Welcome to our online store, a space dedicated to intrepid mechanical enthusiasts. Here, we celebrate freedom, mechanics and difference… in other words, we’re talking about bikers!
The biker subculture emerged in the 1945s. As a true ideology of freedom and power, being a biker is a lifestyle distinguished by one’s clothing appearance, tattoos and, of course, one’s motorcycle.
In this article, you’ll discover, among other things:
- What is a biker
- What’s his philosophy
- How to adopt the biker look
- The origin of this singular movement
- What is a biker club
Once you’ve read our ultimate guide, the world of motorcycling will hold no secrets for you. You’ll be able to perfectly distinguish a real biker from a mere two-wheeled tourist, as well as understand how to become one and all the fascinating history behind this rich counterculture. 🔥THE MOST POPULAR PRODUCTS🔥
Let’s get started without further ado 👊
What is a biker?
For most people, the term “biker” is closely associated with gangs of long-haired hooligans riding noisy motorcycles, rocking the roads. This image was largely formed by American cinema. The biker theme is very present in American culture. However, the reality of this movement is far more complex and diverse. Let’s explore it together. 👇
1) Origin of the term “Biker”
The word “biker” is derived from “bike”, which means “moto“. The term comes to us directly from the United States and has been in use since the post-war period. A biker is not to be confused with a “motorcyclist”, simply someone who rides a motorcycle on Sundays. We’ll look at that a little further on.
2) The beginnings of the motorcycle
The first motorcycles were built and patented by an Englishman named Edward Butler (1884), and by Germans Gottlieb Daimler and Wilhelm Maybach (1885). This new invention, affordable to the general public, quickly gained in popularity. 🏍
Men began riding motorcycles long before the emergence of the biker subculture. Two-wheelers were marketed in the 1920s for the general public. The motorcycle became as common a means of transport as the automobile. It was after the Second World War that biker culture was born.
3) Biker versus simple means of transport
However, a biker and a motorcyclist are not the same thing. Although both use a similar type of vehicle, if you were to refer to a true biker as a “motorcyclist”, it would run the risk of being taken as a genuine insult. So, to determine who bikers are, we must first understand how they differ from ordinary motorcyclists.
Unlike a biker who sees his motorcycle as just another means of transport, a true biker sees his steed of steel as much more than just a two-wheeled machine. Being a biker is a life philosophy that defines a man’s life, values and priorities. There’s even a code of honor specific to bikers. This philosophy is based on shared values. Let’s discover them just below.
The biker philosophy
A true biker shares fundamental, common principles with fellow bikers. It’s not just a means of locomotion, but a true lifestyle and a unique way of thinking. Let’s discover the pillars that make up the biker’s values. 👊
1) Freedom
A biker must not own material possessions. He’s a free man who roams the highways endlessly. He is a kind of modern vagabond who cares little for the future. The motorcycle is a strong symbol of freedom, thanks to its ease of getting everywhere and its ability to reach speeds that other motorized vehicles can never match. 💨
2) Honor
A true biker must abide by a biker’s code of honor. He will never harm another biker and will come to the aid of those in trouble. He will not seek to humiliate or insult his fellow bikers, especially if strangers can see or hear them. Honor for his mechanical brothers and for the community unites them. The biker knows how much strength lies in union and solidarity, rather than in solitude and isolation. 🤜🤛
3) Loyalty
A biker must respect the traditions of biker culture. He is responsible for his actions. He must understand that whatever he does, it’s not just in his own name, but also in the name of many thousands of like-minded people. A man behaving badly towards others on the road, for example, will reflect badly on all bikers. He’ll already be considered an outcast by the others, because he’s not showing loyalty to his brothers.
4) Individuality
Although he works primarily on his inner freedom, a biker must never neglect his steel harness. 🔧 For a biker, a motorcycle is an object he must cherish and venerate. He must treat it with respect and delicacy. A motorcyclist must look for ways to enhance the originality and individuality of his machine. Following other people’s trends is not in keeping with the values of our culture. If you want to be respected, you have to have your own style, your own personality.
5) The Wolf Pack
Biker philosophy is also based on the principles adopted by a pack of wolves. The wolf is considered to be the animal emblematic of bikers. 🐺 Many bikers use images of wolves in their emblems.
