A couple of general rules when riding in groups

[Campo]

Just something I've picked up over the past couple of years of riding in groups when doing fast country runs etc.

1. The person behind you is responsable for your safety. When going pretty quick through the country (or anywhere really) the last thing you want to be worried about is the person behind you. It's a lot more important being alert to whats in front, cars pulling out, corners, animals etc. So idealy you want to trust the person behind you....pretty well. You want to know that the guy/girl behind you is going to be alert to your actions and react to that.

2. Keep good distance when at speed. I hate nothing more than doing a quick run through the bush and you've got someone sitting on your inside, either pass or drop the phark back, it aint a race and at the end of the day we want to be sittin round the bar, not a hospital bed. Keep about 100 meters (give or take pending on the speed) between each rider unless your going to pass.

3. When passing or turning, give a good indication. Indicate a lot earlier than usual, point out, use the hand etc to show your going to turn or over take. This stops confusion and bikes getting a little to intimate.

This isn't a dig, just my 2c on some runs. Since my bingle in December my confidence levels have gond to shit hence the reason I hang back a little these days.

[Dragon]

Yes I agree with those good points and would also add that checking before pulling out (from stationary) and committing to the path you have indicated...

Yes we need to be aware of those ahead, but should also take some responsibility for those riding around us to ensure everyone's safety...

[Anonymous]

A couple of other things:

Overtaking in corners is a no-no.

When riding in formation, it's best to stagger bikes in the lane. If the guy in front of you sits on the left-hand side of the lane, sit your bike on the right-hand side (that is of the oil slick, usually). The guy behind you should sit on your left, the guy behind him on his right, and so on..

When doing a reasonable rate of speed on a road and you're approaching a turn-off, it's always a good idea to signal with your hand that the group is turning off. This saves confusion from other riders who might think you're just changing lanes, so saving dramas from anyone who might overshoot the exit.

[BigBird]

Good points campo,

[PrestigeCBR]

Rules

Well first of all, lets not PANIC!
Campo's got it in one, YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE for the person in front of you, even on track days that is the basic rule.
If every one remembers that, it keeps things SIMPLE!!

I am pretty confident that the rest of you guys have indicators fitted (as long as we use them with plenty of notice) there is no need for hand signal shit!
And the only reason you would not see some ones indicator would be because you were 100 mtr back, therefore stopping is no problem.

Each to there own, just watch the guy in front and dont worry about the person behind you, because he is watching you.

[ChOOkiE]

I agree with all that has been said, you should always watch out for the other people riding, however if you are stationary, before you take off.. always make sure to look around you and behind to avoid moving into any other vehicles

[Campo]

I agree with all that has been said, you should always watch out for the other people riding, however if you are stationary, before you take off.. always make sure to look around you and behind to avoid moving into any other vehicles

Well that said, do you always look behind you when you're turning at an intersection? I don't cause the guy behind me is watchin my back. Even when I'm on my own, there's no need to look at whats coming up behind you, just what's infront. If I'm at a T intersection, I'm going to be watching for a gad in the traffic before i turn, not what the vehicle behind is doing.

[mastrmage]

Sometimes you gotta be aware of what the old asian lady in the beat up pulsar is doing behind you though, you wanna speed up and get the fuck out of her way before you turn!

[philth]

Good pointers guys. And mas is right you got to be on the look out for the ever eager over confident cage drivers.

[ChOOkiE]

Yeh, I still look behind me and to the sides before I take off at intersections. I like to know my surroundings before I take off. Maybe that's just me though *shrug*

[Dragon]

I agree with all that has been said, you should always watch out for the other people riding, however if you are stationary, before you take off.. always make sure to look around you and behind to avoid moving into any other vehicles

Well that said, do you always look behind you when you're turning at an intersection? I don't cause the guy behind me is watchin my back. Even when I'm on my own, there's no need to look at whats coming up behind you, just what's infront. If I'm at a T intersection, I'm going to be watching for a gad in the traffic before i turn, not what the vehicle behind is doing.

Sure Campo, that would make sense if you are entering a T intersection from the adjoining road, or at a give way/stop sign/traffic lights etc. Keeping in mind you should still be aware of your surroundings though.
But when stopping in the middle of the road for no apparant reason, it is wise to check your six before pulling out accross the road and potential traffic headed towards etc.

