Back in the day when I road with the groups. I AWAYS road sweep. That's where I felt safest and I was good at it. There were a few time that someone would breakdown. So it was my job to stay with them until they got it fixed or other help came to pick up their bike... Then I'd call to see where the group was so we could catch up they would make a potty stop to give us time to catch up if they were to far ahead. Or they tell me to just meet them at the food stop... But mostly my wife and I would ride alone. She didn't feel comfortable riding with the group if it was to large... Good topic my friend, be blessed in Jesus name... Much love... BBE..
Itchy, great teach in this video, appreciate your wisdom and experience throwin down the miles over the years. Catching up on all your video drops I missed as life got in the way, travel plans on the calendar over the last few weeks. I’m like you, prefer most my riding solo or with a buddy or two. There’s a time and place to enjoy a group ride, and important to know how to fit within the group, leave the ego home, be responsible and not be a liability to those riding alongside you. Good stuff, and you’re looking great buddy!
I go on a few charity rides every year, I am going on one this weekend. I know about every thing you talked about. Every once in a while you get behind that man or woman that doesn't know how to group ride. On the next stop I make sure I don't leave behind that person, so now they are somebody else's problem. I followed one guy, he didn't know what lane he wanted to be in. It didn't take to long and about a half dozen bikes went flying by me. After a bit I did the same. I don't know if it sunk in or not. Maybe he just though we were being assholes. On your bike the plugs could be a good place to start. I don't know if you ever used them but I have NGK Iridium plugs in my Fatboy. They are definitely a step above Platinum. They are expensive though. I bought a set of Iridium plugs from Dennis Kirk for the Electra Glide. Gold tips, black porcelain and gold bases. They look like they should be on display not in the bike. You have to be very careful if they need to be gapped. The electrode is wire thin and hard and easy to snap off. Then your expensive plug isn't worth two cents. good luck on your bike.
Great video ! Good information . I normally ride alone , I do ride with one buddy pretty often . If my wife has plans with my daughter to shop , I get up early , usually leave by 6:30 for the day . A lot of guys ask about riding with me occasionally, but I end up meeting em at 9 am in town and they’ll have a couple of more guys with them . Then they’ll gas up get coffee ,chit chat . Seems like the whole day gets wasted with socializing lol. It’s ok occasionally but I work full time, don’t want to spend my one day to ride a while socializing. Anyway, good video , God Bless
Mark, Good points on Group Rides & hand signals. I got a kick out of that hand signal, left hand pointing to ground = road kill. Being from the city we don't see much road kill except for a slow runner squirrell maybe on occasion. So that signal to us means there's a pot hole ahead, or a piece of muffler pipe, or part of a retread tire, or tree limb, or hubcap, or loose gravel, or oil slick to look out for. 😶😵💫.... The hand signal I've had to use quite often relates to cagers coming up too close to you & as you come to a Stop Sign Sign or Traffic Lite. I put my whole hand/arm in a swishing motion to 'Back off' as you can picture it. Yup, they don't think when they pull up on your back as if it's ok to drive like that, which it is Not. .... There's that real problem too of riders daydreaming. They're no longer alert to possibilities of a sudden stop or road hazard and such. Related to that is a rider getting tired and just continuing instead of pulling off for a few minits for a coffee & pee break. We just have to know our limits. I've found at my age 78, I do have to stop 2 or 3 time on a day-ride weather by myself or with 2 or 3 others out for the day. Fortunately they all know my situation & we all act accordingly. Such are the brothers I am willing to ride with. So let the young pups go for those 'Iron Butt' rides if they will. I prefer to ride for comfort & enjoyment. A good meal at one of those 'Hole - in - the - wall' breakfast or lunch cafe's/taverns is my speed. ... Alcohol? I have a personal policy about it. I never do. I'll ask for a Zero (non alcohol beer) and invariably the tavern has it in stock. If they don't, then a lemon water is enough to wash down that Rueben sandwich just fine, as long as they throw in a dill pickle of course. .... Places to go & things to do., reminds me that Tomorrow is a 'Indian Demo Day', So I'm aiming to test ride a new Springfield, similar to my Vintage. But we'll see how that goes at the new dealership up in N.H. If nothing else, it'll be a great ride with good Summer weather and yes that typical stop at the tavern for a pee break and my favorite Reuben sandwich & lemon water. Hope they throw in a dill & some chips. Thoroughly enjoyed your Thursday nite 8/15/24 vid. Thanx again.
Great Video Brothers, in my opinion you were Spot on, the safest way to ride in a group is staggered especially when doing Charity Rides you just don't no how much Experience the person next to you has. I Rode side by Side for years when I was in a 1% Club in Canada, mist of us been Ridin for years together we just knew each other that well and and the Trust was there. Now a days I mostly ride alone and i really enjoy that . 👍🙏
Spot on, I've seen all these things. My solution, ride with my best riding bud only, or a few guys that I've ridden with before. Maybe 10 bikes max! Even that many can create problems. Unless all people have the same philosophy, one bike needs gas everyone gets gas regardless of tank size. Every gas stop is a pee stop, even if you don't really have to, you will, etc. Jayman...
