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Riding in tight formation at 75+ MPH.
- Thread starter Casher50
- Start date
Dudley
New member
I didn't read every post, but I can see that there is no consensus to whether to ride or not to ride in a group. Do whatever you feel comfortable with. In the fifty years of riding I first rode in a group with the GWRRA. Our "Chapter" leader, on one of our rides stayed in the left lane of I-10 between Texas and Lafayette. LA, at 60 MPH! Another ride after doing coffee stop, pee stop hops from Houston to Lafayette I informed him that we were going to head straight home...we had an infant to take care of. His answer "What's the matter, you don't want to ride with us anymore?" Guess his question was his answer. That was the last ride. Move forward about 30 years and here comes the Spyder...we are now in California. Started riding with the SRA, SD Chapter. One day we are riding north on I-5, staggered formation, 3 lanes (75 MPH) riding in the center lane, when an SUV to the left of me gave me the feeling it needed to prepare for an exit sometime soon, so I let her in. She thanked me, worked her way to the exit lane, then exited. I pulled back into my "2-second" spot and continued. Low and behold at the place where we were having a group lunch, not by name, my letting the SUV in "our" lane was announced. The rest of the story...that was our LAST ride. I have survived 50 years of riding by riding safely and being courteous to others. I will not be dominated by anyone telling me I have to ride "His" way. So now my wife and I ride alone, and love it.
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Easy Rider
New member
I think a person has a responsibility to politely call other riders on their unsafe practices, especially if they are friends or club members.
In both of the situations you described, I think that others NEEDED to hear your side of the story.......then leave afterwards if necessary.
You might have been surprised at how many others would have supported you and made their future rides safer.
Trying to assert "ownership" of a lane is just foolish regardless of what vehicle you are in.
On a motorcycle it approaches suicide because you will never win a fight with a car.
In both of the situations you described, I think that others NEEDED to hear your side of the story.......then leave afterwards if necessary.
You might have been surprised at how many others would have supported you and made their future rides safer.
Trying to assert "ownership" of a lane is just foolish regardless of what vehicle you are in.
On a motorcycle it approaches suicide because you will never win a fight with a car.
Bob Denman
New member
:agree: Calling you out like that was a classless act...
IdahoMtnSpyder
Active member
GWRRA team riding guidelines state that 5 is the optimal group size with 7 being the max. One of the reasons is just what was mentioned above. You need to allow for other traffic to move in and out of your lane without breaking into your group. The one and two second spacing needs to be increased whenever weather or road conditions dictate. The one time you often need to lengthen the spacing is passing semis. The three places on the road you do not want to be are, behind a semi, alongside a semi, and in front of a semi. You need to assess the traffic situation so all of the group can pass the semi as quickly as possible.
:agree: with Dudley. Courtesy is paramount for safe riding. The one time I let courtesy be secondary is when I'm pacing behind and to the left of a semi waiting for the lane to clear ahead of me so I can get past him as fast as I can. Sometimes that means not letting cars go by me while they see the open distance ahead of me getting longer and longer until it's clear for me to go by the semi.
:agree: with Dudley. Courtesy is paramount for safe riding. The one time I let courtesy be secondary is when I'm pacing behind and to the left of a semi waiting for the lane to clear ahead of me so I can get past him as fast as I can. Sometimes that means not letting cars go by me while they see the open distance ahead of me getting longer and longer until it's clear for me to go by the semi.
austin160
New member
I have yet to ride in a group with the Spyder, or any trike ever. In my Harley days, riding with a VFW group, we always rode in staggered formation around Huntsville. I actually felt a little safer doing it on the interstate, because it is easier to see a group of bikes than just one. If we had new members or new riders we would put them in the back, next to last so they could drop back if they felt uncomfortable.
Group riding isn't dangerous, if you use some common sense. Which with most of the groups I rode with used, except for the few times we had crotch rockets with us. They didn't seem to understand the formation and wanted to ride all over. I always left those groups.
Group riding isn't dangerous, if you use some common sense. Which with most of the groups I rode with used, except for the few times we had crotch rockets with us. They didn't seem to understand the formation and wanted to ride all over. I always left those groups.
AeroPilot
Member
To each their own..
We used to ride in group rides on two wheels and still occasionally do on the Spyders. Was never a big fan of "pick-up" charity rides where you have little familiarity with your riding group. Last Tuesday was priveleged to ride with the Women on Wheels group of about 17 mixed bikes from 2wheelers, trikes, and Spyders, and due to light traffic enjoyed all 170 miles of the loop. We left together, rode together, stopped together and for the most part stayed in staggered formation except for 40 miles of twisties single file near Bishops Castle in the mountains. When we stopped for lunch, I told the group they were "on their own" the last 65 miles to return on the interstate, as I felt that was the safest way to get back to the hotel on July 4th. Great group of riders from Massachusetts, (about 10) chose to ride back in formation but the rest split up and enjoyed our own pace on the interstate. We arrived safely and a good time was had by all to my knowledge.:thumbup:
p. s. It is against the law for any driver to ride in the left lane on a multilane highway in Colorado unless you are actively passing another vehicle!
