Featured What you been doing with your TRIUMPH today??

I found myself short of a useable or working motorcycle today so had to go out for a walk instead. I seem to live near some sort of magic Goblin wood.





Found the Somerset Dragon lurking in the woods



So, immediately shot home and got me spanners out.



Phew, much better

 

Went on my first and probably last group ride of more than one other person. Started out great as it was six of us, a Honda cruiser, my Street Cup, a Thruxton, one Daytona, and a couple older Bonnies. I was invited to the ride, showed up and no one could decide where to go, so they all looked to me to decide. I had no idea who was riding or their skill level. We then proceeded to ride, first part was through populated rural areas and some city riding to get to the mountains. I stayed in back at first to see how everyone was doing, and these bellends were doing 70mph through neighborhood streets. I let them go. We finally met up at the mountains and I was forced to take lead in the twisties, since no one else wanted to. This route went through unpopulated very technical roads, where I ride best. I constantly had to shut down and wait for everyone including the Daytona so they wouldn’t miss a turn. These same riders that were tearing up the streets couldn’t ride the curves. I was so frustrated from not being able to focus on my own ride because of all the attention I was paying on everyone else it was the worst ride I’ve ever had. If I ever get daft enough to go on another group ride and this starts to happen again I’m leaving. I guess I really enjoy the alone time my bike gives me. Lesson learned, and it really shows it’s not the bike, but the rider. I think I’m going out for a ride alone with the voices in my head. Sorry for the long rant, I guess this will be what I’m NOT doing with my Triumph again. Ever.

 

I'm with ya. I detest group rides, and very much prefer riding by myself, or at most with one or two of my good friends whose riding skills I know well.

 

95% of my biking is on my own. Not a fan of large groups at all. I have to laugh at people, full leathers, race rep bike with all the stickers, bling bits everywhere, loud exhaust and normally revving and showing off to others... on closer inspection they all have huge chicken strips! All show, no go. Probably very fast in a straight line

 

Totally agree. Two or three is the magic numbers, four at most if they are similar minded riders. Group ride with people I don’t know….never . Been there and done that and agree with all your thoughts.

 

For me I generally like to mix up riding on my own, which is great fun, with just another mate who I know well and who's riding skill levels are similar to mine. Having said that I also enjoy touring with a small (three or four mates) that I have been riding with on days out during the riding season.
Larger group rides, either touring or general ride outs can also be fun as long as all involved are disciplined and follow simple group ride rules.

 

Exactly like me. Let's ride together.

 

My group ride was utter chaos. Not something I will be quick to repeat. No discipline at all

 

Although I feel 2-4 capable riders is a great mix, I regularly ride in a group of experienced riders with planned routes, leaders controlling top speeds and tail end Charlie’s to managed stragglers.
We have regular wait points to regroup and planned fuel stops for small tanks like mine.
I find the mixed models and terrain a good challenge and of course the camaraderie at the lunch stop is great.
Planning and discipline are differently the answer

 

WARNING - Bit of a Rant... but still happy

Recent ride out - just three of us - during the return part of the trip we agreed to meet at the ONLY gas station 75km further along but it's just after the turn-off. So we all settle down and enjoy our own space. I'm riding #3 and then I see our #2 rider waiting at the turn off and he says "don't need gas" - so off he goes.... So where, you may ask, is bike #1 ? I continued towards the gas station - no #1 - He had, apparently, already doubled back down a side road. When I "returned" to the route they were both waiting for me - and took off as soon as I arrived.
Folk are strange (or as my Dad said "there's nowt so queer as folk"). I'd said I had plenty of gas as it was only 250km "home" since we topped off earlier; #1 was on a Goldwing (i.e. big gas tank) but it was the #2 peanut tank Harley that said he wanted gas.....!!!

Apart from that "little bit of nonsense" it was a great day out with each of us of able to "tootle" along in our own comfort zone and enjoy the lakes, rivers, trees, mountains, wildlife, fun in the twisties, etc.

We do have several Large Group Rides (Charity, Good Cause, etc.) every year with anything from 20 to 60+ riders (not bad for being at the far end of a road to nowhere - at least it's paved). Personally, I don't like these large (dis)organized groups whilst riding but one always meets a few "characters" which more that makes up for the burned-out clutch, worn brakes and near rear-enders...!

OK -- mini-rant over …and I do feel better for it Thanks

P.S. It's still in the upper 30's C and last week we were over 40C (+100F) - we have many Wild Fires as a result. At least the moss between my toes is drying out and I can see the small webs between them

 

My views are quite similar, @Wessa. I thoroughly enjoy riding on my own or with my hubby as my riding mate. We've a good bunch of riding friends and often do Sunday morning "local" rides with about half a dozen of them. And we sometimes do larger group rides such as charity rides (pre-Covid anyway).

