Do you prefer to ride your motorcycle in a club or independent?

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 13 Jan 2015 11:50:13 -0500

How many motorcycle riders do we have on here? Are you in a club or do you prefer to ride independent? What do you ride?

I ride a 2007 Harley Street Glide and am the Secretary and one of the founding members of the Fallen Saints Motorcycle Club San Antonio chapter. We are mostly military or retirees and I find it is a good way to have the brotherhood that I am used to from being in the military, while doing somethign I enjoy and giving back to the community (we do a lot of veterans rides and fundraisers for wounded military members).

Response by CSM Michael Lynch made Jan 13 at 2015 12:15 PM

CSM Michael Lynch — Tue, 13 Jan 2015 12:15:32 -0500

I ride a 2013 HD Road Glide Ultra, upgraded form an 06 HD Street Bob 2 weeks prior to Sturgis in 2013.I ride with a lot of friends and there are 8 of us identified as the band of brothers due to our motorcycle/friendship ties over the past 15 years. It is funny that over 75% of the people in my inner circle are veterans in one way or another. I think we tend to draw towards each other because of the brotherhood and camaraderie. We do many events and I have done a few with the Utah Patriot Guard riders.

Response by TSgt Joshua Copeland made Jan 13 at 2015 3:07 PM

TSgt Joshua Copeland — Tue, 13 Jan 2015 15:07:32 -0500

I am the Chaplain for the local Green Knights chapter.

You should check out the Texas chapters.

http://texasgreenknights.org/

Response by CW5 Sam R. Baker made Jan 13 at 2015 4:18 PM

CW5 Sam R. Baker — Tue, 13 Jan 2015 16:18:46 -0500

Yes, an avid rider who has endured years of harassment by the posts and the safety programs for riding them. I realize the almost daily accidents that are reported and get the email notifications from deaths attributed to accidents on bikes in the services. I have almost given up my motorcycle for this reason, not the fact of others perishing, but the wickets I have to jump thru to ride. I abide by the PPE and laws, but it is getting to difficult with all the federal, regulatory, local and political to keep up. The mentorship programs are good, but freedom to ride is basically post career.

For the sake of it, currently riding a 100th Anniversary 2003 Harley Davidson VROD with a ton of chrome additives! Pics to follow later!

Response by SFC Jeff L. made Jan 13 at 2015 4:28 PM

SFC Jeff L. — Tue, 13 Jan 2015 16:28:40 -0500

I'm a loner. A rebel. And I ride a 2009 Kawasaki Concours 1400 sport-touring bike. Fast as heck and comfortable too.

Response by PO3 Richard Cole made Jan 30 at 2015 1:36 PM

PO3 Richard Cole — Fri, 30 Jan 2015 13:36:32 -0500

I just resigned as the Texas State President of the Sacred Bones Society MC 2 months ago. I am now affiliated with the Bandidos MC whose brotherhood is way more stronger than the Bones was. I tried to build the Texas membership which in 1 year I had increased membership from 12 members to over 25 members. I couldn't get any support from the mother chapter in California on the issues with the Bandidos and my hands were tied as far as negotiations with them. The Bandidos being the dominant club in Texas, it was in our best interests to get along with them. I kept getting shutdown in this area so I decided to resign and go with the dominant club. No hard feelings on my part. I just feel that cooperation is better than confrontation.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 30 at 2015 1:49 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 30 Jan 2015 13:49:05 -0500

I rode with HOG for a couple of years but got tired of the rules and regs, have been a member of PGR since 06 and will do a couple of missions a year, i find them hard emotionally. So now i hang around with a small grp the Unknown Bikers, my cuz is a life member. I do enjoy thier company and love riding with them but i prefer just to hang around and not patch in. have several others i ride with, about a year ago i started asking them about mil assoiation, to my surprise about 95% are vets from one service or another.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 7 at 2015 1:24 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 07 Apr 2015 01:24:08 -0400

Honda VTX 1300R. Comfort instead of speed.

