The Media

[Mag7C]

I don't know about anyone else, but I'm not happy with the way bikers are portrayed on TV.

I just finished watching a show on the history channel about bike gangs/clubs. They started with some sportbikers on a 2 lane winding canyon road going 130+mph passing cars in the bicycle lane, around corners, and in the no passing areas. One part even showed the biker passing ON the double yellow between an oncoming car and the one he was passing. They had metal studs in their knee pads to make showers of sparks on the corners. Apparently they lost a member and the club toned down. He had been sideswiped by a car. Wow, I wonder how that happened.

The stunt riding segment featured tons and tons of wheelies on a busy freeway. Followed by more wheelies on highways. And then some wheelies on the freeway again. I didn't feel bad for the guy when he crashed.

They did show a couple good parts. The stunt riders showed clips of some pretty cool parking lot tricks and track competitions.

But the overall feel I was left with as the show ended was that sportbikers are inconsiderate "Donut Holes" with an ego. Which I know applies to very few. But the average joe watching doesn't know that.

You may have seen the show and think differently but that is how I felt about it. I realize the ratings probably wouldn't be too high for a show about safe riding, however it doesn't seem fair that the media is what shapes peoples' views about motorcyclists.

[mysta2]

those people make me feel better about all the nasty statistics that get thrown in our faces

[TechTMW]

however it doesn't seem fair that the media is what shapes peoples' views about motorcyclists.

The media shapes peoples minds about most things. Like who should be president and what should we have for dinner tonight.

People can't help it that their minds are hapless puddles of goo waiting to be molded and shaped by some outside influence.

What's really sad about the motorcycle thing is that you got kids out there whose brains have been societalized into mush saying - "Hey I want to get a GSXR-1000 tomorrow and ride just like that !!!"

[jmillheiser]

hey dont blame suzuki. They clearly state that the Gixxers are intended for EXPERIENCED riders. Just lots of young squids who think they are gonna buy that Gixxer and be able to ride like Matt Maladin tomorrow. Of course BS movies like F&F, Biker Boyz, and Torque dont help.

[sapaul]

Well said Tech,

People can't help it that their minds are hapless puddles of goo waiting to be molded and shaped by some outside influence.

[TechTMW]

Here is a PERFECT EXAMPLE of the shaped puddle of goo syndrome -

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/8976742/

[CentralOzzy]

Here is a PERFECT EXAMPLE of the shaped puddle of goo syndrome -

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/8976742/

OH....BROTHER!

[Scott58]

Just imagine what they do with world politics.

[WicAndThing]

I realize all sport bike riders aren't like this, but the other day on my way home from work one passed me in the left lane of a divided 4-lane highway doing a wheelie while standing on the back pegs. I was going the 65MPH speed limit and he passed me with no problem. He was still doing the wheelie when I lost sight of him.

Goes to show that, unfortunately, there are people like that out there and they are the ones that stand out. Of course, that is exactly what they are wanting.

[ZooTech]

Here is a PERFECT EXAMPLE of the shaped puddle of goo syndrome -

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/8976742/

Indeed...and here's a perfect response:

http://www.thebestpageintheuniverse.net ... u=sideways