Discussion
So I ride a motorbike, and have done "seriously" for 15 years. I now do more miles on 2 wheels than 4 and find as a grow older my interest and passion is increasing.
I don't wear leather (shoes and gloves accepted).
I've always thought of myself as a motorcyclist, but people say "oh are you a biker?".
Is a biker someone who rides a bike or is there some sort of association with a 'lifestyle' choice? I'm thinking tassels, beards, and the those pointless leather sleeveless tops with nice embroidery on the back.
I don't wear leather (shoes and gloves accepted).
I've always thought of myself as a motorcyclist, but people say "oh are you a biker?".
Is a biker someone who rides a bike or is there some sort of association with a 'lifestyle' choice? I'm thinking tassels, beards, and the those pointless leather sleeveless tops with nice embroidery on the back.
It's an interesting question.
I've wondered the same in relation to those hardcore commuting types that ride ancient bikes always looking grim and never acknowledging other bikes.
I think there is definitely a penny pinching time saving aspect to some people who ride bikes. There is also the biker who has the best of everything but only rides to the bike cafe on a Sunday.
Neither of these are bikers to me.
It's a bit like someone who says they are into cars but drive a diesel.
That being said if you have a passion for it that's enough to make you a biker in my book.
I've wondered the same in relation to those hardcore commuting types that ride ancient bikes always looking grim and never acknowledging other bikes.
I think there is definitely a penny pinching time saving aspect to some people who ride bikes. There is also the biker who has the best of everything but only rides to the bike cafe on a Sunday.
Neither of these are bikers to me.
It's a bit like someone who says they are into cars but drive a diesel.
That being said if you have a passion for it that's enough to make you a biker in my book.
OverSteery said:
So I ride a motorbike, and have done "seriously" for 15 years. I now do more miles on 2 wheels than 4 and find as a grow older my interest and passion is increasing.
I don't wear leather (shoes and gloves accepted).
I've always thought of myself as a motorcyclist, but people say "oh are you a biker?".
Is a biker someone who rides a bike or is there some sort of association with a 'lifestyle' choice? I'm thinking tassels, beards, and the those pointless leather sleeveless tops with nice embroidery on the back.
In the UK the terms are interchangeable in my view and nothing overly negative is mean't by it. However I'm like you - as the lifestyle choice/full stereotype look can also mean 'biker' in the US sense, however while that lot even in the UK are cruising around on their hardlies I'll be overtaking them all getting on with enjoying riding mine I don't wear leather (shoes and gloves accepted).
I've always thought of myself as a motorcyclist, but people say "oh are you a biker?".
Is a biker someone who rides a bike or is there some sort of association with a 'lifestyle' choice? I'm thinking tassels, beards, and the those pointless leather sleeveless tops with nice embroidery on the back.
If you've ever watched Southpark they did kinda hit the nail on the head with that one US style lol
There is the cafe racer culture biker look becoming strong in the UK but again its the hipster style of motocycle riding which to me is more posing and fitting a style look rather than anything else.
Each to their own at the end of the day
I just assume everyone in the UK hates me for riding a bike whatever type is it or biker clothing I wear I set my expecations low LOL
Edited by sjtscott on Friday 29th July 11:39
I am a fan of off road bikes, some nakeds like the ones that are closest to off road bikes like a Speed/Street Triple, (basically a supermoto with a triple engine) and tasteful sports bikes like a Triumph Daytona 955i.
I do not like R1s, Fireblades, GSXRs, ZX10s etc, or sports touring bikes. So I like off road bikes with a few exceptions.
I wouldn't really consider myself a "biker". I don't really see a bike as a mode of transport per see, unless off road where they have considerably unique abilities that 4 wheels don't.
I am a supermotoist, which means I ride an off road bike adapted for the road. I don't see bikes as a mode of transport, more recreation. I can't see the point of using one for commuting.
I am currently trying to decide for my hypothetical 2nd bike (I only work part time in a supermarket, no jobs where I am) whether to get something more off road focused, like a 2 stroke enduro or a Speed/Street triple for supermoto style thrills with a nicer sounding engine.
I do not like R1s, Fireblades, GSXRs, ZX10s etc, or sports touring bikes. So I like off road bikes with a few exceptions.
