Newbie 'Biker' Experiences (aka what is a biker) : V-Twin Forum: Harley Davidson Forums

imalldickedup · 01-13-2006, 12:01 PM

If this thread is not in the correct forum category, please let me know so I can move it to the correct place.

Recently, I’ve read comments which remind me of a shirt my wife recently saw. The shirt said ‘there are more bikes than bikers.’ Which got us to wonder just what is ‘a biker.’ From our limited experience, we have observed that cruiser riders are: courteous, friendly, helpful, interested in our ride, helpful, polite, very generous both with suggestions and comments, accepting of new riders (like us), and always willing to answer my newbie questions about riding. If our experience is the norm, bikers are simply great people. Yes, we understand there will be some outliers, riders who don't fit our observations. But we’ve yet to meet any. To each one of you who we've met either in person or on this forum, we owe you a great amount of respect, for you certainly show it by your actions. Thank you all.

TomB · 01-13-2006, 12:57 PM

A biker is one who rides a bike. All the alternative definitions are just blowhards contributing to global warming with their gaseous emissions ...

swmnkdinthervr · 01-13-2006, 03:06 PM

We're all bikers to some degree...some are more rider, others are more owner...just keep in mind that there are jerks in every crowd...don't let the few ruin the view of many.

MegaGlide · 01-13-2006, 03:14 PM

I'm an avid motorcycle enthusiast, m'self...

imalldickedup · 01-13-2006, 03:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by swmnkdinthervr

We're all bikers to some degree...some are more rider, others are more owner...just keep in mind that there are jerks in every crowd...don't let the few ruin the view of many.

I'm just too old to let someone spoil my fun!

20538 · 01-13-2006, 03:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MegaGlide

I'm an avid motorcycle enthusiast, m'self...

I like that description Mega.

I tell people I own a motorcycle and enjoy riding it and am not a biker. I think many people think of a biker as someone who is more on the undesirable side of our society and I don't see myself falling in that category.

MegaGlide · 01-13-2006, 03:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brownjams

I like that description Mega.

I tell people I own a motorcycle and enjoy riding it and am not a biker. I think many people think of a biker as someone who is more on the undesirable side of our society and I don't see myself falling in that category.

Don't get me wrong, I'm plenty undesirable....

20538 · 01-13-2006, 03:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MegaGlide

Don't get me wrong, I'm plenty undesirable....

Oh didn't mean to offend your offensivenese.

DM-SC · 01-13-2006, 04:10 PM

I've found over the years that, there are PLENTY of jerks who do NOT ride a motorcycle....

Trying to define "WHAT" a "BIKER" is takes up too much of my riding time...so I don't bother!

bagga · 01-13-2006, 04:29 PM

"a biker without a bike is just another citizen" a quote from some bike magazine about 25 years ago. that's how i see it too.

shinbone1028 · 01-13-2006, 04:37 PM

yes,we are great people...pass it on,no one believes me when I tell em that.

Seahag · 01-13-2006, 05:32 PM

I still say if your average ride is 2 miles to the bar and back, you are NOT a biker....You are a motorcycle collector....or worse.

IndianaSteve · 01-13-2006, 05:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brownjams

I tell people I own a motorcycle and enjoy riding it and am not a biker.

I've stopped telling people I own a motorcycle. Every time I tell someone they immediately go into a long speech about how their brother/uncle/father/son/friend/co-worker/whoever was hurt/killed/maimed/whatever by a motorcycle. jeesh! I've just given up telling anyone.

Lefty · 01-13-2006, 06:28 PM

What I've noticed on most forums is that the definition of a "biker" is one that seems to include the definer. I think the "old school" definition of "biker" would be someone who either doesn't own or much use a cage, is somewhat undesireable (good term Mega), rides a lot, and is an "outlaw" of sorts. This type of "old school" definition describes few current Harley riders (as much as they strain to appear as such) and better describes young crotch rocket club patch holders. . .And what's funny is. . . .We HD riders don't like 'em!!!!

Quote:

Originally Posted by IndianaSteve

I've stopped telling people I own a motorcycle. Every time I tell someone they immediately go into a long speech about how their brother/uncle/father/son/friend/co-worker/whoever was hurt/killed/maimed/whatever by a motorcycle. jeesh! I've just given up telling anyone.

When people give me that bull$hit I don't have time to explain the history of depression in my family, a father who never enjoyed anything, never grinned from ear to ear, and that I'd much rather live shorter and happier than longer and more miserably. Besides, too many pork chops kill a lot more folks than bikes!

Lefty
'05 FatBoy (Jolene the Widowmaker!)

claydbal · 01-13-2006, 06:54 PM

a person who lives his life without worrying what others think, not bringing harm to others, minding his own bussiness, supports his family, shrugs off a bad day to enjoy tomorrow, is the same person on or off a motorcycle, defends his rights to be himself,etc.
in other words he/she is real, not a poser with a motorcycle.