Out of all the Bikers, 99.99% of them don't live the "Real biker lifestyle". Although they talk about the "lifestyle" and think they live it, they don't. Only a percentage of about 1% of these people ever actually get close to living the true biker lifestyle. It's that hard to achieve. You've heard the term, "Live to ride, ride to live". That pretty much sums up the a "real biker". It's rare to find someone can who actually live up to that standard. There are some that can exist at least for a while, but very few.
In the old days (40's, 50's,and 60's) living the "Real Biker lifestyle" was a dedication, being a vagabond on two-wheels, travelling around the country without a fixed home, moving from place to place. Leading an unsettled, irresponsible, or disreputable and mostly lonely life. Maybe doing doing a few odd jobs to support yourself, making a friend or two and letting them go, waking up one morning and not knowing where you'll be sleeping the next. There are few people that might actually get to do this, maybe at a younger age, single with time on there hands trying to find a place in this world or old, set in their ways and this is all they've known. but it's rare. It's about being free to come and go as you please, having the balls to let go of everything that chains you down and live up to that creed?
Some think that being in a 1%er club, or wearing that 3-piece patch, means living the biker lifestyle. Think again?. That just makes you a club member that again is tied down to responsibility. While others think that going to rallies and runs and partying with like minded bikers means living the lifestyle. Wrong. That more or less just makes you a partier, a weekend worrior. The biker lifestyle is not about socializing, it's about being free.
As time goes on a majority of bikers live for other things. We have others that depend on us, and most of us are governed by other things. Whether its ol'ladies, rugrats, a job, businesses, or good ol'Uncle Sam, we are all tied down at some point. All of this eventually comes into play for most of us and it's not necessarily a bad thing. It gives you a sense of direction and honestly let's be real, even the toughest of Bikers sooner or later want a purpose in life.
Either way, in the end time takes a toll on all of us. As you get older you get to the point you want more comfort in your life, being on the road is not an easy way to live day in and day out. Eventually it goes from being the lifestyle you strived for to just a weekend getaway, taking the bike out whenever you get a chance.