While it looks like a formation, the participants in this group ride are acting as individual riders, each selecting their own line and ready to adapt as necessary to the environment. Notice the last rider is able to look well ahead to get the big picture.
What defines a safe and enjoyable group ride? A tight grouping of bikes adhering to parade-like formation set by a leader? Or is it an outing of individual riders who happen to enjoy heading out on a road ride together?
The reality is, situations develop rapidly. A non-issue for one rider in a group can present a serious threat to the next rider in line. For instance, an empty driveway to the right of the lead rider may present a vehicle backing out of the same driveway just seconds later. Will that subsequent rider be able to create space from the threat or be able to slow down?
In a tight formation, riders often move as a single group, diminishing individual riders’ situational awareness, their flexibility to change lane position and ability to slow without creating problems for the rest of the group.
Instead, if riders approach group riding as individuals, each becomes responsible for reading the environment and adapting to situations by adjusting lane position and speed appropriate for the situation and according to their own comfort and skill level. Each rider creates enough separation between bikes to establish a suitable space cushion and to make it easier for each rider to take in the big picture (vs. fixating on the rider directly ahead).
Consider instituting a ride plan for your next group ride. Agree that each rider retains full use of his or her lane. Establish a two-second minimum following distance to enable each rider to read the road ahead, anticipate potential threats and allow enough time and space for each rider to respond to changes in the riding situation. And, while it may not look the same as a tight parade formation, a progression of skilled, individual riders that adapts to changing situations is a mighty impressive sight.
2018 BMW K 1600 GTL vs. Honda Gold Wing Tour | Comparo Review : Honda’s all-new Gold Wing Tour and the BMW K 1600 GTL are the fastest and arguably most refined luxury-touring bikes on the road. Both have 6-cylinder engines, aluminum frames, dual-wishbone front ends and single-sided swingarms, but their performance and personalities couldn’t be more different. Photos by Kevin Wing. My, how the luxury touring landscape has changed. Since our last comparison test of these two high-performance, 6-cylinder luxos in 2012 (the year the BMW was introduced and the Honda was mildly updated), the ranks of V-twin full dressers like Harley-Davidson Ultras and the Kawasaki Voyager have swelled to include the Indian Roadmaster and Yamaha Star Venture. At the rate they’re selling, Americans clearly want traditional V-twin touring bikes. Is there still a place at the table for big six guns like the BMW K 1600 GTL and Honda Gold Wing? Read our Luxo Touring Comparo: Harley vs. Indian vs. Yamaha.
2018 Indian Scout Bobber Unveiled : Today I found myself stepping off of a plane in Minneapolis, MN, with a few other journalists. While the X Games are currently in full swing here in the “Twin Cities,” we were in town for the launch of a new Indian Scout. The 2018 Indian Scout Bobber is a minimalistic, low-slung, blacked-out version of its predecessor. Looking at the bike once the covers came off, the word muscle comes to mind. The kind of motorcycle that kicks sand in your face and takes your girlfriend. I like it. The Indian executive team mentioned the word “badass” almost a few too many times, but after seeing the new bikes, it is the simplest way to describe them. And, of course, we get it. Indian is looking to attract a younger crowd with a visually more tough and custom look. Also, this explains why we are in town the same weekend as the X Games. “We are trying to move the brand away from just being a heritage brand, expanding it a little further and to attract new customer
Comments
Post a Comment