Bikers.

[madokie]

I hope it is ok to post this

I saw you,
hug your purse closer to you in the grocery store line.
But, you didn't see me,
put an extra $10.00 in the collection plate last Sunday.

I saw you,
pull your child closer when we passed each other on the sidewalk.
But, you didn't see me,
playing Santa at the local mall.

I saw you,
change your mind about going into the restaurant.
But, you didn't see me,
attending a meeting to raise more money for the hurricane relief.

I saw you,
roll up your window and shake your head when I drove by.
But, you didn't see me,
driving behind you when you flicked your cigarette butt out the car window.

I saw you,
frown at me when I smiled at your children.
But, you didn't see me,
when I took time off from work to run toys to the homeless.

I saw you,
stare at my long hair.
But, you didn't see me,
and my friends cut ten inches off for Locks of Love.

I saw you,
roll your eyes at our leather coats and gloves.
But, you didn't see me,
and my brothers donate our old coats and gloves to those that had none.

I saw you,
look in fright at my tattoos.
But, you didn't see me,
cry as my children where born and have their name written over and in my heart.

I saw you,
change lanes while rushing off to go somewhere.
But, you didn't see me,
going home to be with my family.

I saw you,
complain about how loud and noisy our bikes can be.
But, you didn't see me,
when you were changing the CD and drifted into my lane.

I saw you,
yelling at your kids in the car.
But, you didn't see me,
pat my child's hands, knowing he was safe behind me.

I saw you,
reading the newspaper or map as you drove down the road.
But, you didn't see me,
squeeze my wife's leg when she told me to take the next turn.

I saw you,
race down the road in the rain.
But, you didn't see me,
get soaked to the skin so my son could have the car to go on his date.


I saw you,
run the yellow light just to save a few minutes of time.
But, you didn't see me,
trying to turn right.

I saw you,
cut me off because you needed to be in the lane I was in.
But, you didn't see me,
leave the road.

I saw you,
waiting impatiently for my friends to pass.
But, you didn't see me.
I wasn't there.

I saw you,
go home to your family.
But, you didn't see me.
Because, I died that day you cut me off.

I was just a biker,.....
A person with friends and a family.
But, you didn't see me.



MAY IS MOTORCYCLE AWARENESS MONTH PLEASE PASS THIS ON FOR YOUR LOVED ONES WHO RIDE!!

[Vinnie From Indy]

1. Nice Post!

eom

[Dunvegan]

2. K & R

[HornBuckler]

3. That's definately some heavy shit

good post. BTW, I always try and look out for you dudes!

someday I might have a motorcycle - but I am afraid of the assholes of which you post!

[BoneDaddy]

4. Those poor misunderstood bikers

Who would have thought that under all those scars,tatoos and leather there exists such sensitive souls?

I love the line about hugging your child when you see me. I can just imagine this giant of a man, long beard, long hair with a bandanna on, huge boots and in some dusty leather. Christ, he would scare me too

[Solo_in_MD]

14. You are confusing the wannabes with the rest of us

Who ride for transportation or pleasure.

[MadHound]

16. Gee, stereotype much? Short on empathy there?

Give me a break pal.

I'm a big guy, 6'5", and I ride. I don't wear leather, but do wear a biker jacket for protection(ballistic nylon shoulder, elbow and spine pad) I wear heavy duty Doc Martins, steel toed, also for safety. Why do I wear all this hot heavy gear? Because assholes in cars couldn't care less about riders, and are liable to run me down, and I want protection when this happens.

Oh, and while I do have long hair, a longish beard at times, and many many scars(most from my bicycle racing days). But I would but my intelligence up against yours anyday pal, along with my compassion and empathy. See, I don't judge people by how they look, but how they act. And frankly if you're to bigoted or shallow to deal with people based solely on their looks, well hey, I'm better off without you anyway.

But when you're broke down by the side of the rode, and a big guy rolls up on a bike, don't freak out OK. He's probably there to lend a hand and help you out.

