Rode with some Harley riders today

[Warlock]

Had a good 270 mile ride on my 08 GS. First tank got 38 miles per gallon. Never got this much. Broke away from them and now back to 28 MPG like I usually get. Of course I run the curves pretty hard. None of them could keep up. I do have a couple buddies that rides Harleys and they know how to run the curves. I know some Harley's will bottom out quicker than others. But had a great ride. Waiting on some brackets for the shocks and will see how the do in the curve once I get them installed. Time for a oil change and back riding with weather permits. Been some great weather down here in the south.
David

[Chupaca]

Sounds like you had a great day... Always nice to meet up with friends even if they have to catch up....

[Warlock]

Sounds like you had a great day... Always nice to meet up with friends even if they have to catch up....

Not all, but most Harley riders don't ride like me and my riding buddy that also rides a 08 GS. I use to run hard when I was riding 2 wheels. Have slowed down some, but love the adrenaline rush.
David

[cruisinTX]

Most (not all), of the Harley guys I know refuse to believe in counter-steering and rely solely on body English to lean into turns. The ones who do that will never be able to keep up with anyone other than the guys doing the same thing. They are also the guys who might lean more trying to keep up with people who know how to ride; be careful you don't push them so hard they slide off the road after dragging hard parts on the pavement.

[3 Wheel Rider]

Most (not all), of the Harley guys I know refuse to believe in counter-steering and rely solely on body English to lean into turns

Reminds me of a saying I saw at a motorcycle safety conference a year or two ago, "If loud pipes save lives, imagine what learning to ride that motorcycle could do"

Proper training coupled with self-acceptance to trust in the riding techniques would benefit our riding community greatly. Also, the training shouldn't stop after the BRC, encourage everyone to take advantage of the continuing education courses that are available; on-line and on-cycle.

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

Most (not all), of the Harley guys I know refuse to believe in counter-steering and rely solely on body English to lean into turns. The ones who do that will never be able to keep up with anyone other than the guys doing the same thing. They are also the guys who might lean more trying to keep up with people who know how to ride; be careful you don't push them so hard they slide off the road after dragging hard parts on the pavement.

.....On the sliding thing ,.... an over-inflated tire will slide much sooner than one properly inflated according to Weight of the vehicle, but this is according to Real science ....not Butt science ............ Mike

[UtahPete]

Reminds me of a saying I saw at a motorcycle safety conference a year or two ago, "If loud pipes save lives, imagine what learning to ride that motorcycle could do" Proper training coupled with self-acceptance to trust in the riding techniques would benefit our riding community greatly. Also, the training shouldn't stop after the BRC, encourage everyone to take advantage of the continuing education courses that are available; on-line and on-cycle.

But that wouldn't be macho. Contributes to the high fatality rate in H-D riders around here I'm sure.

[missouriboy]

I do a weekly group luncheon ryde with mostly Harleys. I typically get about 2-3mpg better that day... We 3-wheelers are at the back, and I've sort of learned to only use about 3/4 throttle on take-offs, so I don't have to stomp the brake when I catch up to them.

[UtahPete]

I do a weekly group luncheon ryde with mostly Harleys. I typically get about 2-3mpg better that day... We 3-wheelers are at the back, and I've sort of learned to only use about 3/4 throttle on take-offs, so I don't have to stomp the brake when I catch up to them.

That would be a deal-killer for me. No way I'm riding behind a bunch of H-Ds.

[ARtraveler]

Thanks for posting about your ride. That 38 mpg is impressive.

[Warlock]

.....On the sliding thing ,.... an over-inflated tire will slide much sooner than one properly inflated according to Weight of the vehicle, but this is according to Real science ....not Butt science ............ Mike

Since lowering my tire pressure on front and back it handles a lot better in the curves.
David

[Warlock]

Thanks for posting about your ride. That 38 mpg is impressive.

Almost fell asleep a couple times. Most of the time I ride solo I get 30 to 32mpg. First time I have ever got this much. I see why the Harley's get the good gas mileage. Don't think I could handle many 38 mpg rides.
David

[MercerLake]

I ride with a group of primarily HD bikes and trikes, and other brands also. We are all older, one couple are chasing 90 years, and we all have fun together. Most have been riding for many years, some of our smoothest riders are ladies. Some retired LEOs are ex motor officers and insist on safe riding practices. Group rides I ride trail for safety as I can stop much faster under poor conditions than any bike. The downside of trailing is the noise, even with earplugs & full helmet it is painful. So I drop back and ride to enjoy the scenery, also have ample warning of hazards ahead. Having fun is paramount!

[UtahPete]

I ride with a group of primarily HD bikes and trikes, and other brands also. The downside of trailing is the noise, even with earplugs & full helmet it is painful.

Yeah, my point exactly. And, I'm going deaf but it's still an annoying noise.

[Lew L]

---- Group rides I ride trail -------------

I also prefer to ride sweep------- I think it's safer ( for me and my wife) as I'll happily keep a safe distance and not tail to close. Some groups just ride tooo close together.

Lew L

[Lew L]

---------- And, I'm going deaf---------------.

YA-- me too( according to my wife) What did you say????? To many years in the Army as an armorer and a supply Sgt. before ear protection

Lew L

[UtahPete]

YA-- me too( according to my wife) What did you say????? To many years in the Army as an armorer and a supply Sgt. before ear protection Lew L

Ships...engine rooms, air ops, firing missiles and big guns...it isn't always quiet out there!

[Docster]

That would be a deal-killer for me. No way I'm riding behind a bunch of H-Ds.

It's difficult to ride in an orderly staggered formation otherwise. Even in our club the Trikes are in the back, even the Harley trikes.😁

[UtahPete]

It's difficult to ride in an orderly staggered formation otherwise. Even in our club the Trikes are in the back, even the Harley trikes.😁

I understand. I just wouldn't ride with them. Period.

[Peter Aawen]

It's difficult to ride in an orderly staggered formation otherwise. Even in our club the Trikes are in the back, even the Harley trikes.😁

A couple of groups I ride with have learnt about Spyders, and now they let us ryde up front with the sports bikes, leaving the Harleys & rear-trikes to follow as & when they can. Come wet or windy weather, or on any of the really tight twisty rides with short straights that we have plenty of around here, we get to take point & order the coffees so they are there waiting for pmt & collection when all the others finally get in.

[hypurone]

Almost fell asleep a couple times. Don't think I could handle many 38 mpg rides.
David

Yeah, group riding does that to me. Way too many dynamics involved with groups as well. Trying to get everyone on board for a start time, same when you stop and try get everyone going again etc etc. Diff strokes I guess....

[ARtraveler]

I had several years of group riding that I considered good. The club went south and we quit doing it in 2014. It appears that the club is now defunct.