[Munch]

no not all emergencies are medical….. again not trying to come off strong…
2 situations I can think of that I know of with friends. 1 was with a friend following me on back roads. Now he doesn’t have the back road time that I do and I took lead… he stayed about 3 seconds behind me still staggered formation for, well, just in case. I was on the inside of the turn going left and he was on the outside. Not sure what really happened with him, wether itwas lack of attention or looking and going where he was looking… I saw in my mirror he was taking the turn…….looked up to finish the turn and as I was exiting it I looked back real quick in the mirror again to see him jump the ditch and very wobbly run into a horse pasture. Luckily he didn’t go downbut had he it would have been not so good, not necessarily medically but him being shook up about the event would have put him in a bad place to contnue on or if the bike would have fallen on him…not hard enough to break anything but hot pipes on gear will go through eventually…would have needed quick help to get the bike up.
The other was my uncle….pushed his luck on gas and as he was cresting a hill the fuel went away from the pick up and the bike petered out near the top. He had enough speed to carry him off the road and as soon as he put the kick stand down…….. down goes the bike…. the shoulder was very soft. Luckily there was a car not to far behind him…..maybe a 1/4 mile (it was a straight away) that witnessed what happened and was able to get the bike off him.
There is safety in numbers but too many numbers changes the game quickly into being bad. I agree with that. However I would hate to have a widespread group and arrive somewhere to find that amateur Jimmy was no where to be found and no one knew why.

[Munch]

Sorry …didn’t mean to make it sound like a pissing contest. Just a little to straight forward I guess. I understand to each their own as far as riding, and to that the freedom of decision if you ride with a particular group. Would I feel comfy with that woman in that hat beside me….. not judging from her slow crawl, at which point I tell them that I am gonna do something different then the group and maybe catch up with them on the other side.
I ride some what tight with people I know…. others I don’t …. well like you I drop back quite a bit until I can grasp what their skills are.
Didn’t mean to come off as an ass just merely wanting to point out that not all answers are one sided …. honestly I think it was something that IBA said. Eh…maybe a nerve got touched and I typed before realizing it. Oh well….no harm meant… just devils advocate (with apparent passion)

[Munch]

“The argument is that the group is safer together fat chance) and can respond to an emergency should one arise”

This is in the idea of making yourself more visible. Meaning not a singal point on a larger road that gets obscured… or a non threatening object like an article someone here had pointed out stated. Not all groups, actually few that I know of, ride in parade formation at a constant. There are reasons there is a basic hand signal platform for any rider to know if they ride with groups. Most will recommend you keep a 2 to 3 second rule for either the bike immediately in front of you or stagger stepped to your side. 1 Bike can easily be overlooked, 3 on up is hard to miss.

“can respond to an emergency should one arise.”

Your assuming that all emergencies are of the medical type. If there should be one however would you rather someone 3 miles around the blind curve you just wiped on not be able to see you and call for any emergency assistance you may need , even IF they don’t know CPR….or take your chances bleeding out waiting for the next passer by to hopefully see you?

I don’t want to see any one riding in any circumstance they don’t like or feel comfortable in. It’s all in the risk management as you state yourself. However look through all possibilities before blasting certain things from a tunnel vision PoV. Granted that guy/gal may not be medicaly certified…but chances are (especially these days) they have a cell phone. You slide down an embankment and no one can see you but the rider in front or behind you at a closer clip ….. who’s your sudden best friend?
If you don’t feel comfortable in a parade type riding situation …say so… they blast you for it, separate and go about it your own way “Ride your own ride”.
However most groups I have ridden with give plenty of options for everyone in the group and take consensus of opinions on the pace, structure and destination before kick stand up. If not….. need to find you another ride captain.

[Munch]

“my 12yr old daughter is pumped for me to get the bike, she loves going “

There ya go! 2 against 1, majority rules. I will still say though not only get her to the shop but get her to go to a MSF course, if not to participate but atleast to watch.

[Munch]

The difference will likely be noticeable to you. Maybe on the quick get up goes and that’s it..I would think. Not to mention the total upbeat spirit you will have with getting on it with so much different.

Congrats on the loss though! One of the hardest things to do and maintain, well done!

[Munch]

Watching that video at the end I would have been sure you were here in NC. Other then the mountain shots you get over there, theres not much difference.
Looks like fun to have a group like that to work PLP with. Wish I could spend some doing it myself. The most practice I get is slow race on a high bank turn when traffic slows. Though I can still bang a U-ey in the space of the width of my driveway so for now I will call it good.

[Munch]

Nice pic…. 2 Sporties and what is that other one a Vulcan 1500 Classic LT? Or is that your Star? So long since I seen one of ’em.
Looks like that place was built from a old mining town too. Bet thats a cool place to visit. Give ya that ol’ Iron horse feeling of nostalgia. Glad you had a good ride. I am itching bad to be able to get back on the bike …sees every three days now we have a threat of snow and ice.

[Munch]

How long have you had it? How long has it been sitting since it was last ridden? Any other lights, switches electronics not working. There’s a lot of information that needs to be known before anyone can really help.

[Munch]

The first spring break after your comfortable with the 250’s and ready to step up to a 883 head to Daytona at bike week and look for Elwood … tell him Munch sent ya. Though you may have to smack him in the back of the head so he looks at you and not the hottie strolling by him in the daisy dukes……
Other then that… practice, practice…. and more practice.

[Munch]

Normally I would jump at saying go for the FI . However one concern I would have with what you said.

“i don’t really want to spend more time warming up the bike than driving!”

It is a rare point brought up here in BBM, but one that comes to mind that I feel bares saying. If your that much of a hurry…. stick with the car. In the time it would take a carb’d bike to warm up, allows for you to get in the mindset of what you are fixing to do. Also gives you time to do a pre ride check each time. Slow down a touch and get your mind right, get your mind in the ride and the attention it needs. Jumping on and going will leave you wondering if you remembered all that you needed for work/school/play etc. instead of focusing on that car to your left that might not see you. Or getting mentally awake enough for your motor skills to do a full systems check.

[Munch]

In the realm of the sensible options you are taking the simple answer is :

Which ever your butt and legs tells you is best. Riding either is about comfort above all and style after wards. Cost comes into there somewhere along with availability.
Make sure you take what ever safety course you can (if it’s an option there) and get a feel for a bike before you buy one. Not everyone is made for motorcycling and a safety course is a cost effective way to find out if it is right for you. Not to mention you learn how to ride safer and smarter with the skills they try to impress on you.

[Munch]

What style of bike you looking?
Seeing that you stated rebel, I would be leaning towards thinking cruiser in which case you have the staples:
Kawasaki Vulcan 500
Yamaha V-Star 650
Honda 750
Being that these are cruiser set up bikes the higher CC’s aren’t as huge of an issue as the same in a sport bike. The weight of the bikes can be as much as an issue as the power bands. Sit on some , take the MSF, oh and get a lot of solo seat time before you drag a passenger with ya. Huge responsibility.

[Munch]

Loose terminal, bum charging system, draw on the electrical system……just a few ideas.

[Munch]

newenough.com
cyclegear.com
leatherup.com
pick any major brand… dot com

[Munch]

….tune in same bat channel…..?

[Author]

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