What has made motorcycling respectable

[HenryDorsetCase]

Thats both a statement and a question.

My view is that what has made bikes "respectable" in society of late (say last 5 -10 years) is the influx of cheap cars: boy racer fuckwit cars in particular.

This has meant that people who, in an earlier age of more expensive motoring, would have bought motorbikes to get speed thrills on, now buy rice rocket shitpiles.

That means that people who buy bikes now are enthusiasts. Also there is a well documented swing towards people buying bikes later in life or reintroducing themselves to bikes.

Thus the demographic shifts, and viola, "Boy racers" are now vilified as the fucking morons they are, not bikers.

Its a good thing, I think.

[thehollowmen]

I think you've got something there.
We've also got to add metrosexual bikers to the mix (if your toiletries won't fit in your saddle bags you know who you are) and mid-life crisis-ers.

They're the new face of bikers, being professionals everybody sees them at work and this has opened us up "they're just like us but with less wheels"

funny I was discussing this the other night over cocktails..

[gamgee]

then there's still us younger ones who ride for that thrill, that being in a high powered cage just can't give, swinging ya bike through a set of twisties for example, can't wait to get a bigger bike, haha showed a non bikie mate what i was planning on getting next, he says i'll kill myself, then again, he said that about the kwaka, the honda, and the yamaha, and i still haven't even fallen off :finger:

[Pwalo]

Yes you are right. Riders, as opposed to Bikers seem to be quite respectable lately. I guess it's because a large proportion of us are in the middle age demographic and bikes aren't seen as the dirty and nasty things they were previously.

I'm not sure if this is a good or bad thing.

[Motu]

But it's also brought in an image thing centred around money - the latest go fast bike,one peice race leathers,tyres etc,riders think they get ''rep'' from other riders by having the ''best'' bike and gear,''chicken strips'',knee sliders,$1000 helmets with the latest paint job.

[Marmoot]

My view is that what has made bikes "respectable" in society of late (say last 5 -10 years)

I think you'd better stop smoking that much weed...... :wacko:

[outlawtorn]

I try and put out a friendly image by waving to kids who stare at me and by being very courteous on the roads.

[James Deuce]

I get pissed off being labelled a "mid-life crisis-ers(sic)", or even worse a metrosexual. I use deoderant, but I have nose hair. And back hair. Lots and lots of back hair.

I wouldn't be a "returning biker" if it wasn't for serious injury. I couldn't ride a bike, had to give up racing karts, all sorts of stuff because I couldn't hold a steering wheel, operate a throttle or brake lever, and couldn't guarantee I wouldn't end up miles from anywhere imobilised by a sudden migraine. Not a headache, a real proper migraine, with aura, tremors, vomitting, dysphasia, and no feeling in my hands or feet.

I dare say that there are a great number of people who have either realised that life is too short, have recovered from illness or injury, or any other myriad of reasons at an age where the bike press, and the young uns disparagingly label us BABs: Born Again Bikers.

Motorcycling isn't respectable until people stop getting pissed off at us for lane splitting, automatically hear "Gang" when you say Club, or stop talking and stare when you turn up at a cafe in leathers and a helmet. It's not a lifestyle, it's just engaging, enjoyable transport, with enough fun factor to make it an enjoyable weekend hobby in all its forms.

[HenryDorsetCase]

I think you'd better stop smoking that much weed...... :wacko:


I hate the shit. Havent had it since my early '20's.

oh, and why?

[Keystone19]

Don't forget the increasing number of women riding. That will always bring respectability to an activity...

[Finn]

haha showed a non bikie mate what i was planning on getting next, he says i'll kill myself, then again, he said that about the kwaka, the honda, and the yamaha, and i still haven't even fallen off :finger:

Be careful saying stuff like that here buddy. The Grim Reaper is a regular on KB and he loves immortals.

[Lou Girardin]

but I have nose hair. And back hair. Lots and lots of back hair.
.

This evoles some horrible imagery. Do you find it waves in the breeze like a field of maize?

[James Deuce]

Only at the beach. I do wonder if there is an Italian or Greek in my family tree somewhere.

[Big Dave]

not me!!!!

