Bored of watching CZcams videos? Tune in and catch the Yammie Noob LIVESTREAM starting tomorrow 08/07, and every Wednesday at 6pm CST for a whole new kind of motorcycling experience!!
Hey Yam, you've got a number of people that have been trying to contact you via your support email and phone number to no avail about continuous charging for already cancelled subscriptions. You should check on that before someone ends up going a more litigious route considering the hundreds of dollars that you've snagged from that rather bad business practice.
You forgot one issue… when I was a young man… I couldn’t afford a car much less maintain one… enter a ratty old cheap … $ 200 Honda CB 350…I didn’t have parents that could buy me my first car or give me a hand me down one… I was a foster child kicked out into the world … to make this story short…I was riding out of necessity… this motorcycle helped advance my life … it was cheap and as a young man could understand the shop manual of up keep and maintaining it. It got me to work … got me to do food shopping… to the laundromat… and even help me get a guitar and small amp to gigs … it really helped me succeed in my early life …and there were many like me… so you forgot to mention the survivalist biker…I learned how to ride out of necessity to survive.
Same...I don't tend to be a social rider, I just go out and ride my own ride and enjoy myself. But yeah, I'm super friendly to other riders, no matter the bike they're on, but riding clubs who regularly ride together just are not for me, except for charity rides.
Since summer came by here in Italy I started going to work with my triumph, coming back home I started taking a back road among the fields, going fast, a couple wheelies, having fun. Today I saw an elderly woman at the gate of se only house on this road, so I stopped by to ask if my stunts had bothered her and if I can keep doing them, the reply killed me, she said:” oh yes, you must keep, I love it, you remind me of my husband, he loved bikes, just don’t hurt yourself” So now se knows that around 5 pm I’ll be passing and she waits for the little show. Be the biker who changes people’s minds about biking
Can confirm, my family has a farm. We have 2 quad's, car trailer, a caravan, 1 dirtbike and now im dragging a motorcycle into the picture. And a lot of farm equipment. We all have physical jobs, adhd. A love for speed and bbq. Were also not American, we are Norwegian. I also like anime, gaming and drive a Volvo 940... quite the combination if i say so myself.
Basically, a motorcyclist as anyone that wants to ride futuristic horse instead of a real horse. Fortunately, I’m able to do both for 40+ years. Love it would never change that for anyone.
I'm learning to ride a motorcycle partially because of the convenience compared to riding real horses (no land of my own and too expensive for me to own a horse at the moment). Still plan on riding horses, but I can ride the bike a lot more regularly and conveniently once I learn.
When I’m on my liter bike and wave at a passing Harley rider, 9 times out of 10 they wave back. I ride a sport bike, and an old cruiser (and sometimes steal my wife’s scooter 😂), and one thing I can say with certainty, is that the world needs less group-identity anger. It’s immature, and really just straight up silly. Enjoy your ride, whatever you ride 😎👍🏻
You throw these words around like "hobby" and "toy" - I've had an R3 as my only mode of transportation for five years. Not really a toy or a hobby, but a vital part of me getting places efficiently and affordably. My registration was $50 this year, my insurance is $30/mo, my state doesn't require emissions, I get 50mpg and I never spend even $10 at the gas station. It's not always the easiest in the winter time, because I live in Colorado, but more often than not I can ride without weather being too big of an issue. I still have gear that's waterproof and other gear that's more suitable for summer. It's not the cheapest to invest in to begin with, but if you genuinely intend to use your motorcycle for anything aside from being a good ol' weekend warrior, I believe it's a worthwhile investment.
Sold my car, I have a BV 400 scoot as my errands, shopping etc bike, and a Motorcycle for fun. Still cheaper to run both vs a car. Plus we are always on two wheels. 🤙
I've had like 6 cars since I was 21. The last two were foreign coupes.. after that experience of driving those machines that are capable of tremendous speeds, I couldn't afford another one at the time. I had a female coworker that would ride her Ninja 300 to work no matter the weather. To me she looked so cool, definitely wasn't the prettiest girl in the world but when she would walk into work with her helmet on I would think how cool she looked and tell her. She told me how easy it was to learn how to ride one and then I started researching prices and looking at dealerships.. Now I ride my motorcycle as an everyday mode of transportation and every time I get back into a car I get easily bored from the lack of amount of attention it truly requires.. It takes every part of your body to maneuver a bike. It takes majority of your mental capabilities to maneuver safely through traffic and intersections. I've only ridden on the highway once and it was at night. Probably the scariest and fun thing I've ever experienced in my life. The rush, the challenge, the successful rides, the failures of dropping the bike. Picking it back up and staying alive, learning from wrong decisions and movements. Riding a motorcycle is a thing within itself. The focus... And that's what I like the most about riding a motorcycle... Everyday it's something new
Same. I don't own a car. The hobby/toy thing applies less in the city and in other countries. I used to live in Taiwan and rode a scooter nearly every day. Being back in the US and living in a major city, I live the same but ride a larger motorcycle. I walk if where I'm going is within a mile or so, I take public transportation if the wait time won't be too long and if there are no transfers, and I ride everywhere else.
bravo!! and you're one less shitbox clogging up the roads, u cause less wear and tear on public infrastructure, and you're less of a danger to pedestrians!!! good going
I live in istanbul/turkey and if you ever want to go somewhere around the city in an acceptable amount of time, you need those two wheels. There is no other way. 5 Kilometres can take up to 2 hours if you got out at the wrong time. Without lane splitting or using the safety lane its basically impossible to move at the rush hours of traffic. My R25 is the only vehicle i have for transportation. But i gotta say its also my hobby to ride too :)
I live in Oklahoma. I could do with less wind. Personally, I love it when I romp on the throttle and my butt slides up the back of the seat while the rear wheel shimmies along an uncertain path.
@@BIKELIFEAP lol, no, my bike isn't that crazy.. I have just enough go-go power to break traction in first and second gear. Maybe one day I'll have a squid missile.
Getting my first motorcycle within a month or so, and just finished my MSC...longtime MTB rider and Jeeper...so yeah I am a bit of an adrenaline junkie, but...I am in my 50s and a college professor, so I definitely fit outside that stereotype. I just like stuff on two wheels.
Same. Ride and Race dirt bikes, Supermotos, Sport Bikes, MTBs basically anything with 2 wheels since I was 6 years old......also have a built 4x4 Tacoma. I'm a Systems engineer with multiple degrees.
