Bikes. fashion or not

[Wolfie]

did you buy a bike because it is a living breathing thing to you or cause you think it makes you look cool and young again???

I ask this question because i am seeing more and more motorcyclists on here and it fecks me off. :bang: :bang: :bang:


My problem i know, but it still fecks me off.

 

[Jaws]

Me.. I bought the Bird cos I love the urge.. the rush.. I often am accused of riding like a twat up the middle of traffic.. making the peg feelers scrape ( titanium ones ) just to scare the shit out the cager I have just stuffed..
The other day I joked saying about the most rebellious thing I do nowadays is not wash my hands after taking a piss.. but thinking about it thats just bollox.

Yer, its a fashion accessory.. but one that has to be functional and one that chances are only other bikers will truly appreciate

 

[Wolfie]

the bird is not a fashion thing it is just not cool, getting a bike is to a lot of people, fair play to them if that is what tugs yer chain etc. but if you join something then feckin respect the rules that were there before you and me, no matter what you have joined.

 

[frenchuk]

did you buy a bike because it is a living breathing thing to you or cause you think it makes you look cool and young again???
I ask this question because i am seeing more and more motorcyclists on here and it fecks me off. :bang: :bang: :bang:
My problem i know, but it still fecks me off.

So which one of the two is the motorcyclist? :}
Me I've always been a biker, even before I was tall enough to climb on a bike. Gave up 5 years ago after a very bad crash with my ex-girlfriend as pillion, she suffered from PTSD (beside the physical injuries) and couldn't bear the idea of me going back on a bike. When we splitted up beginning of last year, first thing I did after waking up from shell shock was... to buy my blackbird.
Having said that, why do other people's motivations bother you Andy?

 

[Fat Bert]

Does it matter Wolfie~~~~?

Biking is biking

We're all in here because it's in our blood - not because it's a fashion statement

I was away from "biking" for 10 years then woke up one morning and thought "I need another bike" NOT "I want another bike"

Look at Cyclops..............serious off and still can't bend his leg

Surgeon thinks he is nuts [10/10 for observation then LOL] beacuse if he just as much as catches his leg akwardly again [let alone fall off and break it] he will have to have his leg amputated - no question about it.

Does he care/worry?

Of course he does BUT it doesn't stop him riding the only bike that can accomodate his stiff leg - and riding it quiet well, as well!

Even to the point of booking himself on the Rider Skills days

Brave or foolhardy?

Doesn't matter which - biking is in his blood - and hopefully won't be his downfall [no pun]

Hardly a fashion stateement

 

[Wolfie]

They do Fuk and yes it does bert


its like having your own goalkeeper throwing the ball into the back of the net half the time.

their actions/inactions will kill off bikes, because they beive the crap they are told and just let gov> change things all the time.

If the bike riding people do not take a stand soon then we are fucked.

we will not be allowed to change anything on the bikes at all, they will have speed restrictors on them, we have no freedom left, bikes will be too expensive to maintain/run/insure,etc etc etc.


I can not live in a cage. and it frightends me that i am being put into one, slowly but surely.

 

[RHINO]

I bought mine

coz i've owned a vast array of cages, Yanks, Jags, Japs,Customs etc and i wanted to know why my elder brothers and my father rode bikes,, i wanted to see for myself what it was all about.
I bought my first bike (Kawasaki ZX10) and i was hooked..
What is the difference between a BIKER and a MOTORCYCLIST??? :dunno:
I have NO interest in most other bikes, no interest in anything under 900cc except for the odd traily or super moto...
I like my bikes big and brutish i.e. BUSA, ZX12, BB.....something which is a handfull and gains respect, also has to be mind bendingly quick.
I don't wear a Sam Brown belt and don't want all the latest kit but i do like to have practical functional equipment.
I clean my bike constantly, so what, I'm proud of the way i can enjoy the bike without having to cover it with free BIKE mag stickers or noisy cans.
I would NOT swap my BB for any other bike at present.......not one!
You find me ANY other bike which is as pleasant to ride, as comfy, as quick, as reliable which you can use all year round to and from work.....
BIKER / MOTORCYCLIST, call me what ya want, i own a bike and use it but you'll not catch me at the BULLDOG BASH, aint my thing. :beer:

 

[Fat Bert]

Rhino~~~

Ask Ben about the Bulldog Bash mate

In particular, ask him about the pole dancing tent!!!

:lick: :lick: :lick:

 

[RHINO]

Having said

all that though, i was out on this little beauty today.......DUCATI 851......
not really pleasant but quite a cheeky looking classic sports bike.

 

[Wolfie]

Would anybody die/kill for a bike???

Would anybody be eaten up from the inside if they did not ride for week or two???

Would anybody be a totally different person if they could not have a bike???

Has anybody bled for or over a bike???

Has anybody put themselves at risk to save their bike???

Does anybody wake up in the morning and within ten minutes are looking at their bike???

I do, have done, will do and am.

I can not understand people who love riding their bikes and then do feck all when that is threatened, or just side with the Gov. and media and say oh yes we must not do this and we must do that etc.etc.etc.

