What is a good description of a motorcycle enthusiast?

Question

I am writing an essay on my perception of a motorcylce enthusiant and I am just looking for a little guidance.

Answer 1

Within motorcycle culture, there are various sub-cultures or genres. This includes enthusiasts, tourists, sport riders, squids, 1%ers, RUB's, rockers, mods, etc... Any description of these groups may involve some stereotypes and generalizations, and I apologize ahead of time for offending anyone out there.

The enthusiast is considered your run-of-the-mill motorcycle rider, who enjoys riding, may use his bike for commuting and weekend riding, dresses casually with little if any insignia, uses proper safety equipment and enjoys some measure of "safe" adventure. He may belong to one or more riding or manufacturer groups but will not join a true M/C (motorcycle club).

The enthusiast is best portrayed by the Honda ad in the 1960's which stated: "You meet the nicest people on a Honda." Your basic enthusiast is one of the "nicest people." If Pat Boone rode a motorcycle - he would be an enthusiast... Nothing wrong with that per se, in fact it's admirable that people portray themselves genuinely and as they really are - not trying to be something they're not.

Other groups (labels) are:

- Tourist - a motorcyclist who loves to travel long distances, usually on a bagger (well-equipped touring motorcycle like a Honda Gold Wing, BMW K1200LT or H-D Electra-Glide). They are often characterized by having lots of the latest gear such as GPS, heated clothing, and other niceties.

- Sport Riders - motorcyclists who ride and enjoy sport bikes.

- Squids - A sport rider who is usually very young, aggressive, immature and likes to show off and perform stunts or dangerous manuevers on public streets. They typically are seen in shorts, sneakers and with only a T-shirt or tank-top on. Many riders in this category sadly end up dead or crippled.

- 1%ers - A hardcore biker, usually American who rides a cruiser, normally a Harley-Davidson and typically belongs to a M/C or motorcycle club (not the same as a riding club). The term 1%er originates from California where during an AMA sponsored race, the AMA (American Motorcycle Association) referred to some M/C members as representing only 1% of motorcyclists after a tragic accident and some trouble (trying to distance themselves from the group). The club members wore this monicker as a badge of honor. A 1%er is a biker 100% of the time and their appearance, lifestyle, speech and actions usually indicate this. An example can be found in the Charlie Sheen movie; "Beyond the Law."

- RUB - stands for Rich Urban Biker. This is usually a derogatory term referring to a cruiser rider who buys a new, usually expensive bike and leathers, tries to look and act like a 1%er, yet this is only an image they wear on the weekends. Their normal behavior, appearance, jobs and lifestyles are more typical of an enthusiast. For a good indication of this, check out the new movie: "Wild Hogs".

- Rockers - are a type of biker which was born out of Britain in the late fifties and early sixties, usually revolving around popular rockabilly music and the ACE cafe. They dressed with rolled up jeans, white T-shirts and greased hair. The movement is still alive and well today with groups such as club 59, the Ton Up Boys and the Brit Iron Rebels. They typically ride British motorcycles such as Triumphs, Nortons and BSA's. An example of rockers can be found in the Anthony Hopkins movie; "The World's Fastest Indian." The term "cafe racer" was born from this movement when two riders would drop a coin in the juke box and race from the ACE and back again before the song finished. Supposedly in order to do this a rider would have to break the "ton" or 100 MPH.

- Mods - are well dressed & groomed scooter riders who were fans of pop culture in the late fifties and early sixties. They had several clashes with the rockers and this conflict was portrayed in the Who movie; "Quadrophenia."

Answer 2

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Answer 3

Each person who rides a motorcycle does so for their own reasons so any description is a bit basically just applying a stereotype but I will describe myself and why I ride.

Riding a motorcycle comes with a sense of freedom that you can never grasp behind the wheel of a car. Feeling the wind hitting you, seeing the road pass below you - you can start to feel like one with the machine you're sitting on.
As a motorcycle enthusiast, I like being able to accelerate quickly and manuever with an agility that a car could never match. There is no doubt that driving a car is an art and driving well requires a great deal of skill but it isn't the same. On a motorcycle every part of your body is engaged. Your left had works the clutch, your right handles the throttle and front brake, your left foot shifts, your right foot accuates the rear brake, your eyes are constantly moving and your whole body leans into each turn. There isn't anything else like it. When you start to ride a motorcycle, you become a minority - part of a select group who decided that four wheels was just too many. Other riders you pass deserve your respect and no matter how different the rest of your lives are - the moment you pass each other, you have something in common.
Motorcycle riders understand that life is full of risks and that anything you do can get you killed, including doing nothing at all. They choose to share the highways along side people behind the wheel of their cars - talking on cell phones, eating lunch, putting on makeup knowing they have to be more attentive to make up for other drivers lack of attentiveness. They know there are dangers to riding but would rather die doing something they love they live safely just for the sake of living.

Answer 4

some one that dreams of motercycles and has one always feels the need to wah it and keep it detailed and wont talk about any thing but his/her motorcycle goes on rides day and night and some go to the extream of riding in the middle of winter when theres snow (like my uncle has 17 cars (4 of them his business vans) and only rides his motorcycle unless hes working

Answer 5

we love to ride. put our time in at the work place, then we take off. we raise money for good causes. (poker runs) we gather in large groups, (thousands) once a year, at certain places. we have fun. life is good.

Answer 6

Good question but not enough good answers. My advise is hop on with one of us for a day and experience for yourself. You really have to be there to know...

Answer 7

Someone with an open mine, well knowledge with motorcycles..brands/makes & models, etc.

Answer 8

Free thinker, thinks outside the "cage"; usually has bugs in his teeth from smiling so broadly as he rides. Not concerned with "civilians" or "squares", he is usually an outlaw (even if he rides a "fuel efficient" crotch rocket rather than a man's bike, Harley-davidson).

Usually cares about the environment (bikes are less polluting and more fuel efficient than "cages"..er, sorry! I meant "cars")!

Answer 9

My definition? "A person who will never get bow-legged toting their brains"

Just this guy's opinion.

Answer 10

If they ride a loud motorcycle it's A**HOLE!