Response by Capt Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 8 at 2015 4:22 PM

Capt Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 08 Apr 2015 16:22:33 -0400

I used to own an '07 Street Bob and rode with the HOG and PGR in California, North Carolina, and briefly in Colorado before I sold my bike to focus my energy on home ownership. I have a young daughter now, but I intend to buy another bike again in the future when she's older. Riding was a fantastic way for me to connect with the military community during those years when my husband and I were geographically separated.

Response by PO1 John Miller made Apr 10 at 2015 7:13 AM

PO1 John Miller — Fri, 10 Apr 2015 07:13:02 -0400

I ride a 2011 Road King. I currently ride independent but would love to find a club to hang out with/join. If anybody knows of any vet friendly clubs in the Tucson/southern Arizona area let me know!

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 10 at 2015 11:07 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 10 Apr 2015 23:07:13 -0400

I ride a 1993 Harley Davidson Fat Boy. I am currently in the rebuild phase. I am trying to keep the bike as original as possible. I'm also hoping to pick up a Street Glide fairly soon..

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 12 at 2015 3:05 PM

SGM Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 12 Apr 2015 15:05:48 -0400

Independent
I ride but currently only have a basket bike (1972 HD Shortster) I'm rebuilding for my son and still have my old FZR I use to race way back when. I love sport bikes (R1) looking for another one soon, and HDs (Road Kings) hopefully get one when I retire. Love all bikes though!

Response by LCpl Craig D. Pfautz made Apr 18 at 2015 5:46 PM

LCpl Craig D. Pfautz — Sat, 18 Apr 2015 17:46:18 -0400

I RIDE A 2003 HARLEY ROAD KING, ITS BY FAR MY FAVORITE BIKE, IVE HAD MANY RIDES BUT THIS IS MY BABEY!!!

Response by SFC Derek Ashman made Apr 28 at 2015 3:59 PM

SFC Derek Ashman — Tue, 28 Apr 2015 15:59:49 -0400

I ride a 2014 Harley Davidson Street Glide. I just switched over to it last year from riding a Hayabusa. I ride with a group called Veteran Enforcers Motorcycle Association or VEMA for short. I am with the Savannah, Ga chapter. There are 15 chapters. They are made of Military active and retired, police, firemen, first responders, and public service members. We ride for those who answer the call of duty. Its a group with a great mission staement. http://www.vema-usa.com

V.E.M.A

The Veteran Enforcers Motorcycle Association is a nonprofit organization. Financial support comes from charitable gifts and membership dues. Revenues generated are utilized to coordinate and participant in events that assist those who were seriously wounded in the line of duty; or for services provided to the survivors of those killed in the line of duty. The Veteran Enforcers Motorcycle Association thank all those who donate and support our...

Response by MSgt Rob Weston made May 7 at 2015 3:41 PM

MSgt Rob Weston — Thu, 07 May 2015 15:41:26 -0400

I ride a 2011 Dyna Super Glide. I am looking into the Blue Knights LE/MC. Met with a few of the Fallen Saints here is SA. A good group of chaps

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made May 11 at 2015 1:30 PM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 11 May 2015 13:30:18 -0400

Almost given up on street riding anymore. I basically keep this passion to a quartermile at a time. No clubs but I do support a lot of the events locally and since I am close to where I grew up I try to attend some of the functions with my local friends. I am still doing the drag racing thing with the approval of my unit-I personally think it is safer than riding the street any ways. 2011 Hayabusa is my ride.

Response by SSgt David Love made May 28 at 2015 11:04 PM

SSgt David Love — Thu, 28 May 2015 23:04:31 -0400

I ride a 2000 FatBoy and am about to pick up my first bagger, Street Glide Special.

Response by 1SG Jason Smith made May 29 at 2015 5:00 PM

1SG Jason Smith — Fri, 29 May 2015 17:00:03 -0400

I have a 2010 Road King. I retired a couple years ago but before I retired it was getting hard as hell to even ride with all the rules the Army has placed on riders. I now live in Illinois. I ride with friends and have a blast doing it. Or it is just me and the wife on back screaming down the highway.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 10 at 2015 5:01 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 10 Jul 2015 05:01:10 -0400

I am a current and life-time member of the Purple Heart Riders National Association. I'm still riding my first Harley, 2008 1200 Custom. I love it. For a small bike, it is fairly fast.

Response by WO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 14 at 2015 8:41 PM

WO1 Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 14 Aug 2015 20:41:40 -0400

I ride on a daily basis. I have a 2013 speed triple for the street and I race with a 2006 SV650. I work on motorcycles and ride lots of different bikes daily. Personally I would give up the military for motorcycles any day.

Response by Lt Col Scott Shuttleworth made Nov 20 at 2015 8:56 AM

Lt Col Scott Shuttleworth — Fri, 20 Nov 2015 08:56:11 -0500

Avid Rider...Currently riding a 2009 Kawasaki Vulcan Classic. I ride occasionally with the Green Knights on base and a motorcycle riding fellowship at our church. I also am a certified MSF BRC and BRCII RiderCoach so I enjoy teaching that as well. I live in a small community so there aren't many patriot Guard rides around this area but if there are, I tried to get in them.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 20 at 2015 10:39 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 20 Nov 2015 22:39:42 -0500

I ride a 2005 Softail Deluxe. I prefer to ride with at least one other person but don't mind riding alone.

Response by MSgt Chris White made Nov 29 at 2015 9:50 AM

MSgt Chris White — Sun, 29 Nov 2015 09:50:07 -0500

Independent rider here, but with friends, no club. 2013 Victory Cross Roads Classic.

Response by CPO Andy Carrillo, MS made Dec 23 at 2015 11:42 PM

CPO Andy Carrillo, MS — Wed, 23 Dec 2015 23:42:20 -0500

'00 BMW R1100RT and I belong to the AZ Euroriders Meet-up Group. Because most of the rides occur on a Sunday I have not yet been able to ride. I most enjoy riding solo.

Response by PFC Nathaniel Thedford made Dec 24 at 2015 12:54 AM

PFC Nathaniel Thedford — Thu, 24 Dec 2015 00:54:23 -0500

Hello TSgt Beckerman,

I ride a 2010 Electra Glide Classic and I am with the American Legion Riders, Post 105 in Phoenix, AZ. However I live in the middle of nowhere (Eagar, AZ.) which there are no clubs that I know of close by. I also have two children and my fiance is 100% service connected so I cannot be away all the time so prospecting would be hard for me to do. I know that an RC is a lot different from an MC because of the prospecting part. I do enjoy being able to have Legacy Rides and Rallies that contribute to a greater good but I do want to me a three piece rider rather than a two piece (in the long run, later). If I can find an ALR closer I can transfer, otherwise it's a four hour ride just to get to Phoenix.

Response by MSgt Steven Holt, NRP, CCEMT-P made Mar 24 at 2016 10:50 PM

MSgt Steven Holt, NRP, CCEMT-P — Thu, 24 Mar 2016 22:50:28 -0400

I'm a Lone Wolf and plan to remain so. Currently I have a '05 Shadow Spirit but am trying to save my pennies and nickels for a H/D Heritage Softail.

Response by MSgt Richard Rountree made Apr 22 at 2016 12:48 PM

MSgt Richard Rountree — Fri, 22 Apr 2016 12:48:44 -0400

I am a proud member of the U.S. Military Vets MC. My chapter is in southeastern Michigan near the village of Maybee in Monroe County.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made May 5 at 2016 1:43 PM

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 05 May 2016 13:43:24 -0400

I ride a 2007 Kawasaki Vulcan 1600 Mean Streak Special Edition. I've done the group thing, mostly with base-related clubs (Green Knights or other). But I usually end up riding on my own. Finding a group that's just in it to ride, who goes out when I have the time off, is willing to go out if the weather isn't a exactly 72 degrees with no clouds or something, can all be a pain. If I want to ride I want to ride, so it's usually independent.
That being said I haven't stopped looking for local groups to join up with. But at the moment family responsibilities have added another set of restrictions so I'm not doing so aggressively.
Pic to be added once I get it to cooperate. :/

