Motorcycling is a niche and evolving form of transport. Since its conception, the two-wheeled motorised vehicle has become more than just a form of transport…it has become a community. However, there are a lot of misconceptions about what it means to be a rider. While, for some, motorcycles might be synonymous with danger and even criminality, for riders, the motorcycle is a symbol of freedom and identity.
There are three main categories of motorcycle riders: motorcycle racers, motorcycle riders and bikers, says Ferdie Pieterse, editor-in-chief of Superbike magazine and BikeSA magazine. Each of these groups has its own distinct reason for why they ride.
But these groups also have different stereotypes attached to them.
“They are different communities, within the biking community. [Motorcycle club members] call us racers, and they call themselves bikers,” says Jacques Ackermann, a semi-professional superbike racer and Western Cape superbike podium finisher. “Although we all ride, a lot of them are followers of us, and support our results and what we accomplish.”
But what sits at the heart of why the rider gets on the bike?
Jacques Ackermann racing his Kawasaki ZX10-R, a 1000cc motorcycle capable of going well over 300 Km/h, at the qualifiers for the South Motorcycles Superbike races in 2020. PHOTO: Alistair Seymour
Rich racers
For Ackermann, biking is all about refining his skills for his sport.
“Many of us who race on the track don’t actually ride on the road. We focus our riding skills literally only on the racetrack,” says Ackermann.
The motorsports industry is incredibly expensive to be able to participate in, and bikes are getting more and more expensive to buy, he says. Track riding has also taken a “knock” due to the impact of a struggling economy and the Covid-19 restrictions that have left sponsor businesses cutting costs wherever possible, explains Ackermann.
South Motorcycle community’s bikes before an out ride around the Cape Peninsula. PHOTO: Alistair Seymour
“The ban on spectators at motorsport events has indeed had a negative impact on Killarney [International Raceway’s] revenue,” says Dave Abrahams, public relations manager at Killarney International Raceway (Killarney). Killarney is the home of the Western Province Motor Club, and is the Western Cape’s main race track.
“The gate money from tickets purchased by spectators has always formed a significant portion of our income, helping to offset the cost of hosting motorsport events at our facility,” says Abrahams.
It’s an archaic view, there are no bike gangs as such. In the 60’s you might have got people who rode around and beat people with chains, but that’s the 60’s
The lack of spectators at race day events, due to Covid-19 restrictions, has also had an impact on race day track times, says Ackermann.
“Our riding is the most impacted by the spectators not being present… it adds to the spirit. Performing in front of the people is always a big motivator,” he adds.
Pieterse thinks that the sport has been dwindling for years and that Covid-19 only exacerbated the already niche sport. He says this is due to bikes becoming more expensive, and sponsors being less willing to contribute to riders.
Jacques Ackerman and his crewmate Mike Thomas just before a practice track day. PHOTO: Jacques Ackermann
This has meant that less riders are able to ride, which can be seen by having less riders in the starting line ups (grids), says Ackermann.
“The starting grids are significantly less. From looking at about 25, you are now looking at about 15 on average. It’s between affordability and sponsors, it’s definitely impacted some,” he adds.
Dirty crews
While there might be perceptions of motorcyclists being bad boys, most of them are law-abiding riders. The so-called “1% crews”, are those that are perceived to fall outside of the 99% of riders sticking to the rules.
But according to Alan Judin, national secretary of the biggest 1% biking club in South Africa, the Crusaders, 1% crews are for riders who live for their bikes and to ride. There is no entry for members of the public to join the clubs. Their bikes, and their crew of brothers are at the heart of their life, Judin says.
An example of a poster for an open and public outride for the South Motorcycle community, which is a motorcycle club based out of the South Motorcycles dealership in Cape Town. Anything from scooters to superbikes were invited to attend. INFOGRAPHIC: Alistair Seymour
“In South Africa, there are only two 1% crews […] They are the guys that are hardcore and that live for their bikes and to ride. Not so much the social part of it. It’s all about your ride and building your bike,” he adds.
For the Crusaders, the trials of Covid-19 have allowed the crew to start to contribute to the less fortunate and make meaningful change within disadvantaged communities.
“I think people are starting to see more hero than zero in a motorcyclist, and Covid has really given us a chance to show our compassionate side. You know, we do care. We aren’t all gangsters and greaseballs,” said Judin.
Pieterse says that bikers have, unfortunately, gained a reputation in South Africa for being nefarious, criminal organisations through years of being falsely labelled by the media.
“Bike clubs have a bad rap in this country because, yes, they are a big bunch of bikers. If 100 or 200 of them pull into a town and get drunk and wheelie up and down the roads and all sorts of things and become very raucous, [people] will complain,” he added.
Judin says that “love, honour and respect,” is a common statement you see across the motorcycle community. “I would rather have oil on my hands than cream,” he adds.
An adventure rider just after buying their new bike, a Suzuki DL 650. PHOTO: Alistair Seymour
“It’s an archaic view, there are no [nefarious] bike gangs as such,” says Judin. “In the 60’s you might have got people who rode around and beat people with chains, but that’s the 60’s. Bike clubs are not involved in any illegal activities. In fact, if you look at the creed of the Hells Angels, which is the oldest bike club ever, if you so much as steal anything or whatever, you get banned from them. Period.”
*The writer has had a professional relationship with Jacques Ackermann.
