This page: HAND SIGNALS RIDER SEPARATION FORMATION RIDING
COMMUNICATION BETWEEN RIDERS
Here are some BASIC HAND SIGNALS used on our tours,
These HAND SIGNALS are used to PRE - WARN riders behind you of an oncoming HAZARD or EVENT.
Once the RIDE CAPTAIN signals to the group, it is requested that YOU and the GROUP respond by copying the signal for benefit of the RIDERS behind.
This also helps to keep Riders ALERT, especially when riding long straight stretches of road.
These HAND SIGNALS are used to PRE - WARN riders behind you of an oncoming HAZARD or EVENT.
Once the RIDE CAPTAIN signals to the group, it is requested that YOU and the GROUP respond by copying the signal for benefit of the RIDERS behind.
This also helps to keep Riders ALERT, especially when riding long straight stretches of road.
STARTING OFF from an Intersection or a set of Traffic Lights can be a Hazardous time, especially if the Group is in
HEAVY TRAFFIC conditions.
Some Riders come into difficulty when leaving an intersection if
A vehicle in front suddenly STOPS, or
A fellow Rider in front of you suddenly STOPS or misses a gear or hesitates.
If you RELY on your FRONT BRAKE for an EMERGENCY STOP when starting off, your chances of coming off
your motorcycle are dramatically increased .
Many Riders who use only their front brake for a sudden stop when moving off, simply get thrown sideways over the
handle bars and hit the road HARD.
To AVOID this happening, we encourage ALL RIDERS to follow the standard procedure for Moving Off.
STOPPING as a GROUP
1 Stay in your wheel track and come to a STOP at the intersection.
Usually the Group will park closely to each other to minimize space.
2 Select 1st Gear and HOLD the Clutch Lever, ready to move forward with the group.
3 KEEP YOUR RIGHT FOOT on the REAR BRAKE PEDAL and BOTH HANDS on the HANDLE BARS.
4 Maintain awareness of the traffic conditions around you while you are stopped.
WHEN MOVING OFF
1 Release the clutch as normal, but LEAVE your RIGHT FOOT in position, ready to use the REAR BRAKE
in the case of a SUDDEN STOP.
Using the REAR BRAKE in this situation minimizes the risk of coming off your motorcycle in an emergency stop.
( Excessive front braking when moving off causes the front forks to compress and recoil rapidly rendering the motorcycle
un-controllable. )
Resume previous formation positions as you move forward. Be aware of your fellow Riders and DO NOT crowd their space.
Resume normal riding and always ride to suite road and weather conditions.
If at any time whilst on one of our tours you have a question, please feel free to talk to the Ride Captain.
HEAVY TRAFFIC conditions.
Some Riders come into difficulty when leaving an intersection if
A vehicle in front suddenly STOPS, or
A fellow Rider in front of you suddenly STOPS or misses a gear or hesitates.
If you RELY on your FRONT BRAKE for an EMERGENCY STOP when starting off, your chances of coming off
your motorcycle are dramatically increased .
Many Riders who use only their front brake for a sudden stop when moving off, simply get thrown sideways over the
handle bars and hit the road HARD.
To AVOID this happening, we encourage ALL RIDERS to follow the standard procedure for Moving Off.
STOPPING as a GROUP
1 Stay in your wheel track and come to a STOP at the intersection.
Usually the Group will park closely to each other to minimize space.
2 Select 1st Gear and HOLD the Clutch Lever, ready to move forward with the group.
3 KEEP YOUR RIGHT FOOT on the REAR BRAKE PEDAL and BOTH HANDS on the HANDLE BARS.
4 Maintain awareness of the traffic conditions around you while you are stopped.
WHEN MOVING OFF
1 Release the clutch as normal, but LEAVE your RIGHT FOOT in position, ready to use the REAR BRAKE
in the case of a SUDDEN STOP.
Using the REAR BRAKE in this situation minimizes the risk of coming off your motorcycle in an emergency stop.
( Excessive front braking when moving off causes the front forks to compress and recoil rapidly rendering the motorcycle
un-controllable. )
Resume previous formation positions as you move forward. Be aware of your fellow Riders and DO NOT crowd their space.
Resume normal riding and always ride to suite road and weather conditions.
If at any time whilst on one of our tours you have a question, please feel free to talk to the Ride Captain.
AVOID the OIL LINE
The centre of a road lane is where you find the OIL LINE. It is where the oil leaks from cars, etc. accumulates.
The OIL LINE is greater at traffic lights and intersections, where cars stand still for a while.
In wet conditions, OIL LINE'S become very slippery and should always be avoided.
The WHEEL TRACKS of cars etc. are usually the cleaner parts of the road and are much safer to ride.
The OIL LINE is greater at traffic lights and intersections, where cars stand still for a while.
In wet conditions, OIL LINE'S become very slippery and should always be avoided.
The WHEEL TRACKS of cars etc. are usually the cleaner parts of the road and are much safer to ride.
We Ride in a STAGGERED Formation where possible, using the "2 Second Rule" as guideline. ( ie: maintain a 2 second gap between you and the motorcycle in front of you, riding in the same wheel track. )
OVERTAKING
When overtaking a vehicle, PLEASE overtake it!
DO NOT just hang out there, Get past it safely, and AFTER overtaking, remember to
make a space for the next rider following.
DO NOT overtake a vehicle until the rider in front has safely completed overtaking it.
Don't get caught out !
DO NOT just hang out there, Get past it safely, and AFTER overtaking, remember to
make a space for the next rider following.
DO NOT overtake a vehicle until the rider in front has safely completed overtaking it.
Don't get caught out !
TRUCKS, BUSES, SEMI-TRAILERS and ROAD TRAINS
When riding in staggered formation on multi-lane motorways,
avoid loitering in the BLIND SPOT of large vehicles, as a tightly packed group.
Don't allow yourself to get BOXED IN.
Hold back until you can comfortably pass it entirely, and pass it ONE AT A TIME.
and please, Do Not box other riders in.
avoid loitering in the BLIND SPOT of large vehicles, as a tightly packed group.
Don't allow yourself to get BOXED IN.
Hold back until you can comfortably pass it entirely, and pass it ONE AT A TIME.
and please, Do Not box other riders in.
ACCIDENT or EMERGENCY
In the event of a road accident or emergency situation, you may be called upon to assist to make the scene safe until the Authorities arrive.
The RIDE CAPTAIN or the SUPPORT VEHICLE OPERATOR will take charge the scene and may call upon members of the group to WARN approaching traffic of the emergency situation ahead, or to help in any way. For safety, HI - VISIBILITY VESTS will be made available to any group volunteers assisting. ANY RIDER stopping or assisting will park their motorcycle in the safest place available, so as not to create a danger to themselves or other road users.
The Ride Captain or Support Vehicle Operator will contact the appropriate Authorities and render any First Aid if needed. If mobile phone coverage is not available, the remainder of the group will be instructed to ride to the nearest town to alert the authorities of the situation.
The RIDE CAPTAIN or the SUPPORT VEHICLE OPERATOR will take charge the scene and may call upon members of the group to WARN approaching traffic of the emergency situation ahead, or to help in any way. For safety, HI - VISIBILITY VESTS will be made available to any group volunteers assisting. ANY RIDER stopping or assisting will park their motorcycle in the safest place available, so as not to create a danger to themselves or other road users.
The Ride Captain or Support Vehicle Operator will contact the appropriate Authorities and render any First Aid if needed. If mobile phone coverage is not available, the remainder of the group will be instructed to ride to the nearest town to alert the authorities of the situation.
