Easy rider or Rocket rampage

Hunter's new 1981 Honda CB 750

Last weekend my friend and neighbor made a decision that opened him up to a new world, new places, and experiences; he bought a motorcycle.

 Ok a new world really? Yes, really. On a motorcycle the roads we four-wheel drivers are used to are transformed to an obstacle course of traffic enemies and a new kind of nature walk. When you're driving a motorcycle you have to make your vehicle become part of your body and you suddenly realize how exposed you are.

It's no wonder why bikers create clubs, band together and find a good time. Just driving it around the block was a new experience that I wanted to share with people!

If it's so fun why is it considered counterculture? Two reasons explain it's counterculture origins. First, it's very very dangerous. Second, the 1953 film "The Wild One" with Marlon Brando.

Movie poster from Amazon.com

The movie is based on a short story that was inspired by the rebellious actions of a motorcycle club in 1947. Some outlaw bikers coined the counterculture by literally raiding a small town leaving it's citizens horrified and angry. The Marlon Brando film dramatized it and allowed viewers around the world to experience it.

So how does it break down? Well today we can see that not every motorcyclists is an outlaw and a rebel, but the motorcycle is still a statement of independence and freedom and there are biker gangs out there.

Today we see the classic motorcycle club style with cruisers, choppers and bobbers, like Hunter's bike. Groups get matching vests or paint something on their bike to show their membership.

It's exclusive and it's novel. Motorcycle clubs are not for anybody. Many are for enthusiasts of the bikes and what they have to offer others are literally gangs.

Motorcycle gangs have been known to be part of drug circles and violence. One famous group that comes to mind are the Hell's Angels, now with international charters. The Hell's Angels were so well known that they were hired as security at the Altamont Speedway Free Festival in 1969 because of their reputation.

Today these kind of bikers love to have rally's with bike shows and rock concerts, but in reality you'll find a culture for every type of bike.

Sport bikes have their own underground racing world and bike shows as well. You'll find this culture is much more about the new technology in the bikes and the speed from them than the romanticism of the ride.

You also see a very special culture with touring bikes, which are just as they sound for touring the country. You may recognize the Honda GoldWing as a car with two wheels or the BMW RS series packed down with bags and tents. This culture will load up the bike view the countryside stay at hotels or camp and just come home.

Regardless of what bike is being driven, it's all about the open road.