I'm not sure if I missed it but did you touch on outsideriders. I've been out riding and a group comes up or I run up on a group. Now, I stay far away if it's a club. In general I try to stay away. But if I am trying to get somewhere as a commuter & they are moving too slow to stay behind I do pass safely. Wondering what your thoughts on that is.
@@adventuresofneric2624 I guess the anchor pulls over and you see how the cop reacts. I’d chip in for a ticket if one was issued. We have had a blocker pulled over before and given a warning for blocking.
I'm always too slow in reaction time to use my legs, so I point down left arm, right arm to warn the column. This is where the pre-ride is important. I'm in a factory club so don't know how an MC would work but it's common to have unknown people show up for a ride.
I've ridden independent for over 30 years, almost never in an organized group. When i did ride group i didnt understand these priciples, yet they were being practised all around me without my realization, till now. Thankyou for schooling me. Sometimes you don't even know what you don't know 😃
I rode axle to axle at 90 mph for years. Messed around and got old, retired and most riding is now solo. It's nice now to take time to enjoy the scenery.
I was a Road Captain in a club once upon a time. Good Job. Liked the video. One other thing RC should check is every ones tires, registration and License so no problems with the Man
If I'm not near any other bikes, I'm all over the lane. Partly because the extra movement helps catch the eye of car drivers, partly because the lane may offer better traction or less debris in one spot or the other. And sometimes I just like swerving back and forth because long straight roads are boring AF.
It's your lane, just like a car takes up his lane. You can ride anywhere you want in your lane. I am all over to avoid pot holes, cracks, dead animals, rocks. And sometimes just because I felt like it.
I am the president of a local charitable motorcycle assn. I'm 58 and have been riding since age 14. We have classes in safety and pack riding but, I always have new members watch this video before they ever ride with us. We go by the same principles but I've found it to be an informative heads up. Much love ,honor and respect "Baldylox"
I enjoy pack riding even with the frustrating aspects. Last year we rode to sturgis in a pack of 6 bikes. We had taken the entire spring and summer and rode a lot as a group to prep for the long ride. I recommend if you plan to go with a group and you are not already a close team. Plan a lot of rides. Put on a lot of miles in preparation. We got so good at just knowing what the others were going to do. We just automatically went single file in tight turns. We weren't surprised by a member breaking rank and accelerating past for gopro footage. My dyna had the shortest range so fuel stops were based on my mileage. Get your bike serviced right before the trip. Get your body ready for the miles. Leave time in your schedule for mishaps. Enjoy your time together
I've been riding for not even a year. I live in Northern Illinois, so I don't ride in the winter, so I still consider myself a new rider. I know that there's a lot of people that don't consider this riding because I currently ride my dads old 150cc scooter. I'm working my way up to getting a motorcycle. I mostly ride to work and back, sometimes I'll go out just for a ride by myself just to get out of the house for a while. I really enjoy watching videos about this stuff, because I feel like it's helping me prepare for when I do ride with a group. I want to say thank you for posting these videos. Ride safe.
As a trucker, axle to axle scares me every time, god forbid a tire comes apart or something comes off that semi, or something goes wrong , pretty much the whole group is fucked!
Great video, I am a Road Captain in our organization. One thing I’ve done differently is to put the group single file in right track to get blockers safely back into position behind me.
This is by far the best method, in my opinion. After the first intersection everyone understands and nobody has to ride like a racer to get back into position and I don't have to rely on inexperienced people to guard.
Here my little group of friends use staggered formation and we always drop to single file for bends (there's typically a lot more in the UK :-) ) so we can see through the turn... It does make the group rather "dynamic" but it works for us. Really like the insight about how you guys do it - great stuff
Couldn't agree more. This vid should be used as a "point of reference" for anyone setting out on a road trip with experienced or inexperienced riders for the first time. Staggering the pack gives everyone an out if things go bad on the road and the perfect formation tbh. Brilliant vid cheers for taking the time to post it 👍
I love group rides. Nothing like a bunch of load pipes rolling down the road. Gives me adrenaline and I have to remember to ride smart. On the other side, I also love riding solo and riding my ride. I guess I love riding? Great vid!
I gotta thank you for this. I'm a Legion Rider and we're a new chapter where I'm at. I shared this with our group and asked them to watch. Now I'm hooked on your vids! Thanks man!
Oh yes, turns in spearfish canyon, so much gawking at the scenery. I love the rally, love looking at what works of art people have turned their bikes into,, meeting people from all over,, but you see some people and you just wonder how they haven’t become street pizza yet. And I want to thank you for clear concise education. I enjoy them greatly.
Really wanna thank you for educating less experienced riders. It's nice to see someone taken time to explain things that you don't learn getting a permit or even our states motorcycle safety program. Thanks again stay safe.
I ride in our local HOG group and in a couple of weeks they are going to conduct a Road Captain training class for riders that want to be future Road Captains. I am going to share this video with them. I feel they will learn some things from your video. I sure did when it comes to blockers and the drag man. Great video as always.
Just found your channel, and it’s freaking awesome! I started riding this past February. Rode with a local women’s riding association and it showed me everything NOT to do when riding with a group. Wish I could find a few people to ride with who know what the hell they’re doing because I love to learn from people who are more experienced.
That's funny. Some groups are the perfect way to find out what NOT to do. Do you ride a Harley? Some HOG chapters are great at pack riding, not all, but some.
Perfect Explanation of Pack Safety as Practiced for years, I Ran Drag man with Full Tool Kit, Cell Phone and First Aid Kit and Training to Use it Effectively
@@PWN_Nation I was always Better with Tool Kit and First Aid kit then the Phone, but having one someone else could call with helped. travelled as Disaster Service Volunteer for 29 years to keep out of trouble
I'm a former Road Captain for my organization and Road Captain is absolutely stressful with a large group. Living in the mirror is the life of the RC...We run Motorman 90% of the time..situation dictates formation..this video has great information, especially for those that don't know...
