group riding Question

[Bruiser]

so only been riding for a week or so taking the MSF course this weekend a few friends of mine want to go to g-town where would be the best place for me to ride front mid rear??? just like to know for mine and the safety of the other riders.

thanks

[brandontx]

I would hold off on a group ride. It is sometimes difficult for even those that have been riding a while. Not that you lack the required skill but many of those around you lack skill and can make it dangerous.

[Helios]

You've only been riding a week and you wanna go on a Galveston ride?

You really really should hold off.

No hurry, summer is barely here, there'll be plenty of time to ride to the beach.

[NoFear]

so only been riding for a week or so taking the MSF course this weekend a few friends of mine want to go to g-town where would be the best place for me to ride front mid rear??? just like to know for mine and the safety of the other riders.

thanks

:hello:

[Bruiser]

good point but i would still like to know where i should ride for future reference

[sunday_rider]

listen to these people man, there will be plenty of opportunities for you to ride to Galveston in the future..... but if you really have to make this ride, i would definitively recommend you to ride in the back of the group.

[Bruiser]

oh i understand probably wont end up going...i don't think I'm ready for a ride of this length...I'm taking my MSF fri-Sunday so maybe after I've taken the course I'll Feel more comfortable going to Galveston

[DrAwkwArD]

Ride in the middle and keep more than two bike lengths between you and your friends...the more distance the better. Make sure they know you're a new rider and not to ditch you. A lot of folks on here like to talk down to newbies and give "friendly" advice (which sometimes leaves people with a bad taste in their mouths), but the truth is, if you never ride in a group you will never get comfortable with it. If you feel comfortable on the freeway, and I mean completely comfortable, then you should be fine. Try riding with a few buddies beforehand and see how you like it. Confidence will come with time, but learning your limits early will help speed that up.

If you don't feel confident riding staggered, then ride behind the last person...no problem with that. Having a good set of friends who know your abilities beforehand will help in making this a success...so don't go ride with a bunch of randoms.

Have fun.

[Bruiser]

oh yea deff will be riding with a few close friends be for going to a big meet or anything so they know and i remind em

[GAU-8]

Riding in groups is nerve wracking for a while, when you arent accustomed to it.

Ride with one , maybe 2 friends at first, then over time add more. make sure your friends ride in a staggered formation with you..(not side by side) you will be excited, and nervous as hell. A simple mistake from traffic, you, or your friends can easily compound things quickly. Leaving a big ball of unobtainium that was once called a motorcycle/s.

[haOo]

these guys above me answered why you shouldn't but here..

the dps manual states that you should ride behind the leader, who is obviously experienced. Behind you, should be experienced riders as well. so basically experienced then newbies then experienced.

WITH THAT BEING SAID, i don't think you should do that. Newbies might think about what the experienced riders behind them "think" of them, therefore making it dangerous for them to ride. My MSF coach said the same thing.

[BcFrancis]

Riding in a group is always a hairy situation unless you have ridin' with the same peeps again and again. There are always different riding styles mixed all together. Just ride in the back, keep you distance and be careful and don't do anything stupid. Just ride your own comfortable pace. You have to do it to become comfortable with it!

[bluewave18]

I wouldnt want you in front of me. IMO you ride in the rear. You can see others lines and suck. Plus, you wont take anyone down in the event you eat it.

[cogs69]

I don't ride as aggressive as others, nor do I have as much experience. I stay in the back and ride my own ride. Just make sure someone in the group knows you are back there and to wait up. You won't be all that far behind anyways. Just don't try to keep up. And I like what was said before, if you aren't comfortable running the freeways, hold off for a while.

[burnboy]

and get a liscense first. c o p s:shrug:

[1FC]

TO the back and ride far off of the last guy.

The worst part of a g-town ride is 45, very dangerous with all the walls and cars, no place to go if the traffic stops, accident or something in the road.

you guys should take the back way and enjoy the cruise.

[Mr.D]

I was riding with 4 people. a car had a blow out right in front of us. We were experienced enough to break ranks. Come back when safe. If I didnt know what I was doing, I could have easily died that day. Taken some close friends with me if I really messed up. Hold off on the rides bro. Get used to riding alone or with one other person. I just got out of the hospital on a hit and run case. Riding alone. 2 lights away from my house. Motorcycles are scary shit man. You are never safe. Even when you can see your own front door.
Be safe.
Always wear gear.

[tiatool]

If you can ride your bike forward you can ride to Galveston.

Have fun and take some pictures.

[Princess]

I have to agree with Tia. Keep enough distance and as long as you have a brain I think you'll be just fine. If you're from Hunstville or something though, then nevermind.

[sbfuller]

if i were you, i'd want to be 2nd in the formation. an experienced leader, then you, then everyone else. it can be tough for a new rider to be at the very back of a big group because of the accordian effect of some larger group rides... a newbie like yourself may not be as proficient with the braking abilities of the bike as a more seasoned rider. being 2nd in the line will allow you to make less abrupt control inputs

[GSXR_911]

I prefer riding in the back, that way the experienced guys can have their fun. The good thing is I have a great set of riding buddies that helped me along the way and never felt I "had to keep up." Not sure how many people you're planning on riding with or where you're starting from. My suggestion as a 1 yr newbie is take your MSF coarse, get a little bit more comfortable riding in all conditions, then take an alternate route like HWY6 to Galveston. The one thing I love about riding is even though these bikes are fast as hell, you can still just cruise and enjoy the ride. Good luck to you mate :thumb:

[Bruiser]

thanks for all the info guys like i said taking the MSF friday and if we do end up going it will only be a few of us and they all know im a newbie and look out for me

[Challen]

thanks for all the info guys like i said taking the MSF friday and if we do end up going it will only be a few of us and they all know im a newbie and look out for me

Just FYI, if you're taking the BRC with us, next month we're starting a Group Riding Class that will be FREE for previous students. Good luck with your class either way. :thumb:

[CaligoneTx]

MSF and RoadKing foundation would tell you the most experienced riders should be the leader then the sweeper. Least experience 2nd, w the more experienced of the others tapering back.

Reason being the less experienced riders can be governed by speed and not have to constantly play catch up when the leader is adjusting his speed for the group. Also, they have a tendency to slinky forward and back alot. More experienced riders in the rear will be able to adjust for this.

My recommendation would be to ride second on the right side not the left or fourth w the group. Reason being you will always be in the mirror of the leader. Having more riders infront of you helps gauge corners and road conditions.

If you have a good strong leader that can communicate w a good sweeper every lane change should have enough room for a casual change for the whole group; w the sweeper cutting over quickly as soon as the leader gives signal to block the lane change for the whole group.

I think group riding is a very valuable skill and most that dont learn this way when they first start riding have the mentality its a tricky game. Most meaningly they are used to the 'everyone is out for themselves' speed game vs slowing down and riding AS A GROUP not individuals.

GL, ride safe and leave plenty of room for you to operate your bike to your comfort level.


And hit me up if you'd like to go for a ride. I'll ride w your pace or slow you down if you let me know ahead of time for safety. If I bore you I really dont care. Safety and proper techniques are important in rider initial development to not start and maintain poor riding habits.

[BaylorNinja500]

super helpful thread!