ThrottleX Blog

Wednesday, June 18, 2014

Biker Nicknames – Ideas and Tips

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Biker nicknames can be a challenge to come up with. Here are some ideas and tips to help you find a good biker nickname that everyone will remember.

The best biker nicknames often start out with a story.

I was riding with a group of folks the other day, and met a rider named, “Picnic Table”.

“How did you get your name?” I asked him.

He laughed.

“A long time ago, I was with some friends back in New Mexico and we’d ride dirt bikes out by Cedro Peak.  We’d take our trucks out there with the bikes in the back.  We found this place with an abandoned picnic table.  It was a perfect place to set up with lots of shade.  So every time we went out dirt bike riding I’d always say, “Let’s get that place with the picnic table”.  My buddies started calling me Picnic Table after that.

Biker nicknames like “Drifter”, “Slider”, “Dog”, “Joker”, “Bear”, and “Winger”, are common in motorcycle circles.  But the more unusual nicknames tend to get remembered easily.  Nicknames like, “Guardrail”, “Band Aid”, and “Red Light” tend to suggest a story on their own.  While nicknames like “Doc”, “Wrench”, “Diver”, and “Gunny” suggest professions or military rank.

It’s also common to come up with biker nicknames based on the type of motorcycle being ridden.  “Sporty” and “Ironhead” has been used for riders on Sportsters.  “Knucklehead” and “Panhead” are commonly used for vintage Harley riders. “Glider” often gets used for people who rider Harley touring bikes.

To make a biker nickname stick, give out only that name.  Never give out your real name.  That will force everyone to call you by your nickname.  You might even use your nickname on your Facebook, Twitter, e-mail, forums, business cards, so that everyone will only know you by that name.

Some of the best biker nicknames are two words, each with single syllables, that rhyme.  For some reason, people have the easiest time remembering them.  “Drop Top”, “Bed Head”, “Side Ride”, are both memorable and suggestive of some kind of story.

To come up with a good biker nickname, think of a story, or something that you’d like to be associated with, and find a desired word for it.  Try adding a second word, but keep the full nickname to two or three syllables maximum.

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