Please Explain To Me!

[inreb]

Forum Sponsor

Two words: Easy Rider.

Twenty Three words: Everybody wants to ape the cool guys. Transition from monkey bars to ape hangars smooth as you like. "All the world's a stage" Bill Shakespear

Edit: "What do you think of me now?" "Do you know who I am?" Oh cr@p, my liver!" Evel Knevel

 

[Type17]

Apparently cars drive side by side with me. I was riding home, 2 lane road, one coming one going. I was in the left tire track. A girl in a sedan drives up from behind and starts sharing my lane like it's ok. I look over and she smiles casually. I think she may have been DTF which is nice... if you're gonna risk running me over, you should at least be DTF.

 

[crankcall]

OP to answer your original question it actually is a "heritage" thing. Bikers on Harleys became popular following the second WW, as lots of disenchanted guys came back from war zones they felt like they didnt fit in, left home at 18 before they could drink or vote and came back 3-4yrs later having lived very different lives. They started to ride in large groups and in military fashion, " flew in formation"
The cops still do the same thing. its based on a military thing
Some of those large groups became clubs that have become a bit on the wrong side of the law so they tend to ride less motorcycles and drive black SUV's, but on occasion you'll see them riding in formation but they dont like to attract attention.

I have no explaination for the sunday am harley guys that eat pancakes and go for rides to the beach.

 

[Spewgore]

Can someone, anyone explain to me why Harley/fake Harley riders feel compelled to ride side by side or so close together that if something bad happens, it happens to all of them. I just don't get it.

Maybe because they have some faith in their riding ability? Maybe have been riding long enough to not be constantly scared of every shadow in their peripherals? Maybe they can let a car be beside them or pull in front without crying "stupid cagers cut me off 20 times again today" after every ride. Maybe because they are not trying to go 140kph on an 80kph road. Maybe because no one feels the need to do a wheelie at any point in the ride. Lots of reasons. It's a different ride, apples and oranges.

And btw, your wannabe angle is flawed, a dude on a cruiser is a dude on a cruiser end of story, jeans, boots, half helmet biker jacket, he IS what he wants to be. The wannabe is the dude in full competition leathers and the $800 helmet riding to the "Tim's meetup" on 40kph streets. He wants to be a race bike guy yet he's the "Tim's meetup" guy. Equally if not more lame lol.

 

[Spewgore]

Actually I retract the "equally if not more lame" comment. It's just way more lame, period.

 

[itinkle]

That logic is flawed too. If harley riders aren't afraid of their own shadow and have no fears of riding side by side etc... why do things like wear a half helmet? Why not just go without if they are so fearless?
I'll agree that harley riders and sport bike riders can often be wannabes, and being a wannabe is just a part of life i guess. I don't ever seeing myself wannabeing a harley rider with the big gut, the black shades, the angry look, etc... Which can only mean that in 20 years, i'll be that guy lol.

 

[JFD]

I would've just left it at CHiPs and been done with it.

 

[Spewgore]

Well in some places you don't need the helmet, and lots of people do go without. If it were not law here im sure many guys would go without here as well. Until you see a guy on a cruiser wearing a fake biker club jacket, you are only seeing a guy on a cruiser doing what guys on cruisers do. There is way less wannabe in the cruiser world then you think. they ain't pretending to be nothing more than what they actually are. And yes, I get the OP was trolling for this, I'm happy to play along. I will destroy any argument based on generalizations. So far your argument is , Harley /fake, fat, ugly, cheap half helmet, always ride beside each other. All of which can be found in the sport bike world, maybe replace half helmet with that idiotic Mohawk thing.

 

[TorontoCruser]

I would've just left it at CHiPs and been done with it.

+1

 

[油井緋色]

In my opinion there is absolutely no good reason to ride side by side.

I've been doing A LOT of group riding this year (around 3 group rides, average of 100-200km per ride, weekly) on top of 100km daily commute trips.

Two weeks ago we decided to hit Twyn Rivers for the first time, in the dark (yes, this was a horrible idea). The lead knew the turns, but most of us didn't. After I almost slammed into the first guardrail due to target fixation, I was worried about the guys behind me because I know we follow close and we follow like lemmings jumping off a cliff.

That ride triggered a talk about single file through twisties and maintaining at least a 3-4 bike length in the single file. Most of the issues occurred because some of us were maintaining staggered position and people were running wide or other stupid ****.

I can't imagine how much more stupid it would be if we were going side by side! Involuntary hugs?!

 

[JFD]

There's no reason to ride in a tight formation like that at all! But it looks so goddamn cool.

Fast and Furious 1 can attest to this.

