Riding in a Group
Love riding your motorcycle out of town on a scenic trip? Want to make that experience even better? Share it! Riding with a group is a great way to bond with fellow motorcyclists and really get the most out of a long sojourn. You’ll be able to create some great memories with your biker friends while enjoying the trip together.
North County Indian Motorcycle® in San Marcos, California, is your local Indian Motorcycle® dealer. You can trust us to know a thing or two about how to take a successful group ride. Read our tips below to adequately prepare yourself and your group for your next adventure! We also serve San Diego and Oceanside, so stop by today to check out some Indian® motorcycles for sale!
Pack Wisely
Before you set out on a trip with a group, it’s important to consider what items you’ll need to make the ride safe and comfortable for everyone. A first-aid kit and a repair kit are both necessary. If you’re planning on camping or staying overnight somewhere, you’ll need extra clothes, a tent, sleeping bag, waterproof gear, toiletries and medications. Creating a supply list can help ensure everyone has what they need. Make sure everyone fills up their tanks before you head out and that all bikes are in good shape, too!
Discuss The Route With The Group
It’s imperative that everyone in your riding group be on the same page when it comes to the route. Every rider should know the starting point, ending point and planned roads to take so that they can hopefully rejoin the group should they become separated at any juncture. You’ll want to factor in planned stops for food, gas and rest breaks. Everyone should also be able to have their say as to what diners, tourist attractions or scenic viewpoints you stop at as a group.
Planning the route in advance allows you to determine approximately how long the ride will take and how much distance is between each stop so you can fuel up as needed. You’ll also be able to check whether there are any road closures, areas of heavy congestion or construction zones that you’ll want to avoid.
Select A Riding Formation
You don’t want any one member of the group to have to ride alone. Choosing a riding formation helps everyone stay together and prevents anyone from getting lost. You’ll also be much more visible to drivers, so you’re less likely to be hit.
Using a formation like a staggered double line can help you remain visible and stay in one group. From a bird’s-eye view, this formation resembles a zipper, with each rider staying to the side and two seconds behind the one ahead of them.
You'll also want to carefully consider which rider leads the group and which one brings up the rear. The leader needs to be a confident and experienced rider who can watch for traffic changes and signal them to the rest of the group. This rider also sets the pace for the ride, which means they’ll need to ask everyone about how fast they’re comfortable going so no one feels rushed.
The rider in the rear should have the repair and first aid kits on hand so they can stop to assist any riders who have to pull over. This person should be someone with a lot of patience who’s able to ride more slowly and keep watch over everyone else, as well as someone who’s experienced in basic repairs.
With some preparation and group discussion, you’re sure to have a memorable and pleasant ride with your biking comrades. Still don’t have the right bike? Come on to North County Indian Motorcycle® in San Marcos, California, today to check out our current selection of motorcycles for sale near the cities of San Diego and Oceanside.