Are you a Biker or a Commuter?
Some things that have happened lately have made me look at what it means to be a Biker. Be clear about it, not everyone who uses a two wheel motorised thingy is a Biker.
So I looked at some things that are definite differences between the two.
Feel free to differ with me and also to add some if you feel I have missed some.
NOTE: I have used "He" here, but in this writing of mine it means He, She or It (As gender or planet you originate from has no bearing whatsoever on if you are a biker or a commuter)!
Magazines
A biker will have loads of Bike Magazines at home that he reads again and again. Any other magazines that turn up at his place will be used for starting the fire or as packaging material. When the new magazine turns up at the shop he will buy it even if it means he will have to go without bread and butter for a few days.
A commuter does not care about bike magazines. Why should he? They have same importance to him as buying shoe magazines because he uses shoes.
Maintenance of the bike
A biker will spend the free time (i.e. middle of the night) to maintain the bike. He enjoys it, he polishes his bike and he can't wait to get home to fit those new grips that he bought!
A commuter will use the bike until it dies under him. Then he will take it in to get fixed or get something else for transport. He will only get things fixed as a result of not passing WOF.
Riding
A biker will ride the bike whenever he has the time. He will never say: "I am bored, there is nothing to do". He does not need a destination. The ride is what gets him out! If he is going somewhere he prefer the long way around. He will also always take the bike instead of any other transport if possible.
A commuter does not use the bike if he has nowhere to go. He will always need a purpose or a destination for the trip. He will make sure he always takes the shortest route.
Manual
A biker will look forward to read the new bikes manual. He gets him self in a quiet space, a beer or two and then he reads the manual from front to back in one go.
A commuters manual is still inside its plastic wrapping when he sells the bike.
Friends
A bikers friends are not all bikers. But the ones that understand him are.
A commuter is often the only one in the group who rides a bike.
Bike
A biker is always planning what will be his next bike. He might already be building it in his garage. Often he will have more then one bike. Not because he needs them. But because he wants them.
A commuter has no plans for another bike. Not as long as the current one takes him from A to B.
The web
A biker will be reading about bikes on the web. He will belong to more then one site that deals with bikes. He does not care that he has no idea what whovere he is chatting with looks like or he knows their age. But he gets annoyed if he has no idea what bike the other has.
A commuter does not join a site because the site is about bikes. He might still be on a bike focused site. But his main reason is to chat and everything else that the site offers.
Attitude
A biker will tell you what he thinks. Then if you can not handle it it is your problem.
A commuter will make sure he does not upset you as there is always a chance he might need you for something in the future.
No bike
A biker can, as a result of circumstances, be without a bike. This does not make him, in his own mind, a non-biker, as he is working his butt off to get back on the road.
A commuter, when he gets rid of the bike, does consider that part of his life over.
As said, this is my take on the subject. You might differ. But that will not change my sleeping habits.
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Originally Posted by crynsie
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