Fitting In
Road Master
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 808
Likes: 1
From: Southern Cal
I had a friend ask me if I'm a biker because I own a Harley. I got to thinking,and to me it boils down to being in one of 3 catagories; a motorcycle enthusist, a motorcycle rider and a biker. A enthusist looks out the window and sees rain and saya "Well, it looks like I won't be riding today". A motorcycle rider says "I've got a good rain suit, lets do it anyway". A Biker syas" How the Hell am I gonna keep a cigarette lit in this S#!t". Anyway, I got to thinking about how and why I ride, you tell me where I fit in.
1. I own a Harley (well me and the bank).
2. I have a drawer full of Harley tee shirts (but I bought a few while driving my truck)
3. I ride my bike to work, even if it's cold or raining (have you seen gas prices lately?).
4. I've stopped at Starbuck for coffee when riding (did I mention that sometimes its cold and raining).
5. I wear leather chaps, jacket and gloves (again with the cold and raining).
6. I wave at other bikers (sometimes a guy needs to stretch out his arm anyway).
7. The fact that other people dare to ride a bike other than a Harley doesn't threaten me (my wife rides a Shadow).
8. I haven't been to a bike night in months (I gotta get up early for work ya know).
9. I service my own bike (can you think of a better way to kill 3 hours?)
10. I usually refer friends and family to the service manual for basic tech questions (I can follow directions as well as the next guy, but I can't remember everything).
11. I've got a bell on my bike (one of my best friends gave it to me the day I bought it).
12. If it's changed on a regular basis, most engine oil will do the trick (sorry to open that can of worms).
13. Sometimes, 200 miles is too far to ride for a cheeseburger (sometimes 500 miles isn't far enough).
14. My riding boots and my work boots are one in the same (I'm really too lazy to be changing shoes all the time).
15. I had tatoos before I had a Harley (retired Navy, it's almost required).16. My wife is my best ridding buddy (she lets me lead and make all the decisions about where to eat).
17. I don't feel the need to buy a chrome trinket every time I go into a dealer (I can't afford most of the trinkets I want).
18. Although there are some good articles, Full Throttle Magazine doesn't hold any answers to life's mysteries (but there are some good events posted each month).
19. Loud pipes may indeed save lives, but then again, they may not (to each their own).
20. Yes, I'll answer your questions about my bike to the best of my abilities (but you're not coming over for dinner and beers).
21. No, you can't take it out for a spin (can I have sex with your daughter?).
And the list goes on and on.............
1. I own a Harley (well me and the bank).
2. I have a drawer full of Harley tee shirts (but I bought a few while driving my truck)
3. I ride my bike to work, even if it's cold or raining (have you seen gas prices lately?).
4. I've stopped at Starbuck for coffee when riding (did I mention that sometimes its cold and raining).
5. I wear leather chaps, jacket and gloves (again with the cold and raining).
6. I wave at other bikers (sometimes a guy needs to stretch out his arm anyway).
7. The fact that other people dare to ride a bike other than a Harley doesn't threaten me (my wife rides a Shadow).
8. I haven't been to a bike night in months (I gotta get up early for work ya know).
9. I service my own bike (can you think of a better way to kill 3 hours?)
10. I usually refer friends and family to the service manual for basic tech questions (I can follow directions as well as the next guy, but I can't remember everything).
11. I've got a bell on my bike (one of my best friends gave it to me the day I bought it).
12. If it's changed on a regular basis, most engine oil will do the trick (sorry to open that can of worms).
13. Sometimes, 200 miles is too far to ride for a cheeseburger (sometimes 500 miles isn't far enough).
14. My riding boots and my work boots are one in the same (I'm really too lazy to be changing shoes all the time).
15. I had tatoos before I had a Harley (retired Navy, it's almost required).16. My wife is my best ridding buddy (she lets me lead and make all the decisions about where to eat).
17. I don't feel the need to buy a chrome trinket every time I go into a dealer (I can't afford most of the trinkets I want).
18. Although there are some good articles, Full Throttle Magazine doesn't hold any answers to life's mysteries (but there are some good events posted each month).
