Riding Courtesy
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 4,521
Likes: 15
From: Bremerton
RE: Riding Courtesy
Just me,if im riding I dont care if someone falls in behind as long as they follow at a safe distance.I will also slip in behind a group and cruise-I wont alter my speed or destination to do so.If the group is sporting colors I would probably back off a little more
Road Master
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 824
Likes: 3
RE: Riding Courtesy
Use common sense. Just because you're riding a motorcycle and they're riding motorcycles doesn't mean they want to know you, hang out with you, ride with you, etc. All that 'brotherhood' and 'family'crap is an invention of Hollywood and Harley-Davidson marketing. You wouldn't just join in with a group walking, riding bicycles, driving cars in an obvious group, or walk uninvited into someone's picnic or party. The generally acceptedrules of social behavior didn't change just because you bought a motorcycle.
"Moderator & Connoisseur of Ice Cream"
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 7,008
Likes: 5
From: Montgomery Al
RE: Riding Courtesy
ORIGINAL: txoval
Thank you for the responses, I'll definitely think twice if the situation comes up again...the pair didn't show any negative signs towards me, but I can also see how it could make some people uncomfortable. The reason I followed behind was that it made me more visible being in a group...
Thank you for the responses, I'll definitely think twice if the situation comes up again...the pair didn't show any negative signs towards me, but I can also see how it could make some people uncomfortable. The reason I followed behind was that it made me more visible being in a group...
1. If you see colors, allow them to pass and keep your distance to the rear unless invited to join.
2. If invited to join, it will be by a hand signal from the sweep.
3. This will most likely NOT happen. Dont worry.
4. If the group stops at an intersection, leave a stagger there.
5. You may get a signal (while waiting on the stoplight to turn green) to pull alongside the sweep and be introduced. I will do this when riding sweep sometimes and another rider pulls up behind. But, then again, all groups are not the same.
If in doubt - stay back. The only reason that you should ever end up in the middle of the pack is if the situation did not allow all the bikes to pass you, and some were held to your rear.
In that case, ride in the RH side of the lane and offer them quarter to pass you in the same lane if they want to, or pass at the next opportunity.
Just be courteous and use common sense and in the process you might meet some new riding friends.
Most groups are comprised of riders that know each other and are accustomed to riding together. They have no idea of how you ride and will be leary of you just "joining in".
All new riders in our MM are placed to the rear, so that the sweep can observe them and observe. Once they have shown that they can ride in a group safely and know the rules of the road, they will be allowed more freedom.
Hope this helps.
Tourer
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 399
Likes: 1
RE: Riding Courtesy
Seems to me there's a lot of difference between joining a group(or another rider), and happening to be riding in the same direction on the same road. I can't imagine it being that hard to tell the difference either.
The first I would never do uninvited (and I'd be pretty weirded out if a group suddenly rode up and enveloped me as well).The second happens all the time and I can't imagine why it would bother anyone. I'd treat it no differently than coming upon a line of cars, just give them a little room and keep on my way - I'm certainly not going to take an alternate route, or unscheduled stop,just because there's someone riding up ahead of (or behind) me.
Seems like common sense.
The first I would never do uninvited (and I'd be pretty weirded out if a group suddenly rode up and enveloped me as well).The second happens all the time and I can't imagine why it would bother anyone. I'd treat it no differently than coming upon a line of cars, just give them a little room and keep on my way - I'm certainly not going to take an alternate route, or unscheduled stop,just because there's someone riding up ahead of (or behind) me.
Seems like common sense.
Tourer
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 370
Likes: 0
From:
RE: Riding Courtesy
I have zero interest in riding with people I don't know. They don't have to worry about me trying to join their ride.
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
