What is a "Motorcyclist"? What defines it?

[Strika]

I'll start by saying, that it doesn't matter to me if you are the type of person who rides to the cafe for a coffee with your friends and then rides home only on sunny days or warm balmy evenings or someone who only has a bike and rides it everyday as transport as well as for leisure. To me, it doesn't matter as long as what you do is making you happy. It doesn't matter to me if you area a cruiser rider or on the latest litre sports bike. On a 125 or a 2300cc bike. None of that really makes any difference to me personally, as each will have their own reasons for doing what they do.

But, I have often had discussions with others about what really is a "Motorcyclist"?

Are you still a "Motorcyclist" if you won't ride in the rain"? Are you still a "Motorcyclist" if you only ride to the cafe? Are you still a motorcyclist if you only hop on your litre sports bike in your latest Diastar full race leathers and unobtanium boots, helmet and gloves?

What do you believe are the elements that make someone a 'Motorcyclist"?

[rooster]

As long as you ride, doesn't matter what it is, must be a motorcycle lol, fair weather or foul, long or short distance as long as you are out there riding is all that counts, IMHO

[ZXR750]

If it has two wheels and an engine (doesn't even have to be a combustion engine these days a battery now qualifies) it is a motorcycle. As long as it is designed to be ridden eg not a remote control.
If you are the owner or the rider of the above you are a motorcyclist.
I class scooters and mopeds in this catagory as some of them are more powerful than some conventional bikes.

[MickLC]

To me it's someone who's riding a motorbike because they enjoy it.

[Glen]

Yep I reckon if you ride, not because it makes sense, but because it's fun then you're there

[Jonno]

I see it as anyone who enjoys riding a motorcycle, but I think there are two catorgories;

Old school riders

and

Modern day riders

Mostly differentiated by the era they grew up in and attitudes

Then there are the bikies and that's a whole different ball game.

[MickLC]

I see it as anyone who enjoys riding a motorcycle, but I think there are two catorgories;

Old school riders

and

Modern day riders

Mostly differentiated by the era they grew up in and attitudes

Then there are the bikies and that's a whole different ball game.

How do you differentiate between old school and modern eras? Dates?

What are the attitude differences?

[Jonno]

Um if you went to the Bathurst bike races you would know the difference

I was hoping others would take the lead from here

[MickLC]

Um if you went to the Bathurst bike races you would know the difference

OK, I thought it might've been something like that. That would make me a modern day rider and Gos and PC old school riders....I'm still trying to see the difference in attitudes

[Kermit]

What do you believe are the elements that make someone a 'Motorcyclist"?

Someone like the featured rider and does the following to salesman's --->

To tired to think straight, will come up with a more appropriate response later.

[Strika]

Um if you went to the Bathurst bike races you would know the difference

OK, I thought it might've been something like that. That would make me a modern day rider and Gos and PC old school riders....I'm still trying to see the difference in attitudes

Old school is slip down the local racer rd on yr CB/Z/GS with cip-ons and pirelli phantoms in yr jeans, rossi boots, riggers gloves n some bucket you picked up for nix from a neighbour. Have a feed and half dozen schooners, then race ya mates back home for a few more brews before you went home. Riding in all weather in a set of oilskins if you were cashed up otherwise just sucking it up. Learning to fix shit on the side of the road and getting on with it. Chucking it away on some gravel on a hairpin n using some farm tools n bits n pieces to get it running again.
Sitting on the old ton everywhere without a double bubble even blinking an eye.

Pulling a stand for the full length of the main street and having the local copper pull you up giggling his head off and complimenting the stand while telling you to just take it out of town.

A weekend away on the bike was denim jeans n jkt, rossis, gloves, lid, swag/tarp ockie strapped to the back. Ride somewhere, drink, shag, eat, take the piss n ride back, all still on the old ton.

We hated being told what we couldn't do and did what we want as long as we weren't harming abyone. A wheelstand leaving your mates was mandatory, or a burnout. We were tough, rebelious, anti establishment.

I could go on, but that gives a general idea.

[smithy5]

Old school is slip down the local racer rd on yr CB/Z/GS with cip-ons and pirelli phantoms in yr jeans, rossi boots, riggers gloves n some bucket you picked up for nix from a neighbour. Have a feed and half dozen schooners, then race ya mates back home for a few more brews before you went home.

Those were the days................. and don't forget a denim jacket with the sleeves ripped off for winter
and all on a learners permit at best, so as not to interfere with your drivers licence

[seiko1]

Um if you went to the Bathurst bike races you would know the difference

OK, I thought it might've been something like that. That would make me a modern day rider and Gos and PC old school riders....I'm still trying to see the difference in attitudes

Maybe it's the oldschool....pfffft it's only paint...
or the new school.....can't cross those double white lines.

or the old school....who needs a jacket and boots....
or the new school...must have all the gay safety gear.....

[photomike666]

Modern view is motorcycling is an enjoyable mode of transport

Old school view is it's a way of life, often with a healthy dose of rebellion tacked on for good measure.

I vote for the old ways.

[09sydrd]

Old school riders

and

Modern day riders

Mostly differentiated by the era they grew up in and attitudes

old school = stone
modern day = wild hogs