Peace:hi:

[TahitiNut]

22. I rode a rice-burner for years.

Without exception, despite the fact I was just a recreational rider on a non-Harley, bikers were the best folks I met on the road. Helpful, friendly, engaging ... despite the kind of appearance that the movies make into 'bad' people. You can tell a book by its cover far better than you can judge a human being by his appearance. If anything, I've developed a 'reverse prejudice' ... regarding guys (and gals) on bikes as better-than-average folks - especially if their bike is clean and well-maintained.

[Ron Green]

26. You were a good auditory citizen.

Or I assume so, unless you installed some aftermarket thunder-pipes on your machine. I just can't abide the Harley guys when the engines say "lookatme-lookatme-lookatme-lookatme" sitting at idle, and then shake all the windows in the area when they take off.

Now a BMW R-90, maybe a 1980's model with low miles - that would be a different story.

[Nicole]

39. Sometimes those loud pipes are lifesavers

My husband put those "after market thunder pipes" on his Harley for that very reason. I certainly felt safer knowing drivers could hear us even when they didn't see us.

I would guess that those nice, quiet bikes are hit more often than the louds ones.

[Critters2]

59. Please!!

I have the misfortune of living near a state highway which is a favorite of bikers. On a weekend afternoon, we can barely speak to one another in our own yard!! Your right to make all that noise should stop at my property line.

Inconsiderate assholes!

[Nicole]

63. Please!!

Our bike wasn't that loud & we were never cited for violating the noise ordinance.

I have the misfortune of living in a city where some car stereos are loud. Some cars have loud mufflers. Some people have loud lawn mowers & leaf blowers. The neighbor kids like to yell & scream in their yards. I've never thought it was my right to make their noise stop at my property line. You're lucky if you only hear noise on weekends, I hear it all week long.


Inconsiderate assholes indeed!

[Critters2]

64. I have all of those noises, but motorcylces are the worst

And they're only hurting themselves. The city is probably going to end a Bikers Week here, because of complaints about the noise. And yes, their right to make noise ends at the point where it infringes on the rights of others--like our right to enjoy our yard.

I must say, I don't mind kids yelling. It's never as loud as the motorcycles (often they're yelling to be heard over the motorcycles).

Again, the local motorcyclist will only hurt themselves with their noise. That's why Harley-Davidson and the AMA have both asked bikers to not modify in ways which enhance noise. Biking is a privilege, not a right.

[Critters2]

65. Studies have been done which don't support your theory

And the AMA and Harley-Davidson are opposed to those "after market thunder pipes" because they encourage communities to pass anti-motorcycling legislation.

But again, there's no demonstrable proof that loud pipes save lives. It's just a silly rationalization for people who want to project a certain image (probably compensating for something, but who am I to say?).

[recoveringrepublican]

55. For safety reasons I wish all bikes were as loud!!

I'm hearing impaired and tend to be more observant than others on the road, always make sure I know where biker is when I see one, but it still helps to have more warning....though I'm sure to those talking on the cell while watching the news wouldn't notice anyway.

[Critters2]

72. If your hearing is so bad that it endangers you or others, you shouldn't b

and it's no one else's responsibility to make enough noise so that you can hear. Some of us live near highways, and we'd still like to enjoy some peace and quiet.

[BoneDaddy]

35. I understand that

I am just poking a little fun at exactly that...stereotypes. I also understand the need for raising awareness of bikers but I extend that cause to an awareness of everyone on the road. Those very same people who threaten you on the road also are a threat to us. The difference is that my fenderbender will potentially kill you.
I happen to love motorcycles and have ridden on both street and path...wouldn't call myself a biker by any stretch and can appreciate the need to ride. I live in New Jersey and riding a bike is akin to having a death wish.

As for the stereotype of the biker, my apologies, but bikers in general have strong personalities and it is associated with individuality, freedom and power. It made me laugh when I got an image of the huge, ZZ Top looking, intimidating biker, ensconsed in muddy leather playing the role of the sensitive guy, funny juxtaposition. I meant no offense.

