Patches

[chaz]

here's what the press would say about bikers in the 60's, the bottom photo is at the old squires at sherburn-in-elmet.

[Millietant]

Like a couple of others I dabbled with various "Clubs" as a yoof - back "colours" on cut-off's, too much booze and drugs and not enough actual bike-stuff for me.

Initiation's were always "fun", people being dragged around a muddy field by their ankles and pulled through the full septic tank tank at the back of the pub, sinking a pint with a freshly used tampon in it, every member p*ssing on your colours, while you're wearing them, all that sort of stuff. NOT my idea of fun. There was quite a bit of rivalry between clubs/gangs - not always friendly

Now, I sort of fit into group 1, maybe into 3 and probably into others and some not yet mentioned - in that I always ride in full coverage gear and I ride a "Superbike", but, I don't pretend to be a racer on the roads (I keep that for the track). But, I also ride trail/enduro bikes and can regularly be seen in full off-road gear, with motocross helmet, big boots and googles. And then, I can also be seen riding a Fazer/FJ in two-piece textile "grandad" protective/waterproof gear. I also spend a lot of time riding on my own, or riding with different sets of friends, or heaven forbid, with my wife and son on their bikes.

Any "club" or group that requires me to wear a patch of any sort, or needs me to conform to any stereotype, behaviour type, activity, type, or display of loyalty, is a club/group I don't want to be part of.

Don't really know what that makes me, other than a selfish, self righteous tosser - but I'm happy :-)

[Deefer666]

Just be very careful about what you post on an open forum in relation to the whole MC/back patch/1% subject, it is very easy to cause offense even if no malice is intended. If you don't know the "etiquette" involved in this side of motorcycling then its probably because you don't move within the "club scene" and will probably never will, But it is not a subject to be shouted about.


We (OMF & I) move in these circles for a living and if you don't know the politics involved then its best to keep your mouth shut.

[Grahamm]

To quote Groucho Marx: I don't care to belong to any club that will have me as a member!

[tony_d123]

To quote Groucho Marx: I don't care to belong to any club that will have me as a member!

 

[dazza]

In the 70's my Dad was a patch wearer on the elbows of his corduroy jacket and my Mother used to sew patches on the knees of my school trousers......I don't really see what all the fuss is about.

[peterjca]

There's a 6th group Keith, commuters.  Ride through the week in all weather, possibly all year and rack up a lot of miles on their bike doing so. It's their main form of transport and arguably the true 'biker'

Hmmm or is a true biker one that has a car yet still chooses to ride a bike whenever they can, even if like me its only when the sun shines.
Yes I too have done my time riding in bad weather when I had no choice, praying for a red light so I could lean down and grab the exhaust, no fancy pants.........pants back then either,with water proofs that were'nt blah blah.

Nah, a true biker is someone who can't drive a car because he never had the interest to learn. I'll stick to two wheels thankyou (commuting every day unless it's snow and ice or strong winds), and riding it whenever I can.

Anyone else on here unable (unwilling!) to drive a car?

[fazersharp]

I started off on a bike but I will tell you what drove me to drive-----------it was girls, because yeh great I will go out with you-- what time are you picking me up!
So mabe when girls come along you will see the need to get a car 

[andybesy]

I'm bikes only, no car license. I have to say I do quite fancy a van, but only so I can fill it full of motorbikes.

Earlier this summer we were out for a ride, and saw a load of patches on the side of the road, I think at a rally.

Gave them my customary friendly wave or nod which I'll give to most any sort of biker, but got the finger off about 40 of them in return! Not very friendly!

I do tend to think of FOC as a club of sorts, as everyone here has been so helpful over past couple of years of Fazer ownership.

And I occasionally join up with fairly informal groups such as Derbyshire Bikers (1000+ group on Facebook).

I've also recently joined Biker Match having run in to them at one of their rallies at a local pub. Went and said hello naturally! My mate says it's sexy camping for bikers so I'm definitely going on the next one.

