Hardcore riders-unknown %
Tourer
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 473
Likes: 8
From: Chelsea, AL
RE: Hardcore riders-unknown %
The only thing hardcore about me is my love of motorcycles. My last bike, the Shadow ACE-T had over 42k miles on it from 4 years of riding. My wife and I made several long trips on it, but it wasn't just right. I bought my Ultra last year and now it's finally just right. I plan my vacations so we can make them on the bike. We love to ride and use any excuse we can think of to ride.
It doesn't and shouldn't matter what you ride, as long as your happy and enjoying what you do. I've stopped to help many bikers that were broken down, and even broke down myself after helping one guy out. He had already left with another guy who was going to put him up for the night and get parts the next day. I went to start my bike and my battery was too weak to start. I got passed by about 60 cagers and even a deputy with not one offer or inquiry until a local stopped. He gave me a jump and off I go. I'll stop for any biker whether I'm ridin' or cagin'. It's more than frustrating when your broke down and people just pass you by like your not there.[:@]
It's the love of the ride and what your riding that matters!
It doesn't and shouldn't matter what you ride, as long as your happy and enjoying what you do. I've stopped to help many bikers that were broken down, and even broke down myself after helping one guy out. He had already left with another guy who was going to put him up for the night and get parts the next day. I went to start my bike and my battery was too weak to start. I got passed by about 60 cagers and even a deputy with not one offer or inquiry until a local stopped. He gave me a jump and off I go. I'll stop for any biker whether I'm ridin' or cagin'. It's more than frustrating when your broke down and people just pass you by like your not there.[:@]
It's the love of the ride and what your riding that matters!
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 4,204
Likes: 1,191
From: Anywhere we stop
RE: Hardcore riders-unknown %
I'm with Grover. I started riding on the street at 15, that was 33 years ago. I have owned almost every kind and brand of bike out there. I had some beauties and some pigs, but I have always done my best to be in the wind. I will stop for anyone broke down on 2 wheels and I will ride as long as I am capable. There were some years, 4 I think, that all I owned was a bike, so I rode no matter what. I average 24K-35K per year on my rides, have for years.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 3,475
Likes: 3
From: Southeast Wisconsin
RE: Hardcore riders-unknown %
Being 'hardcore' is really a matter of perspective IMHO. Take my brother compared to me as an example:
Me: I have only been able to afford a motorcycle for about 5 years now, I do all of my own work 'cept for warranty stuff, I plan all of my vacation days around riding, I own clothes that are practical for riding--regardless of what the label says, and I have an '06 Street Glide with 5200 miles on it.
My brother: Has been riding for 35 years, is a mechanic and has worked at a couple metric dealerships so he does his own work also, has never even spent a single night away from home on a bike let alone planned a vacation, has every piece of Harley clothing you can imagine, and has a 2001 Road King with 5000 miles on it.
So am I more 'hardcore' than my brother because I ride more and plan my vacations around riding, or am I considered a RUB for being fairly new to this? Is my brother the hardcore rider because of all his years of riding and wrenching, or is he the RUB because he's only averaging 1000 miles per year? All I know is that I will soon load the bike down with plenty of clothes, maps, a quart of oil, some tools, a couple spark plugs, tent, and sleeping bag and head off into the wild yonder. I'll stop to lend a hand to any other biker that needs it and hope that I will get the same in return. I'll pull my oil when a change is due at some motel where I have permission and I'll check my plugs, belt tension, nuts and bolts, etc. when needed. To my friends and family that don't ride the tales of my trip are gonna make me seem pretty hardcore. As far as everybody else is concerned, it doesn't really matter what they think...I'm having too much fun!
Me: I have only been able to afford a motorcycle for about 5 years now, I do all of my own work 'cept for warranty stuff, I plan all of my vacation days around riding, I own clothes that are practical for riding--regardless of what the label says, and I have an '06 Street Glide with 5200 miles on it.
My brother: Has been riding for 35 years, is a mechanic and has worked at a couple metric dealerships so he does his own work also, has never even spent a single night away from home on a bike let alone planned a vacation, has every piece of Harley clothing you can imagine, and has a 2001 Road King with 5000 miles on it.