[Ms. Toad]

52. Especially if I was riding a non-motorized bike

which broke down during the MS 150 ride, and the big guy on the bike is part of the Gold Wing support!

http://motorcycles.about.com/b/a/2003_09.htm ("In the Wind," 1/4 way down the page), http://www.nationalmssociety.org/can/event/event_page.asp?p=8078&e=6715 (9th bullet), http://www.nationalmssociety.org/MSBike-Texas.asp (Sam's Club tour). ...

Thanks for the support, year after year - all across the country!

[DarkTirade]

33. Hmm... and why is it that bikers usually wear leather?

Oh, yeah, it's because they never know when some asshole who isn't paying attention might cut them off and force them to take a spill. There's a reason leather used to be used as armor. Not it's used for protection against asphalt. Not to mention the cold winds you sometimes have to deal with when you're not inside a comfy car.

[Kailassa]

45. When I was sixteen I was tricked into spending a night

at the Vigilante's house in Melbourne. I was just one helpless girl surrounded by eight large, hairy, leather clad men,
who told me graphically how they were all going to have sex with me.

And even at that age, in that situation, I knew better than to be scared of them. I laughed at their joke,
and had a great night there, safer than a girl could be in her own home. And I'm still grateful to them
for beginning my education that night, in heavy metal music.

Ahh, Deep Purple on the huge stereos of the 70s, those were the days.

[fishnfla]

56. I have a question about Bikers

OK, we live in "Biker Heaven" or you would think, Daytona Beach, with Biker Months in March and October. I have no problem with bikers, they are everywhwre and good for our local economy.

But I have a question/observation: Why is it, that these free spirits, these rugged individualists, why do they conform so much?

What I mean is, they all look the same: the long hair and beards, the tattoos, the doo-rags, the leather and denim, the boots, the patches and stickers,the tee-shirts, the same cycle, a Harley. And they all go everywhere together from one bar to the other in big groups like a big pack of noisy lemmings. 750,000 of 'em last Bike Week. Most of them trailer there bikes into town. The bike spends more time getting a ride than riden around

Whatever happened to the spirit of Easy Rider? I know, it got baby-boomed and yuppified and commercialized. Too bad.
\
Edit: posted as reply to OP not #4, wrong spot

[a kennedy]

5. this is really great......have sent it on to many other fellow bikers.

Thanks.

[ms liberty]

6. Look twice - save a life. Motorcycles are everywhere!

And that motorcycle might be me and mr liberty.

My worst nightmare is of "everyone else" on the road - mr liberty's been riding for almost 20 years now; he's careful and experienced, he doesn't drink (at ALL) when he rides, and he doesn't pull idiot stunts while riding. He's a really good driver and rider. But all it would take is one idiot in a car or truck...especially on the roads up here in the mountains of NC.

Thanks for posting!

[DarkTirade]

31. Tell that to the dumb-ass I passed going to work a few months ago...

who was riding down a dark road on a crotch-rocket with no lights on... :)
Lucky for him, I have 20/20 eyesight, good night vision, and pay attention to such things.

[wicket]

7. Excellent post! Thank-you

:kick:

[TlalocW]

8. Bikers are holy, blameless creatures

:)

TlalocW

[elehhhhna]

19. Pious saints on wheels, they are!

[TlalocW]

27. A biker once punched me in the face...

And instantly, I was cured of leprosy.

TlalocW

[hootinholler]

9. Never Forget Chickenman!

RTL,LTR!

Look twice, Save a life!

-Hoot

[diamondsndust]

10. amen!.... well said...

one of these days, maybe everyone will educate themselves to learn the difference between a real biker and a dirty body in a black t-shirt that spent his life savings on a rat bike just so he could play "outlaw biker". Ask your local Marine Corps about their Toys For Tots program, and many many other runs for charity that real bikers are involved in every month. Some people would be surprised.

Ride with pride with your hair in the air and your knees in the breeze.

Loud pipes save lives!

on edit: I know the feeling of having people look at you funny or move away too. Am I that scarey looking???

[Scoody Boo]

12. I ride about 20,000 miles a year...

but I am not in the category most people automatically think about when they think "bikers." I ride sportbikes. Have since the Army and have 4 of them in my garage now.

