Bikers & Motorcyclists, the difference is...

[Beachbum]

This question has been raised and i will try to answer as best i can.

These groups were born out of the patchwearer, 1% ers, HA gangs in the 50's 60's era to the best of my knowledge.

Motorcyclists.....are those who ride motorcycles for leisure, fun, commuting etc
They are the straight up and down sect.They live a normal life like the rest of society. Motorcyclists are generally guys who go on the odd breakfast run, and commute on their bikes

Bikers.... are those who ride motorcycles and live the life of motorcycling.
They are defined by their colours and their affiliation to their club.
They are proud of their distinctive way of life and attitude to life.
Bikers commute almost every day, they go on rallies religiously, they commune in numbers on a regular basis, they have a strong brotherhood.

There is no divide between the two, more a lack of knowledge and understanding.

If anyone can add value to what i have said, please do.

[SV MAD]

I think motorcyclist is just a fancy term for a biker. End of story. If your vehicle (or mode of transport) has two wheels, you are a biker. Motorcyclist just sound snobbish, like English upper class.

[Richardvz]

This question has been raised and i will try to answer as best i can.

These groups were born out of the patchwearer, 1% ers, HA gangs in the 50's 60's era to the best of my knowledge.

Motorcyclists.....are those who ride motorcycles for leisure, fun, commuting etc
They are the straight up and down sect.They live a normal life like the rest of society. Motorcyclists are generally guys who go on the odd breakfast run, and commute on their bikes

Bikers.... are those who ride motorcycles and live the life of motorcycling.
They are defined by their colours and their affiliation to their club.
They are proud of their distinctive way of life and attitude to life.
Bikers commute almost every day, they go on rallies religiously, they commune in numbers on a regular basis, they have a strong brotherhood.

There is no divide between the two, more a lack of knowledge and understanding.

If anyone can add value to what i have said, please do.

Ok - I'll buy that....

So then - I'll just remain the Commuting Motorcyclist...

Just wondered where I fit in...

[THE H.V.C.]

I like Richard am tryin to figure out where exactly I fit in. Off the bike and even on the bike I am a pretty stand up guy, well try to be anyway. I do not have a bike of my own any more as I wrote mine off and can not afford a new one right now (I would literally give one of my nuts to be able to get the bike I want), so am forced to commute via my cage.

I am proud of my attitude and way of life! If I could I would commute every single day, irrespective of weather, as I use to on a bike! If I could afford it I would attend rally and track days and do brekkie runs every weekend in a huge pack or all on my own, I could not care as long as I was on a bike!!
Does this make me a biker or a motorcyclist? (provided I had my bike that is)

Surely a biker also rides for the fun of the ride, the pure enjoyment?
What is a "normal" life?
What is the life of motorcycling now days anyway?

If there is no devide between biker and motorcyclist, then why do people insist on "classing" us into the two different "classes"?

[Richardvz]

Ok so I've given this some thought.

So I wear a patch. Some times. And I wear my TB bib sometimes.

I don't do Rallies. I find them pointless - but that's my opinion.

I shave (only because I have to)

I don't have long hair/shaved hair.

I ride every single day.

I ride on my own mainly.

I have been called (on more than one occasion) a "spineless motorcyclist" by senior TB members. I'll accept that. (If that's what I am).

So - If you cross off the tick boxes either one way or the other then you're either a "biker" or a "motorcyclist".

Interesting.

So then - correct me if I am wrong - I have to CONFORM to the ultimate UNCONFORMISTS to become one of them?

Or I can do my own thing - be my own person - and be regarded as the "straight up and down sect" of society? Errm....

So - in some people's eyes there are only 2 types of people who ride bikes.

Interesting...

I would be interested in hearing other people's points of view...

[Richardvz]

Surely a biker also rides for the fun of the ride, the pure enjoyment?
What is a "normal" life?
What is the life of motorcycling now days anyway?

If there is no devide between biker and motorcyclist, then why do people insist on "classing" us into the two different "classes"?

Good points...

Those I cannot answer.

[THE H.V.C.]

