Amongst riders of motorcycles, the term "biker" or "rider" is used to refer to anyone who rides a motorcycle. The word "bikie" strictly refers to European and Australian members of "1%er" or "outlaw" motorcycle gangs. Non-riders tend to place all motorcycle riders into the same category, but within the riding community there are many sub-sets of riders.

Some bikers 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.)

The other more popular styles of bikes are

• Sports Bike (those who have the fastest, most maneuverable of bikes. Like going fast, and most importantly, taking corners as fast and leaned into as low as possible)
• Tourers (Big comfortable bikes, built for covering long distances comfortably)
• Dirt bikes (Designed for off road riding)
• Adventure Tourers (Bikes built for travelling across vast distances where roads do not exist. Cross between a dirt bike and a tourer)

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

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:

• Coffin Cheaters (Australia)
• 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)
• The Warlocks Motorcycle Club
• The Breed
• The Mongols

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

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 turned riot in Hollister, California, U.S.A. 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

• Bikie (Australian term)
• Rockers
• Mods and Rockers
• Bousouzoku

External links

• Sturgis Motorcycle Rally
• Daytona Beach Rally