Rode with over 50 Harleys on Sunday...

[spydaman60]

right there with you on your feelings about the group rides and the personalities of some of those involved. went on a poker run last year sponsored by o'tooles harley in wurtzboro ,ny and found my self with 1 other spyder and 80 or more harleys. if it hadn't been for "paws for life" i probably would have just left after making my donation, but really wanted to go for a spin. so like you, the two spyders ended up in the rear, and on we went!

[Cruzr Joe]

I am sorry that you had a poor experience with them, the majority of Harley Riders that i have encountered are pretty decent but their is still a large number of them out there that have the "Harley" attitude but i think they are coming around (slowly).


If i were you i would do the ride again next year and maybe get a couple of other spyders to go with you. i ride with one particular Spyder Ryder that wears the Harley guys out when they are in front of him and leaves them in the dust when they are behind him.


Cruzr Joe

[Dan McNally]

You showed maturity. There are children no matter where you go. It is amazing, the number of people who just stop maturing around the sophomore year of high school. They go through the rest of their lives, getting older, every year . . . but still sophomoric in their actions! I suppose it is a deep-seated sense of insecurity. Pity them . . .

[Spyder Tony]

i ride with one particular Spyder Ryder that wears the Harley guys out when they are in front of him and leaves them in the dust when they are behind him.

Cruzr Joe

Joe, I fear that is exactly part of the problem...up the hills and in the corners the Harleys couldn't touch me, and my Spyder was begging for more!!! Maybe this is why the silent treatment during the stops

[Cruzr Joe]

Joe, I fear that is exactly part of the problem...up the hills and in the corners the Harleys couldn't touch me, and my Spyder was begging for more!!! Maybe this is why the silent treatment during the stops

I promise you that the Harley folks hate to be outridden by any type of bike, especialy a Spyder. the only thing a Harley can do better than a Spyder is make noise.

Cruzr Joe

[Dan McNally]

. . . the only thing a Harley can do better than a Spyder is make noise.

Cruzr Joe

But they do make a great noise when compared to crotch-rockets!

[captblack]

The real riders in the group will treat everyone with respect because they ride, not for what the ride. I was told by a Harley rider I used to work with that he never would ride a trike (had sold his bike due to medical problems). I saw him a few months later and he was re-thinking things. I think he was missing the wind in his face more than his hog.

It is common in a group ride for trikes to be in the back. It helps maintain spacing and everyone to proceed at their own pace, for the most part. I wouldn't think much of that.

I would recommend you keep riding with whomever you enjoy visiting with - regardless of what they ride. It is funny, however, that I seem to get more waves on my Vulcan than on the Spyder - but not too much difference.

[spyder3]

"His response was "Yeah...trikes in the back cause they get in the way" aha! so he did acknowledge as a motorcycle

[BajaRon]

I have to say that 'Trikes in the back' has been conventional wisdom for a long time. This is because conventional trikes have a mechanical disadvantage in the twisties. Though there are some who are skilled enough to keep up on a conventional trike, this is rare.

A standard Spyder with a skilled rider should be able to keep up with most 2 wheeler's and Harley riders are not normally burning up the twisties. A well set up Spyder should be able to do better than keep up with the average 2 wheeler.

3 wheels still have a disadvantage when compared to a full race machine like a Hayabusa, Ninja, etc. But try riding one of them on a long distance tour.

I applaud you for keeping your cool and letting the issue resolve itself. That's hard to do.

[mxz600]

the only thing a Harley can do better than a Spyder is make noise.

Cruzr Joe

Depends on the Spyder.

With a loud pipe I think the Spyder sounds like a supercharged beast, and the Harley sounds like a John Deere tractor from my childhood..... "Plup, plup, plup, plup", well you get the idea.

[Cruzr Joe]

"IF" i ride in the back of the pack, which i seldom do, it is because i choose to, not because someone says trikes to the rear.

.

Cruzr Joe

[gottago]

I am sorry that you had a poor experience with them, the majority of Harley Riders that i have encountered are pretty decent but their is still a large number of them out there that have the "Harley" attitude but i think they are coming around (slowly).


If i were you i would do the ride again next year and maybe get a couple of other spyders to go with you. i ride with one particular Spyder Ryder that wears the Harley guys out when they are in front of him and leaves them in the dust when they are behind him.


Cruzr Joe

I agree, right after putting on BajaRon's sway bar I went out with a few HD drivers that had a little attitude till we got to the bottom of the hill. They all mentioned a new respect for my"Zippy". Don't let it slow you down go again and again they'll start to take an interest....been there Done that,

[Chupaca]

the ratio is still high. The older and yuppier Harley riders seem to be more open but the hard core still hold their ground and feel anything but them should be on the road. They hate the crotch rockets more than us because they run circles around them. Us they feel are just in their way although they have to bite their tongues because of their trikes. I have found that a good ryder can out ride Harley's as well. I am not the greatest but find that I come up on Harley's on the mountain roads and ryde their tails till they finally pull over and make like their bike is acting up look down at it and then pull out behind me. I still ryde on rides that are open to all bikes and find the friendly ones to hang with...glad you hung in there and showed them class..!!