19. Loud pipes may indeed save lives, but then again, they may not (to each their own).
20. Yes, I'll answer your questions about my bike to the best of my abilities (but you're not coming over for dinner and beers).
21. No, you can't take it out for a spin (can I have sex with your daughter?).
And the list goes on and on.............
Ride Safe
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 4,530
Likes: 607
From: Raleigh NC
Rude woman once told me... "if you don't ride a Harley, you ain't chit"
I replied, "whay Harley DO you own"
she said " my boyfriend owns one"
me "well then.. YOU ain't chit, are you?"
her "being a biker is all about attitude"
I ride unless there's a hurricane, or ice... but i don't smoke, so, I'm just some guy on a motorcycle
I know a bunch of "bikers" with tattoos, and a complete HD wardrobe, who have never sat on a bike, let alone riden one, much less owned one
I replied, "whay Harley DO you own"
she said " my boyfriend owns one"
me "well then.. YOU ain't chit, are you?"
her "being a biker is all about attitude"
I ride unless there's a hurricane, or ice... but i don't smoke, so, I'm just some guy on a motorcycle
I know a bunch of "bikers" with tattoos, and a complete HD wardrobe, who have never sat on a bike, let alone riden one, much less owned one
Elite HDF Member
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 4,929
Likes: 8
Road Captain
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 574
Likes: 1
From: Tennessee
Good post. I've found a bubble shield on the helmet keeps the cig pretty dry in the rain but I have a heck of a time seeing through all that smoke.
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Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 6,235
Likes: 65
From: Joliet, Illinois
I think it's all a lot easier than that. You're a biker if you're a biker.
Some motorcycle enthusiasts ride in the rain and cold.
Some Harley enthusiasts ride in the rain and cold.
Some riders ride in the rain & cold.
Some bikers prefer to leave the bike home when it's raining and or cold.
Being a biker has everything to do with who you are, and nothing to do with what you ride, how you ride, when you ride or where you ride. It has nothing to do with what you wear or don't wear. It's all about attitude. You either have it, or you don't. If you have it, you can't lose it by riding the "wrong bike" or wearing the "wrong clothes". If you don't have it, there's nothing you can buy that will give it to you.
You're a biker if you're a biker.
Some motorcycle enthusiasts ride in the rain and cold.
Some Harley enthusiasts ride in the rain and cold.
Some riders ride in the rain & cold.
Some bikers prefer to leave the bike home when it's raining and or cold.
Being a biker has everything to do with who you are, and nothing to do with what you ride, how you ride, when you ride or where you ride. It has nothing to do with what you wear or don't wear. It's all about attitude. You either have it, or you don't. If you have it, you can't lose it by riding the "wrong bike" or wearing the "wrong clothes". If you don't have it, there's nothing you can buy that will give it to you.
You're a biker if you're a biker.
Club Member
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 112,202
Likes: 1,316
From: On a hill among the hills, PA
I think it's all a lot easier than that. You're a biker if you're a biker.
Some motorcycle enthusiasts ride in the rain and cold.
Some Harley enthusiasts ride in the rain and cold.
Some riders ride in the rain & cold.
Some bikers prefer to leave the bike home when it's raining and or cold.
Being a biker has everything to do with who you are, and nothing to do with what you ride, how you ride, when you ride or where you ride. It has nothing to do with what you wear or don't wear. It's all about attitude. You either have it, or you don't. If you have it, you can't lose it by riding the "wrong bike" or wearing the "wrong clothes". If you don't have it, there's nothing you can buy that will give it to you.
You're a biker if you're a biker.
Some motorcycle enthusiasts ride in the rain and cold.
Some Harley enthusiasts ride in the rain and cold.
Some riders ride in the rain & cold.
Some bikers prefer to leave the bike home when it's raining and or cold.
Being a biker has everything to do with who you are, and nothing to do with what you ride, how you ride, when you ride or where you ride. It has nothing to do with what you wear or don't wear. It's all about attitude. You either have it, or you don't. If you have it, you can't lose it by riding the "wrong bike" or wearing the "wrong clothes". If you don't have it, there's nothing you can buy that will give it to you.
You're a biker if you're a biker.