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Iron Butt
Posts: 763
Anderson, IN (48mi NE of downtown Indianapolis) | I have never been off pavement during a group ride in the time I have owned the Vision. Someone (usually most of them) let the gravel intimidate them. We always end up turning around. Do they not have confidence in their bike? Are they not experienced? I don't know the reasons, but if they don't want to ride off pavement so be it. It just kinda sucks to have to reride 10 miles back when there is probably some really neat riding after the gravel.
I have been on gravel, dirt, sand, and grass roads numerous times by myself. Grass and dirt are no problem. The Vision wonders a bit in loose gravel, but nothing too scary. Dry sand roads are the worst I have encountered. I can't say there is anything wrong with the Vision because dry sand is very difficult on motorcross and mountain bikes too.
Though some roads are harder to ride than others I have not been on one yet that caused me to lose confidence in the Vision. I'm sure I'll meet that lane soon that just gives me a bad vibe. But, so far I have yet to turn around when I'm alone on the Vision. |
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Visionary
Posts: 1436
| Varyder, I think we are in agreement. It really comes down to knowing your bike and knowing how "we" individually react to a given situation. We often disagree on terminology or how something gets stated, but at the end of the day knowing the bike and ourselves is the universal translation. Ride safe...... T |
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Tourer
Posts: 390
| victoryvisiontour - 2010-04-12 3:38 PM
I have never been off pavement during a group ride in the time I have owned the Vision. Someone (usually most of them) let the gravel intimidate them. We always end up turning around. Do they not have confidence in their bike? Are they not experienced? I don't know the reasons, but if they don't want to ride off pavement so be it. It just kinda sucks to have to reride 10 miles back when there is probably some really neat riding after the gravel.
I have been on gravel, dirt, sand, and grass roads numerous times by myself. Grass and dirt are no problem. The Vision wonders a bit in loose gravel, but nothing too scary. Dry sand roads are the worst I have encountered. I can't say there is anything wrong with the Vision because dry sand is very difficult on motorcross and mountain bikes too.
Though some roads are harder to ride than others I have not been on one yet that caused me to lose confidence in the Vision. I'm sure I'll meet that lane soon that just gives me a bad vibe. But, so far I have yet to turn around when I'm alone on the Vision.
+1 What he said. Same experiances. |
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Tourer
Posts: 447
Cleveland, GA | victoryvisiontour - 2010-04-12 4:38 PM I have never been off pavement during a group ride in the time I have owned the Vision. Someone (usually most of them) let the gravel intimidate them. We always end up turning around. Do they not have confidence in their bike? Are they not experienced? I don't know the reasons, but if they don't want to ride off pavement so be it. Most likely because in a group ride, you have to allow for the ability level of the entire group, especially the weaker riders. I would not want to be a ride captain taking the group down a road that the less experienced riders may not be able to handle - but refuse to tell anyone or turn back because it would make them look bad. Egos + lack of ability = disaster waiting to happen. Just my .02 for the penny it's worth. |
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Visionary
Posts: 2118
Pitt Meadows, BC Canada | Reminds me of my 'Group Leader' days.... I wouldn't let a HD rider in our rides - UNLESS - there was at least one other HD rider.
That was because - when at least one HD broke down - I could assign another HD rider to stay with him/her until help arrived. And it happened EVERY time - so that's why I had the 'rule'. I wasn't about to pick an 'Easy Rider Route' to make life easier on them. Keep Up - or Drop Out was MY motto.
Now that I'm KevinXinated, I'm so damned fast - I won't ride with ANY other biker - no more group rides.....
And when I'm 70 - I'm thinkin' Turbo V8 Trike - to make SURE I'm the fastest (or deadest - whichever)
Life's GREAT - and then you're ..... !
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Visionary
Posts: 8144
New Bohemia, VA | victoryvisiontour - 2010-04-12 4:38 PM
I have never been off pavement during a group ride in the time I have owned the Vision. Someone (usually most of them) let the gravel intimidate them. We always end up turning around. Do they not have confidence in their bike? Are they not experienced? I don't know the reasons, but if they don't want to ride off pavement so be it. It just kinda sucks to have to reride 10 miles back when there is probably some really neat riding after the gravel.
I have been on gravel, dirt, sand, and grass roads numerous times by myself. Grass and dirt are no problem. The Vision wonders a bit in loose gravel, but nothing too scary. Dry sand roads are the worst I have encountered. I can't say there is anything wrong with the Vision because dry sand is very difficult on motorcross and mountain bikes too.
Though some roads are harder to ride than others I have not been on one yet that caused me to lose confidence in the Vision. I'm sure I'll meet that lane soon that just gives me a bad vibe. But, so far I have yet to turn around when I'm alone on the Vision.
Now I understand why I don't like group rides. But I guess it would depend on the ride I was on whether it was a turn-around situation or not. If we were to ride together and I want to break off for whatever reason, I tell you I will do just that. I always ride trail because I do not like looking in my mirror to constantly see if you are there, especially if you don't have experience.
If I'm leading I just take it as my responsibility that we all get there safely, regardless how we ride, but if I have to look in the mirror for you, you're going up front and we'll ride to your ability. I have only done a handful of group rides and it was for charitable events. Just to go out and zip around, we'll talk about our abilities so we can enjoy the ride overall.
I road with some young guys on sports bikes when I had my GL1200 I know one time. I took lead and I noticed they would back off and then catch back up. I thought it was because they were wanting to take the curves fast and waited for me to get up and out of the way. Come to find out they were trying to keep up with me and they were afraid to in the curves as fast I was going. Go figure, I thought I rode like an old man, especially on the 'Wing.
Edited by varyder 2010-04-13 4:09 AM
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Tourer
Posts: 388
Salisbury, NC | Good luck on that trip Necktie. ET |
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Cruiser
Posts: 173
Prescott Valley, AZ | If you do go it will remove ALL doubt!!!!!!!!! |
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Visionary
Posts: 8144
New Bohemia, VA | etspastimes - 2010-04-13 7:36 AM
Good luck on that trip Necktie. ET
+1
my heart rate went up just watching it.... |
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Are Visions affraid of the dirt?