I’m a dwarf woman and my feet barely touch the ground when I’m wearing high heels on my Honda Grom. I’ve been pulled over a couple times because the cops think a small child is riding a motorcycle illegally. I use a step stool at home or the street curve to get on my Grom just for some assistance. Though if I have to I can get on it without.
Got mad respect for ppl like you. At 182cm i usually fit on the large'ish side on most bikes and can safely plant my feet qhile stopping Can't imagine to reliably stop with only one foot on the ground
My cousin was a weird combination of both types. He's the quintessential engineer who tucks his shirt in, wears New Bals, etc. But when he gets on a bike he's an absolute squid - 150 mph highway pulls, Nooners around the cloverleaf, multiple totalled CBR's to his name.
Hey Yammie Noob! Thanks for all the videos you’ve made over the years. I’ve been a huge fan and watched a lot of your beginner bike tips. Today I am getting my very first bike and XSR 700 and I’m so excited! Thanks Yammie, keep doing your thing.
I work in the Brussels Antwerp area, world famous for it's traffic congestion. So I ride, to gain between 1 and 2 hours every day. We are alowed to lane filter, it is even encouraged and cagers make way. In traffic jams, cars are oblmiged to open a space betwen the 2 most left lanes (a rescue lane) and bikers are allowed to ouse this extra lane. All the cost for the bike and gear are also 100% taxdeductible. In winter a ride a K1300GT, in summer a S1000XR.
Americans are different. Most of the country are sprawling suburbs or rural areas. Almost everyone has a car. Motorcycles aren't taken seriously as a mode of transportation in most of the country and, like cars actually, people treat them as an extension of their personality. In fact, when we talk about someone who cuts us off in traffic we don't say, "Someone cut me off" we say, "A Tesla cut me off". Crazy place.
@@OwjdnskoakansbskkI think you're doing a bit of projecting. I've never heard a single person name the car brand that cut them off. Why is it that so many Americans seem obsessively self-deprecating? Is there some sweepstake give-away I'm not aware of, which claims that every time you complain about living in or being a citizen of the U.S. you are entered to win? I swear, by the way Americans talk about the U.S. you'd think it was a warzone populated by ultraviolet factions in a never ending orgy of barbarism.
Well, in general people that believe stereotypes are idiots. Motorcycling is no different than any other group of people in life everybody’s different if everybody was the same and followed stereotypes, and everybody would ride one kind of motorcycle, but there are many many many types of motorcycles for all kinds of different people and all kinds of different riding styles.
One thing is economics. You get a lot of vehicle for the money when it comes to a motorcycle and it allows a lot of hooligans and lowlifes (who are, by in large, poorer than most of us) a means to be a dick with little cash.
The Harley guy and the dirt bike guy were spot on and those specific two are basically the same guy IMO, one has access to a lot of private land and the other doesn't. However, it's sooo true that stereo types aren't ALWAYS a thing, I work at an Independent Harley shop and last Monday we all met up to play D&D.
I think you should more often mention the motorcyclists that ride because its a super cheap way to get over 50mpg. Motorcycles have saved me thousands.
I'm regular pal, in the 40's, working in IT, living in the suburbs. In love with 2 wheels motorized stuff since i bought a moped in my teens with my first summer job wage. Mostly ride solo, sometimes with my wife as passenger, 1 or 2 group runding per year for charity event. I ride daily to commute. To me riding is therapeutic, allowing me to have a break from the crazy of life (and work).
The UK experience is a bit unique I think (being from the UK) as the patch-club thing was much smaller here and dramatically overshadowed by other stereotypes/cultures. Post WW2 saw the rise of the Cafe Racer in the UK. Pubs (Public House / bar) were a gathering place for old men to drink half pints of 'mild' (type of beer), smoke a pipe, read the paper, maybe a dabble on the piano. The returning service men grabbed a bunch of fairly uninspiring commuter bikes and adapted them to perform sprint races down A-roads (freeways) from a gathering point at a truck stop - typically a low budget cafe. These bikes then returned to commuter duty during the week. In the 60s we had Mods and Rockers. Rockers were closest to the badass stereotype. High (for the era) cc bikes, black leather, listening to the Rolling Stones. Mods (short for Moderns) rode Vespas in tailored suits, listening to The Who. The violent clashes between the two were largely instigated by the media - looking for lurid headlines and a chance to demonise the youth. Interestingly, Mods were the one that panicked the establishment more. The rocker/rebel image was a known thing, but Mods looked like preppy types and their violent behaviour really stood apart from expectations. In the 80s, the neo-liberal wealth gap (Thatcherism / Reaganism) put all the wealthy folks in Porches and all the kids and blue collars in the UK onto UJMs, especially the sporty ones. From the 80s to around 2010, the UK was ruled by sportsbikers - wanna race heroes in full leathers trying to break the 'lap record' for the nearest loop of roads. With the UKs cramped road system, this gave most UK bikers the image of the reckless/irresponsible speeder, but not a badass per se. After 2010 the aging population of UK bikers realised they all got old and bought BMW GSs - putting the Brit biker stereotype as something akin to a retired Valentino Rossi now playing at being Ewan McGregor
@@oldcowbb no scooters If we include scooters 10% max with more scooters than bikes where I live (South Carolina) might be different in California I’m just speaking for my location
@@oldcowbb I got both on my Channel if you looking for more inspiration (scooters and bikes) I got both Yamaha prebug 2t, Suzuki bandit 1200 I just made a vid today
LMFAO!!! Bruh, when I met my wife 8 years ago in Vietnam, she thought EXACTLY this. She was like “so you own a Harley? Or a Kawasaki?” I’m over here looking at her like “WTF? I own NEITHER of those!”. She thought I’m this guy who wears a full on track suit, racing down busy highways in a group. I just straight looked at her and said “babe, I wear jeans and a long sleeve jacket. I also ride a Honda 600RR, not a Harley or Kawasaki” 🤣 I totally understand where she got her mindset though. Since Kawasaki Z1000’s are the Vietnam staple for some odd reason. 🤷♂️
My dad used to have a nsr250, white with red and blue stripes. I remember that strangely over all these years, and was never thought about buying a bike. Until i moved to somewhere car commute means stuck in traffic for unbearably long time and bought myself a chinese made electric vespa. Of course it broke down in the end, but i tasted a little bit if fun on 2 wheels. Now i own a proper gsxr and becomes bit of a weekend warrior.
