You’ve heard many of these terms before, or maybe you haven’t, but they are little things that are a part of motorcycling culture. A culture that has many of its roots dating back to the return of the GI’s and surplus of Army Motorcycles for sale after WW2. I won’t get into the history here but, if you are interested you can find many fascinating things on the internet or at your local library. You never know, you might find a reason to get out and ride to your next cache! For fun if you have a fun and appropriate slang term that you either found or know share it with the group and post with your log!
Q1. What does a “Bobber” describe?
3) A festively painted motorcycle driven by an average looking man
2) A naked bike
4) A custom bike that is stripped down with fenders that are Bobbed (cut down) or removed
6) A term used for Harley-Davidson motorcycles that have been severely altered by their owners
O2. What is a “Thumper”?
3) A rabbit from a cartoon produced by Disney
0) A single cylinder four stroke motorcycle going up to approximately 500cc’s.
1) A stretch of road that is in such poor condition that while riding on it the shocks cause your butt to thump against the saddle.
2) The low exhaust note that emits from a V-Twin motorcycle engine.
Q3. What is a “UJM(Universal Japanese Machine)”?
8) A Japanese motorcycle produced in the late 1960’s and 70’s that all had very similar features and styling, known for the reasonable prices and quality.
7) A derogatory term for bikes made in Japan
9) Any machine that is made in Japan and destined to be shipped to any market in the world
6) A plot to take over all the oil reserves in China and the Pacific Ocean during WW2 in order to maintain a fuel supply line for their Navy.
Q4. What does a “Tank-slapper” describe?
6) A joke told during a ride that is so funny that you can’t help but slapping your tank.
8) A severe speed front end wobble that causes the handle bars to alternately hit the sides of the fuel tank.
9) An act by another motorist that make you so furious that you hit the tank in frustration.
7) When the nut you are trying to tighten is close enough that your wrench keeps hitting the tank as you turn it
Q5. What are “Tar Snakes”?
3) Sticks, branches, or other assorted road debris that is not straight and looks like a “snake”
5) Term used for aggressive sport bike riders that weave in and out of heavy traffic dangerously
4) The patches of tar put over cracks in the asphalt that can break the traction of motorcycle tires, especially while turning (leaning) the bike.
2) Actual snakes that are found on the road while riding.
Q6. The term “Knuckle-heads” describes, what?
0) A term for a person of sub-par intellect or common sense, aka an idiot.
3) Someone who is obsessed with mechanics and loves to work on and repair engines
1) A term for a series of Harley-Davidson bikes produced prior to 1948 with large bolts above the cylinder covers giving the appearance of knuckles.
2) That Harley-Davidson obsessed friend who will talk about nothing else!
Q7. What is a “Flying W”?
8) Holding up your hand with the two middle fingers crossed creating a “w” while riding past another biker.
7) When you see a rider zoom past so covered in protective gear he more resembles the Stay Puft Marshmallow man than a person and are therefore “wimpy”.
4) During a crash or wipe out in which a rider goes flipping over the handle bars with their knees bent toward their head creating a “w”, usually associated with dirt biking.
2) A female motorcyclist going so fast that they appear to be flying over traffic.
Q8. “Cager” is a term that describes, what?
4) A term for a Cage Dancer dressed in form fitting leather that is dressed to look like riding leathers
1) A term for underground “cage” fighters
0) A person driving a car, truck, SUV, etc., where the car, truck, SUV, etc., is the “cage”
2) The term used to describe the winter season as it keeps motorcyclists “caged” and unable to ride through the snow and ice.
Q9. What are “Ape-hangers”?
0) A style of handlebars that place the hands above the riders head.
3) A motorcyclist who has a monkey riding with him, usually in reference to South American adventure trips.
2) A motorcycle rider who looks a bit Apish and not very intelligent
1) A brand of Aftermarket motorcycle parts
Q10. What does “O.E.M.” Stand for?
4) Original Engine Manual
5) Oscillating Electro-Magnet
6) Original Equipment Manufacturer
7) On-board Engine Management
Q11. What is a “Café Racer”?
6) a term for a French Motorcycle racer
7) Term for Motorcycle races held in France
8) A term for people that only go from one public establishment to another or café to café
9) A term for highly modified and stripped down, for increased performance, older British motorcycle (1950’s-60’s). Now being applied to older Japanese Bikes and New factory bikes made for the “custom” individual.
Q12. Who would you be talking to if you were having a conversation with your, “Ol’ Lady”?
5) Your long term girlfriend or Wife
6) Your Mother
7) Your Grandmother
8) Anyone sitting on the back of the bike
Q13. What would you be doing if you were performing, “the wave”?
7) Giving a sign of respect and solidarity to another rider as you pass each other, usually two fingers held out below the handlebar and away from the body.
8) A dance move performed amongst a crowd at sporting events
9) Riding slowly in formation during a rally event, usually no more than 15 miles an hour
6) Doing stunts over a body of water with a modified motorcycle that can “ride” on water
Q14. “Chopper” is a term for, what?
4) A bike that is stolen, “chopped” up for parts and then sold on the black market
6) A motorcycle that has been pieced together from so many different bikes that it can no longer be clear as to what it originally was.
8) A term that used to be called bobbing but, describes the act of highly modifying the styling and performance of the motorcycle, usually by cutting down parts and the frame to reduce weight gained by other modifications. The front wheel is at a much steeper rake than what is normally seen.
0) The mechanic or designer that actively modifies a motorcycle to no longer resemble what it once was
Q15. What does the term “Monkey Butt” describe?
0) A sore and painful feeling in the butt after a very long day of riding
2) The butt of a Monkey, literally
4) A sport bike rider that wears a red suit that has become worn in the butt creating a light pink color like that of a Baboon
6) A topical powder that is very similar to Gold bond, and can be applied in sweaty areas to relieve chaffing.
