Do you prefer to ride solo or in a group?

[Gweiloman]

The main advantage, imo, of riding solo is that you are the master of your trip. Stop wherever you want, whenever you want and for as long as you want. Downside is that there is no one to compare notes or experiences with and if horror of horrors, your bike breaks down, you're completely on your todd till help comes along.

Riding in a group allows us to enjoy the camaraderie of other riders who share our passion. There is however the problem of differing skill levels and comfortable speeds.

The bike that one rides does not matter, except in so far as keeping up with the "group". I have seen groups of riders on PCX's, Vespas, KSR's and even HD's.

What's your personal preference and why?

[Nebula]

Thank you for ur kind words and invitation in the already locked thread. I am not experienced so I prefer at least for start to be in a group ride and feel more secure.

I was just thinking that there should be new thread including bike rides invitations and discussions too and there you started one. I personally think that even if a thread is going away from a topic its ok to continue and not be locked. Nowadays there are hardly any discussion as there were before. I mean something like Cbr vs Ninja. There was a lot of heat but one could learn a lot and it was interesting.

For what you are saying now, I am completely agree, especially with the camaraderie part. If this exist then what is your motorcycle is irrelevant. I ve seen youtube clips of thai men riding different motorcycles, scooters and visiting natural beauties. This I envy

[ll2]

prefer solo rides as much as much as group rides. i like to be alone and by being alone, i can concentrate better for my ride. also can stop anytime or just turn follow a back road suddenly. besides, you dont need any complicated plan.

if my bike breaks down, i call Mondial 24 hours roadside assistance. they pick up your bike

but also like group rides to see nice other bikes, meet with nice people and ride together for the same goal. nice too!

[Gweiloman]

Thank you for ur kind words and invitation in the already locked thread. I am not experienced so I prefer at least for start to be in a group ride and feel more secure.

I was just thinking that there should be new thread including bike rides invitations and discussions too and there you started one. I personally think that even if a thread is going away from a topic its ok to continue and not be locked. Nowadays there are hardly any discussion as there were before. I mean something like Cbr vs Ninja. There was a lot of heat but one could learn a lot and it was interesting.

For what you are saying now, I am completely agree, especially with the camaraderie part. If this exist then what is your motorcycle is irrelevant. I ve seen youtube clips of thai men riding different motorcycles, scooters and visiting natural beauties. This I envy

Where do you live Nebula? What's your comfort zone in terms of cruising speed and top speed? I've ridden with some fast riders, it's fun but I am also more than happy to ride slowly. Case in point - I'm off to Hua Hin with a fellow rider on a cruiser later today. We cruise at around 110-120 kmh depending on road conditions and never go past 130 kmh due to his cruiser being underpowered and his personal preference for slower rides. In order to get over some monotonous moments on such rides, I have my music playing through my Bluetooth intercom. In fact, it's very pleasurable to have the time to just ride and listen to music, something we are hard pressed to do at home with so many demands on our time, business or social wise.

[Nebula]

Kaset University area. I m ok with 120-130. Even more but better not mention it before some of the righteous ones come and say something. Hua Hin I have only driven to there and I would like to try these roads on a motorcycle. I mean another time when have time to plan my weekend. Also have driven to koh chang. This area before u go to the ferry, with the nice road and surrounded with rubber trees was another future ride I was thinking of while in the car. I guess its mostly because there were no other cars and feels good and different than Bangkok where u are always surrounded by motorists.

[RubberSideDown]

I hate big group rides- I avoid them whenever possible. I can't stand the 'parade lap' aspect they tend to take on, and too few people understand the proper dynamics of group riding- there are often close calls that come from showing off and lack of experience, and there's a lot of pressure on the newbs and slower guys to keep up (even with a 'ride your own ride' rule in place). I've seen too many riders hit the pavement on these types of rides.

I'll ride with a few guys I know well- I might meet up with a some people based on what I can glean of their style and ability on the Internet for a ride, but if I don't like what I see I'll bail. I also won't ride with people who aren't properly geared-up- if they get hurt they're my responsibility to patch up and/or get them to a hospital, and if someone won't make every effort to keep themselves safe, I don't want to be on the hook for them if they screw up and get injured worse than they would have had they worn proper gear.

I'm fine riding on my own (in the sense that 'riding' means stretching the bike out and testing your skills)- going for a slowish cruise or getting together for lunch or something at a pre-set pace is a different story, but when pushing the bike hard I'm kind of picky about my riding situations.

[JonnyF]

Depends on the group. Medium sized groups (4-5 riders) can be fun, any more than that and there's normally different ideas on speed of journey and activities when you get to the destination (I must admit I enjoy a few bevvies at the end of a days ride).

When it gets to be a big group with a few egos, I normally wish I'd gone solo so I can do as I please.

[Gweiloman]

Nebula, some of us are going down to Pattaya next week for the track weekend at Bira. You should come along to have a look and to meet a few other riders. Contrary to what some posters think, none of us are testosterone charged young males with big egos. We are mostly old, balding men with careers and families and just share a common passion of riding, fast if possible, but safely more than anything else.

If you are interested, we could ride down together on Friday afternoon and get to Pattaya before sunset - I don't like riding at night as it's too dangerous.

[cornishcarlos]

If anyone ever goes on a ride south, give me a shout as you pass Suratthani

I am happy to cruise at 120kph, if you go any faster then I'll see you at the next pitstop ....

Must a admit I do enjoy solo rides, even before I bought the CB500F.. The Wave has seen a few good trips. I just love the freedom and variety on the roads here. There are not many other riders or even farang where I am, so never had the pleasure of a group trip.

Stay safe n smile

[cornishcarlos]

Depends on the group. Medium sized groups (4-5 riders) can be fun, any more than that and there's normally different ideas on speed of journey and activities when you get to the destination (I must admit I enjoy a few bevvies at the end of a days ride).

When it gets to be a big group with a few egos, I normally wish I'd gone solo so I can do as I please.

Nothing to stop you exiting stage left, if the egos get on your tits...

[Gweiloman]

I quite enjoy riding in big groups as I like studying group dynamics. How a person behaves in a group of people with common interests and passions tell me a lot about that particular person, whether they are a team player or a prima donna, about their personality and attitudes and ultimately, whether we can be friends or not (nothing to do about riding styles or speeds, just character and personality).

To me, riding in a big group is sometimes more enjoyable as the group naturally "splits" up according to each rider's individual comfort zone. Most important is that there should be recognised and accepted ride leader as well as a "sweeper", bringing up the rear. The biggest group I have ridden with was 40 riders and pillions in a group of 35 bikes (organised by a well known motorbike dealer). There was a designated group leader as well as escort riders and strict rules about formation riding and no overtaking at speeds. A 4day 3 night ride all the way to Mae Sot and Umphang, everyone got home safe and sound.

[Gweiloman]

If anyone ever goes on a ride south, give me a shout as you pass Suratthani

I am happy to cruise at 120kph, if you go any faster then I'll see you at the next pitstop ....

Must a admit I do enjoy solo rides, even before I bought the CB500F.. The Wave has seen a few good trips. I just love the freedom and variety on the roads here. There are not many other riders or even farang where I am, so never had the pleasure of a group trip.

Stay safe n smile

I'm hoping to ride down to Malaysia towards the end of this year. Will give you a shout and maybe even ride together for a few kms. Can you bake some cornish pies for our snack stops?

[B1ade]

On long rides I prefer groups but no more than 4, I always tend to lead the group as sitting behind I lack concentration after a while and watch the other riders rather than the road - when you lead you got to be aware of the pack and make sure everyone is still there, not easy with a big group. I do have mad moments and shoot of when I see twistys though, just can't help it

[cornishcarlos]

If anyone ever goes on a ride south, give me a shout as you pass Suratthani

I am happy to cruise at 120kph, if you go any faster then I'll see you at the next pitstop ....

Must a admit I do enjoy solo rides, even before I bought the CB500F.. The Wave has seen a few good trips. I just love the freedom and variety on the roads here. There are not many other riders or even farang where I am, so never had the pleasure of a group trip.

Stay safe n smile

I'm hoping to ride down to Malaysia towards the end of this year. Will give you a shout and maybe even ride together for a few kms. Can you bake some cornish pies for our snack stops?

I'm back to work in Dec.. Before that and I might join you at least to the border

Pre warning rqd for baking..!!

[DualSportBiker]

I prefer riding on my own, mainly because of my choice of bike. I prefer back roads to highways and rarely turn back when the road disappears and the mud and potholes appear (normally immediately after a blind turn...)

I've done a number of BM GS events with whole-day rides on the Saturday. It was really fun to ride in a convoy of 100 to 200 GS for a day, but once a year is 1 less than too many! I have a group of mates who fly in for Chinese New Year; they rent 250 MX bikes and we rides dirt roads in the North and Nan - that is more of a social break than a hard ride though - tons of fun and I'd do more if I could.

The combination of my bike and my skill (lack of) means I can't really ride 'tough' MX tracks in the rainy season without lots of friends to help me pick the bike up (strength fails me at fall No. 3++...) Ends up a bit of a compromise, but I've been lucky with route choices on my own, and have enjoyed splendid isolation and some awesome views on rough roads with no traffic.

The biggest problem being based in Bangkok is the distance to fun roads - take a couple of hours to get anywhere with a curve!

[Shurup]

Solo or small groups are OK, I live too far from BKK and other big places (closest is Korat - 100km) so mostly riding alone.

If anyone plans some sort of multi-day cross country ride, I'd gladly meet up wherever it's convenient and ride together.

[Gweiloman]

I prefer riding on my own, mainly because of my choice of bike. I prefer back roads to highways and rarely turn back when the road disappears and the mud and potholes appear (normally immediately after a blind turn...)

I've done a number of BM GS events with whole-day rides on the Saturday. It was really fun to ride in a convoy of 100 to 200 GS for a day, but once a year is 1 less than too many! I have a group of mates who fly in for Chinese New Year; they rent 250 MX bikes and we rides dirt roads in the North and Nan - that is more of a social break than a hard ride though - tons of fun and I'd do more if I could.

The combination of my bike and my skill (lack of) means I can't really ride 'tough' MX tracks in the rainy season without lots of friends to help me pick the bike up (strength fails me at fall No. 3++...) Ends up a bit of a compromise, but I've been lucky with route choices on my own, and have enjoyed splendid isolation and some awesome views on rough roads with no traffic.

The biggest problem being based in Bangkok is the distance to fun roads - take a couple of hours to get anywhere with a curve!

Me and a group of friends try to hit Bo Din in Minburi regularly for some dirt fun. Mostly it's about an hours worth of riding and 3 hrs worth of drinking!! We are mostly on KLX's.

[Gweiloman]

Someone should start a sticky on meeting up for all over Thailand, meaning if I'm riding up North, I'll post it and anyone along the route can join up for part of the ride

[DualSportBiker]

Barcelona and Storm did their first off-road skills training out there - I took part. When it rains that mud is like ice! Myself and many others were on TCK80s and survived, but others on Metzler Tourance were really struggling.

I've taken one of my Landys out there to teach a colleague the basics of driving off-road - good fun in the mud and the food ain't bad. I heard they stopped letting trucks in there - is that true? Something to do with dragging too much dirt out on to the road and pissing off the neighbours...

Can't drink for 3 hours these days, and won't contemplate drinking and driving/riding... I might pop out one weekend, but need to change tires first as I am on Anakee 3 now which are OK for gravel and dry mud and rocks, but not ice-like mud!

Cheers.

Edited August 15, 2014 by DualSportBiker

[ll2]

On long rides I prefer groups but no more than 4, I always tend to lead the group as sitting behind I lack concentration after a while and watch the other riders rather than the road - when you lead you got to be aware of the pack and make sure everyone is still there, not easy with a big group. I do have mad moments and shoot of when I see twistys though, just can't help it

same here. dont like large groups and like the groups allow riders to claim their rights to shoot of when some twisties are ahead or a very long and deserted stretch of road.

with these large groups on long rides, following a big bike doing 120 kph maximum, sometime i feel like a baby duck following the mother duck. gets boring fast for me and feel chained.

[moe666]

I prefer to ride alone but will ride with friends and I do mean friends no more than 2. I do not like things done by committee or the guy incharge who doesn't do any research of the route before hand. The only place I haven't ridden yet is the deep south and have enjoyed my single experiences. I loved the kid in Surin who could not believe I had ridden from Chiang Mai, the conversation would probably never happened if with a large group

Ride safe do your research before leaving and enjoy

[biker Bob]

I prefer to ride alone. I don't want people waiting for me or me waiting for other people.

PS. I am not a speed freak but it can get too slow even for me.

[CBR250]

prefer solo rides as much as much as group rides. i like to be alone and by being alone, i can concentrate better for my ride. also can stop anytime or just turn follow a back road suddenly. besides, you dont need any complicated plan.

if my bike breaks down, i call Mondial 24 hours roadside assistance. they pick up your bike

but also like group rides to see nice other bikes, meet with nice people and ride together for the same goal. nice too!

Any more info on Mondial 24 hour pick up? Sounds like it could be useful at times. Would have great been a few years ago when my old CB1 blew out its cdi unit miles from nowhere.

[ll2]

prefer solo rides as much as much as group rides. i like to be alone and by being alone, i can concentrate better for my ride. also can stop anytime or just turn follow a back road suddenly. besides, you dont need any complicated plan.

if my bike breaks down, i call Mondial 24 hours roadside assistance. they pick up your bike

but also like group rides to see nice other bikes, meet with nice people and ride together for the same goal. nice too!

Any more info on Mondial 24 hour pick up? Sounds like it could be useful at times. Would have great been a few years ago when my old CB1 blew out its cdi unit miles from nowhere.

if you buy a bike from bigwing, it comes for free and i remember you have a bike from bigwing.

[taninthai]

Smallish groups are great fun and if you employ the corner man system with a tailgunner no_ one ever gets lost and the fast riders still get to go fast

[greg71]

I used to prefer riding alone ,that is until i met up with a bunch a nice guys/gals who arent into the whole look at me and my bike thing.Every thing from a cbr600rr to a kawasaki vulcan and me on my little cbr250 .Never encounted any ego and now much prefer the comradery of the ride rather the show pony express that many of the group rides are .

[A1Str8]

I prefer riding in groups so i can steal stuff from other riders.

[Hili]

I need my solo rides to clear my mind. Groups are ok but as some said dont like it too big groups; sometimes i joined groups but their riding styles or just personality/ preferences doesnt fit. So i skip these and ride with riders iam comfortable with; however still joining new ones sometimes to see if i fit in

[DualSportBiker]

Smallish groups are great fun and if you employ the corner man system with a tailgunner no_ one ever gets lost and the fast riders still get to go fast

Would you care to elucidate?

[andreandre]

I quite enjoy riding in big groups as I like studying group dynamics. How a person behaves in a group of people with common interests and passions tell me a lot about that particular person, whether they are a team player or a prima donna, about their personality and attitudes and ultimately, whether we can be friends or not (nothing to do about riding styles or speeds, just character and personality).

To me, riding in a big group is sometimes more enjoyable as the group naturally "splits" up according to each rider's individual comfort zone. Most important is that there should be recognised and accepted ride leader as well as a "sweeper", bringing up the rear. The biggest group I have ridden with was 40 riders and pillions in a group of 35 bikes (organised by a well known motorbike dealer). There was a designated group leader as well as escort riders and strict rules about formation riding and no overtaking at speeds. A 4day 3 night ride all the way to Mae Sot and Umphang, everyone got home safe and sound.

The biggest group I have ridden with was 40 riders and pillions in a group of 35 bikes (organised by a well known motorbike dealer). There was a designated group leader as well as escort riders and strict

rules about formation riding and no overtaking at speeds. A 4day 3 night ride all the way to Mae Sot and Umphang, everyone got home safe and sound.

You could have done all that in a bus...would be about as unenjoyable.[iMO}

Edited August 15, 2014 by andreandre