Riding in a Group
The thrill of a motorcycle ride is only made better when adding more riders. An exciting adventure is best shared with others, but group riding isn’t only about having more fun on the road. It’s also safer, as long as you know the basics necessary to coordinate between your fellow riders. At Toad Suck Harley-Davidson®, we understand the appeal of a squadron of riders in tight formation zipping down a freeway. After all, one of the few things more fun and exciting than riding a motorcycle is riding with others! In that spirit, we’ve put together this short article with some tips to getting the basics of group riding down. Read on for more information or head into our location in Conway, Arkansas, where we’re proud to serve Conway, Searcy, Hot Springs, and Fort Smith.
Preparation
All travel benefits from a bit of planning, and group riding isn’t different. Forgetting some important gear or mixing up plans can mean keeping your buddies waiting while you get you and your bike in order. This includes making sure you have a full tank of gas and your bike has gone through a pre-ride check so you can minimize any time-eating problems and focus on eating up mile after mile of freeway. Don’t be the rider who holds up the group!
Itinerary
A squadron of riders will face issues getting to the same destination if they don’t all share the same pre-arranged route. Well before you hop in the saddle be sure to go over your route as a group, making sure every rider understands where you’ll be going and how you’re getting there. It can be helpful to name a navigator to make decisions about destination and keep things focused while on the road.
This is also a great opportunity to ensure everyone is up to the difficulties of the ride. Different riders have different levels of experience and comfort with certain road hazards. Pushing a long ride might fatigue newer additions to the Harley® family, so keep in mind every rider’s needs. Group riding isn’t a competitive sport, after all. Don’t let these issues get between you and a memorable ride.
Form Up
The crux of group riding is sticking to a formation to ensure a safe and efficient journey. Two alternating lines of riders is the most effective method, giving you ample space between riders and offers maximum visibility for other motorists. 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! Side-by-side riding, as opposed to alternating lines, isn’t explicitly illegal in Arkansas, but it is in other states, so make sure you understand any motorcycle law differences if you decide to cross state lines.
Hand Signals
Easy to use electronic communication devices have become more common among motorcycle riders, especially group riders, but you should still understand and be able to use hand signals should electronics fail. There are quite a few different signals, ranging from communicating the need to refuel and road hazards to course or speed corrections. Whatever form of communication you end up using, make sure your entire squadron understands what’s expected.
With the basics under your belt, you’re ready to give group riding a shot. Just remember to plan ahead and make sure everyone in your squadron is on the same page. And while you’re thinking ahead, stop by Toad Suck HD to get all your parts and service taken care of so you’ll be ready when you receive the call to adventure. Stop by our showroom in Conway, Arkansas, where we proudly serve Searcy, Hot Springs, Fort Smith, and Russellville. Our team of courteous professionals will help you find what you’re after and show you the true meaning of customer satisfaction.
