What is a biker?

[jabba]

Oooh it makes me so mad recently got criticized for riding my twin apparently rideing bikes since ur 7. In all weathers all year is not good enough unless your covered in tatoos pierced? Or you have a harley or streetfighter which someone more than likally built! Rant moan ect

So here it is I interested in knowing your opinions on what you think a biker is? Because according to the so called individuals africa twins are not bikes? Damn theres me thinking they do what they were designed to do extremely well!

[DaveS]

In my view its anyone who rides a PTW (powered two wheeler) although I don't tend to count scooterists as bikers!
Although it shouldn't matter what we ride whether its a monkey bike or a piece of Benelli exotica. We're all part of the same group which cuts across all cultural and social divides.
People who aren't bikers just don't understand, and it seems that some people who are bikers don't understand as well!!

[Unmutual]

The class structure has changed though.
30+ years ago a biker was generally a working class hooligan who couldn't afford a car.
Now bikes are predominantly a plaything for the middle aged middle classes with disposable income.

[Spangle]

So being a biker doesn't entail riding in almost every weather condition (except snow), embarrassing "Power Rangers" on their way back from Box Hill , because they don't do corners, biking to Morocco, because it seemed like a good idea (in the pub)? Oh well, I'd better buy a car, because last time I had a proper bike I managed to accrue 9 points in 6 months, whilst 3 years on the AT has managed 2 pulls, and no points-even with the naughty pipe!
Sorry, narrow minded people like that really get my goat, we're all out there dodging Muppets in their tin boxes every day, just because you don't like the style of transport, doesn't make them less of a "Biker"

[iswoolley]

Awesome first post Spangle! It's good to have an opinion.

Personally the more folk on 2 wheels the better, including them scooter yoofs. That's not to say that I wave at everyone though, as now I think about it I do stereotype riders by their appearance. I'm less likely to wave at the bearded man-mountain with the skull-cap, shades and flies in his teeth, just in case I meet him later on and he thought I was making a pass at him by waving. And a rompersuit with visible gravel rash and worn out knee sliders merits a cheery wave, while the yuppies don't.

So I'd like to think that I'm waving at the riders rather than the bikes...

Iain

[jabba]

Bugger it if you want to know what i think a biker is!
Its that urge to be outthere nomatter when or how often or what on that one thing we all have in common is the love of our machines and the great outdoors whether its down the local supermarket or cruising through the alps(on the list once my kidneys are fixed ) Do you remember the first time you ever road a bike me personally it was a yb100 I felt like a god although it was only capable of 50mph but back then it was warp speed and freedom! I think those guys who critisise peoples rides have forgotton what its all about the open road

Feel free to yell if you want

[YEN_POWELL]

Well I've listened in silence long enough, which isn't like me.

YOU'RE ALL WRONG

A real biker has plenty of taTtoos, piercings, filthy cut off, filthy denim jeans, filthy missus, a huge alsation and a Transit van. His bike however must always be undergoing a winter rebuild (if it exists at all) and never actually exist in a complete form. He will swagger around at all major events and make lots of noise with his mates to show he is popular and manly. His favourite programme is probably The Magic Roundabout.

Us lot are just playing at it by only riding a bike.

[jabba]

Yen fair play you have hit the nail on the head with that one and thats the scary thing your right n all come on guys be honest how many people do you know that fit this description?
I know loads the worst is exactly fitting that description 40 years old mid life crisis turns to bikes for an identity!

[Recycler]

A real biker has plenty of taTtoos, piercings, filthy cut off, filthy denim jeans, filthy missus, a huge alsation and a Transit van.

I don't want the tattoos or dog but wouldn't mind the filthy missus.

Remember when you were a kid, stuck in the back of the car on a long trip to grans, playing eye-spy with mum to stop you throwing up........just then a guy goes by on a bike - any bike - wow! hold on mum, I want some of that when I grow up....
Well now thats you. Whatever the wheels or weather. So play the part well because tomorrows bikers are counting on us.

Spangle: how's the riding on the Balcombe Road these days? I used to live nearby and enjoyed the back route to Brighton through Plummers Plain & Henfield.

[jabba]

Remember when you were a kid, stuck in the back of the car on a long trip to grans, playing eye-spy with mum to stop you throwing up........just then a guy goes by on a bike - any bike - wow! hold on mum, I want some of that when I grow up....
Well now thats you.

What do you mean used to I still do missis thinks Im crazy
Your right though used to thinks those people were gods