SuzukiSavage.com - Dangers in group rides

stewmills

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Dangers in group rides
07/11/14 at 12:08:02

So...this is not really a technical question but may be in some respects. I am thinking about participating in my first 'poker run' tomorrow and will actually be the first time in the two years I have owned this bike that I have ridden alongside any other rider(s).

Other than the obvious, are there any things to look out for regarding me and/or my bike that I may not be thinking of? Just made a fresh oil change, air filter, tire pressure, etc. last night and rode it to work today to make sure it's running well (...and she is). The ride is a typical country ride with not a lot of stop-n-go so I don't really anticipate any issues with the bike since it's just a typical ride and these bikes are so awesome. I guess I need to just keep my eye on the other riders and practice good defensive driving?

FWIW - I did the seat mod last night and I really like the way it feels...makes more of a difference than I expected!

Thanks!

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thumperclone

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Re: Dangers in group rides
Reply #1 - 07/11/14 at 12:28:06

+1 defense
on a poker run had a rider pull in front of me from left > right so he could get off the road
we were staggered I was in the right half he in the left missed contact by a nats hair...

large groups like our toy run riders tend to speed up and the slow down
accordion style

keep your distance,stagger,and maintain steady speed
ride like theyre all newbs

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engineer Serious Thumper Offline SuzukiSavage.com Rocks! Posts: 872 Gender:	Re: Dangers in group rides Reply #2 - 07/11/14 at 12:31:37 My experience has been that it isn't very safe to share a lane right next to someone. Also, when riding behind someone it is best to offset yourself to the other side of the lane. In short, keep some maneuvering room around yourself.
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justin_o_guy2 Serious Thumper Offline What happened? Posts: 55279 East Texas, 1/2 dallas/la.	Re: Dangers in group rides Reply #3 - 07/11/14 at 12:56:06 I don't ride close to traffic. I have a good reason for that.Just because someone is going to the same place I am doesn't make me feel better.I'll be about a half mile back.
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stewmills Serious Thumper Offline Imagination is more important than knowledge Posts: 2641 Auburn, AL Gender:	Re: Dangers in group rides Reply #4 - 07/11/14 at 13:07:53 Thanks all. I'm sorta overly cautious so I'll probably keep my distance, especially from people that I have never ridden with. Kinda like that old saying, "It's not that I don't trust you, I don't trust anyone".
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Serowbot YaBB Moderator ModSquad Offline OK.... so what's the speed of dark? Posts: 28653 Tucson Az Gender:	Re: Dangers in group rides Reply #5 - 07/11/14 at 13:15:16 Remain staggered,.. never side by side... ... and watch your mirrors more often than usual... If people get stupid,.. pull over and take up the rear. Way rear...
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justin_o_guy2 Serious Thumper Offline What happened? Posts: 55279 East Texas, 1/2 dallas/la.	Re: Dangers in group rides Reply #6 - 07/11/14 at 13:19:49 Unless that first stupid one takes you out
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verslagen1

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Re: Dangers in group rides
Reply #7 - 07/11/14 at 14:08:10

thumperclone wrote on 07/11/14 at 12:28:06:

+1 defense
on a poker run had a rider pull in front of me from left > right so he could get off the road
we were staggered I was in the right half he in the left missed contact by a nats hair...

large groups like our toy run riders tend to speed up and the slow down
accordion style

keep your distance,stagger,and maintain steady speed
ride like theyre all newbs

Freshen up on hand signals... you might even print it out and ask a stupid question about it so everyone gets a refresher too.

We split lanes here and I always get passed by some hot rod or moto-chippy.
I use my sig's to let 'm know I'm pulling over for 'm and which way.
Or when I'm already on 1 side I'll give them a 2 finger salute to let 'm know It's ok to pass.

And yes, I was following a genius at a reasonable distance, he on the left, me on the right, when he suddenly changed sides. no sooner than I flipped sides too he jammed on his brakes.

So keep your eyes open or someone will close them for you.

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Greg

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Re: Dangers in group rides
Reply #8 - 07/11/14 at 14:17:11

Our Meetup group has grown this year. Others have made the same suggestions I will, but they are important.

Always ride staggered, never side by side.

Keep about 3 or 4 seconds between the guy in front of you, not the one staggered in the opposite lane. This will deter traffic from cutting in your line.

Definitely learn hand signals. Especially single file, crap on the road (sometimes a foot signal), and the 'you left your blinker on" signal. I use that one often.

If your poker run is like ours, there are bars along the way. Be mindful of the ones who drink. Especially if they are behind you.

The safest place to be is second in line. If you have a very nervous or inexperienced person in the group, try to get them there.

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jcstokes Serious Thumper Offline SuzukiSavage.com is very useful Posts: 2119 Mauku New Zealand Gender:	Re: Dangers in group rides Reply #9 - 07/11/14 at 14:30:24 Try and stay out of the person in front of you blind spot. S
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BalingWire Full Member Offline "The savage in man is never quite eradicated." HDT Posts: 238 Wauseon, Ohio Gender:	Re: Dangers in group rides Reply #10 - 07/12/14 at 05:03:26 verslagen1 wrote on 07/11/14 at 14:08:10: Freshen up on hand signals...
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stewmills Serious Thumper Offline Imagination is more important than knowledge Posts: 2641 Auburn, AL Gender:	Re: Dangers in group rides Reply #11 - 07/12/14 at 05:25:43 Thanks all. Very good stuff. Thanks for the chart, BalingWire.
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Serowbot

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OK.... so what's the
speed of dark?

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Re: Dangers in group rides
Reply #12 - 07/12/14 at 06:55:06

Quote:

Comfort stop? "forearm extended, fist clenched with short up and down movement"...

I thought that meant.. quit riding like a jerk-off.... Undecided

...

PS... tapping top of your helmet.... means cop ahead...
... flat palm, pumping down (as if pressing on a footbrake)... means slow down... (often used to warn oncoming bikes of cops ahead, or road hazard)...
Not MSF certified, of course... Huh

...

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Ludicrous Speed !... ... Huh

...

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stewmills

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Imagination is more
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Auburn, AL
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Re: Dangers in group rides
Reply #13 - 07/12/14 at 19:48:25

So, I survived the ride. About 45 riders with a sheriff escort so we weren't riding on our own and were 'playing the accordion' often...but everyone behaved.

I found it interesting that although most of the bikes there were hogs and other big bikes, I caught a few of them checking out the Savage as if it were something really strange. I think I was the only single cylinder there and after the ride I think a few of them were surprised it was a 650 and that I could roll away when I wanted on a few of the long open stretches. Made me even more proud to own my bike

Lastly, to top off the day I won the poker run! It was a small pot with $5/hand but I walked away with $135.

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ToesNose Serious Thumper Offline Pardon me, do you have Hot Sauce? Posts: 1993 Mooresville, NC Gender:	Re: Dangers in group rides Reply #14 - 07/13/14 at 04:18:06 Very cool Stew! Sounds like you had some fun and a bit of cash never hurts
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