I got my first bike when I was 11 (an orange '74 Honda CBR 125). I learned to ride on that bike until I was good enough to warrant my dad selling the bike for a dirt bike. My older brother got his first bike when he was 9. I sold my dirt bike when I turned 16 when cars and girls became my priority. I've been riding on and off over the years (I'm 31 now) with friends bikes (dirt bikes) and my brothers street bikes. I got my first street bike this year when I got my '06 Sporty. Since I've gotten my bike, I've had co-workers jokingly tell me that I'm the only "real biker" when my bike is the only bike in the parking lot on cold days......and the fact that my bike is the only one w/o a windshield. Of course, I've never taken the comments seriously. But lately, I find myself not wanting to ride in to work b/c it's just not an "enjoyable" ride. Dont get me wrong, I love riding the bike....but F:censor K, when I cant feel my fingers it's not that enjoyable. I'm looking to get some better gloves to solve the problem. Now, my question is, what constitutes a "real biker"? Am I not a real biker simply b/c I dont ride my bike in the extreme cold? I mean, I got the bike for the enjoyment of it......When it's below freezing, it's not exactly enjoyable. And if I were to get heated clothing/gloves, and ride in the cold, the heated gear would negate the cold weather "real biker". :roflblack Dont get me wrong, the whole "real biker" thing is meaningless to me....but I've been seeing the term float around here quite a bit lately. And I'm not saying I want to be considered a "real biker"......but it just got me thinking.
Now, do YOU consider yourself a "real biker"?

Anyone who rides a motorcycle and doesn't care what others think about what they ride................

Anyone who considers their motorcycle a PRIMARY mode of transportation is more than likely a biker....

I think "real" is kinda a silly word to use. I think there are different levels of biker, yes, but they are all real bikers. I mean do they ride a "real" motorcycle? (I know this can be up to interpretation) ;) LoL

Anyway, the point is....just enjoy your bike the way you want to enjoy it. What do you care what the people at your work think who don't even ride at all? How the heck do they know what a "real" biker is...from watching TV? Gimme a break... ;) :D

Not a POSER.

Anyway, the point is....just enjoy your bike the way you want to enjoy it. What do you care what the people at your work think who don't even ride at all? How the heck do they know what a "real" biker is...from watching TV? Gimme a break...
Oh, I dont care....whether I'm considered a real biker or not has no bearing on my life at all....that's not the point of my thread. I've just seen the term a lot lately and it got me thinking. Been slow at work:smoke

My sister was once bitten by a moose...

Yeah I consider myself a real biker although by some folks standards I see others may not agree but I'm the one who paid for my bike and I don't give a rats ass how anyone wants to classify me. :D

Living it 247, thier primary mode of transportation accept in extreme conditions, not caring what anyone thinks about them, standing up for thier own and thier convictions regardless of the consequences.

Loco
So. Cal.

I rode in two clubs when I was younger, does that make me a biker? Never thought of myself as one even though the bike was my main means of transportation in those days. Some people call me one but do they know what one is? Hell, I just like to ride.

The Real Biker

American Rider
Monday February 21, 2005

The common belief about the Real Biker is that he has been riding a helluva long time, can field-strip his engine in jig time with naught but a CruzTools kit, will never leave a brother who is broken down by the side of the road, and is an honorable man whose word is his bond. And he rides a Harley. I’ve got no complaints with that.

To my mind, a real biker (note the lower case) is one who loves the sport, and takes an ecumenical view of motorcycling, appreciating all motorcycles and motorcyclists equally. That word “ecumenical” means, according to the first definition in my Webster’s, worldwide, covering all the bases, or, in this case, all motorcycles. I am one who promotes ecumenism in my love of motorcycles. We can have preferences, favorites, we can love our Harleys best of all, but that doesn’t mean we have to disrespect other motorcycles or motorcyclists. A motorcycle is a motorcycle is a motorcycle, two wheels with an engine in between.

In my years of riding I’ve owned a great many motorcycles, American, English, German, Italian and Japanese. And ridden a whole lot more. While any 2004 Harley has many virtues, it cannot cover all the various aspects of the motorcycling experience. Like if I want to go over Schofield Pass in Colorado, which is a very poor excuse for a very bad road that runs from Crested Butte down to Marble. If Harley still made a version of the old CH Sportster, with upswept pipes and a skid plate, it might be doable. Try it with a new XL, and chances are very good I would never make it through, as a busted crankcase will put a stop to that motor real quick. Unless I could find and buy an old MT500, the dual-purpose bike Harley was making for various armies in the late 1980s, I would take a rough-road machine made by some other manufacturer. In doing this I am not betraying Harley, merely expanding the motorcycling concept.

Same with seriously fast riding. If friends with full leather suits and high-performance motorcycles ask me to come along for a two-day ride in the mountains, I may pass on the Dyna Sport and ask Editor Buzz to fix me up with a Buell X12R Firebolt. Road testers have often complained about its low redline, and the “paltry” 95 rear-wheel horsepower, but I promise you, on a public road with a lot of curves, the ’Bolt can stay up with anything. The Buell company, as we well know, is owned by Harley-Davidson, but the product appeals to a generally different crowd, those that crave power and steep cornering lean angles. Maybe the riders are not so different, as I imagine that a lot of Buells are probably owned by riders who already have a Big Twin. On the other hand, a certain number of Big Twin riders voice their disdain for the Buell brand, somehow wishing it would go away. And there are even some who don’t like the Sportster, feeling that it defiles some macho image. These riders obviously never kicked over a 1960 CH—that was a manly motorcycle.

