Let us know how you ride. We have a reason for asking!
So far, I haven't found anybody willing to ride in 12 degree weather. Since I just got the bike in November, it's been pretty lonely out there on the road. Thats OK though, it's good for clearing the head and forgetting the office!
I have a couple friends with bikes, so maybe warmer weather will bring more riding buddies?
<LOL> - I can understand the problem!
Mostly anymore it seems that I ride alone ... over the past few decades most of my old riding buddies and I have gone our seperate ways or they have given up riding. And I've found out that riding long distances alone has it's advantages ... you don't have to plan around the other(s), long days are not a problem (except for that pain in the rump), breaks are shorter, sightseeing is easier and people are more likely to talk with you. Now, there are some draw-backs; like if you have major problems.
At one time the group I rode with (on a regular basis) contained between 6 to 12 bikes. Some passed away, some parked their rides, some got to the point they didn't want to ride long distance. Oh, they're still freinds but my weekends and nice weather days are reserved for riding. Someday, I'll come across others who enjoy riding as much as I do ... until then I'll continue riding solo.
I ride to and from work, when it's warm, so that's an alone thing, but on the weekends I usually ride w/ a group of 2 - 6. I find riding in organized rides with many bikes the most exciting. I did Rolling Thunder (DC) last year and it was a blast.
We recently towed four bikes to AZ where five of us met up to ride. We put over 1,000 miles on our bikes; went to some great biker bars and out of the way places. The 42 hour drive to/from was a killer though. bjw
I usually ride alone; when I get on and go, I usually run from fill-up to fill-up, and usually run around 400-500 miles a day; if I'm just going for an hour or two I'll look up a buddy to go with. For benefit runs and such I don't mind the group thing as long as I am riding at the back.
'Til next time;
49Reo :)
I ride alone 90% of the time due to my odd work schedule, have riden with 6-20 other riders at benefits or weekend runs. I found out it was alot of work getting around the knuckle draggers or getting out of the way of the 120mph road rockets. I ride for my own pleasure, not to be the next road kill posting from some half wit. 8)
I'm finding a majority of us Drifter riders ride alone, or with a passenger only. This is in sharp contrast to my hd buddies who rarely ride without others.
Very interesting.
Cheers.
Maybe Drifter riders are confident in and of themselves, not needing the approval of others, while HD riders............(https://www.vulcandrifterriders.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi83.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fj319%2Fpcarrell%2FAvitars%2Fnew_shocked.gif&hash=a543e6b7b0cadffc290e2e97f41db9484504d190) (Did he actually say that?!)
(I used to ride an HD, so I can say that, can't I?)
Most of the time my wife and I ride alone ( two up). But we are always looking to find people to ride with . The problem is when we go out for a ride we put 100 miles plus on the bike. Or we make a weekend trips to the east or west coast ( Florida). Most of the riders we know ( harley owner)
think 15 miles between bars is a long way.
Mark
I've noticed that too! Seems like I'm about the only one of my riding friends that thinks it takes at least 30 miles to begin to find the comfortable spot in the seat!
I started this poll, because I wanted to discover if others are like me... ride alone (or two-up) most of the time. And, I am considering developing resources specifically for these lone riders. Looks like there are a bunch of us, so I may proceed with this.
Cheers.
Penny for your thoughts..............
Still working on it - LOL...
Cheers.
Can't blame a guy for tryin'!
Hi I'm new to all of this. But was looking for people that love their Drifter as much as I do. Looks like I came to the right place. I ride most of the time with 1 friend he has a 05 Vulcan 2000 and we get a few others now and then. We do at least 2 trips a year plus locl riding. I have a 2002 Drifter with 6000 miles on it , just purchased about a month ago but just feel in love with it. My other bike is a 01 Harley 1200 custom boy what a difference. Any way I'm in the Washington area anyone wanting someone to ride with drop a line and we'll see if we can meet up. Later Tom
Most of the time by myself, because I work nights in my part time job and some afternoons in my mechanics job, my riding time is limited. When I can do anything it is usually running errands on the bike(s) or when I need time away from the shop to rethink a problem I am having. And because most people work days, when I have time to ride, it makes it difficult.
Ride solo a good bit but love to ride with others when I get a chance.
I'm extremely new to riding (still do not have a license; though, I think I got about a hundred miles on the bike from just practicing) but I suspect I'll us the bike mostly to get back and forth to work.
