Riding In A Group
Taking a cruise on your bike by yourself is certainly enjoyable in and of itself, but it’s very likely that you’ve got a lot of friends who also ride. Why not organize a group ride and get everyone together for an adventure you won’t soon forget? Group riding can be a great way to socialize and make some memories with your biker buddies. It just takes some preparation in order to make sure everything goes off without a hitch.
Indian Motorcycle® of Orange County, serving Westminster, is your premier Southern California motorcycle dealer. Here are some tips we’ve gathered to help make your next group ride that much more enjoyable and efficient.
1. Prepare & Pack Smart
Everyone should make sure to get their motorcycles serviced before the ride, whether that means getting an oil change that’s overdue or replacing a tire that keeps going flat. You don’t want to be the rider that holds up the group with a broken bike! If you need professional help, you can always contact the service department here at Indian Motorcycle® of Orange County so we can assist you.
Next, everyone needs to pack their bikes with the supplies necessary for a good ride. You’ll all want to dress the part, from helmets to riding boots. You should also have at least one person carrying a repair kit and a first-aid kit for the group to use, in addition to everyone having water, food, their phones and a GPS.
It can also be handy for someone to have an emergency hand-crank radio. If you’re going on a multiple-day journey, then you may need camping gear if you’re not staying in motels along the way, and you’ll also want to ensure everyone’s packed extra clothes, toiletries, medications and so forth.
Finally, make sure that everyone fills up their tanks before you leave town. You never know when a detour may take you out of the way of a service station, so it’s smart to have plenty of gas in advance.
2. Collectively Plan Your Route
You’ll want to sit down with your group and plan the route you wish to take so that everyone is satisfied with the journey. Each person needs to know the start and endpoints, as well as the planned stops in between. This way, if someone gets held back, they can head to a meeting point to find everyone again.
Look over a map and pick out tourist attractions or fun roadside diners you may want to visit together. Determine the best route to take that doesn't involve congestion or construction or other hazards. Make sure that the ride and the speed you wish to take is suitable for all riders, including any new riders who may be joining you.
3. Choose A Riding Formation
Finally, you’ll need to choose a riding formation that is suitable for your group. Choose patient and experienced riders to lead and bring up the rear. The rear rider may be the best person to carry the repair kit and first-aid kit so they can help anyone who needs to pull over. The rider at the front should have a good sense of direction and be able to signal back to everyone else about upcoming hazards or planned stops.
A staggered double line is the ideal formation for riding in a group, as it allows each rider to be adjacent to and two seconds behind the rider in front of them. From above, this would resemble a zipper. Make sure that the pace you choose is comfortable for every rider, too.
Seeking motorcycles for sale near Los Angeles? Come see us at our location in Westminster, California, to take a tour of our stock of new and used Indian® motorcycles for sale. Indian Motorcycle® of Orange County is proud to serve all our customers throughout the Inland Empire and Southern California.