Riding Etiquette
Retired Admin
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 21,865
Likes: 9,046
From: Wisconsin
Just finished a 4600 mile, 15 day trip through 11 states with 8 other bikes, 10 people total. We had a couple rough days keeping together, but by the 4th day we were all cool and kept together. Most of us ride together the rest of the year too so it all worked out well. On a trip like that I would rather be in a group although 4 to 6 bikes might have been easier.
Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 37
Likes: 0
From: Eastern, PA.
It's stories like this that affirm why I will not join any riding group/club. I do have friends that I ride with but we are of equal skill and keep up with each other.
I travel to visit a friend several states away. I don't know the roads there very well. When I ride with them I make sure I don't fall behind.
Pretty simple, lead, follow, or get the hell out of the way
I travel to visit a friend several states away. I don't know the roads there very well. When I ride with them I make sure I don't fall behind.
Pretty simple, lead, follow, or get the hell out of the way
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 2,452
Likes: 23
From: Michigan
Yea we have a rule for all who rides with us, no rider left behind. We leave as a group we come home as a group. One stops we all stop, if the leader missis the turn we all miss the turn, and we make sure that everyone understands that.
Cruiser
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 203
Likes: 0
From: Mt.Pleasant Pa.
I went on a group ride with a couple of my friends and 5 other guys from their club. I was #3 out of 7.The one guy 2 bikes behind me was on a 883 sportster which was having difficulty keeping pace with the leader,the guy behind him was new to riding. Needless to say I became the pace setter much to my buddies disgust. We had to ride slower than normal to keep the riders behind us in sight but we still had a great time and made some new friends. To me that's what group riding is all about.Making new Friends.
Road Captain
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 687
Likes: 2
From: Wisconsin
I have had mixed experiences, I would have passed the guy.
But I have done weekend rides with my wife on the back, was the only guy with a passenger and after a couple of stops I told them, I could not keep up so if you don't see me don't worry, I couldn't keep up these guys two up and they were better than me even if I went solo. So I fixed my issues, got new bars and ride much better.
With that said I have ridden with a group of mixed bikes some had rockets and that was horrible... Horrible. Half the group couldn't keep up with the rockets and half the group was new riders and bingo there was almost an accident.
So I ride with a few guys that's about it, don't do poker runs anymore and like a lot of people said, talk it out before you go. I am a slower rider because I am a scenery watcher lol, but the guys I ride with know when I lead we will get there on time but might have to watch the scenery too. Another guy likes to kick it in gear and we know that is gonna happen when he leads, so yes we talk it out when we leave.
But I have done weekend rides with my wife on the back, was the only guy with a passenger and after a couple of stops I told them, I could not keep up so if you don't see me don't worry, I couldn't keep up these guys two up and they were better than me even if I went solo. So I fixed my issues, got new bars and ride much better.
With that said I have ridden with a group of mixed bikes some had rockets and that was horrible... Horrible. Half the group couldn't keep up with the rockets and half the group was new riders and bingo there was almost an accident.
So I ride with a few guys that's about it, don't do poker runs anymore and like a lot of people said, talk it out before you go. I am a slower rider because I am a scenery watcher lol, but the guys I ride with know when I lead we will get there on time but might have to watch the scenery too. Another guy likes to kick it in gear and we know that is gonna happen when he leads, so yes we talk it out when we leave.
Tourer
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 339
Likes: 9
From: Washington
How about riding solo all the time. What would be the pros/cons of this? Me, my trips are visiting small towns and going to remote places. I heard a story before about a lone rider ran into a group of motorcycle gangs. He got beaten up and took his bike.
Advanced
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 56
Likes: 0
From: Spring
You can get carjacked anywhere. MCs are not "gangs." It's a public misconception fed by TV romanticizing/vilanizing MCs because it makes good TV. Sons of Anarchy is a good example. Great show...but it's TV.
Some of the nicest people I've met on my bike out and around have been 1%ers.
If you go looking for trouble, or visit where trouble is likely to be - that's how you find it. Just my .02
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Road Warrior
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 1,739
Likes: 153
From: Fayetteville, NC
Invited my neighbor to ride with a buddy and I. My buddy on SG was firt, my neighbor was in the middle with CVO RK, and then me. My neighbor was so far back that cars kept cutting into our formation. I sucked it up for as long as I could and then I went around him. The traffic was too bad to be spread out like that. He was so far back that a couple of semis could have gotten behind the #1 guy. When we stopped, I asked if he could keep it tighter and he understood. I guess it was my fault...I assumed he knew.
On the flip side, there is a friend of a friend of a friend who rides ocassionally. I refuse to ride anywhere near him. Like others have said---this is why I prefer to ride with close friends....no clubs. I have buddies that are so excited about getting their new colors. Great for them.
On the flip side, there is a friend of a friend of a friend who rides ocassionally. I refuse to ride anywhere near him. Like others have said---this is why I prefer to ride with close friends....no clubs. I have buddies that are so excited about getting their new colors. Great for them.
Road Master
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 1,053
Likes: 39
From: Central Florida
I suspect the story is BS but what would 2-3 of your friends have done against 'a couple of motorcycle gangs'? Outcome would have been the same more than likely.