Being a fellow enthusiast of motorcycles and when approached by a topic for a community profile, I would like to give some insight into why people own/ride/enjoy/build/design motorcycles while many stereotypes about motorcyclists are negative. I have a few questions that I would like for you to answer if you would like to help break some peoples' bad images of what motorcycling is and who motorcyclists really are. Everyone remember this is to be written as a completely unbiased paper so some questions may seem biased one way or the other but the format will be such that people will form their own, hopefully positive, view on the motorcycle community. If anyone has any problems with the questions, feel free to voice your opinion. Also anyone know where I can find a nice metallic blue Harley Fat-Boy, used maybe?

1. When were you first exposed to motorcycles or rode a motorcycle?

2. What was your initial outlook on the motorcycle community before becoming involved?

3. What was you outlook on the community after becoming involved?

4. What is it that draws you to motorcycles?

5. Why do you ride a vehicle with a high threat to your life if in an accident?

6. What kind of bonds and relationships have you formed throughout the community or because of the motorcycle factor?

7. How do you feel about how people look at you when you are riding a motorcycle or in your riding gear (leathers)?

8. Do you care how other people form opinions about you and your association with motorcycles?

Just post your responses here or email me to the address under my profile.

 

NewHog, thanks for looking to Bikerforums to help you out with your paper. You an OU student? Here's my answers to your questions.

1. When were you first exposed to motorcycles or rode a motorcycle? about age 5, I had an uncle with a cabin in NE, and he had about 6 dirtbikes, and my dad had one as well. I bought my first bike at age 19.

2. What was your initial outlook on the motorcycle community before becoming involved? well, since Dad had one, I thought they were cool. We used to go trail riding with a large group of people, and they were all very friendly.

3. What was your outlook on the community after becoming involved? Now that I am older, and more involved, they are some of the nicest people you can meet. Always willing to swap stories and help out if necessary.

4. What is it that draws you to motorcycles? Independence, freedom, it's relaxing to me.

5. Why do you ride a vehicle with a high threat to your life if in an accident? We all gotta go sometime. I don't focus on that statistic. I focus on the fact that I'm doing something I enjoy. If I go out while doing something I love, so be it.

6. What kind of bonds and relationships have you formed throughout the community or because of the motorcycle factor? I have made some good, lifelong friends through riding, and these boards. The events, Sturgis, Daytona, Milwaukee, they all allow you to meet new people from all over the US and the world with the same interests. It's always easy to strike up a conversation with another biker.

7. How do you feel about how people look at you when you are riding a motorcycle or in your riding gear (leathers)? I'm not in it for anyone elses impression of me. Being a large bald man with facial hair, I suppose some might think I loook intimidating, or un-inviting. Not the case at all. There is an impression that the HD rider is an unapproachable 1%'er. Not the case at all. We just don't smile cause we don't want bugs in our teeth!

8. Do you care how other people form opinions about you and your association with motorcycles? Nope, that's not why I ride. I know who I am and what I am like. If they want to find out, they can strike up a conversation.

 

 

Thanks guys that will really help. The more people that reply, the more I will be able to voice your opinions correctly in the paper. Get everyone you know to fill out the questionare if possible. If anyone knows any club presidents/leaders that would be interested in an interview, have them contact me through here.

 

1. When were you first exposed to motorcycles or rode a motorcycle? When I was 24, a long time ago, a friend had one and soon so did I

2. What was your initial outlook on the motorcycle community before becoming involved? From my friend I had learned that motorcyclists as all groups have some good and some bad.

3. What was you outlook on the community after becoming involved? Found most were very friendly and helpful and liked to have a good time.

4. What is it that draws you to motorcycles? I am not sure if I can put it into words: I like the feel, the sounds, the smells. My bike makes me feel alive.

5. Why do you ride a vehicle with a high threat to your life if in an accident? Because of the above. My bike makes me feel alive

6. What kind of bonds and relationships have you formed throughout the community or because of the motorcycle factor? I hope some good lifelong friends. Also by partaking in charity rides I hope I've been able to help the community.

7. How do you feel about how people look at you when you are riding a motorcycle or in your riding gear (leathers)? I don't want to upset people but if my leathers bother them that is their hangup and if they get to know me hopefully their attitudes will change.

8. Do you care how other people form opinions about you and your association with motorcycles? Yes I care. Hopefully they will get to know us before they form their opinions.

 

1. When were you first exposed to motorcycles or rode a motorcycle? Amazingly at the age of 5 I was riding a three wheeler (250cc) all by myself. Could reach the pedals or shifter, so my dad did some mods and it was all hand controls. I should post those pics.

2. What was your initial outlook on the motorcycle community before becoming involved? Seemed like a tight knit community of guys and gals that liked to have a good time.

3. What was you outlook on the community after becoming involved? Same really, but I saw that you got your good and bad. Some like to party their ***** off, some like to relax.

4. What is it that draws you to motorcycles? Sound, feel, people, exhilaration and wheelies.

5. Why do you ride a vehicle with a high threat to your life if in an accident? It's the best ride in the world.

6. What kind of bonds and relationships have you formed throughout the community or because of the motorcycle factor? I've met people from all over. People you wouldn't normally hang out with or meet - you get to know very well. That makes it so much fun. One of the reason I started this site was to take that feeling to a larger community - and honestly I think I've succeeded. I've met people from all over and have made some good friends that otherwise I would have never known.

7. How do you feel about how people look at you when you are riding a motorcycle or in your riding gear (leathers)? They either want me or are scared of me. I usually give 'em a smile or a thumbs up. For little kids I wave and blow the horn....that makes 'em laugh.

8. Do you care how other people form opinions about you and your association with motorcycles? No, unless their wrong or stereotypical I couldn't care less.

 

1. At about 7 or 8 years old my big brother had a motorbike and he used to take me up the local farm track on the back of it, I was hooked straight away, I later found a boyfriend who had a bike,when I was about 16 and used to ride pillion with him occasionally (illegally as he hadn't passed his driving test at the time) I then waited till I was about 18 until I actually rode one myself and bought my first bike.

2. Envy, I just wanted to get out there and join them but was banned from bikes by my parents as they thought they were 'dangerous'

3. Really cool, everyone is so friendly and welcoming, I fit in straight away.

4. Freedom

5. You take life threatening risks every day of your life, one more won't make any difference.

6. I found my husband and have also made other lifelong friends from all over the country/world.

7. Don't feel anything, if people don't like the way I look, that's tough.

8. No

 

1. When were you first exposed to motorcycles or rode a motorcycle? I was about 7 or 8 when my mom and dad bought me a dirt bike, and I've been hooked ever since.

2. What was your initial outlook on the motorcycle community before becoming involved? I grew up around motorcycles, my dad had one, my uncles, my grandpa, hell about everyone in my family owned one, so all I know is that I always wanted one.

3. What was you outlook on the community after becoming involved? This is great!!!!

4. What is it that draws you to motorcycles? The freedom

5. Why do you ride a vehicle with a high threat to your life if in an accident? Why do you drive a car? Yeah the risk on motorcycles are high than those of a car, but you can die driving/riding either one.

6. What kind of bonds and relationships have you formed throughout the community or because of the motorcycle factor? You're never alone when you're a cyclists.

7. How do you feel about how people look at you when you are riding a motorcycle or in your riding gear (leathers)? I pay no mind to how people look at me, it doesn't really matter what people think of me. You don't like me, fine, I don't like you either.

8. Do you care how other people form opinions about you and your association with motorcycles? NO!!! (refer back to question 7)