I'm a poser RUB. I took the MSF BRC at 36 and bought my first bike--my FLHR--a few months later. It took me that long to be able to afford it. I grew up poor, spent six years in the Navy, five years in college (on my own dime), an another half dozen years in my engineering career working my way up. I may not be a real biker, but I sure as F**K earned my bike.

 

1st thing, i luv the guys that buy a new harley and all the gear then
use it once or twice a summer. i used to guide in the mountains (backcountry
trips on horseback) and i've always luv'd dudes (greenhorns, wannabes,w.e.)
cause they r fun. they just out for a good time plus when they think ther stuff
is old n busted (somthin new came out) they sell ther stuff to cheap poor bastards
like me fir cheep
2nd i agree with u cyp in that sum here r very quick to talk crap b4 anyone can
get a answer bout anythin from helmets to tires but das how these forums roll
its like grade school, that said i mostly look at the pos side and am entertained
by it

 

To the guys that see my point, and have their own as well, right on man its cool. To the guys that don't get it,.. yeah, you probably never will.
To clarify, I was never homeless. I've always had a roof over my head in some fashion. I was sharing experiences on what I consider the truest thing to a real freedom bike trip. One where you don't get on mapquest and plan your trips around what hotels you can book. One where you get on your bike, gas er up and go.. with just a destination in mind. That is something I think a lot of people NEED to experience. Driving your 2010 bike from dealership to dealership collecting shirts is only a tip of the iceburg.. get out there a really live!

Chazmanian.. thats a kick *** bike man.. right up my alley. Blacked out n bad ***!

 

I fit your target generalization to a point. I grew up in a "biker" family. My Dad sold his bikes when my brother and I were born so he could pay bills, but my uncles and aunts still rode. We were pretty much on the poor side, but my Dad scraped up a couple hundred buck to buy my brother and I a Kawasaki KDX 80 when I was about 10. We rode the hell out of that thing. Broke it, fixed it, and kept going till we were too big for it.

I drove cars out of convenience and the impression that the motorcycle I wanted was too expensive to attain. I served in the Marine Corps and took to heart some folks who told me it was better to work smarter not harder.

When I got out I started a decent career in IT. I bought my first bike for myself at 22 years old, brand new off the showroom floor a 1200 Sportster.

First thing I rode it over to show one of my role models who I knew would be proud of my choice. My Uncle Buddy ripped it up an down. "Awe you got a girl's bike. Look it even has a pu$$y button."" In the end he taught me a lot about riding. About what it means to be a "biker" Whether I am one or not.

I ride for me. I like to ride with like minded people I don't care what brand is on the tank or what kind of motor it has. I wish I had time to take long trips, but with my chosen lifestyle that takes some planning. I have worked on my Sporty for 8 years. Some of my mods are not perfect it still needs quite a few things, but I have done all but one fluid change. I learned lessons from old school folks around me and from my own experiences. I learned a lesson from my old man. I bought my bike and worked my *** off so that when I my son arrived I had enough resources to keep it. In fact, I added a new one this year. I bought it off the show room floor as well.

Like the OP stated, if I could afford it I would ride and let someone else do the dirty work, but I can't I still work for a living even if I'm not scraping together parts. I don't know if I feel like a biker. I don't try to dress like one, but if I ever go down in an accident the newspapers will likely call me by that name.

 

I like that, good point. If someday that were the way I went.. everyone would all say its because I refuse to wear a helmet. Nothing would be mentioned about all the close calls, and miracle saves I did over the years avoiding people in cars. It would all be blamed on the stupid dude with no helmet.

 

I guess I'm not a real biker either: that makes me a yuppie!!!

I'm 38, married, a father of 2 young children, own a successful manufacturing company, and work my a$$ off for my money. I have only recently (2 years ago) decided that I would like to ride bikes because almost all of my entire extended family had gotten into it including my 60 year old father.

I have limited time to ride, but do so when I can. I have the means to buy whatever bike I want, and whatever accessories to go with it. I'm slowly learning the mechanical aspects that go along with it because I enjoy it. I've only logged around 6000 miles on the bike in my two years of owning it, but I live in Canada. I've been to Bike Week in 2008 (missed 2009 because I was sick) and Americaide 2009.

I love to ride. I don't care what anyone else is riding. If that person enjoys it, all the power to them!!