Never ridden a motorcycle before I started riding a electric dirt bike last year and it’s too much fun. My experience is people are friendly towards me as long as i show respect back in return. Even gas motorcycle dudes will wave and chat with me at stop lights. Seems like respect is the main idea when it comes to motorcycles.
Part of that WWII returning home era was the fact that many of them rode Harleys during the war, they wanted to gain back that sense of brotherhood, and so, MCs were born and the tradition of HDs in MCs
I am riding for 15 years. Barely anyone can tell I ride. Noone can tell I rode on a track, noone would tell I was 2000km away from home on a bike, many, many times. I never goes for bike meetings or so. I ride with small group of friends, one or two at a time. We go for short and long trips, trackday or just comute to work :)
Before I was in the motorcycle space, I used to get annoyed by riders because they forced me to be extra cautious. Now, I understand that people often just want to exist in peace.
I prefer to kill with kindness. Every time someone lets me go first at a 4-way, pulls over on a windy road, or gives me any kind of general kindness, I always give them an enthusiastic wave or thumbs up. We’re all on the road together, enjoying it at our own pace. Acknowledge the people that give you that freedom and spread the kindness. 😁
Yeh I was a badass motorcyclist in my 20's but in my 30's & 40's & 50's I just like the adrineline ride, keep the speed limit, but still doing it some times where there are no car or very less on the roads. Biker is definitely in my blood. I think you are born with it. My father would like it I liked it & my boy's like it, it's runs in the families blood. Where the tiger is in the tank, well what can I say. Love it very much.
I just see them as a rare type of car on the road. you don't see them often here in the netherlands, they are fast, make funny noises, etc. I rarely see the harley dudes you were talking about here, or atleast not a lot in the haugue. sometimes you see the crazy dudes revving and stuff (literally got the idea to write this rn as I just heared some dude revving his motorcycle, some cousin of my neighbour- man he is being an idiot rn) but yeah most of them are normal. also my neighbours are kind of the "hill billies" of the netherlands. smoke a lot, have crazy friends and host big parties, have big families, etc. they are nice tho and only occaisionally cause trouble.
Got a bike because it was cheaper than a car and it also gets you from A to B. And for me, something like a "true biker" is someone who rides his bike everyday, through all of the year. Too many out there just going on a ride on sundays or in fine weather conditions and also not even knowing the basics about the maintenance of the bike. And no, not living in a fancy all year summer country...
In my opinion, the majority of the public (at least in the US) looks askance at all types of bikers because they perceive riding a motorcycle to be an incredibly dangerous activity. For those who take it seriously, it (usually) isn't. But we all know it can be...and that's a part of the reason we love it.
I got my bike to save my sanity. Early morning commute that would take me sometimes up to an hour drops to 40 min. The ride back taking sometimes an hour and a half down to 40 min again. Lane splitting responsibly is the way to go in my mind and being in SoCal the drivers are generally courteous.
I ride my motorcycle regularly because it’s cheaper to maintain and fill up than the pickup truck I use to transport the bike to the shop when a repair is above my pay grade. I think motorcycles generally function as great commuter vehicles if you have the lifestyle to manage it, and that’s largely how I use mine. Once my wife and I have our first child that’ll change some with having to take children to school, daycare, etc., but even then there’s a lot of ways to make a motorcycle more than just a weekend toy.
Good video Yam. People should never see someone on a bike and assume that person thinks they are the absolute fastest rider or the most badass thing on Earth. We vary tremendously.
I was on a business trip last week with a team of coworkers (IT Managers) I’d never met before. The conversation turned to “bikers” and one of the guys ignored everyone else and turned to me asking what I thought. Told him I didn’t really have an opinion but asked why he asked me directly….”You just have that biker vibe… The tattoos, muscles, beard, attitude… you look like the type of guy who would know about motorcycles”. Apparently everyone in the group thought the same thing.
I saw a review from Revzilla on the movie “The Bike Riders” where the 1% motorcycle riders / clubs went from a motorcyclist club with a drug problem to a drug dealer club with a motorcycle problem.
A guy once told me a "you're not a biker, you're a bike rider" I thought about for a little bit and damn he was right. I might be the only guy rocking LL Bean gear while riding one of my two HD's.
I got into motorcycling in an unusual way--courtesy of the NYPD Highway Patrol. They taught me how to ride on a big Harley Road King. I'm now getting a Honda Rebel 1100.
I am in my 60's and have been riding since I was 18. Despite the "reputation" that us bikers have, I can honestly say that I have never killed anyone that didn't deserve it. (I was also in the Army for a while...)
I like to just ride and do my own thing. I rode my Yamaha Tenere 600 miles to Sturgis this year. I only saw one other one and I got kicked out of the Yamaha tent because I wasn't allowed to park there.
Hey dude. I'm definitely the geek type. I currently work as a product designer and plan on going back to school for engineering. I like to engage in competitive activities, I want to get into riding for fun, and possibly to take it a little more seriously at the track. Not to mention I grew up playing D&D with my dad's side of the family, and I'm a huge PC gaming person.
I totally agree. Me myself have license for slightly less than a year and I try to be safe and enjoy thrill of a ride but there are some people in the cars that for some reason think that when I am on the bike I will go 30+km'h over speed limit every time and are stuck to my rear wheel. I hate that and I would appreciate that if everyone at least once in their life thought about that we are not fearless racers but regular people. We have families we want to go back to and enjoy our lives like everyone else. And yes, there are some folks that are doing highly dangerous illegal stuff and film themselves while doing it, but vast majority of us just want to be safe. Thanks for great content and for all of you - "wheels down" :)
I absolutely agree with this video. Most of my motorcycle friends are just regular dudes. I'm pretty much ever stereotype rolled into one. I'm covered in tattoos and own a Street glide. I also have a Ducati (and I make it a point to wear silly helmet covers when I ride it) and I ride it like a complete hooligan. I also have a small family and work in healthcare.
I ride my big Ultra almost daily especially in the summer. Will ride in rain and when its cold as long as there is no ice. Daily commute to work. The wife and I also social ride. Group charity rides and with friends. Even a 2200 mile round trip to Dallas with a buddy for a work trip. I look at riding as a life style not a hobby. I would always rather ride than be in the car. Even if the weather is extream on either end of the thermometer.
