Signals

Hand Signals
Hand signals should be simple, easy to learn and be kept to a bare minimum.
Either the rider or passenger can relay the signal. As soon as you see a signal, you should give the same signal so the rider behind you can see it.
When the phrase "1/3 of the lane" is used, it is referring to riding in the right or left track of the lane.
These hand signals will not always be used by every group you ride with. The signals assembled here are offered as suggestions only.
Start Your Engines

Ride Leader: With your right or left arm extended, move your index finger in a circular motion.
Riders: To indicate that you're ready to Go, place your hand (right or left) on top of the windshield. If you don't have a windshield, raise your hand. This tells the leader that your engine is running and you're ready to ride.
Left Turn

Raise your left arm horizontal with your elbow fully extended. Also - Most bikes have turn signals - use them. Hand signals used in conjunction with turn signals give everyone in the group and other traffic a clear idea of your intentions.
Right Turn

Raise your left arm horizontal with your elbow bent 90 degrees vertically. Also - Most bikes have turn signals - use them. Hand signals used in conjunction with turn signals give everyone in the group and other traffic a clear idea of your intentions.
Hazard Left

Extend your left arm at a 45 degree angle and point towards the hazard. (Sometimes in group riding, the road captain may wave his left arm back and forth above his head to alert the rest of the group. The road captain is the only person who should perform this maneuver.)
Hazard Right A

Extend your right arm at a 45 degree angle and point towards the hazard. (See Hazard Left for alternate.)
Hazard Right B

Extend your left arm upward at a 45 degree angle with your elbow bent to 90 degrees and point towards the hazard over your helmet. (See Hazard Left for alternate.)
Speed Up

Raise your left arm up and down with your index finger extended upward. This indicates the leader wants to speed up.
Slow Down

Extend your left arm at a 45 degree angle and move your hand up and down. (Alternate - Use either arm, straight down and palm toward the back. Move your arm back and forth at the elbow.)
Stop

Extend your left arm at a 45 degree angle with the palm of your hand facing rearward.
Single File

Position your left hand over your helmet with your fingers extended upward. This indicates the leader wants the group in a single file formation. Usually this is done for safety reasons.
Staggered Formation

Extend your left arm upward at a 45 degree angle with your index and pinkie finger extended. This indicate that it is safe to return to staggered formation.
Tighten Up

Raise your left arm and repeatedly move up and down in a pulling motion. This indicates the leader wants the group to close ranks.
Need Gas

When you need gas, point at the gas tank.
Need Food

When you need a food or a break in general, point at your mouth.
Stopping
Stopping as a Group

When stopping as a group at an intersection, break stagger formation and pull up beside the bike in the adjacent lane. This will reduce the length of the group by half. Stay in this formation until you are through the intersection. Because the group is half as long it will take half the time to clear the intersection and increase the odds of keeping the group intact.

If you don't make it through the intersection with the group, don't worry. Don't take a chance and run a red light. The leader will know that you are not with the group and will slow down, or wait for you down the road.
Parking
Group Parking

Parking in an orderly method substantially reduces the time for all to get off the road and out of traffic. There is risk of injury for the last bikes that may be blocking the road in an attempt to stay with the group.

A good way to park, if there is room, is for each bike to pull ahead of the intended parking place and then back up into your spot. You can see how this is done on the image to the right. This can be done very fast because you don't have to wait for the bike ahead of you to finish the job.

If you find yourself at the end of the group and can't get off the road while waiting for others to park, GO AROUND. Come back a minute or two later when things have settled down and take your time.

And don't forget your pipes! Everything is fine when you back up to the curb, until you lean your bike over on the kick stand and you bend and scratch your left pipe on the curb.
Formation Riding
Staggered Riding

The minimum recommended spacing to the bike directly in front of you should not be less than two seconds (the two second rule). The bike in the lane to your left or right should not be less than one second ahead of you.