[Kailassa]

46. Looking at that face I think ...

he knows how to kiss.

O8)

[diamondsndust]

54. you make me...

:blush: ...

[Chemical Bill]

11. I ride a bicycle.

Get rid of the straight pipes and put on a helmet and I will agree with you. :hi:

Bill

[Asgaya Dihi]

13. Nice one

Bikers have been good guys more than bad for as long as I can remember, the press just finds the Hells Angles stereotype more useful. Back in the mid 70's I used to read Easy Rider fairly regular and though they played the tough guy a bit they also had toy runs and other charity events on a pretty regular basis.

Even in my 40's I'd sooner trust a biker or a hippy than most people in a suit. Nothing like walking down the road and hearing the clicks of automatic door locks as cars whizz by at 40-50 miles an hour. What exactly did they think we were going to do at that speed, with me on foot?

15. I once stayed at a KOA or similar while driving cross country

at the same time a monster biker line was going through the area. And they stayed there too. I wasn't afraid at all. It was fun loving atmosphere, and no overtones of anything bad.

How to deal with other people's projections? I would like a few pointers on that one .

[lonestarnot]

17. Go Bikers! That aren't red.

[AmandaRuth]

18. well we will see

If there is a Sturgis boycott this year, if not, my suspicion that most bikers are apathetic non voters will be confirmed.

[proud2BlibKansan]

66. There is a Sturgis boycott planned?

What's up with that?

[Critters2]

67. Won't happen

It's getting very little support.

On edit...There was also talk of boycotting Sturgis the year Janklow got a light sentence for killing a motorcyclist when he ran a stop sign. The rally went on as if nothing had happened.

For all the hand-wringing about what saints motorcyclists are, they make their apathy known in the political arena quite clearly.

So, go to Sturgis. It'll go on like any other year.

[proud2BlibKansan]

69. I have been boycotting Sturgis for several years now

Worst vacation ever was the year we decided to go up to that rally. Way too many people, asshole cops, overpriced motel, plus we had planned on going to several concerts that were all canceled.

We will NEVER go back.

[Greyhound]

20. Very cool, thanks! I'm in year 3 of no bike...

:evilfrown:

[Cygnusx2112]

21. Yeah, bikers are people too...

except when they ride their loud obnoxious bikes up my street (and REV them) at 2 o'clock in the morning.

I never understood what was up with that. I mean, what's the point?

"Look at me!
Look how ignorant I can be!"

[Kailassa]

47. I have car drivers doing that every saturday night

on the dirt road outside my house.
I sure as hell don't hold it against people who drive cars though.

[Cygnusx2112]

53. Why the hell not? Shouldn't ignorant behavior like this...

be frowned upon and discouraged?

So if you're sleeping and three loud bikes (harleys, racing bikes) or cars...

go roaring up the street and wake you, to visit someone who lives on your street you'd have not problem with that?

OK...

Sorry, I have a problem with this "look how ignorant I can be" culture.

[Kailassa]

58. Um What???? Calm down a little.

I don't hold it against car drivers in general that a few people who drive cars are inconsiderate turds.

If that fact really bothers you, then sorry about your blood pressure, but there is not going to be much your doctor can do for it if you get upset that easily.

Getting upset over the fact that I have to endure the presence of ass-holes in my purtee world, or blaming other car drivers for it is going to do nothing at all to punish or deter those idiots.

[Cygnusx2112]

62. First off, I am calm...

perhaps you're picturing me as spastic, but that may more be a result of the state of your mind, rather than a reaction that I am currently having.

Second, I am not holding it against all bike riders, but rather that a few inconsiderate people (harley or racing) are giving their pass-time a bad name.

I know for a fact that other folk on my street are remarking on this group of riders and the disturbance they cause in the wee hours of the morning. If I had a young child, I'd be pissed.

As I said in my original post, I wonder what it is about this personality that necessitates causing attention to be drawn to them...
Do they know they are being ignorant?
Do they care?

[Critters2]

60. It's only bikers who do it here

Apparently they don't realize normal people sleep at night!

