HOG Central Districts chapter membership?

[old slider]

Sorry if its already got a thread, I tried the search function without luck.

Having recently (nearly 3 months ago), acquiring a Harley Davidson I am interested in possibly joining a riders group for occasional rides/ social functions etc, Based in Wanganui I know of the Triumph owners club and the Ulyssis motorcycle club, with no real knowledge of either group and with being away from motorcycles for many (32) years I am looking for a gentle introduction back into motorcycles.

I will have my W650 sidecar hopefully finished by the time summer arrives, but being Kawasaki means my group ride options with that are probably limited.

[russd7]

why would your group ride options be limited with the kwaka, we have a couple of sidechairs go on a lot of our group rides down here.

[old slider]

why would your group ride options be limited with the kwaka, we have a couple of sidechairs go on a lot of our group rides down here.


My understanding is our local groups are mainly British, European or American motorcycle orientated, except for the ulyssis group, but I may have this wrong.

I looked at our local Triumph riders website and my interpretation is that they allow non Triumph owners, but only if they ride/own the previously mentioned bikes and have to be nominated by a current member for consideration as an associate member.

My W650 looks and rides like a T120, well apart from being very reliable, completely oil tight and having decent Electrics. :msn-wink: sadly its the bike the British should have made.

[FatMax]

My understanding is our local groups are mainly British, European or American motorcycle orientated, except for the ulyssis group, but I may have this wrong.

I looked at our local Triumph riders website and my interpretation is that they allow non Triumph owners, but only if they ride/own the previously mentioned bikes and have to be nominated by a current member for consideration as an associate member.

My W650 looks and rides like a T120, well apart from being very reliable, completely oil tight and having decent Electrics. :msn-wink: sadly its the bike the British should have made.

Sounds like biker snobbery and aloofness.....yeah know what you mean there........know quite a few of them

A decent riding group will not bother about your make / model / colour of ride.

Find some good people who enjoy the ride and your company, oh and make sure they leave their smartphones behind

[MIXONE]

Sounds like biker snobbery and aloofness.....yeah know what you mean there........know quite a few of them

A decent riding group will not bother about your make / model / colour of ride.

Find some good people who enjoy the ride and your company, oh and make sure they leave their smartphones behind

Leave their phones behind?How the hell do they call for tow trucks after they breakdown?:Oi:

[russd7]

Sounds like biker snobbery and aloofness.....yeah know what you mean there........know quite a few of them

A decent riding group will not bother about your make / model / colour of ride.

Find some good people who enjoy the ride and your company, oh and make sure they leave their smartphones behind

yup, what he said.

personally can't be fucked with biker snobbery, we ride motorcycles and if people don't like us because of what we ride then they have issues and better like sex and travel and just fuck off.

besides, if there are no brit bikes then how can we use the oil jokes and if there are no harley's how can we use the tractor jokes

[MIXONE]

yup, what he said.

personally can't be fucked with biker snobbery, we ride motorcycles and if people don't like us because of what we ride then they have issues and better like sex and travel and just fuck off.

besides, if there are no brit bikes then how can we use the oil jokes and if there are no harley's how can we use the tractor jokes

And if there is no wings how can we use the mobile sofa jokes?;)

[russd7]

And if there is no wings how can we use the mobile sofa jokes?;)

eggs fucken zachery, people are just way to fucken precious these days and there seem to be an awful lot of princesses on two wheels these days

[FatMax]

Yep, certainly is.

Even that Motorcycle Action Group crowd are full of snobby bastrads, not a good look for a group that represents ALL motorcyclists, but dont get me started on those cnuts.

So like I said, find a group of good people and go spins. Clubs with rules and commitees are generally old mates clubs.

Oh and kep away from the coffee drinking, hug loving twatty twats that love to update their status's rather than talk to each other.

Good folk are out there

[RDJ]

Hey Slider, there is apparently a group of US-machinery drivers and riders that meets out at the Upok pub from time to time - when off work this weekend I'm gonna take a ride out there and see what I can find out.

