Group Motorcycle Riding
#1
12-02-2010, 01:47 PM
Group Motorcycle Riding
The recent Saddle Tramps M/C accident on a rural highway east of San Diego, the truck driver on meth that crashed into several motorcycles on Carefree Highway last March, and the bloody 26-bike crash on Interstate 5 near Wilsonville last year all involved groups of bikers out on a ride. Sadly, there were, as we all know, casualties in all 3 accidents.
One was a head-on, one was a rear-ender, and other was a unsafe lane change with sudden slowdown. Still, those group rides represent a small fraction of all motorcycle accidents.
While everyone has a different perspective on group riding, I personally have never felt comfortable riding with more than 3-4 other motorcycles due to variable skillsets and other intangibles.
Here in Idaho the state dmv motorcycle handbook recommends that groups of more than 4-5 riders should be divided into two or more subgroups for safety and minimum disruption to the normal flow of traffic.
I don't think there has been much constructive dialogue about group riding on this forum. One, I know I don't own the road. Two, I never insist on having the right of way. Three, I will let faster traffic by as long as it's safe to do so. Four, lead, follow, or get out of the way!
Have included the link to Group Motorcycle Riding article below and copied/pasted part of it FYI.
http://www.motorcyclecruiser.com/str...ety/index.html
One common problem I see with large groups is a failure to provide gaps for other traffic.
On a two-lane road, it may be impossible for overtaking traffic to safely pass a line of a dozen or more motorcycles. Some members of the group may get run off the road if a driver tries to pass and has to pull back into the right lane when oncoming traffic appears.
On a multi-lane road like an interstate, a long double column of motorcycles may trap a car on one side of it, blocking it from reaching an exit. Some riders act as if permitting a car to cross their column of bikes is a violation of their religious and constitutional rights, and can make a driver already in a panic about missing his exit quite dangerous.
Do address this problem. It's best to ride in sub-groups of four to six bikes and provide a gap of four or more car lengths between each sub-group. These groups can also be responsible for each other, taking care of other members of their group so that the entire fleet of bikes doesn't end up trying to squeeze onto the shoulder, which can create a real hazard.
One was a head-on, one was a rear-ender, and other was a unsafe lane change with sudden slowdown. Still, those group rides represent a small fraction of all motorcycle accidents.
While everyone has a different perspective on group riding, I personally have never felt comfortable riding with more than 3-4 other motorcycles due to variable skillsets and other intangibles.
Here in Idaho the state dmv motorcycle handbook recommends that groups of more than 4-5 riders should be divided into two or more subgroups for safety and minimum disruption to the normal flow of traffic.
I don't think there has been much constructive dialogue about group riding on this forum. One, I know I don't own the road. Two, I never insist on having the right of way. Three, I will let faster traffic by as long as it's safe to do so. Four, lead, follow, or get out of the way!
Have included the link to Group Motorcycle Riding article below and copied/pasted part of it FYI.
http://www.motorcyclecruiser.com/str...ety/index.html
One common problem I see with large groups is a failure to provide gaps for other traffic.
On a two-lane road, it may be impossible for overtaking traffic to safely pass a line of a dozen or more motorcycles. Some members of the group may get run off the road if a driver tries to pass and has to pull back into the right lane when oncoming traffic appears.
On a multi-lane road like an interstate, a long double column of motorcycles may trap a car on one side of it, blocking it from reaching an exit. Some riders act as if permitting a car to cross their column of bikes is a violation of their religious and constitutional rights, and can make a driver already in a panic about missing his exit quite dangerous.
Do address this problem. It's best to ride in sub-groups of four to six bikes and provide a gap of four or more car lengths between each sub-group. These groups can also be responsible for each other, taking care of other members of their group so that the entire fleet of bikes doesn't end up trying to squeeze onto the shoulder, which can create a real hazard.
#2
12-02-2010, 01:56 PM
Cruiser
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The only "large" group rides I like are very well organized and most importantly, ESCORTED (police escorts)... The only fear I've felt on one of these rides is that one of the LEO bikes would take my left arm off moving up to the front so fast!
