Group Motorcycle Riding
Tourer
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 432
Likes: 5
From: Tennessee
I enjoy Patriot Guard rides due to the purpose of the ride and the great camaraderie. Slow speed funeral processions are relatively safe.
On the other hand I have also participated in several larger group rides. One that has over 1000 bikes in it. It was cool looking, great sounding and scary. Like others have said, I felt insecure with the poor group riding skills of those around me. I never knew or trusted the spacing of those around me or their attention to the ride.
Conclusion... I still do some but do so very selectively.
R. Todd
On the other hand I have also participated in several larger group rides. One that has over 1000 bikes in it. It was cool looking, great sounding and scary. Like others have said, I felt insecure with the poor group riding skills of those around me. I never knew or trusted the spacing of those around me or their attention to the ride.
Conclusion... I still do some but do so very selectively.
R. Todd
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 24,732
Likes: 9,241
From: Snow Hill, NC
Rode in a 575-600 bike ride this past weekend. Was a good ride as nobody got hurt but it was at times a Sphincter tightening ride because of not being familiar with the other riders...I do them but i much rather groups under 20...5 or less is the best.
Road Master
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 859
Likes: 3
From: Columbia, SC
I don't have an issue with group rides at all. Got Toys for Tots going on this Sunday and a Vets Christmas ride next Sunday. Since the weather will be good here in Columbia, i'm sure they both will be over 1,000 bikes.
Have you ever thought that people that think the way that most of you do is why group riding scares you?
I mean, I compare it to the inexperienced driver - You know, the one that when trying to change lanes has a 5 car gap but yet doesn't want to get over. Then when you decide they aren't gonna commit to the lane change and try to pass, that's when they cut you off.
When people are nervous or unsure, THAT'S what causes accidents.
I guarantee you're riding in groups thinking "what about this?" or "what if this". When something goes wrong, your head is NOT in the ride.
You gotta just roll with the ride. Someone gets to close, wave them back. If they persist, do what I do - give 'em the finger.
Maybe another good idea, grab some buddies and do the large group ride together. You stay in the middle so that you feel comfy with those around you.
Large rides are a lot of fun. It's a shame that y'all miss them because you think its dangerous.
Why does it seem like when you are in a large ride you're so concerned about everyone else? So when you are alone or in a small group you don't think that way?
You can't just relax and ride just because you're not in a large group - ya gotta ALWAYS be alert and watching every move all around you.
Anyways, sorry for the rant - I guess I just don't understand the logic.
Have you ever thought that people that think the way that most of you do is why group riding scares you?
I mean, I compare it to the inexperienced driver - You know, the one that when trying to change lanes has a 5 car gap but yet doesn't want to get over. Then when you decide they aren't gonna commit to the lane change and try to pass, that's when they cut you off.
When people are nervous or unsure, THAT'S what causes accidents.
I guarantee you're riding in groups thinking "what about this?" or "what if this". When something goes wrong, your head is NOT in the ride.
You gotta just roll with the ride. Someone gets to close, wave them back. If they persist, do what I do - give 'em the finger.
Maybe another good idea, grab some buddies and do the large group ride together. You stay in the middle so that you feel comfy with those around you.
Large rides are a lot of fun. It's a shame that y'all miss them because you think its dangerous.
Why does it seem like when you are in a large ride you're so concerned about everyone else? So when you are alone or in a small group you don't think that way?
You can't just relax and ride just because you're not in a large group - ya gotta ALWAYS be alert and watching every move all around you.
Anyways, sorry for the rant - I guess I just don't understand the logic.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 3,140
Likes: 23
From: Heavenlies
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
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Cruiser
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 106
Likes: 0
From: Cumming, GA
We have found an annual ride that will now be an anniversary tradition for us... My wife and I married on 9-11, and this year, we found a 9-11 memorial ride organized by the Red Riders. Great ride, and sure there were some "oddities" in the way some view a group ride, but like stated above, taken in stride, it was great...
A very humbling start to the ride:
Red Rider:
The Group:
Every city we went through, the FD was out:
When we got to Twisted Taco for lunch, we got to see some really nice paint/bikes:
Then get our money back at the end (my wife ended up taking home a new pink flame helmet and a case of Coronas to boot!!!):
No, group rides are not for everyone but for us, they do have some perks!