Back to horsepower: On a straightaway a 140-horsepower four-banger will pull away from any Big Twin short of a drag-race AHDRA competitor. No matter how much we love our pushrods, the fast way to more horsepower is to modernize the valve train and to get rid of the heat. But 65 or 70 horsepower will get you down the road quite handily, and if it takes an air-cooled, two-valve, OHV twin to qualify for Real Biker status, fine.

Of course, when Harley’s V-Rod engine gets installed in a sporting chassis, that is going to create some consternation, and one very fast motorcycle. However, I do not think the current Real Biker will ever accept liquid cooling and overhead camshafts; maybe that will be Real Biker II, The Sequel.

I was scoping an editorial in a local Harley magazine, a free, quite readable rag called Shift N’ Gears, put out here on California’s Central Coast, and the guy was having fun dissing some sportbike riders he’d met along the road. He cheerfully mocked the brightly colored leathers, perhaps forgetting that our own chosen color of black also comes out of a dye vat—unless maybe he had a jacket made from a Black Angus steer. He also questioned the safety value of these cowskin suits, with their pads and protectors, but having watched racers tumble down a track at over 100 mph, then leap to their feet and chase down the bike and try to get it started again, I would say good leathers do work. Better than chaps, anyway, which aren’t much help when sliding along the asphalt on your butt at 50 mph. But neither is useful when coming to a sudden stop in the grille of a Buick Electra; don’t crash is my advice.

I am all in favor of jovial fraternal bad-mouthing. I may mock the guy with a fancy-dancy bike who won’t come out for a ride because he’s afraid it might rain, while I am generally laughed at for having rather unclean machines. As well as well-muffled ones. One day I cut the engine and rolling into a parking spot on a Fat Boy, as some gray-haired citizen unwittingly stepped right in front of me; startled, she said, “Motorcycles should make some noise; that’s too quiet.”

About fixing bikes: The technical complications of the Evo and Twin Cam engines have made roadside repairs rather more difficult, as black boxes and fuel-injection systems, while damned reliable, are not very fixable unless one has the appropriate diagnostic machine. The two simplest machines I have ever owned were a ’56 Harley 45 and a ’51 Indian Chief. I could set the points on the 45 with the cellophane off a pack of cigarettes, and have the Indian’s Linkert carburetor down to float, jets and springs in a matter of minutes. But things have changed and, today, should I get a rear-wheel flat on a new Road King Classic, I could not do a roadside fix on the inner tube; it is a grizzly-bear of a job to get that wheel off.

A cell phone has become my new tool kit, though I do keep a roll of wrenches and screwdrivers on the bike to tighten up whatever might come loose.

I admit I am not a Real Biker, though I haven’t trailered my bike to Sturgis, nor to Daytona, nor Laconia, nor Laughlin. I ride. But I can imagine two friends down in New Orleans talking about going to Sturgis, but they can only get a week off work, a total of nine days. But if one drives, the other sleeps, with the bikes on a trailer, they can do the trip. Doesn’t bother me at all, does not diminish their legitimate Harley-loving status in my eyes one bit.

Perhaps Real Biker status needs a checklist. To qualify you need a Harley Big Twin, 20 years of experience, the know-how to rebuild the engine, no trailer, ride 20,000 miles a year, and are an honorable man.

The rest of us will have to settle for (lower case) real biker status.

And all of us should stop when we see a bike by the side of the road. It doesn’t matter what brand the rider is on, we are all brothers when on two wheels.

Yeah I consider myself a real biker although by some folks standards I see others may not agree but I'm the one who paid for my bike and I don't give a rats ass how anyone wants to classify me. :D

There ya go...:clap I've pondered this question, and I have to ask myself- Does the guy with the new UltraGlide, that only rides in nice weather, a couple of thousand miles a year, enjoy his time on the bike any less than I do? And conversely, does the guy on the 1970's "whatever", riding 30K a year, enjoy his time on the bike any more than me? Probably not, so I fall into the "don't really matter, and don't really care what people think" category. I try to respect all types of riders, and always stop to inquire whether or not I can be of assistance, (even when I'm in the 4 wheeler-ask the guy in SW VA about a 15 mile trip for a gallon of gas in a milk jug). I've ridden around 13K this year, even though I have a job that requires a lot of travel, so I put around 50K a year on the company car. If the roads are clear, I'd rather ride! :banana

Anyone who rides a motorcycle and doesn't care what others think about what they ride................

What he said! The winner!:clap :clap :clap :clap

It's not What or how you ride or even if you ride .It is such a loose term dirtbikers mountain bikers hywaybikers offroadbikers man the list can go on just biker by itself denotes a certain lifestyle.The bigest problem with the term biker is what the general public relates to that term.Ussually cluber of the evil side is what i found the general public thinks when they hear biker.To me riding when other people think it's way to cold is more hardcore biker.I guess it's what ever you put in front of it ha lol.Man this smoke is good it has me thinking too much ha lol

My opinion is..If you have a bike..and like to ride it...your a real biker..Dont matter what make or how many miles you ride..JMO

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b294/oakie10us/newsportypic2.jpg

:p This is funny and what I think will probably get me flamed but what the :censor . The "real biker" (upper and/or lower case) mythology is synonymous with "outlaw" biker from the '50s and '60s. If that is the context, then we current H-D riders (that is any younger than about 65) are 40-50 years late on being "real bikers." Outlaw bikers (real bikers?) today ride Kawhonyamazukis! Watch out, ye might be livin' in a past that was not yours. And, I'm pretty sure that riding in the cold does not make you a real biker, yesterday or today. It does make you a cold biker. Poser? Everyone is someone's poser. . .

Lefty

What do un real bikers ride? I done know! I say if you ride your a biker!

