Kawasaki Sportsbike Riders Club - Australia - Online Forum

Chitchats wrote:And that was before you had a bike

Worked out quite well, all I had to do is sew the cheeks back in and I was ready for the road

Possum, sorry to hear about a crap interview experience like that. I have been treated slightly differently in recent times at work (that too people who do not work with me or manage me directly)

I asked my boss if there were any 'perception' problems with me riding a bike and showing up in leathers or any bike gear for that matter. He couldn't care less even if I rode/flew a broomstick to work. However other people started to figure out reasons why I was riding in to work. Theories included I was financially struggling and hence riding (how do you buy a new bike when you're financially struggling?), and that I hadn't grown up enough? Or that I was in bad company.

All in all, somehow people seem to relate motorcycle riders to a lower socio-economic group of citizens? Motor bike riding is an expensive hobby. Most people need a family car (or cars!) on top of having a bike.

It beats me how people can be so dumb and be judging like that.

vivek67 wrote: Or that I was in bad company.

All in all, somehow people seem to relate motorcycle riders to a lower socio-economic group of citizens?
It beats me how people can be so dumb and be judging like that.

Vivek, people having been doing that to me since 1972, when I was but a fresh faced learner. You eventually learn not to get to fired up about it. You can try and explain, but if you don't ride, most of the citizens just don't get what riding is about. They have been conditioned by the media and other non believers and end up with a tainted & prejudiced view. Personally, I've never had an employer problem. My current boss often enthusiastically asks if I've ridden to work.

The last conversation i had concerning bikes and work went a little like this......

So 'boss' (name not used) you have a bike eh?
I did, a Triumph Sprint
I said a bike Oh OK how come no longer?
The Worldwide CEO had a top notch salesman who the business invested greatly in over the years and he enjoys racing in the States, low level, every other week you know.They played golf together on weekends when dude wasnt riding and generally family socialising in an American way.
Oh OK, sooo......
Yeah, one Monday morning the CEO got the call that said 'racer' had had an accident at the track and died!
Wow.
Since then the CEO has been quite 'down' on key members riding and especially racing.... hence me letting mine go. So as we have put so much investment on your shoulders have you 'considered' giving it away?
No!, I may not ride that much but it is something I enjoy and it has taken me so long to get back into it, I couldn't give it away. Apologies but that's the way it is.
Oh

That was that, I'm sure there is some level of discrimination in business towards bikes due to the above, we do have the stats against us when it comes to risk of injury.
I stopped putting motorcycling and maintenance as a passtime in my resume a couple of years ago

vivek67 wrote:All in all, somehow people seem to relate motorcycle riders to a lower socio-economic group of citizens? Motor bike riding is an expensive hobby. Most people need a family car (or cars!) on top of having a bike.

It beats me how people can be so dumb and be judging like that.

I live with the theory that anything starting with "B" will cost you a lot of money. Some examples:

Bikes
Boats
Booze
Birds (not the feathered kind) sorry to our female members on here, no disrespect.

vivek67 wrote:It beats me how people can be so dumb and be judging like that.

Because they are clueless & have probably formed an bad opinion of you before you have even got off the bike & taken your helmet off

Going through all these posts just makes me feel even more sure that after 34yrs of riding,some things will just never change.The world is full of idiots who are ignorant or just plain stupid and if thats the way they want to be,you don't need their stinkin' jobs.
Get used to it,get over it and get on with it guys,they are not worth getting stressed over,and I can assure you....it will never change.
My motto in life has always been "I'm not biased or bigoted...I hate everybody equally!!"

marksesh wrote:I live with the theory that anything starting with "B" will cost you a lot of money. Some examples:

Bikes
Boats
Booze
Birds (not the feathered kind) sorry to our female members on here, no disrespect.

None taken..
Belligerent Boys

Stuzrx wrote:Going through all these posts just makes me feel even more sure that after 34yrs of riding,some things will just never change.The world is full of idiots who are ignorant or just plain stupid and if thats the way they want to be,you don't need their stinkin' jobs.
Get used to it,get over it and get on with it guys,they are not worth getting stressed over,and I can assure you....it will never change.
My motto in life has always been "I'm not biased or bigoted...I hate everybody equally!!"

On the contrary, In the 11 years I’ve been riding (legally) I think there has been a massive shift in acceptance. Some industries have taken longer than others, however with the current economic climate, bike and scooter sales will continue to rise and in effect force change. While there will always be idiots, ignorance comes from lack of understanding. Positive riders such as many on here who challenge misconceptions and take the time share their experiences will go far in assisting that the change is positive one.

Duane wrote:never been disadvantaged as such, but definately people treat you different when you rock up to work everyday in leathers.

I keep telling you to not wear your chaps at work!