What's your attitude on biker image?

[Winter]

I've noticed a bit of a split on this site regarding they way the public see bikers.

Seems to be two schools of thought;

1) We want them to think we are a little crazy, be a little scared of us. This way they are less likely to want to come face to face with an angry biker.



2) We don't want the public to hate / be scared of bikers then they get angry etc etc.


It comes up all the time. People saying they saw some terrible riding the other day and it makes bikers look bad.

[James Deuce]

It's a bunch of sanctimonious claptrap on both sides.

[imdying]

Don't care. Not interested in people. Interested in bikes. Don't care what people think of me or my bikes. I choose my bikes based on what I like, I dress for riding in the gear I like. People are all gimps, why would I care what they think?

[Colapop]

I is me. Some people like me, some don't. I don't ride for image.

[Roj]

I've noticed a bit of a split on this site regarding they way the public see bikers.

Seems to be two schools of thought;

1) We want them to think we are a little crazy, be a little scared of us. This way they are less likely to want to come face to face with an angry biker.



2) We don't want the public to hate / be scared of bikers then they get angry etc etc.


It comes up all the time. People saying they saw some terrible riding the other day and it makes bikers look bad.


I don't know that I agree entirley with either of these, I think that there are alot of misconceptions about the "Biker image"

I like 2 better than 1, but what I think I want most is that the general public (non-bikers) accept that we are exercising our choice on transport, hobby or whatever we as individuals feel about motorcycling.

problem being that has been said many times, there is a small minority that create a bad image. This is true in all things, there are idoits in most areas

[MSTRS]

No way can we know what pisses off a cager. They are as varied as us.
I like the feeling that 'we' may be viewed as somewhat menacing, but not all cagers display the 'flight' part of the two responses.
Just ride with your own safety in mind.

[Trudes]

I think we are just generally misunderstood, my Granddad thought I'd joined the mongrel mob when I bought a bike.:shit:
I think a lot of people (read car drivers) only see the not so good side of the biker, the biker who passes them at a zillion miles an hour on a blind corner with double yellow lines or the biker who lanes splits in heavy traffic while they are stuck in a traffic jam for the next two hours, so they immediately think we're all a bunch of wankers.
What they don't see is that we're not all like that, we're saving the world by not sitting in the cue of traffic in a car that's spewing out fumes into the atmosphere in the pissing down rain while they stay warm and dry in their cage with their CD player blaring out Mariah Carey, and that we're taking our lives in our own hands every time we get on our bikes, all to save the world, see, we're hero's!! lol

[James Deuce]

problem being that has been said many times, there is a small minority that create a bad image. This is true in all things, there are idoits in most areas

There's no "small minority" creating a "problem".

We ALL piss other road users off from time to time. None of us is perfect when it comes to creating a perfect public image for motorcycling.

[DMNTD]

I is me. Some people like me, some don't. I don't ride for image.
Bang on Tubby!

I ride for me...it's all about me and I truly don't care what others think.

[Colapop]

You aint banging me DUMPTY!

[TLMAN]

I think subconsciously we do make a choice either way with the selection of bike and gear we choose.

[ManDownUnder]

I got over the image thing a while back (actually don't hitnk I ever had it).

I more the evangelist type. I'm having fun and you can too - let me show you how.

Each to their own.

[EJK]

I want to be a friendly chap tyep rider :D
Stop at a pedestrian crossing, wave if there is a little kiddie looking at me saying "Oooh mom! It's a motorcycle! :D" <- Happened once :love:
I try to wave to EVERY motorcycle rider I pass. If I am on a good mood, I often raise my both arms and wave (Thats my thing).
Also riding safely in groups, not showing off if I don't have to, respect the pedestrians etc etc...

Just a happy, proud and friendly rider :D

[deanohit]

Don't care. Not interested in people. Interested in bikes. Don't care what people think of me or my bikes. I choose my bikes based on what I like, I dress for riding in the gear I like. People are all gimps, why would I care what they think?