There is over 250,000 riders in this country, we have the power to stop changes yet 90% do fuck all. And we are then fucked. Yes there are riders who do stupid things but there a lot more car drivers doing either more stupid things. yet we are the ones who are singled out. A bike is not a fashion tool, it should be a living part of the rider and if it is not then IMHO they can feck off cause you will do nothing and therefore are nothing, so they should go and find another toy to play with.

 

[skippy]

Biker? Biker? Motorcyclist? :dunno: don't do labels m8 Fashion don't do that either Rules ? I have plenty of those No 1 being call a spade a spade and I see the biggest threat to our freedoms coming from within our own ranks, the wankers that get on national press and brag about how they regulary exceed 180 mph on public roads, the morons who make a point of redlining their excessivly loud bikes in residential areas, the dropkicks that regulary do 3 figure speeds in built up areas, the tossers that have the attitude that they can do whatever they want, whenever they want, wherever they want with no regard to the welfare of others or for the cosequences of their actions, It saddens and angers me to see these imbeciles constantly giving the legislators and bleeding heart liberals free amunition to effectivly shoot down what for me has been a lifetime passion and there is no way I would ever stand up for any of these dickheads they don't deserve to be called Bikers they are just trash.

 

[trophychap]

Fashion Statement

Oooerr! Jenny and I have both recently purchased shoes that match our Bird - does this mean that mine IS a Fashion Statement? Moreover, Jenny has two handbags that are also the same colour, we also have matching leathers and lids. Come to think, both of our 'other' leathers are also colour co-ordinated and our previous lids too.

Help - I'm a BIKER - get me out of here!!!!!!!

Still I assure you it wasn't intentional - just very easily done when you happen to have a BLACK one, isn't it????

Saw a lady wearing a brill Tshirt at Abergavenny last Sunday which said

Colour Co-ordinated Leathers
don't turn a Wanker
into a BIKER

(I asked her if black, worn with black, on a black bike counted - was I in a Lose/Lose situation? She assured me that black was the exception which proved the Rule!)

LOL

 

[Codbasher]

I dunno :dunno: what am I then??

Came into bikes 3 years ago, but wanted one for as long as I can remember, had a 50 and 125's year ago (And a 550, but no license shhhhhhh!) So now that age and finances allow I'm here, mainly needed a bike to beat the traffic to and from work, and bought a CB500, was a great bike for what i wanted, but it was boring, bland and the sort of bike I would not bother to wash after a winter, fell in love with Blackbirds after seeing one on the telly, and thought 'why not?' so I did. Love it to bits, enjoy riding it, have a colour co ord helmet and jacket, and love the touring side of biking rather than the peg scraping side of things.

I think you have to respect anyone on two wheels, for whatever reason you ride, you do it for a reason, fashion, posing, practicallity the list could go on.

Tis true though Wolfie, us in the UK do stand around waiting for something to happen, rather than getting off our arses and standing firm.

 

[richard]

I have always been arround bikes most of my life srarting with the good ole step thorough and then progressing through the ranks.. I Just love the wind in me face and the feel of freedome when im out their, yep i do have all the tricks sat-nav ect but i bloody use them as a tool not for show and usually buy the best kit i can afford, if not i will save up for it. It offers the best protection or the best service in the long run.I ride most of the year round put it to bed mid to late November and wake her up in late feb not coz of the wet and cold coz of the ice and deisel arroud that time of year, I had to save for quite a while for my bird and dont want to bit it for a 2min run to work.. So biker-motocyclist :dunno: But i do know it puts a big grin on my face every time i take it out ( me bird that is)...+ love touring just get on and go.

R
R#? R#? R#?

 

[shropslad]

Just love it

Work gets in the way,,,,,,, & i get withdrawal symtoms if I am off the bike for two weeks,,,,, If I am home early (yesterday) can't wait to get the bike out of the garage,,,,,,,, as I say ,,, I just love it, just couldn't be without a bike,, simple really. :yo:

 

[Steve Walker]

I first wanted a bike when I was about 8. A cousin of mine had a Triumph Twin at the time. That was the first bike I came into close contact with and I wanted one. Had my first bike at 16. My bikes were my only transport for years until I got married and a daughter came along. Still had bikes but used a car a lot more. These days the bike is just for pleasure and is one of our common interests. I too will ride bikes as long as God and the Government will allow me to.
I agree with you Clive. We do all need to stick together. Motorcyclists have always been a target and probably always will be. I think that the Government need to realise that motorcycles are not going to go away and should be seen as a solution for congestion. The driving standards in this country are appalling and need addressing. Motorcycle rider training is widely advertised through the country. We have laws restricting what size and power bikes we can ride. How often do you see adverts for advanced driver training, apart from the IAM. Numpty can get his/her licence and can go out buy a Maclarren F1 if they have the money.

 

[PsychoBikerBen]

Haven't stopped riding or owning bikes For 16 years

If you say you've taken a break from bikes,then I'm sorry,but your interest is to say the least,a hobby.

If I could no longer afford to keep the Blackbird or any large cc machine,I'd just make do with what I could get my hands on,no matter how old or in what shape. If it's got two wheels,I'll ride it.