I ride with friends and we stagger however we do have the same person who is the RC no boss but we do know our places and pretty much keep it disciplined safety first. Thank you every little bit helps
I appreciate your insight. Been riding street bikes for 3 decades and I learned something. I’ve been in poorly run packs too. Went to the flight 93 memorial and had almost 100 bikes. There was one experienced blocker that was quite helpful. However the organizer was the road captain and wasn’t experienced enough to be as effective. So there were some issues. But we raised some cash for a good cause and nobody got hurt. But I normally use my bike for commuting, but this was useful info for when I do ride with friends or on the one or two memorial/benefit rides I do a year. But now my expectations for the leaders have increased !
Funny stuff that drove by PM's garage -44 yrs ago - I am a kid - on I95 - and rolling by us is a 1950's farm truck. One fender - and a gent sitting on a kitchen chair - rolling south - with a truck load of veggies headed for market. Cheers! Edit -- Today - Bike on side of the road, out of prov or country plate - I pulled over flipped my hazards on and jumped out - nice Gent - 10 miles of fuel left, got off the hyway, but still cannot find gas. I told him - " I ride - follow me - maybe 4 minutes and your there" - So we left - I am guarding him - with my beat-up car and we get to the station. All is good - and he yells " Your Awesome!" I yell back -" so are you! See you in Sturgis!" . Now - no 4 wheeler stopped - like 5 went by him - I am just a guy who helps when I can. I may never make Stugis - but I will tip a salute to yah! Cheers!
Great info! Now I know why some people were looking at me like I was an idiot when I went out on a group ride...would have been good know these things.
Born and raised in australia, went there to visit family there and started to ride there first before riding in Australia. learnt quickly defensive riding and that there is no need for speed. you get to the place when you get there
Been watching your videos and learning a lot. I'm a fairly new rider and I'm a member of a local American Legion riders group. It took me a while to get past the nervousness of riding in a group and also wearing a cut. I live near Sturgis and my biggest fear has always been unknowingly upsetting a club.
Great video! Re: the storm story at about 21:56...in aviation, that's known as "get-there-itis." It's an insidious condition and is fatal more often than it should be. One way to avoid it is to ask "can we/should we" and answer from the group's perspective, not your personal perspective. Again, this was a great, instructional video.
RC in my group we don't bring our blockers up to the front. And don't run red lights or block them. Block the stop signs. love the info do most what you mentioned
Great content. Learned some new stuff. Like you I prefer smaller groups of around 4 riders. We do the stagger. I will ride axle to axle with a bud on slower city streets. Digging your channel but man, must have been 6 commercial breaks in this vid. Lol. Hard to control this stuff tho.
When I used to ride my favorite position was tail gunner. Gave some space between me and the back of the pack so I could have my head on a swivel looking for Aholes coming up behind, but also help to mitigate the slinky effect of the cars behind us if necessary. For loose road or gravel we used to point our hand towards the road and do a fast twisty shake with our hand. Don’t know if it was unique to our group but seemed to make sense. Thanks for the great videos.
The week before the ride, Each rider should buy a cheep map of where you are going, and get together over a few beers, and work your route out, and where you are stopping each night. saves a lot of worry about being left behind.(Happy Trails).
I appreciate this channel. I’ve been on motorcycles for over 20 years, starting off on dirt bikes and then sport bikes and for the last two years I’ve been riding a forty eight bobber. There’s a big group ride in two weeks and I really needed this Information.
great video. When I ride with family its still 8 - 12 riders so we ride staggered we have done it so long we all have a spot and know what the person in front and in back of us will do. With my organization we ride staggered as well.
I have been riding for 35 years, 350K miles with no accidents..."Motorman" style is extremely dangerous, IMHO, especially if the riders are not trained. What you had to say makes sense to me. Still, I don't lead group rides or particapte in them anymore...much rather ride alone or pillion with my lovely wife. Cheers from WA state.
We ride staggered, a little different than this. We put slow riders in front as the back is faster, and try to maintain 2 second distance for safety. Great video.
I agree about riding staggered. I will only ride side by side when there are only 2 bikes. I have a regular group but we aren't really organized. I appreciate these topics just for the education. When things go wrong on the road, be that with traffic or joining a pack, when mistakes are made, things go wrong FAST. Having some good etiquette and ground rules allows a plan and keeps us safe. Thanks for the info.
I have been on a number of charity events where everything you said was ignored. I have seen people almost crash into each other. I've come to feel that group riding is dangerous. I rather ride by myself
The non-profit I work with does a few rides a year to raise money, and hoo-boy, have I seen some things. Three to five friends on a ride feels great. Getting a bunch of unknown talent together is a recipe for some pucker moments.
@@JessePerryAndCoffee ihad a group of friends that rode to a bike rally... one guy hit debris in the road and caused a huge accident..alot of guys got badly hurt. you think its bad in a car accident; imagine getting hit by a 600 lb bike after your bike goes down
@ProfesionalMonkey I used to roll cage for the MC my brother was a part of. I rode about 2 car lengths (maxumum) behind the pack. They always said I was doing great rolling cage and protecting the pack. But you made some excellent points I wish I knew back then. Now I feel like I wasn't as good as they said I was lol
I found myself needing to take the written test again, 25 years later. I was surprised to see there is actually a whole section on group riding. And many of the group riding hand signals were actually in the Georgia Motorcycle manual. About 10 of them. (cop was not one of them lol) I know the last time I read the thing, back when I was a teen, it only had left turn, right turn, slow and stop. And it didn't have anything about group riding. And the first small group ride I went on, none of us knew what we were doing. Only reason we survived it was the amount of potholes in the road kept us going too slow to crash in to each other.
