Author Topic: Can I be called a Biker now? (Read 6821 times)

Sourdough · « **on:** June 19, 2009, 08:29:08 PM »

I just bought a 2006 Honda VTX 1300. I wanted a Gold Wing, but they are just a bit out of my price range right now. It is a cruiser style bike, and looks nice. I have gotten several compliments on it already.

A GI on Ft WW came home from Iraq, one of his teenage sons had taken it out and dumped it. The right crash bar is dented and scratched, the windshield is scratched, the chrome exhaust pipe is scratched, and a tiny ding in the tank. The right mirror was also smashed. Neither kid would admit to it, and since Dad is going back overseas Mom demanded the bike goes.

He offered it to me $500.00 below book due to the damage. But mainly to get it out of the garage. Now Mom is happy, Dad is ticked, and both boys are grounded for the summer.

My son Sky went today and passed his written test for motorcycle. Now he is looking at a Honda Shadow 750.

mirage1988 · « **Reply #1 on:** June 19, 2009, 08:40:53 PM »

Not Yet- You still have to buy the costume

Are you a hunter if you buy a deer rifle? Are you a fisherman if you buy a fishin' pole?

Foggy · « **Reply #2 on:** June 19, 2009, 11:35:27 PM »

you need a black jacket, black chaps boots . Oh and one of those stupid pakistani (miss spel chk) helmets that won't protect your head. and you must over pay for all of it . then ride to the bike shop and hang out, check the res s it all got to be 35-10. remember you don't want to look diferant and it there's 100 bikes in the parking lot yours must blend in.

rex6666 · « **Reply #3 on:** June 19, 2009, 11:50:43 PM »

you can get around the leather jacket if you buy a levi jacket and cut the sleves and collar off and sew on a lot of patches.
Surly when Atllaw sees this he can help you out. (just pulling your chain Atllaw)

GH1 · « **Reply #4 on:** June 20, 2009, 12:56:45 AM »

Congratulations on your purchase. As a former Honda mechanic I can tell you they make a fine product that will give you years of reliable service. I have a 1982 CB900F with over 65,000 miles on it with no problems other than the occasional carb clean.
Personally, I've been riding on the street over 27 years and I don't think anybody calls me a biker, mainly because I don't wear the biker garb. During the week I have on my work uniform & on the weekend I'll most likely be wearing khakis & a Hawaiian shirt. Nevertheless, I ride about 250 miles a week & have been to about a dozen states, which is a hell of a lot more than many so-called bikers. So don't get to hung up on labels, just enjoy your machine.
GH1

Mikey · « **Reply #5 on:** June 20, 2009, 01:13:32 AM »

Sourdough: Nope, not yet. Ya gotta go find AtlLaw and have him teach ya how to wear all that black leather and grow yor hair long. And make sure he doesn't teach ya how to dance those funny dances that some of those leather wearin' guys dance.................

victorcharlie · « **Reply #6 on:** June 20, 2009, 02:15:27 AM »

I think you have to have a tattoo on your arm that says either "mom", or "death before dishonor".

Then there is the beard, have you grown a beard?

Hairtrigger · « **Reply #7 on:** June 20, 2009, 02:29:47 AM »

Don't forget the tube top for the better half

and

Have you purchased the ape hangers yet?

GRIMJIM · « **Reply #8 on:** June 20, 2009, 03:02:43 AM »

The shadow is a good choice for a first bike. My first street bike was a '70 norton and I dumped it. It shook me up but I didn't get hurt much. After I sold it, a few years later I bought a shadow as it was low to the ground and I felt very stable on it.

Cheesehead · « **Reply #9 on:** June 20, 2009, 03:39:00 AM »

I am not sure if there is a clear definition of the label/term "biker".

Cheese

Questor · « **Reply #10 on:** June 20, 2009, 04:28:43 AM »

Sourdough:

Being a biker has about as much to do with owning a motorcycle as being a hunter has to do with owning a gun. It's a state of mind, a set of activities, and a personal history built over time. I quit riding motorcycles in the early 80s but prior to that I had traveled by motorcycle extensively, living on the road for three years and taking odd jobs to earn travel money, and seeing the country as only somebody doing it that way can. That's the kind of thing that makes you a biker.

So plan a trip, something modest, like Seattle to Maine via Key West, then come back and you'll be a biker.

I live in a state where there are quite a few seasonal recreational motorcyclists. I enjoy chatting with them. Some of the most enthusiastic I've talked to only put about 3,000 miles per year on their bikes. Jeez. I had one year where I put about 60,000 on my bike, and did it seeing some amazing places. I couldn't sell the bike when I was done with it. 200,000 miles, and I gave it to a mechanic friend as a parts machine.

Your most important motorcycling accessory is a good road atlas and a pack of maps.