My wife and I have talked about finding more informal groups to ride with but then we'd lose our freedom of where/when we want to go along with the additional risks of riding in a group (such as the concerns you list above).
My wife and I have talked about finding more informal groups to ride with but then we'd lose our freedom of where/when we want to go along with the additional risks of riding in a group (such as the concerns you list above).
#3
12-02-2010, 02:13 PM
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You're kidding right??? Every 2 months when yet another "Group riding" thread gets posted there's usually 20 pages of peoples advice, experiences, suggestions and thoughts on the group riding topic.
#4
12-02-2010, 02:25 PM
before my OP, and didn't find anything worth masticating. Then again, am not on
this forum too often. My focus is more on subgroups as opposed to group rides.
#5
12-02-2010, 02:25 PM
Extreme HDF Member
***** Group ridin' after all, is IMHO one of the most dangerous parts of riding a motorcycle.
So much so, that I just don't do it at all anymore!
#6
12-02-2010, 02:45 PM
Road Warrior
I too have run into this issue. Part of the problem in searches is nobody takes the time to fill in search key words to help others identify where given articles are. It usually takes just this type of post to get the attention of others who know more about how and where to find the articles in question.
#7
12-02-2010, 03:21 PM
Group riding is fun now and again. I’ve ridden in groups over 500 for more than 100 miles and as small as five or six.
That being said I feel way more uptight while riding in them. Skill level and unknown intentions due to lack of warning and so on are all reasons why. I tell other riders if I’m leading I will watch behind as far as I am able however if traffic is pushing from the rear it is up to the tail-gunner to make it possible for the traffic to get around. I also warn riders behind of any turns, slow down and any other changes in riding pattern as far in advance as possible. I have overshot turns many times because the people behind are running to close or not paying attention to my lead. I always use hand singles to double with my lights to help this problem. As was stated by the original poster “I don’t own the road”. I actually like tail-gunning better than leading. I ride with my wife quite often and I always give her the same speech prior to getting into a pack ride so I’ll give it to you also.
This is “your” machine and “your” responsibility to operate it in a safe and prudent manner. I don’t care what others are doing nor trying to do “you ride your bike”. Be respectful of others on the road and above all ride defensively. If you are feeling pressured then fall back let the traffic pass and enjoy “your ride”.
I’m not the best rider in the world nor do I think I ever will be. I just like riding and returning home safely.
That being said I feel way more uptight while riding in them. Skill level and unknown intentions due to lack of warning and so on are all reasons why. I tell other riders if I’m leading I will watch behind as far as I am able however if traffic is pushing from the rear it is up to the tail-gunner to make it possible for the traffic to get around. I also warn riders behind of any turns, slow down and any other changes in riding pattern as far in advance as possible. I have overshot turns many times because the people behind are running to close or not paying attention to my lead. I always use hand singles to double with my lights to help this problem. As was stated by the original poster “I don’t own the road”. I actually like tail-gunning better than leading. I ride with my wife quite often and I always give her the same speech prior to getting into a pack ride so I’ll give it to you also.
This is “your” machine and “your” responsibility to operate it in a safe and prudent manner. I don’t care what others are doing nor trying to do “you ride your bike”. Be respectful of others on the road and above all ride defensively. If you are feeling pressured then fall back let the traffic pass and enjoy “your ride”.
I’m not the best rider in the world nor do I think I ever will be. I just like riding and returning home safely.
Last edited by jad; 12-02-2010 at 03:34 PM. Reason: Photo added
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#10
12-02-2010, 04:43 PM
Maintaining the ride gap is a challenge, many views on what is the correct distance and of course each eye is calibrated different in calculateing that distance. Organized rides as escorts ect. should include speed standards and each rider trying to beware of those around them not just infront. I would rather see large gaps than too close, reaction to danger needs space. I have riden in large groups and small at various speeds and I prefer the interstate at speed than two lanes with intersections and various speeds . Keeping your eyes ahead seeing hands going up and brakelights is what helps me . The feel you get and your head on the swivle can be the difference between a good ride and a bad one.