group rides
Been on them, cant say I care for them, most of the time to much drinking for me and drinkning and riding is not my thing. After all the riding is said and done, go bananas,, but mixing the two is not for me.
I was just on a ride with some dudes down here. they all had ducatis and BMW, it was really a BMW club here, a lot of sport touring rigs. A friend told me when and where they meet on sunday morning so I went to check it out. Bunch of super nice guys, but they went well over a 100 miles an hour everywhere they went. I was on my sporty. I am not a huge fan of doing 100 miles on a sporty for lenghty periiods of time, here in the dessert you can really open her up. I was doing about 85-90 just trying to stay in sight of the guys, finally I said what am I trying to prove to them. So I slowed sown and rode my ride, turns out one of the old timers in the group who was just learning how to ride, a doctor who just bought a BMW, was a freaked out by their speed and asked if he made ride with me. I told sure, the sporty is a great ride, but not doing 110-115 for miles on end. My bike is made for chilling and when I need it, it is there. Have not ride with those guys again, but had dinner at the Doctors house and met the daughter, recently divorced, no kids and also a doctor! Going to take a shot next week.
I was just on a ride with some dudes down here. they all had ducatis and BMW, it was really a BMW club here, a lot of sport touring rigs. A friend told me when and where they meet on sunday morning so I went to check it out. Bunch of super nice guys, but they went well over a 100 miles an hour everywhere they went. I was on my sporty. I am not a huge fan of doing 100 miles on a sporty for lenghty periiods of time, here in the dessert you can really open her up. I was doing about 85-90 just trying to stay in sight of the guys, finally I said what am I trying to prove to them. So I slowed sown and rode my ride, turns out one of the old timers in the group who was just learning how to ride, a doctor who just bought a BMW, was a freaked out by their speed and asked if he made ride with me. I told sure, the sporty is a great ride, but not doing 110-115 for miles on end. My bike is made for chilling and when I need it, it is there. Have not ride with those guys again, but had dinner at the Doctors house and met the daughter, recently divorced, no kids and also a doctor! Going to take a shot next week.
Road Master
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 958
Likes: 1
From: Birch Bay, WA
I rode in the 2011 Rolling Thunder. I guess that is the ultimate group ride but generally I don't. The main reason is I am not much of a joiner but I also think most riders think they are better than they are.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 3,341
Likes: 9
From: Woodinville, WA
Ain't that the truth! Always something new to learn - the day you think you've got it all figured out is a good day to stay home.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 2,023
Likes: 6
From: New Jersey
+1
If 1-3 buddies is a "group", then I'll all for it. I'd prefer to ride WITH someone than alone.
If 1-3 buddies is a "group", then I'll all for it. I'd prefer to ride WITH someone than alone.
If you don't ride in a group, you are missing part of the "motorcycle experience".
I have been riding for 40+ years, my dad has been riding for 60+ years and 3 of my sons also ride. One of the things my dad did was to instill "group discipline" when I started riding. A well planned group ride can be fun with a large group of riders. However, if it's not well planned, not well briefed, and not well executed, it's just an accident waiting to happen even if there are only 4 or 5 riders in the group. When I get around a the second type of group, when they pull out I usually go the opposite way.
I have been riding for 40+ years, my dad has been riding for 60+ years and 3 of my sons also ride. One of the things my dad did was to instill "group discipline" when I started riding. A well planned group ride can be fun with a large group of riders. However, if it's not well planned, not well briefed, and not well executed, it's just an accident waiting to happen even if there are only 4 or 5 riders in the group. When I get around a the second type of group, when they pull out I usually go the opposite way.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 3,873
Likes: 13
From: NW Arkansas
If you don't ride in a group, you are missing part of the "motorcycle experience".
I have been riding for 40+ years, my dad has been riding for 60+ years and 3 of my sons also ride. One of the things my dad did was to instill "group discipline" when I started riding. A well planned group ride can be fun with a large group of riders. However, if it's not well planned, not well briefed, and not well executed, it's just an accident waiting to happen even if there are only 4 or 5 riders in the group. When I get around a the second type of group, when they pull out I usually go the opposite way.
I have been riding for 40+ years, my dad has been riding for 60+ years and 3 of my sons also ride. One of the things my dad did was to instill "group discipline" when I started riding. A well planned group ride can be fun with a large group of riders. However, if it's not well planned, not well briefed, and not well executed, it's just an accident waiting to happen even if there are only 4 or 5 riders in the group. When I get around a the second type of group, when they pull out I usually go the opposite way.
From what I've seen here, there are a lot that haven't.
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
6 Weirdest Harley-Davidsons Ever Sold to the Public
Verdad Gallardo
7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window
Verdad Gallardo
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
I rode with a large group just once, about 300 bikes. It was a benefit ride for a LEO who was killed by a drunk driver while riding his bike, off duty. The ride itself was escorted and fun. The setup and destination parking was a mess and a little tight and scary. We all ended up parking in soft grass. Good thing I had my jiffy stand parking puck.