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Group Riding -- pros and cons

SledDog is right, big groups is serious business, but the converse is true to, some of the best motorcycling moments can be shared as a group, 15 of us went up to Calavaras Big Trees, near South Lake Tahoe near the lake...but we camped for the 2 days prior to the weekend, it helped that some of the bikes towed trailers, and we had enough provisions to go for longer. The ride up was pretty non-eventful, the scenery of course was California spectacular, the pace was 70mph on everything from Goldwings to BMWs to UJMs like my Suzuki Katana and even a couple Harleys...after the 2nd night we rode to a members' vacation cabin to go skiing. Quite a trip with a lot of contrasts in temperature, equipment and of course comraderie which is what group riding is all about. 1+ for group riding 15 bikes or less, sharing is a very good thing. :D
 
I have done a few group rides, but I had one make me a solo rider for good. We had a small group going to an event about 200 miles from home, leave at breakfast, spend 3-4 hours there and ride home with dinner along the way deal, the group had done a few and always a good time, only about 6-8 people usually were along,

Anyway, one of the regular riders had a business associatte that had just bought a new road glide and every piece of equipment that he could, and he was going to be a part of the experience. Well, along the way, it was drizzling lightly, and I will add a number of us were riding older iron, I was on my shovelhead with the original banana caliper brakes, which is important. Needless to say as we crested a slight knoll two cars had hit a deer and were stopped in the road, I was 3rd in line and we all stopped, I was fortunate enough to have the new smell guy behind me, well the next thing I know I hear someone yelling and realize that this guy was screaming and heading straight for me, yes he rear ended me, shoving me over and off the road and him on top of me. I get up, slightly bruised, and he started screaming at me for stopping so quickly in front of him, (where the banana calipers come in, sorta like dragging your feet if you ever rode one) My other partners help get everyone up, this guy is livid, and they asked him why he did not stop,,,ready,, his salesperson had told him to brake lightly for the first 1000 miles as to set his brakes and he had to do as told. Needless to say he was uninvited right there, and his business buddy rode on with him, I fix my damage, thinking what a moron, and I hope to never see this joker again,, and ready,, he sues me for damage to his bike for stopping too quickly. Fortunately the police were on scene for the other accident, and the officer was kind enough to travel 120 miles to be a witness to the accident, and the judge ordered this guy out of his court, and asked me why I did not sue him, as he would gladly give me what ever I wanted.

The end of my riding with anyone who I do not personally know the ability of.
 
The biggest problem with big group rides is so many different riding styles,and experience levels.When group riding everyone should be mature enough to ride smooth no weaving and the first and biggest rule is don't hit the bike in front of you.If everyone did these things it wouldn't be a problem.
 
Hey All --

A one-year HOG membership came with my last motorcycle purchase. As you all know, they do a lot of group rides for fundraising and just for fun.

I have a lot of miles in the saddle riding solo. I have never ridden in a group or in a parade of bikes. I would like to do some of these things, but don't really know much about it.

I was wondering if we could discuss the pros and cons of group riding. Or positive experiences vs things to be aware of...

I was lucky when I learned event runs.I had a group of friends who would place us in the middle of them and would watch out for us.It can be scary amongst a pac of strange riders.Bikes accelerations and stopping distances are harder to percieve than following a car.You need every ounce of attention at all times.Cant tell you how many times we'd do a run and the wife would ask me if I saw this or that?Nope, id answer...my eyes were glued to the 10 bikes in front of me.
One thing I did pic up after flying solo on these events.Make a point to meet who's around you.Evaluate the skill level of riders in your surroundings.You make some good friends that way and they will look out for you in the pac.
 