[deaniac21]

23. Please be careful. I might get a boo-boo!

[davsand]

24. Well done. Well said.

I guess I've aged somewhat. Most of the bikers I know have turned into guys with a day job, a wife and a kid or two. A buddy of mine was just telling me the other day about taking a vacation and riding out cross country to scout out AZ State with his son who is headed to college very soon...

Seems to me that there are the guys who ride because they love it and there are the guys who ride (or want to, anyway) because they want to prove they are "different" somehow.

The "wanna-bes" I've known always managed to end up riding for the love of it.

Keep safe out there, all you DU Riders!



Laura

[Jed Dilligan]

25. Well as long as you have a decent muffler

and don't have one of those new "bumpin'" stereos on your bike.

Otherwise, there've been many times around 3-4 AM when I've wished someone would hit you.

[DarkTirade]

32. Gotta remember though... people don't notice bikes half the time.

Sometimes a bad muffler is enough to get you noticed and, y'know, not run over. I know someone who purposely made his bike a little louder by cutting off a few inches of tailpipe just for that reason.

[Jed Dilligan]

36. Huh, thanks for enlightening me

I thought it was pure macho display, and in a lot of cases it probably is.

[DarkTirade]

42. I'd guess somewhere between 90-95% yes...

Like if it's got one of those mufflers that amplifies rather than muffles the sound. But if it's just a little bit louder than usual, just enough to be noticed, it's probably just a smart, cautious biker. :)

[ProdigalJunkMail]

48. while I respect a biker's right to the road

and do my best to be as cautious of them as I am of all other drivers, I would like to say that I think loud pipes are in no way a means by which to save lives. Pipes project noise mostly to the rear of the machine and have very little effect going forward or to the side. When I am driving down the road, a bike with loud pipes is not noticed any sooner than a bike with quiet muffled pipes. The only time I hear the awful racket is when they have come to the point where the rear of the pipe is even with my window...and I am not deaf and I don't listen to painfully loud music while I drive.

Loud pipes ruin the silence of nature during a hike through the NC mountains.
Loud pipes make it difficult to enjoy dining on an outside patio or terrace at your favorite restaurant.
Loud pipes scare my 1 year old awake when she is trying to sleep on a long drive.
Loud pipes disturb the peace of my otherwise quiet neighborhood on the weekend and at night.
Loud pipes are little more than egocentric noise pollution.

Please don't think that this makes me anti-biker...I am just anti-noise. I get enough of that at work and would love some peace and quiet.

Because of loud pipes I KNOW I will not be able to enjoy the hike this weekend as much as I would without them...

subjectProdigal

[DarkTirade]

49. Like I said, not many of them are doing it for the right reasons

And believe me when I say that noise like that annoys the hell out of me too. But there's a difference between making something slightly louder so you'll be noticed, and making something deafeningly loud to compensate for the small penis you were born with. In my area there aren't many bikers like that, it's mostly the people who drive tiny little japanese cars that are covered with chrome, and somehow are louder than mack trucks twenty times their size.
I used to have to walk to work, back before I owned my own car. And there were some of them that were so ridiculously loud that it actually caused me physical pain as they drove by. You have to wonder how the 'self-defense' laws would work there... if I 'defended' myself from that noise by smashing in their window while they were waiting at a light... you think I could get off with that defense in court? >: )

[ProdigalJunkMail]

50. probably would...

I am glad someone else is annoyed with them. I have a lovely little place I like to hike with the family in NC...there is a nice little rock outcropping over a stream that we like to sit on and talk and enjoy creation...only to have it disturbed by rumbling off in the distance of someone with pipes loud enough to deafen...but only if you are behind them...so we know that they are moving away from us...

sP

[DarkTirade]

70. It's hard not to be annoyed when some people make their cars

so loud that it actually HURTS the ears of those who aren't protected by a sheet of glass. Annoyance is one thing, but physical pain... that's a line right there and they crossed it.

