I'd like to add something that I feel is important. It's the way I handle the newbs.

I heard that sometimes soldiers in combat with a bit of mileage on them are not very welcoming to their newbs. In fact, quite cold. The excuse is that lots of the rookies get killed, and the older guys just don't want to have their hearts broken over and over again. While not that fatal or even that serious, I feel the same about HRF newbs.

They register, and then they vanish.

We're not that scary. Oh, our older members are close, and we let our hair down lots of times. But we ride, and like any other motorcycle association, we develop a strong bond. Further, there's not much BS here. We write what we know, and then go out to wear out engines. (And boots, and jean jackets, and gas money and my wife's patience...)

I find that I do not add my "welcome" to newbs who introduce themselves. Not many stick around, and I feel they should lurk and get to know us. Just exactly how 'thrilled' am I supposed to get over a new post like, "Hey, I'm KnuckleJerk from East TeeShirt Wyoming. I'll be here for three whole days until my mother's lint trap needs changing..."

A "conversation" is a give and take of ideas. I cannot communicate with a guy who never comes back. Why can't you newbs just talk to us?

Hello, My name is Jerry and I go by Hopper. first ride was a Western Auto (if any of you can remember them) literal motor bicycle with motor and pedals. Had to pedal to start it (worked on it a lot). Later my friend and his brother got cushmans an he would let me ride his and he would ride his brother's. Grew up in the country in West Texas. Traded an 02 Vulcan 1500 with 84,000 all of which I put on it for my FXSTC. Had several smaller metric bikes in between)99% of my riding is with my wife (has her own 09 Softail) and/or family. Ride all winter her in Texas. Have ridden to Sturgis a couple of times via NM, CO, AZ, UT, WY, to S. Dakota. Trip up there the way we go is approx. 2500 miles Have ridden all of the West part of US except California, don't much care for the politics there so don't support their non exsisting economy. Make at least one ride a year on a loop through NM, AZ, CO, back to NM, to home. Can do in 4 days but usually do 5 or 6. Look forward to meeting some biker brothers in the states we love to ride in, in search of those great rides that are basically unknown.
Family has been after me to get a Harley for 10+ years but I did not want to be considered a poser like some people that trailer their bike to Custer and ride into Sturgis like they have been on the road for days and want to show everyone what a great rider they are by riding beyond their ability, you can tell who they are.
Have not done the 'Iron Butt' yet but plan on it soon.
Ride safe and prosper
Hopper :)

Tourist, I like you already, Planning on going to Sturgis again this year but not during the rally, don't want to get wiped out on an outside turn because so ID10T is showing his buddies how fast he can do the 'twisties'. Had a 350 Honda in the mid 70's and rode with my 2 friends on their Harleys
, did not have a clue that they belonged to the Banditos.
Hopper

*sigh* One of the bikes "that got away" was a little candy red CL350 Honda with high pipes. We used to call them 'scramblers.' Had more of an abbreviated banana seat that fit me well, and like an idiot, I never bought one. Coulda, woulda, shoulda.

Never bought a V-Max, either. I think that's why I added a Sportster 48 to my 'harem.' While I consider motorcycling always fun, I have a special category of "fun bikes" that means 'stripped down constant giggles.'

As for outlaws, I've ridden with them. In fact, had I stayed in my home town I'd probably be one. But I moved to another town, and joined that club. While professing to be 'non-outlaw' the only real difference I could see was that we wore clean underwear in any month ending in "R." Heck, even the CMA looked spooky back then!

I grew up in a little West Texas town of about 2000 folks and was a little guy when the troops came home from WWII, bought some used police bikes and started riding as nomads. Never heard of a motorcycle club until I was around 16 and vets begin showing up as Hell's Angels and they were portrayed as really bad scary guys. I suppose bikers have this image in some circles, but bikers (all) IMO are the most loyal, patriotic, trust worthy sub culture in our society and I am proud to represent those values, Don't do poses, too busy riding.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all

You have lots of latitude at HRF, I'm living proof of that. The two things that are not tolerated here are posers and spammers. There's a bounty on them.

HeadMaster will buy you a shiny new copper mousetrap if you alert him or RK to shenanigans here.

I don't know, I like choir members. I also think they are some of the most loyal and patriotic people I've met. I now live near a very liberal college town. Yikes, in the jungle these idiots would be eaten!