As for bikes being fashion or not.I remember in the 80's when all the rich yuppies went out and bought Harleys to park next to their Porches.
If we leave the Biker vs motorcyclist thing alone and remember the thread title-IMO anybody who is willing to pass their test,buy,own and ride a bike is suddenly awakened by the experience.So if they lusted after a bike purely because they thought it was trendy of fashionable-the lust stops there ,as they now actually own and ride.I've got no problem with someone riding a bike because they think it makes them cool or look cool.Let's face it....Bikes are cool and they do give a person that inner feeling that does the soul good.
If the yuppies of the 80's are still owning and riding after all this time,then hats off to 'em for seeing past the material value of what ownership had first brought them.
Sure there are items and parifinalier that are in vogue.I'm not bothered about bolting on a coloured screen or adding the latest trick bit to my machine-nowt wrong with adding the latest trinket or bling.If it makes you stand back and admire or others admire your bride and joy...revel in it.

I'll ride bikes until I'm phsically incabable.If I loose a limb I'll enjoy building and owning a trike.
And yes-I may own a cage now but having the responsibility of a family ,I need one.Some folks manage to survive with a family without having to own afour wheels and good on 'em...but the fact remains that since the day I first started riding,I'm never been without a bike-nor to I ever want to be without one.

I know where I'm coming from and those that truly know me and know of my past can see that.

Oh,and RHINO,visiting the Bulldogbash doesn't make you a biker and it's not compulsary to do so,but getting the warm feeling that you've come to a place where ya feel totally relaxed and at home,kinda makes ya realise what it's all about. You should one year and absorb the true atmosphere.

 

[skippy]

Back when I started riding the distinction between Bikers and motorcyclists was the difference between the backpatch clubs and the touring types lifestyles and attidutes poles apart, I quite happily spread my time and experiences between both camps without a problem never really had much time for the image bollocks that seemed to be part and parcel on either side it was just the riding, rallies, runs and the bond with like minded people that was the big thing for me as for the "fashion" side of it didn't want any part of it when every body else was out buying Z900s, 750 fours, Trimph twns and Nortons because they were the must have image enhancers I bought a Goldwing because thats what I wanted and to hell with the image crap.
My choices in bikes ever since have allways reflected what I considered important and nearly allways gone against the grain of the current trend at any given time.
Like Clive I really don't give a stuff about making pesonal statements or fitting in with some stereotyped image I'm only in it for my own pesonal love of bikes and riding. I guess I'm just a selfish bastid as well, if any one has a problem with that ..............well thats tough :}

 

[XXLarge]

If you asked a hundred bike owners for definitions of "biker" and "motorcyclist" you'd get a hundred different answers. That's because we're all individuals who happen to like riding bikes. I don't know what the difference is and I'm not interested.
Suppose you consider yourself to be, say, a "biker" and a news item appears on the TV about a crackdown on "motorcyclists" would you turn off, thinking "That doesn't apply to me"? I think not.
When I was a teenager I wanted a bike so much it hurt, but it didn't happen. The way my life turned out I didn't start riding for real until I was 43 years old but I'm making up for it now. I don't plan to ride in the rain, I go touring whenever I can (so end up riding in the rain a lot), I like to just get the bike out and go for a blat, I like cleaning and polishing it, I like to spend time on this forum cos it makes me feel part of a (slightly alternative) community, I am offended by any attacks on me or other bike riders, I find that I talk to people to whom I otherwise wouldn't because of a common interest, I despise Gatso's even though I've never had a ticket, I nod at all two-wheeled users - even if the scooter boys just stare back in bewilderment, my missus is usually velcroed to the back seat, I drink beer, smoke roll-ups, listen to rock music, my guitar playing is eclipsed in its ineptitude only by my golf swing and I scratch my arse in the morning.
Someone else can fill in the "Hello" magazine questionaire and figure out which of the two camps I fall into because I don't give a fook. I'm surprised that anyone is interested in the distinction.
:yo:

 

[Supabird1100]

Would anybody be eaten up from the inside if they did not ride for week or two???

Would anybody be a totally different person if they could not have a bike???

Has anybody bled for or over a bike???

Has anybody put themselves at risk to save their bike???

Does anybody wake up in the morning and within ten minutes are looking at their bike???

I get the 'ump if I don't ride for a while. (On summer holiday I end up hiring a bike for a day or two just so I can ride)

Can't imagine life without a bike...so can't say if I'd be different or not.

Bleed everytime I work on a bike....but I get as much pleasure out of building and maintaining as I do out of riding.

Have suffered injury to meself to save damage to the bike more times than I can count.

I can spend more time in the garage looking at my bike, tinkering with it, cleaning it, maintaining it, than what I spend in the house. As Trace say's "The house is her's.....the garage is mine".

Over the year's I've joined (and left) every major 'rider's rights group' going, BMF, MAG etc. now I just ride for me. I'll stop to help any biker that's broken down, I'll attend the rallies and shows that appeal to ME, but on the whole I'm not a 'club or group' type of person. I prefer to do my own ride alone.

Fashion statement ??? Nah......What ya see is what ya get......just me.