TOPIC:

I'm jealous rstnick. Those are some nice rides in your group. And a lot of KZ in the mix. Nice venues as well.

Well, I got some sad news from the Gators Riders group. This is the group by which I started this topic. As I have stated, its not the riding style I generally go for, but I figured I would keep an open mind and go for a ride or two when they head my way. I have no problem doing a cruise once in a while and just stay back and catch some scenery. They had a coast to coast 317 mi ride last Saturday which I didn't partake in. Sadly, one of the new members (as of mid July) went down. Unfortunately, the rider, Martha, succumbed her her injuries and passed away in the arms of a couple of the other riders. Very tragic.

Here is a write from the Ocala paper:

www.ocala.com/article/20130914/ARTICLES/...clists-dies-in-crash.

She was / and is still listed for the next ride on Sept 20 for the Victory Annual Charity and Demo. I'm sure it will be a solemn ride.

Sad news when any rider goes down - for any reason.

I ride alone 99% of the time with occasional group ride with friends. Alone is better.

Yes this is sad news for sure. I read the news article, and I saw where she was a veteran rider of 30 years, then I read she was not wearing a helmet. This I have to think could very well be why she died from the injuries.
A fellow I know had been in the hospital for several months, after a lady in a van pulled out from a stop sign in front of him. It wasn't pretty, and the just pulled the plug on him the other night. He was also a veteran rider of well over 30 years, and had a helmet and gear on. But slamming a van, well it was more than a body can take.

I keep my riding group to under 5. I don't really trust riders in larger groups. It' gets to become something like pack mentality where they start getting reckless. I've seen guys riding in groups with passengers and crashing...
Just not my cup of tea.

Rstnick..........checking out your photos. Is this Bellfountain area? I live north of Orangeville and have started a Kz900
streetfighter build. Looking for some parts and wondering if any fellow Canadian KZR junkies would be able to help me out. Looking for a 4-1 pipe and an offset countershaft sprocket. Any help would be appreciated

Thanks

I ride alone myself. Almost got hit by a Mercedes the other day. I had to literally raise my left leg as they came around a truck pulling a trailer into my lane and almost got me. I thought they were going to hit the back left side of my bike, but got very lucky.

I mostly ride alone, but if I'm riding with a group, I prefer that they be experienced riders who know what the hell they're doing... ATGATT, MSF training, the whole deal. No chopper/bobber/barhopper/whatever bikes with brake or suspension components removed for the sake of fashion. People with shitty bikes typically aren't very good riders, and can bring others down with them, I've seen it happen more than once.

after street riding motorcycles since 1967 I mostly ride alone .... and on rare occasion there is only a couple of other riders that I trust to ride in close proximity to ...... IMO, there is too many groups that have squids or idiots that run other riders off the road or crash into them......

I have been overall blessed to ride with good groups. My preference is with familiar riders with experienced skill level. I have led my fair share of group rides and always approach with a sense of responsibility. I say it is ok to bring a newb rider in as long as everyone understands the pace may not be as brisk. I don't mind riding with someone less experienced that is willing and open to learn the safer ways, i.e. ATGATT. I believe 3-5 is an ideal number for staying together. When groups get toward 8-12 or more things get strung out a bit. I also prefer to ride in rural areas away from concentrated packs of cagers.

Also when too many bikers get together it tends to get egos involved. If anyone knows about the NYC Range Rover incident, thats probably the main reason why I avoid big groups. It just runs much too high of a risk. I don't want someone doing something dumb in my group around me. I don't know if the rider next to me is as experienced as I am. Same thing ccan apply with cars on the road

homert1 wrote: Rstnick..........checking out your photos. Is this Bellfountain area? I live north of Orangeville and have started a Kz900
streetfighter build. Looking for some parts and wondering if any fellow Canadian KZR junkies would be able to help me out. Looking for a 4-1 pipe and an offset countershaft sprocket. Any help would be appreciated

Thanks

Yes, near Belfountain. Have to look at the pictures again. Hockley road too I believe.
Check out the KZR Ontario Chapter.
I think there's a link in my signature.

Rob

Grew up riding Enduro and going batcrazy in local abandoned apple orchards and farms. Seen too many crashes and then got bumped into the path of a speeding apple tree. 3 surgeries later I walk but a little Frankenstein like. I ride by myself now. I did ride with my father for a while. But we both felt better alone. My brother wants to ride bit I always have something else to do. He does not ask as much now. It's hard enough to track multiple bogeys and calculate non-interception routes. I have no interest in riding in a pack. Love going to bike nite or park meets so it's not an antisocial thing. I also do not heal as fast as I used to.