The wolf is a strong, intelligent, stubborn and independent animal that can live in a pack as well as alone. In many cultures, wolves have an ambivalent symbolism. On the one hand, they are perceived as insidious, cruel and voracious creatures, the enemy of man. On the other hand, they are seen as proud and noble lone predators. The biker community adheres, as you might guess, to this second view.
Most biker clubs are organized like a pack of wolves. They possess both a strict hierarchy and democracy, meaning that every member has equal rights. At the same time, American biker clubs often have army-like structures, with a clear distinction between “officers” and “soldiers”. This is probably explained by the fact that many war veterans were behind the motorcycle clubs when they were founded.
The Biker Style
A motorcycle enthusiast has no ordinary style. Quite the contrary! A true biker knows how to take care of his appearance and the image he projects. Let’s take a look at how to adopt the biker style and become one of the unconditional fans.
1) Clothes
Clothes are the foundation. The biker has a style all his own, and many people (even in the fashion world) take inspiration from the hard-hearted biker riding his motorcycle. Let’s see which clothes are most popular with bikers. 🕶
The Leather Jacket: It’s absolutely unavoidable to be considered a biker if you don’t own a leather jacket! It’s the essential centerpiece for a devilishly successful look. In fact, we’ve devoted an entire article to helping you choose the perfect leather jacket. Leather jackets adorned with skulls are particularly popular with motorcycle enthusiasts. Discover our selection by simply clicking on the image below.
Jeans: Light or dark jeans are a wise choice for a successful biker look. They add a trendy and versatile touch of style, which is not the case with all pants. What’s more, they’ll keep you warm and protected when you’re riding, especially in the event of a fall. In short, they’re indispensable.
Shoes: A biker’s shoe style can vary. There are no strict rules. However, you’ll often find high-top shoes, whether sneakers or dress shoes. 🥾
Once again, leather is present, notably through leather ankle boots. They offer excellent protection for the biker’s ankle, and are more resistant to chafing from foot pegs and gearshift.
2) Jewelry
Jewelry is the biker’s favorite accessory category. Pendants, rings and bracelets are all part of the paraphernalia of a worthy biker. Let’s take a look at some of the most popular.
Rings: A biker ring is never chosen at random. By definition, jewelry has meaning. This is particularly true of rings worn on the fingers. The perfect example is the skull and crossbones ring, highly appreciated by bikers and loaded with meaning. In fact, we offer a collection specially designed for passionate motorcycle enthusiasts. Discover it by clicking on the image below.
Bracelets: Biker bracelets are often made of silver. The silver color recalls the mechanics of a motorcycle engine and blends perfectly with the steel of the machine. Chains and bracelets are particularly popular. However, all types of symbols can be adopted for a successful style. Let your personality shine through and stay true to yourself 😉
Necklaces: Like bracelets, necklaces often adopt a chain style, subtly recalling the motorcycle chain. Of course, they’re mostly in silver to stay in the color tones of the motorcycle. Our skull pendants are always a big hit with enthusiasts.
3) His Tattoos
What’s a heavy-duty two-wheeler rider without tattoos? You could say he’s not a real biker.
Tattoos have been an integral part of biker counterculture since its inception. All members of the big biker clubs have tattoos on their skin. Signs of gang membership launched this “fashion” which today is one of the pillars of biker style. 💉
Tattoos representing motorcycles are very common, as are those depicting mechanical elements such as pistons, wheels, chains, and many others. Club emblems are also widespread, as are skull tattoos, which are true symbols of belonging to biker culture.
The Biker’s Motorcycle
What’s a biker without his bike? A pedestrian!
Joking aside, it’s crucial for a biker to choose his mount meticulously. Here again, there’s a clear difference between the hard-core biker and the occasional rider who uses his bike as a simple means of transport without seeing it as a true philosophy of life. Let’s take a look at the most popular brands among bikers.
1) Harley Davidson
Do we really need to introduce it?…
This legendary motorcycle brand is omnipresent in our counter-culture. It can be found at every biker gathering. Founded in 1903, it was the first to produce large-displacement motorcycles.
The look of Harley motorcycles is always unique and stands out from other brands. That’s a big part of the brand’s reputation: a Harley is instantly recognizable, even from a distance. Most of their models feature high handlebars that give that distinctive curve, much prized by enthusiasts.