I don't know that you can write and explain the definition of a "real" biker. And since a picture is worth a 1000 words, welllllllllllll...............
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v368/Mark_Shumaker/Ridinghard.jpghttp://img.photobucket.com/albums/v368/Mark_Shumaker/worldchampion.jpg

""My opinion is..If you have a bike..and like to ride it...your a real biker..Dont matter what make or how many miles you ride..JMO""

That's what I was thinking.

I own a Bike and I love to Ride, I'm a Real Biker.

I'm not a "real biker"







I'm a bada$$ biker :banana :banana :banana :banana :banana :banana

Many years ago I was at an invite only club party.I was drinking with some mates in the compound at the back of the clubhouse.There were a few bikes parked there including an old Honda 4 ratbike that stuck out like dogs balls amongst the HDs..........A couple of noms decided it would be a good idea to knock the Honda over and stomp the shit outa it.........they did a pretty good job of trashing the bike....

Later on the prez of the host club came outside for a beer and a chat.......he saw what had been done to the Honda 4 and went off his nut......It turns out the owner of the 4 was a real close mate of his from way back....:laugh .....

The 2 noms were told off severely [including a few good punches in the face] for their lack of respect.........they were made to apoligise to the owner and to fix his bike as well.....it was his only transport and he rode it everywere.....

The Honda 4 owner was a "real biker"............I'll let you be the judge of wether or not the 2 noms were "real bikers" or not.........:frownthre

Anybody who rides for the pure enjoyment of riding. The love we share for the thrill of the ride and the lifestyle of which we live. Somethings just can't be put into words. A real biker is in the eye of the beholder.

The Honda 4 owner was a "real biker"............I'll let you be the judge of wether or not the 2 noms were "real bikers" not.........:frownthre
Well said Jeff.

I'm not a "real biker"







I'm a bada$$ biker :banana :banana :banana :banana :banana :banana


Stop it! You're scaring me! :boxing :roflblack

Anybody who rides for the pure enjoyment of riding.

Exactly! I ride because I just plain and simply LOVE to ride! Two wheels are best and I do what ever I have to do spend as much of my time on anything that has just "two wheels"!

My sister was once bitten by a moose...

:roflblack :roflblack :roflblack :roflblack

Holy crap that made me laugh!

A real biker is a guy who has the good sense not ride in conditions he should not be riding in. :)

But lets face it, there is only one real biker on this whole gosh damn website. Some of the newer folks may not be familiar with him as he hasn't posted much for a while. But if you ever are lucky enough to behold the experience that is BillyBadBassBikerDude, collinsb, then friends, you will know a real biker. ;)

I suppose a real biker is one who enjoys the outdoor life with two wheels between his/her legs. And has a wife who lets him park it inside the house. I'd show you the photo but can't figure out how to attach it for all to see.

No definition-just a guy, and or gal roadtrippin.

My sister was once bitten by a moose...
WHAT THE HELL:laugh :laugh :laugh You have got to be shitting me:roflblack :roflblack :roflblack

I don't know that you can write and explain the definition of a "real" biker. And since a picture is worth a 1000 words, welllllllllllll...............
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v368/Mark_Shumaker/Ridinghard.jpghttp://img.photobucket.com/albums/v368/Mark_Shumaker/worldchampion.jpg
That backwards helmet!:doh Maybe just anyone that can put their helmet on right is a biker! (Obviously not scooter-gal!)
:roflblack :roflblack :roflblack :roflblack :roflblack

Not a POSER.

That sums it up for me. I hate the walking Harley Billboards that I see all the time lately. I wrote a little story about it on my weblog not long ago. If you're interested goto http://www.bikerswag.com/rant.html to check it out.

I know of one guy that has every freakin' HD piece of clothing you can buy. He's always bragging about his Dyna and putting down freinds that ride metrics. Thing is, he has only been riding since March and his skills are pathetic. Thinks he's a real BADDAXX though because he has a Harley.

IMO, if you stop to help another biker who broke down on the side of the road, you are a real biker. If you ride what you want, not cuz it's the biggest, fastest, or most expensive, than you are a biker.

Do you ride a bike?
Do you love your bike?
Do you hate not being able to ride it?
Does it make you feel good?

If you say yes to any of the above then you are a biker...

Been ridin bikes forever, before i had a car, all 4 seasons, have worn leather as my coat for just as long, would prefer to ride my bike than drive or ride in anything, could care less what the public thinks about me, I am who I am, and i'm free. Am I a real Biker? You tell me.

Take the "real biker" quiz and post your results, i bet some
will be shocked to learn what they are not.:clap

http://motorcyclecity.com/Real_Biker_Test/popquiz.htm

I need:
1. A faster cable connection
2. Speed reading / typing classes

When I started reading this thread there were 3 pages, now 4, when I finish typing there will probably be 5.

I believe back on page 1 Chuck said a real biker's bike is his primary transportation. I prefer to ride my bike, but not when it's less than 40-45 degrees, so I'm driving to work now. I hope to get to ride this weekend. I think if you crave riding you must be a biker.

Take the "real biker" quiz and post your results, i bet some
will be shocked to learn what they are not.:clap

http://motorcyclecity.com/Real_Biker_Test/popquiz.htm

18 outta 20

Good enough for me...

