Why Do Harley Riders Wear Black?

June 15, 2009
Fort Collins, CO

Last weekend, we were enjoying our coffee in the Mountaineer Restaurant in Estes Park, minding our own business, when a man at the table behind us leaned over my shoulder and asked Tim, "Would you mind if I ask you a question?"

Tim says, "Sure".

The man said, "I'd really like to know why all Harley riders wear black?

Me thinking: If you have to ask - you won't get it.

"Why they all wear black leathers and vests and those head things?"

Me thinking: Well, we don't all wear black - do we? I've seen red, purple, pink, white and tan leathers. Some only wear vests to rallies or on special rides although Tim likes wearing his vest and does so often. Head things? I'm thinking the man meant a do rag or skull cap? Who knows? We were wearing helmets.

"And, why black - isn't black more dangerous?"

Me thinking: Dangerous? It all depends mister on how many more stupid questions you ask.

In a rare show of patience and congeniality, Tim said, "Black is a personal choice. It matches the bike. We like black. We wear leathers for protection. Black isn't as reflective if that's what you mean by dangerous... but, clothing isn't dangerous... drivers not paying attention is dangerous."

The man kept going on and on about how we [specifically Harley Riders] all look alike, like penguins in a row, or a bunch of scarecrows.

Me thinking: - Eh? - Leathers look like tuxedos to this guy? I'm not following the reference to scarecrows at all, unless he's talking about helmet hair. If that's the case, he's getting rather personal.

The man can be described as an older, pencil neck lookin' fellow, with manicured nails, dressed in khaki trousers, hush puppy loafers, a yellow sweater with the air of an insurance salesman. How's that for stereotyping?

He goes on to explain he rides a BMW that has about 97,000 miles on it. Now I get it. He was about to ride it 3000 miles on vacation to Utah this coming weekend. He went on to say how much BMW riders do for their communities, having recently attended a gathering of BMW riders that raised over $300,000 in Denver. He said BMW riders do not feel compelled to wear leathers or black or gather in over-advertised huge numbers.

Me thinking: So? I have some questions for you Mr yellow-sweater-beemer-bud... How do you know what gear you're in when your engine sound is a whoosh? What's up with those klunky boxes on the sides of the bike? If you don't wear leathers - what do you wear for protection? And, if you wanna talk dangerous apparel - kind of run me through the merits of that whole no helmet, Bermuda shorts and flip-flops on the way to the golf course thing? Correct me if I'm wrong, but if you over-advertise a gathering, especially if it is for charitable purposes, isn't it reasonable to expect that you could collect more than a measly $300,000 in a city the size of Denver.

Needless to say, it was a pointless conversation... that really didn't amount to more than some nosy guy poking around trying to get a rise out of somebody. I, showing a remarkable amount of restraint... managed not to call the noodle-head a noodle-head while Tim just smiled and wished the guy a safe road. To his credit, the guy returned in kind and said the parking in back of the restaurant was better (that's where we were parked).

Me thinking: One last thought... if the guy is headed to Utah next weekend, he's gonna have plenty of black garbed, leather-wearing Harley riders for company on the road, because we are all headed that direction for the State HOG Rally in Montrose. Ha!

Anyone who knows us, knows we don't care what you ride or what you wear when you are riding it. And, we don't care if you notice or like what we are wearing. Perhaps, to some, riding a motorcycle is about fashion. To us, it is about comfort and the ride itself. Heads up! Whatever we are wearing - we are not wearing it for you.

Now, to answer the question... about wearing black. The Ride is black so I guess you can say we match The Ride. Otherwise, it is simple. It is a personal choice. I was wearing black, more often than not, long before we bought a Harley. I prefer dark colors. Tim wore dark blue and black before getting the Harley. We wear black leathers because well - they are black, but also because that's what is most readily available and cost effective. We wear leather jackets for warmth in Colorado and chaps for both warmth and protection. We wear boots. We wear gloves of some sort all of the time. Since my accident last summer, I've said if anyone could be a poster child for why one should wear leathers - I could be it. Had I been wearing leathers or sleeves when I did a nice rag doll over my windshield, the scar that nearly encircles my right forearm wouldn't be the unsightly thing it is today.

With that said, the wearing of black is part of the - Harley-Mystique - if you will. So what? Like most things in our popular culture, we can attribute the perception of Harley riders to stereo-typing. Crotch Rocket people wear one piece suits and Darth Vader helmets in fluorescent colors which is preferable to those who ride in over-sized jeans showing cracks where some would prefer not to see them. BMW people wear khaki and wind breakers and some wear yellow sweaters. Young ladies and some older ladies seem to wear as little as possible... All of it, each type seems to go with the type of bike one rides. It also goes for how one rides and where. But, as most riders know not all of the rules apply to any one set all of the time.

Personally, I believe that riding a motorcycle is about so much more than the look. Why would anyone trivialize such an experience with fashion critique?

It's about wind and freedom and miles and miles and miles of road to travel.