As I have an '02 FXDXT and an '04 Vrod, you and I could always start our own riding group haha

:yes:

[pritch]

Love those W650s and was saddened to see recently that Kawasaki are stopping making the 800 version. Some of the Ulysses branches may be more active than others but there are always rallies around the country. http://www.ulysses.org.nz/

The Triumph and Harley groups are exclusive as is apparently the Suzuki club. The Honda Riders Club didn't worry too much what you rode but it no longer exists. Bluewing withdrew their support. Pity, it was really worthwhile.

There may be a classic bike club in your area and they shouldn't be offended by a W650. I think the local group has the motto, "Run what you brung."

There is another local club hereabout "The Old Cocks" that uses the car park on top of Mt Messenger as a clubrooms, no subs, no rules, "no attitude".

One of the local dealers runs "Pie and Pint" rides during daylight saving.

Ask around the local dealers they should know who is around in your area.

[old slider]

Hey Slider, there is apparently a group of US-machinery drivers and riders that meets out at the Upok pub from time to time - when off work this weekend I'm gonna take a ride out there and see what I can find out.

As I have an '02 FXDXT and an '04 Vrod, you and I could always start our own riding group haha

:yes:


That sounds promising, I would be keen to tag along on some of your rides, I would slow you down, but hopefully not too badly as I try to learn how to improve my riding ability and confidence.

Thanks Pritch and FatMax, I will look into the classic bike club, sounds like it could be a fun outfit to tag along with when riding the sidecar.

[PistonBlown]

That whole marque rubbish really gets on my wick at times. Went down my local with my wife and daughter the night before the Brass Monkey and some random idiot started having a real go at me about riding a Spyder (or "gay bike" as he kept calling it) and not having a Triumph. There we were trying to have a family meal out and he kept coming over and being a dick.

In the end I worked out he'd spotted the Triumph badge on my leather and so thought I shouldn't be wearing it if I didn't have one. So made it clear that I had had one so was 'entitled' to wear the badge (a somewhat chopped about 350 side value if anyone here cares). I also have badges for the other makes I've owned but it seemed to be the Triumph one that obsessed him.

Needless to say when I asked if he was going to the Brass Monkey and he wasn't and when I asked what bike he had he went off without answering - which I guess meant he didn't.

[RGVforme]

That whole marque rubbish really gets on my wick at times. Went down my local with my wife and daughter the night before the Brass Monkey and some random idiot started having a real go at me about riding a Spyder (or "gay bike" as he kept calling it) and not having a Triumph. There we were trying to have a family meal out and he kept coming over and being a dick.

In the end I worked out he'd spotted the Triumph badge on my leather and so thought I shouldn't be wearing it if I didn't have one. So made it clear that I had had one so was 'entitled' to wear the badge (a somewhat chopped about 350 side value if anyone here cares). I also have badges for the other makes I've owned but it seemed to be the Triumph one that obsessed him.

Needless to say when I asked if he was going to the Brass Monkey and he wasn't and when I asked what bike he had he went off without answering - which I guess meant he didn't.

Yep time and place for bike brand banter but some blokes just wade in way to far...Well handled :niceone:.

Or though faster I understand its somewhat frowned at to tell some Knob end to fuck off in front of the Family while having a nice dinner out.
So I was told the second time I did it anyway:laugh:

[russd7]

all for pisstake but its gotta be two ways and if people take it seriously then they don't fit so might as well just bugger off. life is to damned short for princesses on motorbikes.

[sidecar bob]

Ride alone, you will be amazed at the adventures & unexpected company that comes your way.

[Flip]

You have to own a harley to be a member of hog.

Ulysses is a good big club. Good magazine, regular runs and a structure that keeps it all working well. You have to be 40 to be a member.

I take my vintage side valve on ulysses runs. They often don't wait for me but I actually don't like riding in a group these days. I am happy to take folk in the chair or be the sweep.

