Group Riding Tips
Motorcycling is plain old fun. There’s no arguing with that, but the question then arises: can it be made more fun? Well, all it takes is to add a few friends and companions to share in the adventure, and you’ll have fun like you’ve never had before! The joys of the road were never sweeter than when shared with the right friends. Group riding isn’t totally about fun, though. It’s also safer than solo riding. The increased visibility and ever present support of other motorcycle riders makes it less likely that you’ll run into a problem on the road.
This short guide contains some of the important group riding tips you should keep in mind on your next trip. If you’re thinking about getting into riding for the first time and need to buy your first motorcycle, stop by Texas Harley-Davidson®. No other company matches Harley-Davidson® cruisers or touring bikes, so stop by our dealership in Bedford, Texas today!
Preparation
You have to come prepared for any trip, so it reasons that a group ride isn’t any different! You don’t want to forget something only to keep your friends waiting while you pick it up at a store or ride back home to get it. This includes making sure you have a full tank of gas and your bike has passed its pre-ride check (which we’re sure you always complete!) so you can keep any time-devouring problems out of the itinerary. Don’t be the rider who holds up the group because they forgot to top off their tank!
Planning Your Route
While a short weekend ride might not need to have the entire route detailed, when any squad heads out they’ll want to be on the same page. For best results, go over your route as thoroughly as possible with your other riders. Getting lost and trying to figure out how to get everyone back together can derail the whole trip. It can be helpful to name a navigator to make decisions about destination and keep things focused while on the road.
And this is a great point to go over other riding issues with other riders, making sure the length of the trip and road conditions are suitable for everyone’s level of comfort and experience. There’s likely to be varying levels of skill in any given riding group, so it’s best to keep that in mind. Push your group too hard for too long or at too high of a speed and you could leave one or more riders sputtering in the dust. Group riding isn’t a competition, after all, so don’t let these issues get between your group and a good ride.
Form Up
Riding formation is all about safety and efficiency. The most effective method involves riding in two alternating lines. Riding side-by-side is illegal in most states, so instead you’ll ride in a tapered line that alternates from left to right. Your group’s riding profile will be more compressed, so it’s important to ride safely and pay attention to spacing. Ideally, you want to be one second behind the closest rider and two seconds behind the rider directly in front of you. You’ll also gain the great benefit of riding in each others’ drafts, increasing fuel efficiency, just like a flock of birds!
Hand Signals
It’s not like you can just call up your buddies while in formation (unless you have some tricked out helmets and audio gear), so you’ll want to know a few hand signals ahead of time so you can more easily communicate with your group. Even if you do have radios, it’s important to learn these signals in case there’s a problem. Of course there are enough signals to fill up multiple articles. A few important ones are identifying hazards on the road, stopping, turning, and a pull off signal. Whatever you go with, make sure everyone in your group understands what’s expected.
Now that you know the basics, why not give group riding a shot? If you need parts or services for your Harley-Davidson motorcycle, stop by Texas Harley-Davidson® in Bedford, Texas. We’re located near Irving, Arlington, Fort Worth, and Dallas. Come in today to discover the true meaning of customer satisfaction.