Bike Lust: Harleys, Women, and American Society

by Barbara Joans

Bike Lust roars straight into the world of women bikers and offers us a ride. In this adventure story that is also an insider’s study of an American subculture, Barbara Joans enters as a passenger on the back of a bike, but soon learns to ride her own. As an anthropologist she untangles the rules, rituals, and rites of passage of the biker culture. As a new member of that culture, she struggles to overcome fear, physical weakness, and a tendency to shoot her mouth off—a tendency that very nearly gets her killed.
     Bike Lust travels a landscape of contradictions. Outlaws still chase freedom on the highway, but so do thousands of riders of all classes, races, and colors. Joans introduces us to the women who ride the rear—the biker chick, the calendar slut straddling the hot engine, the back-seat Betty at the latest rally, or the underage groupie at the local run. But she also gives us the first close look at women who ride in their own right, on their own bikes, as well as a new understanding of changing world of male bikers. These are ordinary women’s lives made extraordinary, adding a dimension of courage to the sport not experienced by males, risking life and limb for a glimpse of the very edge of existence. This community of riders exists as a primal tribute to humanity's lust for freedom.

Genres: Nonfiction

288 pages, Paperback

First published August 3, 2001

Reviews

[Reader · Rating 2 out of 5]

Bike Lust is one woman’s commentary on Harleys, women and American society, through the narrow lens of an aspiring anthropologist who recently discovered a motorcycle scene.

The background and stories are interesting and well written, hence the second star, but the anthropological foray gives the impression the author is fairly new to anthropology, and she is admittedly new to motorcycles.

The author makes up categorical terms for members of “Harley culture” which are continuously used (and some never defined). It is worth noting that the categoric terms listed in the book are uniquely applied in these writings, and do not apply in the real world of motorcycle culture.

My opinion is that the book was prematurely published. Another decade of observation, immersion and edits would have done wonders to transform this book from the assertions of a novice to those of an expert.

Some of the authors perspectives are valuable, albeit easily lost. A rewrite could be worth reading.

[SouthWestZippy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Taken from the back of the book. "Bike Lust roars straight into the world of women bikers and offers us a ride." Yes it does and then some. The Author started off as a passenger but it did not take her long for her to learn to ride on her own. She tells stories about her fears, travels and the people she meets while learning about the new world of bikers. Overall a very book book but did tend to repeat herself on views and some stories left me wanting closer.

[Debie Orrell · Rating 3 out of 5]

While I'm not a Harley rider, this is giving me lots of insight into the Harley culture. I wish that other riders were included because the networking for rides would be great.

I enjoyed the book and would recommend it to any riding enthusiasts. Great insights into the Harley mind.

[Deb · Rating 4 out of 5]

BJ does a really good job of explicating a slice of American culture through both an anthropological lens as well as from the seat of being a scooter lady.