Age...

[larstorders]

'Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance'
Long time ago when I first began to wonder about riding bikes, fixing them and how come some people just don;t get it, I read this book.
At the time of first reading I thought Zen and the Art. answered a lot of questions. A lttle later I realised it just raised more. An armchair or is it handlebar,  philosopher was born  

[Melena]

Julio,

Yeah, I get that too.  I started riding when I was 55 and now I'm 63.  People look at me with my long white hair and say  "You ride a motorcycle?  You don't look like a biker."      And that from some "Bikers" (as opposed to motorcycle riders     ) as well as non riders.   I just smile to myself and realize they have no idea so I just let it go.  I'd rather use my energy for other things, like riding my R65.    

[travlinrebel]

Talking about being the black sheep in the family. I usually try to attend church with my parents on Mother's Day each year I am home. One year on Harley, next on Ural hack rig, following year showed up in 18 wheeler with 53 foot trailer; as 8 was leaving service the pastor saw my rig and commented " Dale, you can show up in the damnest rides.

[Ed Miller]

Melena, I generally say I'm not a biker, I just ride motorcycles a lot.

[SCJJR65]

Personally, I like to gently correct people who refer to me as a biker.  I smile and tell them that I'm a motorcyclist.  When I'm asked what the difference is, I say, "You know those people who ride Harleys and take the baffles out of their mufflers so their bikes are extremely loud and annoying to everyone?  THOSE people are bikers!"  

[Melena]

Okay, Ed & John.  I do say I'm a motorcyclist and not a biker, but it was more words than I wanted to use in that post.  

You guys are right, though.  It is definitely a point to be mentioned to people.   John, I like your definition of a "Biker".    I too like people to know that most motorcycle riders don't like loud pipes any more than they do.  (smiley with hands over ears here)

[suecanada]

I hate "biker chick"! So I correct people too in a gentle was definitive way.

[Dave 2]

Bar Harbor/Acadia National park is a destination point for literally thousands of Motorcycles every year. One can sit downtown eating an ice cream cone and see a wide array of styles of motorcycles and riders. For example many of our Canadian neighbors who visit seem to tend towards BMWs [smiley=bmw_smiley.gif] (Big Beautiful BMW's who's riders are well attired in the latest touring garb). The Harley Crowd tends to be domestic ranging from the (Very Loud) unhelmeted "Bikers" to the couple from Michigan with matching outfits, pulling a matching trailer, and wearing helmets that have more communication equipment built into them than the Apollo astronauts had.  I love it. I do notice that there seems to be more and more of us who have these gray whiskers poking out from underneath face shields, or plastered against their faces in the wind. My point is that us old farts are becoming the norm [smiley=beerchug.gif] D2

[Vegasrandall]

Julio, just wait until you're my age (72 now). Show up on a motorcycle and get remarks like -- born-again biker huh? Trying to recapture your lost youth or what? Poser! Or they seem to think you're some kind of ageing hell's angel about to pull a gun and start spraying bullets. Not much place for old idiots who've been riding since 1956!

I'm 65 and I always get comments like "aren't you a little old for that"
I've been riding since I was 8.

[suecanada]

I guess I should explain that only old guys say biker chick to me...no one younger!!! Once the helmet is off, the reality sets in for onlookers....biker grandma!!

[Semper Gumby]

I used to get that when I first checked out as Captain on the Learjet.  A young pair of somebodies would walk up to the door and one of them would look me (6'2" 175lbs white collard shirt, dark long pants and tie, black shoes - shined) square in the face and there eyes would get wide.  After their ackward question I'd answer with one question:  how long have you been driving a car?

Then I'd tell them how long I'd been flying airplanes*  They'd usually calm down after that....  (The older pair of somebodies would never ask the awkward question.  They just seemed to know.)

Now after many years of kids, airplanes and motorcycles, they are more than happy to see me (6"2" 195 lbs dark blue suit matching tie, company ten year pin, previous company's 15 year pin, BSA pin, and hat with scrambled eggs on the brim, dark shoes - still shined) at the door.







































*(1976)   8-)

[Semper Gumby]

I guess I should explain that only old guys say biker chick to me...no one younger!!! Once the helmet is off, the reality sets in for onlookers....biker grandma!!

*Hugs* for the Motorcycle Lady!!!  

[suecanada]

Thanks Semper!!! I feel younger already!! I have missed you Bill on the forum lately...glad you are back!

[Semper Gumby]

Crazy busy.  Dawgone Britbikes and a Montesa Trials bike.  Now I have to learn how to set up a AHRMA vintage trials course...

Is there a Trials Course for Dummies book out there somewheres?   :-/