As someone new to motorcycling (sort of) I'm s bit of a Billy no mates. I've checked out local riding groups on Facebook and they all seem to be superbikes or sporty naked bikes. I don't think I'll be keeping up with them on my 865 Bonneville. Any suggestions?
Cut and paste the paragraph below and there’s lots on there from all over. Sorry not good at posting links. Out of interest, where do all of us Bonneville owners live?
Hi and welcome! You could just post on your local groups asking whether anyone fancies a relaxed ride out anywhere or get talking to other bikers on similar machines at your local bike cafes etc. If I am on my own other bikers always chat to me - but appreciate that as a female I am way more likely to be approached than a male (from talking to @Helmut Visor and male friends who ride).
Greetings, @SteveXFR, and welcome to the forum! In addition to the suggestions of @Tigcraft and @Mrs Visor, I've met folks at our local dealerships just by dropping in fairly regularly. Local dealerships around where I live sometimes sponsor rides now and again, too. And although there are a couple of Somerset's in the U.S. where I'm from, I'm assuming you're in the UK. If you frequent this forum I think you'll find that you can make some friends and riding connections here, too. I'd also do some Google searches for riding clubs in your area. Good luck! And please post a photo or two of your bike(s). We love photos here on the forum!
I ride 99.9% of the time solo for a couple reasons. I have a life in that I rarely get to “set” a date and time I can ride…as soon as I do life happens and have to cancel. Get off work and it’s a nice day I’ll get the bike out for an hour give or take, late in the afternoon on a Saturday or Sunday…same thing. Also, sometimes I feel like just putting around, other times running like I stole the bike…this can happen during the ride and last time I rode with a buddy he questioned me when we stopped for gas. Plus, most of the guys I know that ride or rather have motorcycle are HD’s and they prefer to ride from dealership to dealership or bar to bar…not my style.
SteveXFR Yes welcome to the family. Sure there are lots of peeps around your area. Just keep plugging till you get a reply. Joe.
I also ride solo since losing a lifelong riding friend a few years ago, plus, being retired I can ride more or less anytime on a whim which is great. I wouldn't say that group riding is any more popular among sportsbike owners than other species. Riding the Peak District regularly I often come across "group" rides ranging from green laners, adventure/tourer entusiasts to packs of leather suited racetrack refugees. You could try your nearest Triumph dealer as some of them organise rideouts.