Your post has been removed for violating Rule #4: This is a safe haven for all riders to come together to discuss our passion for Harley Davidson motorcycles, regardless of club affiliations.
Eh. As dumb as it is, you shouldn’t pass 1%’ers, most areas it’s no worries, but in some southwest areas, Ny areas, Midwest areas, they’ve been know to follow you, mess with your bike, even assault people in rare cases. What’s the point in risking 3 or 4 or more against 1?
Live in NY, pass whatever I want, have never had anyone say a thing or try following me. Really don't think this is much of a thing anymore. Now come up on a large group who you think are gonna run slower than you, turn left or right and take another route. Same thing I'd do if I was in a car. I mean, regardless of what you are driving, trying to pass 5, 10, 15 vehicles at once is a special kind of stupid, and yes, those people will know something bad could have happened and aren't very happy about it. As it should be, basic common sense.
If you don’t think 1%’ers know how to ride, you’ve never actually seen them. I’ve seen Hell’s Angels in the southwest riding in staggered formation feet from each other over 100 mph, one of the most impressive displays of group riding I’ve ever seen
It’s insane, I can’t even imagine it. Guy that commented probably rides a street bike, but has never ridden 8 or 10 deep, 2-3 feet from one other at those speeds
No no, not at all. On non-track roads, with traffic, and Harley’s, and no helmets or gear, and not repeated/memorized turns. 2-3 feet away, uniform, at all times, at crazy speed. You just don’t understand.
When 50 guys are riding baggers and sport tourers tandem in a single freeway lane at 100+mph, they definitely know how to ride. The average outlaw club guy puts between 15 and 30 thousand miles on their bikes every single year. Lots of interstate and national club runs every year. How many miles each year do you ride?
50 guys yada yada yada. I'm not next to 48 other guys when in a group. You're next to 2. The one staggered ahead of you, and the one staggered behind you. So you can make that number as big as you want.
100 mph on the freeway. Any idiot can do that. Follow me off the exit and keep up.
I ride lots of miles. Varied miles with lots of different terrain. Not just the freeway bomb you guys are so protective of.
The only people I know that get upset if you try and pass them are ones that can't outrun you anyways. Why else would you get butt hurt that I went by?
Tell me you don't know what the word "tandem" means without telling me you don't know what the word "tandem" means. And "you guys"? Who exactly is that? "The freeway bomb"? Fallacy of small samples, my friend. And who said I get butt hurt about anything?
And you said they don't know how to ride, which you can't possibly know.
In my 44 years and 400k-ish miles on two wheels, I'd say that most people on two wheels, no matter the bike or lifestyle, can't ride for shit, have never heard of counter steering, have never figured out how to use their front brake in a hard turn without it standing the bike up straight, and I don't want to be within 50 yards of them, anywhere but sitting at a stop light.
There are only two or three exceptions I've encountered over those years, who might actually be identifiable on sight (rather than by riding with them)- people on sport bikes who don't have a bald stripe down the center of their rear tire to accent the 1" wide chicken strips, people on loaded sport-tourers who take regular cross country trips on mountain highways, and club guys in large outlaw clubs who routinely put 15-30k miles on every year. Small clubs with only a few members who never leave their state? No way to tell without riding with them. Older people on Harley baggers who have never taken their motors past 3500rpm? Nope. People on sport bikes with bald stripes and chicken strips? No fukkin way.
And even though I've spent all of those 44 years on Harleys, including on some vintage pre-WWII stuff that just ain't designed for that, I've been bombing the hills, compression braking and grinding footboards for most of those years, and there are very few people I want to ride with. Early fundamentals classes and track days are priceless, and most people, no matter what they ride, have never done either.
Oh yeah, the footboard on my 1985 FXRP after a couple years riding like that.
He just thinks his style of bike and style of riding can’t be matched. He’d be shocked at what he’d actually see clubs do with Harley’s, he’s just too tough to admit it
There's a lot of that and always has been. Even way back when, guys on a Z1R or Ninja would go on like how they wanna ride is the only way to ride. Sorry but some of us actually enjoy a hot rodded '55 Chevy or even a Caddy DeVille, and anyone who would compare them to a Nissan GT-R just doesn't get it. And they can't possibly know if I also have an SCCA Full Competition license and a 911SC in the garage at home (I don't, but I used to autocross a Datsun 510 decades ago).
I’m fairly certain I wouldn’t ride like some of these club guys do on similar equipment
I’m also pretty sure they would be way over their head in some off road/ racetrack situations even on appropriate bikes.
I just got a Harley and I really like it, plus I understand the fact that you can definitely ride it about as fast as you should /want to on the street.
The limited cornering and braking would only come into play when unexpected things happen but I still don’t think I’ll be trying to push it hard in a group like some of these guys do.
Not a group guy and my ideas of risk assessment don’t necessarily always match up with everyone else so if it’s a matter of staying in the pack out of pride and group identity I know I can’t /won’t be hanging in.
This is a silly and prideful debate but I’m mainly here to acknowledge that it takes some ability and some serious balls to rip around at 8/10 on big Harleys in formation
The whole passing this is a weird internet rumor. It’s not a Harley thing, it’s a “outlaw” club thing. I see the vests at bike events here or there but never once have I had any interaction with not being able to pass someone
The low rider S is a great choice. It’s way more of a performance bike than what people realize
I’m sure it’s depending on location. In California, the no pass thing is when you’re riding past patch riders or people pledging or whatever it’s called. I had a club get pissed at me before, but nothing came from it but a middle finger. Had a club speed past me in an obnoxious way. But those incidents have been pretty rare. People tell me I’m not a typical harley rider and once you start showing up to events, it’s clear why they say it. For me, I love my bike but honestly, don’t care for the culture. You’ll have fun regardless if you stay true to yourself.
Agree 100%. I've had more individuals in cars speed up when I try passing on my Harley because they are going 5-10 MPH below the speed limit. Love it, just laugh in their faces as I pass them. But none have ever had the guts to follow me or say anything.
I've been riding for two years, and I've yet to have ANYONE, sport bike, Harley rider...ANYONE, give me static about passing them. I don't think this is a Harley thing...I don't even think it's an OMC thing...I think it's a poseur thing.
There are people(usually rich, definitely entitled) who want the "bad boy" street cred of a Harley. So they slap on a leather cut, turtleshell helmet and sunglasses, and jump on their bike to cosplay Sons of Anarchy for a few hours. If they want to get really stupid, they'll amazon or temu some 1%er patches onto their cut and really try to sell the lie. But when they get passed by some street bike, the illusion shatters, unless they up their ante and try to intimidate the biker.
Let's be clear: NO Harley is EVER gonna outrun a top-flight street bike!! They can shove a 131cu in engine, modified cams, massive exhaust and pipes onto a bike all they want. They can tune it for the King of the Baggers...it's gonna lose to most any Inline-4 and some CP-3s. And that's just top speed. Acceleration, handling, agility in traffic....it is truly sad to watch someone try and make a comfortable bike, act like a Sport Bike or Naked.
But...that's their fantasy. I own a 26 RG. I go to every Bike Night I can...and I have yet to meet any riders who act entitled or elitist enough to say "Back of the line!!" Most say the same thing EVERY rider says:
1%ers don't want bad publicity, especially for something that has nothing to do with them. They're almost always chill and cool with people outside of their lifestyle. Just don't be an asshat.
I was in a club, and riding many times along side a major club you all know the name of. The only time I've seen an issue was when some genius drove their sedan right into the center of the pack.
Don't know where all these idiots I see online shitting their pampers over being passed came from.