Said it all mate.:headbang:

I don't care what people think of me riding my bike, this is me when on my bike::ride:

[EJK]

Said it all mate.:headbang:

I don't care what people think of me riding my bike, this is me when on my bike::ride:

Cause it's a Zongshen? lol jks

[Winter]

I think subconsciously we do make a choice either way with the selection of bike and gear we choose.

I think this is probably the answer I'd agree with most.


Sure, I don't care what others think, overtake where i shouldn't, push in, etc etc..

But of course my leathers match my bike and I always wave to the pretty girls.

I think most of us probably care what others think a whole lot more than many would care to admit here.

[Grahameeboy]

We are 'Motorcyclists' not 'Bikers'

biker (noun)

Definition:

motorcycle rider: somebody who rides a motorcycle, especially somebody who belongs to a gang of riders

Definition

motorcyclist (noun)

Definition

ride on motorcycle: to ride or travel on a motorcycle

[Usarka]

gang (noun): A group of people with similar interests who like to spend time together.

[jrandom]

biker (noun)

Definition:

motorcycle rider: somebody who rides a motorcycle, especially somebody who belongs to a gang of riders

'ang on... now you're telling me KB isn't a gang?

[gijoe1313]

Oh! The humanity of it all! Won't someone think of the children and dolphins? And somewhere, an unridden motorbike waits...

[90s]

I refuse to vote either way here.
What do you mean anyway by 'biker image'? The image shared (and refuted) by many sport bikers is totally different to the harley rider. And where do scooters and mopeds fit into 'biker image'?

Ask people what they mean by "biker image" and 9/10 will probably describe Hell's Angels, with the word greasy thrown in. Dirty too.
Ask most people to describe motorbike riders and only about 4/10 will default to the Angels before they ask "what type?" or latch onto the fast thing (which couldn't apply to Harley's ... - ducks)

[Krusti]

Makes me laugh at times when the odd person states that maybe a group of us Kiwi Bikers should turn up at some persons place and intimidate them etc.

Turn up at my place and I would piss myself laughing!

Seems some people thing if you ride a bike and there is a group of you then you are a force to be reckoned with...:rofl:

[Luckylegs]

I dont care what people think, and I can prove it.....

...I ride a Honda !!!

[Grahameeboy]

'ang on... now you're telling me KB isn't a gang?

Well it is sometimes a riot...............

I know your illusions are shattered...........

[jrandom]

Makes me laugh at times when the odd person states that maybe a group of us Kiwi Bikers should turn up at some persons place and intimidate them etc.

Yes, your standard KBer is either 20-ish, broke, scrawny and spotty, or 40-ish, with 2.4 kids, a picket fence, and a motorcycle that he bought 'to keep his licence on'.

We're a force to be reckoned with, I tell yer!

[TLMAN]

Yes, your standard KBer is either 20-ish, broke, scrawny and spotty, or 40-ish, with 2.4 kids, a picket fence, and a motorcycle that he bought 'to keep his licence on'.

We're a force to be reckoned with, I tell yer!


Is that the next poll....?

Which are you??

[jrandom]

Which are you??

I'm the happy medium.

[scumdog]

We ALL piss other road users off from time to time. None of us is perfect when it comes to creating a perfect public image for motorcycling.

Speak for yourself Paleface!!

Image? I ride what I ride/dress how I dress as I please for ME.

BUT I do try and show motorcyclists in a positive role - both at work, with the public and out riding.:niceone:

At the end of the day how they perceive me is not the end result of my aim when riding, it is a part of the 'package'.

Oh, and jrandom has an uncanny resemblance to fact in his comment on KBers!:blink::shit:

[scumdog]

Seems some people thing if you ride a bike and there is a group of you then you are a force to be reckoned with...:rofl:


They wouldn't if the read KB and saw all the bickering, back-stabbing, slagging-off and general lack of cohesion.............

