Riding in a pack.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 8,642
Likes: 6
From: Forest Lake, Mn
RE: Riding in a pack.
ORIGINAL: Al_07WG
After reading many posts about pack riding and seeing so many say they always ride at the tail I can't help but get a visual of the beginning of a ride. The lead rider rolls out and everyone else just sits there waiting to be last, how does that work out?
I only ride with a couple friends who I trust or alone. If I'm going where a big pack is going I'll get there late.
Al.
After reading many posts about pack riding and seeing so many say they always ride at the tail I can't help but get a visual of the beginning of a ride. The lead rider rolls out and everyone else just sits there waiting to be last, how does that work out?
I only ride with a couple friends who I trust or alone. If I'm going where a big pack is going I'll get there late.
Al.
being the 'last' one outta the lot. 
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 8,642
Likes: 6
From: Forest Lake, Mn
RE: Riding in a pack.
ORIGINAL: AK_Hog_Herder
A properly executed group ride formation is safer than riding alone. A group of bikes is a hell of a lot more visible to the cagers.
Key words being "properly executed". Appropriate number of bikes per group, group according to riding ability, safety and route briefing, experienced leads and sweeps, staggered formation with proper spacing unless road and traffic dictate single file.
You may want to do some research on group riding and staggered formation, then get some training. Your local HOG chapter may offer a Group Riding Introduction Program or "GRIP" session.
ORIGINAL: LilBudyWizer
That's the general idea. If I wanted to ride next to someone I would have taken the car. As far as I'm concerned you on your bike and me on mine is not one tiny bit differant than me in my car and you in yours. If you want to socialize then we'll do it at the next stop. I most certainly don't want you next to me and if you're not next to me then what's the point of it being ten feet rather than a hundred feet between bikes?
Personally, seeing how many bikes you can pack in how small a space at how high a speed is for the kiddies doing burnouts at the stoplights, riding wheelies off the line and hitting 80 mph before stopping at the next light two blocks away. It doesn't take one idiot to wipe out a pack, but rather a pack of idiots. If one bike wiping out wipes out the whole pack then you're all idiots. There isn't any reason to ride like that other than "it's cool", just like doing burnouts at stoplights.
That's the general idea. If I wanted to ride next to someone I would have taken the car. As far as I'm concerned you on your bike and me on mine is not one tiny bit differant than me in my car and you in yours. If you want to socialize then we'll do it at the next stop. I most certainly don't want you next to me and if you're not next to me then what's the point of it being ten feet rather than a hundred feet between bikes?
Personally, seeing how many bikes you can pack in how small a space at how high a speed is for the kiddies doing burnouts at the stoplights, riding wheelies off the line and hitting 80 mph before stopping at the next light two blocks away. It doesn't take one idiot to wipe out a pack, but rather a pack of idiots. If one bike wiping out wipes out the whole pack then you're all idiots. There isn't any reason to ride like that other than "it's cool", just like doing burnouts at stoplights.
Key words being "properly executed". Appropriate number of bikes per group, group according to riding ability, safety and route briefing, experienced leads and sweeps, staggered formation with proper spacing unless road and traffic dictate single file.
You may want to do some research on group riding and staggered formation, then get some training. Your local HOG chapter may offer a Group Riding Introduction Program or "GRIP" session.
Banned
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,195
Likes: 0
From: Nor-Cal
RE: Riding in a pack.
ORIGINAL: LilBudyWizer
I don't rightly care what you do with your buddies that you ride with all the time. And just to be clear I don't think people that ride in packs are idiots, but rather people that end up in a multi-bike collision due to riding in a pack that are idiots. If you ride with a group with clearly defined rules and expectations as well as a good bit of experience together then great and fine, good for you. When you don't know me from jack and I haven't agreed to jack other than relevant traffic laws then I expect you to stay off my ***. I resent it every bit as much as a car riding my *** and should you rearend me I'm certainly going to argue it's your fault for following too closely. Do not expect and anticipate me doing anything less than the law allows me to do unless I have agreed to that in advance.
