Front guy on a ride
Banned
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 17,008
Likes: 14,675
From: in a cave at the foothills
With all of the experience here, this proves to be a popular thread.
Regarding the Sportster comment being in the group, I can relate. Don't ask why. Already gave my thoughts on group riding. Many can do it, some can't. I can't, not even with just another rider. Everybody should have style and I have mine. It simply doesn't align with many others.
I am a better rider but that is my opinion. Consistently riding the twisties for instance will season a person. Having grown up on dirt bikes gave a great head start. Decades of experience afford the seasoning that keeps one in the lead. Causes me to think of the saying; Lead, follow or get out of the way.
Regarding the Sportster comment being in the group, I can relate. Don't ask why. Already gave my thoughts on group riding. Many can do it, some can't. I can't, not even with just another rider. Everybody should have style and I have mine. It simply doesn't align with many others.
I am a better rider but that is my opinion. Consistently riding the twisties for instance will season a person. Having grown up on dirt bikes gave a great head start. Decades of experience afford the seasoning that keeps one in the lead. Causes me to think of the saying; Lead, follow or get out of the way.
Banned
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 4,576
Likes: 978
From: Viet Vet, crossroads
I am so lonely I could die!
I NEEED to ride with someone...BOOOooo HOO
Al lI need is too hold hands and hug just to go on a ride.
In fact, you can see me reach for you as you go past with that so low so unkool wave
BOOoooo HOOoooo
I NEEED to ride with someone...BOOOooo HOO
Al lI need is too hold hands and hug just to go on a ride.
In fact, you can see me reach for you as you go past with that so low so unkool wave
BOOoooo HOOoooo
Road Master
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 953
Likes: 98
From: was Vegas now CT
If you are going to lead the group you need to know the skill level of other riders and what speed begins to exceed skill/comfort and modulate your riding to keep the group together. Exception would be, you state at the beginning of the ride what you are going to do and pokey riders will get dropped.
In this case the fault is yours not theirs.
Asking how other people ride isn't going to do you much good. There are groups like HOG that stick to the staggered one second rule and a lot of those chapters can hold that formation whatever pops up. There's also clubs whose rules are two abreast and no more than 10 feet between bikes that can do the same, accepting that whatever happens to the lead bike happens to the entire pack. And there are groups that just string out all along whatever road they are on and might have 10 second gaps between bikes, but they are all happy and it works for them.
Talk to your buddies and make a plan next time.
In this case the fault is yours not theirs.
Asking how other people ride isn't going to do you much good. There are groups like HOG that stick to the staggered one second rule and a lot of those chapters can hold that formation whatever pops up. There's also clubs whose rules are two abreast and no more than 10 feet between bikes that can do the same, accepting that whatever happens to the lead bike happens to the entire pack. And there are groups that just string out all along whatever road they are on and might have 10 second gaps between bikes, but they are all happy and it works for them.
Talk to your buddies and make a plan next time.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 4,377
Likes: 647
From: Santa Clarita
I agree about your comment about checking your mirrors every thirty seconds, OP.
Should be be more like every ten to fifteen seconds.
It's the job of the lead to manage the group. That means many things. Including finding out the weak link.
OP, I feel yer pain, truly. The vast majority of riders these days don't understand how to ride in groups. So I'm with the guys who say don't ride in groups. I know only three other riders who understand the concept.
Should be be more like every ten to fifteen seconds.
It's the job of the lead to manage the group. That means many things. Including finding out the weak link.
OP, I feel yer pain, truly. The vast majority of riders these days don't understand how to ride in groups. So I'm with the guys who say don't ride in groups. I know only three other riders who understand the concept.
Leading sucks, but I do it when I know others in the group are not ready. I do expect them to keep pace when traffic gets heavy, but we stretch out and relax on open roads.
As stated by someone earlier, everyone has a responsibility, especially the lead and the tail.
When leading I tell everyone it's like an 18 wheeler, not a snake, I move the group far enough - signal and let the tail take the lane (I'm watching him) then I lead the others over. Everyone should also know where the next stop will be, so if you do get split up people aren't doing stupid stuff just to stay together. Also if there are more than 5 or 6, I prefer to split into more groups.
NOW Old SKOOL - I have 4 friends I will ride side by side with, but that's not for everyone.
OP specifically asked about the #2 - if it's me you won't see me in your mirror, but if you turn your head slightly I'll be in the corner of your eye.
Best advise - If the group tends to make you uncomfortable, find others to ride with or ride alone.
As stated by someone earlier, everyone has a responsibility, especially the lead and the tail.
When leading I tell everyone it's like an 18 wheeler, not a snake, I move the group far enough - signal and let the tail take the lane (I'm watching him) then I lead the others over. Everyone should also know where the next stop will be, so if you do get split up people aren't doing stupid stuff just to stay together. Also if there are more than 5 or 6, I prefer to split into more groups.
NOW Old SKOOL - I have 4 friends I will ride side by side with, but that's not for everyone.
OP specifically asked about the #2 - if it's me you won't see me in your mirror, but if you turn your head slightly I'll be in the corner of your eye.