Well if it's a CV carburetor drop the boul and have an external fuel filter just generally go through the car if you got a 42 slow jey switch it over to a 45.. I if it's dark stick with the one 70 mains yet use the OEM emotion tube they work the best they have the multiple holes in the side and since there's such a multitude of needles just go with the 1988 Sportster needle you can still get them if that ends up the mid-range. That should work out pretty good Stick with the stock spring return spring and don't drill out the weep pole in the slide
Take aways. Ride your own ride, someone wants to go 120 mph and you don’t want to drop out. Keep up if you can. I especially like watch 3 riders ahead. The guy in front of you is no good. Shit goes sideways he’s toast. Know you escape areas. I actually like group rides, depending.
My bike went on home on trailer battery was dead and it was raining so I just got my truck and trailer and I need to do full tune up on mine and probably clean the carburetor get a new rear tire
Never liked group rides, at least with more than just a few bikes. In large groups it is likely that skills will vary, leading to uncertainty, which then takes away from the pleasure, at least for me. And many times bike groups ride too slowly, annoying motorists behind the group sometimes causing cars to try to pass the group, which is difficult and dangerous. I ride alone, do my own thing.
95% of the time I ride solo. If it's a group ride I usually stay in the back.
Back in the day when I road with the groups. I AWAYS road sweep. That's where I felt safest and I was good at it. There were a few time that someone would breakdown. So it was my job to stay with them until they got it fixed or other help came to pick up their bike... Then I'd call to see where the group was so we could catch up they would make a potty stop to give us time to catch up if they were to far ahead. Or they tell me to just meet them at the food stop... But mostly my wife and I would ride alone. She didn't feel comfortable riding with the group if it was to large... Good topic my friend, be blessed in Jesus name... Much love... BBE..
I hope that you have an enjoyable problem free ride. Prayers and Abundant Blessings to you and yours. 🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏✝🛐❤
Itchy, great teach in this video, appreciate your wisdom and experience throwin down the miles over the years. Catching up on all your video drops I missed as life got in the way, travel plans on the calendar over the last few weeks. I’m like you, prefer most my riding solo or with a buddy or two. There’s a time and place to enjoy a group ride, and important to know how to fit within the group, leave the ego home, be responsible and not be a liability to those riding alongside you. Good stuff, and you’re looking great buddy!
To each thier own. I have always avoided group riding for all the obvious reasons. I ride alone the vast majority of the time which I enjoy.
I'm more of a solo rider, had call road service, battery took dump, all good advice,
Thank you, Itchy! I think a little knowledge is a tremendous benefit. I appreciate your sharing!
RHDF!!!
I go on a few charity rides every year, I am going on one this weekend. I know about every thing you talked about. Every once in a while you get behind that man or woman that doesn't know how to group ride. On the next stop I make sure I don't leave behind that person, so now they are somebody else's problem. I followed one guy, he didn't know what lane he wanted to be in. It didn't take to long and about a half dozen bikes went flying by me. After a bit I did the same. I don't know if it sunk in or not. Maybe he just though we were being assholes.
On your bike the plugs could be a good place to start. I don't know if you ever used them but I have NGK Iridium plugs in my Fatboy. They are definitely a step above Platinum. They are expensive though. I bought a set of Iridium plugs from Dennis Kirk for the Electra Glide. Gold tips, black porcelain and gold bases. They look like they should be on display not in the bike. You have to be very careful if they need to be gapped. The electrode is wire thin and hard and easy to snap off. Then your expensive plug isn't worth two cents.
good luck on your bike.
And fuel up before the ride begins! Thanks for the tips Itch!
Hey cat what's happening? I really enjoy your videos!
I rode my stock '99 Heritage Springer today she rides like a dream. Keep the rubber side down!
I've been checking out late evo springs. If you will, what is the springer ride like in comparison to a hydraulic fork? Thank you
Let Common Sense Prevail. GOD BLESS YOU
Great video ! Good information . I normally ride alone , I do ride with one buddy pretty often . If my wife has plans with my daughter to shop , I get up early , usually leave by 6:30 for the day . A lot of guys ask about riding with me occasionally, but I end up meeting em at 9 am in town and they’ll have a couple of more guys with them . Then they’ll gas up get coffee ,chit chat . Seems like the whole day gets wasted with socializing lol. It’s ok occasionally but I work full time, don’t want to spend my one day to ride a while socializing.