On the most recent motorcycle trip we did last week through the Southwest, we had seven riders in our group for an eight day/seven night trip over 1800 miles. I do have to say that having seven in our group made not only the riding itself but everything else somewhat more complicated and "organizationally challenging". It's a lot easier to get a table for two for dinner than a table for seven. Or to gas up two or three bikes vs. seven. Or get three people on the road at the agreed upon time. And although our bunch are all good friends, everyone does have their own preferences about how they like to ride. Fast, leisurely, stops, no stops, etc. Mr. Sandi led the rides each day and he wasn't able to really relax and enjoy himself like he has in the past when it's just been the two of us or one, maybe two, more. He and I agreed upon our return from our trip last Saturday that we probably wouldn't do that many days and miles with a group that size again.

 

Main guy I ride with is fab.
never stuff it up the inside and never a stupid move. Can ride briskly if reqd but still the same.
Rides so I can see him in the mirro

Totally agree.
I seem to get lumped with finding hotels etc and never is anyone totally happy with my selections.
I even get lumped with putting down deposits for hotels and have to ASK for the money back.....
I'm due to go to wales for a week on a bike trip with 5 mates and all of them couldn't agree on anything so i've told them that I can no longer make it (due to work commitments, TOTALLY untrue) and i'm just going to go myself and enjoy doing what I want to do instead of worrying about the others etc.
A bit grumpy of me perhaps but i've had enough of groups of riders as no-one has the same ideas.

 

I totally get it, D2T. Mr. Sandi and I did all the planning and organization for the trip we just returned from. We planned the overall basic route together. I organized and got all the information on the hotels and shared that with everyone. And Mr. Sandi mapped out the specific routes and researched some of the restaurants. Everyone else pretty much showed up for the ride, literally and figuratively. We love the friends we traveled with but....live and learn. I do hope that you have fun on your Wales trip. Ride safe!

 

I’ve read all the recent posts concerning group rides, and take some comfort in not being the only one with a bad experience. Maybe all of us should do a group ride? SandiT, could you and your hubby plan the routes, and DC2, find some hotels? I’ll just show up without gas or a clue how to ride. Seriously though, I’ve decided to make it a point to go one more time, and as soon as the shenanigans begin I’m getting on my bike and riding away, point made.

Edit: Sorry this derailed the thread. Back on topic. Did get my Burly saddlebags fitted and tried out. I’ll take a pic when daylight hits, as it’s 5:30 am at the moment. Goofy animals wake me up early even on days off, wanting their breakfast

 

With my wife on the pillion I don't need more people to bother me
..
.. yes honey? What am I doing on the computer?? I'm just writing some technical stuff about motorcycle, you don't need to read this, it's a bit boring..

 

I just got a ticket to the Goodwood Festival of Speed. This Sunday! Yahoo.

I will be too busy on Sunday to mention it, so updating you all in advance.

 

Love that Triumph with the springer front end, @Dawsy! Fun photos and it looks like a fun event, too.

 

I hadn't ridden my Speed Triple RS in several weeks so decided to get it on the road at least for a toodle today. I didn't get out until noon and the temps were around 100ºF. But I just bopped off to two dealerships--Mussleman Honda and AZ-Kawasaki, KTM, Triumph.

My first stop was at Mussleman's Honda to look at the Honda Rebel 1100. My best girlfriend, Dena, is interested in the Rebel 1100 because she'd like to have the automatic DCT automatic shifting system. She currently has an Indian Scout but some of the things on the bigger Rebel scout appeal to her because of some physical issues she has.

When I arrived there were five motorcycle police vehicles in front of the service building. I'm not sure why but I did feel a little safer!


Mussleman Honda was started by Darvin and Helen Mussleman in the mid-40's. Helen died in 2020 at the age of 103. And she continued to work and be involved with Musselman Honda pretty much up until she died


They have a cool room with old bikes, plaques, and trophies. Here's a sampling.

 

A couple more photos from the "history room" at Musselman.





After leaving Musselman Honda I decided to ride over "Triumph World" (AZ Kawasaki--KTM--Triumph). The two dealership are only about five miles apart. I found the one tiny strip of shade in the whole parking lot. The dealership was VERY quiet today.


They had one 2022 Speed Triple RS on the showroom floor today and the salesman said I could sit on it. He even offered to take a couple of photos. Of course he knows how tempted I am by new bikes. Ergonomically it felt good. But at least initially I'm not a fan of the low slung pipes and the the lack of fly screen. And the lime green accents are definitely not to my taste. The price made me gulp a bit, too. Good thing I LOVE my 2019 Speed RS!




Last time I was in they had a gray/silver Trident. That one went up to a store in Phoenix and was replaced by this black Trident. I'm sure it's faster than the silver one.


They also had another bike that wasn't on the floor on my previous visit--a blacked out (Triple Black I think it's called??) Rocket 3.

 

Another great set of pictures