Bosozoku!

[Gone in 60]

Yesterday my wife and I went to Born Free, a huge biker gathering in Santiago Canyon near our home. Thousands of mostly Harleys, it’s a scene, a happening and a full sensory immersion in motorcycles.

Rather than ride, we hike the canyon road to the event, so we can watch the bikes coming and going along the way. In large part, one chopper or bagger after another.

But, on the way home I heard a swarm of bikes that didn’t come from Milwaukee. A group of Bosozoku style bikes rode past us before I could grab any photos. If you don’t know what this style of bike is, I highly suggest Googling and taking a look at this very unique culture. Many Honda based bikes.

At the show, I saw a shirt I had to buy. It says “Hello Engine.” This is what Steve McQueen says in the Sand Pebbles when he sees the ship’s steam engine for the first time. And, bonus L.A. area road trip, that movie prop engine can be seen onboard the S.S. Lane Victory in Long Beach.

[Cormanus]

Thanks, Gi60. Interesting reading up on the Bosozoku. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bōsōzoku

[alprider]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wlPP_HnUx6s

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8-z15n4utsY








https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b9HCDezfxoM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vLYrrGY0qq4

[Gone in 60]

I was bummed that I didn't see these bikes at the actual show I hiked to. But, there was a sea of a thousand bikes there, and there was no way to see all of them. It was probably cooler to hear and see them go by on the highway on our hike back home.

[the Ferret]

Does that bottom bike have a speaker for the exhaust?

Lord I hope Harley riders don't discover that

[GoldOxide_imp]

Very interesting cultural variance.

[Stichill]

Does that bottom bike have a speaker for the exhaust?

Lord I hope Harley riders don't discover that

I thought the same thing!

Does that bottom bike have a speaker for the exhaust?

Lord I hope Harley riders don't discover that

This subculture isn't really about motorcycles. Anthropologically it's about social rebellion where motorcycles happen to be the means of expression. They could just as easily ride around on outrageously painted, battery-powered upright vacuum cleaners and achieve the same result.

[Gone in 60]

I'd kind of want to see that...

[max]

Stich, you have such a deep understanding of the mind, you never disappoint me.
( going to find out what Anthropologically means).
Great stuff!

[Stichill]

max!

I guess I'm not a fan of people using motorcycles in a non-serious way, e.g. obnoxiously loud pipes, stunting on the highway, street racing, swarming/flash mobbing, ape hangers, motorcycle gangs, stretched-swingarm / pimped-out 'busas, and these goofy Bosozoku. These are social phenomena that are less about the motorcycles than they are about sticking a finger in the eye of their fellow citizens. Same thing as the stupid boom-boom cars that were popular a few years back, or these diesel pickups that "roll coal" on Toyota Priuses.

I think any "look-at-me-I'm-being-obnoxious" behavior that involves motorcycles diminishes our sport/hobby and by association us as riders in the eyes of the larger society.