When I was asked to write an article about biker etiquette, signs and superstitions among bikers, these concepts had to be distinguished very seriously, otherwise a whole philosophy would turn out. Firstly, take into account that we can talk about bikers with a special culture, members of special clans, and separately - about motorcyclists, true fans of motorcycle life, but still not included in the concept of a biker. If you have looked at this site, you understand me. I will moderate the question somewhat and touch on the signs, beliefs and behavioral etiquette that all bike owners adhere to. I’ll start with a small philosophy - etiquette, the rule of which can be represented as:
Kindly remove yourself from my bike!
If we talk about biker etiquette from the point of view of the culture of communication, there is no need to dwell on it for too long. It is worth noting that bikers are the most reserved and polite people when compared with the average person. Many motorcycle owners have found themselves in a situation where, for example, leaving a store, they found a curious person standing by their bike, who not only stares at the car, but also freely allows himself to touch it, stroke it, and even hold the steering wheel. It’s very nice for a cute stranger to even sit on it and at the same time she is not afraid of the possibility of getting burned from the almost smoking exhaust, which did not have time to cool down after a long trip. A curious person will always be very surprised why the biker doesn’t like it and will not even shame the biker for asking why you, a passer-by, didn’t climb into the interior of some car just to have a look. It’s worth adding to this story that you can find out how a stranger suddenly sat on your bike and with emotion said thank you to your uncle for taking pictures with the bikers, after which they, in addition, have to listen to numerous stories about how everyone, too, has always dreamed of the road , freedom, motorcycle...
Having talked with a considerable number of bikers, I heard painfully simple and incredibly true truths of life.
Biker's rule: don't touch your own bike! The rule of a biker on the road is not to slow down next to you at speed, you are curious, and I will react to this as a threat of collision. Remember that your neighbor on the road may be the only person who can help you - don’t be rude on the road! Don't get caught up in a pack of bikers, pull over to the side of the road, and you can ride behind. Just don't do it, don't ask for an explanation, just for no reason.
Motorcycle and helmet
If a helmet falls, then any troubles can happen on the road.
This sign in the biker environment can be compared to someone who fell during a wedding. Nothing good can be expected from this. If possible, it is best to postpone the trip. But if this is not possible, then you need to do the following manipulations. First you need to stomp on the ground with each foot three times. This means that the ground will keep your motorcycle balanced and you won't fly into a ditch somewhere. After this, you need to knock the fallen helmet on the seat and tank of the motorcycle. Thus, bikers ask their vehicle not to let its owner down at the right time.
If you get on the motorcycle on the right, then your iron horse may break on the road.
Indeed, in the biker community there is such a sign that when the driver sits on the motorcycle on the right, he thereby attracts to the motorcycle all the troubles that can happen on the road. But there are moments in life when you simply cannot do otherwise. In this case, all bikers are sure to pat their iron friend on the tank and ask him for forgiveness. The fact is that biking is not even a hobby - it is a way of life. These people simply cannot imagine life without the road and like-minded people. Their motorcycle is a faithful friend who should always be nearby. Hence this attitude. But if you get on a motorcycle on the left, then the road will definitely be good. But even with such a wonderful sign, you always need to remember the caution that must be observed on the way.
Never scold your motorcycle - it will definitely let you down at the most necessary moment.
This sign comes from the category of personal relationships between a biker and his vehicle. How would a friend react to you if you were scolded or quarreled with? Most likely, your relationship may either end for good or cool down somewhat. Technology, just like a living creature, always works better and lasts longer for the person who treats it with respect. And she will definitely take revenge in her own way on the one who offends her. If you can go and buy a new mixer, then the driver’s life depends on the motorcycle.
The iron horse should always be well-groomed - then it will never let you down.
Seeing dirty transport is always unpleasant. In addition, unkempt cars and motorcycles age, rot and break down much faster. Bikers always take care of their motorcycle very carefully. Among them, it is generally accepted that if a motorcycle is always clean, then, if necessary, it will start just because you pat it on the tank and ask for help. Even if it breaks down, it will reach its owner to the point where appropriate repairs can be made. Maybe. But in this way, sometimes you can come to an agreement with any equipment, not just a motorcycle.
Take a look at the tank before your trip and you can avoid many problems.
For those who like to cross the roads on a motorcycle, this is a very important sign. Everyone follows it. It is believed that in this way you show your respect for the motorcycle. And he, in turn, will never let you down on the road. But there is a more prosaic explanation for this sign. This is a normal, everyday inspection that every driver should perform before hitting the road. Agree that it will not be very pleasant to discover on the road that you have no gasoline or have run out of oil. Naturally, if you check the tank of your motorcycle, you will not find yourself in a situation where there is no gas, and the nearest gas station is still quite far away.
Superstitions. Red light for green bike
Like any other person who is committed to a certain lifestyle, a certain hobby and hobby, a biker, and just a motorcyclist, are superstitious people, but since they have to face special kinds of situations on the road, they have a special list of signs. There are few of them, but they are all quite important.
The most universal is the blessing of the bike, which, in fact, is the only companion on the road. Some call it a good omen to have a small bell on a motorcycle, which dispels evil intentions and energy on the road. I have heard of such a sign that the bell that you do not buy yourself, but receive as a gift, will be successful.