I loved my bike neutral sitting position all the power I needed to get past or out of the way. One of the best bikes I've ever owned honestly. I REALLY MISS MY ZH2, I DID DO SOME CRAZY SPEED ON YHE ROAD WITH NO ONE AROUND. BEST THERAPY I'VE EVER HAD
Virtually all of my riding these days is commuting. During my commute, I ride a dozen long wheelies per day or more. I ride around traffic like it's a video game, but I'm in Southern California, so I'm not riding crazy compared to the other bikes on the road.
I've been riding for 20 years now and I have to admit, I've never done a wheelie...I know right. I currently ride a Z900, so it's more than capable. I just don't want to either dump it or get a ticket for stunting. lol
The problem with 1000cc sport bikes is that they aren’t very fun to ride within the legal limits. This is my personal opinion and that’s why I prefer bikes such as the mt09 wich has potential to go fast and quick but with a much more comfortable seating position. Not only is the positioning more comfortable but the gearing as well. I find the mt09 motor very nice because it has a very versatile gear length, it provides power in lower and higher rpm without feeling like it’s punishing the bike. I personally have a tracer 900gt (it has the mt09 motor), it’s by no means the fastest bike but it’s perfect for someone who wants to go long distances on low rpm or do twisties on a higher rpm. For me that’s an amazing middle ground between a cruiser and a sportbike.
Here in brazil basically is two kind of people, the one who rides a motorcycle because is the only viable option and people who rides bikes because they like.
Riding for me is therapy with a really nice cool factor. Besides, you can't make a couch pop a wheelie and if you could it may be your last therapy session.
There sure are a lot fewer 'bikers' nowadays. When I was growing up, there were plenty, but relatively few my age. Now that I'm a geezer I'm not surprised to see lots of Harleys for sale, way cheaper than 20 years ago. I think of motorcycles for puttering around town, and some mild off-roading. The insurance premiums for anything bigger than a 350 are obscene.
I was in traffic school (for one of my many speeding tickets) when a woman sitting next to me was shocked to find out that I ride motorcycles. She said that she couldn’t see a girlie girl like me on a motorcycle. She pointed to my ring and said “a motorcyclist doesn’t wear feminine jewelry like that.” …..I was wearing 13 karat kunzite set in rose gold. Very girlie. I told her that motorcycles were just a form of transportation not a life style.
Most people I talk to about motorcycles that don't own them themselves generally think they're cool but too dangerous for their liking. You always get that concerned look as if you're not gonna be around for long. Mostly because everyone knows someone or knows someone who knows someone who got in a very bad accident on a bike. Not saying bikes are not dangerous but I've you're riding pretty sensible, getting a bike isn't a definite dead sentence.
The same cultures exist in Europe 100 percent. The same stereotypes the same sub cultures. In the U.K. we have a history of rebellious motorcycling. The Rockers and tone up boys that coined the term “cafe racers” back in the day. Now we have the same Harley cultures as America with the Hells and other Harley clubs. The squids at night tearing up the 20 mile an hour residential zones. It’s all the same wherever you go I think
Bored of watching CZcams videos? Tune in and catch the Yammie Noob LIVESTREAM starting tomorrow 08/07, and every Wednesday at 6pm CST for a whole new kind of motorcycling experience!!
Hey Yam, you've got a number of people that have been trying to contact you via your support email and phone number to no avail about continuous charging for already cancelled subscriptions. You should check on that before someone ends up going a more litigious route considering the hundreds of dollars that you've snagged from that rather bad business practice.
You forgot one issue… when I was a young man… I couldn’t afford a car much less maintain one… enter a ratty old cheap … $ 200 Honda CB 350…I didn’t have parents that could buy me my first car or give me a hand me down one… I was a foster child kicked out into the world … to make this story short…I was riding out of necessity… this motorcycle helped advance my life … it was cheap and as a young man could understand the shop manual of up keep and maintaining it. It got me to work … got me to do food shopping… to the laundromat… and even help me get a guitar and small amp to gigs … it really helped me succeed in my early life …and there were many like me… so you forgot to mention the survivalist biker…I learned how to ride out of necessity to survive.
Proud of you brother! I’m sorry life used to be so tough for you, glad it worked out in the end! Wishing you all the best!
Based on
@@VMAdventures88 motorcycles save lives
lol met one of my twins
That's basically me right now..
I just ride. I rarely ride with others, but I will gladly greet any rider when I am out 😁
Same...I don't tend to be a social rider, I just go out and ride my own ride and enjoy myself. But yeah, I'm super friendly to other riders, no matter the bike they're on, but riding clubs who regularly ride together just are not for me, except for charity rides.
Amen brother, same here
@@thebrhinocerousagreed, I always ride by myself.
Yup. Riding solo with my music enjoying the ride and the little life i got left.
Same here. I wave to all 2 wheelers. Only the tweekers on scooters and Harley riders don't wave back.
Since summer came by here in Italy I started going to work with my triumph, coming back home I started taking a back road among the fields, going fast, a couple wheelies, having fun.
Today I saw an elderly woman at the gate of se only house on this road, so I stopped by to ask if my stunts had bothered her and if I can keep doing them, the reply killed me, she said:” oh yes, you must keep, I love it, you remind me of my husband, he loved bikes, just don’t hurt yourself”
So now se knows that around 5 pm I’ll be passing and she waits for the little show.
Be the biker who changes people’s minds about biking
Can confirm, my family has a farm. We have 2 quad's, car trailer, a caravan, 1 dirtbike and now im dragging a motorcycle into the picture. And a lot of farm equipment.
We all have physical jobs, adhd. A love for speed and bbq.
Were also not American, we are Norwegian. I also like anime, gaming and drive a Volvo 940... quite the combination if i say so myself.
You had me at Volvo 940
Basically, a motorcyclist as anyone that wants to ride futuristic horse instead of a real horse. Fortunately, I’m able to do both for 40+ years. Love it would never change that for anyone.
I'm learning to ride a motorcycle partially because of the convenience compared to riding real horses (no land of my own and too expensive for me to own a horse at the moment). Still plan on riding horses, but I can ride the bike a lot more regularly and conveniently once I learn.
When I’m on my liter bike and wave at a passing Harley rider, 9 times out of 10 they wave back. I ride a sport bike, and an old cruiser (and sometimes steal my wife’s scooter 😂), and one thing I can say with certainty, is that the world needs less group-identity anger. It’s immature, and really just straight up silly. Enjoy your ride, whatever you ride 😎👍🏻
You throw these words around like "hobby" and "toy" - I've had an R3 as my only mode of transportation for five years. Not really a toy or a hobby, but a vital part of me getting places efficiently and affordably. My registration was $50 this year, my insurance is $30/mo, my state doesn't require emissions, I get 50mpg and I never spend even $10 at the gas station. It's not always the easiest in the winter time, because I live in Colorado, but more often than not I can ride without weather being too big of an issue. I still have gear that's waterproof and other gear that's more suitable for summer. It's not the cheapest to invest in to begin with, but if you genuinely intend to use your motorcycle for anything aside from being a good ol' weekend warrior, I believe it's a worthwhile investment.
Sold my car, I have a BV 400 scoot as my errands, shopping etc bike, and a Motorcycle for fun. Still cheaper to run both vs a car. Plus we are always on two wheels. 🤙
I've had like 6 cars since I was 21. The last two were foreign coupes.. after that experience of driving those machines that are capable of tremendous speeds, I couldn't afford another one at the time. I had a female coworker that would ride her Ninja 300 to work no matter the weather. To me she looked so cool, definitely wasn't the prettiest girl in the world but when she would walk into work with her helmet on I would think how cool she looked and tell her. She told me how easy it was to learn how to ride one and then I started researching prices and looking at dealerships..
Now I ride my motorcycle as an everyday mode of transportation and every time I get back into a car I get easily bored from the lack of amount of attention it truly requires..
It takes every part of your body to maneuver a bike. It takes majority of your mental capabilities to maneuver safely through traffic and intersections. I've only ridden on the highway once and it was at night. Probably the scariest and fun thing I've ever experienced in my life. The rush, the challenge, the successful rides, the failures of dropping the bike. Picking it back up and staying alive, learning from wrong decisions and movements. Riding a motorcycle is a thing within itself. The focus... And that's what I like the most about riding a motorcycle... Everyday it's something new
Same. I don't own a car. The hobby/toy thing applies less in the city and in other countries. I used to live in Taiwan and rode a scooter nearly every day. Being back in the US and living in a major city, I live the same but ride a larger motorcycle. I walk if where I'm going is within a mile or so, I take public transportation if the wait time won't be too long and if there are no transfers, and I ride everywhere else.
bravo!! and you're one less shitbox clogging up the roads, u cause less wear and tear on public infrastructure, and you're less of a danger to pedestrians!!! good going
My story exactly! Only difference is that I have to brave the Winter weather here in Oregon. Less or no snow though.
I live in istanbul/turkey and if you ever want to go somewhere around the city in an acceptable amount of time, you need those two wheels. There is no other way. 5 Kilometres can take up to 2 hours if you got out at the wrong time. Without lane splitting or using the safety lane its basically impossible to move at the rush hours of traffic. My R25 is the only vehicle i have for transportation. But i gotta say its also my hobby to ride too :)
I would like to think of it more as "a lover of wind". Nothing sparks joy more than the feeling of wind on your face!
I live in Oklahoma. I could do with less wind. Personally, I love it when I romp on the throttle and my butt slides up the back of the seat while the rear wheel shimmies along an uncertain path.
@@Minion-Jcan you keep it up and shift all at the same time ? Like 2nd into 3rd into 4th 5th all without putting it down once!!
I like wind below 50kmph, above that the visor goes down. In winter my eyes water.
@@BIKELIFEAP lol, no, my bike isn't that crazy.. I have just enough go-go power to break traction in first and second gear. Maybe one day I'll have a squid missile.
@@Minion-J bet man I have the power (GSXR1100) but I’m scared I’m not gonna 🧢
I just got my permit today. Excited to join one of these categories soon!
Ride safe and have fun.
Getting my first motorcycle within a month or so, and just finished my MSC...longtime MTB rider and Jeeper...so yeah I am a bit of an adrenaline junkie, but...I am in my 50s and a college professor, so I definitely fit outside that stereotype. I just like stuff on two wheels.
Same. Ride and Race dirt bikes, Supermotos, Sport Bikes, MTBs basically anything with 2 wheels since I was 6 years old......also have a built 4x4 Tacoma. I'm a Systems engineer with multiple degrees.
Same here. Just got my PHD (public high-school diploma) and my bike is held together with duct tape and hope🙂
I’m a dwarf woman and my feet barely touch the ground when I’m wearing high heels on my Honda Grom. I’ve been pulled over a couple times because the cops think a small child is riding a motorcycle illegally. I use a step stool at home or the street curve to get on my Grom just for some assistance. Though if I have to I can get on it without.
😂😂😂😂😂😂😂
Do what you gotta do.
How do you handle stopping in general
Got mad respect for ppl like you. At 182cm i usually fit on the large'ish side on most bikes and can safely plant my feet qhile stopping
Can't imagine to reliably stop with only one foot on the ground
You go Gretchen!
My cousin was a weird combination of both types. He's the quintessential engineer who tucks his shirt in, wears New Bals, etc. But when he gets on a bike he's an absolute squid - 150 mph highway pulls, Nooners around the cloverleaf, multiple totalled CBR's to his name.
High-Functioning AuDHD type. Think Dr. House or The nerdy Dr. from Criminal Minds.
Ask him how he feels about socks..... there's always a system.
Hey Yammie Noob! Thanks for all the videos you’ve made over the years. I’ve been a huge fan and watched a lot of your beginner bike tips. Today I am getting my very first bike and XSR 700 and I’m so excited! Thanks Yammie, keep doing your thing.
Hell yea man happy for you. Ride safe n ride smart.
I work in the Brussels Antwerp area, world famous for it's traffic congestion. So I ride, to gain between 1 and 2 hours every day. We are alowed to lane filter, it is even encouraged and cagers make way. In traffic jams, cars are oblmiged to open a space betwen the 2 most left lanes (a rescue lane) and bikers are allowed to ouse this extra lane. All the cost for the bike and gear are also 100% taxdeductible. In winter a ride a K1300GT, in summer a S1000XR.
