Decided I'm not a ?Biker?

[Buffalo Bill]

Ok, I get into conversations with people who don't ride motorcycles, and when they learn I ride, they immediately label me as a “biker irate:”.
I'm not a badass meathead in pirate garb!!! I don't ride a “Hog”, I ride motorcycles, vintage sport bikes in particular.
So what _____ if not a biker?
Seems the only other well known label is “squid”.
I'll take it!!!
Don't call me a biker, I'm a squid!!!

 

[zuluwiz]

I'm a motorcyclist, meself. I likewise will not answer to "biker". Ain't never even been ON a Harley.

 

[dorkburger]

I'm not a fan of the term biker either and picture pirates on obnoxious bikes when the term is used also.
I also dislike a the term "run" when a few guys are going on a ride - it gives me visions of a drunken poker run... you know, the rides that bikers go on..

 

[storm 64]

Buffalo Bill the Biker Squid... haha

 

[Hinermad]

I use "rider." What I ride is left to the imagination.

 

[Boriqua]

How about 2 wheeled enthusiast. Instead of an eye patch it conjures up images of large handlebar mustaches and leather googles... Hmmm I dont know .. chose your imagery!

I usually just tell people .."yea I am an idiot that gets cold when its cold out, hot when its hot out and wet when it rains ... and yet I still love it."

 

[Frank Z.]

I use "rider." What I ride is left to the imagination.

Another "rider" here... though i've been called "that gawl'damn hooligan" on occasions, too.

 

[Burque73]

Yeah, I get called a biker by friends on occasion. Whatever, been called much worse! I do not consider myself one though.

If anyone who rides a motorcycle is automatically a "biker" then riding a horse must instantly make one a "cowboy". Right? Cops ride both but they're still called cops. Ok, my head is hurting now...

 

[Guest]

I am most definitely NOT a biker. A motorcyclist or rider, yes. When I've been called a biker in the past I just reply "No, I'm not a biker, but I do ride a motorcycle." Sometimes that gets a confused look in response but so be it. I'm not a Son of Anarchy. ;-)

 

[Guest]

i feel ya, bill, you know what its like here, they hear you say "i ride a motorcycle" and it's "what harley ya got?"

 

[NavyDad]

Most of the time I am a motorcyclist. If I happen to have the Spyder out for a ride then I am a rider because the Spyder is NOT a motorcycle. I guess I could be a Spyderist.

 

[Hinermad]

i feel ya, bill, you know what its like here, they hear you say "i ride a motorcycle" and it's "what harley ya got?"

When I bought my Triumph the salesman said, "Don't worry, the Harley riders will still let you ride with them." I smiled and said, "You're assuming I want to let them ride with me."

 

[Boriqua]

When I bought my Triumph the salesman said, "Don't worry, the Harley riders will still let you ride with them." I smiled and said, "You're assuming I want to let them ride with me."

My Triumph Bonnie (gone) and my GS750 inspired and inspire more impromptu conversation than any Harley I ever had. I went to the post office yesterday and had a guy chew my ear off for 10 minutes.

Seems everyone remembers having an old Suzuki, having done street battles against the old Suzukis or just have pleasant memories of a time in their life when those old suzukis were on the road regular. I can hardly pull into a gas station without someone asking about my bike.

I actually dont think I have ever been referred to as a biker honestly. I guess it depends where you grew up. We kind of always assumed it was the fat guys with beards and patches and we certainly weren't them. Seems a silly stereotype but there you have it.

I find now that the older Harley riders wave enthusiastically and just had one a couple of days ago who was a grizzled ol Arizona rider with a long grey beard give me the thumbs up at a light when I pulled up. Most of the old Harley guys by necessity or desire were wrenchers. I think they appreciate what it takes to get these old machines running and keeping them running.

I get far more dismissive looks from the crotch rocket crowd. Fortunately for me .. I dont give a BLEEP! When I am riding I am digging life.

 

[LAB3]

Back in the 80's I was a biker. Then a queer billionaire with a hot air balloon shaped like a castle came along and repackaged the culture for the rich. In the 90's when all but the most hard core sold off their bikes to pay for rehab, I quit riding HD's and switched to rice not wanting to be associated nor aquatinted with that crowd. What peoplele call bikers these days is a PG-13 rated version of what it was all about and HD's are like belly buttons, everybody's got one. To be called a biker these days is akin to being called a cartoon character.

 

[Vmass]

I have read a few biker creeds over the years and can assure you that I am as far from a biker as one could be while still owning motorcycles!

 

[earlfor]

I'm a motorcyclist, meself. I likewise will not answer to "biker". Ain't never even been ON a Harley.

I have ridden a Harley, but I stopped at the first available opportunity and got back on my own bike. LOL

 

[Chuck78]

I definitely would not argue with being called a 2-wheeled fanatic... even at 39.9 years old, I'm still very much into bicycles even, BMX stunt riding, mountain biking, cyclocross road racer setup for city riding... & of course all types of motorcycles aside from all Evo engine & later Harleys, & almost all cruisers in general...

I'm definitely opposed to being called a biker... that's an insult in my book...I'd much rather be wrenching or riding than be seen projecting an image of my macho biker lifestyle while "doing a run" to the local "biker" hangout to drink and socialize with "bikers," while riding a severely overpriced and severely underperforming / ill-handling slow heavy antiquated "modern" bike...

Motorcycle rider, motorcyclist, that's fine...

If you ask me, I'll be the first to tell you, I'm a "fanatical vintage motorcycle nut-job!!!!"

 

[Steve]

Several years ago, I saw one of those "Top Ten Differences between XXX and YYY" lists that compared bikers to motorcyclists.
I only remember one of those differences and use it regularly if someone wishes to but a label on me.

"A biker will watch the weather report to see if he is going to ride tomorrow.
A motorcyclist will watch the weather report to see how to dress for tomorrow's ride."

I prefer to be thought of as a "motorcyclist".

.

 

[Buffalo Bill]

Several years ago, I saw one of those "Top Ten Differences between XXX and YYY" lists that compared bikers to motorcyclists.
I only remember one of those differences and use it regularly if someone wishes to but a label on me.

"A biker will watch the weather report to see if he is going to ride tomorrow.
A motorcyclist will watch the weather report to see how to dress for tomorrow's ride."

I prefer to be thought of as a "motorcyclist".

.

Steve, I have the impression a biker will decide during telephone call if he's gonna ride to his fave bar, soon as he finds the door?

 

[Redman]

motorcyclist.
rider.

I decided that the first few months of riding , and then (1979) confirmed it when I got a brown leather jacket.

When the "biker" description came up, I used to say "See.... brown jacket, not black."
THen they might say "Oh, like Fonzie." (That was a known situation then, the TV producers would allow the Fonzie character to ride only if it was a British bike and he wore a brown jacket.)

I now say "See, textile jacket, not black leather."

But if they say something about Evel Keneval and mimic twisting throttle with both hands.... well, then.... doesnt matter what I say...