Comradery??
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Road Warrior
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,952
Likes: 15
From: Senoia, Ga., by way of Miami, Fl..
Comradery??
So, I was reading the ABATE problem thread and had a question..
How many of you joined the "Harley family" or even the "Biker" crowd in order to make friends and ride with large groups? I dont mean, to meet new people while riding, I enjoy that too. I mean specificly to meet new people and party, then ride secondary..
I started riding in '94 when my dad bought the bike I have now. I bought a '93 1200 and later a '95 Dyna Convertible cause it was more comfortible on longer trips. My reasoning was to get my fists in the wind and see parts of the state(and later the country) that I hadnt seen yet while riding with my old man.I've been involved with one of the largest bike rides in the world(S.Fla. Run in the Sun, Toys for Tots run) a couple of times with 30k bikes(I think thats correct, anyone thats done it can verify). This ride, for a great cause, turned me off to large rides. I dont like crowds. Dont get me wrong, I can ride in them and do so safely, but its the weekend warriors who only ride to functions, or the guys who are just there for the beer that bug me,they are not safe to ride withat all.. While I do like a party and the rally atmosphere, I'm not fond of the "spend 3-4 days with 100 people I, or my friends, dont know", its just not my idea of a good time. I would rather ride, alone or with my small group.. When I rode to Daytona, the few times I have, we stayed in Coco Beach or St. Augustine just so we could ride, something you cannot enjoy doing if you stay in Dayotona, unless you do a run outside of Daytona.. Kinda pointless to me, ride to Daytona so I can ride away from Daytona every day.. Daytona can be a fun experience, but I've had more fun therewithout the bike. Something about thousands of bikes in stop and go traffic, many of them drunk and beligerant.. Just curious, I'm not big on the crowd thing....... Even as a hunter, I dont care to hunt management areas for the same reasons..
How many of you joined the "Harley family" or even the "Biker" crowd in order to make friends and ride with large groups? I dont mean, to meet new people while riding, I enjoy that too. I mean specificly to meet new people and party, then ride secondary..
I started riding in '94 when my dad bought the bike I have now. I bought a '93 1200 and later a '95 Dyna Convertible cause it was more comfortible on longer trips. My reasoning was to get my fists in the wind and see parts of the state(and later the country) that I hadnt seen yet while riding with my old man.I've been involved with one of the largest bike rides in the world(S.Fla. Run in the Sun, Toys for Tots run) a couple of times with 30k bikes(I think thats correct, anyone thats done it can verify). This ride, for a great cause, turned me off to large rides. I dont like crowds. Dont get me wrong, I can ride in them and do so safely, but its the weekend warriors who only ride to functions, or the guys who are just there for the beer that bug me,they are not safe to ride withat all.. While I do like a party and the rally atmosphere, I'm not fond of the "spend 3-4 days with 100 people I, or my friends, dont know", its just not my idea of a good time. I would rather ride, alone or with my small group.. When I rode to Daytona, the few times I have, we stayed in Coco Beach or St. Augustine just so we could ride, something you cannot enjoy doing if you stay in Dayotona, unless you do a run outside of Daytona.. Kinda pointless to me, ride to Daytona so I can ride away from Daytona every day.. Daytona can be a fun experience, but I've had more fun therewithout the bike. Something about thousands of bikes in stop and go traffic, many of them drunk and beligerant.. Just curious, I'm not big on the crowd thing....... Even as a hunter, I dont care to hunt management areas for the same reasons..
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 12,653
Likes: 18
From: Broken Arrow, Oklahoma
RE: Comradery??
I've always ridden because I wanted to ride. Not to be part of any group, or to impress anyone. To me, the "freedom of riding" is just that. To go places I haven't been, and to experience those places in a way that you can only do on a bike. I have a more peaceful and enjoyable ride when I'm by myself.
But, I do occasionally like to meet others and will ride with them on occasion.
But, I do occasionally like to meet others and will ride with them on occasion.
Club Member
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 18,575
Likes: 4
From: Norfolk, VA
RE: Comradery??
You are addressing a very important issue with your post......years ago when I got into the H-D fold it was thru the influence of others. It was at that time a close knit group of H-D enthusiasts. Going on small bike runs, stopping by friends' houses and generally talking engines, frame mods, etc. The information was freely passed along and EVERYONE knew their bikes inside/out.
