| Author | Message | ||
     Odd |
If given the chance would you ride a Buell in the Harley homecoming parade? Why or why not? | ||
| Ratbuell |
I wouldn't have any urge to be part of a Harley event. I also have had poor experiences in large "parade" events full of HD's. Organized or not, many of the riders are just...not good riders. I prefer not to be in a pack of them, but that's my preference. | ||
| Blake |
What he said. I hate parade riding anyway. | ||
| Mr_grumpy |
I wish to formally state that; I am not now, nor have I ever been, a member of any parade riding organisation. I thank you. | ||
| Hybridmomentspass |
harleys or not - parade/big group riding blows i did a big ride two years ago, a toy run for a local childrens hospital. it left from a HD dealer, but had a good mix of all makes and models my only REAL experience on it was behind a few 'nubian queens' (their jackets said it) who, like geniuses, put a camera on their right wrist and wanted to take pics a lot on the ride down the highway of their mirror....so every minute or so theyd slow WAY down (hand off the throttle), take a pic, then floor it to catch up with the crowd. The highway was too busy to get around them. other group ride/memorial ride i did a while back was all sportbikes when there was a little grass in the road ( a straight stretch) from a guy mowing people all but came to a complete stop i got about 8 minutes into a 40 minute ride and peeled off i hate big group rides with people i dont know | ||
| Midknyte |
> i hate big group rides with people i dont know That there is the crux | ||
| Buellinachinashop |
 I'm riding this bastard. might as well be a Buell. | ||
| 86129squids |
Odd question. No. | ||
| Nukeblue |
fuhd | ||
| Swampy |
I used to ride in a poker run for a couple of people that died in a bike accident. It was a very eye opening experience. Why would they ride from bar to bar for the cards? Why would the local H-D(spit) HOG Group's safety director be drinking at every stop along the way?(along with everyone else) Why does the poker run lemmings race from bar to bar? Is there a prize to be the first there? I just don't get it. | ||
| Ourdee |
Nope. Don't like pirates or actors. | ||
| 46champ |
John nice VRod what kind of jack is that? Odd If you feel the need to go on the ride I would do it on a Buell it is just as much part of the motor company's product line as any big twin. | ||
| Fltwistygirl |
No. | ||
| Maxbuell |
I have been on a couple big rides can be a real experience depending on the benefit. To real MC riders' make, model , color , does not matter, as long as u ride.. | ||
| Jumbo_petite |
Nice Streetrod I have one in the garage also. the wheels are not stock, kinda look like XR1200 wheels. What type and size wheel are you running? | ||
| Buellinachinashop |
"John nice VRod what kind of jack is that?" Sears Aluminum MC/ATV lift. Love it to death. "What type and size wheel are you running?" Black Stone Technologies (BST) Carbon Fiber. They're the same size as the stockers, but I run a 200mm tire on the rear. | ||
| Pwnzor |
The only large group ride full of Harleys I've ever been or ever will be in are funeral processions.  | ||
| Cityxslicker |
when working at the dealership - I did it every year for the local town spring pageant parade and again on the fourth of July But then again I put the bike in an IMS rider section full of filth, dripping of gloppy muddy chunky dirty goodness. It was parked next to a BMW 'adventure' bike that had 50 K miles on it and was showroom spotless. Ride the Buell - Never Blend in. | ||
| Strato9r |
Not a chance, regardless of what I was riding. The potential for disaster at the hands of someone only there to make the scene is simply too great.....If the ride is for a benefit or cause I am willing to support, I can discreetly send or deliver a cheque. | ||
| Arcticktm |
HD is no longer the home of Buell, so why bother? Like many others here, by experience in a couple "parades" (Toy Runs, in my case), was not great. Too many bikes in too little space, ridden by strangers with too little skill and/or experience. No fun at all. Now, I just buy the toy and drop it off at the drop box at my work, and they deliver it to the charity run. It's really a social event, and not a riding event. Now I know. | ||
| Buellinachinashop |
My thought is why not if you want to? Yes, Buell is no longer an HD company, but the bikes are still a product of BMC and HD. I wouldn't ride a Honda or Duc, but I'd certainly ride a Buell if I wanted to participate. Still alot of Buells attending bike nights on Thursdays at the Museum, I don't see than stopping any time soon. | ||
| Buellinachinashop |
Also, at last year's rally bike night, I counted way more Buell bikes than V Rods. So please don't feel left out. | ||
| Mnrider |
I've been on a few charity rides. Just hang around and visit till everyone leaves then go to the bar or parking lot where the band is. | ||
| Xb9er |
Why would you want to ride in a rally. Seems like the total opposite of fun. Especially on a buell. Take your buell out on the twisty roads where it belongs and let the hogs do dill weed laps downtown | ||
| Buellinachinashop |
So when guys were doing group parade laps at RA, group riding to the Museum to celebrate Eslick's championship and all those group rides to the Buell factory, those aren't considered fun or rally rides? Isn't the fun of riding, riding any way you want? | ||
| Ratbuell |
If you've ever done a Buell parade lap...there may as well be a checkered flag at the end. Homecoming rides can also get..."spirited". And a lot of that comes from the "same mindset" aspect. Most - and I used to work for a dealer so I'm not just talking out my backside - HD rides are focused not on the ride (like a Buell event is)...but on the destination. Bar. Next dealer with free hot dogs. Whatever the case may be. And that is not how I like to ride. Its a shame, too. I have immense respect for our Military and there are countless starting points near here for the Rolling Thunder event. But you couldn't PAY me to go on that ride, because of the herd mentality and the riding "skill set" of the majority of the riders. IF I ride in a group...it is a group of sport-tour riders. Or a track day. Or a trip to Buelltoberfest. A ride and an event where I know, and can trust, the other riders. | ||
| Whisperstealth |
>>> i hate big group rides with people i dont know YUP. >>>That there is the crux Double YUP. Yup, you guys pretty much captured my thoughts. Especially toy runs. One thing you'all missed was how damn SLOW the parade is and how damn HOT the bikes get. Holy crap, at the end of a long one you can smell the clutches burning up and feel the heat in the parking lot. Now I show up at the beginning. Donate. Watch the pretty parade go by. And head straight to the party, skipping the drop off location. Combined with the crappy riding, it's not worth the abuse on the bike. Now a good solid pack with good riders you know, now that can be a blast! | ||
| Kyrocket |
As for the original question; I would, if I wanted to go. Me personally, I don't do parades or poker runs simply because of everything stated above. The only ones I do now are the ones that start at X-time; end at Y-time and you have to make 4 or 5 stops in between. Usually 4 or 5 of my close friends will participate and go from there. | ||
| Mr_grumpy |
If you've ever done a Buell parade lap...there may as well be a checkered flag at the end. Homecoming rides can also get..."spirited". And a lot of that comes from the "same mindset" aspect. Lol, I rode the "parade lap" at Road America, Homecoming '05. I was riding a borrowed X1 with a very loud can following Bomber on his M2, we started way down, about 3/4 of the pack in front of us, John was carving & I sat on his tail, pushing him on, the only thing that finally stopped us was the pace car. Afterwards he said to me "I knew you'd got my back door because I could hear you there all the while" We got a few bleak looks from some of the BRAG people, but a good time was had by all. | ||
| Mnrider |
I won a pirate outfit from the drawing at the Hospice ride last year. I gave the t-shirt away,I had to blow my nose so I used the dew rag for that,kept the can cooler  |
