Bikers? Are you one?

[Andi_Archer]

So looking at the current trend on here, what's a biker? Because right or wrong (obviously wrong) that is how the general public see us.

Theres so wide a gulf from one end to the other,say scooter riding students to big heavy machine riders.Each rides for their own reasons and wearing tatoos and leathers doesnt change ones personality much the same as driving a white van doesnt make one a bad driver it all about percieved image.

I recently attended the Ride to the Wall event in stafford ther were bikers of all styles and dress code from weather proof coveralls to leathers and tatoos and you couldnt have met a nicer bunch of people [unless it was on the battlrefield].They were all there in good spirits,making the best of the bad weather to help fund others needs.

So the problem isnt what you look like but how the public percieve you much as Trickytree noted some folk cant look behind their own narrow minded views and take a person for what they are not what the press write about them.The Press and people in general dont remember the good things groups of people do only the bad events seems to stick in their mind.

[captinktm]

So looking at the current trend on here, what's a biker? Because right or wrong (obviously wrong) that is how the general public see us.

Theres so wide a gulf from one end to the other,say scooter riding students to big heavy machine riders.Each rides for their own reasons and wearing tatoos and leathers doesnt change ones personality much the same as driving a white van doesnt make one a bad driver it all about percieved image.

I recently attended the Ride to the Wall event in stafford ther were bikers of all styles and dress code from weather proof coveralls to leathers and tatoos and you couldnt have met a nicer bunch of people [unless it was on the battlrefield].They were all there in good spirits,making the best of the bad weather to help fund others needs.

So the problem isnt what you look like but how the public percieve you much as Trickytree noted some folk cant look behind their own narrow minded views and take a person for what they are not what the press write about them.The Press and people in general dont remember the good things groups of people do only the bad events seems to stick in their mind.

I think I am being misunderstood, I am not saying that Bikers are good bad or ugly, no what I am saying is I am not one. Ignoring Leeds because that may well have been hooodalums. It was just the article that made me think, what the hell am I if not a biker. I guess as some have said it's motorcyclist? But would you call motocrosser's or enduro riders motorcyclist? Ah yes a Motorcycle Enthusiast, or ME for short. My wife as just shouted that, that sounds about rite.

[Scott_rider]

I've been riding for over 35 years but I don't consider myself a 'biker' in the true sense of the word i.e. I don't wear 'oil and chains' when I go to the pub... :laugh: . But I do go to the Ace Cafe regularly because they do good cafe grub...and I like to look at the bikes and mix with my mates there etc...whenever I'm in the car and I hear a bike I turn off the radio and wind down the window just to listen to their exhaust as they come past me...and I can't help looking at a hill or a dirt track wherever I am and thinking how great it would be to tear up it on my enduro bike...but I wouldn't, cos that would be 'wrong'. I guess I'm a 'sanitised' biker...I probably need therapy :laugh: :S :woohoo:

[skipper]

sorry guys but you are all bikers. Its not which biker niche you think that you fit in, but how you are perceived by the great british public that matters.

[Crossrutted]

best of all my wife used to be one of those sleazy biker chicks with their leather jackets and high boots (thumbs)

You know the rule - pictures or it didn't happen. :whistle:

[Brenhden]

sorry guys but you are all bikers. Its not which biker niche you think that you fit in, but how you are perceived by the great british public that matters.

They can if they like.

I'd like to think of myself as an adventurer and an engineer. Bikes are the perfect bridge between the two. My bikes take me where I want to go and give me something to tinker with in the evening.

[trickytree]

sorry guys but you are all bikers. Its not which biker niche you think that you fit in, but how you are perceived by the great british public that matters.

Why does it matter? Some folk won't alter there perception of people no matter what I/they do. There was the lorry driver at the truck stop where we used to have a bike night a while ago that was of the opinion that motorcycles are a menace to other road users and should all be banned. A few tried but nothing could change his veiw, no matter how they weee dressed or what bike they rode.
Society seems to love pigeon holes, it's like you don't exist unless you can be catalogued and labled.

[AndyB]

best of all my wife used to be one of those sleazy biker chicks with their leather jackets and high boots (thumbs)

You know the rule - pictures or it didn't happen. :whistle:

Are you sure? She's 50 on Sunday and I don't think her old leather jacket fits any more even though it's still in a box in the roof.

[Emf#53]

I thought you had to ride all year round in the cold and wet to "be a proper bike" :whistle:

[SteveR]

The Leeds thing was just a bunch of gobshites. It's happened other places I believe, mostly on MX and "field" bikes from what I could see... I imagine a few knocks on the door will be happening to those with "legal" bikes with reg plates!!! :whistle:

I've never been a "biker" as per the job description, more a motorcyclist. I guess it was riding in Yurrup in the early 80's and never a hint of "biker, no way" or "we dont serve motorcyclists" that set my views in place. Even as kids in the early 70's we were more local lads with a bike for transport in the countryside, a tiny percentage of us grew up, but stayed on bikes, most moved on to wives and families.