riding as a pair
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 9,982
Likes: 5,220
From: Michigan
Even though my wife rode with me for years and learned many things (good and bad from me) before she decided that she wanted her own bike she still insists that I always ride in front.
Thinking back, her biggest obstacle, which didn't take long to overcome, was leaning the bike into curves.
THe second or third year she road we met an old friend of mine at the dealership and he had a new GF who also had a Sportster Hugger just like my wife.
We invited them to ride home with us and his GF did fine until we got on a country road with a few mild curves and trying to get her to keep up was like pulling an anchor.
I convinced my wife to have a female-to-female talk with her
we then rode with them from our house to the freeway and there was some improvement.
THe next time we saw them, she was a Road Captain in their local HOG Chapter!
Thinking back, her biggest obstacle, which didn't take long to overcome, was leaning the bike into curves.
THe second or third year she road we met an old friend of mine at the dealership and he had a new GF who also had a Sportster Hugger just like my wife.
We invited them to ride home with us and his GF did fine until we got on a country road with a few mild curves and trying to get her to keep up was like pulling an anchor.
I convinced my wife to have a female-to-female talk with her
we then rode with them from our house to the freeway and there was some improvement.THe next time we saw them, she was a Road Captain in their local HOG Chapter!
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 2,979
Likes: 1,165
From: No where near you, OH
I will ride in front and stagger left to control the lane. I tell the other person with less experience to try and keep up but to also ride within their limits. If they start to lag we slow to their speed. If I am riding with someone that means we ride safely together. Seen enough *** hats that think they are too good to help an inexperienced rider. I don't like people like that. Everyone had to learn sometime.
Cruiser
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 116
Likes: 0
From: CT
I prefer to lead. I set an easy pace and a tap of my brakes alerts the newbie ( it was my son in law) to possible danger/warning to watch for cars waiting to pull out, curves coming up..road hazards etc..I also outfitted us both with Scala rider com ( I have an ultra and just added another mic/speakers to my helmet. He said he learned a great deal by following me and watching what I do. So, for me, it's to lead.
The first season with son in law riding, we also had an experienced friend tuck in third. He kept any tailgaters off my son in law.
The first season with son in law riding, we also had an experienced friend tuck in third. He kept any tailgaters off my son in law.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 7,476
Likes: 5
From: Republic of Texas
Not to say your wrong but I prefer to be in front. I watch the mirrors because new riders have too much information to process safely. I have rode a long time and when I was learning to ride road. I was taught to ride with the group about 40 years ago as a teen. That didn't include the eights years before that on dirt/road as a young kid. I learned to ride in dirt but the group taught me how to survive the road. I learned a lot, safely insulated by the group. Group could mean just two or many. Older experienced riders kept me alive and taught me. I have never forgot that and I am still learning. I was taken cared of by people that cared as a kid. New riders need to be led. They can hit curves too fast for their skills. They don't process intersections as fully as experienced riders do. By being in front I can set up the example and control the situation. I can look at a cage and make crucial decisions in micro seconds that inexperienced riders can't yet. All of this is a specialized skill set that some people dismiss stupidly. Like stated in a previous post. I will signal a new rider up past me when we run across the dangerous tailgater. I handle tailgaters with a mixed bag of tricks. Sometimes gently ---sometimes not. These answers are not complete enough to cover exceptions. As I was typing this I thought of an exception. I will not let anyone that only uses their back brake ride behind me.
There's all kinds of people like that. It's too bad really. Some new riders can be fairly apprehensive to begin with so it's important for a more experienced rider to lose their bullshit attitude (if they had one) and lead by example. Learning to ride shouldn't have to be that stressful. Everyone's different but I choose to be the follower in those situations. I prefer to watch new riders and their habits and let them set the pace even if they might ride slower than me.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 2,979
Likes: 1,165
From: No where near you, OH
Not to say your wrong but I prefer to be in front. I watch the mirrors because new riders have too much information to process safely. I have rode a long time and when I was learning to ride road. I was taught to ride with the group about 40 years ago as a teen. That didn't include the eights years before that on dirt/road as a young kid. I learned to ride in dirt but the group taught me how to survive the road. I learned a lot, safely insulated by the group. Group could mean just two or many. Older experienced riders kept me alive and taught me. I have never forgot that and I am still learning. I was taken cared of by people that cared as a kid. New riders need to be led. They can hit curves too fast for their skills. They don't process intersections as fully as experienced riders do. By being in front I can set up the example and control the situation. I can look at a cage and make crucial decisions in micro seconds that inexperienced riders can't yet. All of this is a specialized skill set that some people dismiss stupidly. Like stated in a previous post. I will signal a new rider up past me when we run across the dangerous tailgater. I handle tailgaters with a mixed bag of tricks. Sometimes gently ---sometimes not. These answers are not complete enough to cover exceptions. As I was typing this I thought of an exception. I will not let anyone that only uses their back brake ride behind me.
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diafbara
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Dec 27, 2010 09:42 AM
