Riding in a pack.
Tourer
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 255
Likes: 0
From: orange park,fl
RE: Riding in a pack.
If your a new rider to group rides,be in the first third of the"pack".Many clubs ride a staggered formation,2 seconds behind the bike in front,1 second behind the bike to the side of you.Learn the normal hand signals for left,right turn,slow,stop,and point out road hazards.The riders with many club miles behind them seam to choose as tail gunners.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 2,754
Likes: 4
From: GA
RE: Riding in a pack.
ORIGINAL: 07FXSTOki
I'm a new rider. The one group ride I've been on I was the second one form the back. The tail gunner was a guy I've known for about 20 + years now. I felt real comfortable knowing he was behind me. All I had to do was follow the guy in front of me. Didn't even need to check my mirrors.
I'm a new rider. The one group ride I've been on I was the second one form the back. The tail gunner was a guy I've known for about 20 + years now. I felt real comfortable knowing he was behind me. All I had to do was follow the guy in front of me. Didn't even need to check my mirrors.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 4,530
Likes: 607
From: Raleigh NC
RE: Riding in a pack.
If you want to ride in a group.... find yourself a group that rides on a regular basis....
check out your local HOG, RETREADS, or SCRC, to name 3...(there are many more) ask questions like "do you have ride guidelines? and do you follow them?"
Go on a ride or 2 as a visitor/guest. Different chapter of the same club, ride and act differently. Find a group that YOU like. as a newcomer to the group, you'll be placed in the leaders "four o'clock" that way he can keep and eye on you and adjust his speed to match yours.
Riding a motorcycle is dangerous, group riding can be even MORE dangerous. Lots of bikes, different skills, crowded space.
As far as charity rides go.... unless I'm riding with the blockers, I try to move my group as far to the rear as possible. And I'm not above showing up... donating my deal, and then going my own way.... or pulling out of a ride at a safe spot.
Only you control your motorcycle, don't allow anyone to get you into trouble because you felt you had to "keep up"
check out your local HOG, RETREADS, or SCRC, to name 3...(there are many more) ask questions like "do you have ride guidelines? and do you follow them?"
Go on a ride or 2 as a visitor/guest. Different chapter of the same club, ride and act differently. Find a group that YOU like. as a newcomer to the group, you'll be placed in the leaders "four o'clock" that way he can keep and eye on you and adjust his speed to match yours.
Riding a motorcycle is dangerous, group riding can be even MORE dangerous. Lots of bikes, different skills, crowded space.
As far as charity rides go.... unless I'm riding with the blockers, I try to move my group as far to the rear as possible. And I'm not above showing up... donating my deal, and then going my own way.... or pulling out of a ride at a safe spot.
Only you control your motorcycle, don't allow anyone to get you into trouble because you felt you had to "keep up"
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 4,530
Likes: 607
From: Raleigh NC
RE: Riding in a pack.
ORIGINAL: Bluzmn59
You ALWAYS need to ride your own ride and you ALWAYS need to check your mirrors, side traffic, etc. New riders sometimes get in trouble because all they do is focus on the bike ahead of them. You are still responsible for your own safety.
ORIGINAL: 07FXSTOki
Didn't even need to check my mirrors.
Didn't even need to check my mirrors.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 7,476
Likes: 5
From: Republic of Texas
RE: Riding in a pack.
Read all the above comments. I got one question--do you use both brakes? If you only use your back brake and you are new to riding you need to learn braking. I don't want you behind me. Large packs can yo-yo some and if you as a new rider are in the back when the snake whips you get popped or left behind. Then you throttle to catch up. New riders belong in the front half of the pack. Spaced out from other bikers and alert to all the people around them. Spacing and timing was discussed by several members above.You do not get the luxury of sight seeing till you get your skills to an appropriate level. I hate going on benefit rides with a large group of unknowns. I ride near the rear. This doesn't mean you are not welcome ---it means you could be another hazard and no one wants you hurt or for you to hurt anyone else. You would be welcome but you earn acceptance as a rider.
Road Captain
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 530
Likes: 1
From: Dixie
RE: Riding in a pack.
In our local HOG chapter, we encourage new or less skilled riders to be up front. We ride in the standard stagger, 2 second rule for the rider in fornt of you, 1 second for the rider to your front diagonal. Being in the front of the group allows the riders to concentrate on the Road captian, and have a greater window of opportunity to make turns and light passes without the pressure to "hurry up" so as not to be left in the position to be the lead rider if the group breaks. This position also allows the Road captian to judge the ability of new additions and keep a steady pace. If he sees someone struggling, he can make an unscheduled stop and speak to them confidentially without anyone loosing face.
Riding in the rear is more dificult, and can be challenging for those new to groups, or to riding in general. The pace can go back and forth between 65mph to a duck walk with no warning.
This is for general RC activity. MC activity will be dictated, and you will do as you are told.
Riding in the rear is more dificult, and can be challenging for those new to groups, or to riding in general. The pace can go back and forth between 65mph to a duck walk with no warning.
This is for general RC activity. MC activity will be dictated, and you will do as you are told.
Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,573
Likes: 138
From: StL, MO. USA
RE: Riding in a pack.
I don't do a whole lot of riding with large groups - but also prefer to be a follower.
Unfortunately, the guys that I ride with are older & also like to follow. So I typically end-up being in the lead.
- As was mentioned above by someone else... I do NOT like sharing lanes. There is no one else that I trust enough (even my Pops) to run side-by-side with on the highway.
Unfortunately, the guys that I ride with are older & also like to follow. So I typically end-up being in the lead.
- As was mentioned above by someone else... I do NOT like sharing lanes. There is no one else that I trust enough (even my Pops) to run side-by-side with on the highway.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 4,523
Likes: 1
From: South Florida
RE: Riding in a pack.
I dont like riding in big groups usually we ride three or four of us, we all have been riding together for years....
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Banned
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 5,258
Likes: 2
From: AZ
RE: Riding in a pack.
I don't think there is a "safest" position to ride in a group ride! You need to be on your game a lot more when riding with a group, no matter what position you ride. You have to watch every other rider in that group, what's happening in the front of the group, and what's happening in every position behind the leader! It takes total concentration on so many thing going on around you. What pace has been set, where are you going, what will the speed limit be, (going on a first ride on a 75MPH interstate not recommended), what are the road conditions, the weather conditions, how many riders, in town, out of town, stopping in a parking lot that is not paved, are you an accordian rider, one that keeps on the tail of bike in front....lots to do in a group ride! Once you get used to a group, it's easier, but initially, you have to be on your best game.
We have our best riders take out newbies once a month and have them go through a set course to get them used to many of the things group riding intails.
The best way to get comfortable is to group ride with two other bikes(you in middle)first for about 3 months, then the 7-10 pack.
And most important...ride your own ride, if your not comfortable, drop out, don't try to prove anything. That kills.
We have our best riders take out newbies once a month and have them go through a set course to get them used to many of the things group riding intails.
The best way to get comfortable is to group ride with two other bikes(you in middle)first for about 3 months, then the 7-10 pack.
And most important...ride your own ride, if your not comfortable, drop out, don't try to prove anything. That kills.
Tourer
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 282
Likes: 0
From:
RE: Riding in a pack.
If your a new to pack riding then you should be up front. I pretty much ride wherever. my only gig is I don't like to be too close to anyone. Staggered formation is the safest and most comfortable.