The Real Meaning of One Percenter

Posted Friday, August 22, 2008, at 10:06 AM

I love the movies. I especially like Biker movies. Easy Rider is probably one of my favorite movies of all time. I also really liked Beyond the Law with Charlie Sheen. These movies depict a couple of stereotypes of bikers such as drug addicts and dealers, gun runners, car thieves and generally bad people. The reality is that although these types of riders exist, they represent only about 1% of all motorcyclists. For those of you proficient in math, you'll realize that means 99% of the "bikers" you will meet are NOT those depicted in movies.

Of course I can understand why they focus on those riders in movies because the rest of them are pretty gosh darn boring. They go to work everyday, have families and pay their bills just as if they had no motorcycle at all. They ride on weekends, to and from work, or on vacation and find time to donate large amounts of money to charity. The Riley Hospital Ride generates hundreds of thousands of dollars each year as does the Loop for Life and other major events. There are also local events such as poker runs that raise money each year for great causes.

Bikers are an ordinary group of people that simply enjoy the feeling of the wind in their face and the relaxation of riding. There are all kinds of riders. The majority of them are caring, concerned people that will stop for stranded motorists, pick up trash left by others, or give a homeless person a meal.

Another really good movie that actually focused on the majority of regular riders was "Wild Hawgs". I really liked that movie because it showed a lot of real life road experiences in a very funny way. I've personally experienced a lot of those situations like getting caught in the rain, swarms of bugs and unfriendly bars. But I have to say that my favorite movie right now is -------"The World's Fastest Indian".

Comments
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Any evidence for the 99% claim you are making or are you pulling it out of thin air? If you have a source, please cite it. If you do not, please do not make up statistics, it is unbecoming even a pseudo-journalist.

-- Posted by Polysemous1 on Fri, Aug 22, 2008, at 12:59 PM

Thank you for reading. Please check out this site for more information on Biker Clubs and history. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Motorcycle_...

-- Posted by Macgyver on Mon, Aug 25, 2008, at 7:36 AM

love those movies, ignore the haters on here!

-- Posted by voice1 on Thu, Aug 28, 2008, at 10:46 PM

What ever happened to: "If you don't have anything good to say, don't say anything at all." Some of the comments I read remind me of immature teenagers.Those that think they know everything, and actually know nothing at all.

I enjoyed reading what Dan had to say. I know a few of those "good" bikers and they have alot to contribute to society.

-- Posted by pmoore9630 on Tue, Sep 2, 2008, at 9:51 PM

I enjoyed the article as well. I AM a biker and I have a regular job and love to do great things for others while riding, you can't beat it!! We have a mission out there and Dan is doing a great job trying to convey that message. Those that are worried about "statistics" need to open their eyes and look around--there are a lot of bikes out there and most people look through us instead of at us. I've had vehicles nearly pull right out in front of me until I rattled off my pipes..so YES, loud pipes save lives!!

-- Posted by L & L inc. on Thu, Sep 4, 2008, at 8:43 AM

Congrats Dan on the article! I loved it & I am glad you are getting some information out there to the people; if for no other reason to keep "Bikers" fresh in the mind of people who tend to ignore us on the road. The article Title says Dan's THOUGHTS ! RIGHT? So who are these people to discount and trash one man's opinion? Apparently they need to get on a bike and enjoy the wind in their face, deal with the road hazards of ignorance (meaning those who ignore us on the road). Yes, LOUD PIPES SAVE LIFES, but so does KNOWLEDGE!

There are plenty of sites to visit for more information regarding Motorcycles ie. ABATE OF INDIANA. Did you know we have a Chapter right here in Putnam County; meets 2nd Tues of the month at 7:00 p.m. at the Eagles Lodge.

Kudos! MacGuyver I am glad you have this opportunity, now lets rev it up! Really get the info out to these folks.

-- Posted by C.I. on Fri, Sep 5, 2008, at 3:16 PM

-- Posted by Polysemous1 on Fri, Aug 22, 2008, at 12:59 PM

In reply to this comment...They aren't statistics. One Percenters are those in an MC (motorcycle club) they got the name back in the fifties. Now there is a site you can look it up on so i suggest you get your fingers typing and look it up on yahoo and then appologoize for your stupidity.

-- Posted by juggalo on Mon, Sep 15, 2008, at 7:15 PM

MacGyver's Motorcycle Thoughts

Dan Stockton

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Dan Stockton is a Putnam County native and graduated Salutatorian from North Putnam High School. He earned his BA degree from Wabash College in Crawfordsville. He is a co-author of research for the Indiana Academy of Science Journal and currently writes a column for "The Hoosier Motorcyclist". He is often seen at the Putnam County Playhouse and is an avid motorcyclist. He and his wife of 25 years have two children.

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