Real "Biker"
#131
05-03-2008 | 12:58 AM
Road Master
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 786
Likes: 0
From: Albuquerque, NM
RE: Real "Biker"
I got this somewhere, maybe from here a while back, I don't remember.
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WHAT IS A BIKER?
After riding for some 35 years and owning more bikes than I can count, I am still a little confused when someone asks me the question, "Are you a biker?" Do I ride? Yes. Do I own a motorcycle[b][size=3]? Yes. Do I saddle up often? Yes, usually daily. Is riding a motorcycle the most important thing I do? Yes, right behind being with my family and making a living. There are many definitions for real biker. Many riders think being a biker means that you ride a scooter constantly and probably don't even own a car. Some think that only Harley riders are real bikers, while others believe that being a club "1 percenter" is the key to the biker title. I've also heard guys say things like, "Real bikers ride in the rain." Well, I guess I'm not a real biker because I drive my truck when it's raining. But I consider that an intelligence issue.
I also hear conversations that if you have a good job and make great money, somehow you have been disqualified from being a real biker because you are now a yuppie or a R.U.B. (rich urban biker). Well, I plead guilty again because I have a pretty good job, and I do okay. I guess I've lost points again on the real biker scale. Do tattoos, outrageous haircuts or earrings get you closer to the Holy Grail of real bikerhood? How about the folks who ride sport bikes, Gold Wings or trikes? Are they real bikers? Can a Gold Winger ever become a real biker? According to many so-called experts, once you get a Gold Wing, you get busted back down to Private. Zero points on the real biker scale. What happens to a real biker if he suddenly loses his mind and -- God forbid -- buys a British bike?
I'm sure many of you are a little like me and wonder what makes a biker and whether or not we qualify. Do I think like a biker? Do I look like a biker? Do I have to dress for work like I dress when I'm riding my scoot to be a real biker? Do I make too much money to be a real biker? Do I have to put bike parts into the dishwasher to be a real biker? Can I take my scoot to the dealership for an oil change and still keep my Real Biker Card?
Recently, as I drove home from work, I came across a young guy pushing his Honda cruiser down a country road. After stopping to investigate, I went home and got my trailer and some tie-downs and came back to help this guy get his scooter home in one piece. It was apparent early on that he wasn't a "true biker," that is, an experienced biker. I didn't know the exact definition of true biker, but I knew he somehow didn't qualify. He would need to serve some time before applying for his Real Biker Membership Card.
After we got to his house and unloaded his bike, he offered payment for my services, and I refused. He thanked me and then proceeded to tell me how he had bought the Honda to go to Sturgis with friends and how wonderful the experience had been. He went into his house and got some photos of his trip to show me. He explained how exciting the whole biker experience had been, how friendly the biker community was, and how surprised he was to feel so welcome. He said he had recently gone through a divorce and the Sturgis experience had rejuvenated him, served as a sort of therapy. As he explained what had apparently been a life-changing experience, it occurred to me that he was putting into words the whole biker experience from the fresh point of view of someone who had just arrived. He was so excited, it almost made me laugh out loud.
I realized he was describing what being around bikers was all about. It was like he was re-introducing me to an old friend, a friend I had almost
forgotten about and was very happy to re-discover. I'd been around bikers for so long
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
WHAT IS A BIKER?
After riding for some 35 years and owning more bikes than I can count, I am still a little confused when someone asks me the question, "Are you a biker?" Do I ride? Yes. Do I own a motorcycle[b][size=3]? Yes. Do I saddle up often? Yes, usually daily. Is riding a motorcycle the most important thing I do? Yes, right behind being with my family and making a living. There are many definitions for real biker. Many riders think being a biker means that you ride a scooter constantly and probably don't even own a car. Some think that only Harley riders are real bikers, while others believe that being a club "1 percenter" is the key to the biker title. I've also heard guys say things like, "Real bikers ride in the rain." Well, I guess I'm not a real biker because I drive my truck when it's raining. But I consider that an intelligence issue.
