.

Z1BEBE refers to her bikes & cars as "he", beloved and occasionally cantankerous.

It's also cultural; Anglo tradition is often to reference ships & other objects as "she". Russian culture refers to their ships as "he".

Lots of etymology on this subject. Google is your friend.


Good Ridin'
slmjim & Z1BEBE

I think it doesnt matter which gender you use.
I use both depending on what it is.
My Turbo Kaw has always been Suzie. My explanation has been she has been a loyal girl friend my whole life.
Never complains. Always ready to go when and where I say. Always looks good. Other guys can look but she always comes home with me. So call me sexist.
Now my Harley is Joe . After my Father Nuff said
Jet Boat is Rosie . After Mom Nuff said
Monte Carlo is Dale . After #3 Earnhardt
Gal I know races a corvette named Brutus

A Fast ship, With a good crew . And I mean to take Her in Harms Way

Dave

I wish I could send pictures but its cold out, and both bikes in the shop. Me with tunes on and our faithful Bloodhound on her bed snoring away, and two Christmas ornaments hanging off the back of Kawakar new diamond sky blue paint;while Green Go with the tinsel wrapped all around.

slmjim+Z1BEBE wrote: Hi 650dude,
slmjim refers to his bikes & cars as "she", things beautiful and to be cared for.
slmjim & Z1BEBE

Yep, Things of Beauty to be Cherished with all their quirks and moods. It really is that simple. Someone is filling that girls head with femi-nazi claptrap. My advice? Be a good example of a Man. My daughter buys into none of that crap. Is beautiful, strong and carries a Sig Saur 238. Not a victim.
Why are there beautiful women at car shows? Because there are men there and men like looking at beautiful women. Duh.

ThatGPzGuy wrote:

slmjim+Z1BEBE wrote: Hi 650dude,
slmjim refers to his bikes & cars as "she", things beautiful and to be cared for.
slmjim & Z1BEBE

Yep, Things of Beauty to be Cherished with all their quirks and moods. It really is that simple. Someone is filling that girls head with femi-nazi claptrap. My advice? Be a good example of a Man. My daughter buys into none of that crap. Is beautiful, strong and carries a Sig Saur 238. Not a victim.
Why are there beautiful women at car shows? Because there are men there and men like looking at beautiful women. Duh.

Not quite that simple and there is nothing "femi-nazi" about her question. There's a difference between finding a woman "beautiful" and then objectifying her. But I dont expect anyone under 40 to understand that. Men arent taught just that women are "beautiful." Its reinforced that they are playthings. Thats why its hard for a man to see a woman in a business suit as a "professional" and a coutnerpart when hes used to looking at women in bras and panties standing next to cars in pics below. Someone needs to understand boys are taught this is ok. But thats changing. Thats why men think they can flash themselves in front of women and text naked pics of themselves, because women arent JUST perceived as beautiful, they are also thought of as possessions and no amount of arguing can change the fact that america, and the world, as a problem when it comes to how they see women. These same men of this "christian" nation think its ok to ogle women, Its not right, its not christian and its not equality. Its not ok to go to a car show as a married christian american male to ogle women. it degrades society.

There is something wrong with american society and how it perceives women. I would NEVER want my daughter, if I had one, looking like this a a rep at a car show. :

Wow! A lot of deep answers... I thought it was because they are both simply 'high maintenance'!