Group rides

Jek · April 13, 2006, 06:31:35 AM

I'm a new rider and just got my license about 2 weeks ago. Last night I got out on the road with a friend on his bike for the first time. Riding with another bike is so much fun! I don't know why and I can't really explain the feeling, but I really enjoyed it. Although it is somewhat embarrassing how badly my GS gets left in the dust by my friend's CBR600RR even when he has a passenger and isn't pushing it

I highly recommend finding friends to ride with to other new riders.

My roommate is getting a bike soon, and I've met some neighbors that ride, so pretty soon we should have a group of 4-5 riders to hang out with.

Just out of curiosity, do most of you guys prefer riding solo or in groups?

Turd Ferguson · April 13, 2006, 06:42:02 AM

Riding in groups has its benefits. When I first started riding, I made sure that the people I rode with knew that I was a new rider. I asked them to take it easy and allow me to follow. After a few group rides, I would occasionally ride up front so that they could watch me and give me any pointers on my riding technique. The license handbook here in Kansas says that in a group ride, the new rider should not be stuck at the front. It also states that they should not be stuck at the back either, that way other riders can ride behind and give pointers.

Just make sure that the people you ride with aren't doing anything too crazy. "Spirited" riding on the street is dangerous enough, but bad things can happen when a n00b is trying to keep up.

Glad you enjoyed the ride! I love riding in groups.

-Turd.

scratch · April 13, 2006, 06:58:07 AM

I like riding in groups, now that I think about it more, I actually prefer riding in groups, it helps me unwind even more.

3imo · April 13, 2006, 07:05:42 AM

Groups = Good

I got this thing about my GS, though...

..a bit embarrising.. I ...I like to share her

....with other guys..

I like to WATCH her being ridden...so I let...other

..guys.. ride her.

is that wrong?

Maybe I can join a bike swingers club... or not.

pandy · April 13, 2006, 07:40:48 AM

Quote from: 3imo on April 13, 2006, 07:05:42 AM
Groups = Good I got this thing about my GS, though... ..a bit embarrising.. I ...I like to share her ....with other guys..
I like to WATCH her being ridden...so I let...other ..guys.. ride her. is that wrong? Maybe I can join a bike swingers club... or not.

I wish scratch felt that way about his purple beauty

.... cuz I'd toss my rule about not riding "hers" and I'd ride her hard! And he and my boyfriend could watch!

As to the original question, I do like to ride in groups, too, but I also like to make sure that I know the route and that I have an idea of what kind of riders I'm riding with. I've read far too many stories about n00b riders trying to keep up and going down on their first or second group ride...and I've seen too many rides advertised as "n00b friendly" that really aren't. And I've watched and read about too many n00b riders who go down and/or get hurt trying to keep up with the big girls/boys. BUT....I think it was the Doc Wong group ride that I learned the most on as a n00b... It'll be time to go on another of those before too long...

Wait....

Quote from: 3imo on April 13, 2006, 07:05:42 AM
...I like to share her ....with other guys...

You like guys!!??

3imo · April 13, 2006, 07:56:26 AM

Pandy, please. I am a bit insecure of myself. It is my choice, er.. I mean I was born unsure...no I mean.....

all hell... just call me a homophobe...nope that would be offensive.. can we even talk about gays? er..hetero challenged.

I don't know. someone will get offended. I bet.

**brokeback suzuki ?

pandy · April 13, 2006, 08:00:08 AM

I'm ghey almost every day!!!

<----see my ghey smile!

Jek · April 13, 2006, 08:02:46 AM

Oh god, quit hijacking my thread and making it about Brokeback-esque stuff! lol.

But, interesting input from everyone about the group rides. We just cruised last night, nothing spirited. But I know my skill limits pretty well from my track time in cars...not that the skill transfers, but the wisdom to not push yourself just because you see someone faster

natedawg120 · April 13, 2006, 08:06:04 AM

i have only riden in a group once or twice and every time i have it has been a group i found at a rest stop. I talked to them and they were going my direction so we all rode together. It was awesome just wish i could do it more.

3imo · April 13, 2006, 08:10:28 AM

riding in groups is why I put my mirrors back on.

solo its ok, but with another biker I can't keep them in site if I am in front. I always feel like I'm gonna hit them.

word to the wise, don't ride with anyone with out mirrors and if ya do keep him in your mirrors.

**btw don't flame me for not using mirrors. I like to ride that way. I put them back on as a curtesy to my fellow bikers**

3imo · April 13, 2006, 08:12:50 AM

The local CMA in my area has this on their website, rules for group rides. --> http://dothan-cma.org/Road%20Rules.htm

I don't know if it's universal but it gives you some good pointers.

**I am not christian, I just ride with some.

budget speed demon · April 13, 2006, 08:16:49 AM

I have ridden with a gsxr750 on the highway and could keep up alright, but he was really taking it easy. When riding in groups with faster bikes, you have to always make sure you're in your power band and basically have to ride really aggressively to keep up. It feels almost like race like conditions because one slip up and they're gone.

3imo · April 13, 2006, 08:24:36 AM

Quote from: budget speed demon on April 13, 2006, 08:16:49 AM
I have ridden with a gsxr750 on the highway and could keep up alright, but he was really taking it easy. When riding in groups with faster bikes, you have to always make sure you're in your power band and basically have to ride really aggressively to keep up. It feels almost like race like conditions because one slip up and they're gone.

I have the slowest bike around these parts and hardly get left behind. if your riding with bigger bikes and they are taking off aggressively enough to leave you behind. You might be in the wrong group. or your buddy's are a-holes.

don't get me wrong we ride at speeds up to 80mph and everynow an then one or two will hot foot it and dissapear in the distance, but riding in a group that respects all riders will not leave you playing catch-up. at least not that you feel like the GS can't keep up.

NO offense intended BSD just my opinion, I guess.

Alphamazing · April 13, 2006, 09:03:14 AM

I ride with my father and his riding buddies on a pretty consistant basis, and when not with him I am riding with my sportbike club. In both cases I have the smallest and least powerful bike. This isn't an issue though, because when you learn to ride your GS you'll realize that you really don't need an upgrade.

Riding in groups is a lot of fun, so long as they aren't too big. I prefer riding in groups of about 4 to 8 at the most. I really like riding with my father because he knows how I ride and at what skill level I am at. It's best to ride with someone who knows you so that if they are setting the pace then they will know to lead you along at a pace acceptable for your skill level. However, even if they go burning off leaving you in their dust, the main thing you need to do is RIDE YOUR OWN RIDE. Just ride at your own pace and you'll have the most enjoyable time of your life.

budget speed demon · April 13, 2006, 09:32:20 AM

Quote from: 3imo on April 13, 2006, 08:24:36 AM
Quote from: budget speed demon on April 13, 2006, 08:16:49 AM
I have ridden with a gsxr750 on the highway and could keep up alright, but he was really taking it easy. When riding in groups with faster bikes, you have to always make sure you're in your power band and basically have to ride really aggressively to keep up. It feels almost like race like conditions because one slip up and they're gone.

I have the slowest bike around these parts and hardly get left behind. if your riding with bigger bikes and they are taking off aggressively enough to leave you behind. You might be in the wrong group. or your buddy's are a-holes.

don't get me wrong we ride at speeds up to 80mph and everynow an then one or two will hot foot it and dissapear in the distance, but riding in a group that respects all riders will not leave you playing catch-up. at least not that you feel like the GS can't keep up.

NO offense intended BSD just my opinion, I guess.

your the dumbest POS I've ever met. I f-ing hate you! why don't you just die.

lol, j/k

no worries man I see what your saying.
the only problem is that sometimes I want to go for a ride with the local sport bike riders, but I don't want to slow them down or make their ride suck. if I do that, soon enough I won't be welcome on their rides anymore because I'm too slow and hold them back. likewise most of the guys I've ridden with arn't track stars, so I can corner just as fast as them, but if they start getting crazy then I just stay back. I don't mind pushing my limits a little bit, thats how you get better, but I'm not gonna kill myself.

3imo · April 13, 2006, 09:38:13 AM

I guess I am pretty dumb. .. well not really a guess as much as just knowing it.
but I did stay at a holiday in EXPRESS

RVertigo · April 13, 2006, 10:52:35 AM

I like riding in small groups... I think it actually helps your riding abilities. Like snowboarding with people that are better than you... You can watch how they do it and push yourself a little more.

Although keeping up with RG in traffic was a little rough...

I had to pass someone from the turn lane just to catch her.

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Group rides