2) Triumph
Founded in 1885, the English Triumph brand occupies a special place in the hearts of our enthusiasts, though it doesn’t rival Harley Davidson. It offers motorcycles with a very vintage style, and highlights the brand’s history as one of the first motorcycle manufacturers. A man on a motorcycle, that’s Triumph!
3) Other Brands
Indeed… There’s only one TRUE motorcycle brand to match the biker lifestyle. Harley Davidson monopolizes the hearts of the most passionate, followed by the Triumph brand. However, a few other brands are often found at biker gatherings, exuding a certain essence of biker freedom.
Ducati: This Italian brand, founded in 1926 and known for its blood-red coloring (like Ferrari), is very popular with motorcycle enthusiasts. Its bikes are sportier and more performance-oriented.
Moto Guzzi: Also Italian, Moto Guzzi has been a fixture in enthusiasts’ garages since 1921. Widely used by the military in the 1940s, it is a veritable emblem in Western Europe.
The list could go on and on… But know that the biker, the one who really lives for his bike, always opts for an offbeat look. A rugged, assertive aesthetic. Not a run-of-the-mill motorcycle, the kind that makes a lot of noise for not much… 😉
Biker Clubs
It’s impossible to talk about biker culture without mentioning motorcycle clubs. Let’s take a look at what lies behind these unusual groups of people.
1) The first Clubs
In the early 1920s, a network of motorcycle clubs emerged in the United States. Most of their members belonged to the middle class of society. They often worked in factories and had no particular occupation. The first known motorcycle clubs were:
- the “Yonkers MC”
- the “San Francisco MC”
- the “Oakland MC”
The emergence of biker clubs doesn’t mean that the biker subculture was born. In fact, it emerged after the Second World War, around 1945. According to history, this subculture was founded by American servicemen who had returned home after the war and were unable to find their place in the society of the time. They were looking for a way to escape and claim their freedom. The motorcycle became the perfect emblem of this quest for freedom. 🏍
2) The Clubs’ reputation
Shortly after the birth of the movement, bikers acquired an extremely negative reputation. It all began with an incident in July 1947 in the town of Hollister, California, which the media later dubbed the “Hollister Riot”. We don’t know for sure whether a real riot took place. What we do know is that between July 4 and 6, a biker rally took place in Hollister, bringing together several thousand people.
According to media reports, a group of bikers caused a disturbance. Articles in the San Francisco Chronicle and Life magazine (illustrated by a staged photo of a drunken man on a motorcycle) sparked widespread outrage. A few years later, the film “L’équipée sauvage”, starring Marlon Brando, was made on the basis of these events. It painted a negative picture of bikers as monsters and thugs. This is how the stereotypical image of the biker was formed…
3) The 1%
In response to the Hollister incident, the American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) declared that only one percent of motorcyclists could be considered outlaws, while the remaining ninety-nine percent were law-abiding citizens. The “one percent” idea immediately appealed to outlaw bikers, who despised the AMA, its events and its members as too conformist and soft. Consequently, these bikers dubbed themselves the “1%” and all other motorcycle clubs were, by default, classified as the “99%”. Some outlaws began sporting the “1%” badge on their leather jackets.
4) The Multiplication of Clubs
From the 1960s onwards, during the hippie era, more and more people joined the ranks of bikers. The movement grew to such an extent that it became widely known to the general public and was portrayed extensively in the cinema. Hollywood produced a series of films about asphalt riders such as :
- Motor Psycho
- The Wild Angels
- Hells Angels On Wheels
- Hell’s Bloody Devils
- Wild Rebels
- Devils Angels
- The Hell Cats
- And many more…
The plots were often similar: wild, dirty bikers drinking, brutalizing women, fighting with the police and each other. The image of the biker became very appealing to those in search of adrenaline. Daredevils and thrill-seekers were the main target. Biker clubs spread around the world like hotcakes.
5) Club activities
In the United States, numerous biker gangs are registered. They all have activities that keep their groups alive. Some are perfectly legal, while others focus on drugs and weapons…
LEGAL AND ILLEGAL TRADES
Many clubs sell merchandise in their club colors, such as clothing and accessories (stickers, badges, etc.). They also frequently organize rallies and races, and accept donations. Drug sales and arms trafficking are also common activities in these groups. Sometimes, newcomers are not even aware of the criminal activities in which a club may be involved. Often, large motorcycle clubs are hostile to each other, especially outlaw clubs.