I'm not a "real biker"

I'm a bada$$ biker :banana :banana :banana :banana :banana :banana

hah, if you were so badass, your bannanas would be wearing black leather jackets:smoke

ahhh ..this question again....


it's got nothing to o with WHAT you ride....

or how pretty your bike is or how badass your vest is or how overbearing your "attitude" is.......


it's in ya heart.....it's in the road.....

it's 'cos everything just feels "right" when ya ride

and if it needs to be explained then they ain't gonna understand

because ya have to be there to understand......

ahhh ..this question again....


it's got nothing to o with WHAT you ride....

or how pretty your bike is or how badass your vest is or how overbearing your "attitude" is.......


it's in ya heart.....it's in the road.....

it's 'cos everything just feels "right" when ya ride

and if it needs to be explained then they ain't gonna understand

because ya have to be there to understand......


In short, it's all black and white. ;)

It's not What or how you ride or even if you ride .It is such a loose term dirtbikers mountain bikers hywaybikers offroadbikers man the list can go on just biker by itself denotes a certain lifestyle.The bigest problem with the term biker is what the general public relates to that term.Ussually cluber of the evil side is what i found the general public thinks when they hear biker.To me riding when other people think it's way to cold is more hardcore biker.I guess it's what ever you put in front of it ha lol.Man this smoke is good it has me thinking too much ha lolDon't Bogart that joint, my friend...

Kim

ahhh ..this question again....


it's got nothing to o with WHAT you ride....

or how pretty your bike is or how badass your vest is or how overbearing your "attitude" is.......


it's in ya heart.....it's in the road.....

it's 'cos everything just feels "right" when ya ride

and if it needs to be explained then they ain't gonna understand

because ya have to be there to understand......

Well said.........

In a nutshell, if you have to ask...........you ain't one......

Someone who rides to an event and does not take their bike to the event on a trailer. That’s enough for me. I guess I will never recover from the one HOG event I went to four years ago. :censor :censor

Well said.........

In a nutshell, if you have to ask...........you ain't one......




yup ... that's pretty well it


if ya have ta think about it.......


then fair chance ya not





but am I a real biker??????

who knows..???? who cares??? ........... not me..


I'm real ...................... I'm me


you put the labels on .....I couldn't be bothered... they keep falling off when I ride :tour

Got my crew haircut today,all I need now is a tatoo of two dogs humping each other on my arm...maybe I ll start to "look"" like one now.....:smoke

I'm real ...................... I'm me


you put the labels on .....I couldn't be bothered... they keep falling off when I ride :tour


ditto.........

but am I a real biker??????

who knows..???? who cares??? ........... not me..


I'm real ...................... I'm me


you put the labels on .....I couldn't be bothered... they keep falling off when I ride :tour
Amen.

I am a gearhead. Period. Always have been. Always will be. I like all sorts of mechanical stuff. I have been into bikes as long as I can remember (somewhere close to the rubber training pants days...) I ride because I love to. I don't give a flyin' f$%k what anyone else thinks.
I am who I am. If that's a 'biker' so be it. Honestly, I don't care. I strongly believe in helping others. In any way that I can. My needs are small...
Perhaps my most selfish trait is that I live to give of myself. It's selfish in that I feel much better giving than I do receiving.
Whenever you feel that you have more than you need...pass it on.

kim

:roflblack The silly "Are you a biker test" was fun. I scored 85%. Make too much money, don't have enough tatoos, and am not tooled up enough. Wonder how much money Barger made annually selling meth back in the day?

Lefty

Dude, It's just winter. It's cold right now. It will get warm again, I promise, and all the "real bikers" will be out there again, I promise

Dude, It's just winter. It's cold right now. It will get warm again, I promise, and all the "real bikers" will be out there again, I promise
:roflblack :roflblack :roflblack

Dude, It's just winter. It's cold right now. It will get warm again, I promise, and all the "real bikers" will be out there again, I promise

the fu*k you say.........:laugh

ummmm




who the hell cares ?

Gazza

...............who the hell cares ?

Gazza


exactly............

I think this is funny as hell. My mother sings with a group of senior citizens who perform at nursing homes, schools, etc. Last Sunday I rode the Sporty to hear my mother sing in a Christmas program down town. After the program I went up front to tell my mother how well her group sang. She introduces me to her friends as her "biker son". I guess that makes me a biker! :D

I think this is funny as hell. My mother sings with a group of senior citizens who perform at nursing homes, schools, etc. Last Sunday I rode the Sporty to hear my mother sing in a Christmas program down town. After the program I went up front to tell my mother how well her group sang. She introduces me to her friends as her "biker son". I guess that makes me a biker! :D

Oh yeah! IF your mother says it's so...who can agrue with that? :smoke

When I was at the Myrtle Beach ralley last spring,I stopped at a red light,with a bunch of other bikes at the same intersection.
Next to me sat this old lady.....must have been 75 at least on a Ridley automatic.
She was wearing basic biker attire,with no patches or other signs of group affiliations, and grinning from ear to ear.
I said something to the effect of "nice bike",she looked over at me,smiled even wider, and said "you too,arn`t they all?"
Now this was a REAL biker!

woulda been real cool if she did a burnout @ the green!

woulda been real cool if she did a burnout @ the green!

Will that Ridley Auto let ya do that?

Na - I would say you are a rounder if you ride as much as you can. Though rounders gear up and ride in the cold, some insanely so! But I wouldn't worry about what kind of tag someone trys to hang on you. We come from all walks of life and do things as we see fit. Here your a Sporty rider and everyone here will think nothing i'll of it. We all ride Sportsters! I also happen to be a Rounder - someone that likes to ride so much that even the cold and rain doesn't stop me. Now Ice on the road - Ya - I have had to stop for that but there are others for whom even snow and ice doesn't stop them from riding their motorcycles. In the normal sense if you where to see these guys in the summer, you probably would consider them weekend warriors or wantabee's becuase many of them ride BMW's and Dual sport bikes. So - pay no attention to these morons. Just enjoy your ride as offten as you can! Get it dirty!!!! Wash it up!