An important sign is the “wave” - greeting another biker on the road, even a slight nod of the head, a barely noticeable movement of a finger - you exchange the same energy. Greetings become obvious if you own bikes of the same brand, of the same class. It will certainly be a good omen if you help someone on the road, which will really return a hundredfold. Some of the most interesting things I heard were: green in the color of a motorcycle means bad luck. This sign is directly related to Harleys, which, as you know, were widely used during the Second World War. They often became easy prey for the enemy and, as is clear, they were all painted in green camouflage. An important sign is the refusal to ride a bike whose owner has died, no matter whether in a car accident.
Superstitions are a purely personal thing, just like the talisman you take on the road or give it as a gift. It is your habits that are most important. Even though some have the habit of approaching the bike from only one side, some greet it with a special phrase, but everyone will definitely agree that the best omen is excellent brake performance and effective tires.
Signs associated with animals, birds and insects
If a passing biker is barked by a dog, then a happy journey awaits him.
For every biker, meeting a dog has a special meaning. Man's faithful friend, it turns out, is able to predict the owner of a motorcycle the outcome of his trip. It is believed that if a dog barks at a biker, then everything will go well for him on the road. But as soon as a shaggy friend tries to grab a man riding a motorcycle by the leg, he should stop and carefully return home. It is believed that this meeting with, therefore, suggests that man's barking friend is trying to stop the driver so that he does not go on the road. If this sign is not heeded, the trip may end in tragedy.
If a cat crosses a biker’s path, then you need to return.
Fans of motorcycle trips observe this sign even more strictly than other people. If ordinary people try to neutralize a sign only when they are on the road, then in this case the color of the animal does not matter at all. This attitude towards cats is mainly due to the fact that, according to ancient mystical knowledge, a cat is a conductor between our world and the other world. The only exception for motorcyclists is the appearance of a red cat - this is a sign that you will travel the entire route in good weather, and rain will not catch you on the way. Perhaps this sign can be classified as superstition, you never know where a shaggy animal needs to go. But many people do not correctly interpret such knowledge, which is why such a prejudiced attitude towards cats arises.
If a fly hits your face, pay attention, this is a useful warning.
This sign is more related to the attentiveness and caution of the driver on the road. So, for example, if a fly, or any other insect, gets into the driver’s eye while driving, then he needs to stop and put on glasses. In this case, no bad situation will happen. The fact is that even the smallest midge that gets into the eye of a motorcycle driver can lead to an emergency on the road. Everyone knows how unpleasant a midge gets into the eye, even for a pedestrian. And this is also speed. You can even damage your eyes here. If you hit it in the forehead, then this is a warning that you should not drive too fast that day. It is advisable to drive in such a way that the fly does not have to maneuver between you and your forehead. But if suddenly a fly gets into the biker’s beard and gets entangled in it, then you can be absolutely calm. The road will be smooth. The most important thing is not to free this fly from the captivity of his beard until the motorcyclist returns home.
If a bird hits the driver, then you either need to turn back or be more careful on the road.
The sign is correct. There have been cases in life when, at the breakneck speed at which a biker is riding, a bird could not only hit the helmet, but also pierce the eyeball. And this is true. Moreover, the driver can not only die himself, but also provoke an accident of other vehicles moving on the road. Therefore, you should be extremely careful and careful, and do not ignore safety equipment such as a helmet and windshield.
Other signs
If you drink alcohol before the road, expect trouble.
This shouldn't be a sign at all. This must be made a rule! After all, after drinking strong drinks, the driver’s attentiveness decreases. He may think, get distracted and even fall asleep on the way. All this is unacceptable on the road. You can not only die yourself, but also cause the death of other innocent people. Even light alcoholic drinks are not allowed before setting off. Sobriety and accuracy - this should be the law for every driver.
Sit on the path - the road will be successful.
This is a sure sign for any person who goes on a long journey. But if ordinary people just sit down for a minute or two, then bikers act a little differently. Before you go on a journey, especially a long one, you need to walk around your motorcycle clockwise, while stroking the handlebars, mirror, tank and seat in turn. After this procedure is completed, you need to squat down next to your motorcycle on the left side. You need to sit like this for a couple of minutes, while mentally talking to your vehicle. Ask him for help on the road. After that, get on the motorcycle on the left side. Every biker considers this mandatory so that no unforeseen situations arise on a long journey.
Bikers are people just like everyone else. The road and motorcycle are their life. The road is a way to escape from everyday worries, which are exhausting and, at times, boring. But, nevertheless, these people are very different from others. Their lifestyle leaves its mark. For this reason, the signs of bikers, on the one hand, resemble the signs of other people, but at the same time they differ from them. One way or another, they believe in what they do, and it helps them.
Hello.
Today I would like to raise a very controversial topic. The topic of ethics of motorcyclists and bikers. Let me make a reservation right away: everything written below is my subjective opinion. There are certain rules, superstitions and traditions developed in the motorcycle community that you can follow or not, it’s up to you. I will simply try to cover them as fully as possible and evaluate them.
First of all, we need to define the concepts. Firstly, I distinguish and separate bikers
and
motorcyclists
.
A motorcyclist
is a motorcycle driver
