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A response I printed elsewhere, but how I feel.

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The Tourist

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Below is an response I printed in another bike forum. At first I did not print it here. Here we were having a discussion on "language," and I'm still a new guy. But since I am passionate about this issue, I contacted Kevin first and got his opinion. I fully expected him to either advise me to clean up the prose or wait until a better time. He suggested the entry be printed.

At that other forum they started that ridiculous thread on "being a biker." Yikes, it's been done to death and it's either whining or something out of a Hollywood movie. Here's what I wrote there:

I have no problem with people being an authentic biker. My position is that you should not be a 1960s biker.

For some reason, the idea of living the lifestyle stalled at that era. You're not considered the real-deal unless you loook like your grandfather, wear his clothes, use his jargon, customize your bike like his.

The concept of being free is not being a copycat. Live in your own skin, customize your own bike, choose your own ideals. You don't become a biker by investing 1,000 bucks in an armful of new ink, or buying conchos at the road clothes department, or attaining ready made choppers or calling me "bro."

I use electric starters, not jury-rigged magnetos. I wear ballistic nylon jackets--I haven't worn leather in over six years. I have used the term 'blood' or 'bro' perhaps five times in as many years. I have no ink, not even a teeny butterfly on my butt. I actually bathe.

Why? Because the 1960s are over. According to today's paper, it's been fifty years. When that era of "lifestyle" was going full tilt I didn't even have a drivers license. What I do have is a closet full of real-deal clothing that was actually worn in motorcycle club--available at some very competitive pricing. It even smells like the 1960s. I do not have a PayPal account, but I accept cash.

Live your own life, not a pale copy of mine.
 
Interesting post - thanks.

Part of the reason many of us buy Harley's is the whole, mystical concept of "escape." It allows us to leave our regular lives behind and just relax and be someone else for awhile. If that feeling leads some people to dress or modify their bike in a certain way, then that's their choice. I think a lot of people just wish we were living in simpler times, like the 60's that you mention.

I don't see much difference between what you describe in the motorcycle world and some of the folks I see driving around my neighborhood with long hair, long sideburns, in a new Mustang or Camaro. They're just pretending they got in a time machine and were transported back to the Muscle Car era.
 
Is the definition of "being a biker" being a 1%er? Or is it just riding a bike as a form of fun and transportaion? For me the latter is the case, I chose to buy a Harley because I like the look and sound over all others, not to mention the history of American made motorcycles. As for being a biker, I do not try to identify with any particular group. It's my bike and I don't care what the rest of folks do to theirs, I'll do what I want to mine whether it's popular or not. By default I am identifying with all Harley riders tho and that's just fine with me because there's a lot of great people in that group. I'd have some ink if I could erase it when ever I wanted to. Bathing is good. Old clothes go in the trash or rag bin. I don' have a patch sewn on anything, yet. I'll be happy to drink a beer with anyone who has a story to tell, whether it's true or not. I'm glad I found this forum!
 
harley@16 said:
Is the definition of "being a biker" being a 1%er? Or is it just riding a bike as a form of fun and transportaion? For me the latter is the case, I chose to buy a Harley because I like the look and sound over all others, not to mention the history of American made motorcycles. As for being a biker, I do not try to identify with any particular group. It's my bike and I don't care what the rest of folks do to theirs, I'll do what I want to mine whether it's popular or not. By default I am identifying with all Harley riders tho and that's just fine with me because there's a lot of great people in that group. I'd have some ink if I could erase it when ever I wanted to. Bathing is good. Old clothes go in the trash or rag bin. I don' have a patch sewn on anything, yet. I'll be happy to drink a beer with anyone who has a story to tell, whether it's true or not. I'm glad I found this forum!
Click to expand...

My kind of "Biker"- Individual, openminded!!!
 
Dr. Dolittle said:
Interesting post - thanks.

Part of the reason many of us buy Harley's is the whole, mystical concept of "escape." It allows us to leave our regular lives behind and just relax and be someone else for awhile.
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Fair enough. But as a rebuttal, let's suppose you and I meet at a bike rally, or at Sturgis. You see that I am dressed in tan shoes with pink shoelaces, a polka dot vest--and man, oh, man--tan shoes with pink shoelaces and a big Panama with a purple hat band.

Fearing I have been off my meds, you remark, "Tourist, come here out of the hot sun, you're acting like a fool!"

But I respond, "Oh, I'm cool, daddy-o, I have the reet pleat."

Considering I was born in 1950, it is the same concept to me. BTW, does anyone know where I can get a Zoot Suit, so I can really go 'old school'?
 
harley@16...+1, me two.

Tourist, Try e-bay or google da Zoot Suit. When done "we" want pictures!!! :D:D:D
wilks3 :s
:USA
 
Ditto that Harley@16.
I do wear a leather jacket. Have for the last 28 years and will continue to. My current jacket having more sentimental value since I bought it the day our youngest was born (20 yrs+).

I don't own anything with the skull pattern, no tattoos or piercings and no intentions of ever getting either one ever. My hair is long because I can (and so I can remind my brother-in-laws what hair looks like:lolrolling).

I don't ride my bike from bar to bar. I'll walk thank you because I really enjoy having a drivers licence. And I treat my wife and other women with respect and courtesy.

Yes my bike gets dirty, get over it. That's what happens when you ride it.

And I don't wear suits unless I really really have to (aka my wife tells me to:s).

Oh and one more thing: none of my forefathers rode motorcycles, so i can't really imitate any of them.
 
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Good read, Been riding so long now have been through the 60s and came out alive and well. I ride because I can and this is the one freedom I will not give up with out a fight. Tattoos and piercings are a personal choice, if I had to do it over I would not, People and Employers have held it against me in the past JMO:s
 
The Tourist said:
Fair enough. But as a rebuttal, let's suppose you and I meet at a bike rally, or at Sturgis. You see that I am dressed in tan shoes with pink shoelaces, a polka dot vest--and man, oh, man--tan shoes with pink shoelaces and a big Panama with a purple hat band.

Fearing I have been off my meds, you remark, "Tourist, come here out of the hot sun, you're acting like a fool!"
Click to expand...

Nah, I'd just think to myself, "There's a dude who's 100% confident in himself." THEN I'd escort you out of the sun!
 
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