First Sporty, Let's all remember what HOG is. Most all HD Dealers will have a HOG chapter, as HOG is a "dealership" MOCO related GROUP. There are only a meger handfull of independently blessed by the MOCO, Via pope willie, out of dealership HOG chapters. I ride with a MC, so all of us know how to ride with 20 to 40 bikes on the highway doing 65 to 75+ mph, all of the time, and we can all also stay in the clutch/brake zone within a group of riders doing from 0 to 35- mph on city streets. Pros and cons, for as long as you say you've been riding, you'er one up on most of these HOG chapter riders. You should be able to recognize those in a HOG chapter group, that can do what I've said above, in the chapter, and can judge whether or not their road captain knows who they are also. Occasional group riding, is the most dangerous cruise/tour riding, that you can do. Normally, If one bike goes down, others are sure to follow, and very quickly. It has to be done right, and everybody needs to be "heads up" all of the time, when you do. Go out and ride with several area HOG chapters just behind the group, before you join one. You're going to find out also, that some HOG chapter group members, just like MC members, do not play well with others, hopefully you'll find out about those members "before" you pay to join the chapter. You see, in a MC, we can observe and see if the person can ride and fit in, before we let them join in the main group of riders. We help them along, and bring them to a feel for it, at their own pace, with a slowpoke puut down the road member, just behind the main group. That's where they're are going to learn about group riding, from behind it, because they can see all of the group and how they ride down the road. In addition, don't forget that if you have a current Nat. HOG card, pay the chapter dues at a chapter meeting, your pretty well in the chapter as a member. Well Sporty, a HOG group is NOT a MC! Even though some of the members in the chapter think that it is, and that they are in a MC. Some like to play at being bikers on the weekends, and at the chapter meeting, herin is going to lay the problem with HOG chapter group riding that you will face. The sheer lack of experience in the knowledge and participation in group motorcycling. Most just ride their scoots on the weekends, and only in good weather. Most of them don't ride together all of the time either, but when they do, some of them like to think that they can ride that bike 24/7. Remember this, HOG, Like a MC, is an ongoing method of socializing, if you feel that you don't fit in, you probably won't. So don't get hurt trying to. You might want to try a meetup.com riding group, or hang with a MC, on a few runs. And also, with any method of socializing, the group, club, or chapter is only as safe as their members choose to be!
 
I prefer to drive alone but I don't mind the charity or toy run now and again. I would not mind riding with a few friends, but none of my good friends have a bike. I do know several guys that have invited me to ride with thier groups, but they never seem to ride?? But on top of that I really do not feel comfortable riding with people I do not know.
 
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I usually prefer to ride alone, or maybe with 1 or 2 close friends. But this past summer I did a huge group ride. It was for a Bikerfest at my Moms church. It was done through Bikers for Christ. Im not a member, but that was the best experience I have ever had since owning my bike. They werent drinking obviously, so no worries about the drunk rider who can mess it up for everyone behind him, and there was at least 400-500 bikes. We had our own Ohio State Highway Patrol escort and everything, didnt have to stop at lights, they made our path so perfect. I was even suprised to see someone from the Outlaws MC out of Oklahoma there. I think he was the Chaplin or something, but from seeing things on the History Channel about the Outlaws and all of them, it was really cool to see him there.
 
This tread is close to my heart. I've have ridden for 40 years and 90% of that was alone, even when riding "in" a group. The "group" would ride at a speed that was unbelivable and I spent most of my time trying to keep up. I can say for certain that one definetly knows when they have exceeded their skill level. I was looking forward to riding with the HOG chapter this summer because I was assured they would teach me how to ride in a group (safely)and a source of advice on avoiding issues with MCs. Now it sounds like if I really want to learn to ride in a group, I should ride with an MC. I am serious about my riding and have and will ride in all weather.
 
We usually ride together on our own bikes and sometimes my BIL, nephew, and family friend will all ride as a group. If we are going as couples then I sometimes ride with hubby.
 
This tread is close to my heart. I've have ridden for 40 years and 90% of that was alone, even when riding "in" a group. The "group" would ride at a speed that was unbelivable and I spent most of my time trying to keep up. I can say for certain that one definetly knows when they have exceeded their skill level. I was looking forward to riding with the HOG chapter this summer because I was assured they would teach me how to ride in a group (safely)and a source of advice on avoiding issues with MCs. Now it sounds like if I really want to learn to ride in a group, I should ride with an MC. I am serious about my riding and have and will ride in all weather.

You don't have to go to a MC to learn how to ride in group. There is nothing that says a MC will be the best place to learn...

And it's all about learning. If you can find a few good riders, that ride in a group, they can be very helpful.

I would rather teach a couple (2 or 3) of novice riders (those if a few thousand mile under their belt) to group ride. It's easier to learn when you're comfortable with those you are ride with. Attempting to learn or teach in a large group is not the best way. Individual attention is better.

The biggest thing is to be confident in your skills. Know your emergency procedures and be ready to use them. Look around (at the other riders, not the scenery) when riding in a group. Situational Awareness is what will keep you safe. In a group, that awareness has to extend to the riders in front and behind, as well as the "normal" routine of riding.
 
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