[Usarka]

almost every time a biker overtakes a car the cage driver sees another bloody biker flouting the law and/or riding like an idiot. regardless of whether the (rider believes the) maneouver was safe or not.

which is why the general publics reaction to the cheese cutters is that we all ride like idiots so serves us bloody right.

[Steam]

I'm the happy medium.

You mean you help old ladies only halfway across the road... and then leave them there?

[James Deuce]

Speak for yourself Paleface!!



You ride Harleys so you've already upset everyone called Mabel or Des.

[jrandom]

You mean you help old ladies only halfway across the road... and then leave them there?

No, I mean I'm 30-ish, with 1.7 kids, not quite comfortably well off, slightly overweight, with a chain-link fence and a bike that I haven't lost my licence on yet.

[inlinefour]

I want to be a friendly chap tyep rider :D
Stop at a pedestrian crossing, wave if there is a little kiddie looking at me saying "Oooh mom! It's a motorcycle! :D" <- Happened once :love:
I try to wave to EVERY motorcycle rider I pass. If I am on a good mood, I often raise my both arms and wave (Thats my thing).
Also riding safely in groups, not showing off if I don't have to, respect the pedestrians etc etc...

Just a happy, proud and friendly rider :D

+1 here.

I stop for old ladies/gents in my wheelchair. There are plenty of people out there (and apparently in here) who are self centered and only care about self. No wonder that the world is in the sad state that its in.

Had plenty of kids wave, come over and talk and at times yell out for a wheelie. I believe that you get what you give (kharma/fate, or whatever you wish to call it) and a simple thing like helping a senior citizen, will come back to you, in one form or another. Besides that, I get a great feeling in helping others, which appears to be a thing that does not happen much anymore.

[buellbabe]

hmmm... really its each to their own... I am also one of those who rides to please myself not becos I wanna make a statement. And cos I am 'me' ( and was brung up propa ) I try and be courteous to other road users.

Buuuut in complete contradiction to that... I definately am in the 'biker' category not 'motorcyclist' ... maybe its the years of HD riding, I dunno...personally I think its just 'me'... I have no problem admitting that yep! I've got attitude and if you don't like it...well...each to their own...

[007XX]

I think we are just generally misunderstood, and that we're taking our lives in our own hands every time we get on our bikes, all to save the world, see, we're hero's!! lol

We are the champions, my frieeeennnndd...sorry, I'm having a Queen moment! :p




I ride for me...it's all about me and I truly don't care what others think.
[/B]

Well said...I'd be given so much shit if I said that though...why can't I bloody be 6.2" and 100kgs? :angry2:



Each to their own.

Well put as usual...(should I say it? ....ok, yes I will...Me tooooooo!!!! :laugh:)

[Katman]

I'm less concerned about my image as a motorcyclist then I am about my image as a fellow road user. If I can come back from an enjoyable ride and know that I haven't fucked anyone else off on the road I give myself a little secret pat on the back.

[sunhuntin]

Don't care. Not interested in people. Interested in bikes. Don't care what people think of me or my bikes. I choose my bikes based on what I like, I dress for riding in the gear I like. People are all gimps, why would I care what they think?

agreed.

i do, however, try and be decent to elderly and lil kids [mainly for my work image more than anything, since we get most of the local old folks in for petrol, and they recognise me when im not in uniform]

[imdying]

i do, however, try and be decent to elderly and lil kids [mainly for my work image more than anything, since we get most of the local old folks in for petrol, and they recognise me when im not in uniform]Agreed :yes: Just because I'm doing my own thing, the way I like to do it, doesn't mean you have to ignore courtesy and manners. What would mum say eh!

[Winter]

agreed.

i do, however, try and be decent to elderly and lil kids [mainly for my work image more than anything, since we get most of the local old folks in for petrol, and they recognise me when im not in uniform]

You try to be a decent person to the elderly so you can sell them petrol and make your boss a few bucks?

:no:

[BarBender]

We are what we're perceived to be.
Individually or collectively.

Id argue it dont mean shit what you like to think you are.

