Now just being a biker may mean something a little different to another person. Its meaning depends on what you believe in as a rider.
Some may think that if you put 1000 miles on your bike then you are a biker.
Some also believe that if you do any of the following then you are a biker such as preferring to ride over being in a cage (a car or truck),
working on your own bike, building your bike from old bike parts,
attending rallies,
even more specifically that you ride to a rally opposed to towing your bike on a trailer,
riding in bad weather,
ride every day and not just on Sunday’s,
having your “lady” working in a strip bar,
being a member of a club (a H.O.G. chapter or the A.M.A. does not count),
being told to leave an establishment because of your riding attire,
having loud pipes on your bike,
having a tattoo (s),
riding a Harley instead of a “wanna be hog” or a crotch rocket,
wearing a leather vest with all those cool run pins and patches.
Being a biker is more than words and acts. It is a state of mind.
Being a biker means that you enjoy the company of other riders over anyone else (no matter what they ride).
We believe that it is all about the ride, the good times you have along the way and the people you meet and share those good times with. We also believe in what a true “brother” or “sister” really means and that special bond that comes with it.
Being a biker means that you do not go along with the normal flow or care about what people think, except those who are your true friends. Bikers live their lives the way they want to. Bikers love the freedom riding gives them. If we want to look a certain way or wear a certain type of clothing, or in some cases, the lack of certain clothing, then the real bikers’ community will accept that and the rest can just walk away shaking their up tight and closed-minded heads (but will make sure they got that picture on their camera before they judge you as they walk away).
I read that “Bikers don’t take any shit. They are kind to women, children and animals, but don’t take any bull shit. This is an essential part of being a biker. It has to do with respect and honor. Anyone can be a quicktempered fool. They are cool, they stand tall and backup what they say with action.
Bikers are always the greasy bad guys in the movies, but every real biker knows that their word is their bond. Your word is all you have in life that is truly yours.
Bikers help others. When a brother or sister is broken down by the side of the road, they always stop and help them. Even for moral support, if that is all they can give, it is better than riding on by. Remember life is about the journey and the ride. Not just getting there. You already are there.
Bikers don’t just help bikers, they show the world that they are better than the image portrays them. Courtesy costs you nothing and gives you everything.
Bikers do what they say they will do, be there when they say they will. It’s is called integrity. This also goes back to standing for something. Like the song says, “You’ve got to stand for something or you’ll fall for anything.”
“Life is not a drill. It isn’t a dress rehearsal. This is life, go out and take big bites of it. You only go around once.”
I would like to think that we live by all of these words as best we can. “True Bikers” are there for each other.
