Riding in tight formation at 75+ MPH.

[Bob Denman]

I once saw a large group in California of about 100 bikes in a 2x2 line. There was an idiot that decided to do a wheelie right down the middle of them, worked well for about 200 feet then not so well. There was about 25 bikes that piled up. Bad, Bad.

 

[hillbillywhisperer]

Yes, riding with a group in staggered formation is safe and there is absolutely nothing wrong with it. Although, if the group is large than it should be broken up into smaller groups. Spyder riders or other trikes should be placed in the rear.

 

[ARtraveler]

The bottom line for me is no way. :yes::yes::yes:

There are a couple local groups that ride just that way. 2 x 2 and at greater than highway speed (65). They look cool and usually are very loud. Sadly, they are only as strong as their weakest link. So far, so good. An accident will eventually happen.

The group I rode with used a staggered formation. That is better than 2 x 2. We also went down to 8 or less bikes per line. The last couple years, I was the safety person. I took on all the newbies and they had to ride in my group for starters. Politics and procedures were what caused me to leave the group. I don't miss the group rides at all. Experienced riders were becoming weak links. On one ride in the twisties I saw one of the lady riders cross the center line many times. After that ride, we were done.

 

[MurrayBrown]

Group Riding

In order to answer, one must FIRST define what you perceive as TIGHT? Harley chapters typically ride in staggered formation. With 2 seconds between the bike in front of you, and 1 second to the staggered rider on your left or right. Past Director of Southern Nevada HOG AJ

CORRECT! The only way to ride in a group is staggered, with the "timing" as per this note from Paladin.

I ride with a motorcycle riding group branch in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. We are a branch of a national association, Canadian Motorcycle Cruisers. Safety is Number One. No alcohol on any group rides, and follow the rules, which includes staggered riding. Trikes (Spyders, Harley trikes and Goldwing trikes) go to the rear. Groups are no more than 8 riders. If more, such as last night with 15 riders, two groups were created. Each one has a Road Captain (leader) and a Tailgunner. Since the trikes go to the rear, the riders of the trikes MUST be tested and signed off as Road Captains. They will never lead, but they MUST pass the same rules as the Road Captains.

Last night's ride was on a four-lane highway that allowed 120 km/h ... that is basically 75 mph.

If somebody knows how to save a PDF to this forum, I can do that. Otherwise if anybody wants a copy of the Rules, please send me a PM or e-mail me at [email protected].
I can then send you a PDF file that shows the staggered rules and hand signals that are used.

 

[Allensr]

group riding

As with any other venture with risk, follow the rules use common sense and stay safe. Group riding is fun but you better know who you are riding with.
Allen

 

[Bob Denman]

As with any other venture with risk, follow the rules use common sense and stay safe. Group riding is fun but you better know who you are riding with.
Allen

:agree: :clap:

 

[Bfromla]

How can this be safe? What do you think?

Not SAFE and Not Smart.[/QUOTE]
:agree::yikes::yikes::lecturef_smilie: & if your not comfortable your not enjoying the ride
WHATS THE POINT IN THAT?!:lecturef_smilie:
Just as bad if not worse that riding in flash flood rain storm or hail for that matter.
If the group is that large & for a proper event have the leo escort & all will be well. Per motorcy training the most experianced riders bring up the tail of the group not just the trikes.
If you randomly join a group on road maybe, otherwise talk with the group Captain

 

[asp125]

Some groups insist on staying in formation no matter what. It is especially IMHO, unsafe if they go in parade formation - ie side by side. That reduces your evasive options in half, you can't swerve into your riding buddy. At minimum, you should be staggered, one second to the bike ahead and diagonal from you, two seconds between bikes in your lane of travel. In the twisties the proper etiquette is to be single file, so that you can take proper cornering lines.

I used to partake in charity rides with large groups, and riding in formation with unskilled and unfamiliar riders was so unnerving. There would be riders who can't seem to hold pace or lane position and other stupid stuff. I've given up group riding unless it's with no more than six skilled riders that I know. Even then we'd never insist on holding formation.