Americans are different. Most of the country are sprawling suburbs or rural areas. Almost everyone has a car. Motorcycles aren't taken seriously as a mode of transportation in most of the country and, like cars actually, people treat them as an extension of their personality. In fact, when we talk about someone who cuts us off in traffic we don't say, "Someone cut me off" we say, "A Tesla cut me off".
Crazy place.
@@OwjdnskoakansbskkI think you're doing a bit of projecting. I've never heard a single person name the car brand that cut them off. Why is it that so many Americans seem obsessively self-deprecating? Is there some sweepstake give-away I'm not aware of, which claims that every time you complain about living in or being a citizen of the U.S. you are entered to win? I swear, by the way Americans talk about the U.S. you'd think it was a warzone populated by ultraviolet factions in a never ending orgy of barbarism.
" dorky people like IT manager somewhere" YO WTF CHILL
Well, in general people that believe stereotypes are idiots. Motorcycling is no different than any other group of people in life everybody’s different if everybody was the same and followed stereotypes, and everybody would ride one kind of motorcycle, but there are many many many types of motorcycles for all kinds of different people and all kinds of different riding styles.
One thing is economics. You get a lot of vehicle for the money when it comes to a motorcycle and it allows a lot of hooligans and lowlifes (who are, by in large, poorer than most of us) a means to be a dick with little cash.
As an IT Manager with a Harley I can confirm a lot of this.
As someone who rides a Triumph Speed Twin 1200 to DnD night at the retro arcade on Fridays, I approve of the thumbnail.
Motorcycles are where adrenaline junkies and nerds come together and kith.
I have an agusta and play DnD online :P
And here is a Ducati rider and a DnD DM 😉
Haha you nailed the IT manager with a paycheck line. Our IT manager makes loads of cash, and has an expensive custom built chopper.
I'm from Ghana and over here the guys usually use bikes for work.
In the UK we have adv boomer dads, naked bike hooligans and retro bike hipsters
We are swamped with ADVs. lol every group I see is 80% BMW GSs white helmets and hi vi's
@V4demon_ haha so true. They are the best bikes though tbh, I just wish I could afford a big adv bike
@@ilikelampshades6 I can imagine they are great bikes, but definitely not for me personally.
@@ilikelampshades6 It's true. The 1250GS is insanely good.
If I'm riding and I see someone wait to not pull out in front of me; I always give them a wave.
Thanks for seeing me.
The Harley guy and the dirt bike guy were spot on and those specific two are basically the same guy IMO, one has access to a lot of private land and the other doesn't. However, it's sooo true that stereo types aren't ALWAYS a thing, I work at an Independent Harley shop and last Monday we all met up to play D&D.
I think you should more often mention the motorcyclists that ride because its a super cheap way to get over 50mpg. Motorcycles have saved me thousands.
I'm regular pal, in the 40's, working in IT, living in the suburbs. In love with 2 wheels motorized stuff since i bought a moped in my teens with my first summer job wage. Mostly ride solo, sometimes with my wife as passenger, 1 or 2 group runding per year for charity event. I ride daily to commute. To me riding is therapeutic, allowing me to have a break from the crazy of life (and work).
I finally got the plates for ny first bike here in Germany. A 98 r1100rt. I love it.
The UK experience is a bit unique I think (being from the UK) as the patch-club thing was much smaller here and dramatically overshadowed by other stereotypes/cultures.
Post WW2 saw the rise of the Cafe Racer in the UK. Pubs (Public House / bar) were a gathering place for old men to drink half pints of 'mild' (type of beer), smoke a pipe, read the paper, maybe a dabble on the piano. The returning service men grabbed a bunch of fairly uninspiring commuter bikes and adapted them to perform sprint races down A-roads (freeways) from a gathering point at a truck stop - typically a low budget cafe. These bikes then returned to commuter duty during the week.
In the 60s we had Mods and Rockers. Rockers were closest to the badass stereotype. High (for the era) cc bikes, black leather, listening to the Rolling Stones. Mods (short for Moderns) rode Vespas in tailored suits, listening to The Who. The violent clashes between the two were largely instigated by the media - looking for lurid headlines and a chance to demonise the youth. Interestingly, Mods were the one that panicked the establishment more. The rocker/rebel image was a known thing, but Mods looked like preppy types and their violent behaviour really stood apart from expectations.
In the 80s, the neo-liberal wealth gap (Thatcherism / Reaganism) put all the wealthy folks in Porches and all the kids and blue collars in the UK onto UJMs, especially the sporty ones. From the 80s to around 2010, the UK was ruled by sportsbikers - wanna race heroes in full leathers trying to break the 'lap record' for the nearest loop of roads. With the UKs cramped road system, this gave most UK bikers the image of the reckless/irresponsible speeder, but not a badass per se.
After 2010 the aging population of UK bikers realised they all got old and bought BMW GSs - putting the Brit biker stereotype as something akin to a retired Valentino Rossi now playing at being Ewan McGregor
In Italy 70% of people have owned a motorcycle sometime in theyr lifetime
In UNITED STATES 🇺🇸 Barely 5% of people have owned a motorcycle
Everybody and their mommas think it’s a “SuiCycle” aka Death trap 🪤 ⚰️
Vespas ?
are you counting mopeds
@@oldcowbb no scooters
If we include scooters 10% max with more scooters than bikes where I live (South Carolina) might be different in California I’m just speaking for my location
@@oldcowbb I got both on my Channel if you looking for more inspiration (scooters and bikes) I got both
Yamaha prebug 2t, Suzuki bandit 1200
I just made a vid today
LMFAO!!! Bruh, when I met my wife 8 years ago in Vietnam, she thought EXACTLY this. She was like “so you own a Harley? Or a Kawasaki?” I’m over here looking at her like “WTF? I own NEITHER of those!”. She thought I’m this guy who wears a full on track suit, racing down busy highways in a group. I just straight looked at her and said “babe, I wear jeans and a long sleeve jacket. I also ride a Honda 600RR, not a Harley or Kawasaki” 🤣 I totally understand where she got her mindset though. Since Kawasaki Z1000’s are the Vietnam staple for some odd reason. 🤷♂️
My dad used to have a nsr250, white with red and blue stripes. I remember that strangely over all these years, and was never thought about buying a bike. Until i moved to somewhere car commute means stuck in traffic for unbearably long time and bought myself a chinese made electric vespa. Of course it broke down in the end, but i tasted a little bit if fun on 2 wheels. Now i own a proper gsxr and becomes bit of a weekend warrior.
