|
Biker Helmets
What do you Think When you See a Biker Helmet?
The biker has become something of an American icon in
our society. Few stereotypical appearances elicit as
many emotions in people as does that of the biker. When
people see a figure clad in the biker helmet, faded
denim and worn leather (invariably with a wallet
connected to the jeans by means of a chrome chain) that
identifies someone as a biker they may experience fear,
loathing, envy, apprehension, and excitement all at
once. The man standing before them may be a doctor or a
tax attorney in his day to day life, but when he puts of
his riding gear and hits the road its as if the outfit
assigns a persona to go along with it, whether he wants
it or not and everything from his leather biker boots to
his WWII German infantry inspired biker helmet says
look out this is one tough guy.
Of course the biker may not be a tough guy at all. He
may be more akin to a Teddy bear than a grizzly, but
hell never get a second chance to make that first
impression. Of course, most bikers actually enjoy the
reactions they get from the general public. Bikers
represent a uniquely American lifestyle that has both
positive and negative connotations.
On the positive side bikers are viewed as modern
American nomads, moving from place to place without ever
establishing roots in any one location. The lifestyle is
wild and free and filled with a sense of adventure. The
image, of course, is pretty much incorrect. When you see
a man in a biker helmet on his hog the chances are
equally good that he has a wife and kids and a nice home
in the suburbs as they are that he just crashes in his
old ladys trailer. In fact, theyre a lot better.
On the negative side bikers are viewed as criminals.
Theyre all armed robbers, killers, drug dealers, and
rapists in the minds of the good, respectable people who
may encounter them or move to the other side of the
street to avoid encountering them. This image, of
course, is also bunk. A man dressed in biker garb is not
automatically a criminal any more than a guy in a three
piece suit. In fact, the suit has a better chance of it
than the biker does.
No piece of the overall biker look is more important
than the biker helmet and no average motorcycle helmet
will serve the same purpose as a true helmet designed
for a lifestyle biker. Modern motorcycle helmets are
covered with flashy designs and multiple colors.
A real bikers lid is usually solid black or blue and
probably has a design, slogan, or name (often something
like Snake or Dice or Ace usually a singular
form noun) stenciled or airbrushed upon it. The designs
and slogans are pages of biker culture: the Harley logo,
snakes and skulls, or other things of that general
nature.
About the Author
Abe Gardea is a full-time freelance writer and a
regular contributor to My-Motorcycle-Helmet.com
|
 |