Decided I'm not a “Biker”

[Buffalo Bill]

Ok, I get into conversations with people who don't ride motorcycles, and when they learn I ride, they immediately label me as a “biker ”.
I'm not a badass meathead in pirate garb!!! I don't ride a “Hog”, I ride motorcycles, vintage sport bikes in particular.
So what _____ if not a biker?
Seems the only other well known label is “squid”.
I'll take it!!!
Don't call me a biker, I'm a squid!!!

[zuluwiz]

I'm a motorcyclist, meself. I likewise will not answer to "biker". Ain't never even been ON a Harley.

[dorkburger]

I'm not a fan of the term biker either and picture pirates on obnoxious bikes when the term is used also.
I also dislike a the term "run" when a few guys are going on a ride - it gives me visions of a drunken poker run... you know, the rides that bikers go on..

[storm 64]

Buffalo Bill the Biker Squid... haha

[Hinermad]

I use "rider." What I ride is left to the imagination.

[Boriqua]

How about 2 wheeled enthusiast. Instead of an eye patch it conjures up images of large handlebar mustaches and leather googles... Hmmm I dont know .. chose your imagery!

I usually just tell people .."yea I am an idiot that gets cold when its cold out, hot when its hot out and wet when it rains ... and yet I still love it."

[Frank Z.]

I use "rider." What I ride is left to the imagination.

Another "rider" here... though i've been called "that gawl'damn hooligan" on occasions, too.

[Burque73]

Yeah, I get called a biker by friends on occasion. Whatever, been called much worse! I do not consider myself one though.

If anyone who rides a motorcycle is automatically a "biker" then riding a horse must instantly make one a "cowboy". Right? Cops ride both but they're still called cops. Ok, my head is hurting now...

[Skinner]

I am most definitely NOT a biker. A motorcyclist or rider, yes. When I've been called a biker in the past I just reply "No, I'm not a biker, but I do ride a motorcycle." Sometimes that gets a confused look in response but so be it. I'm not a Son of Anarchy. ;-)

[greg78gs750]

i feel ya, bill, you know what its like here, they hear you say "i ride a motorcycle" and it's "what harley ya got?"

[NavyDad]

Most of the time I am a motorcyclist. If I happen to have the Spyder out for a ride then I am a rider because the Spyder is NOT a motorcycle. I guess I could be a Spyderist.

[Hinermad]

i feel ya, bill, you know what its like here, they hear you say "i ride a motorcycle" and it's "what harley ya got?"

When I bought my Triumph the salesman said, "Don't worry, the Harley riders will still let you ride with them." I smiled and said, "You're assuming I want to let them ride with me."

[Boriqua]

When I bought my Triumph the salesman said, "Don't worry, the Harley riders will still let you ride with them." I smiled and said, "You're assuming I want to let them ride with me."

My Triumph Bonnie (gone) and my GS750 inspired and inspire more impromptu conversation than any Harley I ever had. I went to the post office yesterday and had a guy chew my ear off for 10 minutes.

Seems everyone remembers having an old Suzuki, having done street battles against the old Suzukis or just have pleasant memories of a time in their life when those old suzukis were on the road regular. I can hardly pull into a gas station without someone asking about my bike.

I actually dont think I have ever been referred to as a biker honestly. I guess it depends where you grew up. We kind of always assumed it was the fat guys with beards and patches and we certainly weren't them. Seems a silly stereotype but there you have it.

I find now that the older Harley riders wave enthusiastically and just had one a couple of days ago who was a grizzled ol Arizona rider with a long grey beard give me the thumbs up at a light when I pulled up. Most of the old Harley guys by necessity or desire were wrenchers. I think they appreciate what it takes to get these old machines running and keeping them running.

I get far more dismissive looks from the crotch rocket crowd. Fortunately for me .. I dont give a BLEEP! When I am riding I am digging life.

[LAB3]

Back in the 80's I was a biker. Then a queer billionaire with a hot air balloon shaped like a castle came along and repackaged the culture for the rich. In the 90's when all but the most hard core sold off their bikes to pay for rehab, I quit riding HD's and switched to rice not wanting to be associated nor aquatinted with that crowd. What peoplele call bikers these days is a PG-13 rated version of what it was all about and HD's are like belly buttons, everybody's got one. To be called a biker these days is akin to being called a cartoon character.

[Vmass]

I have read a few biker creeds over the years and can assure you that I am as far from a biker as one could be while still owning motorcycles!