[QUOTE=To me riding when other people think it's way to cold is more hardcore biker.[/QUOTE]
damn
i aint never gonna be a real biker
it dont get cold here in auckland

What makes a Biker you say?

Well I don't know about you, But I have always had this mental Image of the true Biker.....

He is not just a Man, he is a Mans Man, the kinda guy that struts instead or walking, the type of guy the Captain of the football stops and says"That's the guy I wanna be when i grow up".
He is like 6 foot 40" with a 54 inch chest and a 34 waist, covered in Leather He mounts his Iron steed with a confidence that borders on pure grace. He kick start even though he have a starter on board, but it's just for show, for a Mans man, kicks his steed.

And he rides his steed through the town, and traffic stops in pure Augh of his presents, girls Faint, regular men just grumble how they wish they were him, but there not, For He is is own, a Mans man.
And he rides his stead, strait to the Starbucks for a Latte` and a Biscotti.

Yeah, he's a true mans man, and thank god he rides a Beemer.

Boy, I guess I really shouldn't drink a beer with them there Mussel relaxers.:roflblack

Being a biker is an attitude and I don't mean a bad attitude. It is about the ride no matter what you ride. It is the feeling of not wanting to stop but to keep riding roads unknown.

Many years ago I wrote what I felt was a Bikers code, hope you enjoy

Bikers Code

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 changing and there seems to be a lot of new riders out there. These days the riders you see blasting 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 wearing 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.

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 shit from anybody. As an old scooter bro once said, "It's every tramp's job to school the young. How else are they going to know a Panhead from a bed pan?" 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.

Be kind to women, children and animals, but don't take any bullshit about being a biker. 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 proud. Stand behind what you say with action.

Never lie, cheat or steal, 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.

If you see a wrong, fight it yourself, if you are about anything. You'll take care of problems yourself, find solutions.


Don't Whine. Absolutely no one likes or respects a whiner. 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, 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 stop for anyone broken down, 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, this isn't a dress rehearsal. This is life -- go out and take big bites of it. You've got no time to lose and bikers don't stand around waiting for the party to come to them they make the party. You only go around once. Tomorrow you could be road kill, thanks to a snowbird asleep at the wheel of his Caddy. Live life now, make the most of each moment.

All right, now let's review. You are a biker, a modern-day knight of the road. Protect the weak, walk tall and stand proud. Your word is your bond. Stick to your guns. Don't take any shit. Life is not a drill. Now go forth and ride. When in doubt, ride. That's what we do...ride. If you want to ride around in a Day-Glo Hawaiian shirt and sandals, go for it, but if you intend to look like an idiot, at least don't act like an idiot. These commandments are just a few of the broad strokes, there is a lot more to being a biker than buying a bike. If you just buy a bike, you are a motorcyclist. Being a biker is a way of life, a proud way of life we hold in high regard with a burning passion for the open highway.
Copyright 1992 Bob "hardbite" Dolan
http://www.k9az.com/HD

Hi

I'm not sure I consider myself to be a real biker. But I have dreamt about having a bike for many years (since I was 14-15 years) and I got my licence last year and I bought the 2005 Sportster Custom this year. Some friends and family joke that I have reached a mid life crises etc etc. But I don't really care...I just think it is great to have a Harley, to ride it when the weather is nice, to listen to the great loud sound when I start it up etc. I do admit that I don't have any practical need for the bike...it is only a toy for me and I only ride it when I want...when the weather is nice. Now it is parked for the winter and I'm just looking forward to next year when I can start it up once again :tour

HEART !!!
Whether you even have a bike or not it's HEART!!!
You either born with it or not !!
If ya don't know what I mean, Nevermind....

HEART !!!
Whether you even have a bike or not it's HEART!!!
You either born with it or not !!
If ya don't know what I mean, Nevermind....

A biker thats never owned a bike, or even ridden one for that matter? no, i dont believe thats possible.

I think you be a grade A badass, but that doesnt make you a biker.

#1 Rule, you have to own a bike. After that everything is debatable.

I heard my 8-year-old grandson tell some of the other local kids that I was a "Biker" when they were talking about my Hugger.

Later I asked him why he thought I was a 'biker' and he said: "Well, you have that Harley and you ride it all the time."

Sounds good enough to me....

J.W.

I heard my 8-year-old grandson tell some of the other local kids that I was a "Biker" when they were talking about my Hugger.

Later I asked him why he thought I was a 'biker' and he said: "Well, you have that Harley and you ride it all the time."

Sounds good enough to me....

J.W.

I heard my 8-year-old grandson tell some of the other local kids that I was a "Biker" when they were talking about my Hugger.

Later I asked him why he thought I was a 'biker' and he said: "Well, you have that Harley and you ride it all the time."

Sounds good enough to me....

J.W.

I'm with J.W. Can't argue the wisdom of an 8 y/o.

My two cents.

When it starts raining, you keep on riding. You don't trailer your bike to Sturgis, unload 15 miles out of town, you ride the whole 1600 miles, there and back. You love the road, don't care whether you have Harley leather on or not.

Ride to Live and Live to Ride

Reb

This is kinda like the RUB thread. Enjoying the sport isn't enough?

I don't ride in the rain if I can help it (dumb*ss cagers get dumber when it rains)

I don't use my bike as primary mode of transportation (I love her too much to leave her unattended in the parking lot for 13 hours. Can't fit any groceries on her).

I don't have any tats (do have a few piercings though).

I haven't trailered her yet, but it isn't an impossibility.

If owning a harley is a must, then we are no better than the road sofas that snub us!