322312322313322314322315

[GrayWolf]

The problem with HOG is sadly the 'HardlyRideitson, Weekend Badass' riders who have the 'attitude' similar to what was experienced by the poster with the spyder. It's also been the same on here about them from some members in threads.
At the end of the day, go to what group feels 'right' for your needs. Ulysses is for 50+ and they own any marque and varying bike types from sports to goldwings.
I know some OK guys with HD's, and seen many of the mentioned 'sunday riders' That's the downside of 'single marque' clubs it tends to breed attitude with some.
Really the type of riding you want to do is a deciding factor. Some are content with a 'sunday morning blat, a coffee/beer with other's and home again. Some {like myself} will do 3-500km quite readily for a ride. There are 'groups' on Meetups and facebook, there might be one in your area.

Welcome back to riding btw.

To the 'other' Spyder rider,, had exactly the same thing from a 'rider'..... let him rot on about the pretend bike for not real motorcyclists.... then informed him I've ridden as transport for 40+yrs, dont own a car, own 2 bikes as well as, and do 25-30K km a year on average, then asked him how many he does a year?? He went kinda quiet after that :laugh::laugh::laugh:

[old slider]

Thanks heaps for your responses and experiences, along with some great suggestions, is very much appreciated.

I will definitely try to ride along with some of the mentioned groups, probably end up belonging to a couple, but maybe tag along with RDJ for a few rides first to get some idea of how I am progressing in this rekindled passion.

[FLUB]

Hey GrayWolf and PistonBlown. If you drive Spyders you deserve everything you get. Call that a real bike?.......... Well actually I consider my Spyder ST to be real bike, just different to my XL250, KLR650 and Goldwing (you want to get shit, ride a Goldwing) 😀

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk

[PistonBlown]

To the 'other' Spyder rider,, had exactly the same thing from a 'rider'..... let him rot on about the pretend bike for not real motorcyclists.... then informed him I've ridden as transport for 40+yrs, dont own a car, own 2 bikes as well as, and do 25-30K km a year on average, then asked him how many he does a year?? He went kinda quiet after that :laugh::laugh::laugh:


Hey GrayWolf and PistonBlown. If you drive Spyders you deserve everything you get. Call that a real bike?.......... Well actually I consider my Spyder ST to be real bike, just different to my XL250, KLR650 and Goldwing (you want to get shit, ride a Goldwing) ��Sent

Yep I've been riding motorbikes for 30 years and didn't bother getting a car license for the first 10. Yet I still had some munter come up to me and after asking the usual "What's it like to ride" etc questions say "So are you going to get a real bike?". This guy was decked out from top to tail in brand new gear and I'd just seen him wobbling around the car park with both feet down 10 minutes before. So I just replied "Nice Jacket...did you get it when you passed your test?" - Smile, frown and he buggered off:-)

...and sorry FLUB but I don't think I can ever see me ride a Goldwing so I'll have to miss out on that experience. I can understand why people do but it's just a bit too comfortable for me.

Actually speaking from experience if you want real stick from your mates, and everyone else on a motorbike, ride a Jawa 350 with Avon Mark II tyres and a broken auto-mix:-)

[old slider]

Yep I've been riding motorbikes for 30 years and didn't bother getting a car license for the first 10. Yet I still had some munter come up to me and after asking the usual "What's it like to ride" etc questions say "So are you going to get a real bike?". This guy was decked out from top to tail in brand new gear and I'd just seen him wobbling around the car park with both feet down 10 minutes before. So I just replied "Nice Jacket...did you get it when you passed your test?" - Smile, frown and he buggered off:-)

...and sorry FLUB but I don't think I can ever see me ride a Goldwing so I'll have to miss out on that experience. I can understand why people do but it's just a bit too comfortable for me.