The two second rule is a rule of thumb should try to adhere to this rule when possible, especially at highway speeds. There are times, however when it is best to squeeze together while in city streets & while slowing for a stop. This will help prevent cars from entering the group.

The last bike should ride in the middle of the two bike lanes with all head lights and running lights on. This will help the lead bike see the last bike.

Keep in mind:
The lead motorcycle should be in the left 1/3 of lane, the second motorcycle should be in the right 1/3 of the lane, one second behind the first rider, and so on
Leave enough room between each motorcycle so that any rider can maneuver to the right or left without hitting anyone else
Always stay in line with the bike in front of you. Do not switch between the left and right side of the lane
Single File Riding
All motorcycles ride in a single line, two seconds behind one another, in either the right or left third of the lane (see above for explanation of the two-second rule). The lead rider determines on which side of the lane the group will ride.
Passing
Passing should always be undertaken one motorcycle at a time, in staggered formation. Remember, passing at any time can be hazardous. Use common sense.

Passing Other Vehicles:
1.      Pre-pass position: Be far enough behind the vehicle you are passing to see clearly down the road to do an "oncoming traffic check."
2.      Signal. If you have a passenger, he or she should signal as well.
3.      Check your mirrors and then turn your head to check your blind spot and ensure that no one is passing you.
4.      Accelerate and change lanes. Remember, legally, you can't exceed the speed limit.
5.      When returning to your lane, signal and make a mirror check and head check to be sure there is space between you and all other vehicles. Return to your lane and turn off your blinker.
After Making the Pass:

The lead rider makes the lane change, going to the right track, until he can clearly see that the other riders have made their lane changes.

Keep the Group Together
(Printed with copyright permission of the MSF)
Plan -The leader should look ahead for changes and signal early so "the word gets back" In plenty of time. Start lane changes early to permit everyone to complete the change.
Put Beginners Up Front - Place inexperienced riders behind the leader, where more experienced riders can watch them.
Follow Those Behind - Let the tail ender set the pace. Use your mirrors to keep an eye on the person behind. If a rider falls behind, everyone should slow down a little to stay with the tail ender.
Know the Route - Make sure everyone knows the route. Then, if someone is separated they won't have to hurry to keep from getting lost or taking a wrong turn.
Freeway Passing into a Faster Lane

As a group, it can be difficult to pass a slow moving car on any road with two or more lanes of same-direction traffic. This is especially true with moderate to heavy traffic. Often there is not enough room for the entire group to get between cars in the faster lane.

The way to accomplish this is for the last bike to pull over one lane to the left and hold his position. Each rider should move to the left lane as the cars in front of the rear biker pass them. You can then pass the slow car as a group after the lead rider moves to the left lane.

The lead rider should move back to the right lane after passing the slow car by a safe distance. It is very important that the lead rider maintain speed to make room for all the other riders. Each rider should move back to the right lane one at a time once safely cleared the slow car. This can be a real slick choreographed move for other motorists to observe.
Freeway Passing into a Slower Lane

During a lane change into a lane moving slower than the group (usually to the right), the FRONT bike moves over first. Now, what do the rest of the bikes do? Legally, if the whole group moves like a "brick" (everyone changing lane together in one movement), that is considered to be parading and can cause problems if any emergency arises. So, if each bike individually changes lanes in order following the first bike to change lanes (whether from the front or the back), you can reduce your risk factor, change lanes legally, and still look good while doing the maneuver!

It is important that the lead and tailing bikers talk to each other before the ride and come to an agreement on how they intend to pass cars.
Two-Lane Passing

It is usually very difficult for a group to pass a slow moving car on a two lane road. Generally, a group will not pass a car on a two lane road, particularly on local rides, unless it is going very slow. If the lead biker decides to pass the car, each biker must decide on his own if it is safe for him or her. DO NOT follow the bike in front of you unless you are certain that it is safe for you too.

IMPORTANT: After passing the car, keep going. You must make room for all the bikes behind you.