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Motorcyclist or Biker
Tourer
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 285
Likes: 0
From: Charlotte NC
I consider myself a HD enthusiast. Been riding since I was 21 and legal enough to buy my first HD.
Motorcyclists puts you in the same company as a Crotch Rocket pilot, BMW, MotoGuzzi, Triumph and other machines. Don't take me wrong w all like to ride, it's just I prefer HDs to any other brand.
As far as the biker term, EddyG hit it on the head. True Bikers live the life style of a Biker. I guess you have to know a few to really understand the differance.
The thing we all have in common is the the wind in our face.
Motorcyclists puts you in the same company as a Crotch Rocket pilot, BMW, MotoGuzzi, Triumph and other machines. Don't take me wrong w all like to ride, it's just I prefer HDs to any other brand.
As far as the biker term, EddyG hit it on the head. True Bikers live the life style of a Biker. I guess you have to know a few to really understand the differance.
The thing we all have in common is the the wind in our face.
Road Captain
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 588
Likes: 1
I started riding Harleys when I was 23 yrs. old. That was 1976. In my part of the Midwest, at that time, all us young Ironworkers rode together all the time. Because of our skills, we fabricated and modified our bikes in our own shops. When we aprenticed for our Journeyman cards, we were constantly trying to impress the older Union brothers. Both, on the job and off. We were tested all the time. When we finally recieved the approval of the older guys we were proud of ourselves, it took a lot of work. If you never worked the high steel, well it wasn't easy. Back then if a person rode a customized, loud Harley you were looked-down upon. I can't really blame the citizens, we looked pretty scary. Then Harley was about to go out of business, so the Evo and 5 speed was introduced. All of a sudden Harleys were a turn-key motorcycle. When that happened rock-stars like Billy Idol and others started being seen on these Evos. The rest is history. I know this is getting long, but for myself, I needed to explain where some riders have an attitude concerning what I call "regular folks" riding Harleys. There are many of us that still hold some residual contempt towards the people that looked-downed at us in the past, but started buying Evos. Then all Harley riders considered themselves "bikers". That is why if a stranger asks me if I'm a biker, I politely say,"No, if you choose to label me, I prefer you consider me an avid motorcyclist." I don't say this for anyone but me. It's me holding on to a small part of my past.
Road Warrior
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 1,926
Likes: 185
From: Utah
I honestly do like this thread. Maybe that makes me more of a people watcher than a biker, enthusiast, rider, or anything else.
It's fun to just see all the different reactions that the OP's question raises. Funny to me how many people assume the "motorcyclist" is an a-hole because he doesn't consider himself a biker. For all we know he's a super nice guy, who loves his Harley as much as anyone on here but associates the term "biker" with a lifestyle he doesn't live.
The OP isn't (necessarily) a dillweed for asking. My local dealership is FULL of non-riders who are interested in Harleys. Before I bought my bike, I was one of them!
Now I'm on my second Harley and I love to ride whether it's a weeklong ride for a few thousand miles or two blocks to church. Lots of people would call me a biker, most who have posted to this thread probably wouldn't.
harleyphoenix seems to me to be a legit of an old-time biker as you're going to find, but he prefers not to be called that -- for legitimate reasons.
People are awesome. So entertaining, so loveable. A thread like this gives some fun insights into the myriad ways we tick. Thanks all, for some genuine entertainment.
It's fun to just see all the different reactions that the OP's question raises. Funny to me how many people assume the "motorcyclist" is an a-hole because he doesn't consider himself a biker. For all we know he's a super nice guy, who loves his Harley as much as anyone on here but associates the term "biker" with a lifestyle he doesn't live.
The OP isn't (necessarily) a dillweed for asking. My local dealership is FULL of non-riders who are interested in Harleys. Before I bought my bike, I was one of them!
Now I'm on my second Harley and I love to ride whether it's a weeklong ride for a few thousand miles or two blocks to church. Lots of people would call me a biker, most who have posted to this thread probably wouldn't.
harleyphoenix seems to me to be a legit of an old-time biker as you're going to find, but he prefers not to be called that -- for legitimate reasons.
People are awesome. So entertaining, so loveable. A thread like this gives some fun insights into the myriad ways we tick. Thanks all, for some genuine entertainment.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 3,938
Likes: 23
From: MD just outside DC
Yep Answer wrong and I get the SG.. 
That looks like it is fun to ride..
That looks like it is fun to ride..
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Cruiser
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 125
Likes: 0
From: olathe, ks
Good thread. Yes we all know who most think are BIKERS. I am a motorcycle rider, a bicycle rider, a dirt bike rider, and I guess a motorcyclist which could encompass all the above. If someone ask's me, r u a biker, I would probably say, ya I ride, a Harley. I have rode since I was about 12. Started on a mini bike. Got my first bike at 18. So I have been riding for around 40 years. We all know must of us do not live with our bikes in the bedroom. We go to work come home do other things. Ya we are are bikers who love riding.
Biker def: One who rides.
Biker def: One who rides.