[marioc]

I must admit to kinda liking the whole 'bad boy" biker image thing.
Shameful I know,but thats certainly not the reason I ride.

[HenryDorsetCase]

I like kittens

[Thunder 8]

:eek5:Good God!!! are there other people that use the roads and have opinions.
heres me thinkin they were mobile chicanes.:doh:

[Maha]

almost every time a biker overtakes a car the cage driver sees another bloody biker flouting the law and/or riding like an idiot.


Heaps of those lovely Car Driver's pull to the left and give me room...must be my 'Image'!!!.....:eek:

[Tank]

Heaps of those lovely Car Driver's pull to the left and give me room...must be my 'Image'!!!.....:eek:

Sad to say - but I believe that motorist DO treat you differently because of your image.

I have found that professional moms in SUV's the the worst drivers on the road (and they reallllllllllly piss me off).

If you are riding a sports bike and bright clothing, flashing neons, and have one of those chopper flags from the 1970's on the back of your bike - they still wont see you and will continue chatting on their phone as they ride the fuck over you.

However - get a fat ugly bastard on a low chopper dressed in dark clothing - and they will see him 3km before they get even close and give him plenty of room. Just incase hes a card carring mob rapist. (The fact he is more likley to ab an accountant from St Helliers is kind of lost on the moms).

C

[deanohit]

Yes, your standard KBer is either 20-ish, broke, scrawny and spotty, or 40-ish, with 2.4 kids, a picket fence, and a motorcycle that he bought 'to keep his licence on'.

We're a force to be reckoned with, I tell yer!
Hahahahaha, that is so true. We're definitely a force to be reckoned with!!!!

I have noticed cage drivers treat me differently now my bike is painted black instead of bright blue, they shift out of my way instead of laughing at me, and the kids wave:2thumbsup while oldies give me the evil eye as I blast past. :lol:

[yungatart]

In my experience, most people don't think at all.
They say/feel what they have been conditioned/brainwashed to say/feel.
I don't give a rats arse what my image is...how I see myself is the important thing!

[Hitcher]

My attitude on biker image? We should all learn to spell and be grammatically correct. That would help lots. Particularly the Hells Angles. Sad fuckers.

[kevfromcoro]

People are so narrow minded.. i work with and old fella who did the loop with a few KBs a couple of years ago..
someone passed him on the left in a corner.
probably quite safe.
yeah he said..one of those KB cunts
well we all know its not at all like that.
the image is improving..but mayebe we have to watch our own kind sometimes

[BMW]

I is me. Some people like me, some don't. I don't ride for image.

agreed. I am me!

[Teflon]

Seems to be two schools of thought;

1) We want them to think we are a little crazy, be a little scared of us. This way they are less likely to want to come face to face with an angry biker.

:rofl:.... Judging from this site, i'd say the public think we are a bunch of depressed pussies..

[Krusti]

For quite a while there, telling people that I was a KBer was like telling a scout group you were a peadaphile.

Bunch of wankers was usually the response!:tugger:

Not to worry, I have single handedly changed everyones opinion.....:woohoo:

Problem is.....what do they now think? :crazy:

[avgas]

I'd like to think that people think that bikers are good people.
but with everthing in life, like sand though an hourglass - so are the days of assholes.
every group has em. sadly enough - the bikes dont kill them off enough.
I have to admitt i do get a bit of a complex when i have a helmet on - the world seems better. More fun.

[avgas]

:rofl:.... Judging from this site, i'd say the public think we are a bunch of depressed pussies..Really?????????????

[avgas]

I stop for old ladies/gents in my wheelchair. There are plenty of people out there (and apparently in here) who are self centered and only care about self. No wonder that the world is in the sad state that its in.
Really? I cant see the point in a short term image investment. Why not help some youngin's that way you will look good for longer.

[inlinefour]

Really? I cant see the point in a short term image investment. Why not help some youngin's that way you will look good for longer.

Never stated that its limited to kids, but they usually see me coming and as long as I'm smiling, they are usually sweet. Never thought of this sort of behaviour as an image investment, more a way of living life.