A very humbling start to the ride:
Red Rider:
The Group:
Every city we went through, the FD was out:
When we got to Twisted Taco for lunch, we got to see some really nice paint/bikes:
Then get our money back at the end (my wife ended up taking home a new pink flame helmet and a case of Coronas to boot!!!):
No, group rides are not for everyone but for us, they do have some perks!
Club Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 4,892
Likes: 2
From: DUNDALK,MARYLAND
The recent Saddle Tramps M/C accident on a rural highway east of San Diego, the truck driver on meth that crashed into several motorcycles on Carefree Highway last March, and the bloody 26-bike crash on Interstate 5 near Wilsonville last year all involved groups of bikers out on a ride. Sadly, there were, as we all know, casualties in all 3 accidents.
One was a head-on, one was a rear-ender, and other was a unsafe lane change with sudden slowdown. Still, those group rides represent a small fraction of all motorcycle accidents.
While everyone has a different perspective on group riding, I personally have never felt comfortable riding with more than 3-4 other motorcycles due to variable skillsets and other intangibles.
Here in Idaho the state dmv motorcycle handbook recommends that groups of more than 4-5 riders should be divided into two or more subgroups for safety and minimum disruption to the normal flow of traffic.
I don't think there has been much constructive dialogue about group riding on this forum. One, I know I don't own the road. Two, I never insist on having the right of way. Three, I will let faster traffic by as long as it's safe to do so. Four, lead, follow, or get out of the way!
Have included the link to Group Motorcycle Riding article below and copied/pasted part of it FYI.
http://www.motorcyclecruiser.com/str...ety/index.html
One common problem I see with large groups is a failure to provide gaps for other traffic.
On a two-lane road, it may be impossible for overtaking traffic to safely pass a line of a dozen or more motorcycles. Some members of the group may get run off the road if a driver tries to pass and has to pull back into the right lane when oncoming traffic appears.
On a multi-lane road like an interstate, a long double column of motorcycles may trap a car on one side of it, blocking it from reaching an exit. Some riders act as if permitting a car to cross their column of bikes is a violation of their religious and constitutional rights, and can make a driver already in a panic about missing his exit quite dangerous.
Do address this problem. It's best to ride in sub-groups of four to six bikes and provide a gap of four or more car lengths between each sub-group. These groups can also be responsible for each other, taking care of other members of their group so that the entire fleet of bikes doesn't end up trying to squeeze onto the shoulder, which can create a real hazard.
One was a head-on, one was a rear-ender, and other was a unsafe lane change with sudden slowdown. Still, those group rides represent a small fraction of all motorcycle accidents.
While everyone has a different perspective on group riding, I personally have never felt comfortable riding with more than 3-4 other motorcycles due to variable skillsets and other intangibles.
Here in Idaho the state dmv motorcycle handbook recommends that groups of more than 4-5 riders should be divided into two or more subgroups for safety and minimum disruption to the normal flow of traffic.
I don't think there has been much constructive dialogue about group riding on this forum. One, I know I don't own the road. Two, I never insist on having the right of way. Three, I will let faster traffic by as long as it's safe to do so. Four, lead, follow, or get out of the way!
Have included the link to Group Motorcycle Riding article below and copied/pasted part of it FYI.
http://www.motorcyclecruiser.com/str...ety/index.html
One common problem I see with large groups is a failure to provide gaps for other traffic.
On a two-lane road, it may be impossible for overtaking traffic to safely pass a line of a dozen or more motorcycles. Some members of the group may get run off the road if a driver tries to pass and has to pull back into the right lane when oncoming traffic appears.
On a multi-lane road like an interstate, a long double column of motorcycles may trap a car on one side of it, blocking it from reaching an exit. Some riders act as if permitting a car to cross their column of bikes is a violation of their religious and constitutional rights, and can make a driver already in a panic about missing his exit quite dangerous.
Do address this problem. It's best to ride in sub-groups of four to six bikes and provide a gap of four or more car lengths between each sub-group. These groups can also be responsible for each other, taking care of other members of their group so that the entire fleet of bikes doesn't end up trying to squeeze onto the shoulder, which can create a real hazard.