I recently purchased a trike. Been riding on and off for more that 50 years (mostly off). We camp at Myrtle Beach in the RV about 6 months a year. We met some new Friends at a small bar and they ride every Wednesday night and Sunday afternoon. One of the guys told me after the last ride that it is customary for trikes to ride in the rear. He said it was a matter of respect and a couple of the younger guys had said something to him. I didn't ask him what he meant by "respect". I did notice a couple bikes passed us. I don't have a problem riding in the rear, the trike is wider and stops quicker, just don't know about this respect thing. Has anyone had this happen? This is not a bad a_ _ biker bar but there are some that are wanna-be's. What do you all think, should I just ride in the rear and say nothing or should I ask what he meant by respect and tell him I don't have a problem riding in the rear?
Group Riding
- Thread starter Lakeman
- Start date
That's complete Bull$hit.
In our chapter sidehacks and trikes are asked to ride in the rear because as you say it disrupts the form and we can stop quicker. Who cares if your wider if you ride in a staggered formation.
I don't know what he meant about "Respect".
I was just on the Marine Heroes ride and trikes were intermingled all over the procession.
I guess it's up to the road captains rules. That's one of the things I'm not going to like when we do our dinner rides. I HATE coming in last - the food is usually all gone and there's nowhere to sit by the time I will get there. LOL
I could ask where the end point is and just go there earlier by myself or with a couple others.
I will have to check google and see if there is some protocol on this.
Can't wait to see other responces. Maybe I'm missing something.
In our chapter sidehacks and trikes are asked to ride in the rear because as you say it disrupts the form and we can stop quicker. Who cares if your wider if you ride in a staggered formation.
I don't know what he meant about "Respect".
I was just on the Marine Heroes ride and trikes were intermingled all over the procession.
I guess it's up to the road captains rules. That's one of the things I'm not going to like when we do our dinner rides. I HATE coming in last - the food is usually all gone and there's nowhere to sit by the time I will get there. LOL
I could ask where the end point is and just go there earlier by myself or with a couple others.
I will have to check google and see if there is some protocol on this.
Can't wait to see other responces. Maybe I'm missing something.
If somebody told me to ride in the back I would tell them to take there group and shove it.
In my humble opinion:
I ride a trike by choice. Even with the folks I have been riding with for many years and trips, still do not understand my choice. Many say they would ride one if needed to keep riding, the wife and I tried it out and liked it.
In my experience with group riding with both two and three wheels under me, bikes with three wheels and/or trailers, usually were at rear of pack. I am talking here of organized road trips with 15 to over 200 bikes.
Small short trips or day rides, folks choose where to ride in pack and I normally choose the rear regardless of what I was riding. When I ride in a pack, I like to know who I am riding around, this will sort itself out by first gas stop and after that, I find a group I feel comfortable with and we group up at the start of each session of the ride and I ride middle of this little group if we chose to ride mid pack.
I find that when I am on trike and in a group ride, formation does get "messed up". This not because of the trike, just those behind me, seem to not be able to figure out how to keep the stagger going and I would guess those at very rear do not like the "look" of stagger broken up by a trike or bike with trailer.
I chalk this all up to folks not understanding why anyone would ride a trike to begin with. I do not try to explain and know I probably could not explain my reasons. I am in it for the ride and others are there for what ever they are there for, not for me to question or worry about.
I am seeing more and more trikes at different events now. I think more folks will become accustom to them and not have these type comments and questions. If they do, I will not worry about it and continue to ride rear, whether on two or three wheels.
I do ride different on three than I ride on two. I feel the bikes are two different animals and I enjoy them both. We all have different reasons for how and what we ride, more need to just ride and it will sort itself.
If the group does have rules for trikes, I would follow those rules, it is their ride and I have choice to go and abide by the rules or not to go.
Dennis
I ride a trike by choice. Even with the folks I have been riding with for many years and trips, still do not understand my choice. Many say they would ride one if needed to keep riding, the wife and I tried it out and liked it.
