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The Things You See
So I'm out running an errand, and as I'm leaving the store and waiting to pull out onto the street three motorcycles drive by.
I had to blink a couple of times, as it was a very odd group. Fortunately, I was able to catch up to them at the next traffic light.
Lead: Honda Goldwing Trike
Second: Harley-Davidson bagger with full front fairing and hard saddle bags
Third: Can-Am Spyder - not sure the model, but it was a dark blue or black and had a top case
So I continue on to my house, wondering if I should post about what I saw or not, and then I saw something even weirder!
I live a few miles north of town, kind of out in the sticks, and the road to my neighborhood is a single lane in each direction with no shoulders.
And I catch up to a wagon drawn by two horses. We're talking a wagon for hauling people, with seats for about 8 people, rolling on four tires.
But as I get closer I realize they are not horses, but are mules.
Now, I'm a computer geek, not a farm boy, so you may be wondering how I knew they were mules?
From the license plate, of course: MULE 1
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Very Active Member
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Very Active Member
Re: Group ride mix. I'm seeing more & more mix & match groups in the recent past. I think older riders (like me) want to keep riding with the same folks we've been riding with on 2-wheels forever. Every brand, style, and wheel-count is becoming the norm. It's rare to see 'Branded' clubs anymore.
Last edited by Peter Aawen; 08-17-2024 at 01:36 AM.
'20 Spyder RT: Bajaron swaybar. Vredestein tires, Pedal Commander, Elka front shocks, GPS/USB/12V handlebar mount, Heli-Bars, Radar Detector, KOTT grills & vents, Shad top case, chin & DRL LEDs.
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Active Member
The regular group I ride with includes Gold Wing trikes, Harley trikes, Indian trikes, Spyders, and a Kawasaki Concours..
We have a great time.. no ill will re brands.. just us out and about and enjoying the ride.
2021 RT Ltd, Marsala Red/Black, Dark
New course heading Mr Sulu: 2nd star to the right and straight on til morning...
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I'm glad to hear about the group ride mentality, and I have experienced a little bit of that around here.
There is a Harley-Davidson dealer in town, which is one location of a chain of 3 or 4 HD dealers in Tennessee.
They do regular BBQ events and rides at the various locations, so I may see how they feel about a Spyder tagging along.
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Very Active Member
Yesterday I was coming down the backside of the "Snake" doing about 40 mph and was just coming out of a blind right hand turn. I had just started giving the F3s a bit of throttle when I was confronted with an idiot (a big idiot) driving a riding mower in the middle of the lane doing about 4 mph. He was on his cell phone looking down. I just barely missed him. So if you're on these backroads, be careful. For what it's worth, he never even looked up.
Last edited by Peter Aawen; 05-12-2024 at 07:06 AM.
Retired U.S. Coast Guard 76-97
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Very Active Member
We had a group ride with a couple of Spyder RTs, a Honda GW Trike, a Vanderhall "lady driver", and her husband on a HD 2-wheeler last winter in Az.
Last edited by Peter Aawen; 05-12-2024 at 08:58 AM.
2018 RT Ltd - Asphalt Metallic - East Valley of Phoenix
2018 RT Ltd Chrome - Champagne Metallic - Lake Stevens, Wa
(Champagne/Hooker) Magic Mirrors, 360 LED head lights, BajaRon sway bar, H&R springs and shock adjusters, dash cam, foam grips, third brake light 4 LED strobe for 7 seconds and then on steady, rear LED turn signals/8 ohm 50W resistors, sequential turn signals on front fenders, Vredestein and PPA Orb wheels on front and General out back, and driver backrest.
Things that move between machines: Ikea sheep skins, Zumo XT GPS, and extra tools. Hooker is going to be my summer trike up North; and Hookie my winter trike down South.
(Asphalt/Hookie) Elka shocks on front - BajaRon sway bar, OEM driver's backrest, LED headlights, dual USB with voltmeter, dash cam, foam grips - Magic Mirrors - front tires Vredestein Quatrac SL on PPA ORB Chrome wheels.