Is there actually any REAL difference between a motorcyclist and a biker? Maybe back in the 50's or 60's there was a huge difference and you could see who fitted in which catagory, but now days you see all types of people comuting via motorcycle and almost everyday there are more and more people getting onto motorcycles to start comuting as it is faster, easier, more fuel efficient, whatever their reason is. So more people are riding every day and obviously a couple of them are curious and start to go on brekkie runs and to rally days and find it interesting so they go as often as they can, does this now make these "normal" everyday people bikers? Or are they motorcyclists because they don't swear and drink all the time or act like loons or any of that??

[Chavez]

I like Richard am tryin to figure out where exactly I fit in....

I own a bike and ride it at my leisure,...that's how I fit in!

I'm not one for silly cliché labels and couldn't be bothered what others view me as!

While we're at it why don't we differentiate 4X4'ers and those who own a general bakkie because it makes life simpler and more enjoyable because of the versatility it brings you due to your lifestyle/sports/pets ect...

I like Richards take on the 'Nonconformists' trying to determine who 'conforms' . Well said!!

[THE H.V.C.]

I own a bike and ride it at my leisure,...that's how I fit in!

I'm not one for silly cliché labels and couldn't be bothered what others view me as!

Fair enough, I also don't really care what group people see me in, all I would like to know is why we have these two "classes" and what defines these two "classes"!!

[vigilant]

BB you've hit the nail on the head.

Biker = 1%er.

Pathetic that a SAFETY campaign feels those to be worth emulating. Surely we have better role models around?

[Beachbum]

Guys, dont forget one thing...these are not labels we have given ourselves...these have been handed down over 40 odd years.

There is a book i suggest you read, its very interesting.

THE MAMMOTH BOOK OF BIKERS.
Over 40 first hand accounts of riding high,living free, with the worlds outlaw motorcycle gangs.

This book covers Outlaw Biking from inception to 2000.
A brilliant book, some very serious reading, and very enlightening.
RVZ, You can lend my copy should you wish.

This might shed a little light on the subject.

[THE H.V.C.]

Surely though nowdays, this very moment in time, the present time "bikers" are definded differently as to 40 years ago

[Beachbum]

Surely though nowdays, this very moment in time, the present time "bikers" are definded differently as to 40 years ago

Tell that to those who call themselves Bikers....they are very proud of that title, and therfore protect it, if you dont walk the talk, then you are not one.

[Richardvz]

Ok - then that's it then.

[vaughns]

well said ... think the word biker is just easier to spell ...lol

[THE H.V.C.]

Tell that to those who call themselves Bikers....they are very proud of that title, and therfore protect it, if you dont walk the talk, then you are not one.

K well personally I just think that there is way too much confussion between a "biker" and a "motorcyclist" there are soooo many atributes that have been mentioned that apply to both "bikers" and "motorcyclists" and the two are so close together that many people who call themselves bikers and still have one or two folks saying they are not bikers and bla bla bla.
Like I said you "class" me as you see fit, I am who I am and that is that, i just still don't get why there is such a huge devide when the two are so similar!!

[Richardvz]

Well, I'm glad we've got that cleared up then.

Thanks for the insight BB.

I now have a better picture of who's who in the zoo.

Schweet!

[gonedown]

I think motorcyclist is just a fancy term for a biker. End of story. If your vehicle (or mode of transport) has two wheels, you are a biker. Motorcyclist just sound snobbish, like English upper class.

This debate is always controversial and gets lots of fasciniting responses. I often like to fan the flames of this debate - but do not intend to do so now because there are umpteen definitions of both from different people.

At the end of the day lets agree to differ but enjoy riding our bikes - whatever type of riding we do - commuting, long trips, off road etc.

We all face the same dangers on the road and get similar enjoyment out of riding bikes.

[Wild Child]

Just an extract from our constitution ...

Prowlers MCC was founded on 1st July 1994 by a group of like-minded motorcycle enthusiasts, who wished to establish an active organisation, which would satisfy their needs and fulfil their vision with regards to biking as well as to promote and enhance the enjoyment of motorcycling in South Africa and to uphold the good name of our Club and the motorcycling fraternity in general ...

[Robertj]

I ride my bike, you call me what you like!