What is a Real Biker?

[3853]

The definition of a Poser thread went well IMHO but some of the responses beg the question-What is your definition of a REAL BIKER? pcn:

[bkrbil]

A true biker is someone who would rather be on 2 wheels instead of 4 at all times.

Someone who constantly thinks or talks about bikes.

Someone who will come up with any excuse to go out for a ride.

Someone who rarely cares about the weather when it comes to riding.

Someone who it really doesn't matter what bike they're on, as long as they're on a bike.

Someone that gets irritable if they are unable to ride for several day.

[R100Pilot]

Here we get into some sticky semantics. Back in the Cenozoic Era, shortly after Tracker had learned to walk upright and as I was just beginning to emerge from the primordial ooze, there was a very clear distinction between "bikers" and "motorcyclists."

I was in a rather odd position, as I was riding around on a Kawasaki, while the group I hung around with in high school had gravitated toward Harleys and the one-percenter lifestyle. However, since I'd known most of 'em since we were in short pants, I was sorta tolerated (though they did once threaten to bury my GPz up to its handlebars if I parked it in front of the clubhouse, which was easily recognizable on accounta the nazi flag hanging in the front window; I'm not sure whether they were joking).

So I tend to think of the term "biker" in its old-school context. Bikers did NOT ride anything Japanese. Bikers rode Harleys, and maybe Brit bikes. These were not high-zoot machines, but rather home-built and self-maintained machines of dubious reliability, although a few of the brothers did work as mechanics and machinists and knew how to turn out a potent, well-tuned V-twin.

Bikers generally worked roofing or construction jobs, if they worked at all, because nobody gave you any shlt about how you dressed or how you smelled or how much ink you had (this was well before tattoos were a fashion statement). Bikers dealt speed and coke. Their old ladies were "dancers" and occasionally whores. They were fond of alcohol, tobbacco and firearms, as well as explosives. They truly did live to ride (as well as fight, drink, and engage in all manner of behavior unsuitable for discussion on a family web site). They were intensely loyal to the group, and intensely suspicious of outsiders. A biker's colors told the story of his life, not just which rallies he'd attended. Do any of you remember what a red set o' wings signified?

These days, the lines have been blurred as the semiotic tropes of the traditional "biker" have been appropriated and commercialized, so that the tattooed chap dressed like a cross between a mongol raider and something outta Pirates of the Caribbean is as likely to be a dentist or a lawyer.

This being N. Florida, I'm occasionally reminded that this is Outlaw territory, and give the colors some respect and a wide berth.

[ This message was edited by: R100Pilot on 2006-07-17 07:19 ]

[dr_gallup]

I was at the White Rose Motorcycle club hillclimb about 25 years ago. I was on my RD350L/C and my brother on his RD400. Nearly everybody else there were Harley riders. This was back in the dark days of Harley, when they were owned by AMF, their quality sucked and they were losing market share big time. It was about 45 degrees F and spitting rain. This one big ugly guy rides in on his hog, leather vest, no shirt. Out of state plate. He has the anchor chain from the Queen Mary around his neck with a padlock the size of my boot. The padlock is bouncing off his bare chest with every beat of the Harley. His old lady is one of the finest looking foxes you have ever seen. Now that was a biker.


[ This message was edited by: dr_gallup on 2006-07-17 08:02 ]

[6485]

On 2006-07-17 08:01, dr_gallup wrote:
This one big ugly guy rides in on his hog, leather vest, no shirt. Out of state plate. He has the anchor chain from the Queen Mary around his neck with a padlock the size of my boot. The padlock is bouncing off his bare chest with every beat of the Harley.

Well doc, no wonder you didn't wanna make the trip up to ride with CB and limey. You didn't tell me you had already met limey 25 years ago! If you would've explained this, I would've thoroughly understood! :-D

[bluesjeans]

A Real Biker is someone who loves life on 2 wheels and respects ALL who share the same love. He will ALWAYS come to the rescue of a fellow biker irrelevant of what make the other biker is riding..

[Diego]

A real biker is someone who spends his time riding his bike, rather than posing generic questions about posers on model-specific forums.

[kuhlka]

On 2006-07-17 10:52, Diego wrote:
A real biker is someone who spends his time riding his bike, rather than posing generic questions about posers on model-specific forums.

+1!!!


Sorry, but I've been a poser the last few weeks while I work on my bike's front end off and on. I hope the parts get here soon. I think I'm getting depressed. Maybe I've been too busy or maybe its just that all my friends have been working 50+ hr work weeks too, but I haven't had a huge urge to ride. Thats really odd too considering I usually ride rain or shine and regularly look for excuses to scoot off on the bike for a few hours. Or maybe Deals Gap ruined my satisfaction with NWOH roads. Almost all the roads up here are straight as an arrow for miles and the surface isn't all that great. Toledo traffic sucks and there are bumps and potholes all over. I think I need a head check.

[Joemomma]

A REAL biker doesn't post on the net... :razz:

[BUCKET]

I too look for any excuse to ride whether it be rain or shine,most of our long rides this year so far have been wet.Motorcyle enthusiast or biker,it doesn't matter as long as your are on two wheels.
Bucket :hammer: