Biker Stereotypes
A friend of mine, who works for a prominent motorcycle magazine, made a comment recently that caused me to think about metric cruiser riders. He believes that Harley riders are somewhat easier to profile than your average metric cruiser rider. The question became, “what is the profile of your typical metric cruiser rider or enthusiast?”
While we both agreed that there is no real way to prove or disprove a factual answer to this mostly subjective question, it would be very interesting and useful information to posses.
I view motorcycle cruiser riders, regardless of the bike manufacturer, as the modern day horseback rider. Sort of the iron horsemen, (and women), of our time. That undeniable feeling of freedom, wind in the face, traveling the backroads and enjoying the outdoors is unlike any other form of transportation. Although I don’t consider myself one who likes to stereotype others, I must admit that stereotyping the metric cruiser rider isn’t very easy.
Types of People
I spend a great deal of time speaking to both metric and H-D cruiser riders every day, either on the phone, in the store, on-line, on the road and at rallies and events. The metric cruiser riders I meet come from all walks of life, many different nationalities, education & income levels, both sexes, club riders, “Lone Wolves,” Harley “wannabes” in ages ranging from early 20’s to retirees.
Types of Bikes
What I can tell you is that they seem to fall into one or two of the following bike type or purpose categories:
- Power, performance & technology
- Long distance/touring/comfort
- Trophy or tavern 2 tavern
- Affordable/entry level
- Commuter/daily transportation
Conclusions
Now that I’ve made an attempt to narrow down the type of people and bikes the metric cruiser rider rides, is there a stereotypical metric rider? (As an aside, I fall into 3.5 of the 5 “Types of Bikes” categories above!)
I don’t think so, I think there is no single stereotype and I think it’s probably a good thing. As I said earlier, I don’t like to stereotype and there doesn’t seem to be one here.
I’m a fan of all kinds of bikes, however I believe the recently growing wave of metric cruiser riders has begun to really blur the “biker stereotype.” Both the Harley and metric riding communities are gaining acceptance from the non-riding universe.
At the end of the day it’s all about the biking experience itself. When you bought your bike you were likely buying into the experience of motorcycling which is far more than simply the machine.
Enjoy the ride all you non-stereotypical bikers out there!!
If you have any thoughts or opinions on this subject, send ‘em to me at bob@metricthunder.com and I’ll post ‘em.
- Thunder Bob
