Biker: Encyclopedia - Biker

Biker

Although the term refers to any motorcycle enthusiast, sometimes the word "biker" is used to mean an outlaw biker, or bikie, who is a member of a 1%er or outlaw motorcycle gang. Numerous members are involved in criminal activity (firearms, recreational drug usage and/or sales, etc.). Outlaw bikers often ride heavy cruiser-type motorcycles. (Motorcycles in excess of 700cc displacement are considered "heavy," and "cruisers" are large, heavy bikes designed for relaxed travel that allow the rider to sit upright or lean back. A chopper is a motorcycle that has been stripped down—or "chopped"—to the bare essentials: engine, frame, gas tank, wheels, handlebars, and seat.)

Bikers tend to associate with others that share their enthusiasm, and congregate at biker events such as "bike week" rallies and races.

Biker - Motorcycle gang

A motorcycle gang (also known as a biker gang) is a controversial term to describe a motorcycle club whose members (outlaw bikers and one percenters) are motorcycle riders, usually of Harley-Davidson or Triumph motorcycles. The term is primarily used by law enforcement officials.

Major motorcycle "gangs" include:

• the Bandidos
• the Hells Angels
• the Outlaws
• the Pagans MC

Other notable motorcycle gangs include:

• the Gypsy Jokers (US, Australia)
• the Straight Satans (notable for having members in the 1960s involved with the Manson Family)
• The Finks MC (Australia's Gold Coast)
• The Rock Machine (Quebec, Canada; absorbed into the Bandidos)

There have also been scooter gangs, notably the Mods in the UK in the 1960s.

Biker - Outlaw Motorcycle Club

The concept of an "outlaw motorcycle club" came about to describe motorcycle clubs who did not adhere to AMA standards. Later, after a rally in Hollister during the July 4th weekend in 1947, it was used by a reporter to exaggerate actual events that took place. It received national attention which resulted in the president of the AMA (American Motorcyclist Association) to make a statement to the effect that only one percent of bikers give anyone any trouble. As a result some bikers started calling themselves "one percenters". Over time there evolved the idea of the "big four" motorcycle clubs: Hells Angels, Pagans, Bandidos, and Outlaws. These clubs wear patches with various symbols made up of a specific set of "colors". For example the colors of the Hells Angels are red and white while the Bandidos colors are red and gold.

See also

• Greasers
• Raggare
• Rockers
• Teddy Boy (youth culture)
• Mods and Rockers
• Punk rockers
• Rock and roll
• Bousouzoku

Adapted from the Wikipedia article "Biker", under the G.N U Free Docmentation License. Please also see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki