You are responsible for your own safety.
Use your own good judgment.

Disclaimer:
Motorcycle Singles Club assumes no responsibility for your choice to participate in any ride, event, or activity associated with the club or the message board forum.  Each member participates at his or her own risk.  Motorcycle Singles Club, including all members, Core Team members, and Principals, are not responsible for assessing the riding skills of any member, nor the skill needed for any ride.  You are responsible for assessing your level of riding skill, comfort, the conditions of the ride, the safety of riding in any group or rider, as well as road and weather conditions, estimated time to complete the ride, number of miles on the ride, the terrain (highway, mountains, canyons, etc.), the pace of the ride, and all risks associated with riding.

On this page, you will find riding tips gathered from several sources for your information and convenience.

Basic Stuff
a. Show up on time or early.  Don't make people wait.
b. Arrive with a full tank and an empty bladder.
c. Inspect your bike thoroughly beforehand. Check your oil, levers, cables, and tire pressure before you leave home.

Pre-Ride Brief
Ride Leader gives a pre-ride briefing to cover the route, ride communication (signals), and safety stuff.  Be patient and give your full attention. This may not be YOUR first group ride, but it could be for the person riding in front of you.  The pre-ride brief is for safety.  This is a good time to inform the Road Guards of anything they should know about you and your riding limitations. They will be happy to accommodate wherever they can.

Road Militia
Ride Leader - Ride Leader is at the front of the group and is in charge of the ride.
Road Guards - Assists Ride Leader and riders where necessary.
Mid-Guard - Rides in the middle and assists where needed.
Sweep - Positioned at the back of the group, watches over the group, and assists any riders in need of help.

New Riders
Rides are conducted to the level of the rider with the greatest limitations.  We try to ride no faster than necessary to support inexperienced riders.  If the situation dictates, a special group may be formed for the newer riders.  New riders and new bikes should ride closest behind the Ride Leader because:
a. The Ride Leader can more easily adjust the pace of the group to match the riders easily seen immediate behind.
b. You are less likely to be separated from the Ride Leader by traffic or at a stoplight.

Ride Formation
Staggered Formation - The Ride Leader leads from the left side of the lane.  Riders follow in staggered formation.  Remember - you, or the riders on the other side of the lane, may need to change sides in an emergency.  Give yourself enough room to stop in an emergency, but do not give unnecessary space that causes the group to be drawn out or lengthened.  Where possible, we try to ensure against cars merging in and separating the group.  Stay tight.  You should be able to see the face of the rider in front of you in their mirror.  Be sure to get behind someone cute.  Make sure the rider in front of you can also see you in his/her mirror.  Also, make sure you can see the rider behind you in your mirror.  Be sure to get in front of someone cute.  You don't wanna be lookin at ugly all day.

Single File - Best on narrow or curvy roads, or when there are obstacles or other hazards.

Consistency - Be consistent with your pace.  Don't continually speed up and slow down (constantly opening and closing the gap) between you and the person in front of you.  It makes the riders around you uneasy.  Plus, you'll look like a dork, and looks is everything.

Safety - Formation changes and adjustments may be necessary without a signal from the Ride Leader.  For example, narrow or winding sections of the road may require a change from staggered to single file.  Be alert.  Be aware of others around you, and be safe.  Don't panic and blow everyone off the road.

Standard Maneuvers
Changing Lanes - When the Ride Leader wants to change lanes, the standard hand signal or turn signal will be given.  Look first, signal and follow the rider ahead. Change lanes when it's safe to do so.

Stop Signs and Stop Lights - It's okay to pull up next to each other (two by two) at a stop or a light, and then to re-establish the formation after the stop.  Just make sure you obey the traffic laws.

Fill the Gap - No, that's not a singles club motto.  If a rider drops out of staggered formation, the rider in that same line directly behind will move forward to fill the gap.  Do not pull out of your line and cross over sideways to fill the gap.  Each rider in the line behind the gap moves forward one space.  Crossing side to side to fill the gap could create a bad accident.

