Author Topic: One rider per lane (Read 4452 times)

stevet · « **on:** September 12, 2016, 12:06:22 PM »

It takes so little to take a life. Like clipping your buddy's mirror as you ride side-by-side.

http://www.startribune.com/id-d-motorcyclist-killed-after-clipping-mirror-of-fellow-rider-in-meeker-county/393099291/

Sitting side-by-side with a riding pal is best done at the country diner, not on the highway.

Steve.

Lannis · « **Reply #1 on:** September 12, 2016, 12:54:02 PM »

I've seen a lot of it, but I'm still not sure why people do it.

On the few group rides I go on, if we're on a highway, I'm "staggered" well behind the rider in front of me if he's riding consistently; and if he's not, I'm farther behind him so I can stop if he does.

I suppose people think it looks "cool" to ride side by side. Maybe it gives a feeling of "solidarity" or some other biker-gang thing.

Whatever it is, I'm not going to do it ....

Lannis

ITSec · « **Reply #2 on:** September 12, 2016, 01:04:56 PM »

Even Ponch and his buddy only did it when attached to the pick-up for the glamor shots...

Rough Edge racing · « **Reply #3 on:** September 12, 2016, 01:06:32 PM »

How do you know they were riding side by side? Perhaps the rider who died was last in line and passed the other bikes and got to close?

oldbike54 · « **Reply #4 on:** September 12, 2016, 01:15:15 PM »

Quote from: Rough Edge racing on September 12, 2016, 01:06:32 PM

How do you know they were riding side by side? Perhaps the rider who died was last in line and passed the other bikes and got to close?

Yep , we had a guy blow right thru a group of 5 or 6 bikes from the rear . Luckily he missed everyone, but it could have been a disaster . We were slowing down to make a right turn and he simply wasn't paying attention to all of the blinkers and brake lights .

Dusty

Phang · « **Reply #5 on:** September 12, 2016, 01:27:58 PM »

when I was a kid, I thought it is cool to ride side by side after watching CHiPs on TV.

Until one day my bicycle brake lever and cable hooked up with my buddy's bike brake lever and cable and turned us into a quad bike and eventually crash.

never do that on a motorcycle

Lannis · « **Reply #6 on:** September 12, 2016, 01:35:56 PM »

Quote from: Rough Edge racing on September 12, 2016, 01:06:32 PM

How do you know they were riding side by side? Perhaps the rider who died was last in line and passed the other bikes and got to close?

Well, whether this was a "side-by-side" case of riding, or whether there was a speed differential as one rider came by another in the same lane ....

.... the comment still stands - any of us see the "riding side by side" scenario multiple times on any sunny weekend .... And I still don't understand it unless it's either a CHiPs TV show thing, or residue from "The Wild One" ...

Lannis

Rough Edge racing · « **Reply #7 on:** September 12, 2016, 01:49:39 PM »

Quote from: Lannis on September 12, 2016, 01:35:56 PM

Well, whether this was a "side-by-side" case of riding, or whether there was a speed differential as one rider came by another in the same lane ....

.... the comment still stands - any of us see the "riding side by side" scenario multiple times on any sunny weekend .... And I still don't understand it unless it's either a CHiPs TV show thing, or residue from "The Wild One" ...

Lannis

Yesterday I took a ride with Pretus Rocks from this site....We were on a back road going around 65 MPH, a sporting pace...He was in front, I was maybe 40 feet behind and to the left so he could see me in the mirror.. It's how the both of us ride no matter who's leading, the distance varies of course....Anyways, Pete grabbed some throttle, I did also and my bike is faster, and just like that I was up his ass because he backed off quickly...But I aware and braked hard enough to howl the front tire briefly....Reality check was free this time....On a bike with less braking ability or a moment of distraction it could have been ugly...I'm just an average rider, but many are worse...

Gliderjohn · « **Reply #8 on:** September 12, 2016, 01:52:51 PM »

Side by side was SOP when the Wichita PD still had motorcycles. Watched two officers bump at about 25-30mph downtown one day. They both stayed upright but one about went down. Don't know why they did it.
GliderJohn

normzone · « **Reply #9 on:** September 12, 2016, 01:54:41 PM »

In my first incarnation as a motorcyclist, circa 1980 - 1990, there were a few I trusted to ride in close formation with.

In this incarnation, 2014 and counting, I don't trust anybody, myself included. Distance is good. I do see the local motor officers doing it.

I can't conceive of a benefit, other than to show that you're cool and coordinated.

Lannis · « **Reply #10 on:** September 12, 2016, 02:03:57 PM »

Quote from: gliderjohn on September 12, 2016, 01:52:51 PM

Side by side was SOP when the Wichita PD still had motorcycles. Watched two officers bump at about 25-30mph downtown one day. They both stayed upright but one about went down. Don't know why they did it.
GliderJohn

I can almost see why motor cops do it. It's for the same reason they wear short-sleeved uniform shirts and shorty helmets while riding, where they would counsel the rest of us to wear an armored jacket and a full helmet. They're using their training to compensate for the safety factor that the rest of us might need. And as a result, they look less like a Storm Trooper than they would in full gear and tinted full helmets, sort of an Officer Friendly thing.

