Biker or Motorcycle Enthusiast?

Part-time employees don’t get full-time benefits. There is a distinct difference between being a motorcycle enthusiast and a biker. Before I continue lets put some issues to rest.

One type of rider isn’t any better than the other. It’s about the mindset and the level of commitment one is willing to invest.

If you only want to be a weekend warrior, then knock yourself out. If all you want to do is bar hop across town on a Friday night, then by all means do your thing. If your motorcycle spends more time in the garage than it does on the road that is your choice to make. If you only want to ride during the summer months that’s your prerogative.

The problem comes in where some people develop a chip on their shoulder and adhere to the participation trophy mentality.

If being a motorcycle enthusiast/weekend warrior is the choice you made, then that’s the choice you have to live with. It’s a choice you should be proud of regardless of any opposing opinions. However, some motorcycle enthusiasts think they deserve the same status and accolades as a biker just for wearing biker gear, starting a motorcycle and riding in a straight line. As the saying goes: “Everybody wants to be a biker until it’s time to do biker shit.” Congratulations, you’ve partaken in a hobby the vast majority of people on this planet are terrified of thinking about let alone actually try but there’s more to the biker lifestyle than just looking and acting the part.

The difference between being a motorcycle enthusiast and being a biker is apparent in how a person views his or her motorcycle. A motorcycle enthusiast looks at a motorcycle as a toy. A vehicle that only serves the purpose of recreation and leisure. A biker views a motorcycle as a mode of transportation that they more often than not ride on a daily basis. Many times when a choice needs to be made the motorcycle is going to get fixed before the car will, particularly if the repairs for the car aren’t crucial to its daily function.

A motorcycle is more than just a source of recreation. A motorcycle to a biker is an extension of ones personality. It serves as a companion like a horse is to a cowboy or a cowhand. A seasoned biker will develop muscle memory with his motorcycle in the same way that you can have such a level of muscle memory with a smartphone that you can walk around trying to remember where you lost your smartphone when all along your smartphone is in your hand.

There is the perception, a misnomer that bikers are rough, lawless, drunken, knuckle dragging cretins that only ride Harleys and are members of motorcycle clubs that wreak havoc everywhere they go.

While some of that may be true to a certain extent the vast majority of bikers out there aren’t about that life. There are many echelons to the biker lifestyle that the average person isn’t aware of but for the sake of this blog post and this blog I’m going to stay in my lane and discuss the biker lifestyle from the independent cross country biker perspective.

I ride year around–Summer, fall, winter, and spring. I ride rain or shine in the blistering heat and freezing cold. Outside of my responsibilities as a husband, and senior NCO and an educator I ride cross country when time permits. Over the 40 years I’ve been cross country riding I’ve ridden all kinds of motorcycles. I don’t owe any allegiance to any one motorcycle manufacturer.

So, why the biker lifestyle? It’s therapeutic. A catharsis through which I recharge my soul, maintain a positive outlook on life and humanity, and gain experiences that not only lasts a lifetime but also serves to enrich my life. When you ride alone it’s fascinating how people lose all inhibitions, approach and interact.

The cross country biker lifestyle elicits a profound sense of freedom and self-discovery, as it invites individuals to escape the constraints of everyday life and embrace the open road. Each ride becomes a journey not just through diverse landscapes, but also within oneself, fostering resilience, independence, and a deep connection to the world around. The thrill of navigating winding roads, the wind rushing past, and the camaraderie shared with fellow bikers create a unique tapestry of experiences that enrich the soul. This lifestyle cultivates mindfulness, as every moment on the bike demands presence, allowing riders to savor the beauty of nature and the exhilaration of adventure while forging lasting memories and a sense of belonging in the vast tapestry of the biking community.

You get out of life what you put into it. Can a motorcycle enthusiast gain the same type of experience existing within the confines of the weekend warrior mentality? The short answer is no. The difference between a motorcycle enthusiast lifestyle and a biker lifestyle is like the difference between eating a candy bar and eating a well balanced meal. That candy bar may provide instant gratification and a burst of energy but as soon as the sugar rush burns off here comes the crash. However, when you eat a well balanced meal the gratification as well as the reward is longer lasting. Your body is nourished with vitamins and nutrients that serve to provide balance in your body.

So, how does one make the transition from being a motorcycle enthusiast to a biker? The same way you eat an elephant: One bite at a time. Below are the first 3 steps to take in order to make that transition come to pass:

1. Take an MSF basic riding course and/or practice in the riding course in the parking lot of any large Harley Davidson dealership on the days they’re closed.
2. Conduct some internet research and locate a popular destination. Extend your riding range on a monthly basis as time permits by picking a destination that’s further away with each trip. Start within your state, then graduate to destinations outside of your state.
3. Conduct online research of interesting motorcycle events. CycleFish.com is one of the best internet sources to find out about any number of biker events across the country 24-7-365.