[Oakie]

Image. Funny thing. When Mrs Oakie and I are out and go out for coffee but are not in our bike gear I'll order a latte but when we're in our biker gear it just doesn't seem right to have a latte as it doesn't fit the image.
One the other hand I get a real kick out of perhaps breaking other's images of us ... like today riding home I approached a pedestrian crossing with a mum and two young kids waiting for the cars to stop but of course the cars just sped on over the crossing in a hurry to get home. I decided 'what the hell' and pulled up which compelled the other traffic to stop. Her and the kids crossed safely and as she passed me she gave me a smile and said "thanks very much". I don't know what her opinion of us was beforehand but if she previously thought we were all speeding idiots well perhaps now she may be thinking a little differently.

[Dave-]

I like a mix of both, the insane nice guy.

Yells: HI!
whispers: can I help you ma'am?
yells: my bus driver is eating a frozen maple leaf
*winks, clicks and hops in a circle on all 6 feet*

[jafar]

For every 10 good deeds done by a biker there is one not so good deed done & it will always be the bad that is remembered.:doh:
The image of motorcyclists is shit, it would take generations to change that even if we wanted to.
Sports bikes racing everywhere doesn't help.
Neither does lane splitting through the traffic.
Cruisers & harleys with their loud pipes & black leathers scare the crap outa joe public.

Why change a good thing :woohoo:

[howdamnhard]

same as him,except don't take both hands off handle bars. ;)TE=EJKDDORAI;1260767]I want to be a friendly chap tyep rider :D
Stop at a pedestrian crossing, wave if there is a little kiddie looking at me saying "Oooh mom! It's a motorcycle! :D" <- Happened once :love:
I try to wave to EVERY motorcycle rider I pass. If I am on a good mood, I often raise my both arms and wave (Thats my thing).
Also riding safely in groups, not showing off if I don't have to, respect the pedestrians etc etc...

Just a happy, proud and friendly rider :D[/QUOTE]

[mstriumph]

baaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaad poll choices

WHERE is the one that goes 'public should see me as a sex goddess and all round gorgeous gal'??

[Katman]

When I'm out riding on the open road I'll often have car drivers move to the left to allow me more room to pass. I always give them a wave of acknowledgment. I wonder how many motorcyclists would ride past the same car and think - "That's right ya fuckin cager, get the fuck out of my way".

[Bass]

When I'm out riding on the open road I'll often have car drivers move to the left to allow me more room to pass. I always give them a wave of acknowledgment.

Ditto - it's called positive reinforcement

[EJK]

same as him,except don't take both hands off handle bars. ;)
I want to be a friendly chap tyep rider :D
Stop at a pedestrian crossing, wave if there is a little kiddie looking at me saying "Oooh mom! It's a motorcycle! :D" <- Happened once :love:
I try to wave to EVERY motorcycle rider I pass. If I am on a good mood, I often raise my both arms and wave (Thats my thing).
Also riding safely in groups, not showing off if I don't have to, respect the pedestrians etc etc...

Just a happy, proud and friendly rider :D

Haha, next time when you see a Scorip rider waving with his both arms, then no doubt that will be ME :D

[Oscar]

I don't define myself as a "Biker".
I fucking hate the word.

There is more going on in my life than motorcycles, and I don't feel the need to lable myself.

[buellbabe]

When I'm out riding on the open road I'll often have car drivers move to the left to allow me more room to pass. I always give them a wave of acknowledgment. .

Ditto... altho I do have a bit of an attitude I always acknowledge courtesy like that and try and extend the same when I can.
For example I always let trucks in... so many people in cars will speed up to close a gap to prevent a truck merging.
I actually create space for them and am always rewarded with a friendly wave and it usually pays dividends later when the driver will signal me 'ok to scoot pass now'...

