Wheels Of Grace Magazine

Volume 11, Issue 4

Issue link: http://cp.revolio.com/i/1235010

Contents of this Issue

Navigation

Page 26 of 31

WheelsOfGrace.com | Volume 11 Issue 4 | 27 520 Crane St., Suite D, Lake Elsinore, CA Harley's Custom Cycle Works 520 Crane St., Suite D, Lake Elsinore, CA B I K E R J A R G O N BIKER J ARGON M o t o r c y c l e L i n g o By Axle Addict P a r t 1 0 Every subculture has its own lingo. Bikers are no exception. Are you on the fringe of a motorcycle society? Have you heard a biker speaking and would like to understand what he was talking about? Would you like to gain insight into the biker mindset? Do you just like words? Here you'll find an introductory dictionary of commonly used road- motorcycle terminology and biker slang, compiled with the average "Citizen" in mind. Citizen: (noun) A person with no known affiliation with a Motorcycle Club. • Quadraphenia: A 1970s movie chronicling the life and times of a young British scooter rider, or "Mod." Worth seeing if only for the blazing soundtrack by The Who, for which the film is made. Sting makes an appearance as well, looking all of about 16. • Rally: A big group ride, often organized around a location with camping/hotels and loops to local scenic rides. Rallies can be you and ten buddies on an annual ride, or an event like the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally with thousands of riders. It's not everyone's cup of tea, but try attending at least one — or plan your own with friends. It's a great way to be among others who love to ride as much as you hopefully do. • Rat bike: A rat bike is any motorcycle in good to crappy condition you don't really care about. That said, some people care plenty about their rat bikes. But for the most part, rat bikes are machines for just gettin' around and if it gets crashed, tipped over, snowed on, oh well... Be sure to own at least one rat bike in your riding career. They grow on you. • Rear-sets: Where you put your feet while riding is important and ranges widely depending on what kind of bike you ride. Cruisers tend to place the feet forward (ostensibly for comfort and the right look) while your feet are up high and back on a sport bike. Other bikes put your feet somewhere in between those extremes. Many sport bike owners purchase customizable "rear sets," which allow them to move the footpegs and bike controls around a bit, depending on what kind of riding they're doing (such as up high and back for a track day session, or lower and more comfortable for commuting). Rear sets can be works of art on their own and are typically easy to install. • Rider: Anyone riding a motorcycle. You drive cars. You pilot airplanes. You ride motorcycles. Keep it straight. Usage: (Newscaster's voice) "Police finally caught a fleeing motorcycle rider last night after a high-speed chase on the Interstate." • Ring-ding: Slang for a two-stroke motorcycle, which used to be common but is now mostly resigned to vintage status after being legislated out of existence (they are quite good at polluting the air in their immediate vicinity). The term comes from the "ringing" sound the engine makes. Also known as buzz bombs, skeeter bikes, and fog machines. Ride behind one and you'll understand why. • Road rash: What's left after the stripping away of skin from unprotected parts of your body as you slide down the roadway during a crash. Wearing correct gear prevents road rash, which is painful, takes forever to heal, leaves scars, and could give you a nasty infection. It also tells everyone you foolishly didn't gear up for your ride. • Rocker: Vintage British term for a motorcycle rider, as opposed to a scooter rider (or "Mod"). For a more lengthy explanation, watch the movie Quadraphenia. See also: Mod and Quadraphenia. • Rubbie: Pronounced "rub-ee," not "ruby." Not used as much as it used to be, "rubbie" is somewhat derogatory slang for Rich Urban Biker, or those riders who buy expensive Harleys and then ride them only to coffee shops, bars, or hardly at all. Rubbies will sometimes even call themselves such, so it's not like it's a terrible thing to be called. At least they ride. Sometimes. Usage: "Paul said he has to wax his Porsche so he can't ride today. He's such a rubbie." Pick up our next issue for Part 11 of the Biker Jargon series. CUSTOM PATCHES FOR YOUR M/M, MC OR RIDING GROUP CUSTOM PATCHES FOR YOUR M/M, MC OR RIDING GROUP CALL OR EMAIL FOR YOUR SAMPLE TODAY! (317) 627-0117 tshizas@aol.com USE CODE: WOG2019 ADVERTISE IN WHEELS OF GRACE You will reach people like Leah, plus you will help us send this Christian Publication to 4 Military Bases, 122 Prisons, 30 National Events, 129 Churches, 32 Motorcycle Attorney Offices, and soon in Truck Stops across A M E R I C A !

Articles in this issue

Links on this page

Archives of this issue

view archives of Wheels Of Grace Magazine - Volume 11, Issue 4