How close is too close?
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Grand HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 4,928
Likes: 285
From: Edmond Oklahoma
How close is too close?
I typically ride alone or with a couple buddies at most. But I was invited on a group ride this weekend and I must say I'm amazed how close some of these guys ride behind one another. Everyone staggered on each side of the lane, but some riders are no more than 20 feet behind the rider in front while going 70mph. Seems nuts, as soon as one has a flat, there is no way the riders behind can react quick enough.
I don't think I will be doing too many group rides.
Beary
I don't think I will be doing too many group rides.
Beary
Road Warrior
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 1,446
Likes: 5
From: Mesquite Tx
I'll run 15' off my brothers bike going down the hwy from time to time but I ride with him all the time since we were old enough to ride. Usually we will do this in traffic to prevent people from jumping in between us and to make us more visible or appear larger than just one bike. Again its not the norm but it does happen. I know my fathers 1% club brothers will ride 30 deep side by side all day long.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 2,452
Likes: 23
From: Michigan
Ride in the back of the
pack at your comfort level.
In the city we stay close enough for everyone to make the lights.
City and e-way we stay close enough so no one can get between us.
But bottem line is ride at your comfort level.
pack at your comfort level.
In the city we stay close enough for everyone to make the lights.
City and e-way we stay close enough so no one can get between us.
But bottem line is ride at your comfort level.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 3,606
Likes: 1,595
From: Eastern Ohio
I prefer to hang in the back, however lately no one will take lead. I know all the back scenic routes so I get stuck out front. For the most part we stay spaced out pretty well on the highway, and I try to keep a good space cushion between us and car traffic. In town I get irritated with a couple of the guys. They rev their engines, and gun it from light to light. I worry if I have to panic stop they're gonna drive up my tailpipe. It's the risk of riding with others though. (Wow! I sound old!) Now, if you pass me on the right, 1. You might get your *** whooped 2. I'll embarrass you in front of the group 3. you won't be invited to join my reindeer games anymore. I had (had) a riding buddy who passed me on the right on a 2 lane rural road. He was doubling my speed. When we got to the next stop I explained to him that's how people get killed. His girlfriend almost started crying. "I don't wanna get killed" she said. He hasn't rode with me since.
Road Captain
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 566
Likes: 70
From: The Redneck Riviera
For me it depends on the situation;
I've got a few Buds (they have tons of miles / time in the saddle / former 1%ers / properly maintained late model bikes and we are synched up ) that I ride with in close formation and I feel good doing that because of our skill level / riding habits and we are always looking out for each other.
When invited on a ride with a new group, I always ride in the back, if not lag behind, I don't want to be that guy. It sounds like the group that you rode with has some miles together and they are synced up. Riding with a new group is always somewhat unnerving to me, as they don't know me and I don't know them (riding habits / skill levels etc...) For me, sometimes group riding can be work than it's worth...
At 40 years of owning Harleys I have 3 "groups" of people I have ridden with;
1) Everybody is synced up as we leave the parking lot for the 1st time, everybody is comfortable (and safe).
2) It takes a little while to sync up and get comfortable, all is well...
3) I will never ride with that / those a$$ clown(s) again!
JMHO, Your results may vary...
I've got a few Buds (they have tons of miles / time in the saddle / former 1%ers / properly maintained late model bikes and we are synched up ) that I ride with in close formation and I feel good doing that because of our skill level / riding habits and we are always looking out for each other.
When invited on a ride with a new group, I always ride in the back, if not lag behind, I don't want to be that guy. It sounds like the group that you rode with has some miles together and they are synced up. Riding with a new group is always somewhat unnerving to me, as they don't know me and I don't know them (riding habits / skill levels etc...) For me, sometimes group riding can be work than it's worth...
At 40 years of owning Harleys I have 3 "groups" of people I have ridden with;
1) Everybody is synced up as we leave the parking lot for the 1st time, everybody is comfortable (and safe).
2) It takes a little while to sync up and get comfortable, all is well...
3) I will never ride with that / those a$$ clown(s) again!
JMHO, Your results may vary...
Road Master
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 1,168
Likes: 114
From: Drummondville, Qc, Canada
I've run once with a group and they were give me **** because I was leaving a car space between my bike and the one in front of me, they said that I must not let a car split the group... I said F..CK YOU! ...at 70mph I need that space to react.
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Banned
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 11,232
Likes: 16
From: Socialist Republic of the USA
Pretty common if you ask me. I for one appreciate a nice tight formation but about the only time I ride in groups is on PGR escorts. Do you ever see LEO riding together and worry about the rider in front of them getting a flat or... ??? On a group ride you should be able to see the person behind and off to your side in your mirror.
Last edited by mikelikesbikes; Apr 27, 2015 at 04:33 PM.
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Road Warrior
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 1,988
Likes: 17
From: Between Fort Worth and Wichita Falls Texas
That's why I don't care for group rides. So I got set up to fly big flags so I'm either in the front leading, close to the front or in or near the rear when doing funeral escorts and other patriotic events.
6th Gear
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 14
Likes: 0
From: Norwalk, CT
I ride often with different riding clubs and we try to stay about 2 seconds behind the guy in front of you and the two lines should be about 1 second staggered. That way if you need to avoid a pothole you have some room. But your right there is always that guy that is right on your tail, I'll tell him at the next stop that he can go in front of me cause he is following to close.