Sunday, June 10, 2012

The List

Some things are difficult to categorize. I think motorcycle/scooter riders are such a phenomena. Every rider is their own definition of what type of rider they are. That said, there does seem to be some common ingredients found in the pot whenever a rider stews about what type of rider he or she is; or the type of rider someone else is.

My friend Maggie took this photo on our ride this past Saturday.  Yes, that is  me and Billie.

I'm proposing a list of these ingredients. It isn't meant to be an exhaustive list and I'd be interested in hearing any additions or refinements you might make. While I came up with this list on my own, I'm not claiming any uniqueness about it. Truthfully, I wouldn't be surprised if others have said much the same things, even used the same terms, and probably said it better. I'm offering it simply as glimpse into some of my ponderings and as a conversation starter.

The List:

--There are the Socialites. These riders love group rides and hanging out with other riders and sharing stories. Food often plays a large part in their riding life. I remember a friend telling me a story about his wife and he being invited to a ride with a group they hadn't ridden with before. They started at a dealership and rode a few miles and stopped for breakfast. Then they rode a few more miles and stopped by a another dealership for some coffee. Then it was lunchtime. His wife said to him, "When are we going to go somewhere?" I'm thinking Socialite wouldn't define her very well.

--There are the Adventurers. These are riders who like to go places...places far far away. These are the folks who eat up the miles. The Southern Tip of South America, Alaska, and around the world are all places these riders long to go....and some do.

--There are the Simply Curious. These riders like to look and see. Often they are photographers or artists. They tend to ride alone. With the Adventurers, they share a certain curiosity and a desire to experience the ride. They will often go out in all types of weather to explore the world around them.

--There are the Tinkerers. These riders are always doing something to their bikes. I have one friend who spends more time with his bike in pieces than he does riding. He always has some project going on.

--There are the Adrenalin Seekers. These are the riders who love speed, racing and stunting. Perhaps even some off-road riders fit here as well. I know these folk. I see them on the road. Still, I'm sort of guessing here. Of all the ingredients on the list this one is most lacking in my pot.

--There are the "Got to get to work" riders. I see these riders often on small scooters in all kinds of weather, because it is either ride or ride the bus. I'm always surprised at the number of sportbikes, especially Kawasaki Ninjettes, I see out in inclement weather and I've suspected necessity 


Seven scooters. One parking place. No problem.

I doubt few riders fit perfectly into any one of the categories. Perhaps the list is more a list of symptoms representing a continuum of the riding experience. Or, it could be all this is just my own foolishness.

What say you? What type of rider are you? What terms would you use to describe yourself? Would you add a category to my list, or take one away? Do you have your own list?


22 comments:

  1. Great list Keith. I am not creative enough to think of my own.

    I like to think outside the bike and don't think I'd fit into any one group, but the one I am closest to would be the Simply Curious with a touch of adventurer thrown in deep down. Although I don't mind riding in a group I'd rather keep the group small.

    And food destinations are always a plus as long as they are at least an hour down the road.

    I don't commute on the bike so maybe I am a Weekend Warrior out looking for the next great road and a cool picture or two to share.

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    1. The group ride I was on last Saturday started at around 10. It went down to three. And, then to two. I much preferred the ride after the larger groupl split off. I like good food, but yes, get me down the road a ways.

      Thanks for the comment.
      ~Keith

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  2. Yep, great list. I think you covered it quite well. I actually fit into many of those categories a little...except the Socialite. I don't mind a good Ride to Eat, but it has to be down the road. Like Trobairitz, needs to be down the road an hour.

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    1. Lori,
      I totally agree: It needs to be down the road at least an hour. I certainly fit in more than one of the categories. Socialite? Not very much.

      Thanks for stopping by,
      Keith

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  3. Great list, I guess you got it covered quite well. With me you would get a mixed bag: A commuter and weekend warrior with a bit of adventure and a good portion of curiosity. But I also love a food experience when it involves riding there, with emphasis on good food.

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    1. Thanks, Sonya. It is only the uninteresting riders that fit into one and only one of the categories. And, you are quite interesting! I love following you on your blog as you pursue your curiousity.

