Michael Jackson once sang something about it not mattering if you are black or white. He was right of course, but saying that it is just black or white does not say it all. It also should not matter if you ride a motorcycle or what brand or type of motorcycle.
I am a motorcyclist, a bike rider; I am not a “biker.” Unfortunately, when I wear my black leather jacket, leather chaps, black riding boots with my head shaved, people automatically jump to the conclusion that I am a “biker.” An outlaw; someone to be feared. Other than my outward appearance, I do not give them any reason to come to this conclusion. My jacket does not have offensive patches plastered on it. My jacket is for safety, not for making a statement. I am not loud, neither is my motorcycle. I am clean, soft spoken, and courteous. When they jump to this conclusion that I am an “outlaw biker,” they are limiting themselves. They will not meet me; they will not see that I am a nice person, willing to help if needed. By looking down or the other way, they will not see my easy smile. They will not know that I buzz cut my hair for a purely vain reason. My helmet always messed up what was left of my hair so I got rid of the hair. It has nothing to do with the “image.”

In the middle of a long ride, I was ready for a break before heading home. I stopped in Newport for a cup of coffee and to stretch my legs. I had my usual safety riding gear on; leather jacket, chaps, boots. I stood in line quietly waiting my turn; the woman behind the counter asked the person behind me what they would like. I let this go; it was a family with kids and all I wanted was a coffee. When she finished with them and then asked the person who just came in what they wanted, I said something. I was not loud or offensive. I just pointed out that I had been waiting and would like a cup of coffee, to go. She looked at me as if I was telling her that her dog had died. She looked at the people who had just come in; I am confident if they would have spoken up and started to order, I would have been bumped to the back of the line again. They did not say anything, so the woman behind the counter put a Styrofoam cup on the counter said that they did not have lids, pointed to a coffee pot at the end of the counter and said “2 dollars.” I asked for some cream and sugar and received another look for my trouble. Ironically, right next to the coffee pot was a tip jar with a note saying how much they enjoyed serving me today! I enjoyed a chuckle as I walked out without leaving a tip.

Prejudice against motorcyclists is not limited to non-riders against motorcycle riders. Oddly enough, it also exists between riders of different models of motorcycles. When you ride a motorcycle, it is like being in a brotherhood. You wave to your fellow motorcyclist as you pass. This is an informal way of saying that “If needed, I’ve got your back.” This could be as small as stopping to assist another rider who has broken down on the side of the road, helping to fix a flat tire, getting some gas for an empty gas tank or making a call for further help. There are times though that some riders will judge you by the bike that you ride. It has been my experience that some motorcyclists will only wave to riders of not only the same type of bike, but also the same brand. BMW riders will not wave unless you are riding a BMW. Sportbike riders will only wave to other sportbikes. Harley-Davidson riders will only wave to other Harley riders. I have come up on guys riding Harley’s and thrown out a wave to them, have them start to wave back only to realize that I’m on a Honda and pull their hand back real quick. For the most part, these are the exception. To say that motorcyclists do not wave to other motorcyclists is a broad generalization not meant to reflect all motorcyclists. I have been on organized rides with all types and brands of motorcycles and was waved at by most.
I wave to all; riders and non-riders. The way little kids stare from the back seats of cars is something. They know it is not polite to stare but they just cannot help it. You can see them point as they talk to someone in the car. You can just about hear them say “look, it’s a motorcycle!” I always give them a wave. I figure that my little gesture of friendship might help to dispel that bad “biker” myth.