Andy

[Doddsie]

"A true biker is someone who cant drive because he never had the interest to learn"  ....... What a complete and utter load of bollocks!!!!!

[Millietant]

Groucho - deep as well as funny 

[fazersharp]

Tell you what a true biker is any person with a bike, no one is more of a biker than any other, we all have bikes and we all ride them different amounts and for different reasons and that makes us all true bikers

[Rikki]

got the finger off about 40 of them in return! Not very friendly!

Bunch of girls! Probably on the rag or something.

[darrsi]

Dare i say it, been riding constant for 27 years, never bothered with a car, never felt the need or urge.
Just the way it panned out!

[Hedgetrimmer]

Tell you what a true biker is any person with a bike, no one is more of a biker than any other, we all have bikes and we all ride them different amounts and for different reasons and that makes us all true bikers

Possibly. In favour of this argument:

1. A colleague at work plays golf in his free time. He is a golfer. Why should someone who rides a bike not get a label? It's not meant maliciously by most of us, it just helps to identify you, e.g., in conversation; "Which John Smith? Ooooh, biker John".

2. Anyone who rides the roads faces the same hazards; pot holes, surface dressing etc, idiot drivers (see, there's another one!), bad weather etc. In my view, they all deserve a certain amount of respect for choosing to deal with that, whether they just do it on a sunny Sunday, or are out in all weather, commuting or riding for a living. I'll give a nod or acknowledgement to scooter riders, L platers, police riders; they all deal with the same shit.

Perhaps there should, however, be a separate category; the veteran biker; if you started in your teens, and are still riding a bike out of choice, say, 20 years later, then I guess it's more than just a passing fad for you (to paraphrase Dave Gurman of TRD fame).

Bikes have defined who I am since my early teens. There have been short periods when I didn't have a bike, when financial circumstances dictated, but not more usually than a year or two at a time, and I always went back to two wheels as soon as I could afford to. Over the years, I've had times when it was bike first and never thought about cars (maybe that's why I'm still single fazersharp  ), I've done all the commuting in everything from sunny summer days to snow and ice conditions in the dark, but now the latter has all got to be a bit much for me, not getting any younger. So maybe I'm a veteran biker?

[limax2]

Perhaps there should, however, be a separate category; the veteran biker; if you started in your teens, and are still riding a bike out of choice, say, 20 years later,

20 years later a veteran  .  I don't know what that makes me at 50+ years later  ???

[richfzs]

That makes you an old foccer

[darrsi]

Tell you what a true biker is any person with a bike, no one is more of a biker than any other, we all have bikes and we all ride them different amounts and for different reasons and that makes us all true bikers

Possibly. In favour of this argument:

1. A colleague at work plays golf in his free time. He is a golfer. Why should someone who rides a bike not get a label? It's not meant maliciously by most of us, it just helps to identify you, e.g., in conversation; "Which John Smith? Ooooh, biker John".

2. Anyone who rides the roads faces the same hazards; pot holes, surface dressing etc, idiot drivers (see, there's another one!), bad weather etc. In my view, they all deserve a certain amount of respect for choosing to deal with that, whether they just do it on a sunny Sunday, or are out in all weather, commuting or riding for a living. I'll give a nod or acknowledgement to scooter riders, L platers, police riders; they all deal with the same shit.

Perhaps there should, however, be a separate category; the veteran biker; if you started in your teens, and are still riding a bike out of choice, say, 20 years later, then I guess it's more than just a passing fad for you (to paraphrase Dave Gurman of TRD fame).

Bikes have defined who I am since my early teens. There have been short periods when I didn't have a bike, when financial circumstances dictated, but not more usually than a year or two at a time, and I always went back to two wheels as soon as I could afford to. Over the years, I've had times when it was bike first and never thought about cars (maybe that's why I'm still single fazersharp  ), I've done all the commuting in everything from sunny summer days to snow and ice conditions in the dark, but now the latter has all got to be a bit much for me, not getting any younger. So maybe I'm a veteran biker?

Oh my, 44 years old and just been labelled a veteran.