[mstriumph]

When I'm out riding on the open road I'll often have car drivers move to the left to allow me more room to pass. I always give them a wave of acknowledgment. I wonder how many motorcyclists would ride past the same car and think - "That's right ya fuckin cager, get the fuck out of my way".

well :confused: we ALL think that, don't we?? ...........

but that doesn't stop me giving them a cheery wave of acknowledgement and bright smile of benediction .......:innocent:

[mstriumph]

I don't define myself as a "Biker".
I fucking hate the word.

There is more going on in my life than motorcycles, and I don't feel the need to lable myself.

that's good
because there are enough grumpy old sods in our ranks already :bleh:

[and i should know .............. :laugh:]

[Bonez]

A dose of HTFU with reguards to image is in order I think with reguards to how joe average perceives you. Most of them are jealous anyway.

[necrolyte]

I'm with the majority, i just ride cos i can. i don't care what other people think of me thats their problem.

[scumdog]

I don't define myself as a "Biker".
I fucking hate the word.

There is more going on in my life than motorcycles, and I don't feel the need to lable myself.

Me too.
But it sounds waayy better than 'pig' 'rapist' 'drunkard' 'red-neck' etc sooo biker is OK by me.

[puddy]

I think we are just generally misunderstood, my Granddad thought I'd joined the mongrel mob when I bought a bike.:shit:
I think a lot of people (read car drivers) only see the not so good side of the biker, the biker who passes them at a zillion miles an hour on a blind corner with double yellow lines or the biker who lanes splits in heavy traffic while they are stuck in a traffic jam for the next two hours, so they immediately think we're all a bunch of wankers.
.................with their CD player blaring out Mariah Carey...........
A zillion miles an hour...must be DMNTD! And that's all I play on my Gay-pod when I'm riding!

[delusionz]

I don't see any point to this thread, who says we should or shouldn't be any of those things... What if we should be something else?

[scumdog]

I don't see any point to this thread, who says we should or shouldn't be any of those things... What if we should be something else?

Like........shag sheep! - wait, we're not Aussies! wheew!!!!!

[puddy]

For every 10 good deeds done by a biker there is one not so good deed done & it will always be the bad that is remembered.:doh:
The image of motorcyclists is shit, it would take generations to change that even if we wanted to.
Sports bikes racing everywhere doesn't help.
Neither does lane splitting through the traffic.
Cruisers & harleys with their loud pipes & black leathers scare the crap outa joe public.


Too right! But hey........... don't forget VTX 1800 riders, they're the worst!

[_intense_]

who gives a shit what other peoples opinion is, is that why you ride? to influence peoples impression of you? pfffft.

[howdamnhard]

He,he I'll keep an eye out for you then.:shifty::lol:


Haha, next time when you see a Scorip rider waving with his both arms, then no doubt that will be ME :D

[EJK]

I'll keep an eye out for a GN too :D



Oh wait..... :gob:

[canarlee]

wots ya attitude on biker image?





well, in my humble opinion if you want an "image" ask the media for one.



if you want to be a biker then be one, i really wish my nan was still alive. why? coz she described me as, and i quote "he looks like a thug, but he aint one".


you know, i love and miss my nan. she was/is the only person on this planet that actually made me listen.



mari-luz, you gunna kill me too.

[Oscar]

Me too.
But it sounds waayy better than 'pig' 'rapist' 'drunkard' 'red-neck' etc sooo biker is OK by me.

Whaddabout summat like Demon Riding Moto-God?

[idb]

I wonder how many motorcyclists would ride past the same car and think - "That's right ya fuckin cager, get the fuck out of my way".

Can I vote for that one?

[idb]

Me too.
But it sounds waayy better than 'pig' 'rapist' 'drunkard' 'red-neck' etc sooo biker is OK by me.

Balcluthian?

[scumdog]

Balcluthian?


Aaoww, that hurt, it weally hurt.......:crybaby::cry:


(Shuffles off to be comforted and share cuppa and hot muffins with CB).

[jafar]

Like........shag sheep! - wait, we're not Aussies! wheew!!!!!

Figures that a southerner would think of that :devil2: