Spyder Tony
New member
Well, This past Sunday I participated in the “Never Too Early 2 Ride” motorcycle fundraising ride. I was told that all bikes were welcomed. I showed up and immediately noticed that I was the only non-Harley (not to mention the only Spyder rider) out of at least 50 bikes. Turns out 2 local Harley chapters showed up for the ride and it was sponsored by Folsom Harley Davidson. It was about an hour before the ride began, so I mingled and chatted. Had some great conversations with some folks, but frankly, most weren't going out of their way to have a conversation.
Once it was announced to line up to begin the ride, I rode up next to a couple of guys, introduced myself and asked if there was a particular riding order. His response was "Yeah...trikes in the back cause they get in the way". I was riding 2-up with my girlfriend, so kept my cool, but this really pissed me off.
On the 1st stop of the ride, the wife of the man with the trike bias approached my girlfriend & I and apologized for her husband's comment earlier, and I told her I really appreciated her doing so, but thought he should be the one to apologize (Still thought it was really great of her to go out of her way to find me & apologize). She explained that they went on a long ride with a new RT owner & he would almost come to a complete stop before negotiating any corner, so the ride was less than fun due to his excessive, nervous braking. Although I totally understood her point (and their negative experience with the RT owner on the ride) I explained that it is unfair to judge the "whole" due to the actions of a "few", and that I am a more than competent Spyder driver and owner.
Stops 2, 3, and 4 produced more conversation with a couple more riders (Go-Pro related chat, how they kept all that chrome clean related chat). The ride home was phenomenal as it was through PLENTY of twists and turns...along with whoop-de-whoops (roads over rolling hills) and my Spyder was in heaven. The scenery was GREAT...gotta get me a Go PRo so I can see footage of my rides!!!
To sum it up...this was the first time I was going on an extended ride (approximately 150 miles round trip) riding 2-up, as I took my girlfriend with me. I found that I want to get the BajaRon sway bar due to the roll in corners riding 2 up (I do not get this roll riding solo). Also, the ride itself I found great...but those I rode with I found unwelcoming to a good degree. Again, I state that I found some individuals very pleasant and engaging, but I did feel that the mass was a bit like the high school clicks where it was "Them and us". I do not judge the whole by the actions of a few, since I have ridden with other Harley riders and they have been VERY open and welcoming to riding with myself as well as other bikes. In fact, this is probably the 1st time I have ridden with a group of Harley riders and left with a bad taste in my mouth. I have decided that although my initial reaction was to "stay with my own" and ride with other Spyders only (this was an emotional reaction that lasted only a couple of minutes), clarity eventually prevailed and I have come to the conclusion that although I will not be participating in this particular ride in the future, I will continue to ride with anyone wanting to welcome my company and my 3 wheels.
Once it was announced to line up to begin the ride, I rode up next to a couple of guys, introduced myself and asked if there was a particular riding order. His response was "Yeah...trikes in the back cause they get in the way". I was riding 2-up with my girlfriend, so kept my cool, but this really pissed me off.
On the 1st stop of the ride, the wife of the man with the trike bias approached my girlfriend & I and apologized for her husband's comment earlier, and I told her I really appreciated her doing so, but thought he should be the one to apologize (Still thought it was really great of her to go out of her way to find me & apologize). She explained that they went on a long ride with a new RT owner & he would almost come to a complete stop before negotiating any corner, so the ride was less than fun due to his excessive, nervous braking. Although I totally understood her point (and their negative experience with the RT owner on the ride) I explained that it is unfair to judge the "whole" due to the actions of a "few", and that I am a more than competent Spyder driver and owner.
Stops 2, 3, and 4 produced more conversation with a couple more riders (Go-Pro related chat, how they kept all that chrome clean related chat). The ride home was phenomenal as it was through PLENTY of twists and turns...along with whoop-de-whoops (roads over rolling hills) and my Spyder was in heaven. The scenery was GREAT...gotta get me a Go PRo so I can see footage of my rides!!!
To sum it up...this was the first time I was going on an extended ride (approximately 150 miles round trip) riding 2-up, as I took my girlfriend with me. I found that I want to get the BajaRon sway bar due to the roll in corners riding 2 up (I do not get this roll riding solo). Also, the ride itself I found great...but those I rode with I found unwelcoming to a good degree. Again, I state that I found some individuals very pleasant and engaging, but I did feel that the mass was a bit like the high school clicks where it was "Them and us". I do not judge the whole by the actions of a few, since I have ridden with other Harley riders and they have been VERY open and welcoming to riding with myself as well as other bikes. In fact, this is probably the 1st time I have ridden with a group of Harley riders and left with a bad taste in my mouth. I have decided that although my initial reaction was to "stay with my own" and ride with other Spyders only (this was an emotional reaction that lasted only a couple of minutes), clarity eventually prevailed and I have come to the conclusion that although I will not be participating in this particular ride in the future, I will continue to ride with anyone wanting to welcome my company and my 3 wheels.
n your nice attitude and I'm glad you represented most of us what kind of riders we are.:yes::yes::yes:God Bless us All.
