free website stats program Using CB radio for group riding. | Harley Davidson Forums

Using CB radio for group riding.

horizonchaser

Senior Member
Contributor
I was wondering if I could get some input from anyone who has gone on group rides and used CB radios to communicate. I'm not talking about constant chatter while we are trying to enjoy our Zen ride, I'm, talking about half the group going through a green light, the other 1/4 running the red light to keep up, and the last 1/4 wisely not running the light but then the group looses them because nobody even noticed that they had fallen off!! Seriously. This happened to me a few weeks ago. We lost two guys because the main group failed to notice that they weren't back there. So I thought that since I had a HD Boom Microphone ( Shorty Helmet) that maybe one guy could wear a headset in the front of the ride, and one designated guy in the rear ( and I really don't care what position I hold in the formation. We are a flexible group) who also has a headset on. Then if the same problem were to arise again, or say a mechanical breakdown,bathroom stop, or whatever, we would at least have some means of relaying from front to rear what exactly is happening. Have any of you done this? This doesn't seem like a great innovation on my part. I imagine other groups might do likewise. Your thought on this would be welcome. Thanks.
 
RC and tail gunner in our group have CB. Normal no chatter. If part of the group gets held up at a light or stop sign, Accident, breakdown, Someone signals for a stop, relay info to the front like a metric bike has its blinkers on, securing a lane for the group to pass.

When we have our pre ride meeting one thing we talk about is if the group makes a turn and part of the group gets held up at a light or what ever, the LAST person in the forward group stop at the turn, if safe, to escort the rest of the group to catch up.

First aide kit is also a good idea to have.
 
RC and tail gunner in our group have CB. Normal no chatter. If part of the group gets held up at a light or stop sign, Accident, breakdown, Someone signals for a stop, relay info to the front like a metric bike has its blinkers on, securing a lane for the group to pass.

When we have our pre ride meeting one thing we talk about is if the group makes a turn and part of the group gets held up at a light or what ever, the LAST person in the forward group stop at the turn, if safe, to escort the rest of the group to catch up.

First aide kit is also a good idea to have.

We sort of do the same thing with the last guy going through the light pulling over and waiting for the rest of the group to catch up. Unfortunately, the guy who should have done that, didn't. I think we need to reinforce the strategy that your group uses when you have your "pre ride meeting". That is, make sure that last guy does stop (safely) and wait for those behind to catch up.
Right you are about the first aid. Two week ago one of our more experienced riders hit a soft shoulder and ended up in a brook. I posted it on our forum. Nobody had any Bacetracin ointment for his open cuts! :( I told myself that when I get home I was going to put some in my lower glove boxes. Which I haven't done, but I'm gonna do as soon as I finish typing this now that you reminded me of the First Aid Kit. :)
 
We are fortunate in that we have a couple of RN's in the group and at least one of them makes the ride with us. Unfortunately we have had to use their expertise a few times in the past. Nothing major, we all seem to make it home each night.:D
 
I have used CBs for about 6 years ride leader and back door, if you use a GPS talking steps on the GPS prompts I have had this happen a few times. CBs are good but keep the talking to a minimum.
 
I have used CBs for about 6 years ride leader and back door, if you use a GPS talking steps on the GPS prompts I have had this happen a few times. CBs are good but keep the talking to a minimum.
Totally agree about the talking stikman. The talking would be kept to a bare minimum with only necessary or urgent interruptions in our ride. I do have a GPS and I know what you mean about the CB stepping on the directions, especially at the wrong time. After getting burned a few times by that happening to me while talking to my wife, I more or less look at the GPS' screen to get a pretty good idea where I need to turn.
 
Same here. Two of us in a fairly regular group of 5 - 6 often ride together. I ride the lead or second and the other guy rides tail gunner. No idle chit chat. Safety talk for the most part. Even the non CBers in the group like it that we have the ability.

On the emergency management side, 3 of us are paramedics and carry some basic gear along with cells to call for help as required.
 
Myself and 3 friends with Ultras just returned from a trip to Montana (from Oregon) and I would say the CB's were priceless. No idle chatter, just routing/pee stops/butt breaks/food/fuel were the most conversation items. I also have a Road Tech Zumo 660 and had the route totally mapped and if I was not leading I communicated the turns/motels to the lead bike via CB!!

Priceless on a group ride in my opinion.

Roger
 
Don't wanna hijack this thread but it's gotten me to thinking. I have an Electra Glide Classic, no CB. Reading this thread I can see the value of having one. Not saying I'm gonna run out and buy one now but could be an upgrade in the future. What's a good aftermarket CB to install on a motorcycle?
 
Don't wanna hijack this thread but it's gotten me to thinking. I have an Electra Glide Classic, no CB. Reading this thread I can see the value of having one. Not saying I'm gonna run out and buy one now but could be an upgrade in the future. What's a good aftermarket CB to install on a motorcycle?

Don't go the J & M route. Just not up to par. HD has the best CB IMHO. Very loud and clear. Do you have the switches on the bars? That is part of the battle. I found a wiring harness and console on e-bay for about $150.00 and bought a new radio from HD for $300.. Don't regret a penny of it.:s
 
Back
Top