      ~Keith

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  4. Keith:

    I may know Maggie if she is the same one who is moderator of the Maxi-scoots.com forum, who also lives in ST Louis, with Pete. I know she has a Kymco B&W250 same colour as the one in your photo. Say hello to her for me. Pete also has a Honda DN-01.

    bob
    Riding the Wet Coast
    My Flickr // My YouTube

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  5. Gee. I am always curious and an adventurer, but my 49cc scooter and location limit that. And I have to get to work, too, so I'm three. And I never eat out up here, so that could change when I move.

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    1. Martha,
      One of the joys of a small scoot is not having to go far for it to be an adventure :) I know a couple who are just finishing riding around the world on their Symbas. Amazing.

      Thanks for stopping by,
      ~Keith

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  6. I think I am a bit of each one. Good list!

    Maybe add on the "Mod (Wo)Man" who is always tinkering on or modding out their ride but never riding it.

    Of the "forum rat" that surfs the web while the scoot gathers cob webs out in the garage! LOL

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    1. Deb,
      Yep, definitely need to add "Forum Rat"! Nice.

      Thanks,
      ~Keith

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  7. Yes, Bob, that is my Bet & Win :)

    I think I am 5 of 6 from the list. Not sure "I Got to Get to Work" but I do but more from a "I Happily Ride to Work" view.

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    1. Maggie,
      Thanks for stopping by. Me, too on the the "Got to get to work". There probably should be a catagory for "Year around rider." That would be a good addition.
      ~Keith

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  8. Nice list Keith. I also fit in multiple categories. Mostly I just really like to ride. Commuting racks up the vast majority of my miles, but I get to pick from a number of very different routes, which is a blessing. I'm certainly curious, and I love that my bike allows me to wander more than I typically do in a car. I have also tinkered with my bike, but only to adapt it to the needs of a commuter (Stebel horn, auxiliary brake and turn indicators, audible indicators, windscreen, heated grips, second carry hook, topcase). As for adrenaline rushes, what can I say, they're modest, within the means of 150cc's.

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    1. David,
      I, too, love how the Symba invites me to meander. That is a big blessing for me and one of the reasons I ride.

      Thanks for the share,
      ~Keith

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  9. Great list Keith. I seem to fit into a couple of the categories. Adventure, socialite, commuter, and simply curious. I am not much of a tinkerer, I leave that to motorcycle man. As for adrenalin seeker, I am not much into going fast.

    I think you could add Midlifer - the person who discovers scooting & motorcycling late in life looking for some freedom and challenges. That would be me.

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    1. Dar,
      There are a number of us "Midlifers." Yep, another catagory to add to the mix. I'm not of an adrenalin seeker either, and not just because I ride a small bike. It just doesn't speak to me.

      Thanks for the comment.
      ~k

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  10. Interesting list. With the exception of "Adrenalin Seeker", I think that I'm some all the rest including Dar's suggestion. I'll also add the other caveat to "Socialite" that it needs to be at least aways down the road. At least enough miles to recharge the battery.

    @Martha Tenney, we see 49cc scooters arriving in Alaska from everywhere and even venturing up the haul road. So don't let displacement be an excuse.

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    1. Richard,
      It seems to be rather a consensus that eating is good as long as there really is a ride involved. I mentioned above my acquaintances Colin and Re who are finishing up a rtw on their Symbas. Small displacement doesn't seem to limit distance provided you have the time and the will.

      Thanks for stopping by,
      ~k

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  11. And what about me? The one category I could describe but not name was the Simply Curious. It finally occurred to me there was probably a reason for that. There is much of that category in me. Like everyone else, I fit into just about all the categories to some degree. As a "Midlifer" I came to scooting because my van was facing a major repair. And, I suspect my compulsion on mpg still places me in the "Got to get to work" category, although perhaps "Year around rider" would describe it best. I said in the post there is little Adrenalin Seeker in me, but I suspect that is what takes me out in the rain, fog and snow.

    Thanks again for all the comments. It's been fun.
    ~Keith

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  12. "Simply curious". I prefer to ride alone or with one or two other riders who share a desire to wander, to take the next exit just to see where it goes, and to nly try to figure out where you are when it's time to head home at the end of a good day's riding.

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