List of Motorcycle Club terms

This is a list of Motorcycle Club terms. Motorcycle subculture which has its roots in the immediate post-World War II era of American society. It is generally centered on the use of cruiser motorcycles, particularly Harley-Davidsons and choppers, and a set of ideals which celebrate freedom, nonconformity to mainstream culture and loyalty to the biker group. They have developed their own unique terms.

ape hangers
High handlebars that raise a rider's hands above his head much like an ape's hands may hang over their head[1][2]
ATGATT
All The Gear All The Time, a mnemonic cherished primarily by long-distance riders, especially Iron Butt Association members
back warmer
Female passenger on the back of a motorcycle[1]
bar bike (aka 1-mile bike)
A motorcycle driven a short distance to and from a bar[1]
bucket (aka brain bucket, lid)
Helmet
catwalk
The act of initiating a wheelie and continuing to ride with the front wheel held high in the air for a period of time
colors (aka cut)
Uniform of the club where club patches are proudly displayed, typically a leather or denim vest[3][4]
church
Regularly scheduled meeting(s) of club members
crotch rocket (aka organ donor)
Another term for sportbike and is generally not made in the USA[2]
filtering
The act of riding slowly to the front of traffic at a red light so as to be first to move at the green light, ahead of cars
hardtail
A cruiser-style motorcycle with the rear axle rigidly mounted to the frame, no suspension
highside
The act of the rider being projected above and beyond the motorcycle during a crash
kickstand club (aka kickstand café)
A hangout, usually a bar or coffee shop, where locals park their motorcycles prominently so that passers-by can view them, presumably in awe
lane splitting
The act of riding along the painted line that separates lanes on a highway, between cars
lowside
The act of the rider sliding on the ground behind the motorcycle during a crash
one percenter
An outlaw club or gang[3][4]
road captain
Experience rider who leads at the front of a group ride
road name
A member's nickname[3]
squid (aka Billy)
A rider whose attire consists of a full-face helmet, but T-shirt, shorts, and sneakers instead of protective apparel
stoppie
The act of decelerating the motorcycle such that the rear tire is lifted off the ground
sweep (aka back door, tail gunner)
Experienced rider whose job, as last in line, is to ensure everyone in the group ride arrives safely at the destination[1][5]
threading the needle
The act of riding in heavy traffic and weaving in between cars where there is little safe space to maneuver
weekend warrior
A rider who rides during the weekend as an escape from weekly middle-class life[3][6]
waxer
Someone who doesn't ride much, but mainly washes and waxes his motorcycle[3]
wheelie
The act of accelerating the motorcycle such that the front tire is lifted off the ground

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Racer Cafe - Biker Terms
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Holmstrom, Darwin (2001), "Appendix D: cycle babble glossary", The Complete Idiot's Guide to Motorcycles (2nd ed.), Alpha Books, p. 403, ISBN 0028642589
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 Biker Gang Slang
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 Smedman, Lisa (2007), From boneshakers to choppers: the rip-roaring history of motorcycles, Annick Press, pp. 57–60, ISBN 978-1-55451-016-0
  5. ↑ ""Group Leaders" and "Back Doors"", Rider Education: Group Riding Guide (Gold Wing Touring Association), retrieved 2014-07-30
  6. ↑ Thompson, William E. (2012), Hogs, Blogs, Leathers and Lattes: The Sociology of Modern American Motorcycling, McFarland, p. 33