Parked Cars - Group rides usually stay away from the curb lane if there are parked cars.  We try to avoid suddenly opened car doors, or people and animals darting out from between parked cars.

Passing Large Trucks - Be seen.  Assume you are not easily seen. Depending upon traffic conditions, the Ride Leader may give the single file signal. Every one moves to the opposite side of the lane away from the truck.  If you can't see that trucker's face in his mirror, you better bet he can't see you either.

Road Hazards
If you see a hazard in the road - a pothole, a rock, dead animal, tire tread, gravel, whatever - point to it so the rider behind you sees it too.  Point with your hand or foot.

Traffic
Automobiles will sometimes want or need to merge into the group, like when they're merging onto the freeway. They won't like it there for very long.  Let them in - and let them out.

So Now You're a Ride Leader (of a split group)  - Oh Shit!!
Stoplights and traffic conditions sometimes break up the group. You may find yourself at the front of a group that got split.  Carry on.  Just make sure you look good doing it.  The Ride Leader usually slows up ahead to let the rest of the group catch up.  Or, the Leader will stop and wait on the right hand side of the road or shoulder until everyone catches up.  Don't stop in the middle of the road!  Just keep riding at a comfortable or slower pace.  One of the Road Guards will usually pull to the front to take over for you.  Relax.  Ride on.  Be aware of things going on around you as the Leader and Guards attempt to reassemble the group.  We don't want you riding all the way to Yuma before you realize you're no longer riding with a group.

Need More Space?
A rider may need more space (possibly the whole lane) because of their experience level, road conditions, or bike's handling characteristics. The rider should signal this by extending the left arm down and slightly to the side with palm facing to the rear and with a waving motion backward (Uh, right...like some whacked out break dancer on wheels, maybe?)  Riders behind should drop back and give the rider more room, and should also be prepared for the rider to move anywhere on the road, or pull off the road and stop.

Need to Drop Back or Stop?
A rider may need to pull out of position.  Maybe they want to take a position closer to the Sweep, where the ride is more relaxed.  There are three methods for moving out of the group.
a. If on a multi-lane road, the rider signals to change lanes, does so, then waves the other riders to pass.
b. The rider keeps to their side of the lane and waves the other riders to pass.
c. The rider signals the riders behind for more space and pulls off the road when it can be done safely. Immediately wave other riders to pass. The Sweep rides with the last rider, and provides assistance if necessary.  Such a nice guy, that Sweep fella.

Other Bikes Wanting to Pass
Other faster bikes will sometimes want to pass the group. This can get a little tricky on 2-lane twisty roads.  Don't stop, but move to the right (SAFELY) and allow the faster rider to pass - only if and when it is safe.  If you're uncomfortable moving over, don't move over.  You might try slowing a bit instead, and then prepare to hear something fast as lightening come screaming by your ear hole.  Don't panic.  Everything's fine.

Departure
This is an unceremonious activity. Uh, what?  When the Ride Leader says it is time to leave, every one should throw a fit and refuse to follow instructions.  But since we're all really mature, let's just line up behind the Leader (two by two).  Don’t be bashful about telling someone that you need to position yourself in front. They will understand and appreciate your contribution to the safety of the group.

Ride Your Own Ride!!
Never ride above your own personal comfort level.
Never ride above your own personal comfort level.
Never ride above your own personal comfort level.
Advise the Ride Leader during the pre-ride briefing of any issues or concerns you may have. If you feel pressured or uncomfortable during the ride, pull out of the group and take up a position in front of the Sweep. The Sweep will ride at your comfort level and appreciate your good judgment in taking positive action.  If the two of you lose the group, don't worry about it.  Someone else will fill in for Sweep with the group, while you and the Sweep will ride to your comfort level.  Ride your own ride means you must take responsibility for your riding and your safety.

Health and Well-Being
a. Are you well? 
b. Have you had enough sleep? 
c. Have you taken something that would make it unwise or unsafe to ride?  
d. Do you have proper and safe clothing?  
e. Should you tell a Road Guard of your concerns and limitations?  Don’t be bashful - Lives depend on it.  

