anybody up to a bit of a read? (750 words)

I write items for a vintage motorcycle club magazine in the UK, 'vintage' is loosely interpreted.

Any constructive comments appreciated as i don't think it is quite there yet, based on my own experiences here in england over the years and the conclusion is perhaps a tad cloying, see what you think.





Live and let live



Have you come across intolerance of motorcycles or motorcyclists at all? It's an unspoken but apparent distaste for oily, noisy things and their delinquent owners in some quarters? Well, it doesn't happen very often these days but when it does it can be moderately upsetting.



I became aware of people being nervous of motorcyclists when in a gift shop, they didn't like anybody in leathers, boots and helmet in hand, fearing it would put off other customers no doubt. Thereafter, riding through a wealthy rural hamlet I was taken aback to see a mother herding her kids off the street with a look of horror on her face on my approach.



Another time, I turned up at my local garden suppliers on my motorbike and caught the owner's expression of alarm as I pulled into the car park. Why are motorcyclists frowned on? They may leave some people cold but a bit of excitement makes life more interesting, it adds another dimension and it gets you out. Nevertheless, the fact that we can be seen as reprobates is disturbing.



Naively, I thought people would see how cool it was for an old dude to clamber aboard a motorbike and trundle about but not so, even friends and family seem vaguely appalled. I had thought I cut a reasonable figure on my bike but that evaporated after a ride with a mate who has a similar machine. We looked like a couple of 60's policemen on noddy bikes. Hardly a threatening presence.



Possibly adverse memories persist of the rockers of the 1960's but, more likely. it's 'hooligan' riding on the roads and not wanting to be associated with unpredictable types prepared to put themselves and others in danger. Unfortunately, even old geezers like me get included in the disreputable category of those that you don't want to know


Peer pressure and the need to conform is part of being a UK citizen. We don't like to be a lone voice, viewed as different or to be an outsider. From school to the workplace there are incentives to toe the line and penalties if you don't. There is a degree of latitude but diverging significantly from social norms attracts negative attention.



A women gardener in our close shuffles away with her back turned once my bike coughs into life. Distant high pitched motorbike sounds from the by-pass don't bother me but I can understand how kids buzzing about on illegally non-silenced mopeds and the guy with the Harley a street away cause irritation.



I once stopped at a delicatessen, one of my mirrors was wobbly so I bought some tape to temporary hold it in place. I asked the woman serving in the deli if I could borrow some scissors to cut the tape and to my surprise she said 'you won't stab me will you?'. I thought she was joking, then saw that she wasn't. Afterwards, I remembered that they had been a shooting incident there, back in 1987.



I even sensed a slight feeling of alienation when I joined IAM (motorcycle safety organisation), mostly they had newish and prestigious machines there. The IAM branch was in a wealthy part of the country in the M4 corridor and I had to travel some distance to attend. I felt uncomfortable, like a poor relation, nevertheless I the objective was to improve my riding to an advanced level.



There was a little interest in my old machine, one biker remarked on the novelty of analog dials, another observed my bike emitted smoke when I changed down as we 'made progress' on training trips. My dress didn't help I suppose, a couple of the blokes there stood out as incredibly well turned out, one had a touch of Elvis Presley about his kit and another looked something of a gestapo officer.



The frosty attitude of shopkeepers, the public, local homeowners and the people at the training school made me appreciate that tatty looking bikers aren't always that welcome. Strange that there is a certain snobbery in the biking world itself though. It's not a big deal but not a good feeling either.



It is useful to be aware of others views but you have to be yourself. It makes you realise what it's like to be on the receiving end of social prejudice. It doesn't seem fair especially when you are innocent of any crime. I leaves me thinking that I too should try to be more accepting of others.

 

This is universal it seems, here in the US every bike is a HD and or a Wheelie riding Sport bike .... here you pull up on an older bike that is NOT a HD Chrome Show or a plastic fantastic all you get are snotty looks ...go to most bike shows a hand full of "other manafactures" bikes ...a few Brit bikes maybe a few older Jap bikes if your lucky . Many non riders view motorcycles and motorcyclist as an annoyance ...loud pipes are there main complaint ...but we are all viewed as hooligans ...

 

Have heard of the moped thieves plaguing London and the problem police are having catching these little buggers. Most under age with stolen bikes wearing masks and carrying weapons. And the laws in place prevent high speed chasing or running them off the road.
I say piss on them , they want to steal stuff then pay the piper!
Maybe that is the new view of " bikers" in the U.K.

 

In my area, South Dakota, home of the annual Spearfish Rally's, motorcycles aren't really frowned on. I suppose by some, but most realize motorcyclists are a cross section of our population, doctors to deadbeats.

 

Toronto made the news this summer after several motorcycle swarms terrorized traffic.

http://torontosun.com/2016/09/12/co...eets/wcm/0e8b59ea-8111-4d79-ac2b-f72230059f0b

 

I ride with a group of lawyers and judges!

 

This is not experience in UK, at least not any longer. Back in the day when you could ride a 250 on L-plates at close to 100 mph at 17 and we all yearned for black leather jackets then maybe. Today it's a lot trickier to get a licence and so the feckless youth cannot be bothered. Bike sales are down accordingly and we left with the 40+ and grey-haired old buffers. Your story about the delicatessen seems highly unlikely so I think your whole point about 'persecution' is questionable. IAM bike snobs - so what? Sorry but I read it and didn't 'get' it.

Well you asked fro some critique!

 

Who gives a turd what people think of you? Ride for you, not them.