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Message started by Rodney001 on 01/11/23 at 18:39:42

Title: Group Rides
Post by Rodney001 on 01/11/23 at 18:39:42

Is the S40 suitable for group riding?

Title: Re: Group Rides
Post by buster6315 on 01/11/23 at 18:41:22

Yes!........

Title: Re: Group Rides
Post by ohiomoto on 01/11/23 at 21:02:46

As long as you realize group rides are some of the most dangerous rides you can do on a motorcycle. Google it and be safe out there!

Title: Re: Group Rides
Post by Dave on 01/12/23 at 02:48:01

I am very comfortable riding with experienced riders....(fellas with gray hair and wrinkles and many years of riding behind them). Once you get more than 3 people it starts to become harder to stay together when you get into town or traffic. Group rides work best in rural areas with little traffic and few intersections.

I went on a "Poker Run" event at a motorcycle show in my home town. The event starts at a bar and you get a poker card........folks are drinking before we left. Then you ride to another bar and get another poker card and some more beers. You repeat this until you have a full poker hand and a serious buzz! There were about 60 riders of various skill levels and we slowed to a crawl around every corner......it was the most dangerous and frustrating ride I have ever been on. I will never to on another ride that includes bars and drinking as an integral part of the event.

Title: Re: Group Rides
Post by wheelbender6 on 01/12/23 at 05:44:16

get the details on the group ride before showing up. The sport bikes like to take really technical routes at an uncomfortable rate of speed. Some of the cruiser rides buster down the freeway at 90 mph. Best to find out ahead of time.

Title: Re: Group Rides
Post by ThumperPaul on 01/12/23 at 06:42:33

Agree with all the previous comments and add - it depends on the type of group ride. Shorter rides that don't require 70+mph for extended periods would be ok. We have a relatively small gas tank (more frequent stops), and I personally get exhausted maintaining 65mph for more than 30-40 minutes (I'm one of those wrinkly gray hairs though). Regardless of age/fitness, you're not going to want to try to keep up with a group of sports bike riders wanting to pace extended distances at 75+mph.

Title: Re: Group Rides
Post by och on 01/12/23 at 16:30:56

Absolutely. I have no problem going with Harley guys and sport bike guys, easily keep up with my friends with MT-10s and R1s. The S40 is so light and agile, it handles tight twisties better than heavier sport bikes.

Of course you wont be able to keep up with sport bikes on fast highway runs, but its made to carve mountain roads all day long.

Title: Re: Group Rides
Post by Eegore on 01/13/23 at 06:38:05

As people have indicated here already - it depends on the group, and the location.

Group rides is way to broad of a topic with too many variables to say for sure, and this doesn't even take into account skill level of the riders, including You.

Maybe if we knew more about what you consider unsuitable for group riding.

Title: Re: Group Rides
Post by justin_o_guy2 on 01/13/23 at 14:19:50

http://https://talesalongtheway.files.wordpress.com/2013/12/family-motorcycle-india.jpg

Title: Re: Group Rides
Post by ohiomoto on 01/13/23 at 17:18:05

Hey, I'm not trying to be the judge of what's safe or not.

I'm simply saying to educate yourself before jumping in. There is plenty of information about the dangers of, and best practices for group rides.

Title: Re: Group Rides
Post by justin_o_guy2 on 01/13/23 at 18:13:14

I was lucky. The only group ride I've been in, I was at the Very back. For me, trying to ride close to people was just not what I've been doing. I ride looking for separation from traffic. If you've never done it, you might be happier at the back.
Sharing a lane is uncomfortable. Trying to maintain That position, if you're staggering or sharing,, Naaah, not what I practice when I'm out hitting country roads.
I'm glad I went, it was very different, stopped in cool places, had some live music at the BBQ joint out in the boonies for lunch, great day.

Title: Re: Group Rides
Post by Ruttly on 01/14/23 at 08:31:17

The temptation to weave thru everyone is too much for me. If their moving at a good clip I might be able to hang back. And then you got good riders and some really really bad riders that don’t belong on the road let alone being on a motorcycle. Did it once , experience was cool but it’s not for me. However I would like to do that Gentleman’s ride in a suit on my tracker !
Maybe a Tux
That will be the LAST time I wear a suit ! ;D

Title: Re: Group Rides
Post by TrevorKlein on 01/26/23 at 01:13:59

Yup obviously, S40 is the best choice for both solo and group traveling, also can perform well in normal commuting and for highways as well.

Title: Re: Group Rides
Post by J Mac on 02/19/23 at 07:34:55

I was in a club many years ago in TX that did monster group rides with many different types of motorcycles attending. Sometimes they even had a police officer member who would bring his bike and block off intersections to let the column pass (like a funeral procession). It was like being in a parade. That being said, it was kind of like herding cats. The leaders tended to ride too slowly except on the freeway, and people tended to get irritated with that and drop out. I remember a couple people being yahoos pushing you from behind to speed you up or chasing down cars on the interstate to cuss them out. I prefer just riding with 1-2 people I know well.