Pre-Ride Checks
Riders need to ensure that their bike is ready for the road. Check your bike's general condition, critical components and fluid levels prior to every ride to help ensure a safe ride. The T-CLOCK checklist covers the exact items to check. The letters T- CLOCK stand for Tires & Wheels, Cables & Controls, Lights, Oil & Fluids, Chain & Chassis, and Kickstand.

Ride your own ride
Be Safe
Be Alert and Aware
Be Courteous

HAVE FUN!

 

Riding with a Passenger

 Both of you must be comfortable. You should be an experienced motorcyclist and comfortable with your skills and your bike before adding a passenger to the mix. If your riding companion is scared or nervous, it can make a big difference in the way they react, which can affect the bike's handling. The passenger must be able to relax and work with the rider. The passenger should also be alert and act as another set of eyes and ears out on the road. The first step in making a passenger feel comfortable is a prepared rider. 

Start by making sure your bike is capable of carrying two people. You may need to adjust your suspension to accommodate the extra weight, so check your owner's manual before heading out. Be sure you have a seat that can comfortably accommodate two. In addition, talk to your passenger about what their responsibilities are out on the road. Don't assume they know.

Before Riding

• Protective Gear - Make sure your passenger knows that they need to wear a helmet, jacket, gloves, boots and long pants if they are going to be riding with you. The proper attire can help reduce the risk of injury in the event of an accident.
  
• Mounting - Explain to your passenger that the rider mounts first, gets the bike pointed in the right direction and has the bike completely under control before the passenger mounts. The passenger should always wait until the rider says he is ready for her to get on.  To mount and dismount the bike - from the left side, first put a foot on the peg or the ground next to the bike, and then swing the other leg over the seat. You may have to slide your leg over and scoot over on to the seat. Try to keep your weight as evenly distributed as possible.
  
• Feet on the Pegs - Once on the bike, it¡¦s important that the passenger keep both feet on the pegs at all times, unless the rider indicates otherwise. If the passenger takes their feet off the pegs, it can throw off the distribution of weight and cause the bike to tip. In some states, the law requires foot pegs for passengers, so make sure you know what the guidelines in your state are before you head out.

During the Ride

• Practice - Let your passenger know that their added weight can cause the bike to handle differently. Find a large parking lot or a straight section of road and take the time to practice braking and stopping so both you and your passenger can get used to the feel of it.
  
• Braking - Weight distribution will change as the bike comes to a stop. The quicker the braking, the more sudden the change in weight distribution. As you come to a stop, your passenger will automatically lurch forward. To minimize the effects of the shift in weight, make sure your passenger keeps her feet on the foot pegs and holds on to the driver around the waist, at the hips or by the belt. As the rider, you should leave plenty of time for braking to avoid abrupt stops.
  
• Leaning - Instruct your passenger to lean with the bike while turning or around corners. She should lean gently and avoid sudden movements. The passenger should hold on to the rider and move with the movement of the bike and rider. If your passenger has never ridden a cycle before, you should not take any high-speed turns until she understands leaning, and can do it properly.
  
• Turning - When turning, it is important that the passenger move with the rider and help maintain the stability of the bike.  Again, this is best accomplished by having the passenger hold on to the rider, counter-balance to keep the weight evenly distributed and avoid any abrupt movements.
  
• Stop Often - Be sure that both you and your passenger have ample opportunity to get off the bike, stretch your legs and enjoy the scenery. It will help keep both of you alert and make the ride more enjoyable.

Riding with a passenger can be safe and fun if you provide these tips to your passenger, talk through their responsibilities and yours, and practice until you're both comfortable before heading out on the road. If your passenger moves in synch with the bike and the rider, maintains evenly centered weight distribution, holds on to the rider and is relaxed and comfortable, you can have a great time riding. But remember, it all starts with a prepared rider who is confident and in control.