Actually speaking from experience if you want real stick from your mates, and everyone else on a motorbike, ride a Jawa 350 with Avon Mark II tyres and a broken auto-mix:-)


Glad you mentioned the Jawa, I went through a (not long) period looking for one to attach the light velorex chair onto, sounds like I was very lucky that I never managed to find one. :2thumbsup

[awayatc]

Am finally selling my Harley after 8 or so years of happy Harley ownership....
Did do a few HOG rides,but that was not my scene at all....
Neither was big group rides.
Only group I did like to ride with was a great small bunch of people with all kinds off different bikes...
Bought a Honda now....am looking forward to receiving all kinds of shit Coming my way from fellow bikes. ...
6 cylinder honda .....
Can't wait

[old slider]

Am finally selling my Harley after 8 or so years of happy Harley ownership....
Did do a few HOG rides,but that was not my scene at all....
Neither was big group rides.
Only group I did like to ride with was a great small bunch of people with all kinds off different bikes...
Bought a Honda now....am looking forward to receiving all kinds of shit Coming my way from fellow bikes. ...
6 cylinder honda .....
Can't wait


I don't think big/large group rides would be my thing after hearing the slowest riders are put at the front, I don't like being honked at all the time, lol

Do you mind giving me an idea of your age bracket awayatc ? I am also interested in how the HOG rides went, and why it wasn't your cup of tea.

cheers.

ps The 6 cyl Honda would be fun, my mate in the 80s had a massive 6 cyl Honda CBX? , always a head turner on start up in the companies carpark.

[awayatc]

Am 58 but physically very fit and strong working offshore.
HOG rides I been on were more a business club meeting then bike rides.
Breakfast on Sunday morning ..then blasting for an hour tops to a country pub for a feed and a drink.
Then blasting back for an hour for drinks where we started from....
That's not me...I drink after I ride,not while riding

Met some great blokes at a kiwibiker rally down south...tagged along on way back.
Got asked to join again for long rides to Westcoast. Central otago rallies. Trips all through south island. DucatI, bmw,motor guzzi,triumph yamaha etc.
I was only harley rider. Good safe riding by capable riders.
Great company at stops breaks meals and nights on site.

Done rallies. Brass monkey cold kiwi cold duck etc...

HOG used bike more as an excuse ...I use bike as main event.
Done 2000 km on harley first weekend I owned it....

Also most HOG riders had latest and greatest model...everything done at dealership...
My bike is now 16 years old, and I do all maintenance and repairs myself.....

[old slider]

Am 58 but physically very fit and strong working offshore.
HOG rides I been on were more a business club meeting then bike rides.
Breakfast on Sunday morning ..then blasting for an hour tops to a country pub for a feed and a drink.
Then blasting back for an hour for drinks where we started from....
That's not me...I drink after I ride,not while riding

Met some great blokes at a kiwibiker rally down south...tagged along on way back.
Got asked to join again for long rides to Westcoast. Central otago rallies. Trips all through south island. DucatI, bmw,motor guzzi,triumph yamaha etc.
I was only harley rider. Good safe riding by capable riders.
Great company at stops breaks meals and nights on site.

Done rallies. Brass monkey cold kiwi cold duck etc...

HOG used bike more as an excuse ...I use bike as main event.
Done 2000 km on harley first weekend I owned it....

Also most HOG riders had latest and greatest model...everything done at dealership...
My bike is now 16 years old, and I do all maintenance and repairs myself.....

Cheers young fella, lol. exactly the kind of info I was after. I certainly now have food for thought, Think I will just keep riding when and where it suits me and as has been mentioned will hopefully build up a number of riding mates as we meet on our journeys.

[awayatc]

No harm having a look at your local HOG chapter....
May be different there...?
If you aim for new plymouth send me a pm if you want.
Got always at least one spare room somewhere.
Can join you for a wee ride ...lost highway ?

[RGVforme]

The problem with HOG is sadly the 'HardlyRideitson, Weekend Badass' riders who have the 'attitude' similar to what was experienced by the poster with the spyder. It's also been the same on here about them from some members in threads.
At the end of the day, go to what group feels 'right' for your needs. Ulysses is for 50+ and they own any marque and varying bike types from sports to goldwings.
I know some OK guys with HD's, and seen many of the mentioned 'sunday riders' That's the downside of 'single marque' clubs it tends to breed attitude with some.
Really the type of riding you want to do is a deciding factor. Some are content with a 'sunday morning blat, a coffee/beer with other's and home again. Some {like myself} will do 3-500km quite readily for a ride. There are 'groups' on Meetups and facebook, there might be one in your area.

Welcome back to riding btw.

To the 'other' Spyder rider,, had exactly the same thing from a 'rider'..... let him rot on about the pretend bike for not real motorcyclists.... then informed him I've ridden as transport for 40+yrs, dont own a car, own 2 bikes as well as, and do 25-30K km a year on average, then asked him how many he does a year?? He went kinda quiet after that :laugh::laugh::laugh:


Came across a small group of these weekend 1%ers with attitude parked outside a pub while on a lone rideout...I had stopped for a pee and a pie and was leaving as this group was.
Watched as one chap started is steed on the sidestand while it was in gear.The resulting carnage would send any chrome polisher rocking in a ball on the ground saddlebags between legs stroking the tassels for mental comfort.

His mates laughed as I did also only to be confronted by the sight of the downed biker dragging his knuckles towards me then offering to remove some of my teeth free of charge.Lucky I had a banana left over from lunch so I threw it away in distraction mounted up and got the fuck out of there!.:banana:

Yeah don't be one of those dicks.:nya:

[leathel]

I ride alone a fair amount, mostly due to being busy and rides happen when I get a moment, usually with little notice but I also enjoy adventures, stop whenever you like to take a pic or admire the view :P

I Ride with Munster when he is around a bit too, used to do a regular Thursday night ride with him and others

If you get a good bunch together group rides are great, We generally ride once month as a group (FBMC) or at least plan too, at the speed limit... yes its fun to hoon but after hooning 100 seams so slow and I need my license so best to just take the corners as close to 100 as you can and enjoy that....so the twistiest roads are sought out :P


Unfortunately some just can't think past there own brand of bike, I have been talking with others after rides and get comments on how well my bike handles the corners, they go over to check out it....then see its a Honda and turn around ....Ohh its not a Harley??? Some people need to get over themselves :laugh:

[Paul in NZ]

Triumph Riders are staunch BEARS club

TOMCC are not. You only need and interest in Triumphs etc.

There is a branch in your neck of the woods or Manawatu

[russd7]

(you want to get shit, ride a Goldwing) 😀

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk

naaaa they gotta catch me first, problem is the missus doesn't like when the centrestand scrapes on the road when cornering, wasn't nicknamed the whisperjet for nuthin

[pritch]

naaaa they gotta catch me first, problem is the missus doesn't like when the centrestand scrapes on the road when cornering, wasn't nicknamed the whisperjet for nuthin

Last time I saw a Goldwing while out on the bike I was having lunch at the Whangamomona pub and a 'Wing passed through heading for Stratford from Taumarunui. Anybody who does that on a Goldwing is not getting any crap from me.

[old slider]

No harm having a look at your local HOG chapter....
May be different there...?
If you aim for new plymouth send me a pm if you want.
Got always at least one spare room somewhere.
Can join you for a wee ride ...lost highway ?

Cheers, the same applies if you come south mate, we (wife and I) have a sleep out that is vacant since the last of our boys left home.
The lost highway seems popular, my neighbours son just returned from experiencing it, apparently only dropped his bike (Street Bob) twice on the journey, luckily had a mate on another bike to assist with the 305kg recovery jobs .:shit:

[awayatc]

He cant have been a good rider....
Done it few times on Harley
MINE is 350 kg and I can pick it up on my own.
Mind you I don't drop it...
Can't wait to do it on my new to me valkyrie

[old slider]

He cant have been a good rider....
Done it few times on Harley
MINE is 350 kg and I can pick it up on my own.
Mind you I don't drop it...
Can't wait to do it on my new to me valkyrie


From my understanding loose gravel on a bend going a wee bit quick caused one exciting ride off into the grass or taking the scenic route and another wet corner too fast invited a gentle drop into a culvert.

Shite, 350kgs is some machine. I think if I dropped mine it would have to stay there because I would be too pissed with my stupidity and be throwing a huge tanty.

[Moi]

From my understanding loose gravel on a bend going a wee bit quick caused one exciting ride off into the grass or taking the scenic route and another wet corner too fast invited a gentle drop into a culvert...

Ah! - learning experiences...

[awayatc]

Mine once slowly tipped over on a loose gravel drive way...
Damage zero...
Time to jerk the beast back upright...0.3 seconds
Didn't have time to try and remember how heavy it was...
Fully loaded with luggage for 3 week trip so probably close to 400kg...

[old slider]

Mine once slowly tipped over on a loose gravel drive way...
Damage zero...
Time to jerk the beast back upright...0.3 seconds
Didn't have time to try and remember how heavy it was...
Fully loaded with luggage for 3 week trip so probably close to 400kg...


:eek: just Made a mental note, must stay on your good side, lol.

[Big Dog]

From my understanding loose gravel on a bend going a wee bit quick caused one exciting ride off into the grass or taking the scenic route and another wet corner too fast invited a gentle drop into a culvert.

Shite, 350kgs is some machine. I think if I dropped mine it would have to stay there because I would be too pissed with my stupidity and be throwing a huge tanty.
Sounding a bit like one of the return to riding courses, a ride right ride safe and or a ride forever course might be more use than group rides at this stage.

Sent from Tapatalk. DYAC

[old slider]

Sounding a bit like one of the return to riding courses, a ride right ride safe and or a ride forever course might be more use than group rides at this stage.

Sent from Tapatalk. DYAC



I would be keen,
I have scared myself a couple of times mainly when I first started back riding, they were enough to remind me it had been quite awhile and over the various rides both on the W650 and the Harley Fat Bob I have come to terms with my ability or lack of.

More good luck than good riding, the only time I have dropped my Bike so far was when the W650 fell off its side stand, gutted me as the bike even though 15 years old at the time only had 3600kms as it had sat in a garage for 10years. amazing what damage they can do by simply falling on their side.

The comments about the incidents on the hidden Highway were about a neighbours son who has ridden for along time but apparently made some errors of judgement.

[RGVforme]

I would be keen,
I have scared myself a couple of times mainly when I first started back riding, they were enough to remind me it had been quite awhile and over the various rides both on the W650 and the Harley Fat Bob I have come to terms with my ability or lack of.

More good luck than good riding, the only time I have dropped my Bike so far was when the W650 fell off its side stand, gutted me as the bike even though 15 years old at the time only had 3600kms as it had sat in a garage for 10years. amazing what damage they can do by simply falling on their side.

The comments about the incidents on the hidden Highway were about a neighbours son who has ridden for along time but apparently made some errors of judgement.

Good you were aware of you current limits when returning compared to your youth.....Stats and pub story's are along the lines that 'born agains are now just as likely to have an off(touch wood) than noobs are now.

The ole "I was riding for 30 years so I still know what im doing"... but I haven't rode a thing in 10 reality catches a few gray beards out.

Courses are cheap as chips now and checking the old man ego for a day may just save you life.

[Big Dog]

I would be keen,
I have scared myself a couple of times mainly when I first started back riding, they were enough to remind me it had been quite awhile and over the various rides both on the W650 and the Harley Fat Bob I have come to terms with my ability or lack of.

More good luck than good riding, the only time I have dropped my Bike so far was when the W650 fell off its side stand, gutted me as the bike even though 15 years old at the time only had 3600kms as it had sat in a garage for 10years. amazing what damage they can do by simply falling on their side.

The comments about the incidents on the hidden Highway were about a neighbours son who has ridden for along time but apparently made some errors of judgement.
Awesome. Many returning riders view the past through rose tinted glasses, forget they are not as young as they were and traffic is heavier. Take your time ride your ride.

Main thing is enjoy yourself and keep the shiny side up, rubber side down.

