Things that don't fit

[Pennyrick]

I have come to the conclusion that I am not a genuine motorcycle enthusiast. Even though I have been riding motorcycles for the past 42 years and have run the gamut of brands from Harleys, to Suzukis, to Yamahas, to Hondas, Kawasakis, and Can Ams, I still feel that I do not really belong. There may be others out there who feel as I do but here is a list of things that don’t fit with me.

- I don’t like to ride with large groups. About thirty year’s ago when I was a member of GWRRA I watched a novice rider wipe out a number of Gold Wings on a sweeping turn that he was not proficient enough to handle. Over the years I have had other close calls with both inexperienced and experienced riders and now I only ride with those I know and not very many of them at one time.
- I don’t enjoy chapters, clubs or groups organized around motorcycling. I had my fill of that with GWRRA and the few attempts made to start a Georgia Spyder Group haven’t turned out well. Officers, rules, regulations, dues and such are just not my cup of tea. I do enjoy meeting up with fellow riders at lunch or dinner destinations as long as I can take my own route and time to get there.
- Patches and vests are not my thing. I see nothing positive about adorning my clothing with patches, pins and other symbols of affiliation. Just as I didn’t wish to wear a jacket promoting Harley-Davidson back in the day, I am not about to be a moving advertisement for Can Am Spyders.
- Motorcycle missionaries turn me off. Just as I have no time for folks who want me to adopt their form of religion, I abhor those who want to me to change the brand of machine I ride, to use the type of helmet they wear, the brand of tire they ride on, etc., etc. This is by far from being my first rodeo and at my age I think I have to trust my own opinions.

I do hope I’m not turning into an old curmudgeon but maybe I am.

 

[ARtraveler]

Good stuff! :bowdown::bowdown:

I agree with you on three out of four. Please do not pay attention to my Avatar. :roflblack::roflblack:

I mentioned in a previous thread that I don't wear it much any more, but I like to look at it and remember some of the good times and places I have been.

It's probably going to join me when I go away for good, I don't like suits. :yes:

 

[Chupaca]

Well put..!!

But here is the thing....you tried them all and have now settled for what fits the way you ryde. I do agree with most of the things you mention but have not tried them all. Though some are fading fast. I do enjoy the solo rydes and with my wife the most. We can turn in any direction we want, stop when and wherever we want and do it all whenever we want. :thumbup:

 

[ARtraveler]

But here is the thing....you tried them all and have now settled for what fits the way you ryde. I do agree with most of the things you mention but have not tried them all. Though some are fading fast. I do enjoy the solo rydes and with my wife the most. We can turn in any direction we want, stop when and wherever we want and do it all whenever we want. :thumbup:

:agree: We started up with our old group again this summer, but we have decided that kind of riding is no longer for us either. A lot of new people have come in and I am also uncomfortable riding with those who I do not know about their abilities to ride.

It is like waiting for an accident to happen.

 

[cuznjohn]

I have come to the conclusion that I am not a genuine motorcycle enthusiast. Even though I have been riding motorcycles for the past 42 years and have run the gamut of brands from Harleys, to Suzukis, to Yamahas, to Hondas, Kawasakis, and Can Ams, I still feel that I do not really belong. There may be others out there who feel as I do but here is a list of things that don’t fit with me.

- I don’t like to ride with large groups. About thirty year’s ago when I was a member of GWRRA I watched a novice rider wipe out a number of Gold Wings on a sweeping turn that he was not proficient enough to handle. Over the years I have had other close calls with both inexperienced and experienced riders and now I only ride with those I know and not very many of them at one time.
- I don’t enjoy chapters, clubs or groups organized around motorcycling. I had my fill of that with GWRRA and the few attempts made to start a Georgia Spyder Group haven’t turned out well. Officers, rules, regulations, dues and such are just not my cup of tea. I do enjoy meeting up with fellow riders at lunch or dinner destinations as long as I can take my own route and time to get there.
- Patches and vests are not my thing. I see nothing positive about adorning my clothing with patches, pins and other symbols of affiliation. Just as I didn’t wish to wear a jacket promoting Harley-Davidson back in the day, I am not about to be a moving advertisement for Can Am Spyders.
- Motorcycle missionaries turn me off. Just as I have no time for folks who want me to adopt their form of religion, I abhor those who want to me to change the brand of machine I ride, to use the type of helmet they wear, the brand of tire they ride on, etc., etc. This is by far from being my first rodeo and at my age I think I have to trust my own opinions.

I do hope I’m not turning into an old curmudgeon but maybe I am.

i agree with everything you listed. most of my friends are now into sport bikes and they love taking the twisties very fast. i prefer to ride at my own pace, sometimes i get carried away and do speed a lil but i don't feel pressured to keep up with anyone or wait for someone

 

[Bob Denman]

If you're gonna be a sheep; you've got to look out for the Wolves...

 

[DrewNJ]

Your not alone.
There are a lot of us that enjoy the ride in small groups or even alone, don't care what the other is riding or the gear they wear.
However, I'd consider it being a motorcyclist, but not a biker if you still enjoy the ride. [emoji106]

Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk

 

[bruiser]

Thanks for letting us know where you stand. You old curmudgeon. :joke:

 

[Oldmanzues]

Depends on the group and why. I ride with a GWRRA group sometimes and the PGR Missions a lot. I have a vest for each one. I do not wear a vest to ride to the store on the Spyder or my truck.
I do have one bitch about vests thou, If you did not earn that event patch, or been to that place. Why is it on your vest ??? Dragon and PGR come to mind real fast. sorry about this rant, it bugs me

If I go to a event and they are drinking beer before they start, Bye, you all. Have left in the middle of some events (tell the leaders first) for various reasons.
Before my health got in the way, I used to take several day trips with the only no planning at all, just ride and decide where to turn when I got there.
Depends on the mood
However, the main thing is do what you like, when you like and be safe. Of course have fun.