BETWEEN CLUBS
For example, in 2002, a confrontation between MC Mongols and members of the Hells Angels took place in the town of Laughlin, Nevada. Three bikers were killed in the confrontation. According to the police, the Mongols provoke shootings in order to improve their status within the biker community. Another major altercation took place the same year, again involving the Hells Angels. This time they clashed with the Pagans, who were outraged that the Hells Angels had organized a rally on their territory.
The 7 Biggest Biker Clubs
Biker clubs have been growing steadily since the 1950s. Among them, some have become the biggest and most famous in the USA. Let’s discover the best-known of them.
1) Bandidos MC
This gang emerged in the mid-60s, founded by Vietnam War veterans unhappy with the government’s attitude. Travelling all over the country, Bandidos members spent their nights wherever their motorcycles took them. At the time, they were often involved in petty crime.
Today, Bandidos has around 2,500 members and is dedicated to the resale of marijuana and cocaine, mainly from Mexico. Over the years, they have also begun to produce methamphetamine. The gang’s revenues amount to several million dollars a year. New members are often involved in drug production and transportation, while older members handle organizational matters. The gang is made up mainly of white Americans and Latinos.
2) The Hells Angels MC
This biker club has been around for over 70 years and is known the world over. Officially, the Hells Angels are engaged in the sale and customization of Harley-Davidson motorcycles. Unofficially, however, they are also involved in the production and sale of various drugs, as well as activities such as sex trafficking and theft. The club’s image is often romantic, but the truth about their activities is written in Hunter Thompson’s book “Hell’s Angels 1967”.
3) Mongols MC
This gang was founded in 1969 in California and today has between 1,000 and 1,500 members. The Mongols are considered the most aggressive biker gang in the United States. They are often involved in rape, assault and even murder. Mongol members are very dedicated to the gang and show no signs of disrespect. They provoke fights, assault people in bars and attack unarmed civilians. A few years ago, a gang member even shot a SWAT officer with a shotgun.
4) Outlaws MC
This gang was founded in Illinois 80 years ago. They claim no legal activity and are also involved in selling drugs, controlling brothels and extorting money from businesses. The club’s former president, Harry Bowman, was considered one of the FBI’s most wanted criminals. In 1999, he was sentenced to two life sentences. Despite this, the club still exists and continues its activities.
5) Pagans MC
The Pagans are an influential gang operating on the Atlantic coast of the United States. The gang has around 220 members who are involved in selling drugs, extorting money from debtors, house arson and other illegal activities in their home state of Maryland, as well as in major cities such as New York, Pittsburgh and Philadelphia.
6) Sons Of Silence MC
This Colorado-based gang also has a chapter in Germany. The Sons of Silence have around 270 members in 12 states. They are involved in various types of crime, but their main source of income is illegal drug trafficking. In 1999, several dozen club members were arrested by security forces in Denver, during which 8.5 kg of methamphetamine and 35 weapons were seized.
7) Vagos MC
This gang has around 400 official members and around 3,000 on the run. They operate in California, Hawaii, Nevada, Oregon and even Mexico. A few years ago, they were caught red-handed making booby traps. Dozens of gang members have been sentenced to prison terms. The Vagos are often arrested for illegal gun possession, drug trafficking, shootings, shoplifting and other crimes.
Death’s Head: The Ultimate Biker Symbol
We’ve come to the end of this article. Now you know all the secrets of a true biker. You know how he dresses, what his values are, how he behaves and the importance of biker gangs in the motorcycle world.
To conclude, let’s talk about an inescapable symbol. No symbol is more emblematic in the world of bikers than the skull and crossbones. The image of the human skull has grown in popularity since the beginning of the biker movement, and continues to grow year after year.
Leading biker clubs use the symbol in the design of their logos and clothing for club members. Motorcycle brands such as Harley-Davidson also use the skull to decorate many of their models. If you want to adopt the look of a real biker and join the ranks of motorcycle enthusiasts, you need to wear the ultimate emblem. If you’re having trouble finding quality skull items, don’t worry! The bikers in our online store have selected the best items that bikers love. Simply click on the image below to discover them.
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