BIKER
From Wikipedia,
the free encyclopedia
Although the term refers to any
motorcycle enthusiast, sometimes the word "biker"
is sometimes used to mean an
outlaw biker, or bikie, who is a member of a
1%er or outlaw motorcycle gang.
Amongst riders of motorcycles,
the term "biker" or "rider" is used to
refer to anyone who rides a motorcycle. The word "bikie"
strictly refers to European and Australian members of "1%er"
or "outlaw" motorcycle gangs. Non-riders tend to
place all motorcycle riders into the same category, but
within the riding community there are many sub-sets of
riders.
Some bikers ride heavy
cruiser-type motorcycles. (Motorcycles in excess of
700cc displacement are considered "heavy," and
"cruisers" are large, heavy bikes designed for relaxed
travel that allow the rider to sit upright or lean back.
A
chopper is a motorcycle that has been stripped
down—or "chopped"—to the bare essentials: engine, frame,
gas tank, wheels, handlebars, and seat.)
BIKER
CODE
by
Author Unknown
It used to be that all bikers shared a common bond, an unspoken code of
ethics and behaviour that transcended words and was built on actions.
There was never a bible written on this Biker's Code and there was no
need for such. But the times are a-changin' and there seems to be a lot
of new riders out there.
These days the riders
you see blastin' down the road are just as likely to be clad in shorts
and sneakers as jeans and engineer boots. And the roughest,
toughest-looking biker you pull up next to could be your doctor or
lawyer and may be wearin' a Rolex watch under his leathers. There's
nothing wrong with that, so long as these new riders learn the Code just
as we old-timers did. Being a biker used to be about using your
creativity to take a basket case old hawg and using only grit and
ingenuity, turning it into a one-of-a-kind eye dazzler, then risking
your life on the asphalt on a bike you made yourself out of pride.
Bikers wore leather and grease because they knew cagers would just as
soon run them down as look at them, so they had to be intimidating.
We were a breed unto ourselves with no union, no support group, and in
many cases, no family (they threw us out). We had to make it in the
world of our own, against all rules, against mainstream society, and
against all odds.
We survived and prospered because of the Biker Code and we never took
shit from anybody. As an old scooter bro once said, "It's every tramp's
job to school the young. How else are they gonna know a Panhead from a
bed pan?" With that in mind, we bring you a primer on the basic
two-wheeled Code. Take heed, brothers and sisters, for our Code is a
hallowed one filled with honour and loyalty, the likes of which have not
been since the days of knighthood:
Don't take any shit.
Be kind to women, children and animals, but don't take any bullshit.
This is an essential part of being a biker. It has to do with respect
and honour. Anyone can be a quick-tempered fool. Be cool, stand tall and
backup what you say with action.
Never lie, cheat or steal.
Another way of saying this is to always tell the truth. Bikers are
always the greasy bad guys in the movies, but every real biker knows
that his word is his bond. Your word is all you have in life that is
truly yours. Guard it carefully and be something noble, for you are a
true knight of the road.
Don't snitch.
If you see a wrong, fight it yourself, if you are about anything. You'll
take care of problems yourself and never feel the need to snitch someone
off. Snitches are the lowest life forms on earth, right up there with
biker thieves.
Don't Whine.
Absolutely no one likes or respects a whiner. Another way to say this is
hold your mud. Still another way to think of it is, "Don't sweat the
small stuff" Most of life's little inconveniences work themselves out
whether you whine or not. Keep your chin up, dammit! You're a biker, not
some lowly snail
Never say die and never
give up.
Whether it's in a fight, a debate, or a business deal, no matter how bad
it gets, a biker never gives up.
Help others.
When a brother or sister is broken down by the side of the road, always
stop and help them. Even moral support, if that is all you can give, is
better than riding on by. Remember life is about the journey, the ride,
not getting there. You already are there. And don't just help bikers,
show the world that we are better than our image portrays us. Courtesy
costs you nothing and gives you everything.
Stick to your guns.
Do what you say you'll do, be there when you say you will. This is
called integrity. This also goes back to standing for something. Like
the song says, "You've got to stand for something or you'll fall for
anything."
Life is not a drill.
Yeah,
this ain't no dress rehearsal.
This is life -- go out and take big bites of it. You've got no time to
lose and bikers don't stand around waiting for the party to come to
them. You only go around once. Tomorrow you could be road kill, thanks
to a chain smoker asleep at the wheel of his Caddy. Live life now, make
the most of each moment.
All right, now let's review.
-
You are a biker, a modern-day
knight of the road.
-
Protect the weak, walk tall and
stand proud.
-
Your word is your bond.
-
Stick to your guns.
-
Don't take any shit.
-
Life is not a drill.
Now go forth and ride.
When in doubt, ride. That's what we do...ride. If you want to ride
around in a Day-Glo Hawaiian shirt and sandals, go for it, but if you
intend to look like an idiot, at least don't act like an idiot.
These commandments are
just a few of the broad strokes, there is a lot more to being a biker
than buying a bike. If you just buy a bike, you are a motorcyclist.
Being a biker is a way of life, a proud way of life we hold in high
regard with a burning passion for the open highway.
What say you?
