How to Find the Perfect Riding Buddy
Riding a motorcycle is simply more fun with a buddy! You have someone to make the journey and the destination more fun. You can work together to build a better route than you could if you went alone. You get someone to watch your back and help if you encounter a medical or maintenance issue. Riding with someone else makes your ride better and safer. Who doesn't want that?
But wanting a riding partner is one thing - being able to find one is another. Not everyone you meet will make a good one and sometimes it can be hard to meet the right people. We rounded up our top tips on finding that perfect partner-in-crime. You can also visit North County Indian Motorcycle® to meet other riders and check out our Indian® motorcycles for sale near San Diego and Oceanside.
What to Look For
There are a few traits the perfect riding buddy should have. These traits help set you both up to enjoy the best motorcycle ride possible, whether you are touring the country or going on a short ride.
Same Motorcycle Riding Mindset
First, you should share the same core travel perspective. Do you prefer to take the scenic route or get to your destination faster? Would you rather stop at off-the-beaten-path spots or popular tourist attractions? Do you splurge for comfort or want to travel on a budget? There's no "right way" to ride motorcycles, but differing on these core issues can set you up for more conflict than it’s worth. Find someone who is on the same page as you.
Complement You
No, they don't need to make you feel good all the time with what they say (although that is nice). Their skills and resources should complement yours. Maybe one of you is great at researching activities to do and uncovering exciting adventures and the other is great at keeping the group calm when things turn stressful. Maybe one of you is great at fixing motorcycles while the other is a whiz at packing. The ideal partnership involves both people bringing something unique to the table to make you both better riders.
Similar Riding Levels
While it’s great to show someone else the ropes, it’s often best to look for someone who is at a similar riding level. It can be tough if a pro and a new rider try to head out together often. The newbie will feel bad about holding the pro back. Or the pro won't get to enjoy rides at the pace and level they want. This contrast too easily leads to frustration. You want to learn and grow together, so make sure you come from the same starting point.
Your Frame of Mind
Your ability to find someone is influenced by the mindset you take. It's not about, "Who can I find that meets all my needs and exists for my benefit?" Instead, it should be, "Who can I partner with so that we both can have a great time?" Riding is not all about you! Make sure you are looking to boost someone else's riding experience, too.
Where to Look
There are plenty of places to find a motorcycle riding buddy if you just know where to look. We recommend the following:
- Take a riding skills class to meet someone at your same riding level
- Join a motorcycle Facebook group or Meetup group for your area
- Chat with people on an online forum
- Join a motorcycle group centered on riding, a brand, an age range, or even a gender
- Talk to people you meet on motorcycles at gas stations, restaurants, and so on. Ask if they know of any good riding groups and you may even get an invite to join them
The goal is to be where motorcycle enthusiasts are so you can see if you connect with anyone. It takes time to find a quality riding buddy, but it’ll be worth the wait!
With the right riding buddy, you might find that your riding adventures become more enjoyable. If you’re still looking for the perfect bike, though, then you’ll want to turn to your local Indian Motorcycle® dealer, North County Indian Motorcycle®. We welcome all riders from San Marcos, San Diego, and Oceanside, California.