The Motorcycle Riders Dictionary, a Guide to Motorcycle Slang
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1%er (One-Percenter)
The term is used to describe a small minority of bike riders who are not law-abiding citizens adhering to social norms. They are often advertised with patches or tattoos in a diamond shape.
1-Kicker
A motorcycle that starts up on the first go.
1-Piece (One-Piece)
A one-piece is a form of protective gear that covers the rider's entire body, From the neck all the way to the ankle.
2-into-1
A configuration where two tailpipes are joined into a single pipe.
2-Piece Outfit
Refers to two pieces of protective garment, typically a jacket of sorts and pants, which can be fastened at the waist. This type of clothing is often worn by law enforcement and first responders.
2-Second Rule
The 2-second rule is a widely accepted estimation of the safe trailing distance between moving vehicles. This rule should be followed when behind a motorcycle, as they are able to stop quicker than cars can.
2-Stroke
2-stroke engines are characterized by a piston assembly that runs two engine strokes per cycle. Compared to other engine types, 2-stroke engines are more lightweight and compact. Additionally, 2-stroke engines typically have higher power-to-weight ratios.
3-Piece Patch/3 Patch
An arrangement of backcloth patches is employed by a few motorcycle clubs.
4-Stroke
An engine configuration where the piston(s) move through four strokes (intake, compression, power, and exhaust) during one operating cycle.
6-Bend Handlebars
A type of handlebar popular in chopper culture that features six bends.
81
Hells Angels, (H as in the 8th letter in the English alphabet and A, the 1st letter of the alphabet.)
A
ABS
This means an Anti-lock braking system, the same as in a car.
AFFA
AFFA stands for, Angels Forever, Forever Angels. A sign of loyalty and respect in the Hell's Angels Motorcycle Club.
ATF
Stands for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives.
ATGATT
The term refers to always being dressed for safety (helmets, jackets, etc.) at all times while riding. All The Gear All The Time.
AMA
The American Motorcyclist Association.
Aftermarket
Stands for accessories and parts that were not made by the manufacturer. Parts That have not been made by the original equipment manufacturer.
Airheads
This is the term used for older BMW bikes with air-cooled engines.
Analog Gauges
These are mechanical, clock-like gauges.
Anti-Dive System
A front-end suspension component that reduces fork compression while braking.
Ape Hangers
The high handlebars on this bike allow the motorcycle rider to assume a posture that is similar to that of an ape dangling from a branch instead of the normal upright riding position. This provides a more comfortable ride and makes it easier to control the bike.
Apex
The term "apex" is used to describe the highest point of a curve at which the rider reaches the maximum lean angle while going through a turn. This is the point where the rider must make the most precise inputs to the bike in order to maintain control and achieve the fastest possible exit speed from the turn.
Associate
The term used to describe a person who belongs to a bike club. Although, the term is more frequently used by people who are not part of the bike-riding community.
B
BATF
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives.
BMW
Bavarian Motor Works (Bayerische Motoren Werke AG), The German car and Motorcycle company.
BSA
Birmingham Small Arms.
Backbone
The tube at the top of a motorbike frame to which the fuel tank is usually attached.
Back Warmer
The person who sits behind you on the bike.
Backyard
Your stomping ground; an area you frequent a lot while riding.
Baffle
A sound-stopping wall inside of the muffler.
Bagger
A motorcycle with mounted saddlebags. Like a touring bike.
Bandana
A large, square-shaped scarf made of lightweight fabric typically worn around the neck and head. It can protect the face and head from the sun and dust and serve a variety of practical uses.
Bar Hopper
A bike used to travel between bars.
Basket Case
A motorcycle that is disassembled, parts everywhere.
Bead
The edge of a bike rubber hoop that fits snugly against the wheel rim
Beehive
A tail light styled like a beehive.
Beemer
A slang term for BMW vehicles.
Belt Drive
A part of the engine that transfers power by way of a belt.
Bible
Not to be left at home.
Big Dog
A North American motorcycle company.
Big Five
Refers to the five most prominent motorcycle manufacturers: Honda, Suzuki, Kawasaki, Yamaha, and Harley Davidson
C
CB750
Honda motorcycle. Fun Fact, the Honda CB750 was the first Sports Bike.
CC
Cubic centimeter
CE Armor/CE Certified
There are a few systems in place that are designed to rate the effectiveness and safety of motorcycle riding gear, but the CE Armor/CE Certified system is the most widely used in Europe. This system is designed to give riders a clear understanding of the level of protection their armor will provide in the event of an accident.
