Tips for Group Riding

Thanks to the H.O.G. Chapter Handbook for some of these tips...

Participating in a Ride

• Drinking and driving never mix. This is especially true when participating in a group ride.
• Always ride in staggered formation; it gives you an extra margin for safety.
• Make sure your vehicle is in good operating condition. For example, a bad tire could cause an accident on a group ride.
• Being too hot or too cold can also affect how alert you are as a driver. Be sure to pack appropriate protective clothing, such as a long-sleeve cotton shirt (for protection from the sun), helmet, eye protection, leather jacket, gloves, etc.
• Always ride with your headlight on; it's a law in most states. Cars have enough trouble "noticing" motorcycles; riders should do everything possible to help them out.
• A group of motorcycles is not considered a single vehicle. Be courteous and allow cars to enter and exit the highway and change lanes. Generally speaking, a car will not want to ride in the middle of a group of motorcycles and will get out of the group as quickly as possible.
• Familiarize yourself with the route and scheduled stops.
• Arrive to participate in a group ride with a full tank of gas.

Emergency Stopping

• Ride with a partner. In the event someone needs to pull over for an unscheduled stop, the partner should also stop in case assistance is needed.
• It's unsafe for a large group to stop on the side of the road. If someone needs to pull over, the remainder of the group should continue to the next stop. At that time, the group can decide to wait for the missing members or to send two riders back to assist. If the group has a standing policy to wait for a specified period of time, say half an hour, the members left behind will be aware that they can catch up. Again, all riders should have a map of the route so they can reach their destination on their own if need be.

Hand Signals

• Hand signals should be simple, easy to learn and be kept to a bare minimum.
• Either the rider or passenger can relay the signal. As soon as you see a signal, you should give the same signal so the rider behind you can see it.
• When the phrase "1/3 of the lane" is used, it is referring to riding in the right or left track of the lane.
• These hand signals will not always be used by every group you ride with. The signals assembled here are offered as suggestions only.
  • Start Your Engines
    To indicate that you're ready to go, place your hand (right or left) on top of the windshield. If you don't have a windshield, raise your hand. This tells the leader that your engine is running and you're ready to ride.
  • Slow Down
    Use either arm, straight down and palm toward the back. Move your arm back and forth at the elbow.
  • Hazard on the Road
    Point with left hand at the object. Sometimes in group riding, the road captain may wave his left arm back and forth above his head to alert the rest of the group. The road captain is the only person who should perform this maneuver.
  • Need Gas
    When you need gas, point at the gas tank.
  • Need Food
    When you need a food or a break in general, point at your mouth.
  • Turn Signals
    Most bikes have turn signals - use them. Hand signals used in conjunction with turn signals give everyone in the group and other traffic a clear idea of your intentions.

Formation Riding

• Staggered Riding
  • The lead motorcycle should be in the left 1/3 of lane, the second motorcycle should be in the right 1/3 of the lane, one second behind the first rider, and so on.
  • Leave enough room between each motorcycle so that any rider can maneuver to the right or left without hitting anyone else.
  • Always stay in line with the bike in front of you. Do not switch between the left and right side of the lane.
• Single File Riding
  All motorcycles ride in a single line, two seconds behind one another, in either the right or left third of the lane. The lead rider determines on which side of the lane the group will ride.
• Passing
  Passing should always be undertaken one motorcycle at a time, in staggered formation. Remember, passing at any time can be hazardous. Use common sense.
  • Passing Other Vehicles
    1. Pre-pass position: Be far enough behind the vehicle you are passing to see clearly down the road to do an "oncoming traffic check".
    2. Signal. If you have a passenger, he or she should signal as well.
    3. Check your mirrors and then turn your head to check your blind spot and ensure that no one is passing you.
    4. Accelerate and change lanes. Remember, legally, you can't exceed the speed limit.
    5. When returning to your lane, signal and make a mirror check and head check to be sure there is space between you and all other vehicles. Return to your lane and turn off your blinker.
  • After Making the Pass
    The lead rider makes the lane change, going to the right track, until he can clearly see that the other riders have made their lane changes.