What AM I...really.

Ill preface this by saying, there are many underlying emotions involved in what I say below...

Since Ive started on reworking my 650 to my vision for it, everyday has been just like it was when I was a kid at Christmas time. And I have been talking about it a lot I guess. One guy at work laughed at me and asked me if I thought I was a real biker now. For some reason that struck a chord with me. I told him, I dunno....its just making me happy. But I began to think....

What is a REAL biker?

Are they the guys with beer guts, tatts and bad attitudes on Harleys and sneer at anyone that doesnt?

Are they the guys I see gathered at the local drive-in in their big bright shiny machines comparing how much they spent at the shop to have the last new shiny bit put on and should they get studs or fringes?

Is a REAL biker like the guys who get bikes with HP ratings 2 to 3 times greater than their IQs and curse at those not on similarly hyper powered machines?


This last week has been a week of contemplation for me, even to the point of distraction at work and at home. And I finally came to this conclusion.

A REAL biker is this:

He has a bike, he rides it for the joy of riding it and the exhiliration of the things he can do on that bike he cant do anytime else. Being human, most will gravitate towards like minded individuals and all others will be...something else.

So Ill continue to hold my hand out low to any I meet on the road, not because of the type of bike they are riding, but because they ARE riding.

Ok, no matter how flawed it may be....catharsis complete.

And everything being equal....Im happy.

 

+1 here.
albear

 

I'd say you are a guy that found a passion.

I've always disliked the term "biker" or worse yet "real biker"

What is this really? I think some people look at bikers as being those that ride big obnoxious bikes in packs and cause trouble. To those people, who don't understand, think that anyone who has discovered motorcycles and get some excitement out of it are trying to fit into that mold. Most of us don't even consider that a goal. We just wanna ride.

Thats why I like the "Rider" better than biker. It used to be "bikers" and "wannabe bikers"

A similar thing happened in the early days of the snowboard. Then you were either a "Boarder" or a "skier" Now that most of us have gotten past the "them and us" mentality we too started using the term "rider" to describe us as one.

The next time someone says that just tell them they just don't get it and move on to someone that is interested and understands.

The Buff

 

Very well written mate, and i believe your right. Its all about enjoying the ride, that equals a real biker.

On the other hand i believe a "bikie" has the tats and rides a Harley.

 

I dont need to ride a Harley to make me cool.

I dont worry I'll miss 2nd gear when driving past a crowd

The size of my tool is not related to the amount of chrome on my bike.

I dont care what you ride as long as you are riding

 

I have been riding street motorcycles for 41+ years.

I am NOT a BIKER. I don't own a black leather jacket. (Never have.)

I don't WANT to be a "biker" or to be thought of as one.

I am a motorcycle enthusiast, and always have been.
(I guess I'm a Vintage motorcycle enthusiast now, in more ways than one.)

 

If you call yourself a biker, then you're not a biker. It's kinda like the guy who calls himself "Psycho". He's not nearly as scary as the guy everyone else calls "Psycho".
Just my thoughts.

 

IMO, you cant be a biker unless you have a lawn-mower/ water pump motor on you bike.... thats just how a biker is seen.

 

I like the term "Rider" it gives the impression your not a typical Harley biker. Not that's bad or anything just different.

 

may I say a rider does not have to own a bike to be a rider,,,,I remember being without for awhile ,,,very short,,but I never thought of myself as not a rider,,,at your age maybe you don't know,,,,I do on an off road,,,does not matter to me I'm a rider,,,trying to define it goes against what it is,,,I've never considered myself a biker or a real biker,,,I share some of Buff's views for sure,,,,I think I said it before with Big Ross,,,I don't think of not being able to ride,,to some of us that would be depressing respect the guys who no longer can but would,,,if they could,,, it's in the mind,,,I'm still making memories,, someday they'll have to get me by maybe,,,I'm not ready to live in the past but a rider could an does from time to time,,,,looking forward to the ride an remembering the ride,,,I may have tried to be a biker at a few moments or related to a biker but we part ways purty fast,,,,an I don't look forward to the next biker fest at all,,,,I'm not a biker,,,,sometimes it helps to have a look at what your not,,,I guess

 

I have recently done a personal study of what supposedly constitues a "biker", the thought processes of traditional "motorcycle clubs", 1% 'ers, and "riding clubs". To say that it is a fascinating study is an understatement.

A brief glossary:

1%er: The American Motorcycle Assoc (AMA) declared that only 1% of bikers were outlaw bikers. The outlaws adapted this and began calling themselves "1%er's".