I have been riding bikes from 12 years old, I had to grow into being a bad ass 😂
Never ridden a motorcycle before I started riding a electric dirt bike last year and it’s too much fun. My experience is people are friendly towards me as long as i show respect back in return.
Even gas motorcycle dudes will wave and chat with me at stop lights. Seems like respect is the main idea when it comes to motorcycles.
I am a 31 year old new motorcyclist.
I ride purely for the feel of it.
Not the speed or the looks. But the feel.
I've ridden my bike to DnD games, with my player's handbook and my dice in my backpack.
Well I suppose thats one way to say "I ride to war!" Lol
Part of that WWII returning home era was the fact that many of them rode Harleys during the war, they wanted to gain back that sense of brotherhood, and so, MCs were born and the tradition of HDs in MCs
I am riding for 15 years. Barely anyone can tell I ride. Noone can tell I rode on a track, noone would tell I was 2000km away from home on a bike, many, many times. I never goes for bike meetings or so. I ride with small group of friends, one or two at a time. We go for short and long trips, trackday or just comute to work :)
Eggsellent analysis, fun to watch and it applies to western europe too. 10/10.
I was just carving corners listening to Sea shanty 2 30minutes ago. I'm just a nerd on 2 wheels baby! 😎
Before I was in the motorcycle space, I used to get annoyed by riders because they forced me to be extra cautious. Now, I understand that people often just want to exist in peace.
I prefer to kill with kindness. Every time someone lets me go first at a 4-way, pulls over on a windy road, or gives me any kind of general kindness, I always give them an enthusiastic wave or thumbs up. We’re all on the road together, enjoying it at our own pace. Acknowledge the people that give you that freedom and spread the kindness. 😁
Yeh I was a badass motorcyclist in my 20's but in my 30's & 40's & 50's I just like the adrineline ride, keep the speed limit, but still doing it some times where there are no car or very less on the roads. Biker is definitely in my blood. I think you are born with it. My father would like it I liked it & my boy's like it, it's runs in the families blood. Where the tiger is in the tank, well what can I say. Love it very much.
You missed scooter people. We're a whole other level of not badass.
So much so that it need not be said
Personally I have met a couple of different scooter riders who used to retune two stroke scooters because SPEED.
I feel a bit more badass when I straddle the steel horse... but like many riders; I'm just a regular, friendly, dorky-dad under the helmet.
I just see them as a rare type of car on the road. you don't see them often here in the netherlands, they are fast, make funny noises, etc.
I rarely see the harley dudes you were talking about here, or atleast not a lot in the haugue.
sometimes you see the crazy dudes revving and stuff (literally got the idea to write this rn as I just heared some dude revving his motorcycle, some cousin of my neighbour- man he is being an idiot rn)
but yeah most of them are normal. also my neighbours are kind of the "hill billies" of the netherlands. smoke a lot, have crazy friends and host big parties, have big families, etc. they are nice tho and only occaisionally cause trouble.
You mean Yammy isn't a Kyle-like-monster-flat-brim kinda guy? Huh, who knew?
Got a bike because it was cheaper than a car and it also gets you from A to B. And for me, something like a "true biker" is someone who rides his bike everyday, through all of the year. Too many out there just going on a ride on sundays or in fine weather conditions and also not even knowing the basics about the maintenance of the bike. And no, not living in a fancy all year summer country...
I don't use tiktok, but it seems like a lot of peoples' perceptions of motorcycles are changing because of tiktok motorcyclist clips. I am all for it!
In my opinion, the majority of the public (at least in the US) looks askance at all types of bikers because they perceive riding a motorcycle to be an incredibly dangerous activity. For those who take it seriously, it (usually) isn't. But we all know it can be...and that's a part of the reason we love it.
I got my bike to save my sanity. Early morning commute that would take me sometimes up to an hour drops to 40 min. The ride back taking sometimes an hour and a half down to 40 min again. Lane splitting responsibly is the way to go in my mind and being in SoCal the drivers are generally courteous.
pretty bold of you to try discuss a statistical bell curve to a bunch of motorocyclists
I'm in North Austin. I got myself a ZX10R like an idiot. But man I love it. And yes it loves in low mode
I ride my motorcycle regularly because it’s cheaper to maintain and fill up than the pickup truck I use to transport the bike to the shop when a repair is above my pay grade. I think motorcycles generally function as great commuter vehicles if you have the lifestyle to manage it, and that’s largely how I use mine. Once my wife and I have our first child that’ll change some with having to take children to school, daycare, etc., but even then there’s a lot of ways to make a motorcycle more than just a weekend toy.
Yeah..your right..in europe people ride bikes as a utilitarian vehicle more than just a hobby like it seems to be the case in the US.
Good video Yam. People should never see someone on a bike and assume that person thinks they are the absolute fastest rider or the most badass thing on Earth. We vary tremendously.
I was on a business trip last week with a team of coworkers (IT Managers) I’d never met before. The conversation turned to “bikers” and one of the guys ignored everyone else and turned to me asking what I thought. Told him I didn’t really have an opinion but asked why he asked me directly….”You just have that biker vibe… The tattoos, muscles, beard, attitude… you look like the type of guy who would know about motorcycles”. Apparently everyone in the group thought the same thing.
My neighbor rides a Harley while wearing assless chaps, he looks pretty tough to me.
I'm a 38 yr old engineer. I do in fact play DnD, as well as WoW. I wear dorky glasses and ride a badass cruiser 😆
I saw a review from Revzilla on the movie “The Bike Riders” where the 1% motorcycle riders / clubs went from a motorcyclist club with a drug problem to a drug dealer club with a motorcycle problem.
A guy once told me a "you're not a biker, you're a bike rider" I thought about for a little bit and damn he was right. I might be the only guy rocking LL Bean gear while riding one of my two HD's.
i consider that a compliment
I got into motorcycling in an unusual way--courtesy of the NYPD Highway Patrol. They taught me how to ride on a big Harley Road King. I'm now getting a Honda Rebel 1100.
Yesss!! Today i bought my first Bike!! Let‘s go Boys ride safe out there!!!
I am in my 60's and have been riding since I was 18. Despite the "reputation" that us bikers have, I can honestly say that I have never killed anyone that didn't deserve it. (I was also in the Army for a while...)