Sent from Tapatalk. DYAC

[jellywrestler]

Cheers, the same applies if you come south mate, we (wife and I) have a sleep out that is vacant since the last of our boys left home.
The lost highway seems popular, my neighbours son just returned from experiencing it, apparently only dropped his bike (Street Bob) twice on the journey, luckily had a mate on another bike to assist with the 305kg recovery jobs .:shit:

twice, that's simply wrong, is he a foreign driver by any chance?>

[russd7]

Last time I saw a Goldwing while out on the bike I was having lunch at the Whangamomona pub and a 'Wing passed through heading for Stratford from Taumarunui. Anybody who does that on a Goldwing is not getting any crap from me.

wasn't me but was plannin on doing that a cpl year ago cept the altenator fucked up in hastings and we had to get picked up by truck then twice again over the next day to get through to tauranga for xmas with the boy and his missus, so due to time used up to fix the issue we ran outta time, still on the lsit for next trip north on the wing.

last time i went through there was in the back of a fiat 127

[GrayWolf]

Hey GrayWolf and PistonBlown. If you drive Spyders you deserve everything you get. Call that a real bike?.......... Well actually I consider my Spyder ST to be real bike, just different to my XL250, KLR650 and Goldwing (you want to get shit, ride a Goldwing) 😀

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk


Yep I've been riding motorbikes for 30 years and didn't bother getting a car license for the first 10. Yet I still had some munter come up to me and after asking the usual "What's it like to ride" etc questions say "So are you going to get a real bike?". This guy was decked out from top to tail in brand new gear and I'd just seen him wobbling around the car park with both feet down 10 minutes before. So I just replied "Nice Jacket...did you get it when you passed your test?" - Smile, frown and he buggered off:-)

...and sorry FLUB but I don't think I can ever see me ride a Goldwing so I'll have to miss out on that experience. I can understand why people do but it's just a bit too comfortable for me.

Actually speaking from experience if you want real stick from your mates, and everyone else on a motorbike, ride a Jawa 350 with Avon Mark II tyres and a broken auto-mix:-)

Sadly it looks like the 'Spyders' BRP are trying to go the way of HD.
I hear they got an influx of ex HD management, and are going down the 'destination dealer' route; single brand, or {required number of units on display}, gear, bling parts yada yada. The bike shops that took them up in the beginning are being 'muscled out'. My ex has ridden one since 2011 and she is quite 'annoyed' that now the nearest dealer is in Palmy North. Considering she got her first one from TSS in 2011.
I actually enjoy riding the RS and will certainly buy another when this one is 'high mileage'. The idiot attitude towards them from some is a bit sad, for many who were involved in accidents, or gotten to 'old' to hold up big bikes like goldwings, the spyder range allows them to 'ride' still.
and nothing wrong with the old Jawa's, quite a few of us used the 350's as winter bikes in the UK, tough, rugged and simple.

[PistonBlown]

Sadly it looks like the 'Spyders' BRP are trying to go the way of HD.
I hear they got an influx of ex HD management, and are going down the 'destination dealer' route; single brand, or {required number of units on display}, gear, bling parts yada yada. The bike shops that took them up in the beginning are being 'muscled out'. My ex has ridden one since 2011 and she is quite 'annoyed' that now the nearest dealer is in Palmy North. Considering she got her first one from TSS in 2011.
I actually enjoy riding the RS and will certainly buy another when this one is 'high mileage'. The idiot attitude towards them from some is a bit sad, for many who were involved in accidents, or gotten to 'old' to hold up big bikes like goldwings, the spyder range allows them to 'ride' still.
and nothing wrong with the old Jawa's, quite a few of us used the 350's as winter bikes in the UK, tough, rugged and simple.

Jawa was supposed to be a temporary hack while I rebuilt my Enfield. The Enfield had been 'written off' when a BT van jumped a stop sign and T'd me (didn't do me a lot of good either:-)). It took quite a while to get the Enfield sorted and when I finally did some munter stole it a few weeks later. So the Java became more permanent than I planned. Admittedly it was pretty ratty but for some reason it seemed to attract lots of comments. The ones from my 'mates' I kind of expected but complete strangers was surprising. Probably didn't help that the auto-mix was broken so I used just pour a bit of two stroke oil into the petrol tank each fill-up, result was smoky sometimes - but hey, everyone loves the smell of Castrol 2-stroke:-)

I've noticed BRP have dropped the RS from the NZ web site - only one I'd consider riding out of the current line-up is an RS so I hope this isn't a sign they are going to drop it. I've been patently waiting for them to bring out an RSS with a sports mode. The stock riding position of the RS is perfect for me and I like the higher rev'ing engine, just want it to be a bit quicker. I know the 3 cylinder has more low down power but it's slower overall - and the seat on the F3 is too low for me.