I’ll never forget! My wife and I moved to Georgia in 1991 and at that time I had a Kawasaki Ninja. I had expected to go to the GA DMV walk in and pick up my GA drivers license. They noticed that I had a motorcycle endorsement on my AL license and asked me if I wanted that on my GA license. I said yes, then they told me that I had to complete a written motorcycle exam and I had to complete a road course test that had been setup by the GA I State Patrol motor officers. Let me say that it was a very intense test course they had setup. The dude in front of me was in his 50’s and was on a touring bagger. He dropped his bike four times before finishing the test. The State trooper had to help him pick up his motorbike. I was sweating bullets by the time he was finished with the test. He didn’t get his license that day either. Luckily, I ended up passing it on the first attempt, but it was a very hard road test. I wasn’t expecting that at all. I got my AL license when I was 14 and all I had to do was pass a written exam.
Great info. I'm 62 and don't feel like my skills are as good as they used to be so I now shy away from packs. I mostly ride alone or with a few friends. I remember on of my first HOG rides and was shocked out how fast everybody took off. Needless to say I was super tensed up the rest. of the ride that day. Take Care.
As a retired dealer, I lead many rides from the dealership on Sunday mornings.....(My only day off) I hated it. Enjoyed the fellowship just never had the chance to enjoy the ride because of all the planning, the new riders, the complaining, etc. At my stage of life, I ride by myself or with one good buddy. When I ride to Sturgis, it's just me,,,I'll meet friends there and have a great time, but I don't have the patience any more for an extra person much less a group. In 55 years of riding you think you've seen it all until an idiot proves you wrong. Great info in video, but it sure brought back bad memories ha ha. Ocala Fl.
@@ProfessionalMonkey Yes,,,,, I don't forget the wife, she had to go on all those dealer rides too. I gave her a first motorcycle ride when she was 14 and I was 15,,,,so she knew what she was in for.
Lots of fantastic information. Years ago there was just three or four of us together most the time it was bar hops from small town to small town. Now a days out here in middle of nowhere so far been just me or my son comes along. He stays behind as he never knows if I think of a place to show him or new way to get to where we are going. But that's just us two. Not into big groups at all as been out here off grid for almost 16 years. Got my trike and small trailer loaded on my flatbed trailer to get to town and first stop car wash. All we been getting is 6 inch rain. Drops 6" apart. Just enough to spot my trike bad. Then about 265 miles to Alb for the night at a friend's place and to look for a tent. Be on the road going ??? Tulsa then maybe Kriver camp ground as they got real trees and a running small river. Veterans camp free there. I don't need to be back till the 29th in Albuquerque. Keep safe.
Good info. Dont do much pack riding anymore. Most of my riding buddies have quit or have passed on. We always rode staggered. For the aforementioned reasons. Rode with a group that rode axle to axle once. Made me really nervous. Never again. Been riding 49 yrs. Love your attitude! I think riding now is more dangerous than it used to be. MLLHR! You belong to a great organization.
You raise many good points. As a rider for 30+ years with 15+ as a motor officer, here are some thoughts: 1. Most riders routinely ride, at most to work and back through the week and/or to a restaurant one one or two evenings on the weekend. Being more realistic, it's usually just to the restaurants on the weekend, giving them 1-2 hours of riding per week at most. 2. Of that riding, little if any is in any type of a group. 3. When motor officers ride escorts for groups they have their emergency lights and sirens and the ability to command traffic to stop. "Blockers" have neither. If a Blocker tries to stop traffic and they are late or not visible to the other vehicles on the road, they will be at fault and their insurance may not even cover whatever damage they cause of experience. 4. When motor officers ride escorts for groups they also have the legal ability to ride past the formation, again with their emergency lights and sirens. Blockers don't share this ability. Few have anything even approaching the most basic training or experience in riding in groups. At most they might ride in this capacity a handful of times in a year. 5. As a result, group rides=amateur night. 6. Forget being worried about getting pulled over unless you are flying 1% OMC colors and are acting like an a**hole. Instead, be very concerned about the legal and medical consequences that attach to the individual riders performing such duties as well as the legal repercussions to the groups and MCs that are sponsoring or participating in such rides.
use to ride in a pack, we were made to break it up, by law. it became too big too manage, we had to cut it down to 10 to 15 in each pack. that's when I stopped riding with them. nothing looked more awesome than having 70 to 80 bikes doing 70 all in unison snaking over a mountain road. blockers pull out, they went back too the back, until a stop. we used foot jesters for gravel and pot holes. hand,index finger out and down pointing for obstacles, like animals, big rocks, debris. five fingers like a fish fin for single file, little finger,index finger back two up. we call it side by side not axle too axle.
I’ve been in a formation running hard at parade and was much past my abilities and mindset on that particular day. Super bad lesson about why I don’t run that way. I broke both legs in 4 places, almost removed a foot from my leg, and had to learn how to walk again. Badly run pack that I was part of the problem in. Fortunately I was the only casualty but it could have been much much worse.
Your videos are awesome! Sorry to comment off-subject here, but I tried to comment on the posts regarding how to avoid getting one's ass kicked by a club member, and the comments were turned off. Thanks for the heads-up on the "no clubs" patches........ironically, I had two VERY small patches (which I have since taken off! LOL) which I added to my vest as a gesture of respect to any club members that might see me out somewhere; my way of telling them that I was NOT a wannabe! I'm laughing as I post this, because I would hate to piss off somebody by trying NOT to piss off somebody. Anyhow, keep up the great work. I enjoy your channel!
Much appreciated! I've been riding / commuting for a few years now, but I've only been on maybe two group rides (a memorial ride in MI & then a charity run in TX). In both cases it was staggered and it made complete sense (for a new rider) when everyone stayed in their track. The only hand signal that I use consistently is the head pat, so I would definitely need to look them up again. 😜
Having a Comms setups in your helmet that are linked to several other riders in the group. Mainly the key riders pointed out in this video help a lot!!! But you still need to use hand signals!
Really good info and spot on. Like you, I really dislike riding in large groups. The few charity rides I do, I try to ride road guard but we do it a little different down in the Keys. We have a pre-planned route and road guards go out ahead of the pack and stage at the various intersections. When the pack gets close we block the intersection and then fall in behind. I guess we can get away with that since US1 has few intersections and the farthest we go is 80 miles.