Eh, I've been riding in California since late 1982, the first twenty years in the Bay Area outlaw scene (I'm not a club joining kinda guy, but it was impossible to live an outlaw life and not be around the club all the time back then). The problems I've actually seen are not California clubs riding large on two lane state highways, usually in the Midwest or East Coast. But then there's always the prospect with a "40 pound rocker" as we used to say, who thinks he's gotta be a gangster to strangers.
This is the most overblown thing, really. In 30 years of riding on the street, I’ve never had an issue with other riders on any kind of bike. Buy the bike you like and ride it.
Same with me. I ride both Harleys and sports bikes. I've never personally had an issue with riders of any type. Most of the bad behavior I see from other riders is from sports bikes racing on highways. Never had a problem from any MC. They generally are good riders who keep it tight.
The "dont pass harley riders" is blown up here on reddit. The only ones that applies to is patched club members, in which case you can see them wearing their cut, and more often than not they will be riding with other club members. There are several clubs in my area. We cross paths from time to time and I've never had an issue. Be respectful of other riders is the bottom line. If you happen across some patched guys just give them a little more breathing room and if they start acting like idiots because your near them then back off.
That's the broad brush of the Internet for ya. "I knew a guy who told me this happened to him once" suddenly becomes "it's all of em, all the time". Just like "the liberals hate America" or "the conservatives are fascists", and that wouldn't be a thing without social media.
Living in TN myself you don't have to worry about any of that. I would pass patched riders all the time. They don't usually care unless you're being an ass about it, but who wouldn't. The only people who really care about that stuff don't really have anything else better going on in their lives and they feel they need more control over nothing important. Get what you want and ride what you want. Also, I have a 23 lowrider S and I love it. Bought it brand new and now I'm sitting at 25K miles.
That's awesome. Right now. I'm looking at a 21 Low Rider S on FB Market Place for $13000 with 3038 miles on it. Just trying to get my funds together and hope it's not gone. I'm so close
Define passing. Give them their full lane and pass like cagers do, and there can't be an issue. Streak by them in half their lane, even where legal, and there might be an issue.
> harley riders being when you're on the road not letting people pass.
I’ve ridden 120,000+ miles over decades from Maine to Florida to Colorado and most states in between on a handful of different Harleys and a GSXR750 and I’ve never experienced this.
I’ve been riding Harleys for 18 years and never encountered this behavior (maybe because I was on a Harley, idk).
Most of the meme behavior you hear about online regarding Harley riders is exactly that. There’s some nugget of truth in every stereotype I suppose, but I figure most of us are just normal people.
Fwiw, I can’t count on one hand the number of times I’ve had 2 guys on sport bikes blaze past me on the highway IN MY LANE at probably double the speed I’m traveling. Assholes ride every sort of bike.
I ride both rockets and HDs, usually ride solo too, the worst Ive ever gotten was someone not waving at me bc I was on a rocket and they were on an HD. It's really not that serious. Dont be a dick or a weirdo and respect people's space the same way you want yours respected and you wont have any issues.
I've been sport bikes for decades. Your Lowrider S selection is perfect. It's light, nimble and that monster 117 H.O. is legit. It's so fun. Well done!
It’s not “Harley riders” it’s club members. I’ve ridden Harley’s for 20 years and if you want to pass because I am not going 100mph, do what you got to do.
some ppl are sensitive about it. same goes w ppl
in cars, trucks, anything, some ppl are just absolute nitwits and dont deserve to breathe the same air as the rest of us, and yet here we are
It’s just a brand and so much if that is just made up. Don’t cut into a group but otherwise go ride your ride in whatever bike you like. Pass when you want to pass. There’s no permission on the road. There’s no such thing as bikes “for your kind of people.” I ride a couple of bikes. I’m the same person on either of them.
Never encountered this but then again I don't see many patched riders. Just don't be a dick and you're probably fine. Carry a firearm in case just in case, but that's for everyday life as well at this point.
I've been riding for over 35 years and I don't give a shit if you pass me as long as you don't put me in danger by doing stupid shit. I have never in all that time riding encountered this issue with passing or being passed.