Title: Re: Group Rides
Post by Ruttly on 02/19/23 at 11:38:49

I’ll admit it’s fun for maybe half hour , it doesn’t take long to know it’s way more dangerous than it is fun. No more than 5 riders that have decades of riding skills not just years. Then I can relaxe and ride. I study other riders habits so I can mingle in the pack if I choose , fall behind see how everyone rides who is aggressive. I prefer to pick my way thru the pack like a gentleman , slide by with what looks like no effort , maybe a nod or a wave just out for a Sunday ride kinda thing. It’s fun to get out in front and run , but I can do that riding alone. Pick your way to the front for a few turns then let them slide by , study my victims some more , then back to the front. This keeps all involved in the ride and everyone gets to pass and be passed making all involved more at home in a pack and a better riders . Also keeps me sharp and hones the passing skills , exactly when to strike , pass inside , pass outside , speed , brakes naw. Don’t forget the nod or wave , manners is everything be polite. Practice this you & your friends will become better , safer , polite riders. I can pass everyone but that only 3 or 4 passes , I would rather practice passing doing 10-20-30 passes in a ride.
Way more fun when you learn good safe passing skills

Title: Re: Group Rides
Post by Dave on 02/20/23 at 04:28:26

331415150D18610 wrote:

I would rather practice passing doing 10-20-30 passes in a ride.
Way more fun when you learn good safe passing skills

I also enjoy making graceful passes on slower riders - it brings back the memories of when I was young and racing in the dirt. Passing was a skill that needed to be practiced and learned - and when racing we had to become comfortable riding with a small distance between riders. It was not uncommon that when someone passed you had to instantly make changes to your speed or path - as the other rider was now in your way.......it was just part of the racing game.

When you ride the Tail of the Dragon, there is a wide range of rider skills and speeds.....everything from fast sport bike riders on slicks to large touring bikes riding double with lots of luggage.

I ride the Dragon at a pretty aggressive pace and scrub off a lot of tire rubber in the corners - but I don't try to set any land speed records in the straights between curves. There are some riders who accelerate aggressively between curves .....and also drag knees in the corners, and I don't ride it that aggressively as I feel the need to have some ability to change my line if I come around a corner and see a bike or car in my lane. When these faster riders come up behind me - I get over to the side and wave them past. When I come up behind slower riders (or cars) I give them the opportunity to see I am behind them and allow them the chance to wave me past......or they can pull over to any one of the numerous pull off areas that are provided. When they provide the opportunity to pass I always give them a quick "beep" on the horn and a friendly "Thanks" wave as I pass. I limit my passes to the straight sections - it just isn't a race track and passing in the corners just seems like an unnecessary risk (I have been passed in the corners a few times by some really fast/aggressive sport bike riders).

There are some slow riders (and cars) who just won't wave you past them. It is pretty easy to find a spot to pass if there are only 1 or 2 of them - but sometimes a long line of bikes/cars gets stacked up behind and it is impossible to pass.....when this happens, I just turn around and ride the other way for a while as the curves are fun in both directions. When I do pass slower riders most of the time it is just fine - but not everyone accepts it gracefully. One time I came up behind a man and woman riding big cruisers and they were pretty slow. The man was riding behind the woman, and he waved me around him. I was able to pass him easily on a straight section and get between them. She never volunteered for me to pass, and I shot past her on a short straight and was likely 30 feet in front of her when I braked and leaned into the curve.............and she blew her horn and let me know she was not happy about the pass. It is very likely she never looked into her mirror and didn't know I was behind her....and the pass surprised her.

I raced Motocross and Hare Scrambles many years ago, and I am comfortable with making passes (and being passed) by good riders.....and riding with MM, Oldfeller, Verslagen, Stewmills, Youzguys, Armen, Serowbot and other good forum riders we are comfortable with riding close and passing each other at any time. Many motorcycles riders are not comfortable with that and don't have the skills needed to ride well - they find it a challenge just to shift gears, ride between the lines and not fall over when they come to a stop.....they are just not experienced riders yet. Having someone pass them on a short straight and drop into a corner in front of them is horribly scary to them! A herd of V-Twin riders on the Dragon can be passed 1 or 2 at a time - but they seem to really get irritated by you dropping in to break up their parade, and I generally don't do it if there are more than 3 or 4 of them in the group. MM, Stemills and I were riding on Wolf Pen Gap and we came up behind about a dozen riders who were painfully slow......we really didn't have any option but to follow them at their slow pace - there just wasn't any way to pass them safely.

It really is best to ride the Dragon on Monday through Thursday and avoid the weekends. If you get out before 10AM on the weekends it is OK - avoid it anytime you see a car club headed that direction. Mustangs, Camaros, Corvettes, BMWs and other large cars just don't fit well on the tight curves and there are going to be a lot of drivers crossing over the centerline.

Title: Re: Group Rides
Post by Ruttly on 02/20/23 at 21:09:48

The Dragon sounds like a tourist trap for anyone with maps on their phone. I like to lay low on the backroads avoiding as much traffic as possible. I know the area is a big destination for all kinds of fools , it must be a special place to want to ride there. Farmland is all squares , great for tuning just have to ride a ways to get to a twisty. When I lived in Bay Area thousands of roads along the coast and more in the Sierras. If I wanted to go check out bikes we would hang out at Four Corners/Alice’s Restaurant , rub elbows with the rich and their exotic 6 digit bikes. They seem so fascinated with rat bikes , go figure ! So what is it just a convenient place for everyone to meet at ? Or is that road , that good ?

