Every subculture has its own language, and motorcycling is no exception. Whether you’re new to two wheels or just want to sound less green at the next meet, here’s a glossary of common biker slang you’ll hear on rides and in group chat.
Bikes & gear
- Ape hangers — Tall handlebars that put your hands up near shoulder height.
- Bagger — A touring bike fitted with hard saddlebags (panniers).
- Cage — A car. Its driver is a “cager”.
- Crotch rocket — A sportbike built for speed.
- Fairing — The bodywork/windshield that shields the rider from wind.
- Hardtail — A frame with no rear suspension.
- Rubber / skins — Tyres.
- Thumper — A single-cylinder engine (for its distinctive beat).
Riding & the road
- Squid — A reckless rider, often in shorts and a T-shirt, riding beyond their skill. Short for “squirrelly kid”.
- ATGATT — “All The Gear, All The Time” — always riding in full protective gear (the opposite of a squid).
- Counter-steering — Pushing the bar forward on the side you want to turn toward; how bikes actually steer at speed.
- Highside / lowside — Two types of crash; a lowside drops the bike toward the inside of a turn, a highside flips it violently to the outside.
- Twisties — A stretch of tight, winding road — the good stuff.
- Slab — The highway/motorway; “riding the slab” is dull mileage.
- SMIDSY — “Sorry Mate, I Didn’t See You” — the classic excuse from a driver who pulls out on a rider.
People & culture
- Seasoned — An experienced rider with the miles (and often the scars) to show for it.
- Colors — A club’s back patch, worn on a cut.
- Cut / kutte — The sleeveless vest that carries a club’s patches.
- Prospect — Someone working toward full membership of a motorcycle club.
- RUB — “Rich Urban Biker” — a weekend rider with an expensive, barely-used bike.
- Two-up — Riding with a passenger.
- Pillion — The passenger, or the passenger seat.
- Get-off — A crash or fall (“he had a get-off in the twisties”).
Talk the talk, then ride
You’ll pick up the rest by ear. The fastest way? Ride with people. Join a local group on MeetupMoto, get to a meet, and you’ll be fluent in no time.
Biker slang — FAQs
What does “squid” mean in motorcycling?
A squid is a reckless or inexperienced rider who rides fast with little or no protective gear (often shorts and a T-shirt). It comes from “squirrelly kid” and is the opposite of an ATGATT rider.
What does ATGATT stand for?
ATGATT means “All The Gear, All The Time” — the practice of always wearing full protective equipment (helmet, jacket, gloves, boots, trousers) on every ride, no matter how short.
What is a “cage” in biker slang?
A “cage” is a car, and a “cager” is its driver. The term reflects the enclosed, isolated feel of a car compared with riding a motorcycle.
What are “the twisties”?
“The twisties” are stretches of tight, winding road with lots of bends — the kind of road most riders love best.