But I love to ride her. I get a high from riding--I thought that was the whole point of being a "biker".

Living the dream, and believing it in your heart, that makes you a biker. F:censork what everyone else thinks.

Real Bikers know bugs by taste...:p :laugh

but according to this fellow:

For Real Biker instructions check out http://www.e-dapper.com/

Dapper's Real Bikers Etiquette is available for immediate shipping.
"Consider this as a necessary guide for beginning motorcycle enthusiasts, fun for even some veteran bikers as well."
"Dapper Dan" Norby, a friend of "real" bikers across the USA, offers insightful cutting-edge tips and how-to tips in "Dapper's Real Biker's Etiquette."

Tons of Dapper's real-life biker tales drive the point home on everything from basic battle tactics to standard bike maintenance, women, sex and love. Think of this as essential reading for anyone who wants to become a "real" biker.

ISBN 0-9748926-0-2

Here is an excerpt from Chapter 13 Attention Bikers: Control Your Women

Learn how to behave if you're a woman who wants to hook up with a biker and keep him. Any gal who fails to learn necessary basics listed here should take a hike, for without household skills and appropriate sexual habits a gal will never keep a real-deal biker.

First, learn to take care of your man the way women did for their guys in the 1950s. This means handling all housekeeping and cooking chores, plus keeping your man fully satisfied in the bedroom without him having to ask. Just as important, never give your man any shit. Obey his orders, allow him to remain in control, and everything should work out okay.

Women need to remember...

Give me a break!!!...Sorry...not my way of life...not part of my definition of who I am.......but this author believes it....so be it



From http://www.americanrider.com/output.cfm?id=937333
Excerpts from
The Real Biker
American Rider


of amusement to me as it essentially seems to revolve around whether you rode your Harley to Sturgis or trailered the bike. Sort of along the line of the old "My dog's bigger than your dog…" routine. Perhaps I should not be amused, because I know that a lot of riders take this discussion really seriously, and some of them may disagree with my conclusions. Since the Real Biker also believes that there should be an air of chivalry about his or her motorcycling lifestyle, as a result of this column I might well be challenged to a joust, 12-foot lances on our thundering iron steeds. I'll be the one wearing the full-face helmet.

The common belief about the Real Biker is that he has been riding a helluva long time, can field-strip his engine in jig time with naught but a CruzTools kit, will never leave a brother who is broken down by the side of the road, and is an honorable man whose word is his bond. And he rides a Harley. I've got no complaints with that.

To my mind, a real biker (note the lower case) is one who loves the sport, and takes an ecumenical view of motorcycling, appreciating all motorcycles and motorcyclists equally. That word "ecumenical" means, according to the first definition in my Webster's, worldwide, covering all the bases, or, in this case, all motorcycles. I am one who promotes ecumenism in my love of motorcycles. We can have preferences, favorites, we can love our Harleys best of all, but that doesn't mean we have to disrespect other motorcycles or motorcyclists. A motorcycle is a motorcycle is a motorcycle, two wheels with an engine in between.

A cell phone has become my new tool kit, though I do keep a roll of wrenches and screwdrivers on the bike to tighten up whatever might come loose.

I admit I am not a Real Biker, though I haven't trailered my bike to Sturgis, nor to Daytona, nor Laconia, nor Laughlin. I ride. But I can imagine two friends down in New Orleans talking about going to Sturgis, but they can only get a week off work, a total of nine days. But if one drives, the other sleeps, with the bikes on a trailer, they can do the trip. Doesn't bother me at all, does not diminish their legitimate Harley-loving status in my eyes one bit.

Perhaps Real Biker status needs a checklist. To qualify you need a Harley Big Twin, 20 years of experience, the know-how to rebuild the engine, no trailer, ride 20,000 miles a year, and are an honorable man.


And all of us should stop when we see a bike by the side of the road. It doesn't matter what brand the rider is on, we are all brothers when on two wheels.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I am not a 'Real Biker'....never wanted to be....I always wanted a Sporty, I finally have one:banana ....I enjoy riding...don't get to ride as much as I want....I don't care that some call the Sporty a 'girls bike'...I much appreciate the XLForum members...their opinions on equipment, their help with problems (all kinds)...I learn a hole bunch of stuff just by reading the posts here on the XLForum....Thanks all...I hope that my contributions help in some fashion...
I'll wave to you no matter the bike....I will see you while I am driving my cage...and I'll stop to help you if you are in need....
:tour Ride safe:tour
Cookiey

That sums it up for me. I hate the walking Harley Billboards that I see all the time lately.

Hey Swagger,

You said it better than I could have. Think I own one HD accessory; my HD key ring to start my boy. Then again, I'm 'old-school' in the sense that I don't wear anything with brand names or logos.

IMHO this is free advertising and turning yourself into a 'walking billboard'. I hate excess advertising. Although, I'm thinking about having a T-Shirt made that says:

"The More I Learn About Women, The More I Like My Motorcycle"

But have been toying with the idea of changing the word 'women' to 'Harley' of else 'Sportster'. :banadanc

Got my head down and headin' for cover from that comment seeing how many girls ride Harleys. :doh

Regards,
Bob G in NY
Better to be shot at and missed than sh*t at and hit.

PS- BTW, your web site is outstanding. Really enjoyed all the photos & forwarded links to friends. Good job!

Who gives two F's....just enjoy being out there when you're out there. What anyone else thinks...pff good for them.

