Definition of Tribal
Here is one definition of tribal, from the American Heritage Dictionary (more specifically, a definition of tribe),
“A group of people sharing an occupation, interest, or habit: a tribe of graduate students. ”
That’s a pretty general description. But for our interest in a MOTORCYCLE TRIBAL
Tribal Tattoos
The use of tribal, as it relates to motorcycles, is affiliated with tribal tattoo designs.
Although some tribal designs may certainly have roots in historical and traditional imagery of native American Indians, Japanese and Chinese characters, arcane hieroglyphics, Celtic amulets, gothic skulls and more, other imagery described as “tribal designs” have become more an expression of the modern artist, and in that way would be more applicable to the first definition above.
In other words, although it seems the roots of tribal designs may have derived from ancient tribal art (in this case, tribal would refer to ancient ethnic cultures), that distinction has become blurred. Nowadays, tribal designs, whether in tattoos, or painted on motorcycles, biker helmets and/or motorbike accessories, have come to be patterns of lines and curves that represent a unique form of abstract art and may, or may not, include any ancient imagery.
Tribal Motorcycle Gear
Tribal designs in the motorcycle world can be found on helmets, t-shirts, motorbike parts, face masks, head gear, and of course on motorcycles themselves.
And the designs can be quite varied. Although any one person may, or may not, like the design on the tribal face mask above, the following examples are so varied that you are unlikely to like or dislike all of them.