[Critters2]

71. Studies have shown loud mufflers don't help.

Most of the sound comes out behind the bike, too late for a car to hear you to prevent an accident. It's just a rationalization for inconsiderate assholes with small, umm, imgainations.

[w8liftinglady]

28. I'm a biker.Not a saint-but a righteous democrat and outspoken war critic.

Those of you who choose to judge are as bad as those neonazis you claim you abhor.Remember,most of us are vets,non-conformists,and advocates for human rights.....just like DU.

[Mythsaje]

29. I practically grew up on the back of my dad's Triumph.

I learned early on to keep an eye out for bikes. I knew a lot of bikers, and spent a portion of my teenage years partying with them. The stereotypes are amusing, since most of them were good people, and it was the wannabes that tended to be the trouble-makers.

This thread reminded me of something I saw the other day. The weather had turned nice and motorcycles were out in force, and some guy rocketed past me, changed lanes in the middle of an intersection, and generally ignored the rules of the road. I hate to see stuff like this because I know that such irresponsibility gets people hurt and killed.

I hope this fellow wises up before he gets creamed, but he looked old enough to know better, so somehow I doubt it.

[timber84]

30. I did the "Locks of Love"

cut my pony tail off(about 18 inches) and the cut was free and for a worthy cause!

[Buns_of_Fire]

34. Getcher motor runnin; head out on the highway!

Alas, I'm more "born to be mild" than "born to be wild" these days. Not that the sound of a full-dress, softail Harley doesn't stir some instinct that I can't explain. If the day ever comes that the low rumble of even a stock Harley doesn't make my hands automatically twist the throttle and grab for the clutch, I'll know I'm ready for burial.

If nothing else, consider these guys ride a vehicle that gets 50-100 (or more!) MPG these days! :patriot:

[Nicole]

37. Great post

I'm definitely going to share it with my loved ones who ride.

[Robb]

38. Try being a dual-sport rider

...Everyone just assume's you're a redneck. :D

Nice pome. :)

[Phrogman]

40. Try being a duel-sport rider in the Philippines.....

Death Race 2000!

But I love it!

[madokie]

41. Welcome to the du world, it keeps getting better every day

[sutz12]

43. As gas prices rise, so do the number of bikers.

:)

Seriously, it does work that way.

[ForrestGump]

44. I'm not a biker. I'm a motorcyclist.

:D

Or maybe I am a biker....dunno.

Actually, I'm more in the business of defying labels or classification, and so are many of my two-wheeled brethren and...um...sisterthren...so whatever you call us, here we are, being targeted daily by raging cagers.

But I'm big, leather-clad, and very much liking this little verse right here.

Thanks!

[W_HAMILTON]

51. My turn!

I saw you,
driving down the center of the road in between cars to get to your destination quicker,
but you didn't see me,
because I was stuck in traffic because it's Bike Week and we have 300,000 extra people in town.

I heard you,
at 3am, riding down my street loud as all hell,
but you didn't see me,
because I was in my house, with my lights off, trying to sleep.

I saw you,
bypassing the "NO THRU TRAFFIC" sign posted at the ends of every residential street,
but you didn't see me,
because if you can't see a 3 foot high, 5 foot wide, orange-colored sign posted on the street, why would you see me?

I saw you,
they did a news story about you bikers on the local news,
but you didn't see me,
because I -- like most of my friends and family -- try not to go out at all during Bike Week.

I heard you,
a constant roar on the roads for a week,
but you didn't hear me,
because even though I had to turn the volume on my radio and TV up by about 10 points, it still wasn't loud enough to disturb you.

I saw you,
leaving town,
but you didn't see me,
because I was too busy celebrating that I won't have to see you again for another year!

:)

[madokie]

57. I guess between the two of our posts we have it covered and not one real

argument in the post, only mutual disagreement and lots of respect.
DU :yourock:

[Critters2]

61. Hear! Hear!

Thank you! Our community is debating whether to continue with a Bike Week because of the noise. Why don't people think about others?

[celtdem]

68. Geez, if they're so all-fired perfect...

why do they need motorcycles? Don't their wings work?

[SeaBob]

73. I like it nt