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Very Active Member
RE: Group riding...we did it for years. I belonged to a group from 2002 until about 2017. It was a multi brand group, (I introduced Spyders to them in 2008). We had weekly rides (Thursday's), and always stopped to eat some place. That particular group had safety in mind. We had over 50 members in the early days. It was something to see the pre-ride line up in the parking lot of a business that allowed us there for years. Usually over 50 bikes of all sizes and types. We broke up into groups of 10 or less for the actual rides. There was a "fast" group and there was a "beginner" group, as well as 5 other groups (some friends and some bike flavors). I led the beginner group for a few years. We had a yearly awards party and also celebrated St. Patrick's day with another party. In all the years I rode, we never had one "accident" involving the bikes. We usually had a yearly "I Faw Down" award winner though.
A change in leadership, politics, and safety, at the end caused us to leave the group. Safety was the biggy for me.
Since then, Linda and I finished out our riding years just riding together and an occasional ride with a friend or two.
Last edited by ARtraveler; 05-12-2024 at 01:05 PM.
Currently Owned: 2019 F3 Limited, 2020 F3 Limited: SOLD BOTH LIMITEDS in October of 2023.
Previously : 2008 GS-SM5 (silver), 2009 RS-SE5 (red), 2010 RT-S Premier Editon #474 (black) 2011 RT A&C SE5 (magnesium) 2014 RTS-SE6 (yellow)
MY FINAL TALLY: 7 Spyders, 15 years, 205,500 miles
IT HAS BEEN A LONG, WONDERFUL, AND FUN RIDE.
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Very Active Member
The group I ride with is not brand specific. When I joined them in 1993 there were around 80 of us, most on Gold Wings and then me on a Venture Royale. I am still will that group but now there are over 500 of us scattered mostly in the west but back east as well. The face of the group has changed now to about 50/50 Harleys and Gold Wings with a good scattering of other brands, Trikes, and a few Spyders ( more coming) Since our main focus is service, religious observance, and combining that with having a good time and sightseeing/touring, your bike brand is of little concern, but your friendliness, and desire to have a great time on 2/3 wheels is. Actually we even have a few cages with members who can't ride anymore who still join us.
Happy TRAils/NSD
Paul
2012 RT L
AMA 25 years Life Member
TRA
PGR
Rhino Riders Plate #83
Venturers #78
TOI
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I had plans for Saturday, which just changed...
ride.jpg
One of the sponsors is the organization I did my 3-wheel training with, and their website says that the coach I worked with will be attending.
The location is about an hour from where I live, so an interesting event and a nice ride.
The weather forecast is for some showers in the morning, so I may need to break out my rain gear.
Last edited by racoon; 05-13-2024 at 08:58 PM.
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Member
I live in The Villages, Florida and our club, The Villages Nomads, has approximately 160 active members (the roster is over 300) & there is just about every bike and trike represented from Can Ams, Harleys, Hondas, Yahamas, & even a couple bikes with side cars. We’re all older riders and really don’t care what people ride. Most of us are old Harley riders and like myself have owned numerous bikes. It’s all about the camaraderie & continuing to ride.
When I joined there were approximately 16 Spyders…..we’ve been adding about 2 a month. The trikes, including Can Ams, Harleys & Gold Wings about 1/2 of the club now.
