Riding in tight formation

Message

High_Side · #1 Post by **High_Side** » Sun Sep 20, 2009 10:20 am

As everyone likely knows by now I believe that riding in tight formation is one of the most dangerous things you can do (without intentionally taking on risk by stunting and the like) on a motorcycle. These guys may be "gang" members but it this sucks no matter who you are. Hope they make a speedy recovery.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/32923524/ns/us_news-life/

Give yourself lots of room out there!

RhadamYgg · #2 Post by **RhadamYgg** » Sun Sep 20, 2009 12:58 pm

There was some kind of POW MIA Veterans ride that passed my house today. I caught the end of it - and that must have been 50 bikes. They had been riding by my house for at least 30 minutes before I'd got out to rte 27 to watch.

Wow. But I can only imagine if an accident happened to a cluster of bikers.

But this was very organized. There were cops on point and rear guard and people sat for at least 1/2 trying to get out of my development.

It was impressive to see, though. Got me thinking of joining a ride sometime in the near future. But I'm not sure what a Poker run is?

RhadamYgg

king robb · #3 Post by **king robb** » Sun Sep 20, 2009 1:09 pm

RhadamYgg wrote:There was some kind of POW MIA Veterans ride that passed my house today. I caught the end of it - and that must have been 50 bikes. They had been riding by my house for at least 30 minutes before I'd got out to rte 27 to watch.

Wow. But I can only imagine if an accident happened to a cluster of bikers.

But this was very organized. There were cops on point and rear guard and people sat for at least 1/2 trying to get out of my development.

It was impressive to see, though. Got me thinking of joining a ride sometime in the near future. But I'm not sure what a Poker run is?

RhadamYgg

What you saw, was a parade style ride. Usually organized for charity event....sometime erroneously called poker runs. I am too lazy to type more so here http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poker_run is a good def of a poker run.

High_Side · #4 Post by **High_Side** » Sun Sep 20, 2009 1:47 pm

More:
http://www.katu.com/news/59789107.html

Highway traffic was moving smoothly according to the eyewitness. 26 bikes involved and one SUV......

RhadamYgg · #5 Post by **RhadamYgg** » Sun Sep 20, 2009 2:14 pm

king robb wrote:
RhadamYgg wrote:There was some kind of POW MIA Veterans ride that passed my house today. I caught the end of it - and that must have been 50 bikes. They had been riding by my house for at least 30 minutes before I'd got out to rte 27 to watch.

Wow. But I can only imagine if an accident happened to a cluster of bikers.

But this was very organized. There were cops on point and rear guard and people sat for at least 1/2 trying to get out of my development.

It was impressive to see, though. Got me thinking of joining a ride sometime in the near future. But I'm not sure what a Poker run is?

RhadamYgg
What you saw, was a parade style ride. Usually organized for charity event....sometime erroneously called poker runs. I am too lazy to type more so here http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poker_run is a good def of a poker run.

Oh, cool. Yeah, today was probably just a parade event. I wish I'd known about it - I could have participated or at least had the boys watch the entire ride.

Thanks for the info... So, it sounds like I'd be able to go at my own pace.

RhadamYgg

zeligman · #6 Post by **zeligman** » Sun Sep 20, 2009 2:33 pm

some riders have tighter formations than others...

JC Viper · #7 Post by **JC Viper** » Sun Sep 20, 2009 4:04 pm

That's why I avoid such group riding. It can go from fine to a stack of dominos very quickly. I did ride in a staggered group before but it was unintentional. I was behind one rider so I moved over while giving him a bike and a half distance then some more riders began joining in. Quite funny to watch bikers come out of nowhere and start forming a staggered line.

I'm sure can be quite safe but I prefer to go it alone or have a great deal of space between us.

sapaul · #8 Post by **sapaul** » Mon Sep 21, 2009 1:02 am

Our annual Toy Run In JHB has in excess of 20 000 bikes on the road at the same time heading for the same end venue. Usually 4 or 5 start venues that converge on the highway for the last 15kms or so.

No cars or dirt bikes or quads allowed in the procession.

king robb · #9 Post by **king robb** » Mon Sep 21, 2009 4:17 am

A staggered group is also quite a bit different safety wise than riding 2x2.

That (2x2) is one of those things "outlaw" MCs tend to do to show how "outlaw" they are. It doesnt leave much margin for error. Hence 28 experienced riders piling up. Hope these fellas all come out all right tho.

Either way, I dont ride in groups with people I dont know....and I prefer never to be in a group of more than 5 bikes.

koji52 · #10 Post by **koji52** » Mon Sep 21, 2009 6:41 am

king robb wrote:A staggered group is also quite a bit different safety wise than riding 2x2.

That (2x2) is one of those things "outlaw" MCs tend to do to show how "outlaw" they are. It doesnt leave much margin for error. Hence 28 experienced riders piling up. Hope these fellas all come out all right tho.

Either way, I dont ride in groups with people I dont know....and I prefer never to be in a group of more than 5 bikes.

You and I think exactly the same way about riding in groups.