V-Twin Cruisers Motorcycle Club North Shore Chapter

                                                                       Motorcycle Etiquette

As always - Ride to your own Level of Experience - we were ALL beginners once - so don't feel embarrassed to ask      questions or ask for help/training. We are ALL here to help each other become better and safer riders.

​

                                                                 Staggered Formation Riding

Ride in formation. The staggered riding formation allows a proper space cushion between motorcycles so that each rider has enough time and space to maneuver and to react to hazards. The leader rides in the left third of the lane, while the next rider stays at least one second behind in the right third of the lane; the rest of the group follows the same pattern. Single-file formation is preferred on a curvy road, conditions of poor visibility or poor road surfaces, entering/leaving highways, or other situations where an increased space cushion or maneuvering room is needed.

 

Avoid side-by-side formations, as they reduce the space cushion. If you suddenly needed to swerve to avoid a  hazard, you would not have room to do so. You don’t want handlebars to get entangled.

​

Single file is used when directed by the ride leader.

​

Give and take rule: Give as much room as the rider in front of you takes from the rider in front of them. Do not take to much room as to allow a car room to pinch in.

​

One-second rule: The bike in the lane to your left or right should not be less than one second ahead of you.

Two-second rule: Maintain at least two seconds between you and the rider directly in front of you.

Four-second rule: Look ahead four seconds at you path of travel to give yourself more time to react to a hazard.

Twelve-second rule: Also look ahead at your anticipated path of travel. Twelve seconds is about one city block.

Common Hand Signals