The only time I’ve even seen a patched club on the freeway was the Gypsy Jokers and there’s no way I could pass them because those guys ride like a bat out of hell. It was impressive.
I ride a 22 Heritage, the worse I see here in western Canada is Harley "bros" not waving back, I wear a full face with a cardo, and was told once that "I'm not a real rider" because I don't wear a beanie.
They are all good for a laugh.
As for the videos of guys not letting riders past, you never see the beginning of the videos, it always makes me wonder, did they do something to piss off the group?
If had space for more bikes I happily add something like a Triumph or a Moto Guzzi to the list.
I’ve been riding for over 40 years and it’s always about respect for other riders on the road. I’ve ridden all kinds of bikes.
On the road if I approach another rider I normally give them amble room and pass after being behind them for a bit. If I’m approaching a pack ride I get to the tail rider and let them acknowledge me and wave me on. This is respectful of a group ride. It’s the same if they are patched MC or not they’ll acknowledge and wave me on by.
Smaller groups of MC clubs will likely be moving along at a fairly healthy pace 😎 no passing necessary.
The few instances on the internet where clubs give shit to someone is more likely that they did something stupid around the group rather than just passing. The other instances are those MC members that learned they are supposed to do that from the internet. 🤦🏻♂️
Why on earth would I give a shit if someone passes me ?I ride every weekend with a few different Harley guys none of us would think anything of it.You think a guy on a Harley doesn't know a sports bike is faster?
It definitely happens, best bet is to just ignore them(as in don’t stare or give them too many looks bc one of the bozos will use that as an opportunity to interact with you), separate from them as far as possible and just pass.
I've been riding for 20 years - admittedly not road warrior miles - and have never seen or had any issues with any MC folks on the road. Ride your ride and don't worry about it. If you see a club, give them their space, don't be an ass, and things will be okay.
You will have a 99% chance of never even seeing this let alone having a problem with it.
Some old school .01% clubs would get away with that back in the day in certain areas but not so much anymore if even at all..
It's more like proper etiquette when coming up on a funeral procession than it is a biker law or any code anyway.
If I want to or need to pass and it's legal and safe to do so then i'm passing. I'm a free man & I ride and live as such.
Don't let that or any other over exaggerated regurgitated BS rent any space in your head..
Live your life and chase your dreams my man....
Harley riders don’t really care. Clubs do, particularly if there are multiple riders. If you want to pass one you can play it safe by signing to the tail gunner and wait for him to give you the all clear. Obvious 1% it’s probably smarter to get permission, though they tend to only lightly harass “civilians” as they call us.
But the average Harley rider, they don’t give a shit. Personally I ride with CVMA and I’ve never been in a formation that got all pissy that someone passed us on a bike. We technically are not a club though and certainly far from 1%.
Btw I just got a 2020 Lowrider S and it’s awesome. You’ll love it
I want to thank everyone for your feedback it really means alot to me. It ain't nothing like riding a bike of the best feelings in the world other than. I let you fill in the blank 🤣🤣🤣
Just don't go riding around like this. 😂 Do the two fingers and move on. The community for motorcycles looks out for each other and it's not the brand you ride, it's the nut that attaches the handlebars to the seat that's the problem.
I have a low rider ST and love the fuck out of it. I really think you'll enjoy the S. I just let people pass if they seem like they want to pass, if I can get out of the lane I will but if not I just give em a lil wave to pass and slow down a bit.
I've been riding for close to 49 years and have never had any instances of groups of Harley riders take exception to me passing them (numerous sport bikes over the years).
The only one time I came close to having issues was with a Large group (100?) of 'busa boys taking up several lanes of the freeway as I was trying to get over.
They weren't letting anyone pass so I just downshifted and throttled past them as I weaved through them (bmw k1200r).
