It used to be that all bikers shared a common bond, an unspoken code of
ethics and behavior that transcended words and was built on actions.

There was never a bible written on this Biker's Code and there was no
need for such. But the times are a-changin' and there seems to be a lot
of new riders out there.

These days the riders you see blastin' down the road are just as likely
to be clad in shorts and sneakers as jeans and engineer boots. And the
roughest, toughest-looking biker you pull up next to could be your
doctor or lawyer and may be wearin' a Rolex watch under his leathers.
There's nothing wrong with that, so long as these new riders learn the
Code just as we old-timers did.

Being a biker used to be about using your creativity to take a basket
case old hawg and using only grit and ingenuity, turning it into a
one-of-a-kind eye dazzler, then risking your life on the asphalt on a
bike you made yourself out of pride. Bikers wore leather and grease
because they knew cagers would just as soon run them down as look at
them, so they had to be intimidating.
We were a breed unto ourselves with no union, no support group, and in
many cases, no family (they threw us out). We had to make it in the
world of our own, against all rules, against mainstream society, and
against all odds.
We survived and prospered because of the Biker Code and we never took
shit from anybody.

As an old scooter bro once said, "It's every tramp's job to school the
young. How else are they gonna know a Panhead from a bed pan?" With that
in mind, we bring you a primer on the basic two-wheeled Code.

Take heed, brothers and sisters, for our Code is a hallowed one filled
with honor and loyalty, the likes of which have not been since the days
of knighthood:


Don't take any shit. Be kind to women, children and animals, but don't
take any bullshit. This is an essential part of being a biker. It has to
do with respect and honor. Anyone can be a quick-tempered fool.

Be cool, stand tall and backup what you say with action.

Never lie, cheat or steal. Another way of saying this is to always tell
the truth.

Bikers are always the greasy bad guys in the movies, but every real
biker knows that his word is his bond. Your word is all you have in life
that is truly yours. Guard it carefully and be something noble, for you
are a true knight of the road.


Don't snitch. If you see a wrong, fight it yourself, if you are about
anything you'll take care of problems yourself and never feel the need
to snitch someone off. Snitches are the lowest life forms on earth,
right up there with biker thieves.

Don't Whine. Absolutely no one likes or respects a whiner. Another way
to say this is hold your mud. Still another way to think of it is,
"Don't sweat the small stuff" Most of life's little inconveniences work
themselves out whether you whine or not. Keep your chin up, dammit!
You're a biker, not some lowly snail..

Never say die and never give up. Whether it's in a fight, a debate, or a
business deal, no matter how bad it gets, a biker never gives up.

Help others. When a brother or sister is broken down by the side of the
road, always stop and help them. Even moral support, if that is all you
can give, is better than riding on by. Remember life is about the
journey, the ride, not getting there. You already are there. And don't
just help bikers, show the world that we are better than our image
portrays us. Courtesy costs you nothing and gives you everything.

Stick to your guns. Do what you say you'll do, be there when you say you
will. This is called integrity. This also goes back to standing for
something. Like the song says, "You've got to stand for something or
you'll fall for anything."

Life is not a drill. Yeah, this ain't no dress rehearsal. This is life
-- go out and take big bites of it. You've got no time to lose and
bikers don't stand around waiting for the party to come to them. You
only go around once. Tomorrow you could be road kill, thanks to a chain
smoker asleep at the wheel of his Caddy. Live life now, make the most of
each moment.

All right, now let's review.

You are a biker, a modern-day knight of the road.

Protect the weak, walk tall and stand proud.

Your word is your bond.

Stick to your guns.

Don't take any shit.

Life is not a drill.

Now go forth and ride. When in doubt, ride. That's what we do...ride. If
you want to ride around in a Day-Glo Hawaiian shirt and sandals, go for
it, but if you intend to look like a idiot, at least don't act like an
idiot.

These commandments are just a few of the broad strokes, there is a lot
more to being a biker than buying a bike. If you just buy a bike, you
are a motorcyclist. Being a biker is a way of life, a proud way of life
we hold in high regard with a burning passion for the open highway.
choppertown.ning.com