I remember this thread from long ago!
You all wanna see a real biker?????
Here's a real biker in my eyes!!!
http://xlforum.net/photopost/data/732/IronMickS.jpg
Ride on Mick!!!!:tour

Real bikers use to kick start there bikes, :banana

Nowadays they are a bunch of cell phone toting wannabes :doh

What happened to the days of fixing bike on the side of the road.:frownthre :( or when black wasn't a trendy fashion statement.

Real bikers use to kick start there bikes, :banana

Nowadays they are a bunch of cell phone toting wannabes :doh

What happened to the days of fixing bike on the side of the road.:frownthre :( or when black wasn't a trendy fashion statement.

Dude, next time I see ya, you can kick start my bike!!:laugh

Dude, next time I see ya, you can kick start my bike!!:laugh
Haaaaaaa, maybe when i become a real biker.:lmaorof but don't hate me for being a hardcore rider.:laugh

I'm not a biker, please don't call me one.

I am a motorcyclist.

I have 5 bikes, I've been riding over 40 years and have always owned one since I was 5 yrs old. I've raced motocross, enduro's, roadraced, ice raced, desert riding and mini-bikes. I enjoy all aspects of motorcyclingand when I can't ride I'm thinking about motorcycles and suiting them toward my needs. I love to take short sprints, long trips, errands and most other excursions on bikes.

I like all brands and types of bikes.

I don't like the term "Biker". It has too many negative connotations to me. If you want to call yourself a biker go right ahead, I will think less of you, not that you would care though.

JimS
if it has two wheels and a motor, I like it !

Am I a "real Biker" who cares... i just know i was pissed off yesterday becuase it was a beautiful day and I wasn't out there on my bike!

I can tell you who ain't a biker...I met this guy last year had a brand new
looking older Sporty. I asked "What year?" He said '95. How many miles I
enquired. "800 he said".
Another guy bragged about his '93 Low Rider. He bought it new. How many
miles I asked ? 7,000 he replied. Then he asked if I knew a wrench who
would come to his house and install a battery! How lame is that?

rx3732 the honesty of your thread makes you a real biker as far as I am concerned. Its not the destination its the ride its not the ride its the ride on 2 wheels.

I'm not sure what makes you a "real" biker today.

But an original "Outlaw Biker" would probably never see this thread, forum or even be on a computer. He would probably be ridin', getting drunk with his brothers, working on a bike, generally raising hell or doing his or some one elses old lady!

Bikes have changed, people have changed, society has changed, BIKERS have changed.

I have a truck. I don't call myself a trucker. I have a car, don't call myself a motorist (car-er). lol! I have a bike, don't call myself a biker. As the old saying goes: I don't care what YOU call me. Just don't call me late for dinner! :thinkbeer

I was asked this question directly once. Here's an old thread about it.

ARE YOU A REAL BIKER (http://xlforum.net/vbportal/forums/showthread.php?t=5674)

Anyone who rides a motorcycle without rubber motor mounts.

Anyone who rides a motorcycle without rubber motor mounts.


Heheheheheheheh, know that's funny.:lmaorof http://www.xlforum.net/vbportal/forums/images/smilies/roflblack1.gif

I was in Walmart last night, the lines are a lot shorter than they where at Christmas. :)




I thought perhaps something usefull could be put in this thread. :shhhh

A real biker is someone who doesn't give a shit what a real biker is :).

My sister was once bitten by a moose...

my dog was once bitten by a goose......

My goose was chased by a real biker. He caught her and bit her head off and then with greasy fingers disembowled her and drank the blood. Then he devouered the carcass and picked his teeth with the ribs. After a healthy belch he mounted his Schwinn and pedaled home.

My goose was chased by a real biker. He caught her and bit her head off and then with greasy fingers disembowled her and drank the blood. Then he devouered the carcass and picked his teeth with the ribs. After a healthy belch he mounted his Schwinn and pedaled home.

Did the Schwinn have ape hangers and braided steel cables????!!!!!

Did the Schwinn have ape hangers and braided steel cables????!!!!!There was a great simian silverback slung FROM the handlebars WITH a braided cable of some sort, but as I approached to get a better look the biker threw a bran muffin at me and muttered some explitives about hemmorhoids and banana seats, I didn't stay around long enough to see any more. :)

The definition of a "real biker" has been evolving since the word biker was first coined. Over the years it's meant many things, oftentimes negative. I guess it depends on who's doing the calling and under what circumstances. I don't know what the heck I am anymore. There was a time I was a hardcore but the years have mellowed me so it's back to one's own intepretation.

I simply am what I am.

hardcore now means the young stunters on their jap bikes,,,,harley riders are getting older & mellow...and have much more to loose,,,,,I see very few sporties AND DYNAS ...most of what I see in ny,nj and conn are roadkings and ultras ridden by the big beards

Many years ago I was at an invite only club party.I was drinking with some mates in the compound at the back of the clubhouse.There were a few bikes parked there including an old Honda 4 ratbike that stuck out like dogs balls amongst the HDs..........A couple of noms decided it would be a good idea to knock the Honda over and stomp the shit outa it.........they did a pretty good job of trashing the bike....

Later on the prez of the host club came outside for a beer and a chat.......he saw what had been done to the Honda 4 and went off his nut......It turns out the owner of the 4 was a real close mate of his from way back....:laugh .....

The 2 noms were told off severely [including a few good punches in the face] for their lack of respect.........they were made to apoligise to the owner and to fix his bike as well.....it was his only transport and he rode it everywere.....

