You may think of motorcycling as primarily a solo activity, but ask anyone who has ever done it and they’ll tell you that hitting the open road with a group of friends or riding with an organized motorcycle rally is the epitome of the motorcycling experience. However, it’s important to keep in mind that the rules of the road are a bit different when you’re riding with a group.
Here are some tips offered by the Motorcycle Safety Foundation that will help ensure a fun and safe group ride:
1. Before setting out on your trip, hold a riders’ meeting. Discuss things like the route, rest and fuel stops and the hand signals you will use to communicate. Assign a lead and sweep (tail) rider. Both should be experienced riders who are well-versed in group riding procedures.
2. Keep the group to a manageable size, ideally five to seven riders. If necessary, break the group into smaller sub-groups, each with a lead and sweep rider.
3. Be prepared for any problem you may encounter. At least one rider in each group should pack a cell phone, first-aid kit and full tool kit.
4. Ride in formation. The staggered riding formation allows a proper space cushion between motorcycles so that each rider has enough time and space to maneuver and to react to hazards. The leader rides in the left third of the lane, while the next rider stays at least one second behind in the right third of the lane; the rest of the group follows the same pattern. A single-file formation is preferred on a curvy road, under conditions of poor visibility or poor road surfaces and when entering or leaving highways.
5. Make sure everyone in the group is up-to-date on their motorcycle insurance. Because you never know when an accident or breakdown will happen, it’s imperative that you carry insurance – not to mention it is required by law.
Whether you need a new policy, or just want to make sure you aren’t paying too much for the one you currently have, many companies offer a free motorcycle insurance quote online. Among the motorcycle insurance coverage options available: collision, comprehensive, liability, uninsured/underinsured motorist, personal injury protection (PIP) and medical payments coverage.
You can expect to typically pay between $20 and $300 per month for motorcycle insurance, depending on the amount of coverage, and the coverage options you choose, according to FinWeb.com.
