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By Carmen Juch
Warning: This article is based on opinion and may contain sarcasm, derision and irony. Wear protective clothing when reading.
“Did you see that?” Heads snap and … nope, missed it. Some people are exceedingly observant. There are of course, those who always “” miss it”. But those sharp-eyed folks, they notice even the most trivial things happening around them. Their world is constantly amazed and amazing. They are the ones that know the goings on in everyone’s life … Idiosyncrasies, habits, quirks. (And they are the best for knowing the scoop!) Let’s face facts, we are all human, and we all have something that someone else looks at as peculiar, cool, weird or just flat out stupid.
I imagine a good number of us are people watchers. I know I am. We enjoy scrutinizing people, their clothes, vehicles, and of course, bikers check out what other bikers ride.
Have you noticed that people tend to resemble their bikes? I am not sure if the rider intentionally or subconsciously makes his or her appearance harmonize with their ride but I suspect it evolves. Perhaps you don’t agree with this observation but I beg your indulgence. I will admit it isn’t each and every rider, but it sure seems more frequently than not, bike and rider is a matched pair. “Be one with the bike, one with the bike.” I’ve even observed people change bikes and grow to match the new look.
Case in point, have you ever spotted (or maybe you are one of them) the guy always in pressed shirts and creased jeans. Doesn’t it seem the bike they ride is also sharp, clean and polished to a gleam?
At the same time, a bike that seems to be held together with duct tape and a prayer tends to have a rider who dresses a little less “fashionably” leaning less towards name brand clothing and more towards crumbled and rumpled! When you meet a rider who appears “dangerous”, check out their ride, it’s usually pretty easy to figure out the truth behind the façade. Its usually such a dead giveaway, especially if you take into consideration that being mean or obtuse doesn’t actually mean “tough”.
So, here are some observations, I’ve made. Maybe you agree, maybe you don’t. Maybe you see your friend or yourself. Maybe you have some observations that you’ve made! I was concerned this might be offensive to some people and then I thought, well, it’s a story and I need one! But the people I have talked to about this idea actually find it quite amusing and then set about seeing how they match their bikes as well as how their friends match theirs!
Just about everyone views his or her bike as a dazzling piece of machinery and is usually pleased to be compared to it. Yes, that’s right, even the ones held together with duct tape that have a Barbie Doll wired to the front fender. We do love our rides.
Chopper riders are frequently tireless. They can out-stay, out-last, and seem to have more vitality than the rest of us. I suppose that if you can hold your arms over your head for long periods of time, you must have some kind of perseverance.
Crouch rocket riders are by and large young, slim and brash. And if they aren’t then you may have found a person with a Peter Pan complex. (I don’t care who you are, there comes a time when leaning forward to ride is not comfortable and speed isn’t the most important obsession you have with your bike. Not to mention, losing your awe at “doing a wheelie”.)
Have you seen a bike sitting outside somewhere that looks like the only time it has been washed was during a rainstorm? Check out the rider. How about one that starts with loud “gun shots” from backfiring? Listen to the rider in a conversation. Is the dialogue jam-packed with loud “bursts” of noise too?
Are there dings on both sides from the bike from being dropped? I’ll wager that is one forgetful, easily distracted rider. How about a biker with lots of jewelry? Check the chrome out on the bike. Pink bike, pink helmet, pink boots? There is a woman who wants you to know that even though she rides her own, she is still a “girlie girl”. If it’s a guy, well, I’m not going there.
Does the rider insist that the only bike to ride is NOT an EVO? Bet you they are resistant to change. Is every piece of clothing branded with the company who makes the motorcycle they ride? Seeking recognition for, and proud of, their choices. Wild and crazy paint job? Maybe you have someone who is a little wild or at least wants you to think so.
The multi-bike person, who however rarely if ever rides any of them, is interesting. I have a couple of ideas here. Some never look like their bike because they never actually bond with any one bike. Then there is the multi-bike owner who does ride, and often. Their personality might be a little split. The bike they look like might be the newest of the collection, or just the one they’re riding right that minute. On the “nice” bike? It’s “date night”. On the older more worn bike? Out for a ride with friends.
Just like we choose our friends, we choose our motorcycles. They represent who we are and how we feel about ourselves. The fact that we customize them after we buy them is more proof of our desire to make our bike more like ourselves. Do you choose skulls or eagles? Is your paint black or bright?
One man looks into the mirror and sees his shorts with black socks and dress shoes as a fashion and another sees the same outfit as a fashion faux pas. The same can be said for the world of motorcycle adorning. It is varied from rider to rider. The same “model” bike will present the impression of being a thousand different bikes after the purchaser finishes (if that ever happens) with their custom decorating.
Of course, there are still the riders who buy it and ride it “as is” off the floor, never to add another ornament. And I believe that makes a statement all its own too.
Most of us though, just can’t help buying that special kickstand, or some other custom piece, that says to us who we are inside, or whom we want others to believe we are. To say loud and proud, “This is my bike!! This is ME!” That says it all.
The general public looks at us as one solid group labeled “bikers”, all riders the same; no difference between one and the next one. But in reality, our bikes each scream out, “I am UNIQUE and I am an individual.”
So, do You resemble your bike?