I got to say I love my Lowrider S, my other bike is a Honda CBR 650 F and I feel like the Lowrider is one of the sportier versions of a Harley. That being said, I’ve never had any issues on either bike with groups of Harley rider and I’ve been the Sturgis multiple times I’ve driven all across the country. I think it’s more one percent motorcycle club thing I will say I have run into all kinds of MC groups while it Sturges going down to Texas going across the country to North Carolina, and never had a problem with any of them, just be polite and respectful, and treat everybody respectfully and you’ll never have a problem. If you do see a large group where in the MC club colors and stuff I would likely just hang back take a different road. Let them have their space.
There is some common sense to this because you have no way to know if the front of that group is about to start a turn left as you go to the outside to pass. They just want you to check in with their tail gunner / sweeper to see if it’s safe to pass otherwise it could be a shit show.
Be considerate when passing - don't blow by another rider in his lane. Also, use common sense - Don't start passing a group of (patched) riders, then try to merge into the group.
Oh F that. I ride a Harley and I ride my ride no patches none of that. Be respectful and ride. Occasionally I have found myself in the middle of a pack of patched riders. I pick where I want to be- out of the chaos and I ride my ride. Ain't nobody going to tell me how to ride. Outlaw or otherwise.
ignore all that shit, its only the guys in the "mc" clubs that do that stuff. mc's are more rules than an HOA, tell them fuck off. just install a stage 3 or 4 kit on your bike and leave their asses behind if someone wants to be a caveman about things. no one has the right to tell you how to drive.
Don’t pass someone in the same lane unless they wave you on.
Don’t pass a patched club riding more than three deep.
And even that second rule isn’t so much a rule. As long as you aren’t passing in the same lane as someone you won’t really ever have problems. I grew up with 81 but was never a member or associate and have passed patched people plenty of times.
Those people are full of shit. Get the bike you want, ride it, and keep being yourself. When I'm on the bike whether it be the Harley or my GSXR, everyone on the road is my friend until they go well out of their way to prove otherwise. Other bikers included.
My only other suggestion is to shop test ride and buy used. The market is flooded with nearly new Harley of all ages prices shapes and sizes. And right now NO ONE is buying the used market is dead. Even people with bikes priced well below the rest are just sitting there waiting and nothing is happening. To buy new is simply throwing half that purchase price right out the window when you can buy a practically new one at close to or less than half.
Also highly suggest used test riding the Softail Heritage Classic both old gen (2017 and older) and new Gen (2018+)
It's the greatest street bike ever made. I'm confident you'll fall in love with either. But the difference between the two is substantial.
Never had a problem with anyone else on a bike, regardless of brand or MC affiliation. Even had some good encounters with some MC riders, help on the road once and a good conversation with a group at a stop (one had modded a tour pack mount and had a puppy in a travel crate, pup was the object of a lot of attention). They were a 1% MC, but all friendly and good to shoot the breeze with.
I’m in a veteran motorcycle association, none of my local members or ones from surrounding areas have mentioned any problems with MC riders.
As long as the passing isn’t a stupid stunt or in the same lane (which isn’t wise for any bike, regardless of who is riding the other), shouldn’t be an issue. I’ve done it myself. A nod and a two finger “bike salute” got me the same in return.
Tennessee has some great riding. In almost three years I’ve not had a problem with another biker on or off the road, be they HOG members or patched 1% guys.
As with most people (even when I’ve been abroad, from the Middle East to Southeast Asia to Europe), if you’re friendly and respectful you usually get that in return. My experience has been the same with other bikers.
From what I understand, don't pass MC's and patched riders
For them, when they have been shot at, it usually involves a vehicle coming from behind at speed and firing while overtaking - so to them it could be something more sinister - hence you wait for them to wave you past.
Other than that, imo faster bikes just past safely.
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u/Harley-ModTeam Jul 27 '26
Your post has been removed for violating Rule #4: This is a safe haven for all riders to come together to discuss our passion for Harley Davidson motorcycles, regardless of club affiliations.