I do already have an offer to go down to the OPH for a ride with a working buddy - when I'm licensed and comfortable with my skill level.
hey there big bike four you have a nice pic for ur avitar
its actually a pic of my drifter before i painted it black im glad you like
Rarely,
Varooom
I ride as often as work lets me as I travel out of state . 400 miles is a good day of riding and I seldom come home with less than 300 miles. I ride in all kinds of weather and I ride alone most of the time. I find a direction and go . I do not over plan trips, I just ride, eat when I'm hungry, sleep when I'm tired. I don't have anyone to answer to ! I live where riding is premo !SC, Western NC, North GA, TN, The Blue Ridge, Skyline Drive etc. I often pack my backpacking gear and camp. I'm at most a 1/2 day to any of these places. I find most folks I know now who ride are weekender's and fair weather riders all about getting someplace to look cool and forgetting that the ride is what is along the way. So I'm solo and don't ask anyone anymore to ride with me . I never ride two up, both of my bikes are solo.
I ride all winter long. I don't ride in the snow or ice. cold not a problem. I ride alone everyday to work. When I take my black beauty for a long ride (weather not a problem) I ride solo the wife follows in the vette. can't find any all weather riders here in the Northwest, most are fair weather riders. it sucks to be them.
Well the reason we moved to South Texas is we can ride all year around. (Well except for the occasional ice storm!) ;D I usually ride alone, but certainly will ride with most anybody. I also have started to ride with the In Country MC and our local chapter has about a dozen members.
My wife likes to ride on short rides until her joint pain kicks in above her threshold. :'( :'(
I am working on taking my 99 - 1500 back to the old school look. Distresed Leather, Fringe, and two tone paint of Gooseberry and Cream. Right now I've got to find out what's causing a rather loud knock in the front jug. Wish me luck. :(
I ride alot by myself, and love it as a way to unwind. my wife has abike so we go for rides together sometime on weekends and I am president of local CMA chapter so ride often in a group and to rallies. It is all good, and on my Drifter it is even better.
I just bought my 1999 Drifter 10 days ago so it's been solo so far
without . when I roll I'm like a lot of you in the 20% I'm a rider not a haler but am a puller . I go my own way DRIFTER
I ride a lot with others, I rarley ride solo, unless it's to work and back. I would strongly suggest joining a riding club, it really has been a great experience for me, there are always folks up for a ride. It does take a little to get used to group riding, but a CB will help out a lot.
Look into the Southern Cruisers, there are chapters all across the nation, and most of all, it for a good cause, all proceeds go to St. Judes Children Hospital.
This Captain Maragaret, my smarter and better looking half. Except for trips to the PO or groceries, we ride everwhere together.
So I count that as two-up.
I usually ride alone to get to someplace where I ride with others. So far the Drifter has been used to travel, where I'm almost always riding alone. But when I arrive there is usually a group of guys to ride with (Bikeweek/Biketoberfest/Drift-In so far). It doesn't get ridden much other than these times.
VetMXR
I tried to ride with groups. My church had it's own motorcycle club and we've gone on rides with as many as 30 to 50 other bikers. Personally, I don't like it.
I don't like having to stay in riding formation, as it seems to take the fun and freedom out of riding if you're stuck in your little "position"
Might as well take the car if you're going to do that.
However, I do ride with my wife sometimes. She has her own bike. I prefer riding with her or alone. I might be open to riding with a small group. Maybe 4 bikes or so, but screw the formation. I hate the riding formation.
Quote from: tgoelz on April 06, 2009, 14:45:15 PM
Mostly anymore it seems that I ride alone ... over the past few decades most of my old riding buddies and I have gone our seperate ways or they have given up riding. And I've found out that riding long distances alone has it's advantages ... you don't have to plan around the other(s), long days are not a problem (except for that pain in the rump), breaks are shorter, sightseeing is easier and people are more likely to talk with you. Now, there are some draw-backs; like if you have major problems.
At one time the group I rode with (on a regular basis) contained between 6 to 12 bikes. Some passed away, some parked their rides, some got to the point they didn't want to ride long distance. Oh, they're still freinds but my weekends and nice weather days are reserved for riding. Someday, I'll come across others who enjoy riding as much as I do ... until then I'll continue riding solo.
Some of my most memorable trips were riding alone, making new buddies and traveling together.
A few years ago, I headed back to Sturgis (couple months before the rally), met up with two Canadians from Edmonton (I am ex-Canadian). Ended up hooking up with them for 4 days on the road. It was awesome, and it sucked having to part ways on the way home.