So am I more 'hardcore' than my brother because I ride more and plan my vacations around riding, or am I considered a RUB for being fairly new to this? Is my brother the hardcore rider because of all his years of riding and wrenching, or is he the RUB because he's only averaging 1000 miles per year? All I know is that I will soon load the bike down with plenty of clothes, maps, a quart of oil, some tools, a couple spark plugs, tent, and sleeping bag and head off into the wild yonder. I'll stop to lend a hand to any other biker that needs it and hope that I will get the same in return. I'll pull my oil when a change is due at some motel where I have permission and I'll check my plugs, belt tension, nuts and bolts, etc. when needed. To my friends and family that don't ride the tales of my trip are gonna make me seem pretty hardcore. As far as everybody else is concerned, it doesn't really matter what they think...I'm having too much fun!
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 3,711
Likes: 3,438
From: SW WA.
RE: Hardcore riders-unknown %
I dunno you tell me 
30 + riding on the road,20+ on Harleys.
Ride to work as much as possible although not as much in foul weather as I used to.
Was a rain or shine daily guy for many years but the bod don't take it so well any more.
I still manage about 20K a year and take a week or two road trip at least once a year by bike.
Never been a joiner so a 1% club or HOG chapter never been in the cards but I've hung out with members of both.
Got my first motorized two wheeler 40 years ago this year,a Bonanza mini and been on two wheels ever since.
Y2K [8D]
30 + riding on the road,20+ on Harleys.
Ride to work as much as possible although not as much in foul weather as I used to.
Was a rain or shine daily guy for many years but the bod don't take it so well any more.
I still manage about 20K a year and take a week or two road trip at least once a year by bike.
Never been a joiner so a 1% club or HOG chapter never been in the cards but I've hung out with members of both.
Got my first motorized two wheeler 40 years ago this year,a Bonanza mini and been on two wheels ever since.
Y2K [8D]
Road Master
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 1,081
Likes: 0
From: Central FL
RE: Hardcore riders-unknown %
Hardcore? Not really. I ride when I can. I can't ride to work because I have to pick up my kids after and for some reason the wife thinks having a 3 year old and 4 month old on a Harley is a bit crazy. I usually get to ride a few hours a weekend when it is nice enough to ride. I took a few vacation days last year to go out and get lost. Usually 200 to 300 miles in a day. I have only had the bike a year, but I am going to be doing my own maintainance starting this year. Not because I am the "if you can't work on it, you shouldn't ride it" type, but because $400 per service (10K at least) at the dealer is a rip off. The only Harley item that I own is my bike and a couple of tee shirts that friends bought me on their travels. I bought my bike used and I haven't added any mods to it yet. I really don't need any mods. The previous owner decked it out pretty nicely. I ride to ride and not to look "the part".
I guess I am a classic RUB, but that is ok with me. I'm not sorry that I waited until I could afford the bike that I wanted. I wish I could ride more, but right now I have to pick and choose my rides.
I guess I am a classic RUB, but that is ok with me. I'm not sorry that I waited until I could afford the bike that I wanted. I wish I could ride more, but right now I have to pick and choose my rides.
Road Master
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 1,034
Likes: 3
From:
RE: Hardcore riders-unknown %
As long as somebody likes bikes... that's really all that matters. Doesn't matter what they ride, how often they ride or even if they ride at all. If they like bikes, I can have fun shooting the bull with them.
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RE: Hardcore riders-unknown %
I guess I am a classic RUB, but that is ok with me. I'm not sorry that I waited until I could afford the bike that I wanted. I wish I could ride more, but right now I have to pick and choose my rides.
?
Road Master
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 1,081
Likes: 0
From: Central FL
RE: Hardcore riders-unknown %
Slowly, but surely! The wife (who absolutely HATES bikes) even mentioned to me that if I wanted to go Sturgis that it would be ok with her. That would be a 1600 mile trip one way for me according to Mapquest. I live in Atlanta. I may try Myrtle Beach next year.
PROUD TO BE A RUB!!!!!
PROUD TO BE A RUB!!!!!