Hazard Right B

Normally done with the right leg extended out; you can use right hand to indicate hazard on the right side of the lane, although it lets go of throttle!

Slow Down

Left arm bent downward at a 45 degree angle;  motion up and down with your hand.  Palm is facing down to road.

Speed Up

Left arm is bent upward at a 90 degree angle; index finger is pointing upwards.  Raise and lower your arm.  Alternate:  Same as Slow Down; palm up.

Stop

Left arm is bent downward at a 45 degree angle; open palm is facing towards the rear of the bike.

Single File

Left arm is bent so hand is at top of your helmet; index finger pointing upward.  Alternate:  arm can be straight up.

Staggered Formation

Tighten Up

Left arm is pointing upward with your index finger and pinky finger extended.  Alternate: same as Single File but with two fingers pointing.

Left arm is raised upward at a 90 degree angle.  Your hand is in a fist.  Raise and lower your arm.

Check out this video from the AMF web site—it shows a group ride in action, explains the information here on this page, and goes over the hand signals.  Excellent video:  Hi-Res=26 Mb; Lo-Res=17 Mb.

Group Ride (on left, 1/2 way down): http://www.msf-usa.org

 

Group Riding Hand Signals

When you arrive at your starting point, be ready to ride!  This includes:

· Full tank of gas

· Appropriate clothing for the weather

· Well-rested and fed!

· Bike in safe operating condition.

 

Make sure everyone has a map/list of the route with proposed stops (lunch, fuel, sightseeing, re-group stops, etc.) marked.  There is nothing worse than having an emergency stop or getting hung up at an intersection and not knowing where you are at or the address of your stops and final destination!

 

Ride in a staggered formation, with a minimum of 2 seconds between you and the rider directly in front of you (1 second between you and the rider staggered to your left or right).  This allows you the entire lane to ride in and gives an extra margin of safety.

 

Ride your ride and not the rider’s in front of you.  Look down the road and through the corners—not at the bike ahead of you.  (I.e., if the speed is too fast for your comfort, don’t do it; in an intersection with a light—stop if you have to, don’t go just to keep the group together, etc.)

A group is not a “single vehicle.”  Be courteous and allow cars to enter/exit a highway or change lanes.  Make sure you let the riders behind you know what is going on.

If you decide to split off from the ride, make a reasonable attempt to alert the entire group to your departure.  If re-grouping does not happen soon enough for you, you must let at least one person know you are leaving!

For more group riding information or to actually do a practice group ride, contact the Road Captain.  Send them an e-mail with your questions, to receive a pamphlet, or find out when the next practice group ride is scheduled.

A group ride is very impressive, but you need to play it safe!  If you feel totally uncomfortable in a large group, then don’t do it—no one will think any less of you or your motorcycle skills!  Safety First!

 

 

Using either left or right arm, bend it in a 90 degree angle.  Move your index finger in a circular motion.

Left arm is bent at a 90 degree angle upward.  Fingers are together pointing upwards with palm towards front of bike.

Left arm is bent so your hand points, over your helmet, to the right side of the lane.  Use index finger or cupped hand pointing down.

Left arm is pointing downward at a 45 degree angle indicating a hazard on the left side of the lane.  Index finger is pointing down.

Left arm is horizontal (180 degree angle).  Fingers are together, flat, and pointing to the left.

Start Engines

Hazard Left

Hazard Right A

Right Turn

Left Turn

#0880—To Ride and Have Fun!