[bigbadwolf]

I agree that biking has become a bit more respectable recently, yet the media still tends to focus on giving bikes and bikers a negative image. Picked up my newspaper and turn to the second page (may have been the Saturday Press?), only to see a "Motorcycle Mayhem" article about how a bike was clocked at 170km/h around Invercargill (may have been Scumdog? haha). Think of the number of cars that would be clocked at that kind of speed compared with bikes, then think of how many of those cars would get mentioned anywhere...

[pritch]

(if your toiletries won't fit in your saddle bags you know who you are)

funny I was discussing this the other night over cocktails..


I laughed at the first part, but then the cocktails bit is a tad umm different?
Out here in the rural rump we don't do cocktails and I don't think we don't call them metro sexuals yet either. :-)

[Ixion]

/me is not respectable. I don't want motorcycling to become "respectable", I'd like it to be "respected". And Mr Motu has a point , too many riders with lots of money, it's in danger of becoming a wankfest. There's guys out there who spend more on a helmet than I do on a bike. Which is OK I guess, so long as it doesn't become a "nigel" sort of thing, like it is with cars. Bikers used to be very genuine people, no swank or posing about them , not so sure that's true any more. The whole notion of a "metrocyclist" seems absurd to me.

[far queue]

I dare say that there are a great number of people who have either realised that life is too short, have recovered from illness or injury, or any other myriad of reasons at an age where the bike press, and the young uns disparagingly label us BABs: Born Again Bikers.

I wasn't so much a BAB as a given another oppurtunity biker. Rode bikes since I was 16 (mainly trail bikes) - wife, mortgage, kids came along - couldn't afford (or justify) the cost of a new bike to go touring so just stuck with what I had and used it for commuting everyday and that was about it. Then one day the missus has a mid life crisis and ups and leaves with the kids, a bit tough for a while till I got over it and saw the positives - LOTS more free time, and no one to justify anything too. Finally got the bike I had always wanted, started going to rallies, made lots of new friends and generally had (and still having) a ball. So she had the mid life crises, not me, but I got to have all the fun and independance - yeeha. A number of my mates have also got into bikes again after wives left them - don't know of anyone who's had a mid life crisis though.

As they say - If it's got tits or tyres it's gonna give you trouble

[sunhuntin]

ixion...you hit the nail on the head. reason i got into bikes to start with [after a real nice vulcan showed me how pretty they are!] was for the respect bikers seemed to have for each other. plus, having spent everyday on a pushbike, it seemed natural to throw in an engine, lol. that and the family which seems to be there....was what i was looking for at the time, and i found it.

so respect is why i came, love of the life and those that share it is why i stay.

i hate seeing the idiot mini chopper riders that are local here....they are the ones that will bring down any respect we have had returned to us [and not the scared shitless type either] simply for their foolhardy moves and dangerous style....pulling wheelies coming up to a red light and nearly rear-ending a stopped car while almost dropping it at the same time? well, duh!

as far as women helping with the respect thing...i think that is true. im not sure, but theres maybe 2 or 3 women here that ride their own bikes. im just tryin to grow my hair so its obvious! LOL.

[Pixie]

I try and put out a friendly image by waving to kids who stare at me and by being very courteous on the roads.
Not like Armin Tamzarian (Seymour Skinner ): "UP YOURS,CHILDREN"

[Pwalo]

Actually thinking about the respectability thing it's absolutely nothing to do with anyone outside the US. It's only because HD have been a bit of a darling on the stock market, and a lot of 'celebs' enjoy being a bad ass in the weekend.

I think in the real world most folks see as all being a wee bit strange, but not as scary as we once were portrayed in the media. I guess it's hard to look menacing in one piece leathers, or cordura, and the biker image has become a bit of a caricature after programmes like 'American Chopper', 'Biker Build Off"?, etc.

I'm not sure if it makes a great difference having more women riding. I have a sneaky feeling that they always have (my late great aunt used to ride a delivery m/cycle back in the 1930's). But it's good to have any one riding. Young, old, female, whatever.

[Oakie]

Yes you are right. Riders, as opposed to Bikers seem to be quite respectable lately. I guess it's because a large proportion of us are in the middle age demographic.

