I love to write controversial articles, this may be one of them. I was thinking today; what is the definition of a true Biker? While I was thinking, I decided to take my ego out of it and really get to the root of what a true biker is. I came to the following conclusion; “A true biker is anyone who rides a motorcycle!”

I have heard ridicules assertions by those with huge egos that speak about living the biker life. Some examples of what I have heard are; I ride more miles than you do so I am more of a biker than you; I am in a club and you are not so I am more of a biker than you; I ride a Harley Davidson and you ride a Japanese Cruiser so I am more of a biker than you, etc. Some old time riders call other riders “RUBS” or “Weekend Warriors” as a demeaning term to somehow hold themselves out to be more of a biker than the other guy. Some guys even demean other riders because of the motorcycles they chose to ride. To most it’s good natured humor, but to some it’s a very serious thing.

Living the biker life does not mean that you dress in leathers, wear your wallet chain, wear your riding boots, and wear Harley Davidson t-shirts all of the time. Living the biker life does not mean hanging out at biker bars all of the time with other bikers. Living the biker life is actually riding your motorcycle and having a good time.

There are guys that I know that commute over 100 miles a day on their motorcycles to and from work. When they get to work they take off their riding gear and slip into business suits. These guys are some of the best riders I have ever seen. They are not the ones with the big mouths talking about how much of a bad ass biker they are, they walk the walk. I know one guy who is a computer programmer who rides a Harley Davidson 1200 Sportster like a bat out of hell. I am sure this guy can run circles around most other bikers that I know. He is a very quiet guy and he is a Biker.

In the end it all boils down to one thing; whether you ride a motorcycle or not! Sure I ride 1000’s of miles a year, so what. Some guys choose to ride Sport Bikes otherwise known as “Crotch Rockets,” so what. Some guys ride Harley Davidson’s, Japanese Cruisers, BMW’s, Triumph’s etc., so what. If you ride a motorcycle then you are a biker!

Sure some guys or gals may have put more miles in on a motorcycle then the other guy or gal, however, in the end we all enjoy the same pleasures and hazards on the rode when we are riding our motorcycles. Therefore, all motorcyclists should stick together, help each other if you see that that another bikers is broken down on the side of the road, and work to preserve our right to ride free in the wind.

I am so sick and tired of hearing self appointed “biker” experts preaching about how it is supposed to be, and how it is cool to demean another guy because he may only ride his motorcycle on the weekend, etc. It does not mean squat. If you ride, you ride! If you don’t, you don’t; it’s as simple as that.

A biker resides on the road on his motorcycle, and not in internet chat rooms or internet forums. Sure the internet is a great place to meet other new riding buddies; to get information on motorcycles and motorcycling, and all of the upcoming events. Hell, I am writing this Blog on the internet to try to put some information out to the Motorcycle Community. However, in the end being a biker is getting on the road on your motorcycle, not bragging about it in internet chat rooms.
I will be the first to admit that I am not the all knowing “Holy Grail” when it comes to being a biker, or knowing everything about everything. I have met many guys who purport to be “know it alls.” Some of them don’t even have motorcycles? They offer lame excuses such as “My Harley is in the Shop,” or “I am in between rides,” bla bla bla, as they defame another biker who actually has a motorcycle.

So the next time you are on the road and see another person riding a motorcycle of any type in your direction, remember one thing; “We who are riding motorcycles are all Bikers.” Shoot him a wave. That is the comradery of being a biker and that is what being a biker is all about.

By Norman Gregory Fernandez, Esq. , Copyright 2006