Anyway, good video , God Bless
The only person I truly trust riding with is my wife. She knows how I ride and I know how she rides. 😎👍
Mark, Good points on Group Rides & hand signals. I got a kick out of that hand signal, left hand pointing to ground = road kill. Being from the city we don't see much road kill except for a slow runner squirrell maybe on occasion. So that signal to us means there's a pot hole ahead, or a piece of muffler pipe, or part of a retread tire, or tree limb, or hubcap, or loose gravel, or oil slick to look out for. 😶😵💫.... The hand signal I've had to use quite often relates to cagers coming up too close to you & as you come to a Stop Sign Sign or Traffic Lite. I put my whole hand/arm in a swishing motion to 'Back off' as you can picture it. Yup, they don't think when they pull up on your back as if it's ok to drive like that, which it is Not. .... There's that real problem too of riders daydreaming. They're no longer alert to possibilities of a sudden stop or road hazard and such. Related to that is a rider getting tired and just continuing instead of pulling off for a few minits for a coffee & pee break. We just have to know our limits. I've found at my age 78, I do have to stop 2 or 3 time on a day-ride weather by myself or with 2 or 3 others out for the day. Fortunately they all know my situation & we all act accordingly. Such are the brothers I am willing to ride with. So let the young pups go for those 'Iron Butt' rides if they will. I prefer to ride for comfort & enjoyment. A good meal at one of those 'Hole - in - the - wall' breakfast or lunch cafe's/taverns is my speed. ... Alcohol? I have a personal policy about it. I never do. I'll ask for a Zero (non alcohol beer) and invariably the tavern has it in stock. If they don't, then a lemon water is enough to wash down that Rueben sandwich just fine, as long as they throw in a dill pickle of course. .... Places to go & things to do., reminds me that Tomorrow is a 'Indian Demo Day', So I'm aiming to test ride a new Springfield, similar to my Vintage. But we'll see how that goes at the new dealership up in N.H. If nothing else, it'll be a great ride with good Summer weather and yes that typical stop at the tavern for a pee break and my favorite Reuben sandwich & lemon water. Hope they throw in a dill & some chips. Thoroughly enjoyed your Thursday nite 8/15/24 vid. Thanx again.
Hi Mark thanks for the advice , on the bike hiccup maybe check the fuel
filters in the tank/fuel line/carb for sediment that maybe circulating?
Great Video Brothers, in my opinion you were Spot on, the safest way to ride in a group is staggered especially when doing Charity Rides you just don't no how much Experience the person next to you has. I Rode side by Side for years when I was in a 1% Club in Canada, mist of us been Ridin for years together we just knew each other that well and and the Trust was there. Now a days I mostly ride alone and i really enjoy that . 👍🙏
Spot on, I've seen all these things. My solution, ride with my best riding bud only, or a few guys that I've ridden with before. Maybe 10 bikes max! Even that many can create problems. Unless all people have the same philosophy, one bike needs gas everyone gets gas regardless of tank size. Every gas stop is a pee stop, even if you don't really have to, you will, etc. Jayman...
Well if it's a CV carburetor drop the boul and have an external fuel filter just generally go through the car if you got a 42 slow jey switch it over to a 45.. I if it's dark stick with the one 70 mains yet use the OEM emotion tube they work the best they have the multiple holes in the side and since there's such a multitude of needles just go with the 1988 Sportster needle you can still get them if that ends up the mid-range. That should work out pretty good Stick with the stock spring return spring and don't drill out the weep pole in the slide
Thanks Mark
I ride a trike, so if someone rides beside me it could get dangerous 😃👍
👍👍👍 good info ITCHY
❤️✌🏻
Oh boy I can hear the ones that don't follow the rules, and then the ones with no Cy
Check out FOBO Tire Pressure monitor you allways know your tire pressure all the time or when you start to loose air if you pick up a nail or screw.
Hey Mark, I’m pretty sure your bike needs a new petcock. If it’s a stock petcock change it out to a Pingo it’ll be fine.
Fuel filter may be dirty .Probably due for change any way .
Take aways. Ride your own ride, someone wants to go 120 mph and you don’t want to drop out. Keep up if you can. I especially like watch 3 riders ahead. The guy in front of you is no good. Shit goes sideways he’s toast. Know you escape areas.
I actually like group rides, depending.
My bike went on home on trailer battery was dead and it was raining so I just got my truck and trailer and I need to do full tune up on mine and probably clean the carburetor get a new rear tire
Never liked group rides, at least with more than just a few bikes. In large groups it is likely that skills will vary, leading to uncertainty, which then takes away from the pleasure, at least for me. And many times bike groups ride too slowly, annoying motorists behind the group sometimes causing cars to try to pass the group, which is difficult and dangerous. I ride alone, do my own thing.
Water in the fuel
Clean your flot bowl out
No,No,No groups rides, there is always an idiot..........
When the pack swells it’s slowing down when it sucks together it’s accelerating