The pat on the head is also for road construction or road blockages. Remember you might see the problem or accident, but the riders coming towards you might not see it to stop.
On single lane roads Single file right position is a good idea coming up to blind hills/crests in a pack or solo as well incase some fool coming opposite direction is passing on wrong side of road. Seen this more than a few times.
Might be a cool idea for a future installment. Haven't done any moto vlogging, might not be very easy with filming, but if you happen to catch a good example on film it could work. Don't know anything about editing software as far as adding commentary, but yeah, I'll shut up now. Love the channel brother!
Two things, 1: use left arm or right foot for potholes, trash in road (truck tire pieces), etc... also speed at Sturgis. Mind it or get wallet out. Between town and the Chip I've seen one mile over posted tickets! oh and both feet down at stop sign/light. I agree with all else!
Heard some talk about using foot and leg signals to point out debris or big holes in road. When I rode with friends we rode staggered majority time now and then if just two of us we ride side by side, but we all rode together all the time.
You are spot on , on every level ive been riding for 26yrs and rode in rides for AMVETS , VFWs biker MC funerals , so many inexperienced riders you sometimes have to deal with , morons looking to see whos looking at them , big egoes my bike is faster newer you should be behind me or I want to ride in that lane ...ive see it all, glad you took time to explain proper group riding procedure hopefully ridders who see your video will incorporate this in their future rides ..THANK YOU
Whether it be a poker run put on by a club of some sort, a motorcycle dealership, or just some group, I’ve never seen any rules or pre-ride briefing. For me, I always wonder about switching to single file on real curvy mountainous roads or remaining staggered because I’ve seen it both ways. I was scared to death once when a dude decided to ride “motorman” next to me. I know I sometimes ride too close to others in a group. I am also very fortunate to ride with a nice bunch of people these days; no maniacs.
Our group rides to new destinations all the time… Other than knowing where we’re headed, no one has ridden the route prior. Anyway, I enjoy the channel! Maybe run into you in Sturgis.
Great video. I appreciate when you guys ride right track away from center on curvy roads. Didnt meet any bikers when we went to Montana but Im driving a long bed crew cab pulling a 35' 5th wheel and I would look out mirrors and i was on the white line on one side and yellow on the other. Not a fun time. If there was a bike in other lane it may have been a bad day for everyone.
very interesting stuff, I'm not much of a big group rider, Just small groups of friends, where we all know the end destination and ride at our own pace. Good to know some of your tips and especially when approaching an organised group that are going slower due to their numbers. sometimes its good to hang back a bit, and watch the procession. enjoying your channel from Australia.
Been riding with my son trying to teach him motorman style he's doing vary well at it . To do. Motorman style you have to be able to anticipate what the other rider going to do .great video I'll have him watch
It's a fantastic thing that you do mate, biking for charity is tops and a wonderful way to combine our hobby with being decent humans. I always think big groups of 1 percenters just reek of middle age men with small dick energy. I'm a limey tho so possibly a different outlook on bikeys. Love your channel mate, crack on.
Point on. Great chat. Wife says to remind people out in Sturgis come to a complete stop and put down both feet. As I have been stopped for only putting one foot down. Let off with a warning. Cool cop.
Practice and consistency makes you a better group rider. Our organization definitely rides differently than the Local Hog chapter. It’s at a faster/tighter space, but it seems normal after awhile and feels weird when you try to go back to a slower/more distant space. Not saying either is better it’s just what you get used to.
One I forgot was signaling debris/potholes. You point with your leg. My experience is it is too late 98% of the time...
I'm not sure if I missed it but did you touch on outsideriders. I've been out riding and a group comes up or I run up on a group. Now, I stay far away if it's a club. In general I try to stay away. But if I am trying to get somewhere as a commuter & they are moving too slow to stay behind I do pass safely. Wondering what your thoughts on that is.
You right
Here’s a good question: cop blue lights the column…does the anchor man take one for the team or does the whole column stop 🤔
@@adventuresofneric2624 I guess the anchor pulls over and you see how the cop reacts. I’d chip in for a ticket if one was issued.
We have had a blocker pulled over before and given a warning for blocking.
I'm always too slow in reaction time to use my legs, so I point down left arm, right arm to warn the column. This is where the pre-ride is important. I'm in a factory club so don't know how an MC would work but it's common to have unknown people show up for a ride.
I've ridden independent for over 30 years, almost never in an organized group. When i did ride group i didnt understand these priciples, yet they were being practised all around me without my realization, till now. Thankyou for schooling me. Sometimes you don't even know what you don't know 😃
I rode axle to axle at 90 mph for years. Messed around and got old, retired and most riding is now solo. It's nice now to take time to enjoy the scenery.
Damn good comment about staying in the right track while entering a blind left turn. Thanks for the refresher.
Been riding for 42 years (38 years on a Harley) I agree on everything you said.
I was a Road Captain in a club once upon a time. Good Job. Liked the video. One other thing RC should check is every ones tires, registration and License so no problems with the Man
If I'm not near any other bikes, I'm all over the lane. Partly because the extra movement helps catch the eye of car drivers, partly because the lane may offer better traction or less debris in one spot or the other. And sometimes I just like swerving back and forth because long straight roads are boring AF.
It's your lane, just like a car takes up his lane. You can ride anywhere you want in your lane. I am all over to avoid pot holes, cracks, dead animals, rocks. And sometimes just because I felt like it.
I own the road so… 🤗👍
I am the president of a local charitable motorcycle assn. I'm 58 and have been riding since age 14. We have classes in safety and pack riding but, I always have new members watch this video before they ever ride with us. We go by the same principles but I've found it to be an informative heads up. Much love ,honor and respect "Baldylox"
Thank you, sir! I am glad it is helpful.
I enjoy pack riding even with the frustrating aspects.
