Front guy on a ride
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 35,239
Likes: 19,070
From: 40.2444° N, 75.6419° W
For the most part, I ride alone. I have a bud who is heavy on the throttle on a Road king. The bike gets up and goes, but it is insane riding. I keep telling him he is going to T bone a car that pulls out in front of him. Anyway, point is, I dort ride like that, and he usually takes lead. I figure let the idiot out in front where I can see him.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 11,185
Likes: 7,961
From: In my head
A lot of people won't get this (some will) but when riding in a pack a Road Captain and Sweeper should be designated. Everyone has a job to do, it's more about safety than anything else. If you're riding with people that far back then you might have the wrong set of riding buddies.
Mandatory ride formations by MC's is usually "One Coffin length" between bikes so that no other bike, car or whatever can squeeze between you. It requires a lot of concentration and it can be both physically and mentally draining, especially after 4-8 hours.
Not saying you need to be riding per an MC's bylaws but it's actually safer than you think.
Mandatory ride formations by MC's is usually "One Coffin length" between bikes so that no other bike, car or whatever can squeeze between you. It requires a lot of concentration and it can be both physically and mentally draining, especially after 4-8 hours.
Not saying you need to be riding per an MC's bylaws but it's actually safer than you think.
Road Master
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 804
Likes: 92
From: Texas
I have issues with my riding buddies.
Whats proper riding distance between the front rider and second rider?
I was riding in front today on a 6 exit highway ride and then on the way back some straight run 50 MPH secondary roads. I was in the front with no car issues I was a good 2000 feet ahead of them doing a whopping 60 MPH before I looked in my mirror. When we pulled over I asked sarcastically if they lost forth gear. My buddy said I should have looked in my mirrors. In my book if your the lead guy on a straight run with no lights I shouldnt have to look in my mirrors to see if my buddy is behind me at a normal distance. Riding lead and looking in the rear view mirror every 30 seconds is a crappy way to ride. Its also a crappy ride to look in the mirror only to find out I'm alone in the front by 100's of feet at any given time
Let my know if I'm off bass in my aggravation...kinda killed my day
Whats proper riding distance between the front rider and second rider?
I was riding in front today on a 6 exit highway ride and then on the way back some straight run 50 MPH secondary roads. I was in the front with no car issues I was a good 2000 feet ahead of them doing a whopping 60 MPH before I looked in my mirror. When we pulled over I asked sarcastically if they lost forth gear. My buddy said I should have looked in my mirrors. In my book if your the lead guy on a straight run with no lights I shouldnt have to look in my mirrors to see if my buddy is behind me at a normal distance. Riding lead and looking in the rear view mirror every 30 seconds is a crappy way to ride. Its also a crappy ride to look in the mirror only to find out I'm alone in the front by 100's of feet at any given time
Let my know if I'm off bass in my aggravation...kinda killed my day
Cruiser
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 144
Likes: 5
If i'm behind a rider, i make sure I can see his face in his mirror, that way I know he can see me. I don't move from that unless necessary. Those behind me do the same. No guesswork.
Oh... one more thing. Have one buddy that's either a mile behind me or right next to me....up and back up and back....its senseless. I don't ride with him anymore.
Oh... one more thing. Have one buddy that's either a mile behind me or right next to me....up and back up and back....its senseless. I don't ride with him anymore.
Last edited by ChickinOnaChain; Sep 11, 2018 at 06:11 PM. Reason: Multiple posts
Road Master
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 832
Likes: 1,173
From: Wisconsin
I have over time had 2 riding buddies that are just. freaking. SLOW. It drives me absolutely nuts!!! Going down the interstate (65 MPH
speed limit) at 55. No reason, no problems, just slow. If I don't pay attention, in 5 minutes they will be a mile behind me. Then I wonder if
something happened, so I have to slow way down too, get honked at, etc.
I ask them why they are going so slow, and they just look at me like I have a 3rd eye. "What? I wasn't going slow!". Yikes.
That said, I do enjoy riding with others, as long as we all stick together as a group. I've had really good luck with that for the most part.
I enjoy the comaraderie.
speed limit) at 55. No reason, no problems, just slow. If I don't pay attention, in 5 minutes they will be a mile behind me. Then I wonder if
something happened, so I have to slow way down too, get honked at, etc.
I ask them why they are going so slow, and they just look at me like I have a 3rd eye. "What? I wasn't going slow!". Yikes.
That said, I do enjoy riding with others, as long as we all stick together as a group. I've had really good luck with that for the most part.
I enjoy the comaraderie.
Road Warrior
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,681
Likes: 233
From:
i think the worse thing a leader can do is go faster than the pack that hes leading and force them to go faster then they are comfortable with just to keep up. I have rode with sport bike groups way deep in the hills and a few of us were left behind and got lost because we came to a stop sign and didn't know which way they went. So we would pick a general direction hoping it was right because we had no idea where we were and at the next stop sign there the group would be waiting on the side of the road for us. they would act all pissed and take off again at a break neck speed. Not wanting to get lost again I would go way faster than i felt comfortable with just so i didnt get the stink eye at the next stop sign. I saw this happen time and time again not just to me but others, and i also witnessed many crashes because almost everyone was trying to keep up with the leader who rode his bike at the track alot and was very fast. That was along time ago, looking back i cant believe i didnt crash myself.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 2,651
Likes: 1,278
From: PA
Thats why your tell everyone to ride @ their own pace before you ride a twisty or difficult road. Let the rabbits run upfront and the turtles pull up the rear. Then when you reach the end or an intersection pull over and B.S. or smoke a cigarette. When you got a head count of everyone regroup and head towards the next destination
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Road Captain
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 539
Likes: 7
From: Indiana
I don't like riding with people I don't know. Every community ride or poker run I've ever been on has been a cluster, Invariably someone drops a bike or does something stupid that creates a problem for others. I do ride with some close friends whose abilities I trust. Even then I can gripe about our usual leader for zooming off and leaving the pack in the dust or more commonly taking a turn or entering a roadway when there is a narrow gap between oncoming cars such that one or two bikes can get through. Then he goes on leaving the others sitting waiting for a break in traffic and then causing others to play catch-up. Leaders need to take responsibility for keeping the pack together. I'm not going to run 85 mph to catch up to you because you've done something stupid.