What do you think of when you hear someone is a biker?

United States
June 21, 2008 10:30pm CST
I have noticed that a lot of people are scared of bikers ,but I do not understand why,what do you think of when you hear someone is a biker?Do you fear for your life?If you see a biker somewhere,will you leave quickly,and avoid them?I decided to start this discussion because at the drag strip not far from where me and my fiance live they are having a biker function,with biker gangs from all over the United States,I was told that there is twenty five thousand bikers there,and that is going to last this entire weekend,and everyone I know is saying that they are not leaving there houses,until all the bikers are gone,so I started thinking,I admit that on some levels I am scared of bikers,and if I hear someone is a biker,I usually first think that they might try and hurt me,and if I see a biker I usually try to avoid them which I know is wrong,because bikers are not all bad, they just have a bad reputation because of the few bad ones out there,and we should not judge all bikers, because of the actions of a few of them,last night me, my fiance,my mom,and my dad stopped at food lion,and my dad was talking to two bikers from Virgina who came down for the biker function,he has a bike himself, so I guess he had a little in common with them he said they were very friendly,I think if we took more time to get to know bikers,instead of just judging them,then things would be better,and we should also learn to watch the roads for bikers,because too many bikers are getting killed before of careless drivers.
5 people like this
14 responses
• Malaysia
23 Jun 08
Hie Hellcowboy, I think they are cool and I admire big bikes, like those Harleys! What's scaring about them is when they are in a big group and the bikers are normally tall and huge. Their physical sizes and accessories that they wear intimidated others. Over here, we don't have biker culture but reckless young teenagers with small bikes speeding/racing on main roads. And majority of bigger bikers are those professionals who has a stable job and high rank individuals. I do find some middle age men and not so good looking ones who compensate their ego status by owning one of this big bikes I did come across these bikers when I was in Sydney and they are really nice. They did look mean and fierce from a far but they just like any normal people. Cheers and happy posting!
2 people like this
• United States
24 Jun 08
Thats cool that you think they are cool and admire big bikes,and I agree if you see them in big groups they can be scary,as can any big group of people,and thats cool that you do not have biker culture over there,but it sucks that reckless teens will speed on main roads on small bikes,and I agree a majority of bikers are professional with a stale job,and I agree some middle aged men do compensate by owning a big bike,and I agree they may look mean and fierce,but if you get to know them,they are no different than anyone else,have a great day,good luck in your life,and Happy Posting to you too my friend.
1 person likes this
• United States
25 Jun 08
No I am not a biker,my dad has a motorcycle but he does not ride with any gang,he rides with some of his friends though,and he has a leather jacket,I think it would be cool to ride a motorcycle though,have a good day,good luck in your life,and Happy Posting.
1 person likes this
• Malaysia
24 Jun 08
You are welcome and are you a biker yourself?
2 people like this
@loolets2 (106)
• United States
22 Jun 08
I picture them with black leather, tattoos, rough looking skin/hair and just mean and tough. I only fear them because I heard about Hell's Angels, and some other stories where bikers were in a lot of violent incidents.
2 people like this
• United States
23 Jun 08
Yeah a lot of people picture them mean and tough,with leather jackets and tattoos,and I can understand fearing them because of groups like the Hell's Angels, and my friends dad used to be in that group,so yeah they are tough,but you should not fear them,thanks for responding,have a great day,good luck in your life,and Happy Posting.
1 person likes this
@sminut13 (1783)
• Singapore
22 Jun 08
haha yea they're not all bad of course. it all depends i guess. i don't know how bikers are and all but from what i've heard and read and all, the first image that comes to my mind is a group of men in leather jackets and their huge or big motorbikes you could say. hehehe seems like the leather jackets is a must for me. it's probably due to the influence of my brother in law, my sister's hubby. you could say he hangs out with his biker friends and all and they seem to all be wearing leather jackets in photos. hehe
1 person likes this
@sminut13 (1783)
• Singapore
23 Jun 08
haha well he is actually wearing leather jackets in most of his photos as well as his friends. grins
1 person likes this
• United States
23 Jun 08
That is cool that he is also wearing a leather jacket is most of his photos,because leather jackets are cool, and I used to have one because they are warm,and awesome lol,have a good day,good luck in your life,and Happy Posting.
2 people like this
• United States
22 Jun 08
Yeah they are not all bad,and yeah it seems like most of them do like leather jackets and big motorcycles,and thats cool that you like leather jackets,and thats cool that your brother-in-law hangs out with biker friends, and I bet they are all wearing leather jackets in the photos lol,thanks for responding,have a great day,good luck in your life,and Happy Posting.
2 people like this
@Hatley (163781)
• Garden Grove, California
22 Jun 08
Well now it all depends on which bikers one sees,if they are 'Hells Angels yes I am afraid as their reputation is well earned. they are rude,crude, and mean. other bikers are just people who love to ride motorcycles and them I am not afraid of but gangs with mean spirts yes I avoid like the plague. I am not going to be palsies with Hells Angels at all ever.
