My views, time, and opinions are all divided in motorcycling. You would think that having two bikes is pure gravy, but not always. And I'm not just talking about expense. Let me explain.

Oh, I like the bikes, no question. What's not to like? The problem I'm finding is living in the confusing world of bikers. For example, after watching 400 bikers trying to get into some form of formation on a charity ride, I decided not to go. Rapt in the idea that these suburbanites were all blood thirsty Angels, they almost piled up in the parking lot. When asked about my reluctance, I muttered in spite of myself, "I don't like bikers."

Yeah, it was said in frustration, but we have a bunch of mannerisms that need to be tossed. As you know, I also haunt Sportster forums. When first started I thought I could get "insider" information, like I do with cooking forums. After most of a year, I find that this is not the case. And it's our fault.

A little history. Forty years ago serious bikers wouldn't be caught dead on a dresser. A fully loaded bike was the province of old touring riders and cops. We stripped them down for their frames and motors, and openly derided them as garbage wagons. We either cut down pans or souped up Sportsters. My choice was the Sportie.

Fast forward. The XL line is now the best ever. And truth be told, most of the riding public should be on one. With an average mileage of 3K to 4K, most heavy bikes are 'Ego-Glides.' And if the big twins can now pull a trailor and carry a guy and his wife (both leaning toward 300 pounds each), do we need a 110 inch stroker? But what is happening defies me. The current XL displaces the same volume as a 1980s police bike. With standard hop-up parts it will out-accelerate just about anything, and every slow farmer or big truck.

And yet, the XL forums are a waste land, and the Sportsters are still 'girlie bikes' and entry level iron. I even get the "two low" wave more often on Betty than Spinner. Bikers were once often denied lodging in most motels. Now we ourselves often snub XL riders. Most times I hear, "So you're on the Sportster--again." There really are times I do not like bikers. And I often feel this way when I watch a dresser with apes and straight pipes teeter out of the shop parking lot...

I've seen it and I agree. I don't do charity rides or ride with people that I don't know personally. I also won't go if there are "too many" going... that isn't a number but a feeling that someone is going to cause me to get hurt. I have a couple of very trusted friends that I know will hold a line in a turn or stay on their side of the lane. Other than that I'll meet ya there, I usually wait for 10 minutes before I start out or leave ahead of the mayhem....
I don't like bikers or people either... just me and the wind and I'm a happy cat.

I agree. Sadly I find myself shaking my head more and more and wondering where brotherhood went. But to be fair, this is no longer my time. My mentors were guys unwinding after WWII or Korea. Their drive to be bikers differed from mine in every way. The torch is passed again.

As I have said, I now find guys rolling to a stop and pulling out a droid phone and a cigarette.

Beautiful day here. I stopped home for the mutts and lunch, but I did make my loop and stopped at the shop. I was happy to see dozens of bikes. My heart sank when I saw that they were the unsold showroom inventory the salesmen had pushed outside. Other than a few Sturgis travelers returning home I didn't see that many guys out riding. One guy and his girl at my gas stop.

Sttrange new world...

(Oh, my new tire is just about scrubbed in. I haven't hit the warning nipples yet, but I'm this close!)

I did Sporsters for years. Last one was a 1200S that I did a little work on. Then I got the Road King and rode nothing but for a few months. Then got back on the Sporster one day. It left such an impression it was on Craigs List the very next day and I haven't looked back.

To each his own. Everyones tastes are different and I respect that.

If I wanted to go fast I would get a Ducati or a Jap bike. Been there done that too.



Riding in groups? A few years ago I went to Street Vibrations in Reno. What a cluster F.
Never do that again. From what I saw up and down US80 it made me ashamed to be on a motorcycle. I have always suspected Sturgis is just a larger version.

Like both of you, be it one of the cars or the bike I really prefer solo trips. Especially the bike. Out in nature and alone with my thoughts it is very relaxing. It is the primary reason I ride.

I mentioned the Sportster because it was from my unique and admittedly singular experience. The story and my opinion would be just the same if the bike was a CB450 Honda. I still state flatly that +75% of the bikes today are "Ego Glides." Worthless rolling chrome reflecting the puffed chest-thumping of the missing Sicilian penis.

Do these guys even give one moment's thought to actually living with the bike? Madison has horrid streets with switchbacks, one-ways, continuous construction, gridlock traffic and steeper hills in our downtown area. It is a poor man's San Francisco. So why, oh why, would a guy dump +30 grand into a bike designed for endless straight interstates with few stops? Because he's a hairy chested man's man with a subscription to every bike magazine on the rack. Either that or he's got several cases of expensive chrome polish in the basement...

You could take Betty to San Francisco and never shed a teardrop of worry. It comes from a realistic assessment of just who you are. I do know a guy who won a professionally constructed Captain America custom in a local lottery. I found it chained to a battery charger and the owner says it's dangerous to drive. So much for ego.

Group rides? Part of my past, guys. I've calmly ridden side by side brothers at +80 MPH with our mirrors inches apart. We were, of course, brothers in life, as well. I have no time now for chest-thumpers.

Point in case, "brothers", simply stated: people that you trust. People that are on the same page as you. People that understand the only rules that count, the rules of the road. I"ve cornered with those people and I can tell ya, its just like I was alone on the road, no worries.

Back in the previous life of a bicycle racer, riding in a large (up to 100 racers) close pack was an everyday event for me. I've only ridden with very few, 3 or 4 tops, motorcyclists that I would ride close with and feel comfortable that they wouldn't ride stupid. EX: bug hits you in the face, you don't wavier and do something stupid.
I've found that rider meetings are very if not the most important pre ride check list. Seasoned riders understand this and new riders need to learn it. Just going over a couple things can save a life... like mine.

I agree, and as you know I only use the epithets "brother," or 'blood" or "bro" in the old world sense.

Met an FOC at the parts counter yesterday--I hadn't seen in him in +35 years. We shook hands, and picked up a conversation like it was only 35 minutes.

You get a vibe somehow. Never met BI63 face-to-face. But I *know* somehow that touching one of us brings both...