WHAT IT MEANS TO BE A BIKER.

[blaine]

It used to be that all bikers shared a common bond, an unspoken code of ethics and behavior that transcended words and was built on actions.

There was never a bible written on this Biker's Code and there was no need for such. But the times are a-changin' and there seems to be a lot of new riders out there.

T...hese days the riders you see blastin' down the road are just as likely to be clad in shorts and sneakers as jeans and engineer boots. And the roughest, toughest-looking biker you pull up next to could be your doctor or lawyer and may be wearin' a Rolex watch under his leathers. There's nothing wrong with that, so long as these new riders learn the Code just as we old-timers did.

Being a biker used to be about using your creativity to take a basket case old hawg and using only grit and ingenuity, turning it into a one-of-a-kind eye dazzler, then risking your life on the asphalt on a bike you made yourself out of pride. Bikers wore leather and grease because they knew cagers would just as soon run them down as look at them, so they had to be intimidating.
We were a breed unto ourselves with no union, no support group, and in many cases, no family (they threw us out). We had to make it in the world of our own, against all rules, against mainstream society, and against all odds.
We survived and prospered because of the Biker Code and we never took shit from anybody.

As an old scooter bro once said, "It's every tramp's job to school the young. How else are they gonna know a Panhead from a bed pan?" With that in mind, we bring you a primer on the basic two-wheeled Code.

Take heed, brothers and sisters, for our Code is a hallowed one filled with honor and loyalty, the likes of which have not been since the days of knighthood:


Don't take any shit. Be kind to women, children and animals, but don't take any bullshit. This is an essential part of being a biker. It has to do with respect and honor. Anyone can be a quick-tempered fool.

Be cool, stand tall and backup what you say with action.

Never lie, cheat or steal. Another way of saying this is to always tell the truth.

Bikers are always the greasy bad guys in the movies, but every real biker knows that his word is his bond. Your word is all you have in life that is truly yours. Guard it carefully and be something noble, for you are a true knight of the road.


Don't snitch. If you see a wrong, fight it yourself, if you are about anything you'll take care of problems yourself and never feel the need to snitch someone off. Snitches are the lowest life forms on earth, right up there with biker thieves.

Don't Whine. Absolutely no one likes or respects a whiner. Another way to say this is hold your mud. Still another way to think of it is, "Don't sweat the small stuff" Most of life's little inconveniences work themselves out whether you whine or not. Keep your chin up, dammit! You're a biker, not some lowly snail..

Never say die and never give up. Whether it's in a fight, a debate, or a business deal, no matter how bad it gets, a biker never gives up.

Help others. When a brother or sister is broken down by the side of the road, always stop and help them. Even moral support, if that is all you can give, is better than riding on by. Remember life is about the journey, the ride, not getting there. You already are there. And don't just help bikers, show the world that we are better than our image portrays us. Courtesy costs you nothing and gives you everything.

Stick to your guns. Do what you say you'll do, be there when you say you will. This 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. Yeah, this ain't no dress rehearsal. This is life -- go out and take big bites of it. You've got no time to lose and bikers don't stand around waiting for the party to come to them. You only go around once. Tomorrow you could be road kill, thanks to a chain smoker asleep at the wheel of his Caddy. Live life now, make the most of each moment.

All right, now let's review.

You are a biker, a modern-day knight of the road.

Protect the weak, walk tall and stand proud.

Your word is your bond.

Stick to your guns.

Don't take any shit.

Life is not a drill.

Now go forth and ride. When in doubt, ride. That's what we do...ride. If you want to ride around in a Day-Glo Hawaiian shirt and sandals, go for it, but if you intend to look like a idiot, at least don't act like an idiot.

These commandments are just a few of the broad strokes, there is a lot more to being a biker than buying a bike. If you just buy a bike, you are a motorcyclist. Being a biker is a way of life, a proud way of life we hold in high regard with a burning passion for the open highway.
:cool:

[Water Warrior 2]

Some good food for thought. Thanks a bunch. Gotta say though, a day glo shirt over my armored jacket might work for me.

[Rookie Rider]

Sounds like me before i had a bike, now that i have a bike, a must be a biker. Thanks blain.

[JWR]

"Superior riders use superior knowledge and superior experience to avoid situations that require superior skill."

[blaine]

Originally Posted by JWR

"Superior riders use superior knowledge and superior experience to avoid situations that require superior skill."

Well said!! :2tup:

[JWR]

Yeah, I just stole it from another forum.

I thought it covered all the bases.

I try to never stop learning.

[Water Warrior 2]

Originally Posted by JWR

I try to never stop learning.

I got tired of learning continuously while on the job I had. So I retired. Bought a bike and my learning curve went into overdrive in a good way. The knowledge I have acquired by riding, meeting other riders from all walks of life and some adventures never dreamt of before have been a genuine bonus. I blame owning a bike for my good fortune.

[JWR]

Originally Posted by Water Warrior

These are not just riding acquaintances, they are friends.

We meet for breakfast, have dinners or drinks, go on road trips together.

i worked with one of these people, and he knew all the rest.

Plus the folks on motorcycle forums that you may or may not meet.


P.S. I don't know how I got the quotes turned around???

[Water Warrior 2]

"The folks you may or may not meet." I decided to meet some of the folks up close and personal in 2007. Went to Tenn to meet up with some fellow Vstrom riders and had a wonderful time. That is a heck of a drive but I met many wonderful folks from the U. S. and Canada. We even had a rider from Hungary who showed up. He shared my cabin with me and we rented KLR 650's for the fun parts. I was more than stunned with some of the facts of life living in Hungary when compared to almost any part of North America. We really don't know how well off we are until we meet some one from far away with a totally different economy compared to ours.

[Road_Clam]

Where I ride 3 different bikes, I hang out on three different M/C forums, I have made a lot longstanding friendships. True unbiased M/C enthusiasts are a very special breed. I love bikes, and I love my friends bikes. I despise a biased "metric only" or "Harley only" attitude. Motorcycling is my Meth addiction :retard: