I've come to the conclusion that the HD crowd are generally not right.
Thought I was going on a tour of the coast, but it turned out to be nothing but bar hopping.
1) Leave before lunch and stop twice to 'cash a check' at two bars.
2) Wonder if two of the riders will die today.
3) Wonder if I'll be far enough away to not get caught in the carnage.
After the 3rd stop I decided to tour by myself. It turned out well, aside from some rain on the way home. I've never seen such a lack of common sense. Stopping long enough to down 1 or 2 shots and then 'cruising' at +20-25% of the speed limit. Then stopping again in less than a half hour because some one is 'thirsty'.
They don't signal either.
And they think it's comical to fly by ON THE RIGHT portion of the lane at 100 mph. Yes, they laughed about 'flying' each other afterwards.
After pointing out that one fellas brake and tail light was non-functioning I was told "thats what warranties are for man!".
Needless to say I won't be going to any HD tours again. Those people are just dense.
In fairness there are a lot of "normal" H-D riders, but a lot of times you have to avoid the poker run type of crowd (stops for a drink at every bar they see). I know I rode with a couple on a long trip two summers ago and they followed all the group etiquette that a normal rider would, including excessive pointing out of potential hazards on the road (every spec of gravel :laugh:).
Come saturday afternoon most of the bars around here look like Harley dealers. :laugh:
I don't really understand the concept of a poker run. If that's the kind of motivation you need to get out and ride you need to reconsider why you own a bike. I always thought part of riding was "being free" and going in whatever direction you fancy, not tooling down the road in a big herd stopping every 20-30 minutes for an hour.
There are some guys on HD's that have the same problem with that kind of stuff as you and I. They ride alone, just like me.
Its not the bike, its the particular "group" of owners. It dont matter what make the bike is you will always have a certain percentage who behave like this regardless of the make/model they ride........ Unless of course your in the BMW owners club :icon_lol:
drinking and driving never mix and the story of the HD bunch is disturbing. i too have noticed that bars look like HD dealerships, i don't drink so i don't have to go into those places
I hate that !! some friends of mine do the fu%$ing same. i told them why they take out the bike to drink and drive only to diferent bars.. ridding on bike is to take the highway go to the beach ran around the cost of Puerto Rico taking part in different beach, see lots off (G-stro's) maybe you could have a beer why not . but in the beach when you are thirsty for real. and only one. the next beer maybe 3 hours latter when you have ran out 60 or 75 more miles..
some puff!! will chillout the ride!
Good choice on keeping out of that group. I will say that it is not the bike but rather the bikers. Though I will concede the fact that certain bikes attract certain people. There are some really nice HD riders out there, from what I've encountered. Some just try to maintain an image. If only their wives knew how they acted when out on these things :laugh:
most of the time, poker runs are quite interesting, i avoid the "frequent drinking" last run i went on i had 1 beer. after that 8 hours alter i had another. but inbetween i had diet coke lol WITH NOTHING in it 8)
Friday nights down in the brookside district are funny here in Tulsa. There are masses of harleys and cruisers at all the bars. Just down the street from a couple of the popular bars is a Sonic drive in, it is filled with sportbikers drinking soda and eating ice cream :thumb: It has gotten so bad that local residents have begun filing complaints and law enforcement is now writing them tickets for excessive noise. Many of these guys apparently get done drinking at 2 in the morning and feel it is necessary to start their bikes and stand around revving them up before leaving.