2014 Can Am Spyder RTL Chrome Edition
Led Headlights & Fog Lights
Frunk Organizer
Rear Trunk Organizer
Painted Windshield Bracket Black with Chrome Spyder
Leather Like Foam Hand Grips
Handlebar Weights
Plug N' Play Brake Light Flasher / Modulator Kit
Trunk Mounted Run, Brake & Turn Signal LED Light Kit
USB/Volt Meter
Led Undercarriage Lights
Show Chrome Full Size Brake Pedal
Show Chrome - Chrome Handlebar Cover
UltraGard Essential Half Cover
Polished Stainless Steel License Plate Frame
KEMIMOTO Motorcycle Bottle Holder
Bluetooth 5.0 FM Transmitter
Hopnel Trunk and Saddlebag Cargo Net System
TackForm Center Mount Phone Holder
Trunk Mount Dual Flag Holder
High Way Pegs
Baldwin Ironworks Cat By-pass
K & N Air Filter
Magnetic Mirror Mounts
2-WDG Motorcycle Seat Cushions
Kenda Kanine Tires
Originally from Medina, Ohio
Currently living in The Villages, Florida
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Very Active Member
If & when the buds can actually catch a break & we attempt a group ride, it's a fun mix (whatever is working) - an HD Sportster, Ultra glide, Honda VTX, Goldwing, Yamaha RoadStar, someone had a sidecar 1 trip, & maybe a Road King. It's all about the ride (AWAY from WORK) & not brand anything. This was before my injury mind you, so 12y now. We did get a small ride after my injury, on the Spyder instead of Yamaha. Despite various retirements & other things, we attempt keeping in touch; hopefully via a lunch run with a couple of others; usually it's a last minute, good luck if you can drop everything & go thing. Some 'can' better than others, & the razzing follows, especially if those who can't are at known locations where we can loudly rumble by & sound horns to help rub it in! Also, there's always the picture barrage.
Last edited by Peter Aawen; 08-17-2024 at 01:46 AM.
2013 STL SE5 BLACK CURRANT
SpyderPop's: LED bumpskid
SmoothSpyder: dualmode back rest
T r * * LED:foam grip covers, Tricrings, FenderZ,
brake light strips, wide vue mirrors
Rivico SOMA modulation brake leds
sawblade mowhalk fender accents
minispyder dash toy
Lid lox
KradelLock
Pakitrack
GENSSI ELITE LED H4 headlights
FLO (Frunk Lid Organizer)
BRP fog lights, trailer hitch
SENA 20S EVO
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Very Active Member
The mule drawn wagons were fairly common on many Florida secondary roads for a while. I have seen 2 or 3 covered wagons pulled by mules. Most were fitted with flashing lights and slow moving vehicle signs on the rear wagon. It was some kind of youth adventure trips. Saw a news story about it once. It is not unsual at all to see people in the rural areas riding horses along the road sides. Tractors and equipment move around this area, and even through the towns during planting and harvest times. I have had a mule here on the farm for several decades. Used to have a couple of them, but don't have livestock anymore. Mules and donkeys are used to keep coyotes and stray dogs from killing livestock. They are much better and more affective than herd dogs.
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Very Active Member
I'll ride with anyone who wants to go where I'm going when I'm going so long as their on-road behavior doesn't give us a bad name; I don't care what they ride.
Artillery lends dignity to what would
otherwise be a vulgar brawl.
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Cognac 2014 RT-S
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Very Active Member
I am seeing more and more mixed rider sets. We see it all the time at the shop. Husband rides a Harley, Indian, or Victory. The wife rides a Spyder or Ryker. Get a few of these couples together and you can see everything from Crotch Rockets to Adventure Bikes. We even have a local group with a scooter in the mix.
Riding groups can't afford to be as brand specific as they used to be if they want to stay viable. I've always been happy to ride with you regardless of what you brought to the party. Never understood the exclusive clan mentality.
The Harley mystique is fading and Harley knows it. Nor are they doing themselves any favors with their recent, aggressive woke campaign. Overall, 2 wheels are just not appealing to the younger generation like they did in my day. Who knows where it will all end up. But I have to hand it to BRP as they have positioned themselves at the front of where things seem to be heading. If they could improve on their electronic and service availability issues, I think they could easily expand their footprint in this area.
The one thing that puzzles me is the lack of competition. You know all the big boys have taken a hard look at this product. They either think there isn't enough headroom available to move into. Or they don't see much potential for expanding the current market. Either way, it's an opinion that if correct, does not make for much excitement in the near future.
Last edited by BajaRon; 08-17-2024 at 12:19 PM.
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