Motorcycle Group Riding Tips

TIPS FOR RIDING IN A GROUP

1. HAVE A PRE-RIDE MEETING

Before heading out on a group ride, it’s best to have a short meeting to go over the ride plan. If you are riding with a small group of friends, this can be informal. As the group gets larger, however, it becomes more important to have a more formal plan for the ride. You want everyone to start the ride with the same agenda in mind.

Tips for a Pre-Ride Meeting Include:

• Designate a group leader – This person should know the planned route and should be an experienced rider. Also designate a “sweeper,” the rider who is always the last motorcycle in the group. If anyone has a problem and needs to stop, the sweeper stops with them to ensure nobody is left stranded.
  
  

• Determine Stops - Before departure, determine when the group will take rest breaks or stops for fuel or food, sites the group will visit, etc. On larger group rides, it may be appropriate to designate a time slot for lunch breaks, for example, to keep the group organized and moving as a unit.
  
  

• Establish Communication Norms - Review the motorcycle group ride hand signals the group will use, or a plan to use wireless communication. When using wireless communication, it’s a good plan for only the leader and the sweeper to speak unless another rider has an urgent issue, and chatter about the weather, the size of the cow herd, etc., should be kept to a minimum. Learn more about the best Bluetooth motorcycle helmets and headsets.
  
  

• Stay Connected - Every rider should have the leader’s cell phone number.
  
  

2. RIDE IN FORMATION

When riding in any group, even if it’s just you and another rider, it’s best to stay in a staggered formation. That is, with the lead rider in the left third of the lane, the second rider following in the right third, the third rider again in the left, and so on. This formation gives each rider room to maneuver, while also making the group a little more compact, taking up less room on the road than if everyone were riding single file.

Tips for Group Riding in Formation Include:

• Prioritize following distance – Following distance is key. Each rider should stay at least two seconds behind the rider directly in front – at least one second behind the rider in the other half of the lane. Riders should feel free to fall back further when going through a set of curves or if encountering conditions such as rough roads or rain, as these call for a greater safety margin.
  
  

• Split into Sub-Groups – Riding in a group of more than five motorcycles can become confusing both for the group and other traffic around you. When groups get bigger, it can become increasingly difficult to keep the group together. If your group ride is larger, consider splitting into several groups, each with its own designated lead and sweeper riders. If less-experienced riders are along, make sure they aren’t all in one group and that each “sub-group” has at least one experienced rider to look after the beginners.
  
  

• Make a Separation Plan – Riding in formation presents a number of advantages but also presents certain challenges. Chief among them can simply be staying together – especially when riding through controlled intersections. So, make sure a “separation plan” is discussed at the pre-ride meeting. If a group gets split up at an intersection, for example, the lead rider can make a decision to slow down to a safe minimum speed or even to pull over and wait to let the stragglers catch up – but only if there’s a safe place to do so. Sometimes it’s best just to regroup at the next planned stop.
  
  

3. MANEUVER CONTROLLED INTERSECTIONS WITH CAUTION

During almost any ride, the group is going to encounter controlled intersections. These include intersections with stop or yield signs and those with traffic lights. Getting a group through a controlled intersection can pose a challenge because following traffic laws will often break up the group. Approach every intersection with caution, with riders proceeding through only when it’s safe and legal. Some large group rides may arrange for police to block an intersection to allow the entire group to pass through together, but blocking an intersection without permission is often illegal. Always put personal safety ahead of staying with the group.

Tips for Motorcycle Group Riding Through Controlled Intersections Include:

• STOP signs and red lights – Line up side-by-side, two-by-two, at the stop. At a red light, proceed when the light turns green. At STOP signs, proceed through the intersections two at a time when it is your turn, returning to the staggered formation as you pull away. If the intersection is clear of other vehicles – or if you can be very confident through eye-contact and hand gestures that other vehicles at the intersection know what you’re doing – it’s sometimes okay to proceed in larger groups. But do so only with great care.
  
  

• Left turns with a left-turn arrow – Tighten the formation to allow as many riders as possible to pass through quickly. Don’t ride side-by-side; make the turn single-file or in a tight, staggered formation.
  
  

• Left turns with no left-turn arrow – Proceed with caution single-file, with each rider passing through the intersection only when it’s safe and legal.
  
  

• At an intersection with a two-way stop (traffic light or STOP signs) – While waiting at a traffic light, it may be appropriate to close up the formation and wait side-by-side. However, when the light turns green, riders should pull away one by one and re-establish riding in a staggered formation.
  
  

• At an intersection with a YIELD sign – Turn your head to check for traffic before merging.

4. PASS WITH CARE

During the ride, the motorcycle group is likely to encounter slower traffic that presents an opportunity to pass. Unless the group is small, a passing situation can lead to a group getting separated. As always, rider safety and courtesy to other motorists should be a priority when passing on group rides.

Tips for Passing on Group Rides Include:

• Pass only when necessary – It’s often better to bide your time and be patient – especially on two-lane roadways.
  
  

• Pass in Small Groups – On freeways and other multi-lane highways, pass in small groups – three at a time is a good number. On two-lane highways, pass one-by-one, safely and only in marked passing zones.
  
  

• Establish Group Dynamics – If you’re among a group of riders who are about to pass a motorist, agree in advance on how the group will or will not pass and follow that guidance while still making your own safety decisions. It’s a mistake to blindly follow the lead of the rider in front of you. That rider might have very different sensibilities than you about what constitutes a safe situation for passing. And even if the situation was safe for their pass, it might have changed by the time you’re ready to do so. If you’re riding within a group and decide to pass a motorist, always check behind you before swinging wide. Others in the group behind you might not share your same caution and could decide to pass before it’s their turn.
  
  

• Passing with a passenger – Passing strategy should change when your motorcycle is loaded with a passenger or the weight of extra gear. A loaded motorcycle takes more time to accelerate and decelerate. Rather than trying to accelerate hard to execute the pass as you might if the motorcycle were light, build up speed before initiating the pass. Then use that speed to complete the pass as quickly as possible.
  
  

• Passing in farm country – Passing farm equipment like a tractor or combine poses added challenges. This equipment is often wide and may extend into a second lane and can sling mud and dirt on to the road. The operator may have limited visibility. The equipment may not have brake lights or turn signals and may abruptly make a left-hand turn, or turn into a field entrance without a clearly marked or visible driveway. Be very aware and watch for clues to directional changes the operator might make.
  
  

5. MAKE SURE EVERYONE IS PROPERLY DRESSED

Harley-Davidson subscribes to the All The Gear All The Time (ATGATT) philosophy. Proper gear is essential to protected riding, and quality motorcycle gear is crucial. Wearing the right motorcycle clothing always makes the sport more enjoyable and more comfortable, too. Gear basics include:

• Helmet – The helmet should fit properly. A full-face helmet gives the most protection since it covers all the head and face. Learn more about the different types of motorcycle helmets to choose the best helmet for your riding style or browse the best motorcycle helmets guide from Harley-Davidson.

• Eye Protection – A high-quality visor on your helmet, a pair of goggles, or shatterproof glasses is recommended for riding. Check out our best motorcycle sunglasses.

• Motorcycle Jacket - A motorcycle jacket made of leather or synthetic materials combine ventilation and protection for your arms and core. Browse our guide to the best motorcycle jackets from H-D to learn more.

• Motorcycle Pants – Similarly, motorcycle pants made of leather or synthetic materials combine ventilation and protection for your legs. Browse our guide to the best motorcycle pants from H-D to learn more.

• Gloves – Bare hands cannot withstand abrasion in the event of a fall, so it’s crucial to keep your hands protected with a pair of riding gloves. Browse our guide on best motorcycle gloves from H-D to learn more.  

• Boots – A good pair of motorcycle boots covers the ankle and has a grippy sole. Browse our guide on the best motorcycle boots from H-D to find the right fit.  

Motorcycle Group Riding on Freeways

There’s something impressive about a convoy of motorcycles having a good time on a high-speed freeway or other multi-lane highway. As always, every rider in the group should approach this situation with safety and courtesy to other motorists in mind.

Tips for Group Riding on Freeways Include:

• Merging – When merging onto a multi-lane freeway, the group should fall out of the staggered formation and accelerate down the on-ramp single-file. Return to the staggered formation only after entering the flow of traffic. It’s the responsibility of the lead rider to accelerate to and maintain a safe merging speed – and the responsibility of those following to keep up.
  
  

• Regrouping – Other traffic may separate your group when you merge. If this happens, take your time re-grouping; don’t be in such a hurry to reestablish your formation that you compromise anyone’s safety. Often a good idea is to slow down a little while staying in the right lane and encourage the other vehicle to pass, waving the driver around if necessary.
  
  

• Passing – On multi-lane interstates and freeways, pass in small groups – three at a time is a good number.
  
  

• Merging Traffic – At cruising speeds, the ride leader should stay alert for other traffic merging as the group approaches on-ramps. If your group is in the right lane, consider moving the group a lane to the left (with enough notice and good communication) when approaching a merging situation.
  
  

• Off Ramps – Exiting the freeway should be done single file, rather than in the staggered group riding formation. Adjust your following distances accordingly as you exit and your speed slows. You’ll need less following distance at lower speeds.
  
  

Ready to learn more about group riding skills? Harley-Davidson® Riding Academy motorcycle classes and training are designed for riders of all skill levels, from beginner to advanced.