I wouldn't really consider myself a "biker". I don't really see a bike as a mode of transport per see, unless off road where they have considerably unique abilities that 4 wheels don't.
I am a supermotoist, which means I ride an off road bike adapted for the road. I don't see bikes as a mode of transport, more recreation. I can't see the point of using one for commuting.
I am currently trying to decide for my hypothetical 2nd bike (I only work part time in a supermarket, no jobs where I am) whether to get something more off road focused, like a 2 stroke enduro or a Speed/Street triple for supermoto style thrills with a nicer sounding engine.
Edited by supermotorist on Friday 29th July 11:33
Edited by supermotorist on Friday 29th July 11:34
trickywoo said:
It's an interesting question.
I've wondered the same in relation to those hardcore commuting types that ride ancient bikes always looking grim and never acknowledging other bikes.
I think there is definitely a penny pinching time saving aspect to some people who ride bikes. There is also the biker who has the best of everything but only rides to the bike cafe on a Sunday.
I think the former is just someone who rides a bike, the latter is a biker as opposed to a motorcyclist. Someone who enjoys riding and rides whenever they can but isn't interested in conforming to a perceived biker style or image (or who actively avoids it) is a motorcyclist as opposed to a biker. I've wondered the same in relation to those hardcore commuting types that ride ancient bikes always looking grim and never acknowledging other bikes.
I think there is definitely a penny pinching time saving aspect to some people who ride bikes. There is also the biker who has the best of everything but only rides to the bike cafe on a Sunday.
The other day I saw a 60 ish bloke wearing an expensive looking suit in the underground car park opposite the houses of parliament. He extracted his textile bike gear out of the panniers of a 20 odd year old 90,000 mile K75 which apparently he'd had from new and set off home. That to me is a proper motorcyclist. Far more so than the guy who goes home on the train then uses his shiny new sportsbike for going to the café if it's not raining.
Dr Jekyll said:
The other day I saw a 60 ish bloke wearing an expensive looking suit in the underground car park opposite the houses of parliament. He extracted his textile bike gear out of the panniers of a 20 odd year old 90,000 mile K75 which apparently he'd had from new and set off home. That to me is a proper motorcyclist. Far more so than the guy who goes home on the train then uses his shiny new sportsbike for going to the café if it's not raining.
As you say, This is the man I relate to more than guy in his white leather suit who comes out on Sunday, or the accountant looking "bad" on his HD at the cafe.I ride throughout the year, but avoid rain as its tedious & just not pleasant. I have a nice leather jacket, but without logos & all that s
t. I don't do the whole 'lifestyle' HD or Ducati Scrambler thing, & am not interested in 'meets' at 'biker cafes'. I guess I just enjoy the open road... If the weather's nice, I'll invariably take the scenic route both to & from work. I go for a 2 to 3 hour ride pretty much every weekend.
I guess I'm a biker.
t. I don't do the whole 'lifestyle' HD or Ducati Scrambler thing, & am not interested in 'meets' at 'biker cafes'. I guess I just enjoy the open road... If the weather's nice, I'll invariably take the scenic route both to & from work. I go for a 2 to 3 hour ride pretty much every weekend.I guess I'm a biker.
trickywoo said:
It's an interesting question.
I've wondered the same in relation to those hardcore commuting types that ride ancient bikes always looking grim and never acknowledging other bikes.
I think there is definitely a penny pinching time saving aspect to some people who ride bikes. There is also the biker who has the best of everything but only rides to the bike cafe on a Sunday.
Neither of these are bikers to me.
It's a bit like someone who says they are into cars but drive a diesel.
That being said if you have a passion for it that's enough to make you a biker in my book.
I have owned various 600cc plus bikes over the last 20 years - in fact I haven't been without a bike in that time.I've wondered the same in relation to those hardcore commuting types that ride ancient bikes always looking grim and never acknowledging other bikes.
I think there is definitely a penny pinching time saving aspect to some people who ride bikes. There is also the biker who has the best of everything but only rides to the bike cafe on a Sunday.
Neither of these are bikers to me.
It's a bit like someone who says they are into cars but drive a diesel.
That being said if you have a passion for it that's enough to make you a biker in my book.