Wear a helmet. I don't care what the ABATE people say. Wear one. I personally knew two people who died unnecessarily because of head trauma that would have been prevented had they been wearing a helmet.

Questor · « **Reply #11 on:** June 20, 2009, 04:32:12 AM »

GH1: Yes! You said a lot.

Sourdough · « **Reply #12 on:** June 20, 2009, 08:34:10 AM »

I have owned motorcycles before. In 1968 I bought a Suzuki 350, then upgraded in 1972 to a Suzuki 750 with shaft drive. In 1976 I bought a Suzuki 550 two stroke three cylinder, man that thing was a screamer. Unfortunately a friend borrowed it one night without permission and totaled it, hit a truck broadside. The commander made him pay the Suzuki shop for a new bike and I was to go and take delivery. Ended up with a 550 four stroke, four cylinder. It was a dog by comparison, but having just gotten married it was a better choice for carrying a rider. That hot little redhead rode many miles (slept many miles) on the back of that bike.

In 1981 when we got to New Mexico I hit a Coyote doing about 80. Did not go down, but was all over the highway trying to keep it up. Scared me so bad I decided to get rid of the bike, after I got it out of the shop. I took it to the Sale Lot on Holloman AFB and sold it 30 minutes after putting it on the lot. Sold it to a young man that was taking classes at night on base, same classes I was taking.

That night when we got to class several people asked me where my bike was. I told them I had sold it earlier in the day to Gault, they all knew him. When the professor came in he announced "Mr. Gault will not be with us anymore, seems he bought a motorcycle this morning, and hit a Horse this afternoon". Gault had gone up to the Mescalero reservation, and on his way back had hit a horse doing over 90. I was so bummed out I quite riding. I knew it was not my fault, but I still felt responsiable.

Eight years ago I bought a couple of dirt bikes for my son Skyler and I to ride. I did not want to ride on the road, just in the dirt. but soon I was wishing I had gotten bikes that were street legal so I could ride to town and back.

Five years ago my brother got a Goldwing in baskets at a garage sale. When I went down to visit I put it back together, and made repairs. I then drove it when I went down to visit. I would drive it from Dallas to Miami, then to Nashville to visit my folks. Then back to Dallas and fly home to Alaska. Rob sold the Goldwing a year ago. But I have been yearning for a street bike to ride during the summer here at home. Got a Black Leather Jacket, Black and White Helmet (wife says it makes me look like a cop), Steeltoe black boots (left over from work), and Black Denium pants. Looking for Hard saddle bags and a trunk to add.

Dee · « **Reply #13 on:** June 20, 2009, 11:39:00 AM »

Don't forget to take the baffels out of the mufflers so you can let the whole damn neighborhood know your ridin it (at 2:00 in the mornin).

Cheesehead · « **Reply #14 on:** June 20, 2009, 12:19:36 PM »

Interesting, there is a minumum yearly mileage, and a no baffle requirment to be called a "Biker".

.

Cheese

GRIMJIM · « **Reply #15 on:** June 20, 2009, 01:24:28 PM »

I think my '79 sporty with drag pipes qualified.

Dee · « **Reply #16 on:** June 20, 2009, 01:25:21 PM »

I'll bet that's right.

Dee · « **Reply #17 on:** June 20, 2009, 01:26:22 PM »

Quote from: GRIMJIM on June 20, 2009, 01:24:28 PM

I think my '79 sporty with drag pipes qualified.

10-4 on the drag pipes GRIMJIM. IF their the loud ones, I hate'em already.

GRIMJIM · « **Reply #18 on:** June 20, 2009, 02:07:46 PM »

Yeah, my neighbors hated them too.

Sadly I don't own that bike anymore. I actually miss it.

Dee · « **Reply #19 on:** June 20, 2009, 04:32:52 PM »

But your neighbors are happier, and your a better neighbor.

buck460XVR · « **Reply #20 on:** June 21, 2009, 05:42:08 AM »

congrats on the new ride..............call yourself anything you like.

streak · « **Reply #21 on:** June 21, 2009, 06:34:08 AM »

Sourdough,
Enjoy yourself on that bike!
In your quest to become a biker, good advice on your proper apparel has already been given. One thing I did not see included in the advice were good tattoos on the arms. You may have some already, if not, they would certainly add to the complete ensemble!

deernhog · « **Reply #22 on:** June 22, 2009, 01:06:52 AM »

Quote from: Foggy on June 19, 2009, 11:35:27 PM

you need a black jacket, black chaps boots . Oh and one of those stupid pakistani (miss spel chk) helmets that won't protect your head. and you must over pay for all of it . then ride to the bike shop and hang out, check the res s it all got to be 35-10. remember you don't want to look diferant and it there's 100 bikes in the parking lot yours must blend in.