Motorcycle club: A sub-culture that embraces a hierarchal, sort of fraternal structure. Traditional club protocols are complex and many. The club patch or "colors" are earned only after a lengthy initiation process. Club "business" is secret. Club loyalty (usually) trumps commitment to family, job and country. Some but not all clubs are territorial. "Respect" is extremely important to patch holders but seems to have a fluid meaning. Women are often not allowed to attend at all, or are not allowed to be patch holders or club officers. A woman's behavior can get her man in trouble with the club. Often, a 3-piece patch holder will refuse to recognize a non-patch holder as a "biker". Some clubs today will ignore make and model of bike ridden as long as you ride and your bike is usually functional. Some are manufacturer specific.

Riding club: A loose organization of like-minded riders whose patches are usually one-piece (to avoid confrontation with motorcycle clubs), and they are bought, not earned. The level of commitment to the club is much lower than traditional motorcycle clubs. Some clubs today will ignore make and model of bike ridden as long as you ride and your bike is usually functional. Some are manufacturer specific.

Biker: Typically thought of as someone who rides often (beyond the level of hobby) and for the purposes of enjoying their freedom, the open road, and the exhilaration of two-wheel, open air riding. A true biker does not care if he is recognized as a biker, is respectful of other bikers regardless of their ride or club affiliation, helps other bikers in need when possible.

The term "biker" is a point of contention between many M/C patch holders, and basically everyone else in society.

After studying all of this, I have decided that I will remain an independent or "slickback" (wearing no patches, belonging to no organized club), that I will adhere to the code (respect, helping others, riding hard, etc). I will not identify myself as a biker, nor will I take exception if someone calls me a biker. I hope, as the weather warms that I meet other like-minded riders who may eventually become close friends and riding comrades.

That's my .25 cents. Sorry for being so windy.

 

Biker smiker. Throw your leg over, twist the throttle and ride....

 

Hey Dead - nice post - I like your definition. I also like the Rider term. I love the freedom and thrill I get riding, noting matches it.

 

I don't know what the big deal is. If you participate in motorcycling, then YOU ARE a BIKER. Sorry, there. I said it. Just because people miscategorize you as maybe being or think you're supposed to be a grease head, leather jacket wearing, harley rider etc, doesn't mean you're not a biker. Your style is or might be just different. I don't think we need to redifine ourselves or the motorcycle culture. If you're into Cafe racing style or bobber, I think and feel you're still a biker. I was once told or heard... There is a difference between a biker and a rider. The rider is there just for the ride and nevertheless enjoys it. But the biker actually works and mods his on bike aside from all the things a riders does. I don't know about you. But in my case. I've only recently adquired my first bike, and I already am doing my own mods or repairs etc, but I did not start to do that so that I would be a REAL biker, heck... still have much to learn. Maybe I'm mistaken. But I always wanted to ride a bike, and now I am. To me that's all that matters.

I pass by other experienced riders and they show respect regardless of the bike I'm riding on, and a lot of them ride harleys ETC... I also get no respect from some who think they're ride is the hottest thing around, (also some other Harley owners) Like one of the above posts said. "A true biker does not care if he is recognized as a biker, is respectful of other bikers regardless of their ride or club affiliation, helps other bikers in need when possible."

What I have found here, is tons of respect and helpful hands. I can't be thankful enough for that, and I just hope give the same amount of help I've been given here, once I'm better experienced and carry on the torch.

 

Here's my two cents.

In my honest opinion, its the reasons you ride which define who you are. If you're a 100K a year businessman with a Harley that gets ridden once, maybe twice a month... you're a weekender. Nothing more, nothing less.

You belong to a club, you wear a patch. You're a biker. Be it an outlaw gang (Note: having personally known a few outlaw bikers, 1%ers are the mean SOB's who live up to the criminal image and the criminal record to back it up) or an organized club of people who do charity rides and such. It doesn't matter. You're a biker.

You ride alone or with a couple guys (or girls) you know. You ride your bike as a mode of transportation. You ride simply for the joy of riding. You're a rider. Key word in those statements... RIDE.

Knowing how to field strip your ride and repair/rebuild it doesn't make you a biker, I know bikers who know very little about their machines beyond how to operate them and do minor maintenance on them. It makes you a Motorcycle Enthusiast/Nut.

I think that most of us fit into the Rider/Motorcycle Nut categories. I personally fit into the Rider category and refer to myself. I can do all the basic things on my bike, but I'm by no means ready to tackle a full tear down/rebuild without an extra set of hands (or a well informed internet message board