This morning I rode my 125cc scooter the 6 miles to work, because it's cheaper and quicker through the traffic (and I do this all year round). Sometimes I ride my current Fireblade to the café, but sometimes I will do 300 miles+ in a day just for fun. I have also taken the Fireblade all round this country and Europe (France, Germany, Belgium Poland etc. at various times) camping or sometimes in a hotel or hostel.
I have done track days, raced bikes for 10 years(pretty low level admittedly) and been into green laning on a CRM250. Suffice to say, bikes have formed a pretty large aspect of my life.
But if you saw me this morning on my scooter, commuting to work.....
I suppose my general point, is that we should perhaps be inclusive and not judge folks as we see them at one particular time. Lets just enjoy being on 2 wheels no matter which 'scene' we happen to prefer. Heck, I even see the appeal of a Harley these days (I need a lie down after saying that).
bogie said:
There are as many stereotypes as bikes out there. To be honest, these days, if you can have the inclination to study and do your bike test, buy and ride a bike on an ongoing basis, and enjoy it you are a biker
about sums it up!!I would say that scooters probably don't count. Also, can you be a 'biker' whilst still on L plates? 125cc & below isn't a 'real' bike IMO. What about A2 license holders? Perhaps you can only become a true biker when over the magical age of 24, when you can get a full A license.
Biker 1 said:
about sums it up!!I would say that scooters probably don't count. Also, can you be a 'biker' whilst still on L plates? 125cc & below isn't a 'real' bike IMO. What about A2 license holders? Perhaps you can only become a true biker when over the magical age of 24, when you can get a full A license.
sjtscott said:
Apparently for the yout(h) on L plated 125 'sport' bikes if you stick a stupidly loud exhaust on that makes it more real in London at least LOL It also helps to hide the lack of riding skill and proper kit.. you only need a hoody jeans and white trainers apparently all seasons/weather too
Same round my neck of the woods: the cucking funts do it in the middle of the night up & down the road outside my window, just when I've nodded off. FFS 
sjtscott said:
Apparently for the yout(h) on L plated 125 'sport' bikes if you stick a stupidly loud exhaust on that makes it more real in London at least LOL It also helps to hide the lack of riding skill and proper kit.. you only need a hoody jeans and white trainers apparently all seasons/weather too
Replace the hoody with a Levi jacket and nothing else has changed since I was a teenager. 
Andy XRV said:
Replace the hoody with a Levi jacket and nothing else has changed since I was a teenager.
At least Levi jackets were/are cool. Furthermore, there seemed to be less anti-social st back then. Somehow things were a bit more discreet & done with finesse... Perhaps I'm getting old.Maybe you only bought a motorcycle to commute, and don't really like it or enjoy it, but the bike of choice was researched to do as many mpg as possible, and the budget you had was a factor, then you must have a camera and super high vis everything for absolute visibility and ride in the kerbside or centre of any road all of the time, never pass a thing, and squint if riding in drizzle even with a visor, and don't know what the bike next to you is, then you are a motorcyclist only.
If you ride anything, most likely with gears, wear leathers, textiles or jeans, are prepared to ride all year but not essential, you don't call the AA when it hails etc, you don't only use the bike for two Sundays or one weekday a year for fun, and you do ride for freedom and enjoy any ride, accepting some are not always fun, yet all are a satisfying challenge in some way, and you know how to ride ok, hopefully safely and make progress, not fearing the concept of overtaking or filtering in traffic without planning it for 5 miles leaving a queue of riders behind you, and can carry pillion, don't mind a pint, or a bacon roll, and can remember all sorts of bikes you either had or didn't, and can do your own spannering effectively, even only to a degree, then I believe you are likely a biker.
If you ride anything, most likely with gears, wear leathers, textiles or jeans, are prepared to ride all year but not essential, you don't call the AA when it hails etc, you don't only use the bike for two Sundays or one weekday a year for fun, and you do ride for freedom and enjoy any ride, accepting some are not always fun, yet all are a satisfying challenge in some way, and you know how to ride ok, hopefully safely and make progress, not fearing the concept of overtaking or filtering in traffic without planning it for 5 miles leaving a queue of riders behind you, and can carry pillion, don't mind a pint, or a bacon roll, and can remember all sorts of bikes you either had or didn't, and can do your own spannering effectively, even only to a degree, then I believe you are likely a biker.
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