K11 Owners Group

HoosierStu · Posted: Sat Mar 07, 2009 3:57 pm Post subject: Serious question about HD riders

Why do so many HD riders ride down the center of the lane and even do so while tailgating the car in front of them?
Is this because they don't know better or because this riding style reflects "toughness".

I honestly am confused.
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"Still can't find 6th gear" 94 K1100LT

Off the grid · Posted: Sat Mar 07, 2009 4:15 pm Post subject:

Funny I took the XR out today and there were a lot of bikes out.

3/4 of them were Harleys. 3/4 of the Harleys were Sportsters.

Most of them had on chaps and sneakers with half-helmets.

Harleys are in danger of becoming a punchline.
_________________
Bane of your existence since July 2006
2007 Triumph Tiger ABS. "Sabertooth"
2009 Husqvarna TE610. "The dirty Italian mistress"

endoman100 · Posted: Sat Mar 07, 2009 4:29 pm Post subject:

It's still bike week here. lot's of HD's evrywhere ya look.
but it does make me laugh to see the HD bikes being hauled by trailer
so much for being HD riders. they park the vans in St.johns county and then ride their bikes 60 miles to Daytona
_________________
In the words of the stones
Time Is On My Side
Yes It Is
1993 K1100RS

Flying Duck · Posted: Sat Mar 07, 2009 4:32 pm Post subject:

It's the ones who have no clue how to ride. I suspect they think that's safer for some reason. Equal room on each side? I was in Sturgis in 2004. (My uncle's memorial service was nearby and it was bike week so I took the LT.) I noticed they had lots of those temporary electronic message boards reading something like "Don't ride down center line." I couldn't figure out what it meant until I'd been there a day and saw scads of HD vacationers doing it. Rolling Eyes

And these guys were riding down the center of a 2 lane road - right down the dashed stripe.

(Disclaimer: I have nothing agaisnt Harley riders - except for the wnnabe's who log less than 500 miles a year, if that. Those guys are posers and a danger to themselves and others.)

There's some around here but I don't see too many.
_________________
93 LT (x2)
94 RS
86-97 K75F(K75/100/1100 Frankenbrick)
86 K75C w/paralever, hi perf cams,TURBO!
91 & 92 K75Ss
91 K1
86 custom K100
14 WR250R
IBA #17739 (SS1K, BBG, 50CC)
Buy parts HERE

Mystic Red · Posted: Sat Mar 07, 2009 4:32 pm Post subject:

I love it when you see them riding side by side, motocop style. I don't remember seeing any other brand of bike doing this except for a few seconds but HD's will do it for miles. Rolling Eyes

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Scott Hespelt, '94 K11LT
K11 OG #466

HoosierStu · Posted: Sat Mar 07, 2009 5:17 pm Post subject:

I, like most of you, wear a helmet and Most of the gear...

Last summer I added a Visions reflective vest to my riding attire.

Before the vest about 70% of HD riders would give me a wave. Now, with the vest on, only about 20% will wave. Don't worry, I wave at them regardless.

Perhaps I'm crazy, but because of my new vest-wave experience and all of your stories about them trailing their bikes, I'm starting to think that it's more about the HD "look" than it is the ride.

If this is true, they should themselves 25K and just buy the clothing.
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"Still can't find 6th gear" 94 K1100LT

Flying Duck · Posted: Sat Mar 07, 2009 6:39 pm Post subject:

It's not the bike, it's the rider. Plenty of good HD riders out there. Unfortunately that brand also attracts people for other reasons than riding.

BMW can riders can be snobs too. When I'm riding helmetless much less of them wave back or they'll even give me dirty looks at gas stations. Fug 'em. Like I care what they think. I do take satisfaction in that their "I'm smarter than you" attitude is what puts a wrinkle in their day, not mine. Very Happy

I don't care what other people wear - just don't run into me or run me off the road.
_________________
93 LT (x2)
94 RS
86-97 K75F(K75/100/1100 Frankenbrick)
86 K75C w/paralever, hi perf cams,TURBO!
91 & 92 K75Ss
91 K1
86 custom K100
14 WR250R
IBA #17739 (SS1K, BBG, 50CC)
Buy parts HERE

drmalacarne · Posted: Sat Mar 07, 2009 7:55 pm Post subject:

That's why I like to ride alone, most of the time.
I can ride the way I want, to where I want and wearing anything I think I should.
I always like to wave to others riders, but BMW riders usually are so fast that they don't have time to wave back.
And finally, I think anyone has the right to ride the way he want, since that way don't put others riders in danger.
Guilherme.
_________________
1994 K1100LT SE n° 0267
1998 HD Heritage Springer 95th anniversary
Yes, a Hog and a Beemer can live together!

mnb · Posted: Sun Mar 08, 2009 2:16 am Post subject:

I generally don't ride in the middle of the lane because I've been indoctrinated, but quite honestly, 99% of the road doesn't have much if any oil there. At stop lights and signs and in intersections, sure, but on the open highway or backroads?
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M N B
1997 BMW K1100LT ABS Special Edition
2003 Husqvarna TE610e
2007 Harley Davidson Road King
2009 BMW F800GS
2011 Husqvarna TE310
2014 Ducati Multistrada Pikes Peak MNB Edition

Flying Duck · Posted: Sun Mar 08, 2009 2:24 am Post subject:

I tend to ride pretty far left in the lane - mostly so oncoming traffic can see my ligthing sooner and know I'm there. It also makes you more apparent in the mirrors of the car in front of you.

You can also tell if oncoming traffic sees you because it will tend to make them over to their right a little.

And you usually see a little farthter up ahead.

Oh, and it's good for quick passing too. Very Happy

_________________
93 LT (x2)
94 RS
86-97 K75F(K75/100/1100 Frankenbrick)
86 K75C w/paralever, hi perf cams,TURBO!
91 & 92 K75Ss
91 K1
86 custom K100
14 WR250R
IBA #17739 (SS1K, BBG, 50CC)
Buy parts HERE

MakaSichu · Posted: Sun Mar 08, 2009 3:23 am Post subject:

SugarHillCTD · Posted: Sun Mar 08, 2009 10:09 am Post subject:

Geoff · Posted: Sun Mar 08, 2009 5:22 pm Post subject:

Riding the center lane is about lack of rider skill, not a particular marque.
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2000 R1100RT
2008 H-D Electra Glide Ultra Classic

Geoff · Posted: Sun Mar 08, 2009 5:25 pm Post subject:

LordGondor · Posted: Mon Mar 09, 2009 6:49 am Post subject:

Geoff · Posted: Mon Mar 09, 2009 2:13 pm Post subject:

In Illinois, the driver's license written exam asks the question Where is the best place to ride in a lane? WHen I renewed my license several years ago, I answered left of center and got the answer wrong. The correct answer is in the middle of the lane.

I explained to the examiner that nobody rides in the middle. She said she hears this all of the time from bikers and has passed this comment along to her management.

My 21 year old daughter completed the (state endorsed) MSF course last summer. By completing the course, she automatically received her driver's license without having to take a written or riding exam. Get this...The MSF instructor trained her to ride left of center.
_________________
2000 R1100RT
2008 H-D Electra Glide Ultra Classic

Off the grid · Posted: Mon Mar 09, 2009 2:17 pm Post subject:

I usually ride left of center because:

1. People turning out of side streets.
2. People making left hand turns see you better because you do not "blend" into the scenery.
3. It's usually the faster lane. Cool

4. Idiots that turn out of side streets/parking lots. Again.
_________________
Bane of your existence since July 2006
2007 Triumph Tiger ABS. "Sabertooth"
2009 Husqvarna TE610. "The dirty Italian mistress"

rydor · Posted: Mon Mar 09, 2009 2:34 pm Post subject:

I tend to migrate all over, depending on road damage, debris, etc., pretty much owning the road. Hovever, I never stop in the center of the lane bacause that's where the cagers leak their oil, trans fluid etc. at the stoplights.

Off the grid · Posted: Mon Mar 09, 2009 2:36 pm Post subject:

endoman100 · Posted: Mon Mar 09, 2009 4:41 pm Post subject:

I ride in the left of center lane when on a two lane road, when on a four lane highway I ride in the left lane rt center
I agree with Flying Duck. +1 Very Happy

I can see better and people see me better riding in the left center lane, I also flash my brights when I'm coming to a place where a car is
waiting to turn on to the road in front of me. Seems to work so far, they wait till I pass by.
My father told me along time ago to look at the driver and the front tire of a car and it will give you an idea if he see's you,the tire will move a split sec before the car moves.
_________________
In the words of the stones
Time Is On My Side
Yes It Is
1993 K1100RS