Rider vs. Rookie: 10 Ways True Bikers Can Judge If You Are One Of Them.

# No.10

Low Mileage

For a real biker, his ride is a tool, not a toy. Toys are something you replace on a whim when you grow tired of them. Tools are replaced when they stop performing their function (that’s not to say they don’t get enjoyment out of their bikes, of course). If you try to court a bike crew with a fancy new ride that’s barely been ridden, they’ll know you’re not the real deal. You’d better have an explanation as to why your bike is so green or else expect to be rejected.

# No. 9

You Won't Shut Up About Riding A Bike.

If you ask a real biker to tell you why they ride, they’ll most likely say that it’s the freedom, the thrill and the camaraderie. But that’s only revealed if you ask. Though most bikers don’t mind sharing their culture, it’s still a pretty insular community at the end of the day: If you’re not on the inside, it’s none of your business. A poser or rookie is all too likely to tell anyone who’ll listen about his hobby because he thinks it makes him look cool (that’s the polar opposite of what actually makes bikers cool).

# No. 8

You're A D.I.Y Dummy

Military men know how to disassemble and clean their firearms. Woodworkers know how to care for and sharpen their tools. Bikers know how to fix their bikes. Part of being a biker is caring enough to learn about the machine you straddle on a regular basis. Learning leads to understanding and understanding leads to confidence. If you’re terrified of taking a wrench to your ride to fix routine problems for fear of voiding the warranty, real bikers will know you’re not serious about bikes and bike culture.

# No. 7

You're In It For The Fashion.

Motorcycle jackets look cool -- everyone agrees on that -- but have you thought of why they look cool? It’s not just about the jacket itself, it’s about who’s wearing the jacket. A wannabe biker is often quick to run out and buy all the gear they can get their hands on in an effort to “fit in.” It’s not about that. Real riders know the reason for wearing leather: It’s breathable, comfortable, protects from the elements and is durable enough to offer some protection in the event of a crash. Think twice before you buy yourself that sweet-looking, fringed leather jacket.

# No. 6

You're Too Friendly.

Most serious riders will give one another a friendly wave when they pass and will chat with people they know within the culture at events -- that’s about it. Clubs have to admit new members to grow and maintain, but for the most part the camaraderie stays within the club. On the other hand, a poser will go out of his way to make new friends and endear himself to others, even people he doesn’t know well. That’s just not how biker culture works.

# No. 5

You Buy Your Patches.

If you’re a member of a casual weekender-type riding club, you probably have to pay dues in order to receive a patch or insignia. That’s fine. However, real motorcycle club members have to earn the colors they wear by pledging loyalty. Don’t think you’ll fool anyone by going out and buying what you think are some badass-looking biker patches. If you think you look cool by pinning a one-percenter diamond on your vest, a real one-percenter might show you why you don’t -- the hard way.

# No. 4

You Spend Less Time Riding Your Bike And More Time Shining it.

All bikers understand that cleanliness is part of keeping a bike in working order and being hardcore doesn’t mean they can’t appreciate a beautiful ride. There are also all kinds of “real” riders: Some may be passionate about riding but also like to keep the chrome shines up, while others couldn’t care less what their bike looks like as long as it runs. What you definitely don’t want is to be the kind of guy who spends more time caring for his bike than he does riding it. You know, the kind of guys who trailer (rather than ride) their bikes to events or only start it up to hear the engine rev.

# No. 3

You Think You're Too Cool.

This is kind of on the other end of the spectrum from being too friendly. Sure, bikers aren’t going to go out of their way to make friends and glad-hand, but most aren’t outright rude either. Real bikers aren’t so insecure and image-conscious that they feel the need to ride with a constant unwavering grimace, or are too cool and self-important to even wave or nod at some kids who just think their bike is awesome. If you’re too cool to exchange basic pleasantries or wave to other riders, real bikers will probably just assume you’re a rookie who’s too scared to take one hand off the handlebars

# No. 2

You Don't Respect Biker Bar Etiquette.

Bikers know they don’t own every bar they walk into. They know that -- just like the road -- they have to share public goods and spaces, and are usually more than happy to do so. What they don’t like is someone coming into a known biker bar and disrespecting the place. If you’re a member of a casual riding club or just a wannabe with purchased patches, don’t walk into their space and think you have equal footing -- the real bikers will quickly correct you.

# No. 1

You're Afraid To Go Off-Road.

Motorcycles aren’t dirtbikes, nor were they ever meant to be. Still, that doesn’t mean a real rider won’t go down gravel or unfinished roads if that’s what it takes to get where he’s going. Avoiding anything other than pristine asphalt tells real bikers two things about you: You care more about your bike’s appearance than you do the experience and lifestyle of being a rider, and it also speaks to your lack of experience. If you’re uncomfortable with uneven terrain, you’re probably a rookie who doesn’t know how to handle it. Knowing your limits is admirable, but it still means you can’t call yourself a “real” biker.

Biker culture is a very insular, walled-off thing. Of course, everyone who is now a rider was once a rookie and real bikers understand that. If you’re new to the scene and genuinely trying to be a part of it, they’ll likely welcome you. However, with that hate comes misguided posers who believe they can buy their way into the culture, which couldn’t be further from the truth. In this feature, we look at 10 missteps you’ll want to avoid that will make you the laughing stock (or worse) of your local motorcycle club.

From : http://www.askmen.com/top_10/entertainment/rider-vs-rookie-10-ways-true-bikers-can-judge-if-you-are-one-of-them.html