Interesting experience whilst riding with other cruisers!

[8Track]

Hi all,

I go out every second Sunday with a mixed group of riders known as The Sunday Social. It's open to all types of bikes, but its core is a group of café racer enthusiasts all riding their modified Triumph Bonnies and Thruxtons, BSAs, Ducatis, Buells, and Japanese UJM café conversions.

Very few cruiser bikes go out with the group  - I'm often the only cruiser rider in the group and yes I do take a lot of good natured ribbing for it! We generally ride highly technical and challenging routes through the Adelaide Hills. Obviously the Cafe'd bikes set a pretty quick pace, but the group functions well in that we always wait for stragglers and make sure everyone is present and accounted for at the designated muster points.

Riding the Valkyrie with these guys for the last couple years has really sharpened my skills. Whilst I'm never up the front of the pack, I'm never bringing up the rear either. The Valkyrie aquits itself very well for its size, but its never going to be as quick as a café racer in these conditions types of conditions - and it would be foolhardy to try. You gotta ride within your own, and your bike's, limitations.

Yesterday we had a smaller turnout than usual and unusually there were 4 Harley riders amongst a group of 8 bikes.  the normal leaders were not in attendance. I therefore became the ride leader. I briefed the guys on the intended route and checked to make sure they were comfortable to proceed. I also said that I would lead the group at a relaxed pace, not exceeding any posted limits, and just cruise.

So that's exactly what I did. I led the group at a comfortable pace up a windy 8 kilometre hill climb. Sheer rock face on one side, and a yawning chasm on the other. Within 3 or four bends, half the group (the Harley riders) had fallen so far behind they weren't coming out of the corner behind us before we were entering the next.

Half way up there is an apron on which we pulled over to wait for the stragglers. I reckon we waited over a minute before they caught up to us. These fellas who were full of bravado at the start of the ride all looked like they'd seen a ghost when they reached us. I asked them if something was wrong and they said no. I pointed up the hill and said we'll muster again at the top. as we ascended, so we entered some moderate fog. I obviously slowed down further because of this. Again a fair wait ensued at the top before they joined us. This time, as I was explaining where we were next headed, they started making excuses and turned tail. They quit the ride and went home.

This really surprised me as I don't consider myself a fast rider. I am very cautious and have respect for the limited dynamic capabilities a big cruiser like the Valkyrie has. I honestly thought the pace I set was dialled down to cater for the least experienced riders.

I was talking to a mate about this. His take on it was that there are riders and then there are real riders. He reckons the blokes on the Harleys were most likely the type who like to ride through the city at night, light to light, looking around to see who's looking at them. Their $30,000 Harleys are likely the first bike they've ever ridden. They wouldn't even know what a decreasing radius bend is let alone how to recognise one and react accordingly.

The whole point of the story is not so much a bagging of Harley riders, but rather, I've shared it because its been a bit of an epiphany for me. I realised that after only 8 years on a bike, I've developed my skills and road-craft to a much higher degree than the average rider out there, certainly more than I give myself credit for. I guess I should no longer consider myself wet behind the ears.

Have I just experienced some kind of rite of passage or something? I don't know, but I feel I now sit somewhere else in the whole scheme of things.

Anyone have any similar experiences or stories?

Cheers,

Mark

[J.Mencalice]

Out here in the wild, wild, west (although you are still further west), we'd say that you've "earned your spurs, pard".

[Oss]

I think you nailed it

I have above average city riding skills but all agree below average skills on twisties especially ones I have not done before especially when wet.  Now my eyesight makes riding in and out of shadows tougher and cant see well once twilight hits

Luckily the folks always wait like you did and I have fun. But mostly I ride solo to the Bronx and around the country
What is important to me is the enjoyment of the ride

Sounds like you have fun so all is good

[Stanley Steamer]

I'm just a rose sniffer myself.....

[Robert]

A few things the Valkyrie will out handle some Harley's with ease. They scrape the ground pretty easy especially if lowered. Most Harley riders are not ones to put many miles on their bikes. The Valk just begs to go out and see what the day has in store for miles. Without the miles, or experience they may have had a real hard time. Cruising and the fun of riding is the reason we bought our Valks. For the trouble free miles we anticipated to go, not just for an occasional  outing. I don't think many who buy Harley's are really thinking that.

[_Sheffjs_]

Cool story!!!   

We have a few HDs that ride with us, they are for sure long distance riders and like our group becuse "you guys really ride" no we don't have the twisties in Florida to show off the massive Valks maneuver advantage but we do have one that came to the group with a HD and after a while bought a Shadow, GW and now buying a 1500 tourer!!!!    still has HD, will be interesting to see what is next for him.  Hey go to the Florida Board and tell "old fart" good job and give him the thumbs up

[solo1]

The whole point of the story is not so much a bagging of Harley riders, but rather, I've shared it because its been a bit of an epiphany for me. I realised that after only 8 years on a bike, I've developed my skills and road-craft to a much higher degree than the average rider out there, certainly more than I give myself credit for. I guess I should no longer consider myself wet behind the ears.
Quote by 8 track

You are my type of rider.   Your great story shows a knowledge of riding techniques, awareness, and respect for what you, 8 track, can do.  It also shows respect for others.  
I would bet that you, Oss, and me, would make a great trio of riders.  No bragging, no desire to be number one in the pack, just a quiet summation of skills and admittance that others can ride faster.

