Interesting that a majority of articles appearing here are written by women.
Attempting to define what a ‘real biker’ is an exercise into the realm of cliche’ at best.
A cross-section of individuals who ride motocycles is as varied as the model and build of the machines they ride.
I don’t believe that you can answer this question without raising an argument (wouldn’t a ‘real’ biker start a fight?), but alas, opinions are like - well, you know. Everyone has one.
My grandfather rode a motorcycle while serving in World War 1, but wasn’t called a biker. My uncle was a fighter pilot in World War 2, and after being discharged his life revolved around his motorcycle, not only as an aspect of fun, but as his only transportation, his comraderie with fellow veterans, and the ideal of un-bound freedom. He was called a biker. In fact, he became part of an organization that made the word ‘biker’ a term of fear, intimidation and lawlessness. It wasn’t actually a matter of truth or myth. It was just the way it was.

As for the lifestyle and the clothes and all the sworn oaths, in today’s world it boils down to one thing. ‘Culture’ is big business, baby. Movies and merchandise. Walking the walk and talking the talk. Our society has become a souless existence and being ‘on the horse’ for me is a needed commune with the spirits. You know, wind in my face, bros got my back. All that crap.

As the world changes, so goes the biker. Everyone wants to be a rockstar. Every rockstar wants their picture taken on a motorcycle. When uncle ‘Rico’ was courting aunt ‘Rosie’, he was met with the business end of a shotgun on the front porch. Her father wasn’t about to allow “any biker hoodlum” to defile his daughter. Now we have cable televisions shows about bikers creating custom built machines and hawking their merchandise, making sure that their charity percentage is publicized. I love that show, by the way.

Being the latest generation of a family of bikers, It would be my opinion that we are ‘real’. As for the Dentist who rides his motorcycle on the weekends, or the people who ride the imports, it doesn’t bother us that you call or consider yourselves bikers. We really don’t care. And I’m sure all of you have a few opinions about people who have called themselves bikers for several generations. We really don’t care about that either.
Because a ‘real biker’ wouldn’t be here, talking about it. Right?