In my experience with group riding with both two and three wheels under me, bikes with three wheels and/or trailers, usually were at rear of pack. I am talking here of organized road trips with 15 to over 200 bikes.
Small short trips or day rides, folks choose where to ride in pack and I normally choose the rear regardless of what I was riding. When I ride in a pack, I like to know who I am riding around, this will sort itself out by first gas stop and after that, I find a group I feel comfortable with and we group up at the start of each session of the ride and I ride middle of this little group if we chose to ride mid pack.
I find that when I am on trike and in a group ride, formation does get "messed up". This not because of the trike, just those behind me, seem to not be able to figure out how to keep the stagger going and I would guess those at very rear do not like the "look" of stagger broken up by a trike or bike with trailer.
I chalk this all up to folks not understanding why anyone would ride a trike to begin with. I do not try to explain and know I probably could not explain my reasons. I am in it for the ride and others are there for what ever they are there for, not for me to question or worry about.
I am seeing more and more trikes at different events now. I think more folks will become accustom to them and not have these type comments and questions. If they do, I will not worry about it and continue to ride rear, whether on two or three wheels.
I do ride different on three than I ride on two. I feel the bikes are two different animals and I enjoy them both. We all have different reasons for how and what we ride, more need to just ride and it will sort itself.
If the group does have rules for trikes, I would follow those rules, it is their ride and I have choice to go and abide by the rules or not to go.
Dennis
I ride with a group on WED & SAT, on two wheels I have been just Missed being hit 3 times and hit once in the rear, SO now I ride in last place on any Rides I go on with any Group even if I'm on My two wheel Full Dress Harley or my Honda Goldwing 1800 Trike, the older I get the smaller the Groups I like to Ride with, people I ride with like SIX in a Group at the Most an that is Fine with ME.... ThumbUp
Now that you mention it, I agree, best not to worry about others hitting me, best reason to ride as tail gunner.
As time passes, I guess my biggest hang up with groups on cross country rides is that you give up on a lot of decisions about trip. You go where they go, when they go and ride with some rules set by others.
I have been at both ends of this on some multi-week rides. I have both organized/lead and just rode in these type rides.
As one of two leaders on some of these rides, I have found you have rules and must stick to them. Even have to be the bad guy and call attention to how it is to be on ride during the "meeting" in morning. After all, in this type ride, you feel responsible for all. We found that many do not feel comfortable out on road for several weeks without a chase vehicle and company of others. To have this, one lives by rules set by organizer. I find more and more these days, rather be in small group where all kind of roll with flow and ready to change directions at a drop of hat. Hard to find but if you have a small group like this, trips are great.
I also find that just being along for the ride and letting others make decisions for group can also be enjoyable, especially when in an area they know and the rest of us are new to.
Dennis
Question: To those who have attended the gathering of trikes in the valley and did a ride there; did the two wheelers go to back of pack when you had a majority of three wheelers making up the ride? Just a thought :Coffee:
iaff84, :laugh: :laugh: :behave:
As a female rider, I would like to add my own opinion. Most of you know that I don't mind giving mo! First, I have read that trikes normally bring up the rear, not out of respect for anyone, but because of size and some trike riders cannot ride formation. I for one prefer the rear for two reasons...I can stop much quicker than most riders on two or three wheels, because I still have very quick reflexes and usually see things happening and already reacting before a lot of people have a clue. The second reason is, I only have to worry about the bike in front of me, not several bikes bumping my rear. Being last in the formation, I can ride with the formation or I can ride the center. I usually ride the easiest escape route in case a cage decides he didn't see me.
