Just curious, would you rather ride alone, with 1 or 2 other riders, or a large group if you had your choice? My choice: alone or with 1 or 2 riders that I enjoy riding with-not comfortable with waco group riding. :banagui

Just curious, would you rather ride alone, with 1 or 2 other riders, or a large group if you had your choice? :tour

Favorite is two...followed very closely by alone...and I think I'd rather stick needles in my eyes than ride in large groups...

I'm a lone rider!!! :D

Don't do groups often!!!

I find that most of my friends are a pita to ride with. They don't realize that its safer to stagger rather than ride side by side on regular sized roads (2 sometimes 3 bikes)...then they keep motioning me to ride along side them, and when we stop I tell them why I prefer to ride staggered. They say I'm a bitch so now I'd rather ride alone than put up with that shit. I've since met a couple of new people to ride with so hopefully they'll be better.

I find that most of my friends are a pita to ride with. They don't realize that its safer to stagger rather than ride side by side on regular sized roads (2 sometimes 3 bikes)...then they keep motioning me to ride along side them, and when we stop I tell them why I prefer to ride staggered. They say I'm a bitch so now I'd rather ride alone than put up with that shit. I've since met a couple of new people to ride with so hopefully they'll be better.

I found that to be an issue with a friend of mine...

He was cool, though...when I mentioned it, I never had to worry again...he understood perfectly...

So now, when we ride on county roads, he stays behind me (BT, go figure...:) ), and in town, we ride side by side.....so it works...

BUT, there are PLENTY of people I simply won't ride with....

I have 3500 miles on my bike now. Bought it in March. Up until last weekend when I did a trip with my brother in law I had 3000. Out of those 3000, About 2700 of them were alone. I don't mind riding with one or two other people as long as they are safe. But the alone factor is so much more relaxing. Never need to ask anyone where do you want to go next. Its just point and shoot. Do your own thing, go where ever you want. If I feel like chatting I'll stop at a friends, but most of the time I just putt along by myself and take in the smells of the air and the scenery. Its the best stress reliever I've found. :banarock

I like to ride alone a lot, it clears my head and gives me the freedom to do as I like; Ride fast, ride slow, park it and chill, whatever, etc...

Otherwise I like to ride in small groups with people I know, because I know their riding styles and habits. It eliminates many unpleasant surprises.


Bart

well, Me being an Anit-Social @$$hole and all, I ride alone mostly. But my cousin just bought an '05 1200C not too long ago. We've ridden together maybe twice. We're just too busy lately. I haven't touched my bike in 2 weeks. I'm going to make an effort this weekend, and we'll ride together. Hell, we live just 4 streets from one another. I've ridden in a group of maybe 8 bikes, only once. Wasn't bad, but a very mixed group (4 HD's, 2 goldwings, a Suzuki sport bike, and something else...) . Also rode in a smaller group of 4, which was better, but I think 2 is a good number.

I really don't have any friends, to tell the truth, and I thought that riding a bike would change that, but no, it doesn't. I still ride alone most of the time.

Most of my riding is alone and I seem to enjoy that. Don't have to worry about when, where, how long we are going to be somewhere. I have ridden w/ a few guys here on the forum and have enjoyed that, safe riding group. Never ridden w/ local HOG chapter, just seems to be too big of a group.

I find that most of my friends are a pita to ride with. They don't realize that its safer to stagger rather than ride side by side on regular sized roads (2 sometimes 3 bikes)...then they keep motioning me to ride along side them, and when we stop I tell them why I prefer to ride staggered. They say I'm a bitch so now I'd rather ride alone than put up with that shit. I've since met a couple of new people to ride with so hopefully they'll be better.
I have a couple friends that think they have to ride two abreast all the time. I rarely ride with them. Riding with my brother in law is almost as enjoyable as riding alone. I never have to worry where he is. Coming into a big sweeper I'll always check my mirrors and he always backs off. The only time we ride two abreast might be through small villages putting along at 30mph. Any other time at speed, his front wheel never comes even with my rear wheel. He is always a couple bike lenths back or further. We've never sat and talked about this at all. It seems to just come natural. I always take point and ride the shoulder while he rides the inside lane. If the shoulder turns to crap there is always a spot to move into. Its hard to find a good riding partner that you can trust.

Its hard to find a good riding partner that you can trust.

Bingo! :banana

Fortunately I have at least a dozen regulars that I can count on including a fellow XL forum member. ;)


Bart

I dont like to ride with more than 2 others. I have one buddy that likes to ride WOT every where he goes and I cant keep up with him so I dont even try. Some times he gets pissed cause I am "holding him up" I just tell him to go I know my way home.
But I also like to ride alone for the above reason

For the most part I tend to drag a bit and slow a group down as I need to stop every mile or two to take pictures. :D

I didn't know how to vote. Sometimes I like riding alone, sometimes with one other person, sometimes in a group. In any case, I want it to be MY choice.

Kenny yer killin' me with the Banana Splits avatar! I haven't even thought about that show in years! :laugh :roflblack :D

Sorry about the disruption, now back to your regularly scheduled programming ;)


Bart

I like to ride alone also. I will ride with others but usually it's only with one and two has been the most so far unless it's a bike run. Most guys i ride with i also work with, with the exception of two people my father and one of my friends and one of my co-workers is also an xl team member :). when i ride with anyone else i usually like to ride in the back this way i just follow the pace, i don't have to worry about setting the pace and wondering if i'm going to fast or anything else.

Alone 99.9% of the time. Go where I want, when I want, as fast (or slow) as I want and I don't have to worry about anyone else. Occasionally I may ride with a buddy, but basically it's me and the Sporty and a back road....

I usually like riding alone, probably because it's been so hard finding someone with a similar riding style to my own. I have found a couple of people on this forum, (Go figure!), that I do enjoy riding with. Maybe it's because they're just flexible and
easy-going, but I never feel rushed, or held back, or guilty for breaking down,or leading us blindly into an unplanned stream crossing. I look forward to cooler temps and more rides with you guys. (Stan & Chris)

Alone or with a couple of others..............

I'm more of a twisty rider, and a group ride is maybe 5 people........... However, it never look like group rides on the twisties, because we have a rule of go your own pace. So we tend to spread out into being alone or pairs, then regroup every once in awhile....

I think the ideal situation is trying to stay with someone that normally rides a bit faster than you do, you're skills improve when doing that.

Ed

I guess I prefer to ride alone, for all the reasons already mentioned. That's not to say I don't go on group rides though. I went on a rather large one earlier this year, there was an estimated 400 to 500 bikes in a Rally for the Troops ride. That was the fastest moving large group I've ever been with, I swear we were doing 70, which is kinda hairy with that many bikes!

I'm a lone wolf. Of the 7000 miles I've ridden, more than 6000 of them have be solo. One or two other riders is ok, but more than that can be a pita.

:yikes
400-500 bikes at 70mph? I'd be finding a way to get to the back of that pack REAL quick ;)

I like riding with a buddy or two, staggered. I do have one friend though I HATE riding with, because he goes up to 55, then down to 45, then back up, and down, etc... so I keep having to shift and it pisses me off. Plus, he won't do the speed limit. The speed limit can be 55 and he'll do 45-50, then on the freeway he'll do 80. Pisses me off. And when I lead, he gets SO FAR behind that he won't make any light I do because he's THAT far behind.

Alone or with one or two others seems about right for me.
A couple of weeks ago 3 of us were riding and caught up to a HOG group. About 50 BT's, and they asked us to join them.
It lasted about 10 minutes. Really slow. They were doing about 35 on the highway :yikes

:yikes
400-500 bikes at 70mph? I'd be finding a way to get to the back of that pack REAL quick ;)

Try 3,000 for a Rally... THAT was insane.

:yikes :yikes :yikes

(1 for each 1000 ;))

I ride aloan, with a small group or with my HOG club. :banana :banarock

I'll even do the waco runs from time to time, so I have enough ride pins to impress the 1%'s with. (Like they really care!) :roflblack

I have come to like riding with 1 or 2 at the most,which of whom are usually two relatives of mine that live close to me. They are cool about it,and ride staggared 90% of the time,unless on a really wide road,or in certain towns. Groups? NOO WAAYY,lol. We were ridin' on our way to a "party" at a HD dealer one day,and without trying,caught up to a group and hooked on to them.....my first half-cocked group ride,didn't enjoy it at all.

(BTW,these two relatives both have Road Kings,so going on backroads is a dream for me....keep up if ya can. :smoke )

I ride alone almost all of the time, ok pretty much all of the time. I like riding alone, I like going where I want to and stopping when I want to. Ok I don't have any friends :doh . There is a new feller I work with that rides a Triumph. I have rode with him twice now, and I can't believe how much we ride alike. I have never rode with somebody that thinks like I do, we both do the same things in the same situations.

I have rode in big groups, like for a charity event. It is kinka fun to be in the midst of all the bikes, but definately not as safe, altho traffic has a hard time missing you.

I think I'd rather stick needles in my eyes than ride in large groups...
Gotta agree with that :roflblack

I prefer alone. No schedules. No obligations. Piss stops when I feel like it...