Last year we rode to sturgis in a pack of 6 bikes. We had taken the entire spring and summer and rode a lot as a group to prep for the long ride. I recommend if you plan to go with a group and you are not already a close team. Plan a lot of rides. Put on a lot of miles in preparation. We got so good at just knowing what the others were going to do. We just automatically went single file in tight turns. We weren't surprised by a member breaking rank and accelerating past for gopro footage. My dyna had the shortest range so fuel stops were based on my mileage. Get your bike serviced right before the trip. Get your body ready for the miles. Leave time in your schedule for mishaps. Enjoy your time together
I've been riding for not even a year. I live in Northern Illinois, so I don't ride in the winter, so I still consider myself a new rider. I know that there's a lot of people that don't consider this riding because I currently ride my dads old 150cc scooter. I'm working my way up to getting a motorcycle. I mostly ride to work and back, sometimes I'll go out just for a ride by myself just to get out of the house for a while. I really enjoy watching videos about this stuff, because I feel like it's helping me prepare for when I do ride with a group. I want to say thank you for posting these videos. Ride safe.
As a trucker, axle to axle scares me every time, god forbid a tire comes apart or something comes off that semi, or something goes wrong , pretty much the whole group is fucked!
Great video, I am a Road Captain in our organization. One thing I’ve done differently is to put the group single file in right track to get blockers safely back into position behind me.
This is by far the best method, in my opinion. After the first intersection everyone understands and nobody has to ride like a racer to get back into position and I don't have to rely on inexperienced people to guard.
Here my little group of friends use staggered formation and we always drop to single file for bends (there's typically a lot more in the UK :-) ) so we can see through the turn... It does make the group rather "dynamic" but it works for us. Really like the insight about how you guys do it - great stuff
Couldn't agree more. This vid should be used as a "point of reference" for anyone setting out on a road trip with experienced or inexperienced riders for the first time. Staggering the pack gives everyone an out if things go bad on the road and the perfect formation tbh. Brilliant vid cheers for taking the time to post it 👍
I am glad you liked it.
I love group rides. Nothing like a bunch of load pipes rolling down the road. Gives me adrenaline and I have to remember to ride smart. On the other side, I also love riding solo and riding my ride. I guess I love riding? Great vid!
I’m a RC, we ride staggered just in case there are hazards in the road and we need to get around it can’t do that if your riding side by side
Heading for my first pack ride tomorrow. This bud was perfect timing!
Sweet! I hope it helps!
I gotta thank you for this. I'm a Legion Rider and we're a new chapter where I'm at. I shared this with our group and asked them to watch. Now I'm hooked on your vids! Thanks man!
Oh yes, turns in spearfish canyon, so much gawking at the scenery. I love the rally, love looking at what works of art people have turned their bikes into,, meeting people from all over,, but you see some people and you just wonder how they haven’t become street pizza yet. And I want to thank you for clear concise education. I enjoy them greatly.
Really wanna thank you for educating less experienced riders. It's nice to see someone taken time to explain things that you don't learn getting a permit or even our states motorcycle safety program. Thanks again stay safe.
I appreciate that!
I ride in our local HOG group and in a couple of weeks they are going to conduct a Road Captain training class for riders that want to be future Road Captains. I am going to share this video with them.
I feel they will learn some things from your video. I sure did when it comes to blockers and the drag man.
Great video as always.
One of the best discussions about group riding I’ve heard in over 50 years on bikes. Great job!
Wow, thanks!
Just found your channel, and it’s freaking awesome! I started riding this past February. Rode with a local women’s riding association and it showed me everything NOT to do when riding with a group. Wish I could find a few people to ride with who know what the hell they’re doing because I love to learn from people who are more experienced.
That's funny. Some groups are the perfect way to find out what NOT to do. Do you ride a Harley? Some HOG chapters are great at pack riding, not all, but some.
Perfect Explanation of Pack Safety as Practiced for years, I Ran Drag man with Full Tool Kit, Cell Phone and First Aid Kit and Training to Use it Effectively
yes for 1st aid/trauma kit and appropriate training!
@@PWN_Nation I was always Better with Tool Kit and First Aid kit then the Phone, but having one someone else could call with helped. travelled as Disaster Service Volunteer for 29 years to keep out of trouble
I'm a former Road Captain for my organization and Road Captain is absolutely stressful with a large group. Living in the mirror is the life of the RC...We run Motorman 90% of the time..situation dictates formation..this video has great information, especially for those that don't know...
I agree will what you’ve said. I would add to it the “foot drop” for low hazards such as potholes, road kill, branches, leaves, grass, etc.
I ride with friends and we stagger however we do have the same person who is the RC no boss but we do know our places and pretty much keep it disciplined safety first. Thank you every little bit helps
I appreciate your insight. Been riding street bikes for 3 decades and I learned something. I’ve been in poorly run packs too. Went to the flight 93 memorial and had almost 100 bikes. There was one experienced blocker that was quite helpful. However the organizer was the road captain and wasn’t experienced enough to be as effective. So there were some issues. But we raised some cash for a good cause and nobody got hurt. But I normally use my bike for commuting, but this was useful info for when I do ride with friends or on the one or two memorial/benefit rides I do a year. But now my expectations for the leaders have increased !
Funny stuff that drove by PM's garage -44 yrs ago - I am a kid - on I95 - and rolling by us is a 1950's farm truck. One fender - and a gent sitting on a kitchen chair - rolling south - with a truck load of veggies headed for market. Cheers!
Edit -- Today - Bike on side of the road, out of prov or country plate - I pulled over flipped my hazards on and jumped out - nice Gent - 10 miles of fuel left, got off the hyway, but still cannot find gas. I told him - " I ride - follow me - maybe 4 minutes and your there" - So we left - I am guarding him - with my beat-up car and we get to the station. All is good - and he yells " Your Awesome!" I yell back -" so are you! See you in Sturgis!" . Now - no 4 wheeler stopped - like 5 went by him - I am just a guy who helps when I can. I may never make Stugis - but I will tip a salute to yah! Cheers!
Very informative for a new rider that will be riding with a small group pretty much all the time.
