Attitude

The key to remember is that most bikers are after a certain perception. They want the general public to think they are extra tough. While some are extra tough, those usually are the type who don't “flaunt” it. The leather, the flaming skulls, the barb wire tattoos and the menacing looks are all a part of that perception. These people like to be left alone, they like to look tough and use that perception to be left alone.

I've walked into a bar on a poker run, the group of 4 guys at the end of the bar are all clad in leather vests with patches and pins covering their backs. Nothing special about them, they aren't a part of any club, but they add to the perception. I walk past them to head to the bathroom and just nod. Three of them perform the customary return nod, the fourth just stares with steely cold grey eyes. He then turns his attention back to the sweating beer bottle in his hand. He just let me know via the perception that he wants to be left alone. I oblige and leave him and his buddies alone. Hey, if you don't want me to talk to you then I won't. I then return from the bathroom to draw my card, they guy behind the table is part of a club, the sponsoring club of the poker run. He has all the tattoos, the long scraggly hair, the patches and yes the attitude. This gent strikes up a conversation when I go to draw the card, “how is the run going?”, “lots of bikes out there?”. His is more likely the tougher of the two. He doesn't mind talking to you and welcomes the conversation. However, if you piss him off or do anything to threaten his family (which includes brothers and friends) then you would find out just how tough he really is. As I stated in the section about 1% bikers, those are just a totally different type of tough. Those are best just to steer clear of.

Why do these bikers cling to this type of perception? Mostly it is because they want to be left alone, out on the road riding and doing what they love. It may be a safety mechanism, if you fear me you will give me a wide berth, both at the gas station and especially on the road. Today's drivers in general are not very good, mostly due to the rush they are in to get where they are going. Tailgating is a horrible habit that quite a few people get into, they think by getting close to the vehicle in front of them it will scare or annoy them to either go faster or get out of the way. Do it to a motorcycle and it is that much more dangerous. One mishap and that biker goes down and the car runs them over, literally. They have to slow down quickly to avoid something and the car not only bumps them but knocks them over. Now if you are driving your car and get behind a biker with a loud bike, long hair flowing in the wind, patches with skulls other nasty images on their back and you will probably think twice about tailgating. Riding in a group intesifies the perception, the more bikers like that and the more emphasis is placed on the possible problems if a car gets too close.

I am not saying that this perception is wrong or doesn't do what some bikers intend for it to do. I have witnessed this first hand many times. It can be used to benefit all involved, fights have been averted, arguments cut way short before they get out of hand and just general safety has been improved.

There are those idiots who use this perception for different purposes. They use it to belong to something they shouldn't try to belong to. Yes, the biker community. These types of people are usually called RUBs, or Rich Urban Bikers. These are those who go buy a $20,000 harley davidson and put maybe 400 miles on it per year. They can be seen washing it on nice weather days in their driveway, it is parked in front of the house gleaming and bright while they clean out the garage or do some yard work. They have the leather, chaps, dark sunglasses and the fingerless gloves. On those nice weather days they “gear up” with the clothes and the attitude and hit the road. Usually to some yuppie hang out or a friends house.