Biker culture

Do you follow it?

One of the irksome parts of the biker culture is the disdain for certain classes of riders.

1. Must ride an American built bike. This really started with the clubs. After WW2, returning American soldiers started buying surplus Harley-Davidson motorcycles left over from the war. They had learned that the motorcycles were rugged, reliable and cheap. As time wore on, they became more of a sign of patriotism, individual liberty and rebellion, especially after the Marlon Brando movie “The Wild One” - which ironically featured a Triumph (British) motorcycle. It also helped that there was an abundance of spare parts left over from the war. So, bikers generally turn their noses up at anyone riding imports, especially the Japanese bikes.

2. Not giving a biker “wave” at other bikers not riding a Harley. This really bugs me. Look, it’s a free country. You don’t have to wave back, or wave at all. But if you selectively not acknowledge another biker’s wave just because of the bike they are riding, then you’re just a bigot. I get it, young kids on sport bikes acting like indestructible jerks are immensely irritating and I can see where you may not reward such behavior. But we’re all a community with a shared passion for the lifestyle and if they are riding safely and just out for the pleasure of it, why hate on them?

3. Not considering a can-am or other three wheeled vehicles part of the community. This is sad, really. I have allergies that effect my sinuses, which in turn can occasionally cause balance issues, making riding a two wheeled bike a bit of a challenge sometimes. Older folks start to develop vertigo issues, and the only way to continue to get that wind therapy is adopting a more stable platform. Old injuries are also a problem. Sometimes having to make concessions is the only option available.

4. On the flip side, the hating on bikers riding “baggers” - IE Harleys, Indians, etc. The younger crowd can be just as bad. Considering which came first, the chicken or the egg kind of deal, on who hated on who first, well, I’d grant that it probably came more from the club culture than the sport bike crowd originally.

5. Motorcycle clubs, at least originally, were pretty racist. The original motorcycle gangs (Hells Angels, Boozefighters, etc) are pretty much whites only. As a matter of fact, the Mongols, a Hispanic club, started because the men were denied entry into the Hells Angels. While some outlaw clubs are more racially accepting, generally the 1% clubs are divided along racial lines. One of many reasons why I don’t associate with those types of groups, although they are hard to avoid, especially around this part of the world.

6. The cops. I don’t personally have issues with the police, but it is true that the police do have issues with bikers, mostly with the outlaw motorcycle gangs. The clubs, especially the 1% clubs, dislike the cops right back. The biggest thing I hear from the clubs is fighting against profiling, the cops automatically assuming anyone that is “patched” - IE has a back patch on their vest with top and bottom rockers - is part of a criminal organization. I know that occasionally a non patched biker will be incorrectly pulled over, with the cops assuming he’s up to no good.

We’re all simply enthusiastic riders, that enjoy the freedom of the ride. Let’s all be most excellent to each other.