I also hear conversations that if you have a good job and make great money, somehow you have been disqualified from being a real biker because you are now a yuppie or a R.U.B. (rich urban biker). Well, I plead guilty again because I have a pretty good job, and I do okay. I guess I've lost points again on the real biker scale. Do tattoos, outrageous haircuts or earrings get you closer to the Holy Grail of real bikerhood? How about the folks who ride sport bikes, Gold Wings or trikes? Are they real bikers? Can a Gold Winger ever become a real biker? According to many so-called experts, once you get a Gold Wing, you get busted back down to Private. Zero points on the real biker scale. What happens to a real biker if he suddenly loses his mind and -- God forbid -- buys a British bike?
I'm sure many of you are a little like me and wonder what makes a biker and whether or not we qualify. Do I think like a biker? Do I look like a biker? Do I have to dress for work like I dress when I'm riding my scoot to be a real biker? Do I make too much money to be a real biker? Do I have to put bike parts into the dishwasher to be a real biker? Can I take my scoot to the dealership for an oil change and still keep my Real Biker Card?
Recently, as I drove home from work, I came across a young guy pushing his Honda cruiser down a country road. After stopping to investigate, I went home and got my trailer and some tie-downs and came back to help this guy get his scooter home in one piece. It was apparent early on that he wasn't a "true biker," that is, an experienced biker. I didn't know the exact definition of true biker, but I knew he somehow didn't qualify. He would need to serve some time before applying for his Real Biker Membership Card.
After we got to his house and unloaded his bike, he offered payment for my services, and I refused. He thanked me and then proceeded to tell me how he had bought the Honda to go to Sturgis with friends and how wonderful the experience had been. He went into his house and got some photos of his trip to show me. He explained how exciting the whole biker experience had been, how friendly the biker community was, and how surprised he was to feel so welcome. He said he had recently gone through a divorce and the Sturgis experience had rejuvenated him, served as a sort of therapy. As he explained what had apparently been a life-changing experience, it occurred to me that he was putting into words the whole biker experience from the fresh point of view of someone who had just arrived. He was so excited, it almost made me laugh out loud.
I realized he was describing what being around bikers was all about. It was like he was re-introducing me to an old friend, a friend I had almost
forgotten about and was very happy to re-discover. I'd been around bikers for so long
#132
05-03-2008 | 01:05 AM
Road Master
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 786
Likes: 0
From: Albuquerque, NM
RE: Real "Biker"
OR, try this one on fer size, a lil' more humorous, ya know? 
-------------------------------------------
This is just an observation not intended to fit anyone into any particular pigeon hole... but if the shoe fits!!!
Todays Average Biker:
Wears pre-sewn do-rag. Is adorned in Oakley sunglasses (even in the dark). Has very little facial hair. Has a new, black leather vest embossed with Harley-Davidson and new patches sewn on it, at least one of them with an obscene statement. You ask him why he wears a vest and he will have trouble coming up with a good reason. His T-Shirt will be from a dealership (usually out of state). He will be wearing either designer jeans or "Biker Blues" and they will be 'loose fit'. If he is wearing boots they will be Genuine Harley Boots but more likely white tennis shoes. He will have a cell phone on his belt or a hands free ear piece connected to his cell phone. His wife or girlfriend will be riding her own bike. If he encounters an altercation he will most likely call 911 and then his lawyer about suing.
