Triumphrat

Legman · 10-06-2005

The narrow minded comments by our brother on the arrow exhaust thread started me thinking about what is a "real motorcyclist". Some like to ride a bike fast, some like to do wheelies and stoppies eveywhere, some like to modify radically, some just like personalise by adding accessories, some like to tour, some like to get dirty and many of us like to do several of these things.

The thing we all have in common is that we love bikes, we love looking at them, riding them (whether we are good riders or not, does not diminish the pleasure), talking about them, dreaming about the next one, modifying them.

Some discover bikes in their youth and develop a lifetime passion, some rediscover that passion later in life, and some find it for the first time later in life.....whatever, in my opinion being a real motorcyclist has nothing to do with how good or fast a rider you are, or whether you have tattoos, or how you dress, or how long you have been riding, or how far you ride, it is all about a passion for riding.

What does evrybody else think?

BulldogHooligan · 10-06-2005

Hallejujah brother !!! You're the kind of guy that I'd like to go riding with. It's not about who's the best or coolest or fastest or the one who's cheated death the most. It's all about the fun, the freedom, and the joy of doing what you like in your own way.

OMEGA · 10-06-2005

My comments were in reference to the US only, whole different game in OZ, not only do you guys spawn the best motorcycle racers in the world, but the skill levels of the streetriders are a grand canyon sized leap ahead of what we have over here in the states.
I also believe the standards for motorcycle liscensing are far more rigid than they are here, different tiers for CC's?

As to what defines a real motorcyclist I agree with you, but like I said on the other thread, here in the states, the trend is moving away from that passion for riding and more and more toward an image people are trying to project through buying and owning a motorcycle.

crashmasterd · 10-06-2005

The real motorcyclist is the guy who is just as happy ridding a 500 India Enfield as a New Speed Triple.

The real motorcyclist waves to the other guy whether he's riding a Daytona or an EX500, and grins when he sees a broken down 1960's Bonnie thinking "Yeah, I've been there."

The real motorcyclist knows that horsepower, chrome, LED taillights, or a fancy paint job are just the icing on the cake. Tasty, but not the substance of the motorcycle.

The real motorcyclist is covered in bugs or mud or dust at the end of the day.

The real motorcyclist appreciates the other guys ride no matter what it is or how covered in grease it is, and even when he doesn't like it.

The real motorcyclist knows that spending all of a sunny weekend polishing the thing doesn't make him a motorcyclist.

The real motorcyclist is all about respect. For the machine. For his/her brothers/sisters. For the road. For the life.

I try to follow this philosophy, but I'm not always successful. I don't think anybody is. It's a road I travel rather than a goal I hope to achieve.

Geof3 · 10-07-2005

Quote:

On 2005-10-06 21:40, OMEGA wrote:
My comments were in reference to the US only, whole different game in OZ, not only do you guys spawn the best motorcycle racers in the world, but the skill levels of the streetriders are a grand canyon sized leap ahead of what we have over here in the states.
I also believe the standards for motorcycle liscensing are far more rigid than they are here, different tiers for CC's?

As to what defines a real motorcyclist I agree with you, but like I said on the other thread, here in the states, the trend is moving away from that passion for riding and more and more toward an image people are trying to project through buying and owning a motorcycle.

Omega,

Thing is that is what is happening all over the "extreme" game. I'm a climber as well, certainly a better climber than rider and I see all the same stuff. Ice is my game mostly. It's a fairly serious one at that. Just like riding sport bikes to their fullest... Point is, every one wants a piece of the "extreme" action because everywhere you look it's cool to be "extreme". Look at all the stuff that has "extreme" in the name. I mean geez... Extreme Pizza? Give me a break. In the climbing world even the smallest mistake can become a deadly proposition really quick. But everyone wants the bragging rights to look cool. Frankly, it's a pain in the a$$. BUT, amongst all the ya-who's there are those that genuinely enjoy and RESPECT the reality of the game.

Just because one has new gear, or a bike that still has reflectors or a helmet that represents a favorite racer, doesn't mean that person is any less of a rider, just might have different taste. This same type of argument gets had on the various bike racing forums. Oh, so-and-so newbie has all the cool toys, but he can't ride so therefore he's a squid. Well, what is the problem with a guy that can afford what he wants and is learning to NOT be that squid?

