When motorcycles, not just Harley Davidson Motorcycles, were invented, the biker was born.
As the motorcycle evolved so did the biker.
After over a hundred years of tradition the term "Biker" now has become a term used often but I often wonder if it is being used correctly.
I am a Biker. But what makes me a biker?, I was asked over the weekend by my new friend. Well I had to sit back and think for a second. I said, I love motorcycles. I love being in the wind. I love being Free. She smiled back at me, So, it's not the black leather jacket? Or the partying? The Life Style?... I had to laugh, NO, thats whats in the movies, I told her. They don't show anyone sitting in garages cleaning bikes or fixing them, no just the side that sells. Not everyone that rides is a club member, some of us/most of us ride for the 3 reasons I stated. The general public thinks just because you ride a Harley Davidson Motorcycle you're a card member...
So her question made me think, what is it that really makes a biker?
I know guys that ride Honda's that are bikers. So it's not the brand. It's whats in your heart. Bikers are passionate people. We love hard, we party hard but what makes us bikers? Motorcycles! Because the ONE THREAD, that binds us ALL together is our machines.
After that, every thing else is just frosting.
Just my humble opinion.

I will agree with that. I have great riding buds that ride all kinds of bikes. For one reason or another what a person chooses to ride is up to them. I judge people on who they are not what they ride. I like my hog and I like other types of bikes too. All that matters to me is that when the chips are down they are there to cover my back. And that's who I am.

Couldn't have been said any better!

The Biker Code:Always Cover Your Brothers Back
Right On.

Right on Bro's

Hey Roadking, nice to enter into a ( phillyssoffical ) debate
I see a lot of people, "some who I know", that live the lifestyle. They go to all the rallies, know a lot more fellow bikers than I do, some are even club members. Although they live this lifestyle choice, they don't have a bike!! They have the leathers, the mug on a leather lanyard, the bandanna & the boots, but turn up to a rally in their car.

I find this a bit odd, but if they enjoy it, what the hell.

On the other hand, I dont have the leathers, or the mug, but have more or less, always had a machine of some type, right from 10yrs old, as I was lucky enough to have countryside & gravel pits not far away. If I walked down the street though, you wouldn't assume I was into bikes.

Does it really matter though ?. I am bang into making bird boxes for my friends, family, etc, as I support wildlife & it's a small contribution I can make, that directly helps the critters that it is intended for. I enjoy this, as much as my bike, but I don't have to go on a crusade about it.

I guess having a choice is freedom, & you choose a lifestyle with your heart. As I look out of the window this morning though, I wish my choice had a roof !

I have no problem with people being an authentic biker. My position is that you should not be a 1960s biker.

For some reason, the idea of living the lifestyle stalled at that era. You're not considered the real-deal unless you loook like your grandfather, wear his clothes, use his jargon, customize your bike like his.

The concept of being free is not being a copycat. Live in your own skin, customize your own bike, choose your own ideals. You don't become a biker by investing 1,000 bucks in an armful of new ink, or buying conchos at the road clothes department, or attaining ready made choppers or calling me "bro."

I use electric starters, not jury-rigged magnetos. I wear ballistic nylon jackets--I haven't worn leather in over six years. I have used the term 'blood' or 'bro' perhaps five times in as many years. I have no ink, not even a teeny butterfly on my butt. I actually bathe.

Why? Because the 1960s are over. According to today's paper, it's been fifty years. When that era of "lifestyle" was going full tilt I didn't even have a drivers license. What I do have is a closet full of real-deal clothing that was actually worn in motorcycle club--available at some very competitive pricing. It even smells like the 1960s. I do not have a PayPal account, but I accept cash.

Live your own life, not a pale copy of mine.

Amen to that!

I use electric starters, not jury-rigged magnetos. I wear ballistic nylon jackets--I haven't worn leather in over six years. I have used the term 'blood' or 'bro' perhaps five times in as many years. I have no ink, not even a teeny butterfly on my butt. I actually bathe.


Well said that man !
I dont have any tat's, it amused me though to think how obscure it would be to have a tat of a birdbox, on my arse !!

Guys, as RK can tell you, this is a major peeve of mine. I see twenty-something guys all of the time on a custom bike they did not personally build, wearing a vest with no sleeves. I ask them why, and they say it's "tradition," or 'old school,' or paying respect. Please. Give me a break.

The next time you go to church, dress up like a Roman centurion, breast plate, gladius, the whole deal. Tell the priest that it's tradion, it's old school, or that you are paying your respects to a bygone era.

See how that plays.