Tips For Riding In A Group

One way to double the fun of your motorcycle ride is to bring along your friends. Hitting the road while group motorcycle riding is a sure way to have some laughs and make some cherished memories. Monotonous stretches of road have a way of becoming enjoyable when you’re with your friends. 

As with anything else, a little bit of preparation can go a long way in ensuring your ride goes well. So we at Barnes Harley-Davidson® have compiled some information that’ll help you make the most of your Harley® group ride. For all your motorcycle needs, come to our dealership in Kamloops, BC. We’re proud to serve the areas of Kelowna, BC and Calgary, AB!

Packing Right

You need supplies for all motorcycle trips; for a typical once, you’ll need the right riding gear, food, water, etc. If you’re camping overnight, you’ll need camping gear, toiletries and any medication. When going Harley group riding with your friends, make sure each person is equipped for the trip. To start, create a list of supplies and at the end, ensure that all the items have been packed.

All riders must fill up their gas tanks before they head out. Each motorcycle must be running smoothly and should be up-to-date on maintenance. No one wants to be the person slowing down the Harley riding because they forgot to get their bike serviced on time. 

Discuss the Route

Plan out your route as a group so that everyone knows not only the destination but also how to get there. This way you can also hit all the spots that everyone in the group wants to check out. Going over the route also helps to catch the hurdles, like construction work causing traffic jams on the route you chose. You can make adjustments in advance, which helps the trip flow smoothly. 

Having the route mapped out during your Harley ride also works as a safeguard as anyone who gets separated can either catch up somewhere along the route or meet you at the destination. 

Choose a Riding Formation

While group motorcycle riding, pick an organized formation as it makes the ride smoother. This way everyone has a place so there's less chance of anyone getting lost or separated. It also makes all riders more visible to drivers on the road, which helps you all stay safer. It’s easier to notice a group of riders than a solitary one.

A staggered double line is a formation where the person next to you is one second ahead of you. The people in front and behind are two seconds away. Looked at from above, this looks like a zipper. At the lead should be a rider who stays alert about traffic and road changes and signals these to the rest of the group. The leader sets the pace so they should know about everyone’s experience and comfort level. The last rider can carry the first-aid kit as they’re usually the ones who help those who fall behind. They need to be patient and helpful. Choose seasoned riders for both these positions. 

Know the Limits

Everyone who’s part of the Harley group ride will be on different levels so be considerate of less-skilled riders when you plan your routes or face obstacles like riding in the rain or in the dark. For the ride to be successful everyone needs to be able to keep pace. Also keep in mind that everyone will probably be riding a different bike model. So while one rider will be fine riding for hours, others might need to stop or walk around for a few minutes or they’ll get cramped. 

Know Hand Signals

You can’t just call up your buddies while in-formation (unless you have some tricked out helmets and audio gear), so you should know a few hand signals ahead of time. This way, you can more easily communicate with your group. Even if you do have radios, it’s important to learn these signals in case there’s a problem. Of course, there are enough signals to fill up multiple articles. A few important ones are identifying hazards on the road, stopping, turning, and a pull-off signal. Whatever you go with, make sure everyone in your group understands what’s expected.

Harley riding can be a lot of fun and we hope you have amazing group motorcycle rides with your friends. For all your motorcycle needs, come to Barnes Harley-Davidson in Kamloops, BC. We’re proud to serve the good people of Kelowna, BC and Calgary, AB!