Another important thing about group rides is be early to the meeting spot, if kickstands are up at 9:30, be there no later then 9 fully fueled up.
Good point!
As some one who doesn’t ride, but knows lots of people who do I appreciate this video, keep em coming
Very interesting stuff, never realized how much effort goes into those big group rides. Thanks for the education.
Great info! Now I know why some people were looking at me like I was an idiot when I went out on a group ride...would have been good know these things.
Thanks!
Great subject won't let one of my best friends lead are group ever again got me a trip to the hospital and a recked bike in Gatlinburg Tennessee.
Yeah, it's tough. Just cause you know the way doesn't mean you can lead a pack...
Thanks for the tip on the scissoring that was one I overlooked when we ride in a group
Born and raised in australia, went there to visit family there and started to ride there first before riding in Australia. learnt quickly defensive riding and that there is no need for speed. you get to the place when you get there
I ride with an Organization as well. You are spot on with protocol
Been watching your videos and learning a lot. I'm a fairly new rider and I'm a member of a local American Legion riders group. It took me a while to get past the nervousness of riding in a group and also wearing a cut. I live near Sturgis and my biggest fear has always been unknowingly upsetting a club.
I really enjoy your videos and learn from all of them. I especially like your emphasis on respect. Thank you.
Great video! Re: the storm story at about 21:56...in aviation, that's known as "get-there-itis." It's an insidious condition and is fatal more often than it should be. One way to avoid it is to ask "can we/should we" and answer from the group's perspective, not your personal perspective.
Again, this was a great, instructional video.
RC in my group we don't bring our blockers up to the front. And don't run red lights or block them. Block the stop signs. love the info do most what you mentioned
Great content. Learned some new stuff. Like you I prefer smaller groups of around 4 riders. We do the stagger. I will ride axle to axle with a bud on slower city streets. Digging your channel but man, must have been 6 commercial breaks in this vid. Lol. Hard to control this stuff tho.
Hi! Yeah, I hear the frequency is turned up high, not sure I can tweak that though, I think the TH-cam gods decide that...
Premium very much worth it..
@@ProfessionalMonkey I'm using AdBlockPlus through Foxfire on my PC...App is also available for mobile devices... Check Google Play...
A tip for beating the ads on long videos is skip to the end and replay it. The ads won't pop up
When I used to ride my favorite position was tail gunner. Gave some space between me and the back of the pack so I could have my head on a swivel looking for Aholes coming up behind, but also help to mitigate the slinky effect of the cars behind us if necessary. For loose road or gravel we used to point our hand towards the road and do a fast twisty shake with our hand. Don’t know if it was unique to our group but seemed to make sense. Thanks for the great videos.
The week before the ride, Each rider should buy a cheep map of where you are going, and get together over a few beers, and work your route out, and where you are stopping each night. saves a lot of worry about being left behind.(Happy Trails).
I appreciate this channel. I’ve been on motorcycles for over 20 years, starting off on dirt bikes and then sport bikes and for the last two years I’ve been riding a forty eight bobber. There’s a big group ride in two weeks and I really needed this Information.
great video. When I ride with family its still 8 - 12 riders so we ride staggered we have done it so long we all have a spot and know what the person in front and in back of us will do. With my organization we ride staggered as well.
I have been riding for 35 years, 350K miles with no accidents..."Motorman" style is extremely dangerous, IMHO, especially if the riders are not trained. What you had to say makes sense to me. Still, I don't lead group rides or particapte in them anymore...much rather ride alone or pillion with my lovely wife. Cheers from WA state.
We ride staggered, a little different than this. We put slow riders in front as the back is faster, and try to maintain 2 second distance for safety. Great video.
I agree about riding staggered. I will only ride side by side when there are only 2 bikes. I have a regular group but we aren't really organized. I appreciate these topics just for the education. When things go wrong on the road, be that with traffic or joining a pack, when mistakes are made, things go wrong FAST. Having some good etiquette and ground rules allows a plan and keeps us safe. Thanks for the info.
I have been on a number of charity events where everything you said was ignored. I have seen people almost crash into each other. I've come to feel that group riding is dangerous. I rather ride by myself
The non-profit I work with does a few rides a year to raise money, and hoo-boy, have I seen some things. Three to five friends on a ride feels great. Getting a bunch of unknown talent together is a recipe for some pucker moments.
@Quirin M. Right on man.
@@JessePerryAndCoffee ihad a group of friends that rode to a bike rally... one guy hit debris in the road and caused a huge accident..alot of guys got badly hurt. you think its bad in a car accident; imagine getting hit by a 600 lb bike after your bike goes down
Absolutely agree with you.
@ProfesionalMonkey
I used to roll cage for the MC my brother was a part of. I rode about 2 car lengths (maxumum) behind the pack. They always said I was doing great rolling cage and protecting the pack. But you made some excellent points I wish I knew back then. Now I feel like I wasn't as good as they said I was lol
I found myself needing to take the written test again, 25 years later. I was surprised to see there is actually a whole section on group riding. And many of the group riding hand signals were actually in the Georgia Motorcycle manual. About 10 of them. (cop was not one of them lol) I know the last time I read the thing, back when I was a teen, it only had left turn, right turn, slow and stop. And it didn't have anything about group riding. And the first small group ride I went on, none of us knew what we were doing. Only reason we survived it was the amount of potholes in the road kept us going too slow to crash in to each other.
I’ll never forget! My wife and I moved to Georgia in 1991 and at that time I had a Kawasaki Ninja. I had expected to go to the GA DMV walk in and pick up my GA drivers license. They noticed that I had a motorcycle endorsement on my AL license and asked me if I wanted that on my GA license. I said yes, then they told me that I had to complete a written motorcycle exam and I had to complete a road course test that had been setup by the GA I State Patrol motor officers. Let me say that it was a very intense test course they had setup. The dude in front of me was in his 50’s and was on a touring bagger. He dropped his bike four times before finishing the test. The State trooper had to help him pick up his motorbike. I was sweating bullets by the time he was finished with the test. He didn’t get his license that day either. Luckily, I ended up passing it on the first attempt, but it was a very hard road test. I wasn’t expecting that at all. I got my AL license when I was 14 and all I had to do was pass a written exam.
