Motorcycle Group Riding Tips
If you thought you were having an amazing time riding your motorcycle solo, then you’ve got to try it in a group. Sharing the thrilling experience of tearing up the pavement with your bike with friends only adds to the excitement. What’s incredible about riding in a group is that it’s much safer than doing it alone. With the enhanced visibility and added support of your fellow riders, you’ll be cruising on the highway with a lot more confidence.
Preparation
Preparation is an important part of any trip and the same goes for motorcycle group rides. All your riding buddies should be on the same page when it comes to preparation. Make sure that you’ve got the right gear and your bike is ready to go with a full tank of fuel. As with any other trip, you should complete a pre-ride check on your motorcycle. Check that your brakes and all your lights are functioning properly.
Planning a Route
It’s essential to decide where you want to go because everyone will need to stick to the planned route. Last-minute changes are fine when you ride alone but can become an issue with a group so you don’t want to lose time in the process.
While planning the route, keep in mind the riding level of every group member. Some are more experienced than others and planning a tough route may cause problems on the way. Remember that group riding isn’t a competition so you should not push your group too hard, too long, or at too high of a speed
Formation
You’ll also benefit from planning a formation as it will result in a safer experience. One of the most popular formations consists of two alternating lines, wherein you’ll ride in a line that is tapered and alternates from left to right. You’ll want to assign some roles based on skill levels. For example, the bike riders in the very front and back should be the most experienced in the group with excellent leadership skills.
Hand Signals
You should come up with some hand signals, which can be used to communicate with each other while riding. This will give everyone an idea about how to react to the hand signals in the event of a problem. There should be hand signals for identifying emergency situations, stopping, turning, and pulling over. Go over these before riding to make sure that all group members are aware of their significance.
Group riding is an excellent way to travel with your biker buddies. If you have any questions or need assistance with motorcycle service or repairs, the experts at St. Charles Harley-Davidson® have got you covered! You’ll find us in St. Charles, MO, and we proudly serve all our friends in St. Louis and St. Peters.