OK, as time progresses, my only communication with other motorcycle riders has been online.
I have been looking for motorcycle riding buddies locally, but most of my friends ride big Hog’s and ride around in circles.
I am a destination, sightseeing-oriented person. I like knees in the breeze and wind in my face, but I want to explore my rides.
Also as a new motorcycle rider, I want to take my time riding around. So riding buddies would have to move at my speed.
I Have A Niche Bike And Need Niche Riding Buddies.
Having a cheap Chinese dual-sport motorcycle has twofold issues:
1.- The motorcycle is under-powered, lower reliability, and some people frown on the idea of such a motorcycle in their group.
Because of the under-powered status, acceleration is an issue, and highway use and riding up steep road inclines. It’s keeping up with Miss Daisy-type riding. Also, the motorcycle looks a little ‘cheap’ compared to my friend’s 10k bikes.
2.- Dual-Sport Motorcycle riders have a negative image. The hooligan street riders.
Other motorcycle riders aren’t interested in attracting police attention.
Dual Sport Motorcycles Seem To Have A Negative Public Image Locally.
In a local city, the police have been targeting dirt-bike riders and seizing bikes. The local newspapers post what motorcycles were seized for the week as if those riders were more dangerous than the criminals who harm the local citizens. This image has affected all of us who ride safe, with registered/insured dual-sports.
Looking Motorcycle Riding Groups Near Me.
I have gone online and found meet-up groups for different social activities. Again, being a new motorcyclist with a unique motorcycle, I have been trying to single out fellow Dual-sport motorcycle riders.
I have found dirt-bike groups who, of course, professionally ride dirt trails. I am not a professional. I am just looking for new motorcycle riders who want to sight-see while perfecting the art of motorcycling.
Found My New Riding Buddy Today!
Our local community had a community-wide garage sale. Not much I found a couple of books were interested in reading, but my big score was a little guy who must have sat on some little girl’s shelf all his life.
I was a tough negotiator, pitting my wits against the shrewd previous caretaker and negotiated her down to a simple finder fee of 50 cents. Now, I do not ride alone anymore.
I call him Mr. “I-Need-Coffee.”
So Mr “I-Need-Coffee” is the strong silent type, but he was glad to find me just from the look on his face. Little did he know the new world outside of his experience holds for him.
My Motorcycle Riding Buddy Ready and Looking Excited.
I-Need-Coffee was secured with some stainless steel wire, safety first, and had a great view of all our rides.
We have been riding around since and glad to see people look at him and smile. I get more smiles riding buy since he became my riding buddy.
Am I Serious?
I-Need-Coffee is serious. He will ride on the motorcycles as long as he holds them together. This part is severe but also points out the problems new riders face first getting into the hobby of motorcycling.
New riders often have small, under-performing motorcycles with limited skills, almost purely academic, from the motorcycle fundamentals courses we have taken. Experienced riders have one thing in common with us, we all started out as new riders.
Experienced Motorcycle Riders, Be A Buddy.
Most of us are all interconnected via social media. Suppose you see a new rider post a new bike or questions about how to start out. Reach out to that person, help them get into the hobby. I wish someone helped me earlier, and I continue to learn. I don’t want to repeat the mistakes made by other riders, and as an experienced rider, you can help.
Be Kinds, Ride Together and Be Safe!
Note To The Bug Eaters!
Yes, my bike cost less than your exhaust. Yes, I ride with protective gear. Yes, I might not look cool with plastic parts on my motorcycle. However, I, too, am a rider like you. Wave back; we are all part of a unique family.
Click To See My Recommended
TBR7 Upgrades
Hi I’m Tom, A New Motorcycle Rider and Blog Author.
I am a new motorcycle rider(Pa Motorcycle Learner’s Permit at the end of 2020, and I received a full M-Class Pa Motorcycle License in 2021, only after passing the Pa Motorcycle Safety Course).
I bought my first motorcycle, a TaoTao TBR7 (A Chinese Dual-sport motorcycle), at the beginning of 2021 and have been doing upgrades on that motorcycle since.
I added to my motorcycle collection by buying a Boom Vader Gen 2 motorcycle in 2022, and that little Grom-Clone bike has been upgraded by me as well.
I continue to ride my Boom Vader Gen 2 motorcycle as well as my TaoTao TBR7 dual-sport bike.
Read more on my About Me page.
Fun Fact: I’ve only been on one group ride.