1 person likes this
@Ravenladyj (22904)
• United States
23 Jun 08
[i]'Hells Angels yes I am afraid as their reputation is well earned. they are rude,crude, and mean[/i] I'm sorry but thats just not true....YES there are those bad apples in a bunch but you get that with any group or category of ppl ya know...I know several H.A's and they are great guys
1 person likes this
• United States
24 Jun 08
I agree there are always bad apples,and my friends dad is a real good guy,and he is one of the nicest most helpful people I know,and it surprised me when my friend told me his dad used to be in the Hell's Angels,have a good day,good luck in your life,and Happy Posting.
1 person likes this
• United States
23 Jun 08
Yeah that is true,it depends on which bikers you see,and which group they are in,because I know the Hell's Angels are tough,because my friends dad used to ride with them in California,and I can understand avoiding that group,but deep down they are just regular people,thanks for responding,have a great day,good luck in your life,and Happy Posting.
1 person likes this
• United States
22 Jun 08
The first thing I think of is leather jackets, sun glasses, tattoos, and surly dispositions. And that's what you basically see on TV and in the movies. All of the bikers I've seen have fit these descriptions. Now I'm not saying all bikers look this way, but majority do. And there's no reason to fear bikers, I've never heard of anyone doing this. They're just a clique of people with a common interest, lol.
2 people like this
• United States
22 Jun 08
Yeah that is true a lot of bikers do wear leather jackets,sunglasses,and have a lot of tattoos,and yes that is the way the television portrays bikers,which is one of the reason they have such a bad reputation,and not all bikers fit that description,but a lot of them do,and bikers are just human,and should not be feared, and I agree they are just a group of people with a common interest,thanks for responding too me,have a good day,good luck in your life, and Happy Posting.
2 people like this
• United States
22 Jun 08
I actually don't think much when I think about bikers! Most of the bikers I've met have been nice guys that love their bikes. I think that most of the people causing trouble that are 'bikers' are those who have watched too many movies and want to cultivate the lifestyle. There are soooo many different race, religion, social, etc. groups that there are bound to be some issues, but there are troublemakers in every group of people. They're no different than the men that dress in shorts and golf shirts and go out every weekend to golf. Just a different interest. Although the golfing people kinda scare me...
• United States
23 Jun 08
That is cool that you do not think of much when you think of bikers,and that is cool that most of the bikers you have met are nice guys,who just love their bikes,and I agree the bikers who cause trouble,usually do so because of what they see in movies,and that is true there are troublemakers in every different group of people,and that is true bikers are no different then golfers,and golfers can be scary,thanks for responding, have a great day,good luck in your life,and Happy Posting.
1 person likes this
@Ravenladyj (22904)
• United States
23 Jun 08
Bikers have such a bad wrap....seriously..I've use to hang out with numerous bikers from numerous MCs including the Hells Angels, the Outlaws and Satans Choice...and I have NEVER had a problem with them...In fact many of the guys I've known since I was a kid were and still are AMAZING guys...sure some of them back in the day were hardcore but that was in the 70s..yes some of them did hard time for some wild crimes but again that was long ago...and regardless of that part of them, many of them were and are family men, very family oriented actually, hardworkers and compassionate ppl.... Ppl also tend to not realize that much like with ANY group of ppl, the rule is "if you act like an a-hole you'll get treated like one"....bikers are the same way....Just because they wear their leathers, maybe fly their colours and ride big bad machines doesnt make them nasty, violent, evil ppl...They are just ppl
• United States
24 Jun 08
Thats cool that you used to hang out with bikers from numerous MC's, and I agree some of them are some of the most amazing people you will ever meet,and yes I agree in the past some of them were hardcore,but the past is the past,and I agree some people do not realize that with any group if you act like a donkey you will get treated like one,and yeah their leather,and the fact that they love to ride big motorcycles,does not make them nasty or violent or evil,they are just people, thanks for responding,have a good day,good luck in your life and Happy Posting.
1 person likes this
@xParanoiax (6987)
• United States
22 Jun 08
The first thing that comes to my mind is leather and a nomadian lifestyle. But I'm not scared of bikers, most of the ones I know are actually some of the kindest, most interesting people I know. But then, I'm considered strange myself by regular folks, so I suppose it's not too surprising that I admire the rough 'n tumble types -- a type of kinship perhaps? However it is, I LIKE bikers. I've been quite thrilled to see groups of them every time we go out these days.
1 person likes this
• United States
22 Jun 08
Yeah thats true leather and nomadian lifestyle usually do come to mind when one thinks of bikers,and I am glad that you are not scared of bikers,and I agree some of them are the kindest most interesting people out there, and I am also considered strange sometimes,so do not let that bother you,and theres nothing wrong with admiring bikers,or liking them,and maybe you will even be a biker one day,thanks for responding,have a good day,good luck in your life,and Happy Posting.