Setting in the local DMV and in walked a fellow clad in black jacket, black chaps, black shirt, black gloves, and black half helmet. The only thing he took off were the Oakley sunglasses he had on (82 degrees outide). Squeeked as he walked by from the new leather. He walked up took the 20 question test and finished it. He turned and walked out the door and got on a black and yellow 150 Sunl and rode off into the sun. Never figured out if he passed the test or not.

BTW Foggy you can always tell which bike is yours and what the heck is (Check the res s all got to be 35-10)

Savage · « **Reply #23 on:** June 22, 2009, 02:25:57 AM »

Thanks Questor! You summed it up better than I can. Just let me add:
It's really weird to me that a title could be so important. I rode almost everyday, everywhere I went, including Interstate travel for better than 25yrs. Had a run in with a truck that convinced me it was time to stop pushing my luck. Tho I didn't care what I was called, the term "Biker" had a bit of negativity attached to it. I never had a "costume" as is the style now days. Just wore good practical clothing appropriate for the weather conditions. It's a little amusing to see the old boys today that buy a motorcycle and a costume just so they can play the role on weekends, when the weather is good of course. Some even wear the costume when the bike is at home in the garage. Most never fail to tell anyone they see that they are "Bikers". Guess everyone wants to be somebody. LOL
Savage

deernhog · « **Reply #24 on:** June 22, 2009, 04:40:04 PM »

My how this little forum draws so much hate from so many. Sourdough how about just a little shout I got a new ride instead of the snide remark. Ride your ride, put in your miles and you won't have to ask and will give a crap less what others think.

Cheesehead · « **Reply #25 on:** June 22, 2009, 05:57:12 PM »

Quote from: buck460XVR on June 21, 2009, 05:42:08 AM

congrats on the new ride..............call yourself anything you like.

What he said.

Cheese

AtlLaw · « **Reply #26 on:** June 23, 2009, 06:32:19 AM »

Quote from: Cheesehead on June 22, 2009, 05:57:12 PM

Quote from: buck460XVR on June 21, 2009, 05:42:08 AM
congrats on the new ride..............call yourself anything you like.
What he said.
Cheese

What they said...

Skunk · « **Reply #27 on:** June 23, 2009, 06:34:51 AM »

Quote from: AtlLaw on June 23, 2009, 06:32:19 AM

Quote from: Cheesehead on June 22, 2009, 05:57:12 PM
Quote from: buck460XVR on June 21, 2009, 05:42:08 AM
congrats on the new ride..............call yourself anything you like.
What he said.
Cheese

What they said...

I'm with them...

Glanceblamm · « **Reply #28 on:** June 23, 2009, 06:51:45 AM »

I think that it just depends on if you like to ride or not to determine if you are a biker with the costume and or companions being unnecessary.

Dee · « **Reply #29 on:** June 23, 2009, 08:20:44 PM »

Quote from: Savage on June 22, 2009, 02:25:57 AM

Thanks Questor! You summed it up better than I can. Just let me add:
It's really weird to me that a title could be so important. I rode almost everyday, everywhere I went, including Interstate travel for better than 25yrs. Had a run in with a truck that convinced me it was time to stop pushing my luck. Tho I didn't care what I was called, the term "Biker" had a bit of negativity attached to it. I never had a "costume" as is the style now days. Just wore good practical clothing appropriate for the weather conditions. It's a little amusing to see the old boys today that buy a motorcycle and a costume just so they can play the role on weekends, when the weather is good of course. Some even wear the costume when the bike is at home in the garage. Most never fail to tell anyone they see that they are "Bikers". Guess everyone wants to be somebody. LOL
Savage

Ya know? I never thought of it quite that way Savage. I have had 6 or 7 large street motorcycles over the years, and it never occurred to me that I needed to be a "biker". I just rode motorcycles. I too look at the "costumes" they wear today, and see grownups apparently "pretending" to be something they are not. After you used the word "costume" I got to thinking. It isn't really any different than the "cowboy action shooting crowd" that likes to dress up in their "costumes", pretend to be cowboys and cowboyettes' and get themselves a "handle" like "pistol pete" or "deadeye dick" or something, and play cowboy. Roll playing has become quite popular in the last 20 or so years, and it runs the gamut from playing cowboy, to playing biker, to even Gothic I suppose. We even have folks pretending to be vampires, and as recently as today I saw a young man obviously imitating something, but for the life of me, I couldn't determine what. It certainly was an imitation of a man.
I myself, would like to pretend to be a rich man, but alas I cannot afford the props, i.e. money, Cadillac, and a big house. I suppose as long as no one is imposing their fantasy on others, or being a nuisance, it really doesn't hurt to pretend to be something. After all Obama is pretending to be a president.