mboe794

For the first few years I rode mostly alone. Then I started riding with small groups of friends which I think increased the fun factor a little. I just get so bored going my myself from point A to point B. It's nice having someone around in case problems come up also.

A few months ago I stumbled upon a new local forum in the twin cities and I must say I've had a total blast with that. Nearly everyday someone posts up a ride and anyone is welcome to tag along. Some are fast paced, others are more relaxed. They range anywhere from just a handful of riders to a hundred or better in certain cases. Three or four weeks ago I went with a group led by the state patrol with at least 300 bikes. This was a spring kick-off organized by two MN forums.

I know it's not for everybody but I really like the big groups (not so much the HUGE groups but they're still pretty fun). We usually stop for lunch or at least gas and snacks at various times. This means meeting new people in the area with similar interests which is never a bad thing.

I also just think it's a neat experience riding in a group of sportbikes screaming down the road. Especially if I'm near the back and can watch a train of bikes carving through the twisties.

lowell

Consider that when your solo you may not be at full speed to guard against any off road venture.

This weekend we had two people that slide off the road and disappeared over the edge. No way to tell they did and one had to be airlifted out.

Being in a group we always count crow at stops and look for lost sheep.

Solo is good for some but I am glad a group looks for others.

mboe794

Yes, part of the forum rules through which I ride is to wait at every stop sign for the last rider. Sometimes there is a designated last man, usually a guy on a cruiser. Sometimes we just take a head count. Nobody cares if you're slow and people have to wait. Safety is the main goal.

jonnyd

I mostly ride alone. But most of the time, I take my camera =) I'd say 80% is around town stuff as the hawk is my main mode of transportation for the summer, and 20% is mountain twisties. The only time I was really spooked was riding down what seemed to be a dirt 4wd trail outside Deckers somewhere. I was pretty lost. Other than that, the wide open road and an iPod is all I really need!

swordfish

I usually ride alone, but not because I prefer it, just because my schedule makes it very hard to coordinate with people. I did manage to take 3 friends to a triumph demo ride over the weekend, but thats the first time I've ridden with anyone this season.I'm a member of a local riding forum, but they meet while I'm still at work so no go there. I don't really have a preference. alone or group.

dickard37

I'm a loner ,,I prefer to ride by myself ,my own pace , I know if I rode with anyone else it would just turn into a race and someone would end up getting hurt (me) ,,that's the way it's always been with the dirt bikes anyway . Dirt gives a little asphalt tends to hurt alot more ...................................

reaper996

Alone cause all my buddies have VTX's so they choose to go about 20mph through town all day, and by that point my bike starts getting hot. Then if I continue to go slow My temp gauge is almost to the 3/4 mark so I have to head for the highway to cool down. Does anyone else have that problem too?

L8RGYZ

Probably 80% with others.

We got a weekend group that does local backroad rides. Typical ride is 3 hours or so and pretty fast. Group is usually 4 to 8 people.

Maybe once a month a few other friends like to do a dayride in the mountains. Usually 3 to 5 people. All backroads & 10 to 20 over, so not too fast.

Neither group really gets too much into the ego thing, but everybody likes to push the pace. I tend to hang back unless we're really in the boonies. No sense getting a ticket on a boring piece of road anyway.

VTRsurfer

Since I retired 4 months ago and no longer commute 80 miles a day, most of my riding is with my wife, and occasionally with a Ducati friend. After 4 years of riding, my wife has grown to like the canyons. If I get a clear shot at the twisties, I'll go on ahead at my pace, then wait for her to catch up. That might be a few turns later or 20 miles, depending on the situation. And sometimes I let her lead, and we ride at her pace...she's surprised me lately with improving skills.

CentralCoaster

Never ever gone much past 1/2 way on the temp guage. Even in 90+ heat while idling for awhile. I don't stay stopped too long though if I can split lanes.

Thumper

90% of the time i ride is a group.

i have a group of fellow sport riders that ranges up to around a dozen. Typically 3 to 5 of us schedule a ride and we all take turns leading and follwoing. We all ride pretty much the same pace and have the same skill set, so it is very comfortable riding together.

No ego problems here!

Pimpsterbim1