Born to Be . . . Sensitive and a Little Misunderstood

Bikers are wimps.

At least, that’s the gist of a new national survey of motorcycle riders that claims male bikers are five times as likely to cry during movies--especially “The Lion King”--as men who don’t ride.

They also enjoy poetry more, and some wish they could be Oprah Winfrey.

“Men motorcyclists are not who you may think,” said a spokesman for Progressive Insurance, which sponsored the survey. Their average is about 40, and they tend to be in mid- to upper-income levels.

Other findings from the survey of 1,100 men:

* Male bikers reported giving flowers more often than non-cyclists.

* The most popular movie titles named by hog riders were “Shakespeare in Love,” “It’s a Wonderful Life,” “Jerry Maguire,” “Prince of Tides” and “Titanic.” “Easy Rider” ranked 21st.

* Motorcyclists are four times as likely to have wept during an episode of “Andy Griffith” as their non-motorcyclist counterparts.

* 69% of motorcyclists said they regularly use the Internet.

* 62% of motorcyclists said they are moved by poetry, versus 23% of non-bikers.

* When asked which celebrity they most want to be like, the No. 1 choice of male motorcyclists was Paul Newman. Nos. 6 and 7 were Oprah and Judge Judy. Among non-bikers, top role models were Bill Gates and Michael Jordan. Tied for fifth place: Bill Clinton and Jean-Claude Van Damme.