Toughguy or not?
Club Member
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 23,178
Likes: 19
From: elsewhere
RE: Toughguy or not?
I remember a number of years back when I went to my first All Harley Drags. My oldest brother had a Harley and was kind of hardcore, but at the time I had a Yamaha 650 and was basically a punk-hippie type. We decided to take my car. We're both into photography and even got press passes that would let right down next to the guard rails, behind the bikes on the starting line, etc. Anyway, before we went my brother gave me the ABC's of how act. #1, touch nothing. #2, never even think of pointing a camera at anyone wearing Colors, not even if they were going to be far in the backround. Same for their OL's. #3, ask permission before taking photos of anyone's bike. #4,wear nondescript clothing (imply nothing). #5, aside from asking permission, keep your mouth shut. If someone wanted to talk to me about their bike, then I could join the conversation. I met the nicest people that day and took about 200 shots of various motorcycles. The only time I was denied permission was when somone just didn't think their bike looked good enough. I've lived by that basic creed since then and have managed to stay out of trouble. Know where you are and have respect for those around you. BTW, sorry for the book and glad your friend came out OK.
Road Warrior
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 1,599
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From:
RE: Toughguy or not?
Let me tell you something. I might consider myself "able to hold my own". Meaning, I'm not afraid to wear a Harley tee shirt to a Goldwing convention. 
Right or wrong - what he did was similar to wearing a KKK shirt to a Martin Luther King Jr memorial. Again, right or wrong - three people confronted him on it. What happened from that point he may never tell you other than the final outcome. I suspect he knew what he was wearing even if he didn't see it going down in his mind like it did.
It's a shame he lostheart though. It may prevent him from finding that courage to be a "tough guy" when he may actually need to. And I don't mean anything MC related.
I'm glad your friend is alive to talk about it.
Right or wrong - what he did was similar to wearing a KKK shirt to a Martin Luther King Jr memorial. Again, right or wrong - three people confronted him on it. What happened from that point he may never tell you other than the final outcome. I suspect he knew what he was wearing even if he didn't see it going down in his mind like it did.
It's a shame he lostheart though. It may prevent him from finding that courage to be a "tough guy" when he may actually need to. And I don't mean anything MC related.
I'm glad your friend is alive to talk about it.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 2,032
Likes: 9
From: Alabama
RE: Toughguy or not?
Three guys beating the crap outta one guy for wearing a t-shirt they don't like doesn't qualify them as being tough guys to me. The words that comes to mind are more along the lines of bullies, punks, etc.
However...
If the guy who got beat up had shot all three of the bullies once each in the chest with a .38 and they still whooped his ***, then I'd take my hat off and call them all "sir" as they would have beaten him on more even terms and they would truly rate as badasses, IMO. [:-]
However...
If the guy who got beat up had shot all three of the bullies once each in the chest with a .38 and they still whooped his ***, then I'd take my hat off and call them all "sir" as they would have beaten him on more even terms and they would truly rate as badasses, IMO. [:-]
Road Captain
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 521
Likes: 1
RE: Toughguy or not?
ORIGINAL: LdyMjo
sldavis--it looks like you are asking me this question. If so, I've responded in favor of two comments on this thread. The first wasbasically to know your limits. I think men and woman show greater strength of character, and wisdom, when they realize it's time to stop--need to weigh the gain against the cost--simple. This is true of almost anything in life--choose wisely the 'battles' we fight in the first place,then know when the battle is done and move on.The second comment was in favor of a post that pointed out that bad elements are everywhere, and that to generalize M/C clubs consist exclusively of criminals is narrow minded--these types of generalizationsare ignorant. There is good and badin people, and their organizations, weather it be M/C clubs, religion, big business, or government. I look at the organizations we're are supposed to trust the most, and this is often where we find themost extreme forms of corruption--lying, cheating, perversion, and stealing on a colossal scale. These are also the forms of corruption thathave the mostdirectimpact on my family and me.If I see a guy with a club patch, Iinstantly understand certain things. He's being very clearthat hesupports his organization.Seems pretty straight forward to me. I watch Bush and friends, and other politicians,and can't trust what's said--always hidden agendas that serve personal interests at extraordinary public expense, and at the cost of the lives of the young men and women honorably serving our country. And big business obviously hasa bottom line profit incentive, and adollar value placed on human life--hum, gas prices and oil company profits come to mind (honest and fairprofits[sm=confused06.gif]?), and I don't think I'd want to find myself on the expendable side of the price-for-a-human life equation. I feel FAR more threatened by the latter two than by any one wearing a club shirt or patch.Now if I were wearing one of my own,that would also mean certain things, wouldn't it.Choiceshave consequences, but personal choices are ours to make. I have more of a problem with corrupt behavior that impacts me, whereI have little or no choice.And my choice is something I'll defend.
