Okay...first large group ride, questions. : Yamaha R6 Forum: R6MessageNet : YZF-R6 Forums

csbacchus · 10-11-2007, 11:04 PM

Going into turns staggered, is it expected to give room to hit apex and then return as road staightens or do you hold your outside/inside line as the case may be?

I plan on riding near the back, have done rides before, but not this caliber. I can ride fast solo or in a 2 or 3 man ride, but this is like 15-20 in the twisties. I don't like to get crowded in tuns. How do you guys deal with it or do most experinced riders on these rides thin out a little? I have less experience than all of these guys. As a matter of fact I'm the youngest at 33 and these guys are 45+ for the most part.

Lastly, I have all the gear, helmet, jacket, track pants, boots, gloves, etc. I usually ride with an mp3 player in the twisties at low levels, it helps keep me focused.Good or bad idea?

Thanks guys, I just want to keep it safe and have fun. I'm not looking to out pace the group, at all.

CephasGT · 10-11-2007, 11:07 PM

Once in the twisties, everybody goes to single file. Pretty much a universal practice. Staggered riding is for highways and city riding.

I would never ride twisties while listening to music. I would find that rather distracting.

csbacchus · 10-11-2007, 11:14 PM

Thanks. I also don't want to look like an arse so I'll gauge the mp3 thing. Worse case, I'll just put in the buds without listening. I get distracted by hearing all the engine noise.

Edit-I'm stoked about riding with a more experienced group of riders. I'm hoping to take a few pointers. These guys all ride Tirumphs mostly and some are damn fast. Keep it below my means but maybe get some contructive criticsm too.

CephasGT · 10-11-2007, 11:18 PM

I highly recommend getting some ear plugs then. Much better than earbuds, cheap, and effective. Many, many riders on here (including myself) use them every time we ride.

sideshow · 10-11-2007, 11:21 PM

i use ear plugs every time i'm in the canyon, cause 20-30 minutes into the ride when your bike's screaming in the higher rpm's.. you'll start feeling uncomfortable and eventually get a massive headache.

Quote:

Originally Posted by csbacchus

I get distracted by hearing all the engine noise.

you want to hear the bike/motor when you're riding in the canyons.. that's how you learn how your bike reacts to your riding style. that's how i learned how to ride anyway, just listen to the bike and if something doesn't feel/sound right, try something else

edit: if someone is riding your tail, when on a straight, pull a little further to the right and wave to them to pass. nothing worse than an antsy rider endangering your and his well being because he's riding too close. i'm sure you know all the canyon riding hand signs.. i.e. rock(s)/debris, cop(s), etc..

csbacchus · 10-11-2007, 11:39 PM

Hand signs I've only used is to point out roadkill etc. and wave someone by ( I don't like to get crowded, I would rather slow down and ride in pace in a group than to feel someone breathing down my neck on public roads). Are there particular signs for rocks, obstacle, etc. ? Need to know and that's why I'm asking.

It's not that the engine noise itself bothers me its all the noise, chain, engine, just the racket. I want to hear the engine to gauge rpms, but I don't want to hear all of it. I've ridden with earplugs and prefer that over nothing. I've just gotten accustomed to the earbuds in all the time. I'll head to the drugstore tomorrow.

thatguyx · 10-12-2007, 12:47 AM

for a larger group ride, 10+ i would recommend breaking into a few smaller groups, 3-5 (depending on the total # of riders)

If that's not an option... the leader should discuss group rules before anything. In most group rides i've been on (about 5 or so), it's staggered on the straights (hand up with 2 fingers spread) and single file in the turns (hand up with 1 finger). This way you're able to hit your apex etc, and if you do crash you wont be possibly taking out the rider to the side of you (where they shouldnt be anyway). Each group ride is different, so let the leader know to take a minute and discuss all the rules. Also, I've been on group rides wear guys will rock an mp3 player. If it works for you try it, but I would recommend against it because you're riding in a different environment now, you gotta pay attention to the road and now 10+ people around you.

ear plugs + engine = music to my ears

signs for group rides vary, but the ones i've used... if debris of any kind on the road ,stick a foot out to let the rider(s) behind you know. left hand up in a closed fist, elbow 90* means coming to a stop. there's the wave ahead, the staggered and single file hand signs. tap the top of your helmet for cops.

:edit

if the leader doesn't emphasize it, please remember... ride your own pace. this is clutch. i've seen two accidents in 1 week because of riders trying to keep up. first accident was a rider who tried to keep up, came in too fast and turned INTO another rider. first rider went down, second managed to stay up, luck+skill... this was on a small group ride 5-6 people. second accident was about 12 people, a rider on a 250 (he is a good rider) was keeping up with the main group but started dragging pegs, then spun out, hit a guard rail and had to be taken away in an ambulance. I cannot emphasize how important it is to "Ride your own pace" If you're worried about getting left behind let the leader know, usually they'll be cool about it and pull over if anyone is far behind. also make sure you're bike is up to snuff and you have a full tank. you dont want to be the guy slowing down the group because you "ran outta gas" or "needed to make a stop"

thatguyx · 10-12-2007, 12:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by csbacchus

Hand signs I've only used is to point out roadkill etc. and wave someone by ( I don't like to get crowded, I would rather slow down and ride in pace in a group than to feel someone breathing down my neck on public roads). Are there particular signs for rocks, obstacle, etc. ? Need to know and that's why I'm asking.

It's not that the engine noise itself bothers me its all the noise, chain, engine, just the racket. I want to hear the engine to gauge rpms, but I don't want to hear all of it. I've ridden with earplugs and prefer that over nothing. I've just gotten accustomed to the earbuds in all the time. I'll head to the drugstore tomorrow.

with a good pair of ear plugs you'll be able to still hear your engine, but cut out most of the extra noise. atleast for me, with ear plugs in, no more to very little wind noise. then i can hear my engine and my sewing machine exhaust. with out ear plugs it's mostly all wind noise. for reference i'm on an FZ6 with a modular helmet.

csbacchus · 10-12-2007, 01:02 AM

Thanks for the head's up. I don't plan on riding above my comfort level, as posted earlier I plan to hang back ( maybe lower middle so I can see leaders ahead occasionally). The guy I ride with regularly is taking me on the ride and stated he isn't concerned with my skill. Also, stated these guys will be watching my back as he has prefaced my situation.

I also want to know the etiqutte and expectations of me. I want to protect my own skin, but I want to be able to provide the same for others around me.

thatguyx · 10-12-2007, 01:10 AM

just ride your own pace, if you feel like someone is crowding you, let them pass... but i have a quesiton, what if you feel like someone is slowing you down? is there a proper way to signal you want to pass? this happened last group ride and it was quite annoying as the lead group would be pretty far ahead and I wasn't sure how to signal to this guy. tried flashing highbeams, didn't do much, so when there was a stop sign, i'd get past him.