Street Bike Slang Every Rider Should Know

Introduction

If you’re a street bike or sport bike rider, you know that the motorcycle community has its own unique language. Between terms that describe riding techniques to those that capture the essence of the street riding culture, knowing this slang can make you feel more connected and confident.

Whether you're navigating the urban jungle or enjoying a weekend ride through the twisties, understanding street and sport bike slang is essential. In this blog post, we’ll break down some of the most common terms you’ll encounter as a street rider, helping you to speak the language of the road.

Essential Street Motorcycle Slang

Image: The throttle which one might choose to blip.

1. Blip:

• Definition: A quick rev and release of the throttle, often used when downshifting to match engine RPMs with road speed.

"He gave the throttle a quick blip before downshifting into the turn."

Image: A brain bucket or helmet that hopefully only holds your brain while inside your head, not outside.

2. Brain Bucket:

• Definition: Slang for a motorcycle helmet, particularly one that provides minimal coverage.

"Always wear your brain bucket for safety, even if you're just riding around town."

Image: a classy-looking cafe racer

3. Cafe Racer:

• Definition: A style of motorcycle designed for speed and handling, originally used for short, fast rides between cafes.

"He built a custom cafe racer from an old bike he found in a barn."

Image: A cager not paying attention to the road or how many buttons he missed on his shirt.

4. Cager:

• Definition: A derogatory term used by riders to describe someone who drives a car.

"Watch out for that cager; he’s not paying attention to the road."

Image: Mmmm...chicken.

5. Chicken Strips:

• Definition: The unused edges of motorcycle tires, indicating how much or how little lean angle a rider has used.

"You can tell he's a new rider by the wide chicken strips on his tires."

Image: Ye Olde Crotch Rocket complete with Brain Bucket.

6. Crotch Rocket:

• Definition: A slang term for a sportbike, known for its high speeds and aggressive design.

"He loves the adrenaline rush of riding his crotch rocket."

 

Image: An exaggerated example of a motorcycle rider's way too many farking farkles...

7. Farkle/Farkles:

• Definition: Any motorcycle accessories added to a bike, they can be either beneficial or just for show. Typically used by BMW or Euro riders.

"He spent the weekend adding new farkles to his bike."

Image: A dramatic re-enactment of a "Get Off".

8. Get off:

• Definition: Term for crashing a motorcycle.

"He had a nasty get off during the last race."

 

Image: A visual representation of a rider experiencing a Highside that will most likely bruise their Hindside.

9. Highside:

• Definition: A type of motorcycle crash where the rear wheel loses traction and then suddenly regains it, throwing the rider over the high side of the bike.

"He was lucky to walk away unscathed after that nasty highside."

Image: A motorcycle rider splitting lanes and watching out for "stupid".

10. Lane Splitting:

• Definition: Riding a motorcycle between two lanes of stopped or slow-moving cars, often to avoid traffic congestion.

"Lane splitting can save a lot of time in heavy traffic, but it’s not legal everywhere."

Image: A rider's trusty Lid.

11. Lid:

• Definition: Another slang term for a motorcycle helmet.

"Don't forget your lid before you hit the road."

Image: Pile on the Pillion and let's cruise some...er...Hillions?

12. Pillion:

• Definition: The seat behind the main rider on a motorcycle, designed to carry a passenger.

"She hopped on the pillion and they rode off into the sunset"

Image: The Alpinestars "Power Ranger"

13. Power Ranger:

• Definition: A sportbike rider decked out in matching one-piece racing suit and matching gloves, boots, and helmet.

"You can always spot a power ranger by their flashy gear."

Image: This chucklehead is probably gonna have Road Rash...

14. Road Rash:

• Definition: Scrapes and abrasions on the skin caused by sliding across pavement, often as a result of a motorcycle crash.

"Always wear protective gear to avoid severe road rash in case of an accident."

Image: A visual representation of "Target Fixation".

15. Target Fixation:

• Definition: When a rider’s eyes focus on a point in the distance or a line on the road, causing him/her to inadvertently steer the bike toward that area rather than in the intended path.

"He crashed due to target fixation on the guardrail."

Image: A rider zipping along the road, probably a "Throttle Jockey".

16. Throttle Jockey:

• Definition: A rider who is constantly accelerating and decelerating aggressively.

"That throttle jockey zoomed past us on the highway."

Image: A visual representation of a motorcycle rider utlizing their torque.

17. Torque:

• Definition: The twisting force that causes rotation, crucial for acceleration.

"The bike’s torque is impressive, giving it quick acceleration off the line."

Image: An example of "Twisties"

18. Twisties:

• Definition: Roads with a lot of twists and turns, ideal for motorcycle riding.

"The twisties in the mountains are his favorite place to ride."

Image: a 1980 Yamaha RE 350LC two-stroke Motorcycle

19. Two-Stroke:

• Definition: An engine type that completes a power cycle in two strokes of the piston, known for its distinctive sound and quick acceleration.

"Two-stroke engines are known for their distinctive sound and quick acceleration."

Image: A visual representation of a rider having a "Whiskey Throttle" moment

20. Whiskey Throttle:

• Definition: A rider who gives too much throttle, resulting in the rider sliding off the back of the bike and potentially losing control.

"He lost control after a whiskey throttle moment."

 Image: A "Wrench" working on his bike in the garage.

21. Wrench:

• Definition: Slang for a mechanic, or the act of working on a bike.

"He loves to wrench on his bike every weekend."

Conclusion

Mastering these street bike slang terms will not only help you communicate more effectively with other riders but also enhance your overall riding experience. Whether you're discussing riding techniques, safety tips, or just talking shop with fellow enthusiasts, knowing this lingo will make you feel more connected to the motorcycle community. Stay tuned for more posts in our series, where we'll cover everything from motorcycle anatomy to off-road slang. And, don't forget to check out the other posts in our series including, "Dirt Bike Terms You Should Know".

By incorporating these terms into your vocabulary, you’ll be well-equipped to navigate the nuances of street riding and participate fully in the motorcycling culture. Safe riding!