The Honda 4 owner was a "real biker"............I'll let you be the judge of wether or not the 2 noms were "real bikers" or not.........:frownthre

good read!

hardcore now means the young stunters on their jap bikes,,,,harley riders are getting older & mellow...and have much more to loose,,,,,I see very few sporties AND DYNAS ...most of what I see in ny,nj and conn are roadkings and ultras ridden by the big beards


Nothing hardcore about a bunch of rocket riders,:laugh :frownthre yes, the average rider is getting older, but they are also getting killed or hurt at a faster rate also.:doh

Doesn't matter who you are, what you ride, how you ride it, or anything else. You are what you are and if you consider yourself a "real biker", then you are, end of story. If you are the only one that thinks that so what. Screw them if they can't take a joke! :)

Greywolf has a point. I was in the lifestyle for years. At that time "biker" was applied to club members. Over time I have met many bikers involved in racing and touring who were more into motorcycles than some of the more hard core types.
I consider myself a biker because motorcycles are the one thing that never bores me? From MotoGP to stoplight racing; from checking the plugs to building a complete bike; from a 5000 mile trip to a quick trip to the 7/11 it all puts a smile on my face. As it still thrills after 46 years I intend to keep rollin.

Who the F#*k cares!!!!

A motorcyclists way to imply that anyone who rides in a way they don't approve of is somehow less entitled to be a part of biker culture. Often used opposite the terms rich urban biker or weekend warrior.

Real real bikers realize that they almost certainly don't know enough about someone else's relationship with their motorcycle to make that judgement call.

Whatever.. yup it's snowin..

Rubs serve in their way, where else would low mileage stockers come from?
Matt

I ride a real bike, does that count?

In my mind? I'm not a "real biker."
It's the RARE occasion that I'm out riding in below freezing temperatures.
I have yet to take a long trip where I didn't trailer it.
I don't belong to any clubs or gangs. Most times I'm just out riding by myself.
I'll pull over if I see another bike on the side of the road. Though usually the most I can do is offer the use of my cell phone and each time someone has already been called.
I'm okay with with not being considered a "real biker" though. I enjoy what I do and I don't do it to meet anyone else's expectations.

I ride cause it's in my blood. From the time I first saw a motorcycle, I just had to have one. I'm not picky about what make or model (though I am partial to my sporty). The times I've had to do without a bike, all I could think about was getting another one.

Never really thought about if I was a real biker or not. If it's in your blood, you won't give it up because it might be "dangerous", or just because you have a "close call", or even if you have an accident (and live to tell about it). And you certainly don't care about what other people think a biker is or isn't.

JC

...I enjoy what I do and I don't do it to meet anyone else's expectations.

...If it's in your blood...you certainly don't care about what other people think a biker is or isn't.

Discussion over, lesson done...:clap

A real biker is someone who doesn't care what other people think a real biker is/should be.

Seems to me like a "real biker" wouldn't spend any time on this or any other forum, or own a computer for that matter.

Damn, I guess none of us are real bikers. I feel so let down...

I'm a computer programmer / yuppie / commuter (100% nerd), but I love a good motorcycle and ride EVERY DAY (weather permitting).

oops. forgot someting.

If you were to meet me on the street with no bike, you definitely say (He's no biker).

My sister was once bitten by a moose...

My moose once bit some chic

They say drugs cause you to have mental lapse, I don't know about that but I do know

So what constitutes a real biker?

a real bike...

a real bike...

... not a girl's bike.:laugh

there are no "real bikers" anymore

This is a real biker...
http://www.geocities.com/ludlow555/poser.jpg
Just kidding! I just posted the same pic in the Poser thread. ;)

This is a real biker...
http://www.geocities.com/ludlow555/poser.jpg
Just kidding! I just posted the same pic in the Poser thread. ;)

LMAO!! That is a great pic.

I was told recently that if and when I become a "patch-holder" I will be a real biker. I ride 365 days a year in all weather..I have been riding for 25 years....I own 7 bikes. 3 which have been built from basket cases. I was told this by a Patch-holder who has 1 bike and takes it to the stealer for minor tuneups.....I geuss I just gotta try harder.:p Don't sweat what others think, You know if your blood runs only mc oil. :chop

I was told recently that if and when I become a "patch-holder" I will be a real biker. I ride 365 days a year in all weather..I have been riding for 25 years....I own 7 bikes. 3 which have been built from basket cases. I was told this by a Patch-holder who has 1 bike and takes it to the stealer for minor tuneups.....I geuss I just gotta try harder.:p Don't sweat what others think, You know if your blood runs only mc oil. :chop

If you join the XL Membership you'll get a patch...

Holy Sh*T That's funny Thanks Big D:laugh

I think actually having a bike is a prerequisite for 'real biker' status. Some seem to think that dealer T-shirts cut it........

Oh My God I Am So Freakin' Sick Of These "poser" Threads. Who The Hell Cares?

So, what constitutes a "real biker"?

The one that survives the ride.

LMAO!! That is a great pic.
I'm a big fan of the Harley Garanimals collection.:D

Im ure same age , been riding since i was 10 ! i Have a Suzuki Gsxr an intruder and my sporty , i use my bikes in all seasons, i wont find parking space at work in summer but it seems my bike is the only one standing in the the cold winter , just to be honest i dont own a car , i find them too boaring and also ... i feel sick in em , but if i was ok in cars and i had one i would use it in cold weathers its wet , dangerous and cccolllddd so no matter what people say man , just keep it comfy

"Real Bikers" don't use soap, have jobs, say their prayers, or help little old ladies across the street...They all own pit bulls, have 'ol lady's', and live in mobile homes......Jesus H Christ! Why is it important to quantify what a "Real Biker' is? Who gives a shit?

HOW TO BE A 'REAL BIKER':
1. Buy a bike
2. Learn how to ride the damn thing
3. Learn how to maintain it
4. Ride said bike

BINGO! You're a REAL live honest to goodness BIKER!!!