This over$-$simplified dichotomy has led to many misunderstandings about bikers and motorcyclists and, in some cases, may have added to strained relations and even outright hostility between the two groups.

Some efforts have been made to more accurately divide the motorcycling world into two basic categories: bikers and motorcyclists. Motorcycle News columnist Fred Rau $(2010$a: $47),$ somewhat tongue$-$in$-$cheek and yet to some extent seriously, suggested that there are some subtle and not so subtle clues as to whether a rider is a "biker" or a "motorcyclist." At the risk of oversimplification and perpetuating stereotypes, I offer his paraphrased and heavily supplemented list of generalizations to help distinguish bikers and motorcyclists.