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MOTORMAN’S TIPS, TRICKS & TECHNIQUES

Motorman,
I’m a re-entry rider. After 20 years without a bike, I bought a new Triumph Bonneville. I even took the Ride Like a Pro MSF course to get my motorcycle endorsement. I didn’t think I’d learn much from a beginner’s course since I thought I already knew how to ride, but after 20 years of not riding, the MSF Course was actually just what I needed. I learned a great deal from that course.
The reason I’m writing though is a group ride experience I had last week. My neighbor, a rider for quite a few years, talked me into taking a Sunday cruise with a few of his friends. There were eight bikes altogether, a couple of Sport Bikes, Cruisers, and a Gold Wing. We met up at a gas station with a restaurant as the destination. The ride was disorganized. All I was told was that we’d be taking back roads and “you better keep up cause we ain’t stopping”. These guys rode like maniacs. They were passing over double yellow lines, going 80mph in a 55mph zone, etc. After about ten miles of this, I stopped trying to keep up and broke off from the group. I got to the restaurant about ten minutes after the group had gotten there. My neighbor was ribbing me all through lunch about not being able to keep up. I think I did the right thing. What’s your opinion?

Answer:
There’s no question you did the right thing. Your neighbor should have clued you in as to what the ride would be like when he invited you. By the same token, you should have asked a few questions prior to accepting the invite.
Group riding can be fun, but it can also be very dangerous, especially for a new rider. Personally, I never ride with a group without knowing the skill level of all the riders in the group.
Here are a few tips on group riding to ponder:
1. The smaller the group, the better.
2. If the group is very big, eight bikes or more, break into two or three smaller groups. The rubber band or accordion effect will be much less with a smaller group and you’ll have a much better view of the road ahead.
3. Make sure the group you’re riding with has a designated leader and tail gunner.
4. Everyone in the group should know the route to be traveled and directions to the final destination should you be separated from the group.
5. The bigger the group, the better the ride plan should be.

If you really like group riding, join a riding club like the Southern Cruisers or Harley Owners Group, H.O.G. for short. It’s been my experience that both of these groups take the ride seriously and have the groups’ safety as their number one concern.

Now, here’s a list of the don’ts:
1. Never ride with a group that drinks alcohol during the ride.
2. Don’t try to keep up with a group of riders whose skill level is above your skill level, i.e., ride your own ride. Get a few thousand miles under your belt before riding with any group.
3. Don’t continue on any group ride you’re not comfortable with.

Till next month, ride safe and stay dry. For more tips and information on my just released, “Ride Like a Pro, The Book”, log onto my website, www.ridelikeapro.com. You can also order any of my Ride Like a Pro DVDs and Book via my toll free number, 866-868-7433.

-Ride Safe... Ride Like a Pro Team
www.ridelikeapro.com