But every now n then a ride with 2 or 3 others is kinda fun :tour

My only riding partner is my wife. We look out for each other. Mainly ride staggered but are comfortable enoigh to ride side-by-side together.

We also ride with another couple occasionally, him on his E-Glide and she on her trike.

I have no problem with groups but like to stay near the back or ride blocker.

anything BUT a HOG run.....

I mostly ride by myself..spmetimes I ride with a few people, sometimes I ride with a pack of 1%ers and sometimes I do charity runs...

I'll do whatever tha !!!! I feel like....:D

Depends. Almost always alone. Two good friends whom I totally trust and they're fun to share a road with. Not much of a group rider, but I did enjoy the hell out of our May Lake Erie Forum ride and would ride with that group again...

Can't do a HOG ride or large group grope. So many rules of engagement and other folks controlling my day that it robs the joy of time on the bike. I'm a control freak when it comes to the little spare time I have and find it difficult to relinquish that control to someone I don't know and trust...

What is wrong with HOG rides?

What is wrong with HOG rides?
("So many rules of engagement and other folks controlling my day that it robs the joy of time on the bike. I'm a control freak when it comes to the little spare time I have and find it difficult to relinquish that control to someone I don't know and trust...")
Nothing "wrong" with 'em. Just not for me...

What is wrong with HOG rides?

From my personal experience most of them only take their bikes out when its sunny or on a weekend and seem to have trouble riding safely on their own let alone in a group.

I ride alone but once in a while I do a charity run (usually christmas and easter)

I ride an hour a day on my own during the week - it's my time/space and valued highly, at weekend Doth ( the wife ) is a grand pillion and its our time together before hitting the pub, but the occasional ride out with friends (http://es-scripts.lancs.ac.uk/wrecking-crew/Silverdale2004RideOut/) is a hoot - in small villages round here it's like the circus arriving.

I ride by myself , forum members , and
So. Cal Cruisers , the only rides I dont do
are the large charity type with all the posers

I generally ride alone (but often 2up). My preference is alone and 1up. I don't like riding in groups, can't trust everyone to know where they should be and riding 2 abreast might look good for presidential convoys but ain't common sense at any sort of speed.

Used to have a couple of mates in NZ and we would often ride together but we knew each other well and always gave each other distance and stayed in line of sight, never in a close group.

I think motorcyclists generally don't run in herds, I think it is in our nature to be individuals.

Just my thoughts.

Cheers,

Brett

I ride alone yeahhhhhh with nobody else

Generally ride alone but I've got one or two friends that I've been riding with for over 15 years now and we know how to keep out of each other's way. It's nice knowing there's someone to "help out" if there's a problem. SO. mostly alone and sometimes with a good friend or two.

The bulk my riding is 120Kms a day to and from work so I mostly ride alone. On Sundays I (when I can pending wife approval) like to ride with two or three friends and everything is great. No pressure, ahead riders are always looking in the mirrors to se if one of us pulls over for anything then we all join up. Stop every hour for a break. Great bunch to ride with.

As for the local HOG chapter; I wouldn't even consider it for a split second which is based on how I'm greeted on the road and seeing them in the dealership. I wave and nothing in return and If I don't wave first, rarely would they. Who the hell would want to associate with that? Not me. Ok, I feel better that I got that off my chest...bunch of BT snobs.

Since I work weekends, that dictates that I ride alone. I do have one real good friend and we ride together about once a month since he lives 240 miles away from me. We meet half way and either ride to my house or his.

Riding with 3 others is my favorite. When there are four its small enough that decisions on where to go are easy and large enough to be seen for safety. I don't bar hop so riding with the RUBS is not for me.

I have three or four good friends who I ride with frequently but rarely all together at once. My main riding buddy and I have been riding together for almost 2 years now and we're in synch. He's a bit pissed though that I have a rubbermount with the 4.5 tank. I tend to go tank to tank on stops and he's on a BT and likes to stop about every 65 miles or so. Although on the ride to KC this summer he did well and didn't bitch ... much. Speaking of that, 3 of us left my house and met up with 3 more in ST Louis on that ride. Forum members pquirk, vicks44 and brentzero. We had a blast and literally blasted through ST Louis and on to KC. Everyone was seasoned that I could tell and we held a good staggered pack with no mishaps for hundreds of ass kicking miles in the heat of June.

My brother and I bought our 1200's a week apart, these are both of our first bikes. So we (along with our wives) ride together often. I do like the larger group sometimes(6-10 bikes), take off on a 40-60 mile ride, dominate a buffet and then ride back.

very nearly always alone, did one group ride a couple months ago. Some got lost, some took off like it was a race. Even had to stop at a bar a while. I quit most drinking maybe 30 years ago. I NEVER drink before or during a ride. Really find I enjoy being able to change the ride at a seconds notice, see a road and wonder where it goes. Can't stand not knowing where a road goes.

I have nothing against HOG rides but damn if you are gonna call it a RIDE-OUT then RIDE!!! Don't just sit around bullshiting, drinking and talking about riding!!!

One of the patches I wear says, "Are we gonna dick around all day or are we gonna ride?"

At least that is how it seems around here.

From my personal experience most of them only take their bikes out when its sunny or on a weekend and seem to have trouble riding safely on their own let alone in a group.

I ride alone but once in a while I do a charity run (usually christmas and easter)

I don't have any experence with group riding, but I have to say I think your point is a valid one. The vast majority of people I know that have any kind of motorcycle, only put a few hundred miles a year on them, almost always when its bright and sunny out. I bought my Sporty at the end of April and have about 3700 miles on it now, and I haven't even made any long distance runs yet! This morning I rode to work 30 miles in a pretty steady rain!!

My personal opinion is that a lot of these guys that are only fair weather riders, are a hazard on the road, because they haven't riden often enough to develop skills, let alone that they become second nature. One friend said that he's scared to death everytime he gets on his bike! :censor Whats that all about? Its all about practice, practice and more practice. I notice if I havent been on my Sporty for a couple of days, it takes a few miles before things seem to settle in and feel normal to me! I can't imagine how out of sorts I would be after not riding for several months. I know when I start riding again in the spring after laying off the icy months I am pretty tenative for for a week or so when I start up again.

I guess, I am not very trustfull yet. :rolleyes:

My personal opinion is that a lot of these guys that are only fair weather riders, are a hazard on the road, because they haven't riden often enough to develop skills, let alone that they become second nature.

Excellent point...

In my area, I would say that probably 80% of the MC riders are that type....

I ride alone, with one or two friends, in a group, and some charity rides. I don't care as long as I am riding. Life is too short to be parked.

Bob

One of the patches I wear says, "Are we gonna dick around all day or are we gonna ride?"

I need one of those patches, Bert!!! There's one friend of ours who always wants to ride with us. He has a beautiful Deuce that he's done a lot to, but he likes to ride and stop, ride and stop. I always tease him that he just wants all the other bikers to see his bike (it's pretty nice). We'll leave his house, and drive 4 freaking miles to a little biker bar; leave that bar, and drive 5 freaking miles to the next biker bar, and so on. We were gone all day last Sunday, and only put 47 miles on the bikes! I do enjoy stopping and visiting, because there's almost always someone there we know, but geez freaking loueeez - I wanna RIDE!!!!

I don't prefer riding alone - for safety reasons, mostly. I love riding with friends, but for the most part I prefer to ride with my boyfriend and his brother; they're the most level-headed ones I ride with. They understand the importance of safety first and staggering, and they don't ride up on your butt, or try to hit exit ramps at 70 mph. When we're at a light, we'll all get close and chat, but we take off staggered once the light changes. My BF and I will side up when we're on an open road or on the freeway, but whenever a car approaches, I always drop back. The most ironic part to me is that our friends who ride carelessly - who aren't careful at red lights (one got hit the other day when going through a light that he anticipated would change, but didn't), who get up on your butt while going down the road, or who zip past you for no reason, or who hit the exit ramps doing 70, or who ride side by side no matter what the conditions - don't wear helmets. Those of us who are more cautious do wear helmets. I like riding with my friends, but I am most comfortable riding with those that I know are being careful; if they're watching out for themselves, they seem less likely to do something to cause me to wreck.

I ride alone, I have ridden with another biker on 2 seperate occasions. Both occasions, they felt the need to show off how fast they can go. Safety is the #1 priority when I ride, don't really care to ride with a buck of kinidiots that don't have the same priorities as me :smoke

I have nothing against HOG rides but damn if you are gonna call it a RIDE-OUT then RIDE!!! Don't just sit around bullshiting, drinking and talking about riding!!!

One of the patches I wear says, "Are we gonna dick around all day or are we gonna ride?"

At least that is how it seems around here.
Damn I need that patch. Didja notice too how most HOG rides are about going to eat ?

Most of the time I am alone.
I use my bike as transportation to and from work.
Sometimes on a week my wife will ride 2 up with me to go somewhere (a harley dealer).
I rode in a group of 4 to Laconia bike week (about a 300 mile round trip) and liked it a lot.

Damn I need that patch. Didja notice too how most HOG rides are about going to eat ?

That's what I was going to say too. Everthing they did was around food...I quit my local HOG chapter due to it being run by a dictator stealership....thats another thread.

I ride alone most of the time and sometimes with a friend since my husband doesn't ride....

The only person I ride with is my wife. That is because it is the only time she will do what I tell her. :roflblack :roflblack :roflblack :roflblack :roflblack

You would have to pay me (alot!) to show up to any HOG meeting or ride. I hate the "culture" and "lifestyle" of HD. Unfortunatly I like HDs! Oh well, I guess I am the oddball, because most of the HD riders riding life seem to revolve around HOG, HOG rides, and hanging at the stealer decked out in an HD wardrobe.

My personal opinion is that a lot of these guys that are only fair weather riders, are a hazard on the road, because they haven't riden often enough to develop skills, let alone that they become second nature.

I'm basically a fair weather rider these days. Doesn't mean I haven't got 'skills', just that I don't enjoy getting wet on a bike if I can help it.

I've certainly had a good number of years where the bike was the principal transport - fair weather or foul. But these days I'm not ashamed of using the car if the weather looks like packing up. Mind you, if the weather packs up in the middle of a ride, it doesn't bother me too much.

Cheers,

Brett

You would have to pay me (alot!) to show up to any HOG meeting or ride. I hate the "culture" and "lifestyle" of HD. Unfortunatly I like HDs! Oh well, I guess I am the oddball, because most of the HD riders riding life seem to revolve around HOG, HOG rides, and hanging at the stealer decked out in an HD wardrobe.


Oh, you mean the posers, that put about 300 miles per year on their bike?

I love riding in groups. Most of the time, it's just me and my brother or dad, or both. Much safer that way. Most I want to ride with is no more than about 6-7. Anymore than that and you run into trouble going through stoplights.

I hardly ever ride alone, don't find it much fun.

Being that my wife rides. We ride together and side by side. I have a couple of freinds that I ride with once and a while. I don't do poser rides. And now that I have added the sidecar to my FL my boys are with me. So its a family thing. Ken

And now that I have added the sidecar to my FL my boys are with me. So its a family thing. Ken

Now THAT's neat!!! :clap :clap

My first choice would be to have my wife on back and no other bikes on the ride. Just the two of us enjoying the scenery and letting the vibrations melt away life's pressures. Next is just me and my machine on some country backroad. When my brother lived closer and we got to ride together a couple of times a year, those were great times as well. My bike is my stress reliever and I prefer not to have a crowd around during that peaceful time.

I think that Syracuse has the one and only HOG chapter where people actually ride a lot. Yea, there are a few members that just do a few hundred miles a year, but there's about 40 or so core folks that easily do a minimum of 10K miles a year. Any of the folks in this group are good to ride with, when one of the light weight members comes out of hiding for a ride, I generally try to stay away from them in the group. The chapter usually has about 2 or 3 rides a week (I usually try to hit 1 ride a week), and you almost always see about 10 or so people out of that core 40 at each ride. And there's always a few Sportys in the group. I guess the Syracuse chapter must be one of the only chapter that isn't loaded with all BT snobs.

For the most part though I ride alone, back and forth to work, or puttering around on the weekends.

I never ride charity events... too many horror stories about nut cases on those rides.

I've been trying like mad to get on one of the XL Forum great lakes rides this summer, but that just seems to keep avoiding me, eventually I'll make it to one.

Gazza

I'm basically a fair weather rider these days. Doesn't mean I haven't got 'skills', just that I don't enjoy getting wet on a bike if I can help it.

I've certainly had a good number of years where the bike was the principal transport - fair weather or foul. But these days I'm not ashamed of using the car if the weather looks like packing up. Mind you, if the weather packs up in the middle of a ride, it doesn't bother me too much.

Cheers,

Brett

Brett/bshadbolt - I would hazard a guess that you still put on more than a couple hundred miles a year. Else why join these forums?? It's just that I know a lot of people that are hard pressed to even get a 100 miles in before they do some kind of group ride. In fact one in particular only rides one of two groups rides, other than that he doesn't ride much at all.

As far as some of the folks talking about HOG food runs. I guess some of these HOG members need some kind of incentive to ride. Around here its Ice cream runs! I don't belong to any of the local HOG groups. There really isn't much that they do that attracts me to them.

Anyway Brett - My comments are more about my concerns. YMMV. I didn't aim to lump everyone in that basket. Sorry.

I usually ride alone or 2 up with my Wife, son or daughter. I have only been on one ride with a group (3 others) and that was because I caught up with them and they asked me to join. It wasn't bad, they were doing the same as me - takin it easy, enjoying the day.

I do think it would be great to have 1 or 2 others that you could trust and had the same outlook on why you're on a bike. I just haven't found them yet.

Favorite is two...followed very closely by alone...and I think I'd rather stick needles in my eyes than ride in large groups...


:iagree and you definately have a way with words Chuck :D

I like riding with a buddy or two, staggered. I do have one friend though I HATE riding with, because he goes up to 55, then down to 45, then back up, and down, etc... so I keep having to shift and it pisses me off. Plus, he won't do the speed limit. The speed limit can be 55 and he'll do 45-50, then on the freeway he'll do 80. Pisses me off. And when I lead, he gets SO FAR behind that he won't make any light I do because he's THAT far behind.

I hear ya on this. I have a buddy like this, I get aggrevated, plus he doesn't ride at night so when it starts to get darker he has to run home.

I usually ride with one friend, we ride staggered mostly.

I hooked in with a big group of hog riders once..They looked like they were a S&M show on two wheels. This was back when I was running my uncorked 2-1 megaphone. I was doing some roll ons with one of the guys and I dont think they liked all the ruckus. I pulled over for some petrol and caught back up with them a few miles down the road. Didnt ride with em long as I went by em close to 95mph...I usually dont ride with many other people. The only other guy I regularly ride with we only ride 1/8 mile at a time but, what a ride.

Most of my riding is either the 40 miles to and from work and on the weekends with the girl 2up. Other then that I occasionally ride w/ my pops and brother, but they are VERY unsafe. They like to see how fast they can go frequently. Hench the reason I like this forum. I don't feel on bit of remose just letting them go on their merry way and catch up later. :)

Last trip up to the dealer there was a HOG meeting it seems. I don't want to be apart of that, just to many people for me to feel comfortable, let alone riding with.

Was Road Captain of a club and sometimes a real drag coraling everyone around, so riding with a partner or two seems alot more relaxing.

Well after the last 2 weekends riding with Hellrazur and flskevin I would definitely say riding with one or two good friends.

We did go on a charity run last weekend. However I enjoyed riding the back roads before and after the ride more than the charity ride.

By the way streeteagle2, I did not see what your choice was in this thread. You are just up the street from me. And if you enjoy riding with 2 or 3 people, then you should come riding with us sometime.

Most of the time I rather ride alone. Many people I know are afraid to ride alone. It's bad enough having to worry about cagers without having to worry about the newbie rider in a group that has no road sense at all. I had two friends smack into one another many years ago because one guy didn't know what the other was doing. One guy passed the other and made a right infront of him and slowed down way too fast without a blinker or signal or anything and the guy in the back smashed right into him. My friend in the back had 80 miles on his then brand new 1993 Kawasaki ZX7 motorcycle. I'll ride alone or with experienced riders thanks.

Favorite is two...followed very closely by alone...and I think I'd rather stick needles in my eyes than ride in large groups...
Well said!
I'll do what the !!!!I please
Been that way all mylife. No point in conforming now.

I usually head out alone, but there are 3 or 4 folks I don't mind riding with. Although it was never discussed, staggered has always seemed to be the rule, even on our very first rides together. I say 3 OR 4 because there is one that doesn't like to go TOO fast and sometimes ya just don't wanna wait on him :)

Usually like a small group, that way we have a bit more fun.

I ride with a club aboutoncea month. Large group. The ride is not as fun, butthe comradere is a blast.

I ride alone to work, and to tool around the area sometimes as well. Almost theraputic.

I would have to say the most fun is when myself and one maybe two other guys get together and just ride all over the place. so although I enjow all three, I guys one or two would be my favorite.

Alone.

14 years in retail has turned me anti-social. (You guys don't count.)
I've tried group rides, poker runs, etc. No thank you.

I generally head out with no particular route or destination in mind. Just wet my finger and hold it up to see which way the wind is blowing,... then head out whichever direction seem appropriate. I usually carry a map, but rarely use it, except to see where the next winding road is. I'll head home when I feel it's time.

I ride because I enjoy it. I ride because it rejuvinates me, de-stresses me. I don't ride to impress anybody... So I ride alone.

BTW, I never ride alone. I've always got the voices in my head to keep me company! :D

I prefer solo or 2up with my wife. (what can I say I like it when she starts exploring with her hands! :D ) Never riden with more than one other bike when my Dad and I went on some rode trips together years ago. But I do A LOT of friggin' solo miles...about 3,000 in the past 3 months. I have been using my bike for primary transportation to work for almost the past year. I rode this past winter when it was 20 degrees! (As long as the pavement is dry!) I'll ride in the rain as long as I can still see through the drops. I figure if you're going to spend this much money on a vehicle you better damn well use it! I used to have a '66 Mustang and baby'd it like it was mint condition...never again. Ended up spending more maintaining the engine and keeping the old storage type problems at bay. I say ride baby ride!!! :tour

I'm a lone wolf, but I have ridden with a close friend whose riding I trust a couple of times this year. Never ridden in a large group; I don't think I'd like it. Seems like it would be a little too hairy and not very relaxing. I'll probably try it sometime just to see.

Make that "3 or 4 good friends," as most of the folks we ride with are couples who ride two bikes. But, I also like the "charity runs with local whackos." :) There's always a party at the end!
J.

I ride laone 90 percent of the time. But I have alot of fun the times I ride with a good friend of mine. I use to ride with another guy a bit also. But both of them do drugs, and I gotta stay away from that.

I would like to find a sober person that likes to ride hard, to ride with one saturday a month.

I ride alone 99% of the time.

HOG runs? Charity rides? I don't like big productions; never have.

When I ride alone there's no disputes over routes, speed, when to leave, when to finish, who wants to stop, who doesn't, who's riding unsafe, who needs gas, who's gotta piss, etc....

Without all that crap to bog ya down, rides become very peaceful and enjoyable.

If I want chaos, I'll put my 3 year old and 2 month old in the car & go for a drive.

I usually ride alone for the same reasons. However, I used to ride with my stepdad. I miss that now they he and my Mom have moved to Florida.

My first ride was with a neighbor once and his friend and someone I didnt know.They went to fast for my ride in the twisty roads in a mountain in north Ga.
After that, I rather ride alone.

Hey Sportster bart would you on a real hog be more appropiate? I would rather ride with my brother, dad or all the above. We know what everyone does and have way more fun than a big group of show offs and squids.

Most of my riding is alone, but I also like riding with the husband and another rider. Never ridden with more than 3 people. That's enuff for me.

My favorite rides are when I'm bored and just pull out the tri-county map and pick a road. I find a lot of cool back road places to take pics of the sporty.

The rides with Hellrazur, 74FeHeadXLH & Tribe have been great!

The large rides are a nice way to meet now sporty riders, but the best rides are with a few good friends. :clap

I took a 300 mile ride today with about 25 bikes,it was great we filled every watering hole we stopped at and seemed to keep the cars away on the fwy.

mostly alone go stop whatever whenever you feel.

When I ride alone there's no disputes over routes, speed, when to leave, when to finish, who wants to stop, who doesn't, who's riding unsafe, who needs gas, who's gotta piss, etc....

Without all that crap to bog ya down, rides become very peaceful and enjoyable.
100% agree with that!!

I ride 99.8% alone (solo, no passenger). On the road its much easier ... you can go any direction you want and you can stop where and how often you want. Only if you stop for food, riding two-up riding or riding with a buddy is more interesting as you have someone to speak to .... ;)

Usually ride alone or occasionally with my son. Don't have any inclination to ride with the folks on their 'garage queens' that only come out on sunny days. "If I wanted to ride with a crowd, I'd have bought a bus".

I have three or four good friends who I ride with frequently but rarely all together at once. My main riding buddy and I have been riding together for almost 2 years now and we're in synch. He's a bit pissed though that I have a rubbermount with the 4.5 tank. I tend to go tank to tank on stops and he's on a BT and likes to stop about every 65 miles or so. Although on the ride to KC this summer he did well and didn't bitch ... much. Speaking of that, 3 of us left my house and met up with 3 more in ST Louis on that ride. Forum members pquirk, vicks44 and brentzero. We had a blast and literally blasted through ST Louis and on to KC. Everyone was seasoned that I could tell and we held a good staggered pack with no mishaps for hundreds of ass kicking miles in the heat of June.

I mostly ride alone, the KC rally was the first long group ride, and as Schmidtrock stated, we held a good staggered pack. From the start everyone seemed to be in sync, which is rare we did have a blast,and I would ride with that group again anytime. I joined the local H.O.G. chapter last month (mostly for the 10% discount at the dealer) but as of yet havent done a ride, but I will give it a try at least once.

I've been riding 4 months.
All but 3 were alone (except escorting my wife a few times now that she is starting to ride. Those aren't fun. I worry.....)

One was a group of 5 from work, and it was led by someone who knew what he was doing, and had plenty of stops and socializing and great scenery.

The second was with a guy who is very particular, freaks out at a piece of gravel on the road, doen't like bugs or roads trash touching his bike, ever. And then told me at 1pm, 200 miles from home, that he needed to be back at 3. And he refused to go over 70mph, ever. We were late getting back and his wife blamed me. I hated it.

The last was Saturday with one of my brothers, and a brother-in-law. My brother led us through 100 miles of Rocky Mountain twisties. When I fell back he slowed. When I crowded him he sped up. I had the best ride ever. (And, showed those sportbike types that a 4-month newbie can make a Sportster lean over fairly well. My chicken strips are a tad under an inch wide now.)

So, I prefer to go alone, but also enjoy folks that ride like I do/can and are considerate.

I've been riding 4 months.
All but 3 were alone (except escorting my wife a few times now that she is starting to ride. Those aren't fun. I worry.....)

One was a group of 5 from work, and it was led by someone who knew what he was doing, and had plenty of stops and socializing and great scenery.

The second was with a guy who is very particular, freaks out at a piece of gravel on the road, doen't like bugs or roads trash touching his bike, ever. And then told me at 1pm, 200 miles from home, that he needed to be back at 3. And he refused to go over 70mph, ever. We were late getting back and his wife blamed me. I hated it.

The last was Saturday with one of my brothers, and a brother-in-law. My brother led us through 100 miles of Rocky Mountain twisties. When I fell back he slowed. When I crowded him he sped up. I had the best ride ever. (And, showed those sportbike types that a 4-month newbie can make a Sportster lean over fairly well. My chicken strips are a tad under an inch wide now.)

So, I prefer to go alone, but also enjoy folks that ride like I do/can and are considerate.

Dusty you have touched upon a true-ism: choose your (riding) partners carefully.

Kim

Usually ride alone or occasionally with my son. Don't have any inclination to ride with the folks on their 'garage queens' that only come out on sunny days. "If I wanted to ride with a crowd, I'd have bought a bus".
I wanna bus! I do! I do! (really, it has nothing to do with my previous admission-which, thankfully, I cannot find-that I actually LIKE the smell of diesel exhaust) Just a bus junkie, but don't have the wherewithall to make it happen...at least, realistically-all my life I have loved them things.

Kim

Mostly alone like most others here. I have 1 friend that I hate riding with because he is always all over the place. One second he is on my right side, then next thing he's shooting ahead and crossing over to the left. I said no more one day when he almost rear ended me beacuse I was not going to shoot a yellow light and he did. Also with my new son, my riding usually comes down to last second trips that are impossible to plan.

I do ride with my HOG group, but mainly to places I have not been, then I go back alone when I know the route. I do perfer a bigger group on the freeways as long as I am towards the front(less rubberbanding) as cars seem to be less apt to pull a cut-off.

I have ridden once with fellow members of the forum(6 or 7 of us), and I would have to say I was almost surprised how well 7 strangers rode together. Spacing was perfect and there was never one of those times where you look in the mirror and say "Where did that guy go?" only to find the guy right on you.

My bike Is My primary transportation So I'm almost always riding alone.
I Do enjoy the comradary of a few other folks but I'd have To say most of
the time I enjoy bein' alone.

To Me It can Be a spiritual experience. You're
mind becomes so focused It's almost like meditation For Me sometimes.
It sure does relieve stress and It makes Me feel alive.

I Ride because I love To ride. I'm not interested In the latest H-D outfits or
the fake tough guy Harley sterotypes from people who wouldn't know what tough Is. If I ride or interact with other folks Its because I want To and I like and appreciate them. :banarock

It's interesting to see how the XLF group views the question, I found it refreshing and quite varied, heck the replies covered it ALL. :)

I've done most of my riding (1,500 miles in 6 months of ridable weather) alone and strictly because I feel I'm still learning and feel better and safer without the distraction of others around me.
I did ride with a buddy the very first month I started riding, I trust him and how he handles himself, but looking back now, I was scared to death.
Two weeks ago, I ended-up riding behind my new neighbor (05 883) and his Dad (BT) for a few miles. They claim they've been riding for years, yet I saw what I felt were dangerous habits. I could tell the son wanted to take it easy and Dad was pushing him. Whether it was the show-off factor or not I don't know, but some of the posts reminded me of that night. I broke off and went on my own.

The local dealer has been suggesting I join HOG, after reading the posts I think I'll pass. I've noticed the "pinned S&M" types :roflblack standing around the showroom talking and never quite understood why, thanks, I get it now.

I do not and will not ride in bad weather and I dis-agree with the negative comment about that. I'm gaining plenty of experience on warm, beautiful sunny days and I don't have to worry about cleaning up afterwards either :tour (no offense taken btw).

I stopped by my second job (I work for a buddy a couple of evenings a week)and one of our regular customers was standing outside and watched me pull up.
When she saw me take the helmet off and realized it was me, her jaw hit the ground. "Your NOT the biker type Dave, wait the he** are you doing, who's Harley is that, is that yours, aren't you supposed to have a license?"

I admit, I'm the least looking biker type around, but I'm really enjoying myself and don't give a hoot what others think.

My point being Motorcycle riding is an individualistic thing and you can make it what you want and for the most part no one will hassle you (much). You can ride in a pack or solo and regardless do whatever makes you happy, comfortable and having a great time.

Ride Safe,

I like riding alone for that freedom feeling, Man vs Machine, less hassles, stress relieving, etc. But with the right riding partners a two or three person ride is hard to beat. Know your riding partners! I have all kinds of people trying to ride with me. Not trying to be stuck up, but I'm kind of picky about who I ride with and I prefer experienced riders. In VA riding side by side may get you a ticket. I don't want tickets!
HOG members as stated are good for not missing many meals. I find I spend too much money eating and drinking with that group and not enough riding. It's all about what each individual enjoys though. If I'm going with them I already know what to expect. The advantage to more than one rider to me is I'm seen on the road and others give me more respect meaning they don't try and share my lane with me as much! Also if something does happen there is usually more than enough help.
I usually only ride with a large group on funeral rides only, but there is always the exception. I prefer riding in the back with large groups but seem to get stuck up front a lot. I know I can stop!, not sure about others sometimes, and I know I can catch up if necessary.
As for fare weather riding, I won't leave home in a rain storm but I will ride in the rain if necessary and quite frequently. Had the wife out three times now and it's rained on us twice. I'm glad she's back in the saddle but after witnessing a fatal MC wreck in her car it took her a while. If the weather man says 30% chance of rain and you get wet, trust me it's 100%.
Ride to Live!
Lucifer

I ride alone most of the time but do enjoy riding with friends and new people. I have a friend with a '97 custom fatboy and one with a 2001 police bike thats been bumped up to 95 inchs that i ride with quite a bit. :tour

I'm finding that riding alone or with a couple, of good friends (2-6) that know each others riding habits, is just fine with me. I have done the big ride thing (15 + riders) and I am a member of club, is just not what it used to be. Many new people and different riding styles make it a difficult ride. I rather ride alone or with a close, selected few.

Loco
So. Cal.

You would have to pay me (alot!) to show up to any HOG meeting or ride. I hate the "culture" and "lifestyle" of HD. Unfortunatly I like HDs! Oh well, I guess I am the oddball, because most of the HD riders riding life seem to revolve around HOG, HOG rides, and hanging at the stealer decked out in an HD wardrobe.

And it has turn into a BS show. I belong to HOG and to my local chapter. Most of these folks are good people though. I lucked out with this group. There are a certain few that I do avoid. Ride 20 miles and stand there and pose in thier Harley boots, shirts, vests, jackets, bandanas, underwear, etc. Some of the chicks are worse and f--king snobby.

I was at a get together (Dealers 35 anniversary) and rode in with some compadres from The Chosen Few MC, and we spotted some nice ladies in the food line. I'm married and just smiled, but my compadre who is single struck up a conversation and though these women looked hardcore, once they opened up thier mouths and tudes, they were nothing but a couple of rich snobby bitches playing biker dress up. Turn off.

So I have not rosde with HOG in quite sometime and only pick specified events that I know some patched friends that will be in attendance.

Loco
So. Cal.

I ride alone all the time except when my bro-in-law stops by,he has Bad Dog Chopper and we drive staggered,except in towns then it's side by side.Who ever is in front is the leader.We just ride to enjoy the ride ,most of the time we don't have any place specific to go. :tour

I don't know any other bikers, so by default I ride alone :)

I ride with my local MC here on Okinawa and alone sometimes if no one is available. No vote button for that. :cry1

Starbuck out.... :D

Wow, I read every Post and I have to agree with most.

I ride alone most of the time. I would rather ride with my Brother and our Biker Friends but I work alot of weekends and it just don't happen too much. I rode last weekend with my Bro and a Friend and our Friend was all over the rode. He would take turns over the yellow line and in the the other lane. Cars were beeping there horns at him. When we stopped I told him that he needs to be more careful and he kinda laughed at me. I don't enjoy riidng with people like that.

I don't understand the Big Deal about eating on a Ride. We all have to eat don't we ?
Whenever my Brother and I ride we got to Dallas Hot Weiners in Saugerties N.Y. to get some Dogs. Its a nice Ride and we take the Long way. Then we take a Cruise over Hunter Mountain. We mostly ride all day and have a place to go and eat for 1/2 hour.

I don't ride to work. Too early 5:30 am . Nieghbors won't apprecaite my Straight Shots. I also need to bring lunch , Laptop, Scrubs a Labcoat. ( Medical Field) I also pick up coffee on the way.

Don't like the rain. I'll do it if I have too but if I can avoid it, I will. I still like my Jeep Cherokee for when it rains.

H.O.G. Chapter. Not for me. I have a friend that went to one Meeting and he said they were very snobby. I'm not big on people telling me what to do. Maybe I should go and check it out for myself. I went to there website and all of the pictures are in Diners and restaurants. It also seems like they are Big on Pins and HD clothing. nomotorcycle shots or anything like that .I would rather ride.

http://www.sportster.org/thebikes/images/Power_Blues_Dude-2727-1.jpg

I ride alone 99% of the time, but I voted for "With 1 or 2 friends" because, well, even though riding alone DEFINATELY has it benifits, it does get lonely at times. I wouldn't mind a couple of friends along for the ride on occasion :tour Sadly, though, of the few people I know that have bikes, none of them ride them enough to justify owning them. I ride mine to work a lot, especially since gas has simply gone through the roof here lately. 45 MPG is hard to pass up when you can ride all week for less than $10, compared to filling the pickup's tank with $45 worth :censor

As for the HOG thing, I got the free 1 yr. membership w/bike purchase, and honestly, I wish they'd have taken it's cash value off of the price of the bike instead. I like to ride, not stand around and pose in the latest of Harley's foreign-made fashion-show crap. :roflblack

Today, I rode with the local HOG group, about 400 miles.
Out of the 1200 members or so, there were 15 bikes and 20 people.
Only 1 black leather jacket and it was balled up and stowed on the bike.
Many with t-shirts. 5 or 6 with Joe Rocket mesh jackets. A couple with vests/patches/pins.

My Sport, one superglide, a wide glide, a heritage classic, and the rest were some version of the Electra Glide orr another.

It was OK, but riding in formation is restrictive. Then when we singled up and rode some sweeps, I had to keep slowing down for the couple in front of me.

Not sure if I'll go with them again. I have yet to attend a meeting.

I'll continue riding alone, or with the wife or a friend.....

But, back in '76 when I got my first bike (is a Vespa really a bike???) I was in the Air Force in Sacramento. I joined the M/C on the base and since the military was starting to be very safety conscious about off-duty activities, we had a lot of safe riders.
I have done solo and group rides of from a few tens of miles to several thousand (solo only). Most group rides were, surprise - surprise, to restaurants. But several times a month, we would go on organized runs of one kind or another sponsored by another local club. Lots of good group riders, a whole bunch of average group riders, and of course the few as :censor les. But that is everywhere.

Now a days, I do most riding to/from work (well, I will until school starts, gonna be a bus driver... :wonderlan ). So I only had several hundred idiot cagers to watch out for, instead of what the rider(s) ahead/behind is(are) doing.

Lucifer, do I know you? I'm in Richmond HOG. Big guy with safari/outback type hat.

My choice for the poll was with HOG, but I would say that my previous riding years, 1976 to 86, was 50-60 % solo/small group (1 or 2); now that I'm back on two wheels, I would say that it's up around 70-80 % solo/small group.

I get some large group miles next month on the Bill Edwards Memorial Ride. Hope I get a bunch of good group riders to go with and that I don't embarass myself to them.

Carl, :tour
Ride Safe
Ride Often
Ride Far

I ride a lone,with friends and with my local bike club just love to ride, just remember :gun ( Pick out the dick heads and keep way clear). :banana


Grayfeather.

I ride alone but wouldn't mind finding another person to go on regular rides with. Being female, I do worry about safety if I were to break down in the middle of nowhere by myself.

I ride alone but wouldn't mind finding another person to go on regular rides with. Being female, I do worry about safety if I were to break down in the middle of nowhere by myself.

That's pretty much my story too. Wish you were closer. I have a lot of guy friends I ride with, but they're all more interested in riding to a bar and drinking beer. Not my idea of "riding." :rolleyes:

KC - some people from work like to ride (on the Kansas side) near lake Perry, and such.
I go with them once or twice every month. I am trying to put together a ride on the Missouri side. We bring friends and relatives, so it is not all work folk. Usually a standard or two, and 3 cruisers or so. If you want, I can keep you posted.

I mostly ride by myself, although once the Blast gets out of the shop I'll be riding with my wife on longer and longer trips once every week or two.

Sunday morning we were starting a 50 mile trip when her rear brake started dragging. I was able to release the pressure so she could ride it home. She doubts I can repair things, but I think she was glad I was along then.

yeah, keep me posted! I will send you a PM with my email address.

I figured it would be nice to have someone with me who knows mechanically more than I do.. but also for the safety factor. I am a tough gal but I am afraid of that situation where I won't be able to take care of myself.

I need to get my husband into riding.

Did you goto the Abate Rally out at Perry?

No I did not.

Bring the Hubby by to Gail's tomorrow. They are having a big shindig culminated by a charity ride of over 1,000 bikes.

Mary (my wife) will be doing registrations and I'll be doing parking.

Maybe Mary can tell your husband why she got into biking after I started it. I didn't even try to get her involved. She just decided I was having too much fun that she was missing out on, or maybe it was the purple bike. (See my web page).

Got your PM.

Also, join HOG and the local chapter, then become a member of "Ladies of Harley". The have their own meatings, and have guys from the service department come out and explain some of the mechanical stuff.

:tour I too prefer to ride alone. On occasion I'll ride to an event to meet up with a friend then both of us will venture on a ride together, usually for meals and beverages. Alone no one to answer to!!!!!!!!!!!! or worry about..............
Just me I guess:tour Swankster

I ride by myself most of the time, but I'm a big ol' loner, and tend to do most things by myself.

On the odd chance I will ride in a group, but never do I ride with the gomers in a run.

I ride by myself most of the time, but I'm a big ol' loser, and tend to do most things by myself.

On the odd chance I will ride in a group, but never do I ride with the gomers in a run.

Heheh,,Wassup Phreak boy?

I ride alone most of the time...commuter mostly. :dpepper

I'm going on my first run, at 1pm today. A 9th annual thing, with 300 bikes expected. Police traffic control out of town. Cool. I'm expecting 95% of the riders to appear less safe than me though.
We're heading for Thunder on the Lake, at Conneaut Lake Park, with several thousand more bikes expected to be there. I bet there will be too, because it's frigging gorgeous here in the midwest today. This'll be a zoo!

Heheh,,Wassup Phreak boy?

I ride alone most of the time...commuter mostly. :dpepper
Que Pasa soupy! When we gunna go riding? :roflblack

Just got back from helping out at the dealership. First was an all-day party, then there was a 9/11 ride. We had over 1,500 bikes. What a crowd.

I didn't go on the ride, I was beat so Mary and I went home.......

i like riding with one or two friends when i can, it's always nice to share a good ride with someone. we ride staggered mostly, occasionally side by side when road allows it. if someone prefers staying staggered thats the way we do it. ride often and have fun...

I like riding with one or two people. Somebody there to help me pick up my bike, but not too big an audience. :doh :laugh :laugh :roflblack

I like riding with one or two people. Somebody there to help me pick up my bike, but not too big an audience. :doh :laugh :laugh :roflblack
LOL! Love the logic of that!

I usually ride by myself because I like the spontaneity.

My favorite rides are those that start early in the day, have no specific destination or timeline, may involve me getting somewhat lost for a short time and finding new sights to see, and end with me feeling a little sunburned and a lot like I just took a little vacation.

I had a friend who rode also but always tried to turn every ride into a chore. I'd be all excited to go wander off for the day on an adventure, and she'd want to go to Home Depot and back.

I rode with a large group once, on a charity ride. Most were nice, they were very safe and organized, I guess I just lucked out.

But I like to ride alone because I don't usually have much of a plan and if I do decide to go someplace I like to take the scenic route anyway. Not everyone seems to like that.

I usually ride by myself because I like the spontaneity.

My favorite rides are those that start early in the day, have no specific destination or timeline, may involve me getting somewhat lost for a short time and finding new sights to see, and end with me feeling a little sunburned and a lot like I just took a little vacation.

I had a friend who rode also but always tried to turn every ride into a chore. I'd be all excited to go wander off for the day on an adventure, and she'd want to go to Home Depot and back.

I rode with a large group once, on a charity ride. Most were nice, they were very safe and organized, I guess I just lucked out.

But I like to ride alone because I don't usually have much of a plan and if I do decide to go someplace I like to take the scenic route anyway. Not everyone seems to like that.


Bless your heart! You got it!

Wish I had some cooler people near me to ride with....sniff..... ;)

Since I ride alone most every day (commute) I like to have the company of a few riders every now and again. I don't like to make too big of an ordeal, usually pick some far off destination and take turns getting us there. I'll take secondary roads, my friend likes parkways and still another can get lost in a parking lot.

As long as the wind is at my back and the sun on my face (moon for those night rides) i could care less the destination or timeline.

Usually ride alone cos I'm up here in the wilderness, but must admit going for a jaunt with a couple of very like minded mates is great, fortunately they are all easy going and quite happy for the plan to be "No Plan"

But then again there is such an abundance of wonderful roads and scenery here that just taking it all in on your own is breathtaking.

:brocoli

Cheers Bill :bagpipe :xlrocks :luvsport :nosee

so just cuz I'm a 1%er and ride with my brothers..don't give a rats ass what anyone else thinks. F*c* em all... Hard core--with a whore....:smoke

so just cuz I'm a 1%er and ride with my brothers..don't give a rats ass what anyone else thinks. F*c* em all... Hard core--with a whore....:smoke

Just wanted to read that from SOMEONE--just ONCE!! I feel much better now..
I have a solo seat and ride alone 95% of the time, but I do have one hardcore biker buddy who has lived on his bike most all his life. He is the only one I run with and we know each others styles..so we have no problems. He's the only one I trust my back to on the road....He's 67..covered with ink..has led a very colorful past. Now, he's just laying low for what's left of his life. Cancer has a way of changing even the hardest....but he's my Bud and when it's time to conquer the wind....count us "There":smoke

I did my first 1,600 miles completely alone and had a great time exploring the bike and the state.

Since I've been riding to work, just getting on the bike and going over the same old roads isn't enough.

I do ride alone a bit, but now ride with my wife, with friends from work, and even went on a few HOG rides (I prefer to be in the back where I can control my destiny and ride).

So, I guess I am changing.....

Purchased my Sporty last year, first Harley, been riding since the 70's. Joined the local HOG group in an attempt to ride with others. The last two times I went out two people crashed before leaving the parking lot. I mean fell over:frownthre

Another time had a total idiot HOG rider lock the brakes up in a hard downhill corner and almost took me out along with six others. These people have no skills and scare the crap out of me. Now I ride alone or with a close friend.


The answer is Alone...........................:D


I feel safer.................

Alone mostly except for maybe one or two good mates.

Purchased my Sporty last year, first Harley, been riding since the 70's. Joined the local HOG group in an attempt to ride with others. The last two times I went out two people crashed before leaving the parking lot. I mean fell over:frownthre

Another time had a totlal idiot HOG rider lock the brakes up in a hard downhill corner and almost took me out along with six others. These people have no skills and scare the crap out of me. Now I ride alone or with a close friend.


The answer is Alone...........................:D


I feel safer.................
Man, I could'nt have said it better....with the exception of the smaller percentage of "those" groups....they are :censor ing dangerous....and not to mention all the control freaks who wanna run the show on the same day:rolleyes: ....so, yea I prefer smaller a group of people I know, or alone, or with my wife or kid on the back

I should not group all of them, that was not fair or correct. In fact the majority are good riders, it was the new people with way to big of a bike, and very poor skills. The power trip thing is right on, semi quasi political ( No Thanks )


But when it happens that many times in a row something is wrong. The other thing was the constant question " When you gonna upgrade? "

Answer " Im not,...... I like my sporty thank you " :censor


mark :rolleyes:

Yea, I forgot about "the question"...lol.....and lets not forget the constant "one upmanship-mine's better than yours deal"....somehow it seems that it's all about the bikes and not the ride....it's the journey, not the destination

Purchased my Sporty last year, first Harley, been riding since the 70's. Joined the local HOG group in an attempt to ride with others. The last two times I went out two people crashed before leaving the parking lot. I mean fell over:frownthre

Another time had a total idiot HOG rider lock the brakes up in a hard downhill corner and almost took me out along with six others. These people have no skills and scare the crap out of me. Now I ride alone or with a close friend.


The answer is Alone...........................:D


I feel safer.................

:yikes I don't blame you!!! :D

I went on my first ride alone today; about 3 hours. I loved every second of it. I went because it was too beautiful to be inside watching football, and the boyfriend wanted to stay in. I got some good practice in, and found some neat places by just exploring. I plan to do that more often. I found that I rode more confidently. It was nice.:clap :clap :clap

When you're riding alone, if you pass something interesting, you can just turn around and go back and check it out. I do that. Now, if you're not alone, that can be a major (if not impossible) effort.

For the past few months, 99% of my rides have been alone. I like just being in the open, feeling the air past by me, in solitude with my thoughts. No stops for my buddies to have a smoke, or check out the latest honey who just happened to pass us by, or just to shoot the shit with a stray biker, etc. Just want to be alone with my own thoughts for awhile................

When you're riding alone, if you pass something interesting, you can just turn around and go back and check it out. I do that. Now, if you're not alone, that can be a major (if not impossible) effort.

Exactly!!!! There is an old mansion we pass all the time, and there is one of those historical markers out in front of it that tells about it. It's in the middle of normal homes, and so it really stands out, plus it's old and made of cement rock with no paint. I have always wanted to stop and read about it, but never could . . . before yesterday. ;) I stopped at a park and watched an old man fish, and I stopped at the San Jacinto monument. Like I said, it was nice. :)

I drink alone with no.... Oh! I mean I ride alone with nobody else, I said "I ride alone with nobody else" unless my buddies happin to be Johnny Walker and Jack somebody........ But seriously, I kinda get nervous riding with others.

A few years ago I rode from Milwaukee Wisc. to Seattle Wash. alone. Went where I wanted, stopped when I wanted, slept when I wanted, talked to a few folks along the way, no problems on the way there. Got rear ended while there by a pickup and had to leave the bike behind and got his insurance company to foot the bill for a rental car to get me home, but apart from that it was a nice ride.

Even in a group I ride my own ride and will sometimes just bow out and go my own way if I don't care for the group dynamics. Got no problem with riding with others as long as they also ride their own rides. And I don't take it personal if they want to bow out and head another way on their own.

If you ain't comfortable in your own skin then you gots no business trying to crawl into someone else's. Hmmm, maybe I should go read the rest of this thread instead of just the last page, hmmmm, post and turn left, top of the hill turn right to the beginning.....

i love to ride alone, do my own thing 100 miles or less. longer rides i want somebody with me it is a HD after all:roflblack

I ride alone but wouldn't mind finding another person to go on regular rides with. Being female, I do worry about safety if I were to break down in the middle of nowhere by myself.

I'd go riding with you. No come-on's, no hastles, just a bro to ride with. It's been so long since I was on ICQ, I don't remember my pass, just shoot me a pm if'n you're interested ma'am. I live in Independence and work in Olathe... either of those near you? It's gorgeous today, I'm hittin the road as soon as I get home, if I hadn't had to pack PC's today, I would have ridden to work.

I normally ride by myself, because like Erica, I don't know many folks. I haven't joined the HOG group yet because I don't have the cash that endeavor requires. I too wondered about the HOG crowds I see at the various dealers here in town... I kinda thought that's what they were about, but I haven't been around enough or close enough to tell. One of the local chapters here sponsored by Gail's in Belton seems pretty cool. I know Gail's seems to always have something going on.

I have done one big ride, and I mean big... 4800 riders at the Bikers for Babies event here in KC. I thought it was an awesome sight... two lines of bikes as far as the eye could see, both in front, and behind. I found it to be awesome and exhilarating. It was a good run, for what I know about'em. There were a few pinheads whose riding style I didn't care for, I just made sure to stay away from them.

Thanks for your time pholks,

phedup

I spend 9 months of the year up at college, where I ride alone 99% of the time. But during the summer, and sometimes on the weekends in the fall and spring I go home specifically to ride with my buddies. We have the same route that we do over and over again and it stretches out into a few different towns. It's definitely a bonding thing if you ask me. We went through highschool together and now we ride together everywhere when we get the chance. We'd all get outta work over the summer and immediately go into Boston for a ride or to Hampton beach.

Those are the only people I ride with. I tried riding with my parents (dad owns a BT and mom just bought a Honda Shadow 750). Their riding style doesn't match mine, and I've got wayyyyy more miles and experience under my belt than they do. They don't believe me when I say stick together cuz a cager will try to get in between us....but it ALWAYS happens and they never listen!

Did anyone notice that the one-percenters are actually 2.28 percenters here? :tour

For all those lone bikers out there.Check out this website!www.silentskulls.com

For all those lone bikers out there.Check out this website!www.silentskulls.com

Very interesting place - Seems to fit with my ideas a lot. I am pretty much a loner, but I do tend to hang with some like minded people such as the folks here in XLFORUM!!! :banana

95% of the time alone, or with my wife. The rest of the time with a buddy on his Dyna and somtimes our wives. Very, very rarely I am able to make a PGR run.

Yeah, SSLB is cool. You will get some odd looks if you wear their colors.

Hammer

Well, by alone, I guess you mean not-in-groups, so yes, I prefer riding alone (1-bike). But I also prefer riding with a passenger (my wife) most of the time when we're out for the day. She's a great motivator and a damn good navigator and is great at suggesting new routes or destinations.

I ride alone.

I prefer to ride alone, but will ride with my dad once in a while on a weekend. He knows quite a few good roads here in Colorado. I have never ridden with more than one other person.

I like to cruise alone, but riding with a friend is fun. I avoid groups, seems everyone always wants to be on top of each other.

I guess I can't really vote.I have a group of about 8 guys that I normally ride with every Sunday,a great group of safe riders,we ride staggered at reasonably safe speeds.But sometimes I ride alone,I went to the rally at Myrtle and a few others looked at me strange when I told them I was going down alone,hell it's only 150 miles.And as for the group rides,I like them too,there's just something about hearing and seeing 50+ bikes roaring on a country road,I've been pretty fortunate on group rides to be in groups that seem to have good sense and met some really great people too.But if I absolutely had to choose,I'd ride solo,I like the alone time to clear my head and ride wherever I want.

I ride with The PGR but other than that I ride alone......Not by choice, Just
not that many riders in my area.
I think the poll numbers say a lot.

When I was younger I would ride alone more often then not. Now that Im

older its nice to have 1 or 2 friends along, as long as they get along with

eachother :)

most of the time i ride alone but i do have some experienced rider buddies and we do hook up and ride together.
:smoke

Short funny story; after not riding for 35 years I bought my Sporty and got back on. First invitation to group ride was in the NYPD Highway Cops benefit ride from Orchard Beach NY around the five boroughs, totally escorted by bike cops with a NYPD car behind to keep the cagers away. Who was last in line of 200 bikes? me the senior citizen. Everything seemed ok until the cop car came up behind me and on the loudspeaker politely asked me to please take my bike out of second gear and keep up with the group. I'll try that ride this year again, all my new chrome might help me keep up...........:banana

Short funny story; after not riding for 35 years I bought my Sporty and got back on. First invitation to group ride was in the NYPD Highway Cops benefit ride from Orchard Beach NY around the five boroughs, totally escorted by bike cops with a NYPD car behind to keep the cagers away. Who was last in line of 200 bikes? me the senior citizen. Everything seemed ok until the cop car came up behind me and on the loudspeaker politely asked me to please take my bike out of second gear and keep up with the group. I'll try that ride this year again, all my new chrome might help me keep up...........:banana

:roflblack :roflblack :roflblack :roflblack :roflblack :roflblack :roflblack

I like both rideing alone and rideing with a small group of 1-2 other riders.

I enjoy riding with 3-4 people that all understand the wisdom of riding staggered. Alone sometimes is cool too.

small groups < stagerd> and alone
but will be in a large group at Rolling Thunder next year

I enjoy all types of riding though most of my miles are ridden alone. Riding with a group does place additonal demands on the individual. For one thing there is usually significant variation in the levels of rider skill and experience. This means that not only do you have to ride for yourself, you have to ride for the other fellow too, both the one in front and in back of you! This point being made, it still can be fun riding with several other riders. And, once you get to your destination there are usually plenty of road stories to go around.

I usually ride alone. Now and then I'll ride with a small (2-4) group, but I don't put up with any crap or stupidity.

I have friends that I will never ride with. I'm not going to play 'keep-up' with anybody.

I commute to work on my Hugger almost every day, so I'm usually traveling alone. When friends and I want to head out somewhere, we will travel as a group but the standing rule is: Ride your own ride. If someone wants to travel fast, they'll take off and we meet up later... I've never believed in trying to stay up to speed with anyone.

- - - Ride safe... With fists in the wind.... :tour

J.W.

It really depends. I went on a ride with my local HOG chapter yesterday and that was great. Riding and hanging out with 20 or so of your friends was fun. On the other hand, once the ride was over, I rode back home on my own, and it was more fun. I could set my own speed and be aggressive in the corners. The only thing that was ticking me off on the ride up was the Road Captain riding in front of me that kept on giving me the slow down signal as we came into the corners. I was the only Sporty in the group and clearly the people on baggers and Softails couldn't take the curves at the speeds I could.

That's why on the way back I took one of my favorite twisty roads. I was lucky and had no cagers in front of me, so I could really push the envelope.

Most all of my riding is solo. I think I voted for small group, 1 or 2 good friends, because the question was asked which I prefer. It's really a toss-up between solo and small group. As others have said, the freedom to decide when I leave, where I go, how fast or slow I go, and when/if I stop is great. I also enjoy riding with friends - especially if going to an event or something. The occasional poker run or charity ride is fun as well, but you definatly have to stay on your toes.

I like riding alone local but for the long rides,there is something to be said for safety in numbers!A lot less people find the balls to F' with you when there are a few dozen barkin dogs in the pack!

Since this thread has resurfaced, I'm gonna take the opportunity to change my vote (as I recall, I originally voted for riding alone). After getting a few wolfpack runs under my belt, I'm definitely diggin' club rides a whole lot more! There's something cathartic about hearing a dozen V-twins rumbling down the road together (not to mention the "f_ck you" factor of blocking traffic as the pack rolls through intersections).

I put alone because that is most of my riding but I do ride with one or two bike at times and although not as relaxing it is a great feeling to if you don't have to worry about the way they ride

Two up with the wife but alone as far as any other motorcycles. Most of my miles are with her. Not interested in group rides, I think it would be a hassle and take away from the freedom of riding if you have to do what others want. Screw that! Me and the wife have had alot of good times riding together, doing as we want going where we want.

I am one, and one with my sportster.