2 people like this
@lexus54 (3572)
• Singapore
22 Jun 08
Where I live, we don't have the bikers' culture here and probably the only notorious group of bikers I've ever encountered here are the ones who go around the streets in their showoff shiny Harley Davidsons. These people are of course harmless people, and some of them are actually professionals and managers in work life. They love their bikes and are very proud of their machines. Most of what I've seen of bikers are those in the movies. Usually these bikers will be acting like gangs, dressed in black leather jackets and boots, have tattoos, go around town creating lots of noise with their menacing machines and terrorizing the town folks ... these impressions from the movies and television, of course. And they are usually made out to be like the bad guys, and so it is not exactly good publicity for them. I think in reality, bikers are just harmless people who have have a love for bikes and a passion for riding, and so gather and socialize with fellow bikers to pursue common interests.
1 person likes this
• United States
22 Jun 08
Yeah I know there are a lot of places who do not have the biker culture,and the bikers that are around like to show off their Harley Davidson's,and yeah I agree they are harmless,and some of them are very respected people in the community,and I bet they do love their bikes,but who can blame them,since some of them put a lot of time and money into their bikes,and yeah it sucks that television makes bikers look like the bad guy,and yeah I agree that they are just a harmless group of bike riders who have common interests and stick together.
2 people like this
• United States
6 Jul 08
W live near Daytona where there's Biker Week and Biketoberfest every year! The bikers that come are nice people..some doctors, lawyers and some are hard core Hell's Angels, even. But they all behave greta while here and have fun! I actually drive safer when I know they are around, so I can't hurt any of them? They are OK by me! (Great for the Florida economy and tourist trade!)
1 person likes this
• United States
6 Jul 08
Thats cool that you live near Daytona where theres Biker Week and Bikertoberfest every year,and a lot of the bikers are really nice respectable people such as doctors and lawyers,and then you have the hardcore bikers such as the Hell's Angels,and it is good that they are behave and have fun,and I am glad that you driver safer when you know they are around,because too many bikers get killed as it is,because of careless reckless drivers,thanks for responding,have a great day ,good luck in your life,and Happy Posting.
1 person likes this
• United States
22 Jun 08
I am not scared of bikers for they are all human just like the rest of us. what is makeing look so mean is the leather jackets, sun glasses, tattoo's, banddanners, ect.. Alot of them can be nice for I have gone to the motorcycle bike weekend with a friend of mine and was amazed at how many their actually were. Yes I kept quiet for a while but as we stood in some of the tents that sell t-shirts, hats, wrist bands, leather jackets, ect. I actually got to say hi and meet a few. They were nice they just were some big boys that stood big and tough when they really wern't mean at all. I guess it all depends on how you look at them but more than 1/2 of them are nice.
1 person likes this
• United States
22 Jun 08
Yeah bikers are human just like the rest of us,and yeah they look mean cause of their leather jackets,sun glasses,tattoos,etc.,and I have met a couple nice ones too,and I think they just try and look tough,to keep people from pushing them around,but they are really nice on the inside,thanks for responding,have a great day,good luck in your life,and Happy Posting.
2 people like this
@syeryn (573)
• United States
22 Jun 08
They are people just like the rest of us. I am not afraid of them and often strike up a conversation with them as they pass through my area to ride a piece of hog heaven highway called the tail of the dragon. Bikers love it! My only complaint, and like any other group it is only a small few who step out of line, is when they pass on the double yellow lines of our winding two lane highways. Most of them are very respectful and I have met a few doctors and lawyers who are weekend bikers too.
1 person likes this
• United States
22 Jun 08
I agree they are people like the rest of us,and I am glad that you are not afraid of them,and that you will strike up conversation with them,and yeah there are only a few of them who end up getting out of line,and thats true I am sure that there are all kinds of people in respected professions who are bikers,thanks for responding,have a good day,good luck in your life,and Happy Posting.
2 people like this
@thaMARKER (2503)
• Philippines
23 Jun 08
You mean big bikers? Oh, they're cool. They're scary when you look at them as pirates in a movie but I think of them as cool. Sandra Bullock who's looking sexy married a big biker guy. They're such a great couple. Like them. I wanted to ride those harley thingy one day but I'd rather be on a big biker's back. It would be exciting.
1 person likes this
• United States
23 Jun 08
Yeah they are scary if you look at them like pirates in a movie,but they are pretty cool,and thats cool that Sandra Bullock married a biker,and I bet they are very happy together,and it would be cool to ride a harley at least once,or to ride on the back of a motorcycle because it would be exciting,thanks for responding,have a great day,good luck in your life,and Happy Posting.
1 person likes this
@MadRam99 (25)
22 Jun 08
I automattically think dirty smelly tramps. Scooter boys rule.
• United States
22 Jun 08
I know a lot of people who think like that,but it is far from true,they are not dirty,they are not smelly, and they are not tramps,but I respect your opinion,have a great day,good luck in your life,and Happy Posting.
2 people like this