Better Biking Together: 6 Tips for Group Riding
The loud roar of the engines and the strength in numbers as you ride together—group riding is all about camaraderie as you rumble down the road. Before you gather, you should ask yourself, is group riding for you? Consider that riding side by side, cruising with inexperienced riders, and falling behind the group could all be dangerous, so you need to prepare and come up with a riding plan. This way, you can stay safe, ride comfortably, and get more out of the experience with your biking buddies. For further advice, Cycle Trader is sharing six tips for group riding motorcycles.
1. Have a Motorcycle Meet Up
Before riding day, prepare for the group journey and have a meeting to go over the basics of riding. Here’s a checklist to go over with your group:
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Make sure everyone’s fueled up so you don’t have to make a stop during the ride.
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Every rider should be wearing a helmet, along with other protective and high visibility gear
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Ensure your lights and brakes are working.
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Have at least one rider carry a first-aid kit for your group, along with a tool kit in case you need to make on the road motorcycle repairs.
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Carry your mobile phone with you in the event of an emergency, and have the group exchange phone numbers in case a rider falls behind.
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Know the hand signals given by the group lead, including speeding up, slowing down, and passing.
2. Plan the Group Ride
Whether you’re rolling out in unison on your Harley-Davidsons or other popular bikes, you should all stay coordinated and safe during the session. Cover the route, including the pace or speed you plan to ride at for most of the journey, the length of the ride in time and mileage, and any stops you’ll be making along the way. Check the weather and road conditions, so you can avoid dangerous riding situations. Keep an eye on those in your group with less riding experience so no one is left behind or struggling to keep up. It’s also a good idea to have a back-up plan in case anyone gets separated from the group, including a rallying point where you can meet if there’s a lost rider. Safely pull off the road or exit the highway and give someone in your group a phone call when you’re stopped. And in the event that a rider is pulled over by the police, the entire group should pull over, and stay nearby on their bikes.
3. Get in Formation for the Ride
To stay safe and keep organized, it’s best to keep your motorcycle riding group to seven riders or fewer. The larger the group, the more risk there is of miscommunication, road incidents, and getting separated as you ride. Once you know who’s in your riding group, it’s time to get everyone in order for the ride, beginning with the more experienced group leader in the front, heading the charge and directing the pack. Less experienced or beginner riders should be near the back of the group, but in front of the sweep rider at the very back. A sweep rider is an experienced biker who stays in the back of the pack to make sure newbies don’t fall behind. If you do have more than seven riders in your motorcycle group, create subgroups with their own experienced leads at the front of the subgroup.
4. Give Yourself Space while Riding
While you always want to stick together while you’re riding, give yourself plenty of space to stay safe. The group should be positioned so that the lead is on the left part of the lane, then diagonally followed behind by the next rider on the right side, following this left-right pattern throughout your group. Each rider should be 3 seconds behind when riding, or two motorcycle lengths back, so you have stopping space. On roads with bends and when cornering with your motorcycle, your group can get into single-file formation, with each rider 2 seconds behind one another. Pay attention to your fellow riders, keep an eye on your leader for hand signals, and use your mirrors to monitor riders behind you. If a rider leaves the group during the ride, reassemble the formation and have each rider move up to the next position so there are no gaps between motorcyclists as you move down the road.
5. Pass One at a Time
If you need to overtake or pass a vehicle on the road, do it one motorcycle at a time, starting with the lead and finishing with the sweep rider. As riders pass, the next rider should move up and take the position left vacant, moving diagonally in the lane, before they take their turn to pass. Never overtake a vehicle with poor visibility. When you know there’s room in front of the vehicle on the road to pass safely, that’s when you should make your move. However, you need to make sure there are no oncoming vehicles or other road hazards that fellow riders behind you may not be aware of/can’t see when they take their turn to pass. Be patient and use caution. Remember, you’re looking out for yourself on the road and the fellow motorcyclists in your group. Even if you’re driving the fastest Ducati found on the market, give yourself time and space to pass.
6. Pull Over and Park as a Group
When you pull over and park, give your group plenty of room for your bikes. If you have to pull over on a highway, be safe and leave distance on the shoulder between you and the road. As a group, put on your hazard lights, and use bright cones or road flares if necessary to improve your visibility to other motorists, especially at night. If you’re pulling off at a rest stop, fueling station, restaurant, or another venue, give yourself extra space away from vehicles, and park only in a designated area that can fit a large group of motorcycles. This will make it easier to stay organized, keep in formation, communicate, and take off when you’re ready to ride.
Riding as a group is part of the biking life and builds the bond between you and other riders on the road. Practice these tips when you’re out on your motorcycle to stay safe and get more out of the experience. When you’re ready to shop for your next new or used motorcycle, see all the listings on the nationwide marketplace, CycleTrader.com.
Ryan Miller
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