CMA
Christian Motorcycle Association
Café Racer
Custom motorcycles take design cues from the British street-racing motorcycles of the 1960s and 1970s.
Cage
A four-wheel vehicle, Car, Van, or truck.
Can
An aftermarket exhaust muffler typically used on sports bikes; designed to reduce noise.
Canyon Carving
A road with a lot of twists and turns, preferably out in the mountains.
Cateye
A term used for a style of the tail light.
Center Stand
It's just like a kickstand, but it lifts the driving wheel off the ground. This is a great way to store your motorcycle or take a break on a long ride.
Century
Going 100 mph
Chain
A chain is used for the transfer of power between the engine and the rear wheel.
Chaps
Protective riding equipment that covers the legs but not the groin.
Chapter
The local headquarters for a biker association.
Chase Vehicle
A truck or car that follows a group of bikers to assist with mechanical difficulties or bike trouble.
Chassis
The motorcycle's frame and suspension unit of a bike.
Chopper
A term used for a bike that has been changed and customized over the years; all unnecessary bits have been chopped off.
Citizen
A person who does not belong to a motorcycle club and has no affiliation with any club.
Colors
The ranking, patches, and uniforms of a motorcycle club.
Cruiser
A bike used for cruising the town, not a race or rat bike. Cruiser Motorcycles are something more comfortable.
D
DOHC
Dual Overhead Cam.
DOHV
Dual Overhead Valves.
Dirt Bike
Off-road motorcycles; they're not legally allowed on the road and in traffic.
Dive
This is what happens when the front suspension compresses due to very hard braking. The front wheels of the bike will dig into the ground, and the back wheels will, at times, lift.
Dome
Slang word for Helmet.
Do-Rag
A head covering made of cloth.
Drag Bars
A style of the handlebar.
Drag Pipes
A short exhaust pipe seen on cruiser and touring bikes.
Dual Sports
Dual Sport Motorcycles Are for both on and off-road use.
E
Earned/Earned or Bought
This term refers to whether or not patches were earned or bought. Some clubs sell certain patches, while others have their members earn them.
Easy Rider
This is a motorcycle magazine, and it is also a movie.
Enduro
Enduros are basically road-legal dirt bikes, also known as Dual Sports bikes.
Exhaust Wrap
A cloth that has been insulated and then wrapped around the exhaust system in order to hold the heat.
F
Fairing
The front end of the motorcycle is made for the best wind resistance.
Fins
These are the heat sumps often found on air-cooled motorcycle engines.
Fishtailing
When the rear tire of the bike slides from side to side.
Flat Spot
When the bike has reached a certain engine speed in one of the gear ratios and more rpm cannot be gained.
Flying Colors
Wear the colors, emblems, and badges of your club.
Foot Pegs
The pegs on which you rest your feet while riding.
G
Gas Guzzler
A bike that has a large gas tank and uses a lot of fuel.
GBNF
Gone but never forgotten.
Getting Patched
Graduating into a club or earring more badges.
Giggle Gas
Nitros!
GP Armour
This is the kind of protective gear worn in motorcycle racing.
Gremlin
Murphy's cousin, the Gremlin, is responsible for all mechanical problems.
H
Hand Signals
These can be anything from signaling to form a certain formation or to warn other bikers of upcoming traffic.
Harley Davidson
The biggest motorcycle manufacturer in the United States.
Helmet Head
The way your hair looks after taking off your helmet.
Helmet Stickers
Funky stickers that bikers used to customize their helmets.
High Side
A riding incident in which a rider goes flying over the bike.
Hog
The nickname given to a large bike, like a Harley.
I
Independent
A biker who is not affiliated or part of any club.
Indian
An older motorcycle manufacturer.
Ink
Tattoos.
Ink Slinger
A tattoo artist.
Inline Four
Refers to an engine configuration in which all four cylinders are lined up in a straight row.
Inline Six
All six cylinders are lined up in a straight row.
Inline Triple
All three cylinders lined up in a straight row.
J
Jet
The part in the carb in which fuel flows through.
Jet Needle
This controls the flow of fuel-air mixture delivery to the bike's engine.
Jockey Shift
A gear shift lever commonly found on some older American-made motorcycles. It allows the rider to change gears without having to take their hand off the throttle, which can improve the rider's control and make it easier to shift gears while riding at high speeds.
Jugs
Engine cylinders.
K
Kicker/Kickstart
A bike that has to be kick-started manually.