Just rode with the FL Crew and GA Crew in horse country in Ocala, FL. I didn't get to ride last, because some of the two wheels wanted that privilege. The ride was perfect, everything went smooth and we had a great time. I think the problem with this bar-group riders is mainly they don't really respect a "group" ride. Some would prefer to have a few buddies that ride the same as they do. If someone new comes into the fold, it causes problems. A rule that I have found is that you choose your riding friends like you choose your non riding friends...Cafefully! :Coffee:
Just rode with the FL Crew and GA Crew in horse country in Ocala, FL. I didn't get to ride last, because some of the two wheels wanted that privilege. The ride was perfect, everything went smooth and we had a great time. I think the problem with this bar-group riders is mainly they don't really respect a "group" ride. Some would prefer to have a few buddies that ride the same as they do. If someone new comes into the fold, it causes problems. A rule that I have found is that you choose your riding friends like you choose your non riding friends...Cafefully! :Coffee:
I ride sweeper because I like it. In most cases I'm the oldest and most experienced biker in the group. Wife usually rides lead. She has an uncanny sense of direction and plans most of our group rides. This "respect" for 2 wheeled riders is pure bull****. If I was told to 'sit in the back of the buss' think I'd tell them to shove their respect up the most respectable ass they could find.
Good Luck!
Good Luck!
I don't do group rides and if I did I would want to bring up the rear. By reading the previous posts most folks like to bring up the rear, not everyone can be in the rear.
We generally do a group ride every Sunday during the riding season. We will have from three to fifteen bikes on any given ride and it's very informal. Only two trikes but no one really cares where we ride in the group. We always meet up at my friend's bar and pretty much start the ride in the order in which we arrived simply because that's the way the bikes were parked. We don't ride in a "tight" formation due to the fact that most of our rides here in West Virginia are pretty twisty and there are a lot of blind curves.
No one likes to be told what to do, especially if there is a perceived bias or "respect" issue associated with that opinion. I, like most who have commented here and in other forums, prefer the front (lead position) or the back. I don't know, from what I've read or discussed with my fellow club trike riders, if anyone on a trike wants to ride in the middle of the pack or some other intermediate location. Many have cited good reasons to stay in the back based on handling and breaking performance. What seems to be the trend is that Clubs (HOG and others) seem to be reluctant to establish a firm policy on the issue in fear of offending someone who rides a trike or sidecar setup. On the other hand, if you are in a privately organized group ride and the lead dog has an opinion about where trikes belong that rubs you the wrong way, then opt out. Bottom line for me is there will be differing opinions and policies on this depending on who you are riding with whether based on prejudice, safety concerns or "respect". I am fortunate to ride with our HOG chapter who's members, along with my friends have not made riding with trikes an issue. What I do know is trikes are a growing in numbers in my area. Used to be there were no trikes in a group ride. Last weekend on our HOG after meeting ride we had 3.
Its nice at times to put stick into pot and stir it now and again!!!:Coffee:
I have just found that a lot of folks think about trikes as not fitting in. I'll ride with someone besides them. But I do rides at times across country with a group. With trike, I ride in rear or close to it. have never been asked to, just do it.
I know I can not change attitudes toward trikes with allot of folks out there, do not try, I ride my ride.
I love riding on three, enjoy the ride as much as anyone else there, if those of us on three bother some, guess they are not enjoying it as much as us.
Remember, you can always tell a Harley rider, just can't tell us much!
My wife and I rode the Americas 911 ride in August, the line of bikes reached about 20 miles long at it's max when everyone had joined the parade at their join point. WE rode in the middle, of the pack and rode the center of the lane, when I tried to stagger with the two wheelers, I found myself crossing the center line. Not a good idea. I don't intend to ever ride in a group that big again. The main peoblem I had was the caterpiller affect and found myself shifting up and down constantly. Made for a very tiring ride. I don't understand the respect issue, my trike should be respected as well as the two wheelers. If I was told to ride in the back, I would tell them to go to H___. When. I have spent more than twice the money of many of the two wheelers for their bike I don't expect to take a back seat to anyone. My wife and I pretty much ride by ourselves now with no rush etc etc. If we can find a group of trikes to ride together would consider it. I ride my trike because I enjoy the stable platform it gives me, and will allow me to ride for several more years. Yeah I'm a little to old to be picking up a 800 lb Electra-Glide
Respect??? I think they're talking about they don't respect trike riders. I usually lead or ride sweeper, I prefer riding the rear if not leading although being the person I am If they said I had to ride in the rear I would pick the middle just to screw with them and if they became hostile about it I'd pick another group to ride with.
