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Mod, as in Mods vs. Rockers. I view myself as a Rocker:
Mod: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mod_%28subculture%29
Rocker: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rocker_%28subculture%29
Background:
He rides a 140cc moped, but he calls it a motorcycle. He rebuilt and repainted the thing to immaculate (sorry, no pic, and according to him, I'll never have that opportunity). He is an engineer, very skilled, and very smart, but with an extremely brusable ego.
I never quite understood the whole mods vs. rockers thing. I thought it was all kind of silly. So what if a scooter is a step-though. I think it takes more cajones to ride a scooter than a bike, because you are completely vulnerable and defenseless....
My experience:
Anyways, I was talking to him, enjoying myself, but apparently he didn't share that sentiment. As a motorcyclist I've grown accustomed to giving fellow riders a hard time about the size of their bike, their riding style, their face. It doesn't matter, you joke heartily with one another, poking fun at the idiosyncrasies, taking turns being the butt of a joke, and being in the limelight. It's a wonderfully entertaining way for everybody to feel included and a part of the family. So as habit would have it, I started joking with him about his 140, hoping, waiting, anticipating he would joke back, poke fun at my 250 sounding like a sowing machine, or the fact that it's flashy and gawdy, and his 140 is much cooler because it's a classic. I would have then agreed with him, laughed, and so we would have had a great time...
Anyways, I got totally butt hurt, and although staying very cordial, ended the conversation with an abrupt end that bordered on rude. At least he was straight-forward and honest, I can respect that.
I guess, in the end, what I took away from the experience, his type (maybe a mod?), gets hurt easily because they ride underpowered motos. Motorcyclists don't, because they are familiar with a giddy free feeling, both euphoric and superhero-esque, and approach life with the idea of fun to be seized around every corner.
Let me clarify, I view a motorcyclist as one who spends the most amount of time possible on a motorcycle. If I were slightly more stringent in my opinion, I'd say it's somebody who spends more than 50% of their miles traveled on the road on a moto, and not in a 4-multi wheeled vehicle. But that would define the folks in Canada as equals to those in Florida, and the ones in Canada would just be more bad ass for braving the cold....
So, I changed my definition to what I stated in the first sentence. I do not view "week-end warriors" as motorcyclists, I view them as hazards, or cagers with the ability to operate a motorcycle. I do not view collectors as motorcyclists, unless they ride their bikes, or have a bike to ride. To be a motorcylist, one has to ride enough to full appreciate the risks, and therefor enjoy the rewards that much more!
Let me also say, I've always felt a little uncomfortable around those who adore their scooters. I've ridden scooters, and they're fun, and I know people who ride bikes now, having started on a scooter. But those who love their scooters as we love our ninjas just kind of creep me out. Up until now, I've never quite understood why, but I have a feeling of what it is now. So, are mods really that sensitive, and are motorcyclists really that much easier going?
Mod: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mod_%28subculture%29
Rocker: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rocker_%28subculture%29
Background:
He rides a 140cc moped, but he calls it a motorcycle. He rebuilt and repainted the thing to immaculate (sorry, no pic, and according to him, I'll never have that opportunity). He is an engineer, very skilled, and very smart, but with an extremely brusable ego.
I never quite understood the whole mods vs. rockers thing. I thought it was all kind of silly. So what if a scooter is a step-though. I think it takes more cajones to ride a scooter than a bike, because you are completely vulnerable and defenseless....
My experience:
Anyways, I was talking to him, enjoying myself, but apparently he didn't share that sentiment. As a motorcyclist I've grown accustomed to giving fellow riders a hard time about the size of their bike, their riding style, their face. It doesn't matter, you joke heartily with one another, poking fun at the idiosyncrasies, taking turns being the butt of a joke, and being in the limelight. It's a wonderfully entertaining way for everybody to feel included and a part of the family. So as habit would have it, I started joking with him about his 140, hoping, waiting, anticipating he would joke back, poke fun at my 250 sounding like a sowing machine, or the fact that it's flashy and gawdy, and his 140 is much cooler because it's a classic. I would have then agreed with him, laughed, and so we would have had a great time...
Anyways, I got totally butt hurt, and although staying very cordial, ended the conversation with an abrupt end that bordered on rude. At least he was straight-forward and honest, I can respect that.
I guess, in the end, what I took away from the experience, his type (maybe a mod?), gets hurt easily because they ride underpowered motos. Motorcyclists don't, because they are familiar with a giddy free feeling, both euphoric and superhero-esque, and approach life with the idea of fun to be seized around every corner.
Let me clarify, I view a motorcyclist as one who spends the most amount of time possible on a motorcycle. If I were slightly more stringent in my opinion, I'd say it's somebody who spends more than 50% of their miles traveled on the road on a moto, and not in a 4-multi wheeled vehicle. But that would define the folks in Canada as equals to those in Florida, and the ones in Canada would just be more bad ass for braving the cold....
So, I changed my definition to what I stated in the first sentence. I do not view "week-end warriors" as motorcyclists, I view them as hazards, or cagers with the ability to operate a motorcycle. I do not view collectors as motorcyclists, unless they ride their bikes, or have a bike to ride. To be a motorcylist, one has to ride enough to full appreciate the risks, and therefor enjoy the rewards that much more!Let me also say, I've always felt a little uncomfortable around those who adore their scooters. I've ridden scooters, and they're fun, and I know people who ride bikes now, having started on a scooter. But those who love their scooters as we love our ninjas just kind of creep me out. Up until now, I've never quite understood why, but I have a feeling of what it is now. So, are mods really that sensitive, and are motorcyclists really that much easier going?