Yep. Me and Mrs Oakie went to Ruapuna weekend before last for the bike racing and wondered where all the young bikers were. (they were probably all going fast out in the middle I think). There just hardly seemed to be any spectators under 30. Mind you ... it was kind of nice that way.

[cousa1]

I think in the real world most folks see as all being a wee bit strange, but not as scary as we once were portrayed in the media. I guess it's hard to look menacing in one piece leathers, or cordura, and the biker image has become a bit of a caricature after programmes like 'American Chopper', 'Biker Build Off"?, etc.


Discovery channel has certainly raised the profile of motorcycles in the USA and made millions for people like Jesse James.

[Motu]

/ Bikers used to be very genuine people, no swank or posing about them , not so sure that's true any more. The whole notion of a "metrocyclist" seems absurd to me.

Yep,didn't matter what you rode or what you wore,no body seemed to care.People used to even make their own leathers in those days - some looked like it,some looked off the rack,but no one cared...labels didn't exist,although Skellerup wasn't considered too hot.A helmet was a helmet,full stop.Same with the bikes - before I left Auckland in the mid 80s my place saw more motorcycle traffic than a bike shop,day and night.Beat up RD350s,Triumph chops,Ducatis,4 cyl mutis,dirt bikes or a Guzzi pulling a chair,it didn't matter in the slightest,you rode a bike and that was alright.All the labels read ''Made in New Zealand'',who cared how you looked.

You sure didn't have people making decisions about your sanity just because of the clothes you wore.

[Swoop]

I laughed at the first part, but then the cocktails bit is a tad umm different?
Out here in the rural rump we don't do cocktails and I don't think we don't call them metro sexuals yet either. :-)
Isn't a cocktail, rum mixed with coke and some of those "fancy" things added on top - I believe they're called "ice cubes"???:2thumbsup

[thehollowmen]

Pritch008 : Please don't say I'm the only metrosexual rider from the naki then?

Jim2 : no offence intended there. There are a lot of people who follow the old ways and I respect them. You've got knowledge and trade that this society is loosing now because of the 'disposable' mindset. I see 'totalled' bike posted on here that my uncle would be fixing up, and I have no idea how he does that.


I've also noticed that people look at me funny when I say I'm going to a rally too.. clubs = gangs = rallies. You're right, we're not totally respectable yet but we're getting more respectable slowly.

There have been times where pubs have not welcomed bikers, I'm almost always free to come and go now, and bring friends.. they don't care now.

[thehollowmen]

Isn't a cocktail...

Yes, in the most basic sense.

but we were drinking flaming lamborghinis (six differnt liqours, lit and poured from glass to glass as you drop a straw in and suck)

[dawnrazor]

Thats both a statement and a question.


"what has made motorcycling respectable?"

No I think its only a question, followed by a statement of why you feel this is the case.

Sorry to be pedantic.

WRT the thread, like everything these days bikes have been marketed heavily, to men with disposable income (shock), why sell 50 scooters to teenagers when you can sell one harley to some bloke have a midlife crisis and make the same money.

I'm not convinced that respectable is the right word in this context though.

Truth is biking is no longer a fringe activity, its common place, probably more so then it ever has been, touching on all demographics and sexes and ethnic backgrounds, bikers are no longer hairy assed tatooed white men, thats all thats changed.

[HenryDorsetCase]

bikers are no longer hairy assed tatooed white men, thats all thats changed.

thats kind of my point though: thats ALL that's changed? thats everything.

I suck at the inglish too, you noticed. my bad.

[dawnrazor]

Personally I blame the after market industry of "bits" and "gear" you can get, once catalogues of snap on shiny bits for your brand new baby where thought of, that was the end. Now where did I put my die-cast rearsets.

[buellbabe]

It's not a lifestyle, it's just engaging, enjoyable transport, with enough fun factor to make it an enjoyable weekend hobby in all its forms.

HUH? Have to disagree with that. For me it is most definately a lifestyle choice, my life revolves around bikes!

And keystone19 has a good point re:the incresase of female riders, that does seem to have influenced public perception

Also somone else mentioned Harley, well the reason Harley formed the Harley Owners Group was to change the way Joe-Public viewed their bikes. There were too many a-holes riding their machines and they wanted to attract a 'nicer clientele'. Harley partly sponsor the HOG Rallies and are constantly peeved with us Kiwis cos we have booze at our Rallies. The Hog Rallies in the States are VERY family orientated!
They really have gone out of their way to make their bikes 'appeal to respectable types'(with $$)...

:beer: :niceone: :nya:

[Finn]

But it's also brought in an image thing centred around money - the latest go fast bike,one peice race leathers,tyres etc,riders think they get ''rep'' from other riders by having the ''best'' bike and gear,''chicken strips'',knee sliders,$1000 helmets with the latest paint job.

Maybe some counciling will help? I've got a one piece suit, no chicken stripes, a $2000 Aria helmet and according to the press and WINJA, the slowest go fast bike on the market. The later has just been rectified by Lou.

I'm not looking for any respect or kudos... just twisty roads.

And I don't think anything less of you for riding a farm bike.

[Lou Girardin]

Harley partly sponsor the HOG Rallies and are constantly peeved with us Kiwis cos we have booze at our Rallies. The Hog Rallies in the States are VERY family orientated!
:beer: :niceone: :nya:

They'd really hate the Czech chapter then.
2006 HOG rally in Prague, 21.30 - 22.30 Miss Wet T shirt
22.00 - 22.30 Striptease
23.45 Sexy Dancers.
The locals are seriously miffed too.

[Motu]

There are countless gararges around the country wherein lies a KTM dirt bike,used twice.....a FatBoy,used 3 times a year.....a brand spanking new looking sportsbike also used 3 times a year - the disposable income has given these guys the money to indulge their every whim,they can play the part,and be respectable.

I'll go to the Classic meeting in a couple of weeks - and I'm sure somewhere I'll see an XR8 pulling a brand new trailer...on the back will be a beautifully restored Goldstar DB34,the rider will have brand new Tachnic leathers and Sidi boots - he just thought he'd like to give classic racing a go.

I heard this morning that another billion dollars of personal debt was racked up in Dec - where the fuck is this money coming from?....more importantly,who's giving it away?.....and who's taking it without the means to pay it back?

[buellbabe]

They'd really hate the Czech chapter then.
2006 HOG rally in Prague, 21.30 - 22.30 Miss Wet T shirt
22.00 - 22.30 Striptease
23.45 Sexy Dancers.
The locals are seriously miffed too.

LOL! Jeez harley must be PISSED at them!
Wonder how long the Chapter has been going...

[Mooch]

/me is not respectable. I don't want motorcycling to become "respectable", I'd like it to be "respected". And Mr Motu has a point , too many riders with lots of money, it's in danger of becoming a wankfest. There's guys out there who spend more on a helmet than I do on a bike. Which is OK I guess, so long as it doesn't become a "nigel" sort of thing, like it is with cars. Bikers used to be very genuine people, no swank or posing about them , not so sure that's true any more. The whole notion of a "metrocyclist" seems absurd to me.

I don't quite see motu's / your point the same way. Motorcycling is often relative to income, most people's incomes peek around there late 30's earlier forty's . Add to this that often mortgages are often at an end and some will have kids move out into the world. It leaves a high disposal income to spend of things other than retirement. It's not about showing off, it’s that some things are more affordable. I don't remember changing from a genuine "biker" to a wankfest after buying a newer bike and some better gear. Still the same person (OK, maybe slightly senile) I spent more on my first bike 1991, relative to disposable income than I have now as do many people here. These younger 250 sportbike riders will know what I'm talking about.

I do however get pissed off with "Tall Poppy Syndrome" IE, anyone that has something nicer / newer / better / higher whatever than "me" must be a swank/ poser /w@nker.

Is motorcycling respectable? depends on the attitude and experiences of the person judging really, based on the circle of friends I've gained through motorcycling I'd say it's highly respectable. (sorry Jim2 , this includes you ;) )

It's probably about time the "Born again biker" saying goes as well. Once a biker, always a biker. End of story !

[James Deuce]

Jim2 : no offence intended there. .

Sorry sir, none taken, I was making an observation in the heat of the moment and there was no bite back intended, it just came out that way.