Generalizations and attitudes based on these generalizations are the things that get me pissed, on boards like this, the most. For the most part, on a board such as this one, people are genuinely into the craft of riding, but at various stages of learning or whatever. If a guy has chicken strips... so what? Maybe that guy just simply loves going to and from the shop and has no need to "explore the boundries". He doesn't need to be smacked for his decision or be called less of a rider because of how he chooses to ride. If said guy were talking smack... different story.

So, the squids are out there... it is a fact of life. Good thing is, there is also natural selection that will weed them out for those of us who just love the bug goo all over their clothes.

To me, being a vehicle enthusiast is the guy that loves every aspect of the vehicle. Performance, looks, style whatever. If the guy likes doo-dads good for me... If the guy likes things stripped down, good for me. It's all about attitude.

:asb: I'm done.

PS: I agree with everything you said about the US standards for licensing... It's a total joke. Cars too... Too many cagers that deserve to have their heads detached from there bodies permanently... :hammer:

[ This message was edited by: Geof3 on 2005-10-06 22:30 ]

OMEGA · 10-07-2005

Yup, I'm feelin ya.

roadkill · 10-07-2005

I don't agree with the original poster.

I think what defines a rider is passion. You don't need to be good to have passion. You don't need to be fast to have passion.

Some people bring passion to everything they do, they are indeed rare gems.

I managed to pursuade some people to buy bikes and ride. I know of a particular guy who bought a bike the next day, its been over 6 months, and he has a total of 800 miles. He has no passion whatsoever. He is not a rider.

I know a guy who bought a hayabusa as a first bike, totalled it within 3 months, then got arrested for speeding. Now is thinking about buying a gsxr1000 when his finances are better. He is not a rider. I have more miles on my bicycle.

An artist who does not practice ALL the time is either a ****ty artist or someone who just wants to be called an artist without putting in the work that art demands. Art is an extremely hard occupation, without practice you are not an artist. You can call yourself an artist, but you are just fooling yourself.

Yes, Im an artist. Because I work harder than everyone else.

Same thing applies to motorcycles, and riders.

Passion is the key.

OMEGA · 10-07-2005

I call it the relentless pursuit of perfection, your spot on.

Legman · 10-07-2005

Roadkill said:

Quote:

I don't agree with the original poster.

What is it that I wrote that you don't agree with?

Geof3 · 10-07-2005

Quote:

On 2005-10-06 22:36, roadkill wrote:
I don't agree with the original poster.

I think what defines a rider is passion. You don't need to be good to have passion. You don't need to be fast to have passion.

Some people bring passion to everything they do, they are indeed rare gems.

I managed to pursuade some people to buy bikes and ride. I know of a particular guy who bought a bike the next day, its been over 6 months, and he has a total of 800 miles. He has no passion whatsoever. He is not a rider.

I know a guy who bought a hayabusa as a first bike, totalled it within 3 months, then got arrested for speeding. Now is thinking about buying a gsxr1000 when his finances are better. He is not a rider. I have more miles on my bicycle.

An artist who does not practice ALL the time is either a ****ty artist or someone who just wants to be called an artist without putting in the work that art demands. Art is an extremely hard occupation, without practice you are not an artist. You can call yourself an artist, but you are just fooling yourself.

Yes, Im an artist. Because I work harder than everyone else.

Same thing applies to motorcycles, and riders.

Passion is the key.

Passion is... Riding when it's 30 degrees outside, riding to work and going the "long" way. Putting 2000 miles on a new bike in 4 weeks...

It's all about the love. The cool thing is just about everyone here says the same thing about the S3... whether it's tooling to work, cranking a canyon or burnin' track time. They are simply a BLAST to ride... I'm not sure that many that own one of these particular bikes lack passion. This isn't a POSER bike... In fact, I have the only 05-06 in my city... Pretty cool!!! There ain't no posin' on the S3... It IS attitude...

Good illustration on the artist thing. I'm a drummer... you are right on the money!!

What is passion to you??