Just what the hell is a 'BIKER' anyway?

[Motkram]

I don't know about anyone else, but I can't stand being called a 'biker' It conjures up images of beards, tassles, and fat guts sticking out from leather waistcoats.

Is a 'biker' anyone who rides a bike nowadays, or a certian type of motorcyclist?

There are a few things that make me not want to be labelled a 'biker', because every non motorcycling persons perception of a 'biker' is not overly positive:

1.) At the Silverstone round of WSB this year, I lost count of the number of people walking about in leathers with pints of beer in hand. I found it quite repulsive to be totally honest, I doubt anyone would not be affected in any way after a long, (very) hot tiring day even drinking just one pint. These people strutted about like they were the shit, I don't want to be called a biker if thats what it means.

2.) I really do not like the 'holier than thou' attiude displayed by some motorcyclists with regard to cars. I see it fairly frequently on these boards and to be honest it chaffs my ass. Pro-rata I see more acts of dumb driving by two wheels than four, every day of the week.
Loud pipes save lives? Bollocks, have you people even been in a modern car? You cant hear shite over the air con and stereo until its filtering past your door at 130mph. Blind spots are much bigger in newer cars too. You need to ride defensivley, better still, get a car and see it from the other side, you might think before posting about 'w@nker car drivers' again.

3.) Showboating. Is a biker someone whos sole life ambition is to knee down with both right and left? Yes, if they can achieve that, their lap time of the Asda interchange will improve no end.
By the way, you can accelerate, brake and corner much much quicker with both wheels on the ground.

Rantage over, any thoughts?
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Part-time GSXR1000 pilot>Micron Serpert system+K&N, PC111, Sigma slipper clutch, Brembo m/c+Galfer discs, Gilles rearsets, Translogic Quickshifter.

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[yambabe]

The ones I like best are the ones who go to races, shows or rallies in their cars then get out either wearing their full riding gear or get it out of the boot and put it on........

You might be surprised just how many of them there are too!
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[MRX Steve]

[Barry_M2]

[Mockey]

In my Opinion a biker is someone who loves motorcycling and encompasses everything it stands for, freedom, individuality and non-confomaty.

Being a biker is not about how you look, how old you are or even how many tassles and patches you have! Its about brotherhood (and sisterhood!) and looking out for one another. Its about having curtosy for all road users, bikes and cars and most importantly its about respect.

It doesn't matter what bike you ride, people who lock there bike away for the winter and people who feel the need to buy the latest and fastest sports bike every year are not bikers!

It's not the image that you broadcast to others, but the person you are inside that makes you a biker as opposed to a person who simply rides a motorcycle.
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04/05- Kawsaki Eliminator 125, 05/06 - Kawasaki EN500, 06/present - Triumph Thunderbird 900

[V2]

for me its the group of people who ride bikes, regardless of style or cc the following criterea should be met

1. I do own the road
2. Yes it is my personal racetrack (wtf are all these cars doing on MY track!)
3. Yes i am better/smarter/faster than you! (Delete where appropriate accounting for cc/sheddiness of bike)

[Dark]

MarkR1 and Mockey, i agree!

I enjoy driving a car and don't agree with some of the slagging off car drivers get on here, i certainly don't agree with loud pipes saves lives.

I enjoy riding a bike because it gives me so much, freedom, adrenaline, a sense of achievement and the privelidge of getting to be a member of an unspoken community of mostly like minded good people.

I do enjoy the odd wheelie and knee down action, but i try to keep these to an appropriate time and place.

I voted "someone who rides a bike"
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My Bikes in order:- Yamaha RXS100 / Suzuki X7 250 / Yamaha RD350LC / Kawasaki
KR1S 250 / Kawasaki ZXR750 H2 / Honda C50 / Kawasaki ZX7R P5 / Kawasaki ZX10R / Suzuki GSXR 400 / Honda CBR1100 Blackbird & Yamaha FZR 600

[Mockey]

[Dark]

[Mockey]

[Dragonfly]

a biker to me is someone who rides a motorcycle. simply that. no matter what make , how great,how fast or how much beer belly and tattoos there still bikers.
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All the breast.
Muzza on Binge:
He's too busy beating the everloving shit out of Lizzie to notice this thread has taken a turn down Drama Avenue and stopped off at the popcorn shop.

[Dark]

[Mockey]

[Slickfish]

I agree with msot of your points.

Loud cans argument, I so wish it was true but its not.
Can you imagine it, the minimum legal limit for roads bikes is ??BD's " Sorry sir your bike failed the MOT, the cans not straight through!"! . they sound nice thats why we have them.

As for the roundabout surfing, I do it alot down our local industrial estate, but I give cars as much repect as I do normally, If im drumming around a roundabout I make damn sure I know the car's are either no where near me or have at least seen me. I try to leave enough room to give me ways out.
I've found the condifence I've gained form this has lead to me being a much smoother rider.

However I agree I see as much cock end riding as I do driving.

[Dragonfly]

i see your point mockey

i dont know anyone like that person you talk about and your right i would not consider him a biker also.

you have opened my eyes a bit there.
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All the breast.
Muzza on Binge:
He's too busy beating the everloving shit out of Lizzie to notice this thread has taken a turn down Drama Avenue and stopped off at the popcorn shop.

[Mockey]

Cheers

I think its fair enough that people have different views on what a 'biker' is. I'll give you another example... Theres a guy who lives two doors away from me, self made builder, has an absolutely pristine Harley Softail but he seriously rides it like two times a year! What a Waste
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04/05- Kawsaki Eliminator 125, 05/06 - Kawasaki EN500, 06/present - Triumph Thunderbird 900

[Dragonfly]

i get out on my bike all the time, its all i drive as i cant drive a car anyway. and nor do i want to, not that i have anything against cars drivers but i do have issues with that vehicle personally.
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All the breast.
Muzza on Binge:
He's too busy beating the everloving shit out of Lizzie to notice this thread has taken a turn down Drama Avenue and stopped off at the popcorn shop.

[dainesefreak]

[craigs23]

"Someone who rides a bike". Biking is pretty diverse and (can be) somewhat individual. Everyone's got different flavours of biking and which sub-culture they fit into.

[queen of string]

its several overlapping groups of people I reckon. If I had puter skills and could be arsed I'd draw a venn diagram but frankly I cant. You dont have to own a bike to be a biker on the inside. You dont have to be greasy to be a biker, even if you only ride twice a year your one of us on some level.

I'm female ,blond and fairly conventionally dressed most of the time, if the subject of the bikes comes up most often people say ooh you dont look like a biker. I always wonder wtf I am supposed to look like
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[dainesefreak]

[queen of string]

did ya not know? I'm Flip's bcf mum (it's safer that way ).
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[colin1]

[dainesefreak]

[bazza]