 

[Macs]

Well in some places you don't need the helmet, and lots of people do go without. If it were not law here im sure many guys would go without here as well. Until you see a guy on a cruiser wearing a fake biker club jacket, you are only seeing a guy on a cruiser doing what guys on cruisers do. There is way less wannabe in the cruiser world then you think. they ain't pretending to be nothing more than what they actually are. And yes, I get the OP was trolling for this, I'm happy to play along. I will destroy any argument based on generalizations. So far your argument is , Harley /fake, fat, ugly, cheap half helmet, always ride beside each other. All of which can be found in the sport bike world, maybe replace half helmet with that idiotic Mohawk thing.

Don't diss my Mohawk son. As for helmet laws, I'd probably be one of the guys riding without one on occaision if I was afforded the opportunity. Then again maybe I just need a lighter better vented one

 

[Flywheel]

WHY do they do this??

I understand doing that for parade and display purposes (generally at low speed and in a more-or-less controlled environment), but under those situations, the risks of the unknown are much more controlled than when rolling down a random road at whatever speed.

On my bike, I do not want anyone else in my own lane. EVER. If another rider starts pulling into that area, I motion them back. If they persist, then that rider is persona non grata. I want the space beside me in my lane in case I have to change lane position for reasons of visibility to other drivers, to avoid slipperiness in any of its many forms, to select the correct line through a corner, etc.

Sounds like you need a "get-back" whip!

 

[Spewgore]

Don't diss my Mohawk son.

Ok, yours is awesome

 

[bunmanchi]

I guess this would be the Sportbike version of " explain this to me "

a spine protector with a t-shirt. LOL

Either that Or he's on his way to Laser Quest

 

[Jason Bourne]

In my opinion there is absolutely no good reason to ride side by side.

I've been doing A LOT of group riding this year (around 3 group rides, average of 100-200km per ride, weekly) on top of 100km daily commute trips.

Two weeks ago we decided to hit Twyn Rivers for the first time, in the dark (yes, this was a horrible idea). The lead knew the turns, but most of us didn't. After I almost slammed into the first guardrail due to target fixation, I was worried about the guys behind me because I know we follow close and we follow like lemmings jumping off a cliff.

That ride triggered a talk about single file through twisties and maintaining at least a 3-4 bike length in the single file. Most of the issues occurred because some of us were maintaining staggered position and people were running wide or other stupid ****.

I can't imagine how much more stupid it would be if we were going side by side! Involuntary hugs?!

The guys that do ride side by side are not doing it at night entering the twisties like they are riding sport bikes.

 

[kiwi]

I have no explaination for the sunday am harley guys that eat pancakes and go for rides to the beach.

Wild Hogs.. The movie with Tim Allen explains it all

 

[inreb]

Maybe because they have some faith in their riding ability? Maybe have been riding long enough to not be constantly scared of every shadow in their peripherals? Maybe they can let a car be beside them or pull in front without crying "stupid cagers cut me off 20 times again today" after every ride. Maybe because they are not trying to go 140kph on an 80kph road. Maybe because no one feels the need to do a wheelie at any point in the ride. Lots of reasons. It's a different ride, apples and oranges.

And btw, your wannabe angle is flawed, a dude on a cruiser is a dude on a cruiser end of story, jeans, boots, half helmet biker jacket, he IS what he wants to be. The wannabe is the dude in full competition leathers and the $800 helmet riding to the "Tim's meetup" on 40kph streets. He wants to be a race bike guy yet he's the "Tim's meetup" guy. Equally if not more lame lol.

This is fun. Tell your friends.

 

[sid_for_speed]

"Lemme splain".... when I join a group ride of cruisers and/or sport bikes, we mostly ride in staggered formation. Riding side by side is frowned upon because of the chance of a spill. (although it is kinda cool when heading in or out of Port Dover on Friday the 13th - of course that is at a manageable slow speed). The odd time the leader and sweeper will travel side by side to discuss some aspect of the ride - then regroup in staggered formation. The general rule of thumb is to ride closely to avoid cars from dividing the group. Nevertheless we do yield to cars when they want to cut in. 2 tons of metal always gets the right of way. In staggered formation we also keep a safe distance from the bike ahead and behind in case we need to take evasive measures. On the twisties or sweepers we signal to single file for safety and to have the full lane to take the curve.

BAHAHAHAHA....you just explained the rules of group riding...this does NOT answer op's question

 

[Low rider]

I have been riding for over 40 years.
A long time ago, (Like 30 years ago) My brother and I would ride side by side.
I would also do this with my father.
I had two other buddies recently who I would trust to do the same. But I knew these guys and I knew what every move they would make, before they made it.

I would never ever allow another rider in my space if I did not wave them up to do so.

I had a few strangers give this a try. They left pretty ****** off with me. I set them into place quickly.

Forum Sponsor