Title: Re: Group Rides
Post by buster6315 on 02/20/23 at 21:38:43

We've got a couple of nice roads to ride right in our area: One 2 mile pkwy with 20 turns and plenty of outlook stops. Or the ride through the park which is 10 miles with ups and downs and plenty of turns. :)

Title: Re: Group Rides
Post by TrevorKlein on 02/21/23 at 00:11:06

Yeah absolutely, S40 (https://www.vikingbags.com/blog/suzuki-s40-boulevard-specs-features-background-performance-more/) would be highly recommended for solo and group rides because of its reliable engine and best commuting features.

Title: Re: Group Rides
Post by LANCER on 02/21/23 at 03:52:29

507776766E7B020 wrote:

The Dragon is a section of road, 318 curves in 11 miles, which works out to a curve every 182’. It is a fun and challenging road. Many very tight curves in the mountains with cliffs that you do not want to go airborne on. Riders that do that may take a few days to find their body.
As Dave mentioned choosing the day/time to ride is needed ti avoid the crowds during the summer.

Title: Re: Group Rides
Post by Dave on 02/21/23 at 04:11:30

06212020382D540 wrote:

The Dragon sounds like a tourist trap for anyone with maps on their phone. So what is it just a convenient place for everyone to meet at ? Or is that road , that good ?

The Tail of the Dragon really is a fun road to ride....and it does have a circus environment. The road has 318 curves in 11 miles and the 30mph speed limit is very appropriate for the tightness of the curves....as they are very tight and there is little or no sight distance on the majority of curves. The speed limit is often exceeded and some sport bikes likely hit triple digits on some of the longer straights - the road does get some enforcement and when the Patrol cars are on the road word gets out pretty quickly.......it is not uncommon however to see riders pulled over and receiving citations. The road is extremely fun to ride on small to mid size bikes - large cruisers and touring bikes have a bit of a problem with dragging frames, footpegs and mufflers if they attempt to ride quickly around the curves. All day long there is a constant flow of bikes and cars stopping to see what is going on and get their photo at the Tree of Shame or with the Dragon statues. On busy days there are hundreds of bikes parked in the lot....along with all the folks that rode them in. Route 129 does provide the best access to the area for anyone coming south from the Knoxville area - so it is common to have slow cars, vans, campers, boats, RV's and construction equipment on the Dragon....however they banned semi trucks from the road several years ago.

The hotel at Deals Gap is a fun place to stay...although it is not horribly peaceful. They have Premium ethanol free fuel that is a bit expensive, they have a store with all kinds of Dragon "Merch" and snacks, drinks, rider gear and stickers. The restaurant has good food at reasonable prices. All day long the sound of the cars and bikes headed up the hill is broadcast through the campground and parking lot......the noise dies down after dark - however there still is an occasional blast from a noisy bike or car late into the night. Once the Deals Gap store and restaurant close - you can't buy any food or drink without driving 30 minutes to Robbinsville. There is no cell phone service at Deals Gap and you can get WiFi service by asking around to see what the password is.

Deals Gap is at the south end of the Tail of the Dragon, and also is centrally located for trips to the other great roads in the area. Route 28 is one of my favorite roads and the north end starts right at Deals Gap. The Cherohala Skyway, the Blue Ridge Parkway, the Foothills Parkway are all roads that provide lots of scenery and are appealing to both bikers and tourists....the Cherohala Skyway has wonderful pavement and big sweepers and is a blast to ride when you can avoid the tourists in cars and motorhomes.....several times we have been able to ride the entire 40 miles at our own pace in the early mornings or evenings when the tourists are not on the roads.

Deals Gap and the Tail of the Dragon are definitely a Bucket List destination for a lot of people. Some will do it once and move on - for me and MM, Stewmills and other folks who are nearby...the area provides the best mountain riding within a 1/2 day ride. We most often stay at other campgrounds (Kickstand Lodge) where the prices are cheaper, it is more peaceful, and access to restaurants and stores is better.

Title: Re: Group Rides
Post by Ruttly on 02/21/23 at 09:49:21

We don’t count corners , yeah maybe you got more but I know some really good roads , some one mistake would be your last. Tight , up , down , in and out of shadows , maybe a little damp , maybe a tad rough and sometimes it turns to dirt. Roads you don’t dare ride stupid. Roads that can test your fire road skills at times too. When I vacation it’s always a “No Service” area , away from people and trouble. Guess I’m done with crowds and having to go slow because of them doesn’t interest me. A buddy or two and a road I’ve never ridden before , that’s adventure , a new page in life.
It’s in the “maybe” column of the bucket list. Pikes Peak still lures me like voice in my head that won’t go away , granted now that it’s paved to the top it has lost some of its appeal , but that road is solid in the “Doing It” column. If I eat $hit and die , it was meant to be , it’s a callin !
So many roads , so little time !