[Ixion]

HUH? Have to disagree with that. For me it is most definately a lifestyle choice, my life revolves around bikes!

And keystone19 has a good point re:the incresase of female riders, that does seem to have influenced public perception

Also somone else mentioned Harley, well the reason Harley formed the Harley Owners Group was to change the way Joe-Public viewed their bikes. There were too many a-holes riding their machines and they wanted to attract a 'nicer clientele'. Harley partly sponsor the HOG Rallies and are constantly peeved with us Kiwis cos we have booze at our Rallies. The Hog Rallies in the States are VERY family orientated!
They really have gone out of their way to make their bikes 'appeal to respectable types'(with $$)...

:beer: :niceone: :nya:

I guess that's why there's so many arseholes riding Harleys nowadays - with never a wave. No diss to the HD riders here who are all good types (ie non-respectable) , I'm sure.

But really --- NO BOOZE ???? WTF sort of bike rally is that ?

[Ixion]

I don't quite see motu's / your point the same way. Motorcycling is often relative to income, most people's incomes peek around there late 30's earlier forty's . ..!

I think the point was that there seem to be quite a few people out there who are buying bikes not because they have any real committment to biking but because it's the next "fashion accessory" on the list - Got the beach house - check; got the Mercedes - check ; got the Jetski - check : what's next - Oh yeah gotta have a motorbike to look cool on - guess I'll mosey down to the Harley Davidson agents and get one , and pick up some of that cool leather gear while I'm there. And then the bike gets ridden for a couple of kilometres once or twice a year. But it looks good sitting on it in the driveway and revving the engine. I know at least two like that, one's a physician , t'others a lawyer.

[Mooch]

Know 3 Harley riders myself, ride with two of them. Yep, ones a senior manager, the other is an exec that's change recently changed career. They ride , and ride and ride. They are in it for motorcycling always has, always will. They have the gear, disposable income again. Motorcycles again relative to income. Real motorcyclists ,Yes. Same as the guy on the RG150 or the Girl on the CBR250RR., same as the person that been riding 1 or 50 years.

[Ixion]

..

I'll go to the Classic meeting in a couple of weeks - and I'm sure somewhere I'll see an XR8 pulling a brand new trailer...on the back will be a beautifully restored Goldstar DB34,the rider will have brand new Tachnic leathers and Sidi boots - he just thought he'd like to give classic racing a go.

..
Bet he didn't do the restore though. The real classic racers are usually doing it on the smell of an oily rag, and their leathers are patched , faded and shabby.

[Lou Girardin]

Harley riders are as varied as any other group. You get the '500 km's in 6months' type and the guys that do 80,000 km's a year.

[Big Dave]

I heard this morning that another billion dollars of personal debt was racked up in Dec - where the fuck is this money coming from?....more importantly,who's giving it away?.....and who's taking it without the means to pay it back?

Me - wanna but a 1998 Triumph Trophy?

[pritch]

I heard this morning that another billion dollars of personal debt was racked up in Dec who's taking it without the means to pay it back?



Me ? :-)

[Bonez]

Yes you are right. Riders, as opposed to Bikers seem to be quite respectable lately. :Oi:

I do think you are getting the terms "biker" and "bikie" mixed up. Have always have been and always will be a biker who rides a m/c. :Oi:

[James Deuce]

HUH? Have to disagree with that. For me it is most definately a lifestyle choice, my life revolves around bikes!



That's fine, that's your lifestyle choice

Motorcycling is part of my life, not all of it.

[Bonez]

Had a we giggle when watching shortlen str last night. They were dribbling on about the triumph bonny.

[Big Dave]

That's fine, that's your lifestyle choice

Motorcycling is part of my life, not all of it.


Obviously the balance is spent dicking around in here.

[Motu]

Me - wanna but a 1998 Triumph Trophy?


I'm a bottom feeder - that turd is still floating near the top....

[Sniper]

Im with BD, not me.

[Big Dave]

I'm a bottom feeder - that turd is still floating near the top....


You have GOT to get over this 2 stroke thing..........particularly in your sex life.

[Bonez]

There are countless gararges around the country wherein lies a KTM dirt bike,used twice.....a FatBoy,used 3 times a year.....a brand spanking new looking sportsbike also used 3 times a year - the disposable income has given these guys the money to indulge their every whim,they can play the part,and be respectable.