Kickstand
The device that allows the motorbike to stand on its own. A small peddle is kicked down near the footrests.
King and Queen Seat
A one-piece seat designed so that the passenger sits higher than the driver. The passenger seat is higher than the driver's.
Knucklehead
Harley Davidson-produced bike engine manufactured from the mid-'30s to the late '40s.
L
Lace
To install spokes on a wheel.
Lane Splitting
Driving between lanes.
Leathers
Biker clothing made of leather, aka Leather gear, worn with the appropriate safety gear. Sites like Cyclegear and Amazon sell great leathers.
Lid
Motorcycle Helmet
Line
The route you intend to go.
Lone Wolf
A rider who has no club ties.
Low Side
A motorcycle incident in which a rider maneuvers themselves into a slide with one leg stuck under the bike during the fall.
M
MC and M/C
Means a motorcycle club.
Meet
A planned social event.
Megaphone
The flared-out end of an exhaust pipe.
Metric Cruiser
A Cruiser-style bike or a foreign-manufactured bike like the universal Japanese motorcycles.
Monkey Butt
Numb butt from a long ride.
Mother Chapter
The OG chapter of a club.
N
Naked Bike
These are bikes without body fairing. One bike will often be naked while building a custom bike.
Neck
This is the front end of a motorcycle frame, located right behind the steering head assembly.
Nitrous Oxide/N2O
Gas that is oxygen-rich.
Nomad
A "Nomad" is a biker who travels between chapters.
NOS
New and old stock and or nitrous.
O
OEM
This term stands for Original Equipment Manufacturer.
OFFO
In short, Outlaws Forever, Forever Outlaws.
OHC
This is the overhead Cam.
Oil Bag
Oil Tank.
Old Lady
A Biker's significant other.
One-Off
A uniquely fabricated bike part or bike.
Organ Donor
A rider who refuses to wear protective headgear. Or a bike that is used to part up another bike. If you don't have an organ donor bike, check out Revzilla for a wide variety of spares.
P
P
When you see the Letter "P" on a biker's jacket, it means "President."
Pancake Engine
Motorcycle's engine is horizontal.
Pasta Rocket
This is an Italian sports bike.
Patch Holder
A member of an MC Club.
Patches
The emblems and symbols sewn onto biker jackets.
R
Race Bikes
A motorcycle that is used for racing.
Rally
An organized ride with club members, sometimes involving camping.
Rat Bike
A Rat bike is a bike that is mostly not cared for. It can be in good or bad condition. Used mainly when the main bike is going through a service.
Rear-Sets
Customizable foot pegs that allow a rider to change the height of his footrests. Loved by touring motorcycle owners.
Rider
A term used for a person who rides a motorcycle. A motorcycle rider or rider, just like the person who sails a boat is a sailor.
Ring-Ding
This is a two-stroke motorcycle.
Road Rash
The peeled-back inflamed skin after falling off your bike.
S
Salt
Also known as "The Salt" are the Bonneville Salt flats.
Slicks
A type of race tire.
Steering Head
The pivot at which the fork attaches and is what helps determine the steering.
Stoppie
This is the term for a reverse wheelie. Where the rider goes up on the front wheel, as opposed to the rear tire. Going upon either motorcycle tire is dangerous and should never be done without training. This can also be damaging to motorcycle tires. Always check that your front brake is working before doing this.
Sweeper
A long road with an ongoing, consistent turn.
T
Tiddler
A slang term for a small bike and or a beginner's bike. This term could possibly be seen as derogatory.
Track Day
This can be for Dirt bikes or any kind of biker club; everyone meets up and has a day on the track.
Trike
A motorcycle with three wheels, two in the back and one in the front.
Torque
Torque is a critical quantity in many applications, such as in bike engines and in electric motors. Like the Nissan leaf, It is also important in machines such as lathes and drill presses, where it is used to rotate the workpiece.
Twisties
This is the slang term for winding roads or roads with a lot of twists and turns.
Two-Stroke
Refers to a kind of motorcycle engine that completes its cycle in two strokes.
U
UJM
Universal Japanese Motorcycle. Mainly produced in the 1970s.
V
Vintage Hog
Refers to a vintage bike.
V-Twin
A type of engine configuration where the cylinders are lined up in a V formation.
W
Wave/The Wave
This is the biker's way of saying hi to one another; it could be a peace sign or any form of hand signal when passing.
Wheelie
When a biker goes up on the back tire, this can be damaging to the rear wheel hub as well as the rear suspension.
Z
Z-Bars
A type of handlebar.