[GrayWolf]

Jawa was supposed to be a temporary hack while I rebuilt my Enfield. The Enfield had been 'written off' when a BT van jumped a stop sign and T'd me (didn't do me a lot of good either:-)). It took quite a while to get the Enfield sorted and when I finally did some munter stole it a few weeks later. So the Java became more permanent than I planned. Admittedly it was pretty ratty but for some reason it seemed to attract lots of comments. The ones from my 'mates' I kind of expected but complete strangers was surprising. Probably didn't help that the auto-mix was broken so I used just pour a bit of two stroke oil into the petrol tank each fill-up, result was smoky sometimes - but hey, everyone loves the smell of Castrol 2-stroke:-)

I've noticed BRP have dropped the RS from the NZ web site - only one I'd consider riding out of the current line-up is an RS so I hope this isn't a sign they are going to drop it. I've been patently waiting for them to bring out an RSS with a sports mode. The stock riding position of the RS is perfect for me and I like the higher rev'ing engine, just want it to be a bit quicker. I know the 3 cylinder has more low down power but it's slower overall - and the seat on the F3 is too low for me.

Errrrrr which 3cyl model are you 'referring to' as slower overall?
The RSS IS the 'sports' bike with the upgraded suspension and brembo's. The RSS SE5 which I have, is supposed to be slightly 'de-tuned' {only 100bhp from what I was told, due to it hammering the auto change in full power version} .
The F3 is quicker than a RSS for def, and has supposedly had the 'nana' relaxed for less intervention cornering. The ex has a new RTs 1300 and we've both chopped and changed {she's done 60k+ on them} and you can ride the RS hard, and that bloody 'orange' thing of her's is right on your ass!
So dont know where you've got that the 3cyl is slower overall,, it has higher BHP and torque than the twin, and the F3 is a lot lighter than an RT.

[PistonBlown]

Errrrrr which 3cyl model are you 'referring to' as slower overall?
The RSS IS the 'sports' bike with the upgraded suspension and brembo's. The RSS SE5 which I have, is supposed to be slightly 'de-tuned' {only 100bhp from what I was told, due to it hammering the auto change in full power version} .
The F3 is quicker than a RSS for def, and has supposedly had the 'nana' relaxed for less intervention cornering. The ex has a new RTs 1300 and we've both chopped and changed {she's done 60k+ on them} and you can ride the RS hard, and that bloody 'orange' thing of her's is right on your ass!
So dont know where you've got that the 3cyl is slower overall,, it has higher BHP and torque than the twin, and the F3 is a lot lighter than an RT.

Now firstly remember the RS's were faster pre-2013, the new ones have a softer tune. Officially the F3 is 0.3 seconds slower 0-60mph than a pre-2013 RS. So though the BHP and torque are slightly higher on the F3 strangely this doesn't equate to a faster bike over all - not quite sure how BRP managed that, particularly as the F3 is a bit lighter as well:-)


RS Pre-2013 (like mine) 106bhp @ 8,500rpm, 104.3Nm @ 6250rpm. 0-60mph 4.5 seconds
RS/ST 2013... 100bhp 74.5kw @ 7,500rpm, 108Nm @ 5000rpm.
F3 115bhp @ 7,250rpm, 130Mn @ 5000rpm. 0-60mph 4.8 seconds

Don't have an official figure for a post 2013 RS/ST but 4.6 seconds was the figure BRP claimed when they were released.

Part of the problem is I think where the 3 cylinder delivers it's power lower down the rev-range. Everyone used to complain about the fuel efficiency of the 998 V-twin, so with the 1330 3-cylinder they have aimed at fuel efficiency (which has been greatly improved).

Completely unscientifically when I took one for a test ride I was a bit underwhelmed by it which was quite disappointing. Mind you the position of the seat's too low for me as well which didn't help.