By: David H.
Submitted: 2009-08-25 18:35:19 | Word Count: 595
Low rider cars are customized to be as low to the ground as possible. There are also low rider bicycles. There is a lot of art, passion and creativity with each low rider.
A low rider is either a truck or car that has a modified suspension system. The hydraulic suspension system is usually modified too. The modification process is for riding this vehicle lower than normal. It usually has a height adjusted suspension, which the user controls.
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You may see a classic car, particularly a 1950s model, turned into a low rider. There are also some alterations between the 1940s to 1960s car models. Although there are some new cars turned into low riders, it is not that common nowadays. The term low rider also refers to people who own or drive such cars. In addition, a low rider will have a lot of factory accessories or options as well as added after market accessories. Numerous low riders are illegal to use in the streets for it underwent a lot of unsafe modifications.
Low Riders originated from Chicano or Mexican American culture in Los Angeles. It became a part of the southwestern American and Californian urban culture while it became popular. The sole aim of low riders is to run slowly. The enthusiasts have a motto Bajito y Suavecito meaning Low and Slow.
Generally, low riders became a common youth culture in the 1990s especially in the West Coast Hiphop groups. It is now a mixture of various cultures, visual styles and vehicle makes. Until now, this culture still remains a significant part of the Mexican American community.
One of the famous places to ride these vehicles is in the Whittier Boulevard located in the eastern portion of Los Angeles. Basically, all options now available for custom automobile creators are also available to low rider builders. The styles may vary according to country and region.
Summer is perhaps the most popular season to take these vehicles out for a drive. The weather is inviting. There are some clubs that organize weekly gatherings during this season where low rider owners and friends drink and party. They usually hold a strip or drag cruising after dark. They would usually rendezvous in parking lots for a local drag cruising. Some would go to watch private car shows exclusive for low riders. The car show features a wide variety of non vehicular and vehicular events.
Another popular event during car shows is the bikini or wet T shirt contests. The dance and hop hydraulic competition is also enjoyable to watch. The contestants here compete with each other to see who can complete the moves or hop the highest within a given time limit. Furthermore, there are magazines devoted in preserving, chronicling and presenting the famous low rider culture. An example of which is the Lowrider Magazine published by Primedia.
What is a Low Rider Bike?
A low rider bike is a customized bicycle with styles similar to the car counterparts. It typically has curved seats resembling a banana shape. The apehanger is adjustable accordingly with the height of the user. This is the bar handle where most of the important buttons are located, like the clutch and brakes.
The first customized low rider bike appeared in America in the 1960s. George Barris, also known as Custom King started this trend. Kids copied his work using common bicycles. This allowed the teens to have their custom vehicle also. It continues now to be very popular among bike enthusiasts with accessory parts that could rival the prices of car parts.
