Front guy on a ride
Club Member
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 22,864
Likes: 17,922
From: Lafayette, Louisiana
Only dumb if I don't explain myself and apparently I do, and I really don't give a rats *** what anybody thinks. For MANY, a Sportster is a stepping stone bike. For MANY it is not but I am going by the people that I have mostly encountered. Fact is, MANY people on a Sportster do not have the experience as say someone that has either graduated to a bigger bike or can even handle a bigger bike for that matter. They are plenty of fun to ride and I realize the bikes potential. Many rides I am on I often wish I had one again, at least for a brief time.
The point I hoped I would not have to justify so as not to get some Sportster peoples panties bunched up was that I have ridden with many that simply could not keep up, mostly when a slight curve in the road presented itself as an Evel Knievel daredevil stunt.
But alas, when I ride alone....
The point I hoped I would not have to justify so as not to get some Sportster peoples panties bunched up was that I have ridden with many that simply could not keep up, mostly when a slight curve in the road presented itself as an Evel Knievel daredevil stunt.
But alas, when I ride alone....
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 3,515
Likes: 887
From: Upstate New York
I agree about your comment about checking your mirrors every thirty seconds, OP.
Should be be more like every ten to fifteen seconds.
It's the job of the lead to manage the group. That means many things. Including finding out the weak link.
OP, I feel yer pain, truly. The vast majority of riders these days don't understand how to ride in groups. So I'm with the guys who say don't ride in groups. I know only three other riders who understand the concept.
Should be be more like every ten to fifteen seconds.
It's the job of the lead to manage the group. That means many things. Including finding out the weak link.
OP, I feel yer pain, truly. The vast majority of riders these days don't understand how to ride in groups. So I'm with the guys who say don't ride in groups. I know only three other riders who understand the concept.
Yep when you ride with people who can ride, you can just ride.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 5,064
Likes: 4,696
From: Fix'n 2 N, TX
When my buddy and I go on trips. Colorado/Utah/Tenn/Ark, I have to always lead, he never wants to. It gets frustrating because I'm always looking back to make sure he hasn't drifted too far back. We always have a good time and he's pretty good in the twisties, But I tell him the speed we going in places and put it on cruise on the straights, and its his job to try and maintain it.
I have to cut him some slack though, he's only got one eye ! That deer's gonna hurt one day.
I have to cut him some slack though, he's only got one eye ! That deer's gonna hurt one day.
Thread Starter
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Tourer
Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 412
Likes: 108
From: Shitsville
This turned into riding with a group which sounds a lot like going on run with strangers or a large group. It was me and 2 good friends that know how to ride. So TWO bikes cant keep up with the front man on wide open highway going 60 without looking in the mirror every 30 seconds? We were getting passed left and right by cars. It was a sad ride.
As far as the other comments, I have no issues riding alone and no I wasnt hot rodding away from "the group" It was just a ride with a couple of good friends that turned into a bit of a **** show. I'm sure we'll ride again I just wont take the lead.
As far as the other comments, I have no issues riding alone and no I wasnt hot rodding away from "the group" It was just a ride with a couple of good friends that turned into a bit of a **** show. I'm sure we'll ride again I just wont take the lead.
Last edited by Jonny Rotten; Aug 27, 2018 at 10:03 AM.
Tourer
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 494
Likes: 60
From: Colorado Rockies
Are we talking about your regular group or a random group ride?
My regular group is 5 guys at most and we have a definite set of rules. In heavy traffic we might be within a couple feet of each other moving together like fighter planes in formation! But we know each other well, we have predefined actions, and more often than not we have the Senas fired up and in communication. We feel that a tighter pack moving in unison is much safer in traffic. In light traffic we may be spread out over a mile just enjoying the sights and sounds. If we bring in a new guy we brief him or her on how we ride. But, because of the trust issue it usually is a bit looser for a while until we get them acclimated.
In a random group all bets are off. I work to get the spacing right and pay attention. These things suck and it is more about getting everyone there alive than enjoying the ride!
Either way group rides can be a blast or pure hell!
My regular group is 5 guys at most and we have a definite set of rules. In heavy traffic we might be within a couple feet of each other moving together like fighter planes in formation! But we know each other well, we have predefined actions, and more often than not we have the Senas fired up and in communication. We feel that a tighter pack moving in unison is much safer in traffic. In light traffic we may be spread out over a mile just enjoying the sights and sounds. If we bring in a new guy we brief him or her on how we ride. But, because of the trust issue it usually is a bit looser for a while until we get them acclimated.
In a random group all bets are off. I work to get the spacing right and pay attention. These things suck and it is more about getting everyone there alive than enjoying the ride!
Either way group rides can be a blast or pure hell!
Road Warrior
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 1,537
Likes: 727
From: Michigan
I guess I'm the road captain and my wife's the sweeper. We ride together and stop whenever we please. I've got friends but their bikes are garage queens to the tune of 200 miles a year or less. I always hated riding with somebody's buddy from the shop because many times he turned out to be racer boy who needed to impress.
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Road Master
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 787
Likes: 603
From: Alberta
This turned into riding with a group which sounds a lot like going on run with strangers or a large group. It was me and 2 good friends that know how to ride. So TWO bikes cant keep up with the front man on wide open highway going 60 without looking in the mirror every 30 seconds? We were getting passed left and right by cars. It was a sad ride.
As far as the other comments, I have no issues riding alone and no I wasnt hot rodding away from "the group" It was just a ride with a couple of good friends that turned into a bit of a **** show. I'm sure we'll ride again I just wont take the lead.
As far as the other comments, I have no issues riding alone and no I wasnt hot rodding away from "the group" It was just a ride with a couple of good friends that turned into a bit of a **** show. I'm sure we'll ride again I just wont take the lead.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 7,707
Likes: 13,989
From: Northern New Jersey
I have issues with my riding buddies.
Whats proper riding distance between the front rider and second rider?
I was riding in front today on a 6 exit highway ride and then on the way back some straight run 50 MPH secondary roads. I was in the front with no car issues I was a good 2000 feet ahead of them doing a whopping 60 MPH before I looked in my mirror. When we pulled over I asked sarcastically if they lost forth gear. My buddy said I should have looked in my mirrors. In my book if your the lead guy on a straight run with no lights I shouldnt have to look in my mirrors to see if my buddy is behind me at a normal distance. Riding lead and looking in the rear view mirror every 30 seconds is a crappy way to ride. Its also a crappy ride to look in the mirror only to find out I'm alone in the front by 100's of feet at any given time
Let my know if I'm off bass in my aggravation...kinda killed my day
Whats proper riding distance between the front rider and second rider?
I was riding in front today on a 6 exit highway ride and then on the way back some straight run 50 MPH secondary roads. I was in the front with no car issues I was a good 2000 feet ahead of them doing a whopping 60 MPH before I looked in my mirror. When we pulled over I asked sarcastically if they lost forth gear. My buddy said I should have looked in my mirrors. In my book if your the lead guy on a straight run with no lights I shouldnt have to look in my mirrors to see if my buddy is behind me at a normal distance. Riding lead and looking in the rear view mirror every 30 seconds is a crappy way to ride. Its also a crappy ride to look in the mirror only to find out I'm alone in the front by 100's of feet at any given time
Let my know if I'm off bass in my aggravation...kinda killed my day
This is why I prefer riding alone or with no more than one or two others.