I agree that yes you do have a responsibility for the rider in front, but only to a point, as there is a time when they must take resposibility for themselves also, such as checking for traffic when pulling out accross a road... such as you say Campo, you check before entering a T, you don't just go hey I'm in front so look out do you?
I don't know how many times I have avoided a crash due to checking behid me before merging with traffic, pulling out accross traffic, stopping hard etc. to see my six is cool... It is just a little simple self preservation... It is common sense and doesn't hurt
You mention the track and watching ahead, they also don't pull off from the side accross the track without checking BEHIND them to ensure safety etc. :?

Also when we ride in groups like we do, if we indicate to take a road and we have right of way it would be best to do so and not stop in the middle of intersections, causing traffic hazards for ourselves and/or other vehicles etc...

[Dragon]

oh man, I'm not blamin anyone at all. We're alll so lucky it turned out the way it did. mind you, even if Gonz could see what was behind him, he still couldn't move cause of that pharkin ute. Idiot should've given away to you guys for sure!


Anyone get his plate??

It would've been nice if gonz did look before cutting accross, cause then he would've stayed put... damn you gonz and I would've stopped just ahead about a meter to his side away... or another two seconds would've been great too!
If I had've aimed for the rear of his bike instead of alongside him, would've ended up missing each other, ironic isn't it?

The plate of the ute, well I was finding it hard to get looking up from the ground accross the bird and you guys were more concerned about whether I was ok or not than the lic plate, geez what's with that
8)

[Shoxer]

A very interesting subject indeed!

Few of you guys mentioned a few of these points.. I find them very important.

Stagger formation while riding.
Trust and hope guy behind doesnt do anything stupid like cut u off.
Flick your foot out or something while changing lanes (Not everyone is paying attention to your tiny indicator)
When going high speed stick to single file!!!!!!!

And the thing which REALLY SHITS ME OFF is when your doing a decent speed behind someone and he just slams on his breaks to get to his powerband so he can chuck a 2nd gear wheelie!!!!!!! While you almost run into the back of him! HELLO LOOK BEHIND U

Allways be weary and never trust NEW riders I almost got wiped out by a guy who cut inbetween me and the curb! I could almost feel ANOTHER footpeg smashing into my leg!

Funny thing was Em who knocked me off ages ago rides a Kwaka.... And the dood who almost did the same thing ALSO rides a Kwaka.
WATCHOUT FOR THOSE KWAKAS

Theres my bitching for today

[bladebabe]

Guys, Guys, Guys!!!

Now come on all of ya...
OK now I wasn't there (damn work) but seriously, u guys are acting worse than a chick..

Can't u all just get over it and continue riding as a safe, friendly group?
I have ridden with quite a few groups and if you don't just let it be it will ruin the whole feel of the group.

I have read all the posts and just want to say....

Just make sure you look after your fellow riders and please look out for the person in front of you... There are so many things to look out for whilst riding and you really don't want to have to worry about your mate behind you...

And when riding with new people take the time to assess how they ride and if they are going to be stupid or safe.. This is the way I have done it and I have NEVER had a bingle involving another rider, yeah I have come close but have avoided it by watching both the rider in front and the road in front of them..

Lets keep riding as a group and not let petty incidents ruin all the fun!!

Ride Safe!!

[Spike]

i've tried to keep outta this but it's goin tooo far.....i was out riding with them all but i didn't see the accident, i rocked up just to c dragons bird on the deck so i can't give an eye witness account but i can say that gonz was saying that he shouldn't have turned in at the last moment.......calvin said that he waved the car through coz the bikes were turning.....i just don't think all the other riders knew that they were turning, there is no way that you can put the blame on one person....it wasn't dragon's fault, it wasn't gonz1's fault, it was just a mixture of poor judgment, assumptions and not a real clear picture about what was actually happening and where we were going.....i don't wanna point fingers cos i can't point fingers i'm just saying that noone else should be pointing fingers because there are only really two people that knew why it happened....Gonz1 and Dragon

Just remember Assumption is the Muther of all Fuckups