We used to ride in group rides on two wheels and still occasionally do on the Spyders. Was never a big fan of "pick-up" charity rides where you have little familiarity with your riding group. Last Tuesday was priveleged to ride with the Women on Wheels group of about 17 mixed bikes from 2wheelers, trikes, and Spyders, and due to light traffic enjoyed all 170 miles of the loop. We left together, rode together, stopped together and for the most part stayed in staggered formation except for 40 miles of twisties single file near Bishops Castle in the mountains. When we stopped for lunch, I told the group they were "on their own" the last 65 miles to return on the interstate, as I felt that was the safest way to get back to the hotel on July 4th. Great group of riders from Massachusetts, (about 10) chose to ride back in formation but the rest split up and enjoyed our own pace on the interstate. We arrived safely and a good time was had by all to my knowledge.:thumbup:
p. s. It is against the law for any driver to ride in the left lane on a multilane highway in Colorado unless you are actively passing another vehicle!
Bob Denman
New member
:agree: :clap:
Bob Denman
New member
:shocked: Such a shame...
And it was completely preventable. :banghead:
Machinegunner
New member
In the late 90's we road with our Governor from Madison to Springfield, ILL. Then back up to Champaign for the night. Next day on to Indy, Then to Columbus, and eventually to DC. There were 300 bikes and we were told to stay in the left lane at all times and to keep a 2 FOOT distance from the bike in front. We drove 80mph all day long. The experienced riders were scared to death. The new riders (and there were quite a few) thought it was a big thrill to be riding in such a large group. We only had a couple very minor problems. I still can't believe we did it. I still don't want to ride in big groups since.
Bob Denman
New member
:yikes: I'd call that ride: "Dodging a bullet"! nojoke
Bob Denman
New member
:clap::agree::thumbup:
On my last club ride a bike behind me almost rear-ended me when I had to emergency brake. I told him my Spyder stops on a dime....his reply was "apparently". In my 20+ years of riding with a club we have had several accidents, all of which were the fault of the motorcyclist into another motorcycle and never was there a car involved. I stated on a previous thread that bikers are their own worst enemy.
The rule of thumb in formation riding is 2 seconds between bikes and only travel as fast as you can brake. The HURT report of many years ago concluded (if I am remember it correctly, 1970s) that 75% of accidents were in front and slightly to the side of you. 20% of the bikes were rear-ended with only a few (5%) due to mechanical failure (flat tire etc). In short....close proximity to ANYTHING is a bad idea. My thoughts.
The rule of thumb in formation riding is 2 seconds between bikes and only travel as fast as you can brake. The HURT report of many years ago concluded (if I am remember it correctly, 1970s) that 75% of accidents were in front and slightly to the side of you. 20% of the bikes were rear-ended with only a few (5%) due to mechanical failure (flat tire etc). In short....close proximity to ANYTHING is a bad idea. My thoughts.
Desert Spyder
New member
Good thread. I have a buddy who recently sold his Spyder for back problem. When we were on group rides he would always be about 1/4 + from the back of the pack. I knew he can fly when he wanted but he had an aversion to groups. Seems when he was a teen he and his school kids would go out in packs with their girls. One time their was an accident and the girl on his bike lost her leg. Later she died. He felt guilty about the experience and always played it super safe. I understand completely. I'm also with the PGR and a RC. Sometimes the pack is super tight and side by side with other RC's on Sou Cal freeways. I do not like that. Trikes are normally in back but when I'm RC I am in front many times running block for the missing man. I tell my troops we are not in the business of exchanging lives and we will play it cool. Our biggest problem it seems are from the coach (Hearst) drivers who insist on going 90 mph to make it to the cemetery on time. I have chewed more than once these people and talk to their boss. You will not endanger my peoples lives while we honor the hero. Speed kills and so does close formation/
Define "Tight Formation"
I've been group riding in a tight stagger since I was 14, my father, & other experienced riders explained it to me as every two bikes should be in 1 second alternative stagger; Lead to Wing. This is the safe formation as taught by Motorcycle Safety Foundation. In sweeping turns, switchbacks you spread to 1.5-2 sec, allowing both riders to use the full lane. Group riding is a skill, just like hard braking, it requires practice. We also pass information back through the group by using hand and foot signals. If the group gets strung out, signals get lost, turns missed, debris run over, maneuvers to avoid wildlife, or cages think the group has passed, pulling out in front of the next two bikes. Sounds like they are doing it right...
Alternatively as you travel, you will see the 1% MCs, who ride "paired" side by side. This group will also be .5 sec behind the bike in front. Riding this tight it's nearly impossible to see anything ahead.
I've been group riding in a tight stagger since I was 14, my father, & other experienced riders explained it to me as every two bikes should be in 1 second alternative stagger; Lead to Wing. This is the safe formation as taught by Motorcycle Safety Foundation. In sweeping turns, switchbacks you spread to 1.5-2 sec, allowing both riders to use the full lane. Group riding is a skill, just like hard braking, it requires practice. We also pass information back through the group by using hand and foot signals. If the group gets strung out, signals get lost, turns missed, debris run over, maneuvers to avoid wildlife, or cages think the group has passed, pulling out in front of the next two bikes. Sounds like they are doing it right...
Alternatively as you travel, you will see the 1% MCs, who ride "paired" side by side. This group will also be .5 sec behind the bike in front. Riding this tight it's nearly impossible to see anything ahead.
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