I"m 58, never been a part of an MC or organization, but appreciate these informative videos. Safe travels!
Thanks, you too!
Great info. I'm 62 and don't feel like my skills are as good as they used to be so I now shy away from packs. I mostly ride alone or with a few friends. I remember on of my first HOG rides and was shocked out how fast everybody took off. Needless to say I was super tensed up the rest. of the ride that day. Take Care.
It is important to recognize those things. Step one is saying your skills may have slipped. I doubt they have, but being careful is always good.
As a retired dealer, I lead many rides from the dealership on Sunday mornings.....(My only day off) I hated it. Enjoyed the fellowship just never had the chance to enjoy the ride because of all the planning, the new riders, the complaining, etc. At my stage of life, I ride by myself or with one good buddy. When I ride to Sturgis, it's just me,,,I'll meet friends there and have a great time, but I don't have the patience any more for an extra person much less a group. In 55 years of riding you think you've seen it all until an idiot proves you wrong. Great info in video, but it sure brought back bad memories ha ha.
Ocala Fl.
I completely agree. I like to ride with my wife and maybe 4 or 5 other people...
@@ProfessionalMonkey Yes,,,,, I don't forget the wife, she had to go on all those dealer rides too. I gave her a first motorcycle ride when she was 14 and I was 15,,,,so she knew what she was in for.
This is life and death in most situations. Respect. Knowledge. And everyone makes it home alive. That's how it's done.
Lots of fantastic information. Years ago there was just three or four of us together most the time it was bar hops from small town to small town. Now a days out here in middle of nowhere so far been just me or my son comes along. He stays behind as he never knows if I think of a place to show him or new way to get to where we are going. But that's just us two. Not into big groups at all as been out here off grid for almost 16 years. Got my trike and small trailer loaded on my flatbed trailer to get to town and first stop car wash. All we been getting is 6 inch rain. Drops 6" apart. Just enough to spot my trike bad. Then about 265 miles to Alb for the night at a friend's place and to look for a tent. Be on the road going ??? Tulsa then maybe Kriver camp ground as they got real trees and a running small river. Veterans camp free there. I don't need to be back till the 29th in Albuquerque. Keep safe.
Im Happy to see another another Man that has my same anxiety level for after and the tolerance for Horse Shit..Great video..Dave
Good info. Dont do much pack riding anymore. Most of my riding buddies have quit or have passed on. We always rode staggered. For the aforementioned reasons. Rode with a group that rode axle to axle once. Made me really nervous. Never again. Been riding 49 yrs.
Love your attitude! I think riding now is more dangerous than it used to be. MLLHR! You belong to a great organization.
Just a thought, blocking is illegal in Illinois. I've been on a couple of large group rides where the blockers were ticketed for blocking traffic. 🙁
Well in my experience that cost is usually covered... So not much to worry about.
In Missouri we do it that way almost every time and I've never heard a complaint from any of the police thank God
@@Moronicsmurf they even pay for your increased insurance cost?
You raise many good points. As a rider for 30+ years with 15+ as a motor officer, here are some thoughts:
1. Most riders routinely ride, at most to work and back through the week and/or to a restaurant one one or two evenings on the weekend. Being more realistic, it's usually just to the restaurants on the weekend, giving them 1-2 hours of riding per week at most.
2. Of that riding, little if any is in any type of a group.
3. When motor officers ride escorts for groups they have their emergency lights and sirens and the ability to command traffic to stop. "Blockers" have neither. If a Blocker tries to stop traffic and they are late or not visible to the other vehicles on the road, they will be at fault and their insurance may not even cover whatever damage they cause of experience.
4. When motor officers ride escorts for groups they also have the legal ability to ride past the formation, again with their emergency lights and sirens. Blockers don't share this ability. Few have anything even approaching the most basic training or experience in riding in groups. At most they might ride in this capacity a handful of times in a year.
5. As a result, group rides=amateur night.
6. Forget being worried about getting pulled over unless you are flying 1% OMC colors and are acting like an a**hole. Instead, be very concerned about the legal and medical consequences that attach to the individual riders performing such duties as well as the legal repercussions to the groups and MCs that are sponsoring or participating in such rides.
use to ride in a pack, we were made to break it up, by law. it became too big too manage, we had to cut it down to 10 to 15 in each pack. that's when I stopped riding with them. nothing looked more awesome than having 70 to 80 bikes doing 70 all in unison snaking over a mountain road. blockers pull out, they went back too the back, until a stop. we used foot jesters for gravel and pot holes. hand,index finger out and down pointing for obstacles, like animals, big rocks, debris. five fingers like a fish fin for single file, little finger,index finger back two up. we call it side by side not axle too axle.
The formation scares me...I'm a back road rider most 9f the time with just a few friends. Love your videos so educational.
No worries, no reason to force yourself to ride in a way you won't enjoy!
I’ve been in a formation running hard at parade and was much past my abilities and mindset on that particular day. Super bad lesson about why I don’t run that way. I broke both legs in 4 places, almost removed a foot from my leg, and had to learn how to walk again. Badly run pack that I was part of the problem in. Fortunately I was the only casualty but it could have been much much worse.
Your videos are awesome! Sorry to comment off-subject here, but I tried to comment on the posts regarding how to avoid getting one's ass kicked by a club member, and the comments were turned off. Thanks for the heads-up on the "no clubs" patches........ironically, I had two VERY small patches (which I have since taken off! LOL) which I added to my vest as a gesture of respect to any club members that might see me out somewhere; my way of telling them that I was NOT a wannabe! I'm laughing as I post this, because I would hate to piss off somebody by trying NOT to piss off somebody. Anyhow, keep up the great work. I enjoy your channel!
Blockers need to be able to "read the road". Excellent video, keep up the great content! Sub'ed.
