The reason one is riding determines whether or not the bike matters. I'm never going to be a racer or a messenger or anything like that, but when I'm on any one of my bikes all the little day to day **** doesn't matter. Photography is another one of my hobbies and some of my best shots have not been taken with my Nikon photojournalist rig, they've been taken with whatever cheap camera happened to be available when the moment presented itself.
Life is about moments. One can be wrapped up in their own bubble or one can be aware of the moment.