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Those that ride motorcycles are generally called bikers. Are we a subset of that group called bikers or is there another term that can be used for those who ride maxi-scooters like the Burgman?
Are we bikers?
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We're a special breed. Risk takers. Laughing at conventional wisdom. Burning the pavement as fast as the law allows :wink:
Yea - we're bikers
Yea - we're bikers
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Bikers??
The term "Biker" seems to have some negative vibes associated with it. For people who don't ride, it can conjure up visions of Hells Angels, chopped Harleys, tatoos, knife fights - all that extreme lifestyle stuff...
So, I have always preferred to call to myself a "motorcyclist". Has more of a sports enthusiast kind of ring to it. An adventurer, to be sure, but I'm not coming into town to rape and pillage Maam...
But a "Scooterist"??? I'm not so sure.... The average citizen, unaware of recent developments, will visualize a 50cc 2 stroke screaming along at 30 mph. I'd be immediately dismissed as an eccentric.
So how should I describe myself these days? Aw, who cares! I'm just gonna go riding.
The term "Biker" seems to have some negative vibes associated with it. For people who don't ride, it can conjure up visions of Hells Angels, chopped Harleys, tatoos, knife fights - all that extreme lifestyle stuff...
So, I have always preferred to call to myself a "motorcyclist". Has more of a sports enthusiast kind of ring to it. An adventurer, to be sure, but I'm not coming into town to rape and pillage Maam...
But a "Scooterist"??? I'm not so sure.... The average citizen, unaware of recent developments, will visualize a 50cc 2 stroke screaming along at 30 mph. I'd be immediately dismissed as an eccentric.
So how should I describe myself these days? Aw, who cares! I'm just gonna go riding.
Puleeze...your'e wearin me out..
We we bikers when Japanese V-Twins came out?
IS a feller riding a Motoguzzi MV100 Automatic with Floorboards a biker?
A burgman 650 (forget the 400) is a vertical twin with a neat Automatic tranny. Its a motorcycle ! So there's no gas tank in the middle.
"I wouldn't be cuaght dead on a Rice burner...yeah yeah blah blah. I wouldn't be caught dead on a scooter...blah blah.
I you have to think about it our'e thinking too hard.
We we bikers when Japanese V-Twins came out?
IS a feller riding a Motoguzzi MV100 Automatic with Floorboards a biker?
A burgman 650 (forget the 400) is a vertical twin with a neat Automatic tranny. Its a motorcycle ! So there's no gas tank in the middle.
"I wouldn't be cuaght dead on a Rice burner...yeah yeah blah blah. I wouldn't be caught dead on a scooter...blah blah.
I you have to think about it our'e thinking too hard.
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I'm with migz123 on this one, but I've always prefered the term "rider" to " biker" - one reflects an activity, the other an 'assumed' lifestyle. I suppose that on the 650 I'm a "Skaboo rider", and on the RC45 I'm an (you've guessed it) "RC45 rider", etc.
Something that doesn't change whatever bike I'm riding is that I'm a 'motorcycle enthusiast' - you can be one of these whether you own a 50cc, 500cc, or 1500cc mount, or indeed nothing at all. It's inclusive as opposed to exclusive. I kind of like that.
Something that doesn't change whatever bike I'm riding is that I'm a 'motorcycle enthusiast' - you can be one of these whether you own a 50cc, 500cc, or 1500cc mount, or indeed nothing at all. It's inclusive as opposed to exclusive. I kind of like that.
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Guess I'm a "bike'r" and my wife is a "scooter'er"
The only place I've seen the word Scooter is on the Suzuki website
at the rollover pulldown called "Scooters".
I prefer "greaser", then having gotten it all wrong I explain to them
what it's like, then having them sit on the throne they melt into the
fantasy/reality that I ride on.
The GSX-R1000 may be Motorcyclist magazine's 2003 Motorcycle Of The Year
but I'm only racing towards and away from home, a long long way
from Brea sometimes all summer long.
at the rollover pulldown called "Scooters".
I prefer "greaser", then having gotten it all wrong I explain to them
what it's like, then having them sit on the throne they melt into the
fantasy/reality that I ride on.
The GSX-R1000 may be Motorcyclist magazine's 2003 Motorcycle Of The Year
but I'm only racing towards and away from home, a long long way
from Brea sometimes all summer long.
I owned a 1100 Shadow, gs500 suzuki, 250 Rebel, 1800 vtx, 550 Yamaha, and now also own a 650 Burgman. Never thought of myself as a "biker", more of a motorcyclist who enjoys the road. You'll notice all these are Japanese models. I like the Harley's well enough, just don't buy into the biker mentality, not that all HD owners are "bikers" either by far. I suspect many of them are not unlike us - just won't admit it!
