What is a Motorcyclist?

[littlebeast]

some posts seem to be along the lines 'you're not a motorcyclist because you only do it to be cool, but i do this that or the other thing, and am therefore cooler than you, and therefore i'm a true motorcyclist'. which seems a bit odd.

 

[VicTim]

some posts seem to be along the lines 'you're not a motorcyclist because you only do it to be cool, but i do this that or the other thing, and am therefore cooler than you, and therefore i'm a true motorcyclist'. which seems a bit odd.

 

[MysterYvil]

You are naming places with mountains and nice roads. Try flat states like Michigan, Illinois, Florida, Jersey etc. In Florida if you ride a sportbike it's usually stretched and chromed.

I honestly would probably quit riding if I had to move back to MI.

Hmmm...

I started riding in Illinois and didn't notice that at all. My nephew and his partner ride, and last summer put together a group ride to Starved Rock; the pics looked like a CA group ride to me, a hodgepodge of mounts and gear, plus universal smiles.

I once stopped under an overpass in Nebraska to wait out a thunderstorm. A guy in a pickup also stopped, to ask if I needed anything. I asked if he rode; no, but his brother did. His brother rode "some kinda Jap Harley between towns, some kinda dirtbike when runnin' fences." (The guy also insisted on topping off my tank from his jerrycan.)

In Nevada between Wells and Winnemucca I pulled over for a trailer-towing couple on a 920 Virago. Turned out they were just re-securing baggage, but we shared a thermos of tea. While shooting the breeze a trio of Harleys pulled over to check on us, then we yammered until a State Trooper gently suggested we move along.

Perhaps I just don't notice the "posers," or maybe I'm lucky.

 

[planegray]

A "motorcyclist" is exactly what I say it is, nothing more and nothing less

[youtube]R2T-uMf4Z8o[/youtube]
https://youtu.be/R2T-uMf4Z8o

but here's pic of a "motorcyclist", just as ONE example;

 

[Lucky13xx]

some posts seem to be along the lines 'you're not a motorcyclist because you only do it to be cool, but i do this that or the other thing, and am therefore cooler than you, and therefore i'm a true motorcyclist'. which seems a bit odd.

Cool factor has little to do with my opinion of a motorcyclist. If I catch you on the road with any motorcycle, you'll likely get a wave from me. Squid, grizzled cruiser, whatever. Perhaps you're only a motorcyclist while riding? Does just thinking of a bike make you one? Or must you develop that passion I know most posting on this forum have?

But just so you know, when I ride? I'm the coolest thing on 2 wheels

In MY mind.

 

[channelcat]

I was coming back from Palomares a couple days ago, and saw only two other bikes..I swapped high signs with one coming back into town, and turned out it was a CHP. I thought that was pretty cool.
If you ride, you're a rider. I don't know if thats the same thing as a motocyclist.

 

[ZCrow]

So if I ride my bike completely stock I am a motorcyclist? or no?

I honestly think, at least with sport bikes, there is an inverse correlation between the amount of bling and riding skill.

wait , when you say no audience do mean no cops either?
cus you know no cops would mean the world is your race track.

No audience! That sounds amazing.

some posts seem to be along the lines 'you're not a motorcyclist because you only do it to be cool, but i do this that or the other thing, and am therefore cooler than you, and therefore i'm a true motorcyclist'. which seems a bit odd.

That is why you shouldn't take this thread seriously.

I don't think there are many rules about what makes a motorcyclist. But there are things that demonstrate our passion and whatever the root, it's what makes us do what we do.

If you...you may be a motorcyclist.

1. Have been riding for more than 5 years
2. If you still ride after crashing and breaking a bone
3. If you ride in the rain and cold
4. Still ride after a friend died on a bike
5. If one of your News Years Resolutions was to do more track days
6. If your closet is more riding gear than street clothes
7. If you own custom leathers
8. If you vacations involve a motorcycle tour
9. If you have a season pass to MotoGP
10. If you are reading this

 

[WWWobble]

1. Have been riding for more than 5 years
2. If you still ride after crashing and breaking a bone
3. If you ride in the rain and cold
4. Still ride after a friend died on a bike
5. If one of your News Years Resolutions was to do more track days
6. If your closet is more riding gear than street clothes
7. If you own custom leathers
8. If you vacations involve a motorcycle tour
9. If you have a season pass to MotoGP
10. If you are reading this

Oh! A test. Let's see

1. yes
2. yes
3. if i have to
4. does reading RIP threads count?
5. not anymore
6 yes
7. well, not exactly custom
8 yes
9. Are you kidding? Internet access count?
10. Yes

I'm a little worried about 3, 4, 5, 7, and 9. Well, here's hoping.
Can't impress BARFsters if I don't make the cut.

 

[GAJ]

Because what people wear is potentially relevant to the tribe they identify with, but irrelevant whether or not they get intrinsic value from riding. I can't imagine anyone rides for long whose motivation for riding is to impress some imagined audience. You don't. I don't. No one I know does. They ride because they like to ride. Riding is too difficult, uncomfortable, and dangerous to do it only because you imagine people on the street will somehow think you're cool.

I tend to ride solo and on less traveled roads.

Being "seen" as a criteria has never crossed my mind and from seeing what people write on BARF for most people here also.

Hell, I can't even remember last time I detailed one of my bikes.

Probably the last time I sold one 5 or 6 years ago.

 

[ScottRNelson]

Heck, I can't even remember last time I detailed one of my bikes.

I'm with you on that. I occasionally think that I really should remove those bugs that have been stuck to the front of my KTM for over a year now. And I should take both of them to a car wash one of these days to get off some of that greasy dirt film that builds up in the unreachable recesses of the bike.

But any time I feel like I might have time to do something like that, I would rather go ride somewhere instead and get more dirt into the recesses.

 

[GAJ]

I'm with you on that. I occasionally think that I really should remove those bugs that have been stuck to the front of my KTM for over a year now. And I should take both of them to a car wash one of these days to get off some of that greasy dirt film that builds up in the unreachable recesses of the bike.

But any time I feel like I might have time to do something like that, I would rather go ride somewhere instead and get more dirt into the recesses.

Completely agree; now we have a real definition.

If you detail your bike frequently you are not a motorcyclist!

Just kidding.

When young (and single) and my vehicles were probably the most valuable assets I owned I tended to shower love and affection on them with frequent washings.

As I grew older that desire somehow disappeared!

 

[DReg350]

You guys have me thinking I need a to mod my bike. That way I'll never have to wash it again.

 

[GAJ]

You guys have me thinking I need a to mod my bike. That way I'll never have to wash it again.

Reli's bike?

 

[DReg350]

Reli's bike?

If I can find a way to install a mechanical tongue it should be able to lick itself clean.

 

[channelcat]

Hey, God Bless New Jersey ... arty

Out west you have point a and point b and they connect the two points
with dynamite and D9s ... back east every cow path
from the Revolutionary War was eventually turned into
a road ... traveled happily for years by motorcycle in and around New Jersey and was always finding some road I'd never been down before ...

Apples and oranges, but the self-righteousness of west coast
riders is boring, or the even more insufferable west coast transplants
... most of you never know (or worse, have forgotten) the joy of riding on
the first day of spring after a long winter, or a hot August night with a full moon, or a fall day when the
leaves are at their peak ...

dude, blast Marsh Creek Road right now. It's like a mini W. Virginia, without the coal seeps. beautiful..

 

[injun]

A motorcyclist is one that stands with friends.

Thanks to all of you!

 

[ScottRNelson]

A motorcyclist is one that stands with friends.

Wait! A loner can be a motorcyclist too, right?