I live on an island and try to ride anytime it is not raining, or snowing. I mostly ride alone. When on the mainland I have a couple guys that ride, but most of them have to work. I am taking off next month on a 3000 mile road trip and will be riding alone until the last 400 miles up the Northern California and Oregon coast, when A friend is going to meet up and ride the last few with me....
The hubby (Rob) and I usually ride together each on our own bikes, but not often with others. This year we are getting a group together though and plan on going on a few rides with them, it will be a first for most of us.
Once a year we ride with my family when they come to visit, it is really nice riding with them, they are used to riding as a group, we aren't, so we've picked up some tips from them about group riding and safety.
When Rob is working I ride alone, it clears my head and lets me relax and just go where I want to go.
I like riding with people (not a large group), I almost never ride 2 up as my wife isn't into bikes. I belong to several internet riding groups and get together with a few folks a couple of times a month. It breaks up the solo riding back and forth to work.
Quote from: tgoelz on April 06, 2009, 14:45:15 PM
Mostly anymore it seems that I ride alone ... over the past few decades most of my old riding buddies and I have gone our seperate ways or they have given up riding. And I've found out that riding long distances alone has it's advantages ... you don't have to plan around the other(s), long days are not a problem (except for that pain in the rump), breaks are shorter, sightseeing is easier and people are more likely to talk with you. Now, there are some draw-backs; like if you have major problems.
At one time the group I rode with (on a regular basis) contained between 6 to 12 bikes. Some passed away, some parked their rides, some got to the point they didn't want to ride long distance. Oh, they're still freinds but my weekends and nice weather days are reserved for riding. Someday, I'll come across others who enjoy riding as much as I do ... until then I'll continue riding solo.
My situation is nearly the same. Adding that some of my old buddies are now grand & great-grand parents,..& for some reason raising the little ones?
Ron
my wife and i ride alot together on our own bikes...its our way to get away from it all.
as far as harley riders go....i think they ride together ..so when one breaks down they have some one to talk to.
my 2 cents
Although I have only had my 1999 1500 drifter for 3 weeks ( best cruiser by far ), I have been riding for 45 years and for 99% of that time it has been alone. I don't like to have to wait for anyone nor go somewhere because someone else wants to. I drive my machine for me and me alone. The wife likes my disposition when ever I return from my run. Dan
I ride alone usually back and forth to work but have CRAZY HOURS... When the fiance rides once in a while on her custom ninja we cruise a bit I like 9N between Saratoga Springs and Lake George N.Y
I have not found another Drifter rider to ride with, I think I have one of the few, maybe the only, 800 Drifter in Australia as they are bloody near impossible to import...........
But in saying that, I enjoy riding the Great Ocean Road solo, it's great for the mind.
Used to ride with friends quite a bit on weekends,...as well as most road trips.
But time changes things.Divorce,kids,grandkids,..& now dare I say it great-grandkids......Damn i 'm getting old :(
I'm single & retired,so for the last ten years or so,..most of my travels have been alone. A trip or two in season with friends but that's about all.
Some times, I miss the old times, But! traveling alone does have it's advantages. Aa long as I can ,..I will
Ron
I hardly ever ride with other riders, for several reasons:
I don't like to drink a whole lot when I ride (or rather, after I've had as many as I'm comfortable, I don't want to sit around and watch the rest of the crew get smashed).
I'm not macho and most guys around here like to huff about their manhood when they are out riding.
I only ride as fast as I'm comfortable riding.
When I think it's time to go home to the wife, it's time to go home.
Ride by myself 99% of the time. Most people I know either think 200 miles enough for one day, or they are LDRs and do the Iron Butt, or the Minnesota 1000. I guess I've always been somewhere in between. Done a few 1,000 mile days, but mostly now, 6-700 is about my limit. Riding in a group has it's advantages, I'm sure, just can't think of any just now...I teach at Road America a few weekends a year, and usually leave home to get to the track about 3 am, and come back the same day. That's 400 miles, and nobody else want's to get up that early.
I ride with my Club 25 percent of the time, and alone most of the time.
I ride with the "American Legion Riders" and the "Patriot Guard Riders" we promote motorcycle safety and riding in at lease pairs.
BTW.. Looking for a front fender for my Drifter any one got any leads??
I never thought I would enjoy riding with a group. I never saw the purpose since you can't really talk to each other while riding. That has all changed. It is such a bonding experience that can't really be described. My wife rides too, so that kind of takes care of most of the time except riding to work. There is that rare time when I go just to be alone.
Never, now that I have a 2005 with solo seat. Love the stock solo.
Varooom
I ride alone about half the time and the other half I ride with my wife. Not two up, she has her own..