What's your preference?
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,898
From: Bedford UK
The vast majority of my accumulated mileage has been commuting, which is solo. Much of my leisure riding is the same, although often with friends or in later years my wife, who now has her own bike. I have done tours with a group, although usually riding solo or with just a few of them, but I have never, nor will ever, ride in the large convoys that some organisations seem so keen to use.
We have a discussion going on here in the UK at the moment about motorcycle casualties. The popular misconception is that bike accidents are caused by other motorists, when statistics indicate that one of the worst scenarios is riders travelling in large groups and bringing about their own downfall. So I feel a bit smug!
We have a discussion going on here in the UK at the moment about motorcycle casualties. The popular misconception is that bike accidents are caused by other motorists, when statistics indicate that one of the worst scenarios is riders travelling in large groups and bringing about their own downfall. So I feel a bit smug!
Mostly alone. Some of my riding buddies of the past like to stop for a drink here and there and I don't drink often so its not a fun way to ride. I haven'y ridden with anyone since I got my Hog last May. Well, not intentionally. I have fallen into a group that I did not know a time or two just for short stretches but the reasons people mentioned before me (safety, a-holes, crowds) are why I mainly ride solo. I have a good buddy that is just like me....he doesn't drink and just likes to ride. He just got a new (to him) Hog and we are going to do a few rides together this year.
Road Master
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 946
Likes: 29
From: my house
One of my peeves with group riding is that even when you have a specific destination and route planned out, there is always the ones who wanna do these little side stops, and it's always the wives/girlfriends. "OMG there's this awesome little fruit stand that I wanna stop by and get some lemons" and "I know this cute little artsy fartsy gift shop where they sell ugly beaded jewelry and overpriced chinese made dream catchers."
Another one is that it only takes 5 minutes to fill up with gas and take a leak when you're by yourself, but when you have a group you're looking at half hour pit stops now or longer.
There are times I jump on the bike and have a specific place where I'm going to and there are times I just jump on the bike and go and decide where I'm headed as I'm riding. The group from church I ride with a few times a year is 6-8 bikes of like minded people thankfully. We fill up first thing and just go. We stop for fill ups and lunch and don't spend a ton of time farting around doing things other than riding.
Another one is that it only takes 5 minutes to fill up with gas and take a leak when you're by yourself, but when you have a group you're looking at half hour pit stops now or longer.
There are times I jump on the bike and have a specific place where I'm going to and there are times I just jump on the bike and go and decide where I'm headed as I'm riding. The group from church I ride with a few times a year is 6-8 bikes of like minded people thankfully. We fill up first thing and just go. We stop for fill ups and lunch and don't spend a ton of time farting around doing things other than riding.
I very rarely go out and ride for the sake of riding. I sort of envy those who talk about "two wheel therapy" and the like. That's not me.
If I have somewhere to go, I'd rather ride to get there.
If I don't have somewhere to go, I've got other things to do than go out for a ride.
The only real exception I suppose is taking the kids/grandkids out for a ride. They always get a kick out of that.
PS: There was a time about 15 years ago where I had a small group (maybe five guys) who would meet for breakfast on Sunday morning then head out for a few hours. I always enjoyed the fellowship at breakfast, but found myself thinking "this is a total waste of time" during the riding part.
Last edited by 0maha; Apr 3, 2015 at 10:05 AM.
Advanced
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 78
Likes: 1
From: Rockingham NC
When I started riding years ago I enjoyed riding within a small group, 4 to 5 at most. I enjoy riding by myself more now that I've gotten older. I have a few friends I'll ride with on day trips, picking a destination, eating somewhere, etc... The majority of my rides are solo and I like it that way.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 2,504
Likes: 150
From: ct
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Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 3,125
Likes: 1,749
From: In The Woods, PA
I ride with small groups of close friends or and my dad. I don't ride too often with people I don't know, and if someone starts to act like a jack ***, they are quick to hear about it
Club Member
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 69,901
Likes: 18,589
From: South Florida
The vast majority of my accumulated mileage has been commuting, which is solo. Much of my leisure riding is the same, although often with friends or in later years my wife, who now has her own bike. I have done tours with a group, although usually riding solo or with just a few of them, but I have never, nor will ever, ride in the large convoys that some organisations seem so keen to use.
We have a discussion going on here in the UK at the moment about motorcycle casualties. The popular misconception is that bike accidents are caused by other motorists, when statistics indicate that one of the worst scenarios is riders travelling in large groups and bringing about their own downfall. So I feel a bit smug!
We have a discussion going on here in the UK at the moment about motorcycle casualties. The popular misconception is that bike accidents are caused by other motorists, when statistics indicate that one of the worst scenarios is riders travelling in large groups and bringing about their own downfall. So I feel a bit smug!
Except when in larger groups with a police escort.
As far as the other stats r concerned, YES, many accidents are in deed 1 vehicle accidents. When u look at 2 vehicle accidents then the stats are clear WHO is at fault and WHAT the scenario is.
All interesting stuff and good to know.
I would really like to see stats with 2 riders on 1 bike. Those numbers must be dismal.
BuzzCap7