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How-To: Group Motorcycle Riding
Group riding can be one of the best parts of getting into motorcycles, but it can also
become frustrating (and even dangerous) when the group is disorganized. Like any
group activity, it goes best when everyone "knows the deal" beforehand - here's our
guide to the basics of group riding so everyone can enjoy it!
K i c k i n g O ff T h e R i d e the signals they send back to the more experienced ones in back.
Unless you have a group that's rest of the group will be This allows more seasoned
been riding together a long time, important. riders to keep an eye on the
things will run best when you Its also important to go over the newbies, and give them pointers
have a ride leader/organizer in pace and riding style of the day's based on what they observe.
charge (especially when riders ride; some rides might be With more skilled riders up front,
of varying experience levels are leisurely weekend cruises and it becomes too easy for them to
present.) This "head honcho" others might be asphalt- ride at a fast pace and leave
should be someone who has shredding thrill rides, but n e w e r r i d e r s b e h i n d
extensive experience with group everyone needs to know the unintentionally.
riding, is well organized, and pace beforehand. Its a good You may also want to consider
doesn't mind calling the shots for idea to get a feel for everyone's using communication systems
that day's ride. experience level at this time too - such as these from Scala Rider
The ride leader/organizer does that's not something you want to (especially between the lead
not have to be the first bike in the find out due to an incident mid- and tail riders) which can make
pack; his or her job is to organize ride. things run a lot more smoothly.
the ride and keep everything
r u n n i n g s m o o t h l y, n o t The tail rider should also be very More Isn't Always Merrier
necessarily to ride in front. experienced in group riding. "The more the merrier" does not
Before the ride kicks off, he or They will keep an eye out for always apply when it comes to
she should conduct an all-rider s t r a g g l e r s , b i k e s w i t h group rides. Keeping your group
meeting at the starting point to mechanical problems, or down to a manageable size of
go over the route, designate rest anyone doing anything that riders between five and seven is
stops, and go over hand signals.
might be unsafe to the rest of the ideal, and up to around ten can
Next, a lead and tail rider should group. If they have to fall back to still be manageable if everyone
be designated. The lead rider's deal with any of these problems, is knows what they're doing.
job is to set the riding pace, look they will be able to help out, and If your ride is gets bigger than
ahead for anything that could can arrange to get the group that, think about breaking it up
interrupt the ride, and be very back together by contacting the into smaller groups, each with
familiar with navigating the ride leader. their own lead and tail rider. You
route. They should also be very For the rest of the group, its a can still rendezvous at the
well versed in hand signaling; as good idea to arrange riders in destination, but doing this
the lead rider, they will be the order of experience; less makes keeping track of riders
"eyes" for the entire group, so experienced riders in front, and easier, and allows for less of a
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LHR Motorcycle Magazine Issue 12 April 2025
