Start the week topic

[guest7]

I was signed up (by a friend) to a Facebook page called something like 'Proper Bikers'. It's all a bit macho and gung-ho but a laff neverthless. The other day someone proposed a topic "why are bikers more fun than car drivers". Some of the responders thought that 'bikers are free' and/or 'bikers are independent'. Others thought that it was because 'bikers can paaaaarty!'.

All this strikes me as so much tosh. But is there a kernel of truth in there? Does biking make you a different person to someone who doesn't ride? Or is it a character trait to that leads us to biking?

For my part I think that, as a biker, you react differently to things around you and are more involved. That's why, for instance, bikers stop to help push a broken down car more often than other drivers. I think the more helpful distinction is between petrolheads and people who just use a car to get around. I don't think I've ever met a biker who isn't a petrolhead, but lots of car drivers who aren't. Put two petrolheads together, one a driver, the other a biker and you will see that there's effectively no difference between them, or at least no more difference than between a sportsbiker and a humble Thumperista.

Your thoughts?

GC

[Andy M]

I think people struggle with language in something that's very complicated. Is a "Biker" someone who rides a bike or some Hells Angel type? I would not label myself a Petrol head; I can't stand circuit racing and view anything with wheels as a potential means to get from A to B, I don't get why you'd need a 180 mph vehicle to do this.

The Westfield Owners my brother-in-law knows (and mostly avoids) are ******s of the first degree who would indeed fit in well with the leather baby suited volunteer organ doners you'll meet at any Biker Cafe or magistrates court, the GS club etc.  These are the fools who's only action on seeing you pushing a bike with a flat tyre will be to blow the horn. These are mechanically able people, so really no different in that respect to the fellow motorcyclist/biker who may stop. I've met backpackers and cyclist who's views on why and how to travel are probably closer to my own who have no mechanical ability or interest in machinery. I've known old ladies in small cars with simply the desire to be helpful pull over and ask if they can help with malfunctioning machinery.

I think personality traits lead to the mode of transport and how you use it and that in turn leads to more personality traits, but I really couldn't say I all motorcyclists are in anyway better or even different. I can't even go with the "Independent" label when you see five Rossi look-a-likes or a dozen guys wearing the "Rebel Cruiser" range from Horrible Gherkin in the day.

I've stopped trying to work out why the differeces exist. I think you just meet people, get on with some of them and agree to disagree with the rest.

Andy

[Ian]

2 inputs and quite thought provoking already. Andy`s opinion made me think more about this situation. But on the whole I do think Bikers are more likely to stop and help. There will of course be the odd ones who dont fit the mould so to speak. Why is this  though?..I think thats what GC was asking (unless I have read it wrong). Im not a psychologist so I cant give a definitive answer and I think anyone who replies to this will each have a very different idea.
Anyway...**** it and lets get on with building/restoring/riding/or whatever floats your boat and being part of what I believe is the best internet bike club

Ian

[guest24]

I thinks it's because I want to be different like everyone else

[guest7]

Life of Brian.

GC

[guest7]

I do tend to think that 'bikers' are just people who ride motorcycles, but within that broad definition it's fairly clear to see that people's personalities play a part in the type of biking they do and the bikes they ride. How many fake cruiser types are trying to project some sort of macho front to the world? How many sportsbikers ride stupidly because they equate speed with skill?

However, if you do choose to ride as your main transport I'm sure it does make a difference to how you behave. You're in the game, not viewing it through glass. The writer of Zen and the art of motorcycle maintenance' Robert Pirsig thought this too:
From Wikipedia - Pirsig contrasted the sense of connection experienced by motorcyclists with the isolation of drivers who are "always in a compartment", passively observing the passing landscape. In contrast, Pirsig argues that a motorcyclist is "completely in contact with it all... in the scene."

GC

[Mart]

GC, You have met me and I ride a motorcyle but would most definitely not consider myself a "petrolhead" whatever that is. I think that the term relates to people who think it is a good idea to watch endless repeats of such dire TV programs as "Top Gear" . The said program's presenters probably think of themselves as "Petrolheads" Which is an excellent reason for me not wanting to be one, or be thought of as such by others. Not entirely tongue in cheek. Mart

[guest7]

Er... I took petrolhead to be someone who is into the machinery on a deeper level than "I love my car, it's red".

I'm trying to think of another word to say what I meant and I guess it has to be 'enthusiast'.

GC

[002]

Er... I took petrolhead to be someone who is into the machinery on a deeper level than "I love my car, it's red".

I'm trying to think of another word to say what I meant and I guess it has to be 'enthusiast'.

GC

Exactly !
Always said to people I'm a motorcycle enthusiast,and got laughed at.
I appreciate all forms of motorised transport,especially bikes.
Having owned,ridden and worked on a few different forms of bike I know what suits me.
But can appreciate what I consider nicely done,engineered etc.,be it a scooter,a chop,sports,cafe racer,trials or what ever.

Jethro

[Andy M]

Er... I took petrolhead to be someone who is into the machinery on a deeper level than "I love my car, it's red".

I'm trying to think of another word to say what I meant and I guess it has to be 'enthusiast'.

GC

I think I'd be happy if someone said I was a motorcycle enthusiast. "Into bikes" maybe fits better but that's rather splitting hairs.

There again, I've met the MZ, Bonneville and Enfield owners clubs too and they are also certainly into bikes ("Hmmm your left hand thrunging sprocket appears to be fitted with an incorrect washer, it should be BZP for this model year and yours is 316 stainless. I predict it will explode and set the atmosphere on fire within the next 2 miles" etc.)!

Still, Takes all sorts and as long as we all have some fun eh! 

Andy

[guest7]

To return to the starting point for all this, you'd say then that some bikers aren't fun at all?

Possibly even less fun than car drivers?

GC

[Mark]

To return to the starting point for all this, you'd say then that some bikers aren't fun at all?

GC

I can find some most annoying, they take it for granted that because you have a motorcycle you are the same as them when if fact you may have nothing in common with them at all and may not even like their machine let alone them.

[Andy M]

To return to the starting point for all this, you'd say then that some bikers aren't fun at all?

Possibly even less fun than car drivers?

GC

Back in my sales rep days I'd come across various guys from different bits of the bike world. Oh the joys of talking knee sliders and breaking the traffic laws (license held for 7 months, owned a Triumph Triple streetfighter type thing) or how the purchasing guy was having a mural of Elvis painted on his "gas" tank (2 year old Harley never been outside Yorkshire) over coffee before the meeting. How we laughed when I didn't know what the heck winter fuel preserver was. Mention of the Elefant got blank looks.  Nice enough blokes, but not people I'd choose to meet outside work.

Now the chap who was involved with restoring heavy oil engines from canal boats, he was a laugh and so was the Lady who was doing mountain bike stuff and thinking about getting into trials.

Andy

[Mark]

Also if you don't look like to have come out of the biker mould whether it be sleeveless jacket covered in badges dating back two years brigage or the latest Rossi(or whoever is in vogue now) coloured leathers and helmet lot they believe you to be a lesser motorcyclist with presumptions you haven't done or know anything about motorcycles or motorcycling.

[SRXweb]

Well, actually I am not fun .......