I've seen two 2 wheelers go down in front on me on group rides. 1 guy went down today right in front of me. I've never seen or heard of a trike going down or crash in or out of a group ride. SO who has the safer ride? just a thought. curley PS : I like riding in the rear but get PISSED off if told its because my vrod trike can't keep up with the big boys. I CAN.
Respect??? dumb
But normally it is the road Captian choice, so when I ride with other groups I go where they tell me, l figure they are letting me ride along so I obey their rules no matter how dumb.
My Church group the trikes ride where ever they want.
But normally it is the road Captian choice, so when I ride with other groups I go where they tell me, l figure they are letting me ride along so I obey their rules no matter how dumb.
My Church group the trikes ride where ever they want.
I ride a 2-wheeler and I like bringing up the rear. I ride with three wheelers alot and 2-wheelers. It`s either front or back for me. I only will ride with people I know and trust if in the middle because not everybody should be riding a 2-wheeler imo. alot of people get hurt on big group rides cause it is a cluster BEEP. Nobody really knows the other guy or gal and how they ride. To me riding free does not mean riding by others rules and make no mistake about it THAT IS WHY I RIDE. To free my mind and let the madness and stress of life leave my soul. it`s simple to me if I don`t like doing what I`m doing then I don`t do it and If I do like it I don`t complain about it I just injoy the moment.
Our local HOG group does a Wednesday night supper ride every week starting in late April thru early Oct. and we will have anywhere from 3 to 7 trikes on any given night out of 15 to 20 bikes. We generally ride anywhere in the group usually going about how we were parked at the HD shop before leaving. I have on occasion sat to let the 2 wheelers go first and many of them will wait for me to go ahead of them. We ride in staggered formation with no problems other than some tend to let the group get ahead too far. The trikes can stagger by riding with the front wheel in the wheel tracks with the outside trike having a rear wheel near the white solid stripe and rumble strip and the inside trike having the outside wheel near the center line. If riding in the outside line I will just move closer to the middle when an approaching vehicle comes by us and the same if a car passes us on interstate/4 lane roads. Our rides are to small towns (I forgot, most towns in ND are small compared to many others) around our area and may be any where from 10 miles to 80 miles from Jamestown. Most are on two lane roads but some are either via interstate all the way or part of the way. The whole thing is the trikes are always welcome and can ride any where in the group.
Every year we do the DeSoto City FD touring, and they have me ride near the front because a bunch always want to watch my bike doing curves. It banks just like a 2 wheeler. It is more narrow than other trikes also, and rides 2 abreast just fine. If someone suggested I ride out back, I would laugh in their face!
Hey Lakeman,
This is the second thread I have posted on this subject since I've been here (not very long) about this and I guess from that it tells me two things. One, it won't be the last time, and two, bikers can be idiots too.
Ok, to comment directly, to what you posted here are a couple of opinions I have:
You are obviously not a novice rider, regardless if the trike is new to you or not, so strike 1 against your new friends for 'telling' you anything. To suggest that it's a "respect" thing just doesn't make any sense, and is dumb, unless they are a club (MC) with colors, then I might be able to buy the whole thing, but is strike 2 if not. Finally, wait, there is no finally, you gotta be real special to me to even get to my strike 2 so after something like that, I say you go to a different bar and find some real friends.
You know better than me for sure but even I know there are more bars in Myrtle than you can count on both hands and feet.
And if these new rider friends are a club, all the other members should respect the decision of the captain or president and if he, or she, has thrown the welcome mat out and you don't feel the same welcome from every member then they are disrespecting the club colors.
My guess is that most riders don't think they (Trikes) are cool. Maybe it's as simple as that. Maybe, they (the youngsters that passed you up) are in a mind set like some that Trikers are snobs because of literally how much money Trikes cost and maybe they feel like we are wannabees. Because of course everyone knows real bikers only ride stretched out hard tail choppers with ape hangers.