ORIGINAL: darkside
Well, when rubs like you get together and outlaw riding in a pack(or any other F-n thing that scares you!),Ill ignore that law to.
If it scares you don't do it ,but don'tlook down your noseon folks that don't live their lives in fear.
ORIGINAL: LilBudyWizer
This being America and all we have traffic laws. As I said I am not aware of any diminished rights because I am on a motorcycle.
This being America and all we have traffic laws. As I said I am not aware of any diminished rights because I am on a motorcycle.
If it scares you don't do it ,but don'tlook down your noseon folks that don't live their lives in fear.
2.I,ve chewed up thousands upon thousands of miles in a pack and never had an incident like you are afraid of(EVER!) .Might I suggest an msf course or maybe just riding your bike and honing your riding skills?
3.Your right I don't know you "Jack".Your posts allow me enough info to gather I don't want to know you.
4.May,be you should learn some of the laws before you try and spout off about them.
5.Anyone that would intentionally swerve around in their lane to block another rider from exercising his rights to lawful manuevers is ,well, how did you put it? Oh yeah....an idiot!!
6. Last but not least........Did you really use the terms"rear end me" "anticipate" and "agreed to that in advance" in the same post?[sm=bustedsign.gif]
Intermediate
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 45
Likes: 0
From:
RE: Riding in a pack.
I usually am the first person. Usually because I'm the only one who knows how to get where we are going, or I know the best roads to ride. I admit last is the safest but anywhere you ride you have to pay attention. My father taught me to ride like you're flying an airplane. Always know where everyone else is.
Road Warrior
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 1,699
Likes: 0
From:
RE: Riding in a pack.
Only think I would add is that I NEVER EVER ride in a pack if I don't know all of the people around me personally. If that makes me "unbrotherly" I don't give a rats a$$ I ain't sharing the lane with someone I don't know.
Cruiser
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 217
Likes: 1
From: Out west ... sorta'
RE: Riding in a pack.
I prefer to be in the front. Too many of the weekend warriors can't hold a line ... can't maintain speed ... drag their feet for miles at every stop ... screw that. I want to be in front so when one of them who's in way over his (or her) head goes down they don't take me with them.
This is the same reason I won't ride beside anyone until I've seen they can ride a fekkin scooter.
I love riding pack ... but I won't do so with idiots. [:@]
This is the same reason I won't ride beside anyone until I've seen they can ride a fekkin scooter.
I love riding pack ... but I won't do so with idiots. [:@]
Cruiser
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 217
Likes: 1
From: Out west ... sorta'
RE: Riding in a pack.
Everyone who rides pack out to sign a waiver that the appointed Road Cappy has the right to kick your thigh or whack your shoulder with an axe handle when you start act'n like a two-wheeled f@#$tard.
Wheel-to-wheel, side-by-side ... as fast as that b@#$% will go! That, my newby friends, is RIDE'N!
Wheel-to-wheel, side-by-side ... as fast as that b@#$% will go! That, my newby friends, is RIDE'N!
Cruiser
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 109
Likes: 0
From: Indiana
RE: Riding in a pack.
ORIGINAL: Snakum
Everyone who rides pack out to sign a waiver that the appointed Road Cappy has the right to kick your thigh or whack your shoulder with an axe handle when you start act'n like a two-wheeled f@#$tard.
Wheel-to-wheel, side-by-side ... as fast as that b@#$% will go! That, my newby friends, is RIDE'N!
Everyone who rides pack out to sign a waiver that the appointed Road Cappy has the right to kick your thigh or whack your shoulder with an axe handle when you start act'n like a two-wheeled f@#$tard.
Wheel-to-wheel, side-by-side ... as fast as that b@#$% will go! That, my newby friends, is RIDE'N!
