05/29/2019
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The Biker's Code
by Author Unknown
It used to be that all bikers shared
a common bond, an unspoken
code of ethics and behavior that
transcended words and was built
on actions.
There was never a bible written on
this Biker's Code and there was no
need for such. But the times are
a-changin' and there seems to be
a lot of new riders out there.
These days the riders you see
blastin' down the road are just as
likely to be clad in shorts and
sneakers as jeans and engineer
boots. And the roughest, toughest-
looking biker you pull up next to
could be your doctor or lawyer and
may be wearin' a Rolex watch
under his leathers. There's nothing
wrong with that, so long as these
new riders learn the Code just as
we old-timers did.
Being a biker used to be about
using your creativity to take a
basket case old hawg and using
only grit and ingenuity, turning it
into a one-of-a-kind eye dazzler,
then risking your life on the
asphalt on a bike you made
yourself out of pride. Bikers wore
leather and grease because they
knew cagers would just as soon
run them down as look at them, so
they had to be intimidating.
We were a breed unto ourselves
with no union, no support group,
and in many cases, no family (they
threw us out). We had to make it
in the world of our own, against all
rules, against mainstream society,
and against all odds.
We survived and prospered
because of the Biker Code and we
never took s**t from anybody.
As an old scooter bro once said,
"It's every tramp's job to school
the young. How else are they
gonna know a Panhead from a bed
pan?" With that in mind, we bring
you a primer on the basic two-
wheeled Code.
Take heed, brothers and sisters,
for our Code is a hallowed one
filled with honor and loyalty, the
likes of which have not been since
the days of knighthood:
Don't take any s**t. Be kind to
women, children and animals, but
don't take any bulls**t. This is an
essential part of being a biker. It
has to do with respect and honor.
Anyone can be a quick-tempered
fool.
Be cool, stand tall and backup
what you say with action.
Never lie, cheat or steal. Another
way of saying this is to always tell
the truth.
Bikers are always the greasy bad
guys in the movies, but every real
biker knows that his word is his
bond. Your word is all you have in
life that is truly yours. Guard it
carefully and be something noble,
for you are a true knight of the
road.
Don't snitch. If you see a wrong,
fight it yourself, if you are about
anything you'll take care of
problems yourself and never feel
the need to snitch someone off.
Snitches are the lowest life forms
on earth, right up there with biker
thieves.
Don't Whine. Absolutely no one
likes or respects a whiner. Another
way to say this is hold your mud.
Still another way to think of it is,
"Don't sweat the small stuff" Most
of life's little inconveniences work
themselves out whether you
whine or not. Keep your chin up,
dammit! You're a biker, not some
lowly snail..
Never say die and never give up.
Whether it's in a fight, a debate, or
a business deal, no matter how
bad it gets, a biker never gives up.
Help others. When a brother or
sister is broken down by the side
of the road, always stop and help
them. Even moral support, if that
is all you can give, is better than
riding on by. Remember life is
about the journey, the ride, not
getting there. You already are
there. And don't just help bikers,
show the world that we are better
than our image portrays us.
Courtesy costs you nothing and
gives you everything.
Stick to your guns. Do what you
say you'll do, be there when you
say you will. This is called
integrity. This also goes back to
standing for something. Like the
song says, "You've got to stand for
something or you'll fall for
anything."
Life is not a drill. Yeah, this ain't
no dress rehearsal.
This is life -- go
out and take big bites of it. You've
got no time to lose and bikers
don't stand around waiting for the
party to come to them. You only
go around once. Tomorrow you
could be road kill, thanks to a
chain smoker asleep at the wheel
of his Caddy. Live life now, make
the most of each moment.
All right, now let's review.
You are a biker, a modern-day
knight of the road.
Protect the weak, walk tall and
stand proud.
Your word is your bond.
Stick to your guns.
Don't take any s**t.
Life is not a drill.
Now go forth and ride. When in
doubt, ride. That's what we
do...ride. If you want to ride
around in a Day-Glo Hawaiian shirt
and sandals, go for it, but if you
intend to look like a idiot, at least
don't act like an idiot.
These commandments are just a
few of the broad strokes, there is a
lot more to being a biker than
buying a bike. If you just buy a
bike, you are a motorcyclist. Being
a biker is a way of life, a proud
way of life we hold in high regard
with a burning passion for the
open highway.
What say you?