Best advise - If the group tends to make you uncomfortable, find others to ride with or ride alone.
Banned
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 4,576
Likes: 978
From: Viet Vet, crossroads
Most dont even know how to pass a car.
Serious.
I have found if you are going to ride with a group-without calling them stupid you have to have a
meeting on how to do a few things.
You just list this how this is done for today's ride.
Serious.
I have found if you are going to ride with a group-without calling them stupid you have to have a
meeting on how to do a few things.
You just list this how this is done for today's ride.
Club Member
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 22,863
Likes: 17,922
From: Lafayette, Louisiana
A 1200 Sportster is almost the same displacement as a Stock Evo big twin.
For those of you in Rio Linda, a Stock big twin Evo is 80"
It weighs substantially less than the two wheeled barges many people ride.
This translates to better acceleration and better handling on curvy roads.
Granted, the short wheelbase and terrible rear shocks translate into a choppy ride on bumpy roads. Older solid mount ones are buzzy at speed, especially if they have a chain instead of a belt. And their ergonomics are generally better suited for smaller people.
So aside from comfort, their us no reason why a Sportster couldn't keep up or leave big twins behind. The one disadvantage is maybe the need for more frequent breaks on a long trip due to less fuel capacity and potential comfort / fatigue.
Most interstates are in the 65-70 mph range and some are up to 85. A Sportster will go much faster than that for extended periods of time without a problem.
For those of you in Rio Linda, a Stock big twin Evo is 80"
It weighs substantially less than the two wheeled barges many people ride.
This translates to better acceleration and better handling on curvy roads.
Granted, the short wheelbase and terrible rear shocks translate into a choppy ride on bumpy roads. Older solid mount ones are buzzy at speed, especially if they have a chain instead of a belt. And their ergonomics are generally better suited for smaller people.
So aside from comfort, their us no reason why a Sportster couldn't keep up or leave big twins behind. The one disadvantage is maybe the need for more frequent breaks on a long trip due to less fuel capacity and potential comfort / fatigue.
Most interstates are in the 65-70 mph range and some are up to 85. A Sportster will go much faster than that for extended periods of time without a problem.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 5,815
Likes: 2,555
From: UK
As others have said, a staggered formation with 2 seconds between each bike in the same line is a good standard for a group ride.
You should also have a briefing with all riders before you set off. Tell them (for example) that we will all be riding at the speed limit where it is feasible - not 20 miles below it. Make sure you know if you have new riders in the group who might not be comfortable at that speed, so you are aware that you may need to slow down.
And look in your mirrors every 3 seconds - not 30! If you see the group falling behind, you can either signal them to keep up, or slow down.
As leader, it is your responsibility to keep the group together, even if it means going slower than you like.
You should also have a briefing with all riders before you set off. Tell them (for example) that we will all be riding at the speed limit where it is feasible - not 20 miles below it. Make sure you know if you have new riders in the group who might not be comfortable at that speed, so you are aware that you may need to slow down.
And look in your mirrors every 3 seconds - not 30! If you see the group falling behind, you can either signal them to keep up, or slow down.
As leader, it is your responsibility to keep the group together, even if it means going slower than you like.
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Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 8,251
Likes: 3,990
From: Windwardside, Saba N.A.
Beta male riders striving for control by passive aggressive action. There is a reason you were in front. Leave'em behind.
Last edited by Sierra977; Aug 27, 2018 at 05:16 AM.
Banned
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 4,576
Likes: 978
From: Viet Vet, crossroads
Every time I come upon a forlorn ragtag group of riders together
I know they will only be doing 45 MPH and white-knuckled to boot.
These folks that hang out on the net social hour trying to orchestra themselves
into a groupie of riders are insecure and can't go by themselves.
Their vision of owning a HD is not so much a love for the bike or the passion for the ride,, but to be kool.
To fit in somewhere.
If I waited for strangers I do not know to get their shet together to go for a ride I bet we would not do a 100 miles in a day.
I have been conscripted B4 into such a clusterfk.
10 hours= 100 miles. Yop!
This one stops to ****, next one becuse their bike has an imaginary problem, all gather around and say a prayer.
All set?
OK-
Beer stop, **** stop, woman restroom stop, smoke break stop.....
No thanks
If you like riding, do yourself a favor -leave the wannabees behind and go for a ride.
I know they will only be doing 45 MPH and white-knuckled to boot.
These folks that hang out on the net social hour trying to orchestra themselves
into a groupie of riders are insecure and can't go by themselves.
Their vision of owning a HD is not so much a love for the bike or the passion for the ride,, but to be kool.
To fit in somewhere.
If I waited for strangers I do not know to get their shet together to go for a ride I bet we would not do a 100 miles in a day.
I have been conscripted B4 into such a clusterfk.
10 hours= 100 miles. Yop!
This one stops to ****, next one becuse their bike has an imaginary problem, all gather around and say a prayer.
All set?
OK-
Beer stop, **** stop, woman restroom stop, smoke break stop.....
No thanks
If you like riding, do yourself a favor -leave the wannabees behind and go for a ride.
Last edited by Kingglide549; Aug 27, 2018 at 05:35 AM.