Yes! Thank you!
I just want to say I love watching your videos. Your so down to earth it's awesome and the way my friends and I would talk to each other.
I really appreciate that!
Much appreciated!
I've been riding / commuting for a few years now, but I've only been on maybe two group rides (a memorial ride in MI & then a charity run in TX). In both cases it was staggered and it made complete sense (for a new rider) when everyone stayed in their track.
The only hand signal that I use consistently is the head pat, so I would definitely need to look them up again. 😜
Love your videos, super interesting as someone who grew up in CA seeing all the different groups out riding
Glad you enjoyed it!
Only thing i would say is. my group goes single file to get the blockers back up to position.
Thanks,. The things you share are valuable and they should be part of any motorcycle riding course.
Having a Comms setups in your helmet that are linked to several other riders in the group. Mainly the key riders pointed out in this video help a lot!!! But you still need to use hand signals!
Really good info and spot on. Like you, I really dislike riding in large groups. The few charity rides I do, I try to ride road guard but we do it a little different down in the Keys. We have a pre-planned route and road guards go out ahead of the pack and stage at the various intersections. When the pack gets close we block the intersection and then fall in behind. I guess we can get away with that since US1 has few intersections and the farthest we go is 80 miles.
That's a good idea!!!
The pat on the head is also for road construction or road blockages. Remember you might see the problem or accident, but the riders coming towards you might not see it to stop.
On single lane roads Single file right position is a good idea coming up to blind hills/crests in a pack or solo as well incase some fool coming opposite direction is passing on wrong side of road. Seen this more than a few times.
Might be a cool idea for a future installment. Haven't done any moto vlogging, might not be very easy with filming, but if you happen to catch a good example on film it could work.
Don't know anything about editing software as far as adding commentary, but yeah, I'll shut up now.
Love the channel brother!
Thanks for the tips heading to the Austin Texas ROT Rally will help thanks again
Two things, 1: use left arm or right foot for potholes, trash in road (truck tire pieces), etc... also speed at Sturgis. Mind it or get wallet out. Between town and the Chip I've seen one mile over posted tickets! oh and both feet down at stop sign/light.
I agree with all else!
To me riding in a group over the posted speed limit is stupid!!
Do you agree
Great Topic !
We have Laconia bike week coming up in my area in a week . Hoping many know these signals and riding group patterns .
Great stuff and a good reminder even if we think we know them. See ya tonight
Thank you. Very helpful and logical. What's your view on lane splitting?
Heard some talk about using foot and leg signals to point out debris or big holes in road. When I rode with friends we rode staggered majority time now and then if just two of us we ride side by side, but we all rode together all the time.
You are spot on , on every level ive been riding for 26yrs and rode in rides for AMVETS , VFWs biker MC funerals , so many inexperienced riders you sometimes have to deal with , morons looking to see whos looking at them , big egoes my bike is faster newer you should be behind me or I want to ride in that lane ...ive see it all, glad you took time to explain proper group riding procedure hopefully ridders who see your video will incorporate this in their future rides ..THANK YOU
Whether it be a poker run put on by a club of some sort, a motorcycle dealership, or just some group, I’ve never seen any rules or pre-ride briefing.
For me, I always wonder about switching to single file on real curvy mountainous roads or remaining staggered because I’ve seen it both ways. I was scared to death once when a dude decided to ride “motorman” next to me. I know I sometimes ride too close to others in a group.
I am also very fortunate to ride with a nice bunch of people these days; no maniacs.
No Bar to Bar in the Black Hills ESPECIALLY in the Tunnels on Iron Mountain Road LOL !!!
Our group rides to new destinations all the time… Other than knowing where we’re headed, no one has ridden the route prior.
Anyway, I enjoy the channel! Maybe run into you in Sturgis.
Great video. I appreciate when you guys ride right track away from center on curvy roads. Didnt meet any bikers when we went to Montana but Im driving a long bed crew cab pulling a 35' 5th wheel and I would look out mirrors and i was on the white line on one side and yellow on the other. Not a fun time. If there was a bike in other lane it may have been a bad day for everyone.
very interesting stuff, I'm not much of a big group rider, Just small groups of friends, where we all know the end destination and ride at our own pace. Good to know some of your tips and especially when approaching an organised group that are going slower due to their numbers. sometimes its good to hang back a bit, and watch the procession. enjoying your channel from Australia.
Nice to see the hand signs explained, excellent video
Good rides with proper blocking , be aware that those blockers are coming back to the position. Spooky
Been riding with my son trying to teach him motorman style he's doing vary well at it . To do. Motorman style you have to be able to anticipate what the other rider going to do .great video I'll have him watch
love it been riding for a long timeknew most of this but great to here it again love all your topics
Glad you enjoy it!
Seems like a perfect way to take the fun out of motorbikes, I use mine for freedom, not stupid rules to dictate what I can do.
You’re not wrong. I don’t miss group rides at all. These days we go to charity rides, give money then don’t go on the ride cause they suck.
It's a fantastic thing that you do mate, biking for charity is tops and a wonderful way to combine our hobby with being decent humans. I always think big groups of 1 percenters just reek of middle age men with small dick energy. I'm a limey tho so possibly a different outlook on bikeys. Love your channel mate, crack on.
Love what you're doing! Keep on keeping on! Pootstick coming FROM NC
Thanks for the video. Great tips for me. Lots of experience riding alone. None with a club until recently.
Great information. What about a solo rider coming up on a group of riders?
Thats more of a club issue. You never pass a pack unless waved by by their drag man.
Point on. Great chat. Wife says to remind people out in Sturgis come to a complete stop and put down both feet. As I have been stopped for only putting one foot down. Let off with a warning. Cool cop.
Really good point.
Practice and consistency makes you a better group rider. Our organization definitely rides differently than the Local Hog chapter. It’s at a faster/tighter space, but it seems normal after awhile and feels weird when you try to go back to a slower/more distant space. Not saying either is better it’s just what you get used to.