"A scooter? Are you a sissy boy or what?"
"A scooter? Are you a sissy boy or what?"
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I've heard used...John Bellantonio said:
motorcyclist (no matter what some might say, it is a type of motorcycle)
a mod (versus a rocker, older classic scooter terms)
scooterist (also scooter enthusiast)
maxiscooterist (clarifies the type of scooter in question)
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This is simple. I'm a rider.
I own a sport standard and a sport commuter.
Eddie
I own a sport standard and a sport commuter.
Eddie
Motorcyclist... Scooterist... Whaterists?
Everyone..let's get real...
WHAT IS THE DEFINITION OF A MOTORCYCLE?
A MOTORCYCLE IS A TWO WHEELED BIKE WITH A MOTOR...
ENOUGH SAID???? A SCOOTER... IS A MOTORCYCLE WITH A BODY ADAPTED TO BE MORE COMFORTABLE.. BUT IT IS STILL A MOTOR CYCLE... IT HAS TWO WHEELS AND A MOTOR... GIVE IT UP.. WE ARE ALL BIKERS!!!!!
Everyone..let's get real...
WHAT IS THE DEFINITION OF A MOTORCYCLE?
A MOTORCYCLE IS A TWO WHEELED BIKE WITH A MOTOR...
ENOUGH SAID???? A SCOOTER... IS A MOTORCYCLE WITH A BODY ADAPTED TO BE MORE COMFORTABLE.. BUT IT IS STILL A MOTOR CYCLE... IT HAS TWO WHEELS AND A MOTOR... GIVE IT UP.. WE ARE ALL BIKERS!!!!!
I prefer "dufus", but that's just me. 
I've owned everything from a Tomos moped to a DR650S to a ZX-7R and everything in between. My current ride is a Derbi GP1 with a Metrakit pipe and 70cc 13.9:1 compression engine that does 90mph (you guys think you get looks? :shock: ). I'm a rider (or, in Las Vegas, "dead man riding").
I've owned everything from a Tomos moped to a DR650S to a ZX-7R and everything in between. My current ride is a Derbi GP1 with a Metrakit pipe and 70cc 13.9:1 compression engine that does 90mph (you guys think you get looks? :shock: ). I'm a rider (or, in Las Vegas, "dead man riding").
I also do not care much for the term biker, I ride a motorcycle.
I have been calling it a touring scooter because most people have no idea just how far scooters have come and this makes them think twice.
Really , I find you say scooter to most people and they think Vespa.(old Vespa)
I have been calling it a touring scooter because most people have no idea just how far scooters have come and this makes them think twice.
Really , I find you say scooter to most people and they think Vespa.(old Vespa)
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I agree about the term biker - too much in the way of outlaw gang & poser connotations. I've always considered myself a "motorcyclist", and I will remain a "motorcyclist".Randy said:
Funny, but the first question I've gotten from older gentlemen several times when they walk up to look at the 650 is, "Will it Keep up with traffic"?
I don't know if they are thinking Vespa, or Moped or Yamaha Riva - but when I tell them it will top 100 mph they sure look confused.
Too be fair, the old 200cc Vespas and the Lambrettas would pretty much keep up with traffic in their day. And the Vespa full size spare tire stored neatly behind one of the rear side panels was pretty slick. My best friend's dad had a white Lambretta with a windshield and a luggage rack and a full side spare tire mounted under the luggage rack. He loved riding that thing.
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Who cares what they call people who ride "scooters". As long as you are doing what you enjoy when you ride, JUST DO IT!
Wave at others who are riding on 2 wheels. If they don't wave back, then they have the problem - not you. Don't feel embarassed because your's is smaller. Remember, it's not the size that counts - it's how much fun you have with it that counts.
Wave at others who are riding on 2 wheels. If they don't wave back, then they have the problem - not you. Don't feel embarassed because your's is smaller. Remember, it's not the size that counts - it's how much fun you have with it that counts.
titles
Motorcyclist works for me. I frankly don't care what they call me just as long as they don't hit me!!! :shock:
Bryna
P.S. We put 80 miles on our Burgie 400 yesterday during our first foray into Jersey. 8) Got waves from virtually every approaching rider except perhaps those in the midst of a turn/curve.
Motorcyclist works for me. I frankly don't care what they call me just as long as they don't hit me!!! :shock:
Bryna
P.S. We put 80 miles on our Burgie 400 yesterday during our first foray into Jersey. 8) Got waves from virtually every approaching rider except perhaps those in the midst of a turn/curve.
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