Group riding

[CAC]

The majority of my riding has been solo and alone. Since 2011 I have ridden in every state except North Dakota and Alaska, and all of them more than once except the northwest states. I have just under 239,000 miles on my 08 and a safe bet so as not to be called a liar would be less than 10,000 miles were ridden with other bikes. The main thing is that I needed to find some comparable riding styles. I have ridden with Murgie, Travelinlite, Ohiowinger a few times and had a blast! I invited them to my house this past weekend and took them on some of my local roads. Thanks Murgie and Travelinlite for coming, I hope you enjoyed it, I did. But I do need to work on my group riding techniques. I was given some constructive criticism when passing, I passed a car and slowed thus not allowing my buddies to tuck back in. Sorry guys! LOL. But the big thing for me since I haven't been the lead rider with anyone at the pace they ride, I was constantly checking my mirrors and that ultimately caused a few bad cornering lines. It might not have been as noticeable to them, or atleast they didn't say anything about it, What did I learn? I can't ride like an only child! Hahaha. Thanks again for coming!

[Westdc]

When riding in a group (that's) when a CB or like comes in very handy - It will help the leader keep his eyes on the rode - Not all wings have the cb so if your in a group 3 or more and only 2 bikes have a cb - put one as leader and one as tail - that way the leader knows of any issu'es without always looking and you can let the tail know of any road hazards or turn off's or unplanned stops.

Other than that it's common rules of road when riding together Pass when you can as long as all can pass with you or Speed up so others can get behind you (as you have learned) Riding speed should be covered before take off to find out who is willing to 5+ mph over posted speeds - working together makes for a better group ride.

[Cruiseman]

Riding ins a group can be a challenge. When I bought my Sportster in 2005 I joined the local HOG chapter. We would go on group rides every week and these were LARGE groups of 50 bikes or more. It scared the crap out of me. I was always too busy trying not to run into the bike in front of me, and wondering if the bike behind me was going to smash me from behind. I ride too slow and make too many stops on a road trip for most riders to pal up with me. I like to take the back roads, stop and take photos, fill up with gas and walk around every 150 miles or so. I guess you could say I am a "Marshmallow Butt" rider, not an Iron Butt.

[Haste Maker]

The biggest problem I have with a group ride is, people that pull along side me at a stop sign & block my view of on coming traffic..this is very dangerous

[CAC]

The biggest problem I have with a group ride is, people that pull along side me at a stop sign & block my view of on coming traffic..this is very dangerous

I've had a few try and ride beside me chips style and I immediately back off and end that. Some don't have a problem with it and that's fine. It limits my evasive travel should the need occur so I don't do it. Just a sissy I guess.

[Rocky]

Gayle. Rule of thumb when leading a group and you pass a slower vehicle. Stay on the gas until the last guy says "All Clear" on the CB.
Normally someone in the group will volunteer to be a tail gunner if others don't have a CB.

Slowing down?? I don't know what that means but read about it from time to time.

People who follow me don't get very good fuel mileage..
But we do wait for the guys who want fuel mileage at the next corner.

[Gold Winger]

Riding solo can be fun at times, however I enjoy riding with other skilled riders, more! I have noticed that if you ride with your Chapter group frequently, the more enjoyable the rides become! I have gone on many 400 mile day rides with 10-12 bikes and it was amazing! We have organized rides every weekend during the summer . . . Everyone is usually ARC certified (many of us are Road Captains) & have been riding for years, everyone has a CB radio, follows the rules of the road, and puts safety above everything! Riding with a group can be a blast!!

[530ktm]

I do not enjoy riding in large groups, been there and done that, too nerve wracking not knowing what all the others are capable of or not. 4 to 10 bikes for me is the best and that is if they all know how to ride.

[Kit Carson]

I enjoy all kinds of rides, solo, group , whatever. I just adjust to what is going on that day. Yes in the mountains if you do decide to pass, keep the speed up until all have a chance to get caught up with you.

It is all fun, you just have to pay more attention in a group.

[Bama Jack]

In my case, I'm about a 60% Solo (Co-Rider included) and 40% Social Riding with a group. Prefer 5 or less bikes. Any more it becomes almost a job and I don't want a j-o-b.