Cameron, 2005 XL883 SS (Standard Stock)

Antisocial, hell-bent on not letting anyone ruin the moment. (Besides, the wife doesn't care to ride)
Solo seat, passenger-pegless, lean, mean, Sportster machine!

Regards,

Riding alone suits me..if I want to chat I just stop at a Starbucks. I've had my 06 xl1200c for 23 days and 1292 miles. I'm lovin it.

Riding alone suits me..if I want to chat I just stop at a Starbucks. I've had my 06 xl1200c for 23 days and 1292 miles. I'm lovin it.

First of all, welcome. Second, holy crap dude, that's over 50 miles a day! I wish I could ride that often. I'm at 30 days with about 500 miles.

332 Solo miles yesterday, through maybe 15 small Ga and Tn towns. No direction, make a decision at the junction of two roads. 3 stops for fuel and liquids, [coffee and sport drinks] 4 stops for pictures and one stop at a Mo's for lunch. One conversation concerning what I wanted to eat. What a great day. not one discussion on where to go, what to eat, when to stop. I don't mind riding with a few others, but more and more I find myself out alone.

I only ride with my wife, and she's sitting on the same seat that I'm sitting on.

Well it looks like 1%ers aren't 1%ers anymore. It seems they should be now refered to as 2.4%ers. :roflblack :roflblack :roflblack

I prefer to ride alone. I guess bein' my own best friend is what works best for me. Oh, and I laugh at my own jokes too. :laugh

2000 1200 Custom, Vivid Black stage 1 One sweet ride!

I ride alone I'm just more comfrotable that way. I will ride with my son when he is in town we just match doesn't mater what we do together we are always in sync. I ride every day of the work week, wave at the other riders but always seem to be going in different directions.

Sundance

98% of the time I ride alone back and forth to work every day rain or shine, on weekends some times I'll do a dice run. After the 5th bar or so some of them get a bit shaky makes it tough to ride in the pack. I hate it when I get stuck in the middle, I prefer to be the last bike.:smoke

The poll says a lot........Never knew most people rode alone or only in a small
group.

G1
:tour

I've always rode alone. This past weekend Bf and I went for a Ride to get some warm chowder :D it was nice. Me on my Sporty he was on His V-rod. I don't think I would like BIG groups. I like to go at my own pace.

I am not riding alone when I'm on a bike - but the bike is all the company I need - people just clutter things up.

I usually ride alone, sometimes with a buddy.

But, i do ride with my local HOG group about once a month. Shoot there can be on average 40+ bikes, sometimes more. No big deal for me as long as i keep my gaps and the people behind me generally don't crowd me when we are riding staggered.

I'm gonna be working the Love Ride here in Glendale, this November nothing like seeing 10,000 bikes cruising up the Golden State Freeway!!!

Alone. Half of my reason for riding is to get away from everything and everyone.

i ride alone no friends no life just me and my sportster free as can be:tour . but if someone asks me to ride with them shure i will jump at the chance.but not too often

I seem to enjoy ridng alone better. When I ride with my friends.. BT's and other sportys, They seem to be speed freaks!! So It makes me feel like everything is a mad minute and a bit unsafe... Even in slow speeds or regular speeds, in formations, I tend to focus more on spacing and all the other things that go along with group riding... So it can get a bit hectic. When I'm alone I focus more on the road and what's around me, and not bikes in front of me or behind.

For the most part I ride alone but from time to time I will ride with my neighbors which would make it 5 bikes total. That doesn't happen too often........

Alone or with one other rider who rides a similar pace to myself. Anything else adds stress to what is supposed to be a stress-reducing activity! :D

"High five, myself, no friends"!

I heard this line from a comedian on the Bob & Tom Radio Show (can’t remember his name), but it seems appropriate for us loan rider.

I really like it when you hit upon a friend you can ride axle to axle with.

When you trust a dude (not gender specific) so much, in suburban traffic, that you will put your front axle with their rear axle, so you do not miss the red lights, and you move like dancers through traffic. Like Fighter Pilots. 2 as 1. Like the Blue Angels. :banana:banana:banana:banana

the more the merrier!

99% of my riding is alone (just my bike). Half of the time, my wife is on back. Sometimes, we'll join another lone rider or two for a few miles that happen to be going in the same direction, maybe chatting it up at a red light. That can be embarrassing, though, because my wife doesn't know a Harley from a Honda, but is naturally inquisitive, so she asks a lot of questions...

You're riding to York? What's in York, PA? :doh

What's a "poker" run? :doh

Is that the same bike as ours? :doh

I've never ridden in a large group, though. That seems like a lot of work, but I would like to give it a try. Might be cool to be part of a hundred bike brigade thundering around.

Every once and a while I notice there's a HUGE ride through Philly/South NJ where they close the main highways and Walt Whitman bridge to non bike traffic. Seems like thousands of bikes and no cages (heaven!).

mostly by myself on back roads, I have a friend with a RK and we ride staggered taking turns at leading. once a month I ride with my chapter [CMA] and that is usually arond 10 or 12 bikes. one large charity event once a year and yes the part timers show up with their perfect bikes and perfect clothes and can't ride worth a hoot. I love riding the back roads and just enjoying life and forgetting about work [sorry about using that 4 letter word]. Dave

Used to ride with a club!!

Lone Wolfe now !!!

only a few people I want to ride with, And most live far away from me now.

So it's mainly alone !

Besides the others get sceeeeered to easy !!!


p.s. I usually ride Staggered on the way home !

No, thats staggering, I'm sorry !

Smaller the group the better. Solo is how I ride most of the time. For the most part, I guess this is my escape from life. I've got a couple of buddies that I ride from time to time.

Since I started riding earlier this year I find it very enjoyable to just hop on my bike and go whenever I can. I do have a couple of friends I have ridden with and will continue to do so from time to time. I would also like to meet some folks from the forum to occasionally ride with. But I have no desire to do the large poker or HOG runs. Too much organization, too many people, too much planning.

Even though my rides are relatively local I love never knowing where I'm going or how I'm getting there.

I like riding with my Husband, but I also like riding alone.

I usually ride alone and like it that way. I enjoy riding with family or friends if we have a destination in mind. I'm more than a little nervous about riding with people I don't know (seen too many of them high-side, either from trying to impress me or trying to keep up with me), so I tend to avoid that. The exception is big charity runs. There is something really cool about being in a group of hundreds of bikes. They can be a big pain due to all the rules and the inevitable jerks that one finds in any crowd but I still like to do them on occasion.

I've been riding alone for a long time. I don't have any friends that ride so it's just me on the road. I will ride in the MDA ride if I can. But riding alone fits my lifestyle anyway, I'm a loner.

I am basically an anarchists-- with virtually no respect for authority-- so naturally following some leader around (even if I do happen to like him personally) just ain't gonna work for me. Riding is about freedom-- freedom to choose-- groups restrict this freedom-- to me it is just a another disquised form of tranny ( abet often a beneveloent one) I rode 25000mi. last year" alone "thru Mich. forests in the summer, and Ark. Mts in the winter. I put alone in quotes, because I have found that Iam always riding in spirit with all those other "alone" riders.--Solo sailors are well aware of this. As a lone sailor, you are ALL ..... lone sailors. It is likewise with all lone travelers, regardless of how we move, be it sail, 2 wheels, or foot.-- All you "loners" out there know exactly what I am saying-and to you I say thanks for the companionship. Ride on Brothers!

...Riding is about freedom-- freedom to choose-- groups restrict this freedom...
...All you "loners" out there know exactly what I am saying-and to you I say thanks for the companionship. Ride on Brothers!
Amen to that! http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v341/gronk62/smileys/thumbani.gif

I like to ride alone, I like to ride in small groups, I like to ride in big groups. Thing is, I like to ride.... not talk about ride... when you ride alone, only one you need to make happy is yourself.

Mostly alone ,I do-not like restrictions.

Pretty much alone, either going someplace or just out for an afternoon.

On a very rare afternoon (not once in 2006, though, only a couple of times in 2005), I have riden with a certain few, then I don't even think about what road I'm on, gas stops or anything, at all, that whole ride......, because I know someone else has it covered.

I like to ride alone, I like to ride in small groups, I like to ride in big groups. Thing is, I like to ride.... not talk about ride... when you ride alone, only one you need to make happy is yourself.

AMEN!!!!!!!!!!!

I dont like to follow anyones pace or worry about them following mine...I just like to get out and clear my head....I will ride with a friend from time to time but for the most part...its one of the few things I have thats all about me.
sometimes my 11 year old daughter will ride 2 up with me and I realy enjoy it as does she but its a different ride as my mindset completely changes when she is sitting behind me.
For the most part ..its my alone time...when Im on it..the phone doesnt ring...nobody calls my name...talk to me when I step off of it !

Im happiest when im riding alone :)

I prefer riding alone..at my own pace, whatever that might be at the moment. I can ride with 2 people or a hundred..as long as they know how to ride in a group. IE; staggered formation.

Most often, I ride alone, as I use my ride for commuting. However, I do have a couple of friends that I enjoy riding with, since they have similar riding styles and skills. I can't stand a large group ride. Although they look cool, you never know if the guy (or gal) next to you has ridden a total of two miles or two million. Not for me. I waited too long for my Harley to have it totalled because of someone who