Rules of the road, Question

[Rabon]

I am somewhat new to riding on the highway and have not yet encountered "formation riding" it is something that will have to be dealt with eventually as I will encounter it at some point. Are there some rules of the road or guidlines which will tell me what is expected of who so I will be comfortable when exposed to it? Can anyone point me in the right direction ?
Thanks,

[OkieTrucker]

Personally, I NEVER ride peg to peg to with anyone unless it is on a 4 lane, but never on a 2 lane, just not safe. I always ride staggered, either a bike link ahead or behind. Just my 2 cents

[Kaycee]

Go to your DMV and see if they offer a MSC Motorcycle Safety Course.I bet they can point you in the right direction,some states give you credit on your insurance if you take it. I do what okie does allso ride staggered it gives a chance for reaction

[rides99fatboy]

Yeah, when I was new to riding I did what everyone was doing which was riding "peg to peg" as OkieTrucker states. I soon learned that's just too unsafe with not only road conditions, but you never know what the guy next to you might do.

Here's an excerpt from the IL motorcycle handbook from the DMZ on group riding.

• Don’t pair up — Never operate directly alongside another rider. There is no place to go if you have to avoid a car or something on the road. To talk, wait until you are both stopped.
• Staggered formation — This is the best way to keep ranks close yet maintain an adequate space cushion. The leader rides in the left side of the lane, while the second rider stays one second behind in the right side of the lane. A third rider maintains in the left position, 2 seconds behind the first rider. The fourth rider
would keep a 2-second distance behind the second rider. This formation keeps the group close and permits each rider a safe distance from others ahead, behind and to the sides.
• Passing in formation — Riders in a staggered formation should pass one at a time. First, the lead rider should pull out and pass when it is safe. After passing, the leader should return to the left position and continue riding at passing speed to open room for the next rider. After the first rider passes safely, the second rider should move up to the left position and watch for a safe chance to pass.
After passing, this rider should return to the right position and pen up room for the next rider. Some people suggest that the leader should move to the right side after passing a vehicle. This is not a good idea. It encourages the second rider to pass and cut back in before there is a large enough space cushion in front of the passed vehicle. It is simpler and safer to wait until there is enough room ahead of the passed vehicle to allow each rider to move into the same position held before the pass. It is best to move into a single-file formation when riding curves, turning, entering or leaving a highway.

[Mr Cujo]

Here's a couple of sites with valuable tips and info...

http://www.amadirectlink.com/roadride/groupRide.asp

http://www.msf-usa.org/

Hope this helps...

[dog155]

The way I learned was listen and watch.Follow the crowd,you will see.Some riders are more brazen and like to ride side by side,depending on the roads and experience.You do what you are comfortable with,just be considerate of other riders in a group.

[Rabon]

Thanks for the input and those links were just what I was looking for.
Thanks again.

[Nazzdak]

Rabon-

This is my opinion only. Not the gospel by any means.

Yes, staggered formation works in theory. Yet, it is a very scary concept, in practice. The average rider will tailgate, lane switch, duck walk, fall behind, pull too far ahead, cut you off, and most of all, show extreme inexperience in turns and/or curves....all in the mist of traveling from point a, to point b.

Thus, the the best advice I can give you is to learn how to ride in tandem formation BY YOURSELF, until you learn how to do it well. If you come up on a group of riders, pass them. If a group of riders come up on you, let them pass. If a solo rider comes up behind you, block him by taking the center portion of your lane.

Once you learn how to ride well, in tandem formation, it won't take long before you meet someone that knows how to do it, just as well as you do. At this point, the rule of thumb is no more than 2 feet apart, and no more than 2 seconds behind, in following distance. The best rider should take the left side, while the rider with the least amount of skill should try and "keep up" on the right. When you turn, you turn as one. When you lean, you lean as one. When you change lanes, you change lanes as one.

The guy that rides on the left side should know the hand signal for a left pass, a right pass, a left turn, as well as the hand signal for a right turn, giving the rider on the right plenty of warning with both his left hand, and his turn signals. In my opinion, It's easier to ride on the left side then the right, so practice accordingly.

Most importantly, never, ever, ride in tandem formation with someone you don't know.

good luck!
David