Motorcycle Group Riding
One of the most enjoyable ways to spend time on your bike is to ride with friends! Group riding can be a great bonding experience with your fellow motorcyclists, allowing you to explore a new route together and share a meal together at a roadside diner. Even the straightest and most boring stretch of highway becomes more fun when you have a group to share the ride with.
When you go on a ride with others, though, you’ll want to take some precautions to make sure no one’s left behind and everyone has a successful ride. Willamette Valley Harley-Davidson® in Eugene is your Oregon motorcycle dealer, so we’ve provided this guide to motorcycle group riding to help you plan your next adventure with your friends!
Packing For The Trip
Every good trip requires some preparation, and even if you’re only going to be riding for an afternoon, there are several items you’ll want to have with you. Snacks, water, and the appropriate riding gear are necessary supplies for every rider to carry. Someone should have a well-stocked tool kit on hand to make minor roadside repairs as needed. And someone else should carry a first-aid kit with bandages, ointments, and medications for addressing injuries and illnesses. The last rider in the group could carry both of these things so they can catch up to any other rider who might need them.
Make sure that all riders fill up their gas tanks before you go. You never know how far between gas stations you’ll be, after all! You should also ensure that everyone’s bike is well-maintained, with tires filled up to the proper air pressure and oil that’s not sludgy. No one wants to be the one whose motorcycle breaks down because they forgot to get an oil change ahead of the ride!
Talk About The Planned Route
Once you’ve determined a route, you’ll want to share it with the group. Everyone should know roughly how to get from your starting point to your final destination, just in case they fall behind a bit. You’ll also want to discuss stopping points as a group, whether these are pit stops for gas or food or tourist attractions that you all want to visit.
Look up the route online to make sure there aren’t any hazards like fallen rocks, road closures, or construction that could hold up the ride. You can adjust the planned route as necessary to account for any issues you find.
Choose A Riding Formation
Ideally, no member of your group will ride alone. Choose an organized formation to ride in that will prevent any one rider from becoming separated. A good formation makes you more visible to drivers, which improves your safety.
A staggered double line is one great formation to use in this regard. It resembles a zipper if seen from above, with each rider two seconds away from the one ahead and the one behind.
Make sure that the leader of the group is capable of checking ahead for traffic and road changes and able to signal those changes to the rest of the group. The leader also sets the speed of the group, so they’ll need to communicate with each rider to learn what they’re comfortable doing so no one is pushed past their skill level.
The person riding in the very rear should carry the supplies needed by the group that we noted earlier. They also have to remain behind with anyone who might fall behind. This will require patience and the skills to fix others’ bikes. Make sure you choose each of these positions with care, as the leader and rear rider both need to be experienced, but also patient and forgiving.
We hope this guide helps you plan the perfect group ride! If you want to check out some great motorcycles for sale in Eugene, visit Willamette Valley Harley-Davidson! Our motorcycle dealership welcomes all our Oregon customers coming from the cities of Albany and Corvallis.