Motorcyclist or biker?

[BikerGran]

Saw this and it reminded me of a not terribly serious discussion at the Marches Meet - this was posted by my friend Pete on FB, happened a few days ago and it's a great tale!

So after 6 hours of waiting for roadside recovery somewhere in the north end of Holland young Sam and Brad finally made it to the camp site at around 7.00 pm on Friday evening after their 60 year old 500cc Matchless decided it no longer wanted to play ball.
After about another hour of erecting tents, quenching thirsts and generally settling into the surroundings Sam's bike was quietly pushed to the rear of the bar area, lights were erected and a selection of spanners and emergency tool kits appeared from various well worn saddlebags.
Soon after the complete top end of the engine was in pieces and the valve spring retainer was found to be broken as well as an unseated valve guide appeared to be rattling too and fro like a maracca player on speed, so beer was drunk and heads were scratched (our own heads that is, not each others, that would be just weird)
Anyhow, our host for the weekend (Big Tony) gets on the phone and shouts at some people in hurdy gurdy furdy talk, dirty parts get cleaned, more beer is drunk and at around 9.30 the required spares suddenly appear in a plastic bag after being located in the local town and delivered to site.
New parts are then compared to old, some small money is exchanged and more beer is drunk.
After some initial befuddlement, confusion and a little minor distress more beer was drunk to clear heads and all the disassembled parts, old and new, slowly came back together.
There then followed a short regression when it was discovered some new parts had been fitted that were not required and so for the second time the top end was stripped, the guilty part removed, more beer drunk and the final assembly took place.
At pretty much 12.00 midnight, what was a 60 year old terminally ill 500cc Matchless only a few hours before fired back into life on its first kick with a crackle. Cheers went up, smiles beamed, handshakes shook, beer drunk and new friendships made between English, Dutch, German and a very persistent fella from the Czech republic whom had already ridden 10 hours that day to be there.
BRILLIANT
and that my friends is the difference between motorcyclists and bikers.

[D-Rider]

I'm confused

and that my friends is the difference between motorcyclists and bikers.

There seems to be no comparison in the text between differently labelled riders and different situations or reactions that occurred .... and for the situation that was described, I've no idea whether those riders classed themselves as Bikers, Motorcyclists or whatever.
I'd have said either label could apply.


Anyway, I'm glad the story had a happy ending

[BikerGran]

I guess that bit doesn't really matter, it was just that it reminded me...........

[Willopotomas]

uh guld.. not this debate again!

Nice story though BG

[fatboy]

DR, your observations are corrrect. It is a nice tale though.
We all know the difference, the biker will stop when you are stuck at the side of the road then ride off to get tools/petrol to help you on your way.
That said, there are many out there that call themselves 'bikers' but behave like motorcyclists if they see you stuck
Live to ride
or
Ride to work

[MartDude]

Please don't start . . . .

[D-Rider]

I think we should ask the views of Segway on this topic ....................

[Aladinsaneuk]

He would sell an insurance policy....

[Dusty]

What I found interesting about this anecdote and the brief debate above is that I understood the point that was being made but had exactly the opposite understanding of the respective monikers. I've always considered myself to be a motorcyclist but would always stop to help another two wheeled user. Maybe I'm actually a biker without knowing it.
I suppose it just proves how pointless pigeonholing is!

[fatboy]

Dusty, nail on the head there, hit 100%
If the label fits, adapt it to your own ego !

[Samray]

There has to be something pretentious about someone who uses four syllables when two will do.

[Falcorob]

There has to be something pretentious about someone who uses four syllables when two will do.

Surely the real answer is neither? Who likes, or wants, to be pigeon holed by a made up moniker? Does it make you any more or less of what you want to be?

I'll stick with Oi D**khead. I've been called worse.

[BikerGran]

Wish I hadn't posted the motorcyclist vs Biker bit!

[D-Rider]

Wish I hadn't posted the motorcyclist vs Biker bit!

.... as the thread title ..... LOL ....

[BikerGran]

It was just that this was the kind of thing I was thinking about when I said that I thought of myself as a biker!