I say piss on em' and move on. Me, I am too old and have paid too many dues in my life to take crap like that during my leisure time, and the last thing I need is some looser making me question the position I feel I hold in life or trying to wipe the goofy smile off my face while I'm doing the other thing that puts it there.
Ride with me and you can ride anywhere you damn please. Front, back, side, who cares.
Some older riders scoffed at us just recently when I backed the trike up into a parking spot at a local biker bar. I didn't see it, the wife did, told me about it later on in the day. Good thing.
Rob
This is the second thread I have posted on this subject since I've been here (not very long) about this and I guess from that it tells me two things. One, it won't be the last time, and two, bikers can be idiots too.
Ok, to comment directly, to what you posted here are a couple of opinions I have:
You are obviously not a novice rider, regardless if the trike is new to you or not, so strike 1 against your new friends for 'telling' you anything. To suggest that it's a "respect" thing just doesn't make any sense, and is dumb, unless they are a club (MC) with colors, then I might be able to buy the whole thing, but is strike 2 if not. Finally, wait, there is no finally, you gotta be real special to me to even get to my strike 2 so after something like that, I say you go to a different bar and find some real friends.
You know better than me for sure but even I know there are more bars in Myrtle than you can count on both hands and feet.
And if these new rider friends are a club, all the other members should respect the decision of the captain or president and if he, or she, has thrown the welcome mat out and you don't feel the same welcome from every member then they are disrespecting the club colors.
My guess is that most riders don't think they (Trikes) are cool. Maybe it's as simple as that. Maybe, they (the youngsters that passed you up) are in a mind set like some that Trikers are snobs because of literally how much money Trikes cost and maybe they feel like we are wannabees. Because of course everyone knows real bikers only ride stretched out hard tail choppers with ape hangers.
I say piss on em' and move on. Me, I am too old and have paid too many dues in my life to take crap like that during my leisure time, and the last thing I need is some looser making me question the position I feel I hold in life or trying to wipe the goofy smile off my face while I'm doing the other thing that puts it there.
Ride with me and you can ride anywhere you damn please. Front, back, side, who cares.
Some older riders scoffed at us just recently when I backed the trike up into a parking spot at a local biker bar. I didn't see it, the wife did, told me about it later on in the day. Good thing.
Rob
We don't do group rides - too dangerous - too restrictive. We tell the group we'll meet them there. Jim and I keep 1/4 mile-plus between us on the highway at all times. This avoids making the cages mad at us for not having room to pass. Additionally, we don't both want to be in the same accident...one of us has to be there to pick up the pieces and be able to take care of the other.
I like riding in rear, we have a group of 6-7 bikes and I follow in read. The leader and I have a cb,and communicate when lane changes are wanted, I secure left or right lane for group,and everything operates smoothly. Ride safe and God Bless.
I like riding in rear, we have a group of 6-7 bikes and I follow in rear. The leader and I have a cb,and communicate when lane changes are wanted, I secure left or right lane for group,and everything operates smoothly. Ride safe and God Bless.
Well said Rob! I agree with most of the post here on group riding. The only thing I will not do under any circumstance is ride two abreast. I don't care how good you are, it's dangerous. JMO
I was recently asked to lead a ride of only 7 bikes. We had two trikes in the group. One trike rode right behind me and the other trike rode rear security.
With the trike right behind me I couldn’t see any of the other bikes at all. I explained this to the trike driver that rode right behind me and he volunteered to ride in front of security on the way back. THAT way I could see everybody behind me.
I wouldn’t think respect has as much to do with it as rearward visibility of everyone.
Phu Cat
With the trike right behind me I couldn’t see any of the other bikes at all. I explained this to the trike driver that rode right behind me and he volunteered to ride in front of security on the way back. THAT way I could see everybody behind me.
I wouldn’t think respect has as much to do with it as rearward visibility of everyone.
Phu Cat
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