[CAC]

Gayle. Rule of thumb when leading a group and you pass a slower vehicle. Stay on the gas until the last guy says "All Clear" on the CB.
Normally someone in the group will volunteer to be a tail gunner if others don't have a CB.

Slowing down?? I don't know what that means but read about it from time to time.

People who follow me don't get very good fuel mileage..
But we do wait for the guys who want fuel mileage at the next corner.

Good to see to see you here Rocky! I guess the reason I don't do the group ride much, might be that I'm too damn slow and no one wants me in their group. That might also explain why I get 54 miles to the gallon, lol. I've thought about a CB, just can't justify it when so many miles are solo.

[OhioWinger]

Clair, If you get a CB, we would not be able to talk about ya anymore, Lol. Amy and I enjoy riding with ya, sorry we missed your Ride-in.

[remphoto]

My problem is finding compatible riders. Group I used to ride with was too hardcore regarding destinations, not to mention a little less than safety conscious. Group I tried riding with lately had a brand new rider who didn't want to ride on roads with curves, a rider who's wife complained about riding more than 20 miles, etc. Maybe third time will be a charm.

[hparsons]

No curves and no more than 20 miles?? Yeah, time for a new group. Maybe you can bring both of them one of those small portable fold up chairs, so they can sit and talk while the rest of the group rides motorcycles...

[CAC]

Clair, If you get a CB, we would not be able to talk about ya anymore, Lol. Amy and I enjoy riding with ya, sorry we missed your Ride-in.

I can only imagine! LOL. I can't watch football because everytime they huddle I'm sure they're talking about me.

[wingleader09]

Group rides are fun if you are with the right group. Like Gold Winger said above, the more you ride with a group, the better it gets. Group riding is both an art and a science. It's an art because the more the group practices together, the more enjoyable and safer the rides become. It is a science because there are definite rules that a group of riders should follow when riding together.

I have ridden in groups that are fun to be with and then I have ridden in groups that I couldn't wait to get away from. But my most favorite "group" is just me and my wife. We have been riding together long enough (since 1991) that we know each other's riding style, rhythms and preferences. She is still my best riding buddy.

[CAC]

Group rides are fun if you are with the right group. Like Gold Winger said above, the more you ride with a group, the better it gets. Group riding is both an art and a science. It's an art because the more the group practices together, the more enjoyable and safer the rides become. It is a science because there are definite rules that a group of riders should follow when riding together.

I have ridden in groups that are fun to be with and then I have ridden in groups that I couldn't wait to get away from. But my most favorite "group" is just me and my wife. We have been riding together long enough (since 1991) that we know each other's riding style, rhythms and preferences. She is still my best riding buddy.

Awl...isn't that sweet! Lol. That's great to have a partner to ride with like that. Ohiowinger and mrs. Ohiowinger seem to have a blast, albeit on one bike. Mine says she doesn't like roller coasters and there is no reason to be able to reach out and touch the road on every turn,...Then Ohiowinger posted a video with Amy doing just that! Mine has barely been on the bike this year and is slowly fading to non riding status. I'm in it for the ride and she is it for the destination.

[530ktm]

But my most favorite "group" is just me and my wife. We have been riding together long enough (since 1991) that we know each other's riding style, rhythms and preferences. She is still my best riding buddy.

I could not agree with this more.

[jmohme]

I do the majority of my riding solo, but do occasionally ride in a groups. I don't worry too much about matching riding styles. I just try to take up the rear or near the rear.
It is rare that I can't keep up, and it doesn't bother me to slow down to a pace that is comfortable to others.
The only time I have a problem is when one or more of the group is doing stupid things. Not fast, just stupid. At that point, I have just left the group. If someone in the group has a CB, I will let them know that I need to go, and if not, just drop back to open up a safe distance and let them know at the next stop. I have only had to do that a couple times, but I won't ride with dangerous riders.

[glarson3]

Gayle. Rule of thumb when leading a group and you pass a slower vehicle. Stay on the gas until the last guy says "All Clear" on the CB.
Normally someone in the group will volunteer to be a tail gunner if others don't have a CB.

Slowing down?? I don't know what that means but read about it from time to time.

People who follow me don't get very good fuel mileage..
But we do wait for the guys who want fuel mileage at the next corner.

But sometimes those who want better fuel mileage ride on by as you and your Bravo Foxtrot are getting an award.