It's a different world now. So many differenttypes of people ride H-D's now that it is impossible to place "everyone" into the same category. The best thing to do is find your niche within this large group of Harley owners.
I've been on large fund-raisers and had the crap scared out of meby some pretty unskilled H-D riders. I'm now very selective with whom I ride.......Iknow my machine's limitations and my own....Don't want anyoneNEAR me who doesn't know theirs!
It's a different world now. So many differenttypes of people ride H-D's now that it is impossible to place "everyone" into the same category. The best thing to do is find your niche within this large group of Harley owners.
I've been on large fund-raisers and had the crap scared out of meby some pretty unskilled H-D riders. I'm now very selective with whom I ride.......Iknow my machine's limitations and my own....Don't want anyoneNEAR me who doesn't know theirs!
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 4,523
Likes: 1
From: South Florida
RE: Comradery??
I can testify to the size of the "Toys for Tots run" it is large easily over 100k motorcycles on that sunday, I rode in it once and it was definetly enough for me. What I do now I ride with two or three people and we just ride straight to the park where the ride ends, much better time.
as far as Daytona I could not agree with Greg more, I have had a ton more fun just leaving my bike parked and just walking around than trying to sit in traffic burning up. I am not into the big gatherings either I ride just to ride and forget about the everyday issues, just the road and me.
as far as Daytona I could not agree with Greg more, I have had a ton more fun just leaving my bike parked and just walking around than trying to sit in traffic burning up. I am not into the big gatherings either I ride just to ride and forget about the everyday issues, just the road and me.
Banned
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 2,532
Likes: 1
From: Southern California
RE: Comradery??
I learned to ride at age 8 and a bike has always been a part of my life. I had always wanted a Harley from the time I would see my Dad work on his friends bikes. I had always thought they were a "real" motorcycle. I had always rode a motorcycle, because growing up poor it was a more affordable form of transportation. Later it was because I was better at riding a bike than driving a car (now I know I could be a NASCAR champion if I had the backing
). The first time I rode in a group of any number was a toy run in my twenties. Can't say I liked it much. I will do group rides every now and then, but mostly I stick with just riding by myself or with my wife, or with my club.
). The first time I rode in a group of any number was a toy run in my twenties. Can't say I liked it much. I will do group rides every now and then, but mostly I stick with just riding by myself or with my wife, or with my club.
Advanced
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 87
Likes: 2
From: Indianapolis, IN
RE: Comradery??
I prefer to ride alone, that way I can go where I want and do what I please. The only times I have ridden with any kind of a group is a local bike night poker run that usually has 75-100 bikes. Even then, a group of us that know each other usually hang back and bring up the rear.......at a very safe distance.
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Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 11,317
Likes: 11
From: Tucson, Az
RE: Comradery??
I do one charity ride a year and that is the "Ride for Kids". The only other time I ride in a group is PGR missions and those rides are extremely slow.
I've owned many different brands of bikes over the years and enjoyed them all. This might sound like sacrilege to alot of people but perhaps the biggest reason I own a Harley is because when I was a kid that's what my dad rode. I don't have Harley oil running thru my veins.
I've owned many different brands of bikes over the years and enjoyed them all. This might sound like sacrilege to alot of people but perhaps the biggest reason I own a Harley is because when I was a kid that's what my dad rode. I don't have Harley oil running thru my veins.
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Thread Starter
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Road Warrior
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,952
Likes: 15
From: Senoia, Ga., by way of Miami, Fl..
RE: Comradery??
Sounds like we're on the same page so far. I just wanted to add that I dont think one way is any more right than the other, its personal preference and each of us are drawn into it for one reason or another. I just try to sepparate my drinking, party binges from my riding. I dont associate the two in my mind and was curious if I was in the minority..Thanks for the replies, all thoughts are welcome..
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 2,300
Likes: 0
From: Central Virginia
RE: Comradery??
I ride in order to relax andclear my head. Riding in large groups or with people you don't know is stressful to me. Riders in large groups seem to be taken over by some group mentality that compels them to try to stay together even if it means doing stupid things in traffic to achieve it. No thanks.