Old School Bikers:
He wears a $1 bandanna tied around his head to keep the bugs out of his hair and for a little cushion against that 60MPH June Bug. His shades are either prescription or under $10. Beards range from mustaches or goatees to the full blown Grizzly Adams, but he will have facial hair, especially in the colder weather. He may wear a vest also, leather or denim, and there will probably be some pins or patches on it but they are probably mementos given to him from other brothers. Ask him why he wears it and he will tell you that it's just right for breaking the cold from your body without binding your arms on the apes (and it has a very nice pocket for packin'). His jeans will be gold tag Levis or cowboy cut Wranglers. Footwear will be engineer style, lace up boots or cowboy boots for dress up. If he has a cell phone it's probably someone elses but always kept out of sight. His Ole Lady rides on the rear seat (or fender) behind him. If someone gets in his face, watch his hands because it's on. He believes in an eye for an eye, an ear for an ear but he won't bother dropping a dime because even if the law does show up... it will be too late.
-------------------------------------------
This is just an observation not intended to fit anyone into any particular pigeon hole... but if the shoe fits!!!
Todays Average Biker:
Wears pre-sewn do-rag. Is adorned in Oakley sunglasses (even in the dark). Has very little facial hair. Has a new, black leather vest embossed with Harley-Davidson and new patches sewn on it, at least one of them with an obscene statement. You ask him why he wears a vest and he will have trouble coming up with a good reason. His T-Shirt will be from a dealership (usually out of state). He will be wearing either designer jeans or "Biker Blues" and they will be 'loose fit'. If he is wearing boots they will be Genuine Harley Boots but more likely white tennis shoes. He will have a cell phone on his belt or a hands free ear piece connected to his cell phone. His wife or girlfriend will be riding her own bike. If he encounters an altercation he will most likely call 911 and then his lawyer about suing.
Old School Bikers:
He wears a $1 bandanna tied around his head to keep the bugs out of his hair and for a little cushion against that 60MPH June Bug. His shades are either prescription or under $10. Beards range from mustaches or goatees to the full blown Grizzly Adams, but he will have facial hair, especially in the colder weather. He may wear a vest also, leather or denim, and there will probably be some pins or patches on it but they are probably mementos given to him from other brothers. Ask him why he wears it and he will tell you that it's just right for breaking the cold from your body without binding your arms on the apes (and it has a very nice pocket for packin'). His jeans will be gold tag Levis or cowboy cut Wranglers. Footwear will be engineer style, lace up boots or cowboy boots for dress up. If he has a cell phone it's probably someone elses but always kept out of sight. His Ole Lady rides on the rear seat (or fender) behind him. If someone gets in his face, watch his hands because it's on. He believes in an eye for an eye, an ear for an ear but he won't bother dropping a dime because even if the law does show up... it will be too late.
#133
05-03-2008 | 01:43 PM
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 3,140
Likes: 15
From: Wisconsin
RE: Real "Biker"
ORIGINAL: Twolf
OR, try this one on fer size, a lil' more humorous, ya know?
-------------------------------------------
This is just an observation not intended to fit anyone into any particular pigeon hole... but if the shoe fits!!!
Todays Average Biker:
Wears pre-sewn do-rag. Is adorned in Oakley sunglasses (even in the dark). Has very little facial hair. Has a new, black leather vest embossed with Harley-Davidson and new patches sewn on it, at least one of them with an obscene statement. You ask him why he wears a vest and he will have trouble coming up with a good reason. His T-Shirt will be from a dealership (usually out of state). He will be wearing either designer jeans or "Biker Blues" and they will be 'loose fit'. If he is wearing boots they will be Genuine Harley Boots but more likely white tennis shoes. He will have a cell phone on his belt or a hands free ear piece connected to his cell phone. His wife or girlfriend will be riding her own bike. If he encounters an altercation he will most likely call 911 and then his lawyer about suing.
