I'm not so sure you should use the word squid so loosely People have been doing stunts on motorcycles pretty much since they were invented. Stunting is just now becoming mainstream... I don't see the difference between this and snowboarding, bungee jumping or even BMX 1/2 pipe ramping/freestyling. Many of these stunting "squids" are very skilled riders when it comes to the fundamentals of motorcycle riding also.
Actually, it's marketed to squids...
hence the moniker.
Of course I'm generalizing from a single example here, but everyone does that. At least I do.
I actually used to enjoy Speed when Larry Meyers was on Tuesdays even though he wasn't much of a bike enthusiest. The show was better and covered alot of racing, new bikes etc. Now the only speed progreams that I watch are the "reality shows": Moto-GP, WSB, AMA etc.... The rest is crap. How about a bike test show that ISN'T a bunch of cheese-heads reading brochures to leftover '80s metal music, OR a program detailing various motorcycle tours similar to Motorcycle Escape magazine. That would be great T.V.
High_Side
I am not useing the term loosely. As Sev said, I was refering to the target audience. Squid TV is a perfect name for this show. And no mention was made about the skill of stunters. Those paying attention would know that I was/am a 'squid' and have been for 30+ years.
Stunters, snowboarding, bungee jumping or even BMX 1/2 pipe ramping/freestyling are indeed very skilled at what they do, and all those video's and related TV shows ARE marketed to the squidlier segment of the population.... have you met Verm? I rest my case....
Hrm... I still don't see how it is marketed toward squids... every commerical I have seen has all of the guys wearing gear and full leathers etc. on the tracks they seem to know what they are doing... they are not newbies either. Maybe what we consider "squids" are not the same.
Squid: ['Noun'] {slang, generally considered derogatory} is an irresponsible motorcyclist; generally associated with a new or reckless motorcyclist seen riding erratically and/or beyond his or her capabilities often without appropriate riding gear.
The origin of the word is varyingly attributed as a contraction of squirreley and kid, or an acronym for "Stupidly Quick, Underdressed, Ignorant and Dangerous" or "Stupidly Quick, Underdressed and Imminently Dead" It is also attributed to a beginning motorcyclist using direct similarities to the aquatic sea creature by the same name. Observing a squid underwater, it seems that the creature is unable to change direction while swimming without first coming to a near complete stop. Once the squid does stop and change directions, it can very quickly accelerate back to its regular swimming speed. Beginning motorcyclists (especially sports bike riders) commonly have trouble turning the motorcycle with any substantial amount of speed (causing them to slow down to unnecessarily slow speed to take a turn), while at the same time have a tendency to ride very fast on the straight sections of the road.
Often young, this motorcyclist is identified by their behaviour; (Reckless abandon, speeding, wheelies, stoppies etc.) and by their inappropriate attire; (Shorts, ball cap, flip flops etc). Such a rider eschews all or most of the protective gear worn by many riders (helmet, gloves, leather jacket, riding pants, and boots) and the social and legal norms of riding behaviour.
Often looked upon with derision by experienced motorcyclists.
.....and I thought it was just what Harley guys called sportbike guys when they started wearing full leathers on the street. They (me) looked like a "squid", and the name stuck. No more analysis required.....
People have been doing stunts on motorcycles pretty much since they were invented. Stunting is just now becoming mainstream... I don't see the difference between this and snowboarding, bungee jumping or even BMX 1/2 pipe ramping/freestyling. Many of these stunting "squids" are very skilled riders when it comes to the fundamentals of motorcycle riding also.