ORIGINAL: sldavis
I'm just still trying to figure out why anyone would wear support type paraphanalia. Exactly what are you supporting....this type of behavior?
I'm just still trying to figure out why anyone would wear support type paraphanalia. Exactly what are you supporting....this type of behavior?
Big Kahuna HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 23,881
Likes: 34
From: USA
RE: Toughguy or not?
Wearing a MC club T-shirt out at a MC bar is not wise IMO. Which your friend probably just realized. It is no secret that wearing that garb can have consequences even if you are not a club member.Your friendmust have been very naive. As my experience with MC club members has never been in any way discourteous, violent or even impolite. I have had a patched MC member stop to help me on the side of the road in the rain when I was riding a Yamaha. (of course the guy did ask me if my bike was Japan's answer to Hiroshima 
) But he stayed and helped me dry my ignition out and got me going. But I sure would never consider wearing a club shirt under any circumstances.......just plain stupid if you ask me. 
) But he stayed and helped me dry my ignition out and got me going. But I sure would never consider wearing a club shirt under any circumstances.......just plain stupid if you ask me.
Supporter
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 4,419
Likes: 90
From: Vermont
RE: Toughguy or not?
If you wear a support shirt you might as well be prepared to defend it with no back-up!Unless the MC's Prez or other on location high ranking memberok's it, you are not going to beat a memberperiod! If you do, you will have three more waiting to help you swallow your teeth!Call it anything you want butto the club it is no different then someone beating your family member, they are not walking away!If you wear a support shirt and you enjoyfrequenting places where mebers hang, it is only a matter of time. I watched a patch kick over a bike for having a support sticker on it and it took down three other bikes, mine included. I watched the resultant brawl and was called a coward by one of the three non club member bikers, for not standing up for the deed! I can tell ya, I am no coward but I've been around bikes my entire life. The Sargent at Arms later came up to me at the bar and asked if I had anything to say. I looked him in the eye and said with all due respect,It pisses me off to have my bike damaged but Iguess my bike was in the wrong place at the wrong time.About 1/2 hour later the cops came in asking questions about mybike damage and the MC members.I looked at the cops and said I can't blame anyone but myself for being clumsy, and went back to drinkingmybeer. Five minutes later there was two beers there then one every time mine was empty. When I went to leave, the SA had left me a card for his brother in laws body shop with a note..custom paint on me! If you hand around the area, it is best to know thehow to properly handle situations.
Banned
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,889
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From:
RE: Toughguy or not?
ORIGINAL: PITA
...wonder'n if he still supports MC's now. I got no time for MC's or a support shirt wearing wannabe. A street fight has no rules, so forget 3 on 1, he's lucky he wasn't knifed or worse.
Guys who try so hard to look hard often get what's coming to 'em anyway, the whole tough guy show only works on grandmas or life long pussies.
...wonder'n if he still supports MC's now. I got no time for MC's or a support shirt wearing wannabe. A street fight has no rules, so forget 3 on 1, he's lucky he wasn't knifed or worse.
Guys who try so hard to look hard often get what's coming to 'em anyway, the whole tough guy show only works on grandmas or life long pussies.
Smartest thing said on the whole thread.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 5,331
Likes: 56
From: north of Daytona
RE: Toughguy or not?
Black eyes and teeth missing?
I would have told you "I fell off the wagon."
(And at least kept the mustache)
I would have told you "I fell off the wagon."
(And at least kept the mustache)
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Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 17,880
Likes: 9,633
From: Big Pine Key, FL
RE: Toughguy or not?
To quote the great Will Smith: "Don't start nothin...won't be nothin." In other words, trouble is out there waiting for you if you go looking for it. I'm in no way excusing the behavior of the three a-hole MC members. As a LEO I'm armed everywhere I go, but even I know when not to push it. If youhop into the gorilla cage and start taunting the big monkey, he's gonna do what comes natural.
Tourer
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 442
Likes: 3
From: Warren, Ohio
RE: Toughguy or not?
ORIGINAL: Biggol
Let me tell you something. I might consider myself "able to hold my own". Meaning, I'm not afraid to wear a Harley tee shirt to a Goldwing convention.
Let me tell you something. I might consider myself "able to hold my own". Meaning, I'm not afraid to wear a Harley tee shirt to a Goldwing convention.