What is a "Biker"? It's just a label that some give to someone who is different, and unexplainable to them.
Trying to explain it is like trying to expalain a color to a blind person.

I am me! I'm not a "Biker". I happen to be someone who like to ride motorcycles.

Those of us who ride are Free Spirits who happen to like a little thrill in our lives. I hate roller coasters and my wife loves them. Does that make me less of a Man?

When the day is done can you look yourself in the mirror and say "I did good"? I can, but I'm very lucky in that my job impacts so many lives directly.

Many seem to think that an image is all important, and I will admit that I sometimes fall into that trap.

My wife and I where leaving work on our bike the other day. A guy started to pull out in front of us from a Parking Garage. His wife saw us and grabbed him by the arm. He started yelling at us. His wife then told him that the passenger on the bike was the nurse that took care of her after giving birth to the baby girl in the car seat and that when the baby had to be monitored that I was the guy that fixed the monitor when it was malfunctioning. He appologized and said "I thought you were just Biker Tramps".

I've said my piece.

If all of us tried to live our lives to the fullest and do the best we can, them in MHO we would all be better of.

 

Great post Fig.
I have never thought of myself as a real "biker", but now I do.
I have ridden bikes most of my life, from a Honda qa50 when I was in second grade, up till now at age 42....

It is the feeling and the kinship man....

~Billman~



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I came across this several years ago, and well, thought it would be nice to share it here......

[b][color=#003399][size=5]It used to be that all bikers shared a common bond, an unspoken code of ethics and behavior that transcended words and was built on actions. There was never a bible written on this Biker's Code and there was no need for such. But the times are a-changin' and there seems to be a lot of new riders out there. These days the riders you see blastin' down the road are just as likely to be clad in shorts and sneakers as jeans and engineer boots. And the roughest, toughest-looking biker you pull up next to could be your doctor or lawyer and may be wearin' a Rolex watch under his leathers. There's nothing wrong with that, so long as these new riders learn the Code just as we old-timers did. Being a biker used to be about using your creativity to take a basket case old hawg and using only grit and ingenuity, turning it into a one-of-a-kind eye dazzler, then risking your life on the asphalt on a bike you made yourself out of pride. Bikers wore leather and grease because they knew cagers would just as soon run them down as look at them, so they had to be intimidating. We were a breed unto ourselves with no union, no support group, and in many cases, no family (they threw us out). We had to make it in the world of our own, against all rules, against mainstream society, and against all odds. We survived and prospered because of the Biker Code and we never took **** from anybody. As an old scooter bro once said, "It's every tramp's job to school the young. How else are they gonna know a Panhead from a bed pan?" With that in mind, we bring you a primer on the basic two-wheeled Code. Take heed, brothers and sisters, for our Code is a hallowed one filled with honor and loyalty, the likes of which have not been since the days of knighthood: Don't take any ****. Be kind to women, children and animals, but don't take any bullshit. This is an essential part of being a biker. It has to do with respect and honor. Anyone can be a quick-tempered fool. Be cool, stand tall and backup what you say with action. Never lie, cheat or steal. Another way of saying this is to always tell the truth. Bikers are always the greasy bad guys in the movies, but every real biker knows that his word is his bond. Your word is all you have in life that is truly yours. Guard it carefully and be something noble, for you are a true knight of the road. Don't snitch. If you see a wrong, fight it yourself, if you are about anything. You'll take care of problems yourself and never feel the need to snitch someone off. Snitches are the lowest life forms on earth, right up there with biker thieves. Don't Whine. Absolutely no one likes or respects a whiner. Another way to say this is hold your mud. Still another way to think of it is, "Don't sweat the small stuff" Most of life's little inconveniences work themselves out whether you whine or not. Keep your chin up, dammit! You're a biker, not some lowly snail.. Never say die and never give up. Whether it's in a fight, a debate, or a business deal, no matter how bad it gets, a biker never gives up. Help others. When a brother or sister is broken down by the side of the road, always stop and help them. Even moral support, if that is all you can give, is better than riding on by. Remember life is about the journey, the ride, not getting there. You already are there. And don't just help bikers, show the world that we are better than our image portrays us. Courtesy costs you nothing and gives you everything. Stick to your guns. Do what you say you'll do, be there when you say you will. This is called integrity. This also goes back to standing for something. Like the song says, "You've got to stand for something or you'll fall for anything." Life is not a drill. Yeah, this ain't no dress rehearsal. This is life -- go out

 

AMEN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Great post. Ride what you like. Enjoy what you ride. If you try to live your life by the judgments of others you will never be happy. The two most important beings to please is God first and then yourself. If you can do that, enjoy the ride because you are a rider.

 

Great post!