Response by MSgt Rena Schmidt made May 5 at 2016 2:26 PM

MSgt Rena Schmidt — Thu, 05 May 2016 14:26:31 -0400

I ride alone or with a small handful from our motorcycle foundation

Response by SSgt Boyd Welch made May 19 at 2016 10:51 AM

SSgt Boyd Welch — Thu, 19 May 2016 10:51:28 -0400

I've been riding for 45 years. First scoot was an old Cushman Eagle my dad picked up at a salvage yard for$15 back in 1963. I ride with a riders group and as an independent. I want to always make sure I know the folks I ride with. Rode a Street Glide and before that a Sportster (till my back couldn't take it anymore). Currently on a Royal Star Venture touring .

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made May 22 at 2016 11:21 AM

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 22 May 2016 11:21:09 -0400

I'm a VP of the Chapter 58 Green Knights and I ride, period. 2000 Triumph Sprint ST. It doesn't matter what the weather is, I'll ride. I'm not scared, gotta die somehow.
Chapter 58 members will be touring the Dragon area next weekend.

Response by SFC Ronald Bowers made Jul 23 at 2016 11:44 PM

SFC Ronald Bowers — Sat, 23 Jul 2016 23:44:13 -0400

I much prefer to ride alone. It just seems that riding with a group leads to @$$hat behavior on somebodies part. Or I find myself getting distracted by other riders technique, skill level, chrome doo-dads, etc. When I am riding alone I can get inside my own head, ride my own ride, and go as long as I want. It is definitely therapeutic for me!
I am currently retiring my 2008 Kawasaki KLE650 Versys with 111,000 miles for another 2008 Versys (15th bike, 3rd Versys).

Response by TSgt Ronald Iniguez made Jul 28 at 2016 12:31 PM

TSgt Ronald Iniguez — Thu, 28 Jul 2016 12:31:17 -0400

Personally, I would rather ride by myself or with a "few" good friends or relatives. Nothing against the clubs, but I'm just more comfortable in smaller groups where I can be more flexible in my destinations! Especially on the fly changes to my/our route.

Response by PO3 Richard Cole made Jul 28 at 2016 8:08 PM

PO3 Richard Cole — Thu, 28 Jul 2016 20:08:35 -0400

I ride a 1700 Roadstar now and I am the Secretary / Treasurer of MTR MC of Sabine County Texas. Last August I had a bad wreck on a Harley Ultra Classic and did 5 months in the hospital. Doing great now and ride daily.

Response by SFC Lee Tompkins made Aug 10 at 2016 7:49 PM

SFC Lee Tompkins — Wed, 10 Aug 2016 19:49:22 -0400

I started riding in 1965 during High School. Rode with some others around San Diego area. Mostly rode by myself back and forth from school and work. Once I was in the Army I rode whenever in the U.S. to and from assignments and work. Once from White Sands Missile Range , NM too San Diego, CA. Once from LA, CA to Fort Hood, TX. All those were PCS moves. Always rode around my duty stations. Mostly on my own. Did a group ride from Hood to Galviston and back once in 1972. I stopped riding in 1991 until 2009. The wife and I got a Gold Wing and joined Gold Wing Road Riders Association. We rode on many group rides usually with three or so bikes. Sometimes with large groups, however we rode many thousands of miles alone , and enjoyed seeing so much of our country. I'd say we enjoyed that touring alone the most.

Response by MSgt Don Dobbs made Aug 30 at 2016 1:55 PM

MSgt Don Dobbs — Tue, 30 Aug 2016 13:55:55 -0400

I am Head Road Captain for the Alamo Chapter Harley Owners Group. Ive been riding since 1962 and love to ride. In a group or alone both are fun and enjoyable. rode on two wheels until 2014 when a Trike became necessary due to the condition of my legs and back. I may quit riding when I die.