I'll go to the Classic meeting in a couple of weeks - and I'm sure somewhere I'll see an XR8 pulling a brand new trailer...on the back will be a beautifully restored Goldstar DB34,the rider will have brand new Tachnic leathers and Sidi boots - he just thought he'd like to give classic racing a go.

I heard this morning that another billion dollars of personal debt was racked up in Dec - where the fuck is this money coming from?....more importantly,who's giving it away?.....and who's taking it without the means to pay it back?
It does mean in future that there will be plenty of bargins to be had.

[HenryDorsetCase]

I think the point was that there seem to be quite a few people out there who are buying bikes not because they have any real committment to biking but because it's the next "fashion accessory" on the list - Got the beach house - check; got the Mercedes - check ; got the Jetski - check : what's next - Oh yeah gotta have a motorbike to look cool on - guess I'll mosey down to the Harley Davidson agents and get one , and pick up some of that cool leather gear while I'm there. And then the bike gets ridden for a couple of kilometres once or twice a year. But it looks good sitting on it in the driveway and revving the engine. I know at least two like that, one's a physician , t'others a lawyer.

The other lawyer I know who rides a bike did a tour of the south island this crimble on his V Rod........

He must be making more money than me, all Ive got is the CB400F :(

[Motu]

It does mean in future that there will be plenty of bargins to be had.

You 'n me,we'll pick em up as they fall out of the sky....

[thehollowmen]

The Hog Rallies in the States are VERY family orientated!
They really have gone out of their way to make their bikes 'appeal to respectable types'(with $$)...

Sucks if you want to get away and not see kids.

Guess I'll have to sign up for the R18 and R21 rallies here.

[SPman]

It's not a lifestyle, it's just engaging, enjoyable transport, with enough fun factor to make it an enjoyable weekend hobby in all its forms. What!
Weekend!!
Heresy!!!


Soap and Water!!!!

(or some flash deodorant........:blip:)

[Kickaha]

But it's also brought in an image thing centred around money - the latest go fast bike,one peice race leathers,tyres etc,riders think they get ''rep'' from other riders by having the ''best'' bike and gear,''chicken strips'',knee sliders,$1000 helmets with the latest paint job.


Those guys don't last past their first serious crash, once they realise they can get hurt they give it up!

[geoffm]

The increased number of scooters would have to help - carrying a helmet measn you are trendy...
Geoff

[sunhuntin]

i dunno bout you guys, but i had a bolt of lightening today...saw a kid on a "bicycle"...a chopper with pedals! yeesh, even had the pedals up like highway pegs, apehangers, "tank" the works. and i realised, with the rise of "choppers" the bike world is being quietly ridiculed. commented on a guys occ shirt the other day, looked like it had captain america on it...he told me it was west coast when it clearly read occ....so wtf! anyone can buy occ gear from any asian market and be considered a biker/bikie, whathaveyou.

btw, my "brother" is one of those mid-life chrsis "biker wannabe" types...at 23he nagged the olds into buying him a $20,000 harley 1200 sporty, complete with every screw on "customization" piece in the book. that sporty has not seen the road in literally a year. was ridden to impress an ex of his and then locked away when that ended. once she left, he only rode it to impress/intimidate others...and people wonder why i hate him! :slap: :Offtopic:

[Big Dave]

my "brother" is one of those mid-life chrsis "biker wannabe" types...at 23he nagged the olds

I should be so mid life.

[mstriumph]

Don't forget the increasing number of women riding. That will always bring respectability to an activity...

........... you haven't met me, have you? :shifty:

[Edbear]

I use the term, "returning biker" to describe my good self! Did the usual, wife, kids, motgage bit, though did have a Tas 60 in about 1982!! Though my wife prefers her air-conditioned, stereophonic comfort without having to strip layers of clothing off to go to the toilet, these days, I may yet get her on the back again sometime for shorter rides. One of the reasons I returned to biking was after recovering from a serious illness and realising just how fraqile our existence is! Have fun while you can! I have only found good guys on the road whenever I stop and chat with other bikers at scenic spots or gas stations/cafes. Haven't come across any yobbo's or stuck-up pretenders, though I guess they must be around. Does seem most bikers are in the "mature" age bracket these days, though reading through some of these threads it's obvious there are a few younger ones keen on bikes which only has to be good. Of course we older ones would like to see them having the benefit of our experienced advice... 'cause the older we get the better we were...:violin:

[Jackrat]

I should be so mid life.