When Iindicated I don't want to ride in a pack I meant when it's with riders I don't know. Totally different story with my best riding friend. We both know each others riding style and habits and we ride wheel to wheel often 'cause we like to. We both know what to do when we are curb side, like rolling off the throttle when on 2 lane blacktop with approaching wide vehicles or just a cager who is hanging to close to the center line. It's all about respect for your fellow riders safety and when done right 2-up in a single lane isn't unsafe at all. I know there are some who won't ever go along with that, to each their own. I've logged a bunch of miles wheel to wheel with that one particular friend and NEVER came even close to having a problem whether I was center or curb side. 2-up in a lane is legal here in Michigan so we do just that when conditions are right.
Al.
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Road Warrior
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,741
Likes: 1
From: South Jersey
RE: Riding in a pack.
Beinga patchholder I ride in a "pack" all the time. My designated position is sweep unless my wife is with me... then I just ride somewhere in the middle (towards the back). I'd rather be up front in the clean air but that's for the President and Road Captn. Sweep is an honor due to the trust involved but the noise and fumes are a drag... I love pack riding and a skilled pack is a sight to behold!
Road Warrior
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 1,691
Likes: 3
RE: Riding in a pack.
ORIGINAL: darkside
2.I,ve chewed up thousands upon thousands of miles in a pack and never had an incident like you are afraid of(EVER!) .Might I suggest an msf course or maybe just riding your bike and honing your riding skills?
4.May,be you should learn some of the laws before you try and spout off about them.
5.Anyone that would intentionally swerve around in their lane to block another rider from exercising his rights to lawful manuevers is ,well, how did you put it? Oh yeah....an idiot!!
2.I,ve chewed up thousands upon thousands of miles in a pack and never had an incident like you are afraid of(EVER!) .Might I suggest an msf course or maybe just riding your bike and honing your riding skills?
4.May,be you should learn some of the laws before you try and spout off about them.
5.Anyone that would intentionally swerve around in their lane to block another rider from exercising his rights to lawful manuevers is ,well, how did you put it? Oh yeah....an idiot!!
4. Like this?
TN 55-8-182. Operation of motorcycles on laned roadways. —
(a) All motorcycles are entitled to full use of a lane and no motor vehicle shall be driven in such a manner as to deprive any motorcycle of the full use of a lane. This subsection (a) shall not apply to motorcycles operated two (2) abreast in a single lane.
(b) The operator of a motorcycle shall not overtake and pass in the same lane occupied by the vehicle being overtaken.
(c) No person shall operate a motorcycle between lanes of traffic or between adjacent lines or rows of vehicles.
(d) Motorcycles shall not be operated more than two (2) abreast in a single lane.
(e) Subsections (b) and (c) shall not apply to police officers in the performance of their official duties.
[Acts 1976, ch. 758, § 5; T.C.A., § 59-883.]
(a) All motorcycles are entitled to full use of a lane and no motor vehicle shall be driven in such a manner as to deprive any motorcycle of the full use of a lane. This subsection (a) shall not apply to motorcycles operated two (2) abreast in a single lane.
(b) The operator of a motorcycle shall not overtake and pass in the same lane occupied by the vehicle being overtaken.
(c) No person shall operate a motorcycle between lanes of traffic or between adjacent lines or rows of vehicles.
(d) Motorcycles shall not be operated more than two (2) abreast in a single lane.
(e) Subsections (b) and (c) shall not apply to police officers in the performance of their official duties.
[Acts 1976, ch. 758, § 5; T.C.A., § 59-883.]
Now you can argue about what TN 55-8-182(a) means by "motorcycles operated two (2) abreast in a single lane." means, but I interpret it to mean by mutual consent andI don't consent to anyone riding next to me. If did consent, then certainly, I'm not going to put a friend in the ditch to save my own ***, but there isn't many people I would trust to do the same by me. I did it when I was young, I'm not that trusting any more. Even if I did trust someone with my life, because that's really what it is, I see no reason to run through potholes and over top of road debris simply to look cool. I didn't buy my bike to look cool, but rather to get me from point A to point B.