I like to just ride and do my own thing. I rode my Yamaha Tenere 600 miles to Sturgis this year. I only saw one other one and I got kicked out of the Yamaha tent because I wasn't allowed to park there.
Hey dude. I'm definitely the geek type. I currently work as a product designer and plan on going back to school for engineering. I like to engage in competitive activities, I want to get into riding for fun, and possibly to take it a little more seriously at the track.
Not to mention I grew up playing D&D with my dad's side of the family, and I'm a huge PC gaming person.
I totally agree. Me myself have license for slightly less than a year and I try to be safe and enjoy thrill of a ride but there are some people in the cars that for some reason think that when I am on the bike I will go 30+km'h over speed limit every time and are stuck to my rear wheel. I hate that and I would appreciate that if everyone at least once in their life thought about that we are not fearless racers but regular people. We have families we want to go back to and enjoy our lives like everyone else. And yes, there are some folks that are doing highly dangerous illegal stuff and film themselves while doing it, but vast majority of us just want to be safe. Thanks for great content and for all of you - "wheels down" :)
I ride a cruiser, and I DM a D&D campaign (5e, Bard World Tour).
I absolutely agree with this video. Most of my motorcycle friends are just regular dudes. I'm pretty much ever stereotype rolled into one. I'm covered in tattoos and own a Street glide. I also have a Ducati (and I make it a point to wear silly helmet covers when I ride it) and I ride it like a complete hooligan. I also have a small family and work in healthcare.
Yep. I also love PWC’s & Side by Sides 👍😎
Category - average Busa commuter, riding casually to and from work 😅
I ride my big Ultra almost daily especially in the summer. Will ride in rain and when its cold as long as there is no ice. Daily commute to work. The wife and I also social ride. Group charity rides and with friends. Even a 2200 mile round trip to Dallas with a buddy for a work trip. I look at riding as a life style not a hobby. I would always rather ride than be in the car. Even if the weather is extream on either end of the thermometer.
30-35 with no kids on a green ninja hits way too close to home, not even, you owe me for a new front door.
Im scared of driving cars, but i love being a hooligan on my drz.
This is all very very different outside of America! Might be fun to explore at some point!
I loved my bike neutral sitting position all the power I needed to get past or out of the way. One of the best bikes I've ever owned honestly. I REALLY MISS MY ZH2, I DID DO SOME CRAZY SPEED ON YHE ROAD WITH NO ONE AROUND. BEST THERAPY I'VE EVER HAD
Virtually all of my riding these days is commuting. During my commute, I ride a dozen long wheelies per day or more. I ride around traffic like it's a video game, but I'm in Southern California, so I'm not riding crazy compared to the other bikes on the road.
I usually drive quite relaxed, but I would angrily pass a slow car at least once a day 😅
I've been riding for 20 years now and I have to admit, I've never done a wheelie...I know right. I currently ride a Z900, so it's more than capable. I just don't want to either dump it or get a ticket for stunting. lol
The problem with 1000cc sport bikes is that they aren’t very fun to ride within the legal limits. This is my personal opinion and that’s why I prefer bikes such as the mt09 wich has potential to go fast and quick but with a much more comfortable seating position. Not only is the positioning more comfortable but the gearing as well. I find the mt09 motor very nice because it has a very versatile gear length, it provides power in lower and higher rpm without feeling like it’s punishing the bike. I personally have a tracer 900gt (it has the mt09 motor), it’s by no means the fastest bike but it’s perfect for someone who wants to go long distances on low rpm or do twisties on a higher rpm. For me that’s an amazing middle ground between a cruiser and a sportbike.
I exist in all three categories
I was once told that I looked too nerdy to ride a motorcycle. I looked at my coworker and asked what the hell that even meant.
They're great and fun people in each group
Here in brazil basically is two kind of people, the one who rides a motorcycle because is the only viable option and people who rides bikes because they like.
Riding for me is therapy with a really nice cool factor. Besides, you can't make a couch pop a wheelie and if you could it may be your last therapy session.
There sure are a lot fewer 'bikers' nowadays. When I was growing up, there were plenty, but relatively few my age. Now that I'm a geezer I'm not surprised to see lots of Harleys for sale, way cheaper than 20 years ago. I think of motorcycles for puttering around town, and some mild off-roading. The insurance premiums for anything bigger than a 350 are obscene.
just a nerd who rides motorcycles thats what i am :) plays video games and skateboards and snowboards. and i drink fruit juice and thai iced red tea
Yam trying to act like he isn't Kyle 😏
Fair weather rider here, just a Dad that commutes on his Concourse. Live a pretty normal life, just like bikes.
When women check me out on the bike I feel like they have no idea what goofy dork I actually am. It's funny.
I just do my own thing. Sometimes i speed bit ya know and really open it up, but nothing too crazy.
I agree, I wanna do my own thing. Don't care about the "lifestyle" I just want to ride my bike be left alone.
The non riding public automatically thinks motorcycle rider means : Old, overweight, big beard, big belly and leather leather and more leather.
Depends where you live
I was in traffic school (for one of my many speeding tickets) when a woman sitting next to me was shocked to find out that I ride motorcycles. She said that she couldn’t see a girlie girl like me on a motorcycle. She pointed to my ring and said “a motorcyclist doesn’t wear feminine jewelry like that.” …..I was wearing 13 karat kunzite set in rose gold. Very girlie. I told her that motorcycles were just a form of transportation not a life style.
Most people I talk to about motorcycles that don't own them themselves generally think they're cool but too dangerous for their liking. You always get that concerned look as if you're not gonna be around for long.
Mostly because everyone knows someone or knows someone who knows someone who got in a very bad accident on a bike.
Not saying bikes are not dangerous but I've you're riding pretty sensible, getting a bike isn't a definite dead sentence.
The same cultures exist in Europe 100 percent. The same stereotypes the same sub cultures.
In the U.K. we have a history of rebellious motorcycling. The Rockers and tone up boys that coined the term “cafe racers” back in the day. Now we have the same Harley cultures as America with the Hells and other Harley clubs. The squids at night tearing up the 20 mile an hour residential zones. It’s all the same wherever you go I think
I’m just commuter riding my Harley Davidson, trying to save the environment and enjoy life a little bit
thank you for pointing out that there is a non-American bike culture and to be honest the adventure bike dads are cool in their own way