Shouldn't that be? Where does he live??

[Bonez]

Shouldn't that be? Where does he live??Do ya think they'd make a nice couple JR?

[Wolf]

i dunno bout you guys, but i had a bolt of lightening today...saw a kid on a "bicycle"...a chopper with pedals! yeesh, even had the pedals up like highway pegs, apehangers, "tank" the works. and i realised, with the rise of "choppers" the bike world is being quietly ridiculed.
After I killed the LS400 - long enough to be be seriously missing having a bike (so it was sometime after the first three days), I saw a bunch of these pimple-faced little punks who couldn't even raise "bum fluff" on their chins riding around Ward Street on their chrome "choppers" and asked one of them how much his bike cost.

"$5000" was the reply!

WTF?! If I'd had $5000 I'd've bought a decent motorbike. How do these kids' parents (somehow I doubt the kids paid for these things themselves unless they've been running drugs) justify spending five or more grand on a stupid "pretend chopper"?

And the kids are all posturing and posing with them and showing off their "pimped rides" to each other.

When we were young and hooning around on our L-registered 125s and showing off, acting like dicks, someone disparagingly referred to us as "Hells Angels on Passolas" (for the benefit of the very young: the Passola was a gutless 50cc scooter) but at least ours were motorbikes (and they largely looked like buckets of shit because we paid for them ourselves, usually on Hire Purchase).

These kids with their multi-thousand-dollar blinged up mutant pushbikes doing the whole "gangsta" thing (yes, bright-coloured satin boxers and a foot of arse crack were both visible over their Levis and they had the peaked-hat-under-the-hoodie thing happening) would have made us look like serious, mature bikers had they been around when I was a pimple-faced dork (I didn't have the bum fluff problem, though - I was shaving long before I was old enough to get a licence.)

I don't give a rat's arse if anyone out there looks upon me as a BAB or in "mid-life crisis". I've been without a bike for a couple of years because I blew my engine up and couldn't afford to repair it or replace the bike. Over the years I've been intermittently bikeless because of lack of funds and always, when I can afford it, I get another bike. I'm not the kind to do the whole "give up riding once I have kids and get back into it once they've left the nest" crap. To be "Born Again" I'd have to have voluntarily given up bikes and for a lot longer than a couple of years.

Mid-life Crisis? We'll I'm 42 but the only "crisis" I've had lately was blowing up the bike's engine which had the effect of stopping me riding a bike, not starting...

[Edit] And I'm not remotely respectable...

[chickenfunkstar]

Who really cares?

Everyone has got different reasons for riding. Everything from looking cool in front of their mates to getting an adrenalin rush at the weekends or just as an effective way to avoid traffic on the way to work. What makes any of these reasons 'more right' than others?

Looking down upon those who occasionally ride their expensive bike a handfull of times a year, seems just as bad as them looking down upon you because you ride a bike which is more than 2 years old and from Japan.

[DirtMad]

Who really cares?

Everyone has got different reasons for riding. Everything from looking cool in front of their mates to getting an adrenalin rush at the weekends or just as an effective way to avoid traffic on the way to work. What makes any of these reasons 'more right' than others.

Looking down upon those who occasionally ride their expensive bike a handfull of times a year, seems just as bad as them looking down upon you because you ride a bike which is more than 2 years old and from Japan.

Thats exactly how I see it too. Regardless or your income/reason(s) for riding - It all comes down that basic "enjoyment of riding". And thats what its really all about. :yes:

[Skyryder]

Once there was an alternitive to leathers it was only a matter of time. Not too sure if that's the definitive answer..........or indeed if motorcycling is respectable...................but acceptable????????...................now that's another story.

Skyryder

[SkOrM]

5k for a mini chopper:gob: i could get 2 of my beloved FXRs and some gear that amount of money.