I'm with Oss and now you.  I also practiced the best that I could braking, apexing, awareness, and generalriding skills, knowing that I wasn't the best or fastest but comfortable with my level of riding.  Thanks again for a great story!

Wayne, solo1

[Hooter]

Doesn't matter what bike you ride you have to learn to ride it. Yuppies on any bike will lag behind and more than like likely these guys had shiny leather and wore everything Harley??? Weekend warriors? Maybe....Straight liners, probably.

[Alien]

Always consider yourself wet behind the ears as it relates to improving your skills.  You never really reach the goal of being a perfect rider, but you do keep striving to improve.  That mindset will keep you alive. 

As far as Harley riders and twisties go, yes, many are slow in the corners...but not all.  If you're ever in the redwoods of northern CA and get passed in a decreasing radius corner by a full dress Roadglide with two old folks on it, that will be my in-laws.  I have been amazed and humbled more than once by what my father-in-law can do with that motorcycle.

Ride Safe,

Alien

[wiggydotcom]

I'm just a rose sniffer myself.....

Not to mention a "fart smeller"!  I mean "smart feller"! Always get those confused!

[Wizzard]

My Dad told me when I got my first bike at age 14 that the day I thought I was "Boss" over that bike it was time to sell it. I never forgot that.

[RainMaker]

Good story and the right perspective.  I would say that I am still "wet behind the ears" after 46 years of riding.

RainMaker

[bigdanIA]

good story!  i completely agree, when one start getting cocky that's when one tends to find themselves in over their heads...

 me, i don't have anything to prove to anybody and i truly ride for the joy of it     as for the harleys, i'm not a fan but i also think that the fact that someone rides is more important than what they ride...  so long as they actually ride, i know of people that trailer their harleys to whatever large parking lot is near "bike night" and then ride the last couple miles 

[Firefighter]

Just wish I had a place like you describe to ride!

[Hooter]

good story!  i completely agree, when one start getting cocky that's when one tends to find themselves in over their heads...

 me, i don't have anything to prove to anybody and i truly ride for the joy of it     as for the harleys, i'm not a fan but i also think that the fact that someone rides is more important than what they ride...  so long as they actually ride, i know of people that trailer their harleys to whatever large parking lot is near "bike night" and then ride the last couple miles 

That is true with all brands...too bad to. For those people it's about the show not the go.

[R J]

I'm just a rose sniffer myself.....

Stanley, I've never heard them called a rose before.  I always called them something else.    LOL.

[MarcusS]

There are always all types. Until you push a little in the curves, you do not know what the bike can do. I ride with a sport bike group of responsible people and we have all kinds right down to the scooter class.  When a small group, without the new people roll, we push 10 -30 over the curve speeds just for fun. They love fallowing the pace set by the Valk because they like the ride and assume I will slow down first. I love 75 in a 50 curve.

Years in the curves cannot be made up by rolling red-light to red-light or cruising the super slab.  

The only people that I know can push a Harley good are the ones that spent lots of time trying to trash a rice burner as a kid. I tried to wear one out.  It was a Honda 350 that would never die.

Not all Valk riders push their bikes so don't expect them to keep up. And don't be an ass to them when they catch up. It is their ride.

[8Track]

Hi All,

Thanks for for all the positive and encouraging responses to my story.

Safety has always been my number one priority when on a bike, however I do enjoy getting myself through corners briskly - something we all enjoy I'm sure. For me the ultimate goal is to ride as smoothly as possible, minimising the use of brakes by correctly judging the entrance speed and being set up well for the entry. I also never ride on the limit - always got to allow some room for the unexpected! If you want to ride at the limits, there's only one place to do that - a track.

I am aware that overconfidence is something that can get you into trouble as is trying to impress your buddies or trying to hang with better/faster riders. I definitely keep myself in check on all three fronts.

One additional aspect to the story - I did the nickel trick (in my case an Aussie $2 coin) before we set off. The line of gaping jaws was priceless!

Cheers and safe riding,

Mark

[8Track]

If you're interested here is someone's video of riding a cycle down The hill climb I took the group up.

Note that all the speed limit and corner speed signs are in Km/H not MPH.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FvRw4sW4bA0

The apron we pulled over on is on the right side of the road at 1:52.

Cheers,

Mark

[HayHauler]

Ahhhh!  You're riding on the wrong side of the road!  Gonna get yourself kilt.   
J/K, nice video. 

Hay
Jimmyt

[3fan4life]

If I ever make it to Australia, I'd love ride that with you.

[Colin]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FvRw4sW4bA0

Mark,

Do you know what software / hardware was used to put the track map and speed etc on the video?

[8Track]

Sorry Colin - no idea. I just found the video on Youtube and linked it as it showed the route I was talking about. You'd need to contact the guy who posted it to Youtube.

[SpadMan87]

I have learned the same thing. My neighbor/riding buddy had a Honda Magna when we started riding and I had a Honda CX .... After many years he got a Harley ?Glide, and I got the Valkyrie. He could blast me on that Magna and now I blast him on the Valkyrie. We like to hit a very curvy road going from SC into NC and we have a blast every time. He even talked about the lean angle and the difference in the way he has to ride now.

Bill

[Jess Tolbirt]

reminds me of when i got my harley, i traded in an interstate valk that i had been riding for a few years. when i pulled into the parking lot on the new harley a few came over and said dam you sure know how to ride,, i didnt put two and two together untill later, after getting off the valk the harley was like a mini bike..and i could whip that sucker around like no bodys business,,