Old School Bikers:
He wears a $1 bandanna tied around his head to keep the bugs out of his hair and for a little cushion against that 60MPH June Bug. His shades are either prescription or under $10. Beards range from mustaches or goatees to the full blown Grizzly Adams, but he will have facial hair, especially in the colder weather. He may wear a vest also, leather or denim, and there will probably be some pins or patches on it but they are probably mementos given to him from other brothers. Ask him why he wears it and he will tell you that it's just right for breaking the cold from your body without binding your arms on the apes (and it has a very nice pocket for packin'). His jeans will be gold tag Levis or cowboy cut Wranglers. Footwear will be engineer style, lace up boots or cowboy boots for dress up. If he has a cell phone it's probably someone elses but always kept out of sight. His Ole Lady rides on the rear seat (or fender) behind him. If someone gets in his face, watch his hands because it's on. He believes in an eye for an eye, an ear for an ear but he won't bother dropping a dime because even if the law does show up... it will be too late.
OR, try this one on fer size, a lil' more humorous, ya know?
-------------------------------------------
This is just an observation not intended to fit anyone into any particular pigeon hole... but if the shoe fits!!!
Todays Average Biker:
Wears pre-sewn do-rag. Is adorned in Oakley sunglasses (even in the dark). Has very little facial hair. Has a new, black leather vest embossed with Harley-Davidson and new patches sewn on it, at least one of them with an obscene statement. You ask him why he wears a vest and he will have trouble coming up with a good reason. His T-Shirt will be from a dealership (usually out of state). He will be wearing either designer jeans or "Biker Blues" and they will be 'loose fit'. If he is wearing boots they will be Genuine Harley Boots but more likely white tennis shoes. He will have a cell phone on his belt or a hands free ear piece connected to his cell phone. His wife or girlfriend will be riding her own bike. If he encounters an altercation he will most likely call 911 and then his lawyer about suing.
Old School Bikers:
He wears a $1 bandanna tied around his head to keep the bugs out of his hair and for a little cushion against that 60MPH June Bug. His shades are either prescription or under $10. Beards range from mustaches or goatees to the full blown Grizzly Adams, but he will have facial hair, especially in the colder weather. He may wear a vest also, leather or denim, and there will probably be some pins or patches on it but they are probably mementos given to him from other brothers. Ask him why he wears it and he will tell you that it's just right for breaking the cold from your body without binding your arms on the apes (and it has a very nice pocket for packin'). His jeans will be gold tag Levis or cowboy cut Wranglers. Footwear will be engineer style, lace up boots or cowboy boots for dress up. If he has a cell phone it's probably someone elses but always kept out of sight. His Ole Lady rides on the rear seat (or fender) behind him. If someone gets in his face, watch his hands because it's on. He believes in an eye for an eye, an ear for an ear but he won't bother dropping a dime because even if the law does show up... it will be too late.
#135
05-03-2008 | 02:38 PM
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 13,389
Likes: 26
From: Windham,Maine
RE: Real "Biker"
Go look in the mirror,if you feel you qualify,the face looking back at you is a Real Biker.After you have been in the saddle long enough you get so you don't really care if you are or not.After all it is just a title.
#136
05-03-2008 | 03:13 PM
Tourer
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 350
Likes: 0
From: Massachusetts
RE: Real "Biker"
I believe that it is an "individual" thing. I have an FXDL, and love it.My wife and I ride together for pleasure or on charity runs; I have a vest with patches, I am a biker!!! - not the Sonny Barger biker of yesteryear, but still a biker.
#137
05-03-2008 | 03:32 PM
Road Master
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 888
Likes: 0
From: Central Illinois
RE: Real "Biker"
ORIGINAL: Peppa1
I see some post and replies around that reference a biker wannabe, OK what do you feel you do that makes you a REAL biker ?? I see people making fun of how others dress and act and would just like to know how a "real biker" is supposed to dress & act.
I see some post and replies around that reference a biker wannabe, OK what do you feel you do that makes you a REAL biker ?? I see people making fun of how others dress and act and would just like to know how a "real biker" is supposed to dress & act.
#138
05-03-2008 | 04:02 PM
Tourer
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 367
Likes: 0
From:
RE: Real "Biker"
ORIGINAL: Peppa1
... OK what do you feel you do that makes you a REAL biker ??....
... OK what do you feel you do that makes you a REAL biker ??....