Similarly, riding side-by-side has an "I'm not alone - Don't try anything" vibe, aside from which they can talk as they ride along. Maybe that's why the "Biker Boyz" do it too ....

Lannis

Daniel Kalal · « **Reply #11 on:** September 12, 2016, 02:11:40 PM »

Quote from: Lannis on September 12, 2016, 02:03:57 PM

I can almost see why motor cops do it...

Back when I used to go to the auctions for old CHP Guzzis (I never did win one) I talked with a couple of CHP officers (who might have been there to bid on their old mounts). Anyway, they said they NEVER rode side-by-side, and deplored the whole CHiP television show that encouraged bad riding techniques. I've always figured that lots of police motor patrols outside California saw the show and figured that that was the way things were done in California, so they should too. Who knows? Maybe some even do it in California, now.

pikipiki · « **Reply #12 on:** September 12, 2016, 02:22:12 PM »

like this ' , ' , ' , ' ,

Not like this : : : :

Demar · « **Reply #13 on:** September 12, 2016, 02:22:30 PM »

Some may have seen this already......

1950s Italian Police Motorcycle Drill Team

http://www.classicguzzi.com/classicguzzi2_018.htm

Doppelgaenger · « **Reply #14 on:** September 12, 2016, 03:46:05 PM »

I see the motorcycle police around here (seattle/Tacoma) riding double file when they're in a convoy. Usually 4 or 6 bikes and not staggered. I suppose they have to practice for parades every now and then?

Also, the guy who died wasn't wearing a helmet so that was likely a contributing factor in his death.

I have one friend who likes to ride side by side. I've never been a big fan of it and I'll entertain his desire for fun at times, but he's the only person I'll ever do that with and for the most part I just ride alone. I've had enough close calls in groups that I shy away from getting myself into more trouble than I need.

ejs · « **Reply #15 on:** September 12, 2016, 04:03:47 PM »

Quote from: pikipiki on September 12, 2016, 02:22:12 PM

like this ' , ' , ' , ' ,

Not like this : : : :

Me too.

kirkemon · « **Reply #16 on:** September 12, 2016, 04:40:54 PM »

It said he wasn't wearing a helmet

Randown · « **Reply #17 on:** September 12, 2016, 08:29:04 PM »

HD rider, no helmet, severe head trauma, happened in Darwin township.

Ncdan · « **Reply #18 on:** September 12, 2016, 08:46:56 PM »

I spent 5 years of my 30 as a motor officer. We would ride side by side at highway speeds in two rows of 12 bikes. I've bumped bags many times at 60-70 mph and it, at the time, never seemed to be a big deal. I guess I was just young and dumb at the time, wouldn't want to do it now 35 years later.
I would include a picture but I can't figure out how to send one on this site.

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Ncdan · « **Reply #19 on:** September 12, 2016, 09:30:50 PM »

keener · « **Reply #20 on:** September 12, 2016, 10:47:03 PM »

Yeah know, sometimes you have to call a spade a spade, its fricken stupid to ride side by side ..motor cop or not, there is no reason too and i would think because your riding a motorcycle you would like the freedom to move in your lane if need be , gives you the space to do your own ride and have the road to yourself ...Fellows i ride with are usually 200/300 ft apart for the most part and sometimes up to a 1/4 mile.. we know where we are going.. and if they fall to far behind roll off and wait for them , and give them shit later for riding to slow

stevet · « **Reply #21 on:** September 13, 2016, 08:23:35 AM »

keener, when you're right, you're right.

Steve.

rocker59 · « **Reply #22 on:** September 13, 2016, 09:10:23 AM »

Times change, and we all know riding staggered is much safer, but as I recall, there was a time when it was thought riding side by side presented a larger view to oncoming traffic, so was safer for the riders.

rodekyll · « **Reply #23 on:** September 13, 2016, 09:33:13 AM »

Strong argument for the safety of lanesplitting.

neverquit · « **Reply #24 on:** September 13, 2016, 10:01:54 AM »

In high school we rode side by side. One day my buddy on the right looked back to wave at another friend following us in a car and he drifted into me. Our handle bars got tangled and locked together and we crossed the center line and dropped into a deep ditch on the left side of the road. It did cause some damage but luckily only minor injuries. I've never ridden in tight groups since then.

AJ Huff · « **Reply #25 on:** September 13, 2016, 12:20:11 PM »

CHiPs? LOL.

Perhaps the lingering influence of Easy Rider.

-AJ

Sasquatch Jim · « **Reply #26 on:** September 13, 2016, 07:55:41 PM »

When I was young, it was thought that police rode side by side to present a more imposing image.
It would seem common sense has out dated that.

Ncdan · « **Reply #27 on:** September 13, 2016, 08:07:34 PM »

I was a motor officer for several years in the early 80's. I do t know why we were trained to ride side by side except that it looked more impressive to the public and the public did like motor officers even if they hated cops in general. However let me make it clear, when we were running emergency calls together we did not ride side by side. All the years I worked as a motor officer we never had an accident involving two bikes hitting each other. Let me be clear, I'm not arguing any safty issues here just offering an old cops recollection of his past.

News:

Author Topic: One rider per lane (Read 4452 times)

Rough Edge racing

oldbike54

Rough Edge racing

Doppelgaenger