 

[crazycanuck]

something is not right here...............did you really say Harleys at 75MPH :yikes:

 

[Mazo EMS2]

Not safe, I wouldn't/don't do it. I guess it's the "pack mentality" that the HD riders have to display....:banghead:

 

[rjs]

Group Ride

Hello Everyone I am off to a Minnesota Patriot Guard ride tomorrow and they expect 4,000 Bikes I always ride solo and I have about a 1000 miles on the bike an 2015 f3s I am paralyzed so I have the ISCI Hand Brake and I strap my wheelchair on the side of the bike. I would like to thank everyone for there thoughts on this post as my RADAR will be ON HIGH ALERT during
the ride. I may even pass on the group ride and just enjoy the day. It is a great event as they Salute VETERAN sand LAW ENFORCEMENT.
Once again thank you for all the post.
And Happy Riding!!!!!!

Ric
:doorag:

 

[Docster]

In order to answer, one must FIRST define what you perceive as TIGHT?

Harley chapters typically ride in staggered formation. With 2 seconds between the bike in front of you, and 1 second to the staggered rider on your left or right.

Past Director of Southern Nevada HOG
AJ

Smartest answer yet.

 

[OkieDoc]

FYI at 75mph you are moving at 110 feet per second!

 

[BoilerAnimal]

In order to answer, one must FIRST define what you perceive as TIGHT?

Harley chapters typically ride in staggered formation. With 2 seconds between the bike in front of you, and 1 second to the staggered rider on your left or right.

Past Director of Southern Nevada HOG
AJ

I guess I just haven't seen any typical Harley riders then! But based on what I have seen, Paladin's comment should read "Atypical Harley chapters ride in staggered formation".

 

[Lew L]

NOT ME

I'LL happy ride sweep and give plenty of space for them. It's just my humble opinion but 2 seconds at 70/75 in formation is NOT smart or safe riding.

CHAIN REACTION MOTORCYCLE COLLISIONS CAUSE=========Kaos

 

[jcthorne]

We ride with a local chapter of the SCRC. Our chapter is about half Spyders at this point. Staggered formation with minimum 2 second separation is a national organization safety requirement. Spyders and other trikes are NOT placed at the rear but rather dispersed throughout the group. We limit to about 12 or so bikes in a group ride. Breaking group rides up into smaller sections when needed. Each with a leader and a tail gunner. Hand signals are required as is a safety course and new member ride before you can ride with the group. If your group is not riding safe, suggest looking for your local SCRC chapter and making some new friends.

Group rides can be SAFE and FUN when done properly.

 

[Mazo EMS2]

My idea of a fun group ride is to ride with the "people", and not necessarily with the bikes. In other words, ride together, somewhat, but not in a "formation", and gather at some destinations as a group. Maybe some get there early, maybe some a few minutes later, but gather as a group of people, not a pack of bikes.

 

[jaherbst]

Nothing wrong with formation riding. I did so for years with people I knew and rode with several times a week. Yes we were staggered but very close. Each knew the ability's of the other and therein lies the secret to riding in tight formation. Not a lot different than Flying in formation. You would not want to do this with just anyone who had very little skill or was some one without discipline.

Jack

 

[Buckeye Bleau]

My idea of a fun group ride is to ride with the "people", and not necessarily with the bikes. In other words, ride together, somewhat, but not in a "formation", and gather at some destinations as a group. Maybe some get there early, maybe some a few minutes later, but gather as a group of people, not a pack of bikes.

Peach to their own preference, if you don't like group rides don't do them, if you do then enjoy.

personally I ride with various groups, Patriot Guard, ALR, 40+ Touring Riders and a local Spyder group.

The first two are very well organized and mostly veterans of the military. These are very structured both as a group and most members say are well versed in discipline and structure. We ride in stager formation unless at parades or at VERY low speeds, then by two's

The 40+ group is mostly older folks and about 90% three wheels. They ride slower and in single file. The same for the Spyder group and all is well, I will say that the later two allow more distance between and this actually causes more issues. Getting through intersections, lights and stop signs is terrible. With the former groups it is tight, managed and works well.

Joe

 

[Easy Rider]

Nothing wrong with formation riding.

VERY short sighted attitude. There IS something very wrong with it.

STUFF happens.......regardless of how skillful or experienced the riders are.

Not having a sufficient space cushion ALL around is just BAD driving in any vehicle.

On a motorcycle it is even more dangerous.