 

[bmccaffrey]

But here is the thing....you tried them all and have now settled for what fits the way you ryde. I do agree with most of the things you mention but have not tried them all. Though some are fading fast. I do enjoy the solo rydes and with my wife the most. We can turn in any direction we want, stop when and wherever we want and do it all whenever we want. :thumbup:

:thumbup::thumbup::thumbup::thumbup:

 

[coz]

You like what you like

I couldn't agree more. I've put most of my miles on by myself, the rest with one other bike usually. Life is too short to conform to the wishes of others. I think we reach a point in life when we say screw it. I'm going to do what " I " want to do.

 

[furface90]

I agree with. I have also been riding for 40+ years and most are solo, don't go in for all the riding gear and motorcycle clubs.

I have enjoyed rides in small groups, 5 or 6 bikes. I went on one of the group rides at Spyderfest in Springfield and was interesting with all the different skills of the riders.

 

[fratzba]

Okay, I read thru the OP, and my only comment is "So?"

Is it something that you feel this forum is pressuring you to do, or just a random rant about the world in general?
Just wonderin'

-Fratz

 

[Dubliner]

I was never too thrilled running with pack either, some had a death wish and others would carelessly take you down due to poor skills. I enjoy scratching the pegs but these days I prefer to get home without gravel rash and a tale to tell I've had some close ones in my 40 plus years on this ribbon and I need more.
Maybe we all have that been there done that attitude and now know what we want. I like my comfort these days, no more riding in torrential rain storms where you barely see the road ahead...


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[Eagle1]

We are usually riding, just the two of us, but have enjoyed small (6-7 )group rides with riders that I know the skills and habits. I often Ryde with a MIA/POW vest or shirt, so I can honor friends lost.

 

[Pennyrick]

Okay, I read thru the OP, and my only comment is "So?"

Is it something that you feel this forum is pressuring you to do, or just a random rant about the world in general?
Just wonderin'

-Fratz

Random rant.

 

[Cavman]

DT I can't count the times I've been requested to get a SRA Chapter going in GA. All the 'groups' in GA have fizzled out. Everyone wants to be an Indian and nobody wants to be the Chief.
I think since we may be spread out so far, it's hard for us to get together for anything? The only gatherings we may do are the Spyder events out of state?

So I ride when I want to ride. Sometimes with the GWRRA Chapter 'L' out of Rome, GA as I'm a member and they get together once a month.
I'm a member of the TN-SRA but they don't seem to be doing anything? A member of the Heart of Dixie Spyder Ryders but it's hard to get over for some of their events because of the distance......but they are active!

I did do a ride almost two years ago which was a great turn out from folks from TN, AL & GA. Nothing in GA has happened since that I'm aware of?

Take care & ride on......

 

[ulflyer]

DT: Add me to the list of old curmudgeon's.

At 80+ I walk (when I can), or in this case, ride (when I can get my leg over) to my own drummer (when I can hear it over the tinnitus) .

 

[VA Dan]

I have come to the conclusion that I am not a genuine motorcycle enthusiast. Even though I have been riding motorcycles for the past 42 years and have run the gamut of brands from Harleys, to Suzukis, to Yamahas, to Hondas, Kawasakis, and Can Ams, I still feel that I do not really belong. There may be others out there who feel as I do but here is a list of things that don’t fit with me.

- I don’t like to ride with large groups. About thirty year’s ago when I was a member of GWRRA I watched a novice rider wipe out a number of Gold Wings on a sweeping turn that he was not proficient enough to handle. Over the years I have had other close calls with both inexperienced and experienced riders and now I only ride with those I know and not very many of them at one time.
- I don’t enjoy chapters, clubs or groups organized around motorcycling. I had my fill of that with GWRRA and the few attempts made to start a Georgia Spyder Group haven’t turned out well. Officers, rules, regulations, dues and such are just not my cup of tea. I do enjoy meeting up with fellow riders at lunch or dinner destinations as long as I can take my own route and time to get there.
- Patches and vests are not my thing. I see nothing positive about adorning my clothing with patches, pins and other symbols of affiliation. Just as I didn’t wish to wear a jacket promoting Harley-Davidson back in the day, I am not about to be a moving advertisement for Can Am Spyders.
- Motorcycle missionaries turn me off. Just as I have no time for folks who want me to adopt their form of religion, I abhor those who want to me to change the brand of machine I ride, to use the type of helmet they wear, the brand of tire they ride on, etc., etc. This is by far from being my first rodeo and at my age I think I have to trust my own opinions.

I do hope I’m not turning into an old curmudgeon but maybe I am.

I'm with you DT. Let's just ride!!!

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[Orange Spyder Man]

I do NOT ride in groups either... this year at SpyderFest I wanted to take in the ride to the Bull Shoal area... but when I arrived I was told that there would be groups of 50 spyders together... I said NOPE....
when I had my 2002 Gold Wing I went on a group ride .. when another Gold Wing rider that killed his wife when he hit a bridge... from then on.. I will not ride in a group of more than 3 other bikes... and I have to know their riding abilities..

osm