Staggered formation is wrong

**howdamnhard** · 6th February 2008, 22:03

Agreed back off to 2 seconds on the twisties and use the staggered formation on straights.

Originally Posted by R6_kid

On straight sections of road it can be great... when it comes to a corner back off from the guy in front a bit and take YOUR OWN LINE through the corner, don't follow the guy in fronts line, or watch where he goes... ride your own bike.

**nick69** · 6th February 2008, 22:33

The staggered formation of riding is still the best when riding on straight bits of road. As for a 2 second gap i would prefer i leave near on 4 seconds unless i am riding in tight formation for work purposes. When i come to a bend then i take my own line which is in conjunction with positioning myself so i can see round the bend better, positioning my bike near the centre line. This gives you a better view of whats ahead. All you have to do is go out and practice it until your comfortable.

**FJRider** · 6th February 2008, 23:24

Riding in a group is a lot of fun, but does have its dangers. Riding single file or staggered does not reduce the risks involved. On a group ride, one of two people could be the cause of a prang.
YOU, because YOU were NOT watching the rider in front of YOU slowing, stopping or moving out of the line you EXPECTED him/her to take.
THE RIDER BEHIND, because he/she did NOT see YOU slowing, stopping or moving out of the line YOU were EXPECTED to take.
Either way, YOU are involved in a prang.
If you trust your OWN ability, AND the ability of the rider BEHIND, no problems (if BOTH have the necessary ability), IF YOU DONT, increase the gap. And increase your chances to live.
LIFE IS A LOTTERY, AND NOT A FAIR ONE. Motorcycling IS dangerous. We ALL know that (dont we???), Ride to SURVIVE. You're a long time dead.
And please dont take any body with you. CHOICES ON HOW YOU RIDE, COME WITH RESPONSIBILITYS (when it turns to shit).

**NordieBoy** · 7th February 2008, 07:33

Originally Posted by Subike

As far as single lane ridding with 2 second spacing an the open road.
One word
CRAP
Dangerous, cant see anything infront of the rider in front of you,cant be on the watch for cages, again view blocked, cant work out passing distances, again clear view blocked.
Tried it today with 10 other rides
Not a comfortable way of pack riding
Thus CARP

You must hate following cars then - "again view blocked, cant work out passing distances, again clear view blocked."

Sounds fishy to me.

**Subike** · 7th February 2008, 16:32

Originally Posted by NordieBoy

You must hate following cars then - "again view blocked, cant work out passing distances, again clear view blocked."

Sounds fishy to me.

na just look over the tops of their fucking roofs, by standing on me pegs

**mowgli** · 7th February 2008, 18:31

Originally Posted by DangerousBastard

This is also a good way to practice countersteering since you are doing it continuously instead of just in corners. Push to steer only.

I'm confused. So how do you steer when not in corners? I use the bars. It may be subtle but I'm pretty sure it's still counter steering.

**Blue Velvet** · 8th February 2008, 08:08

Originally Posted by FROSTY

No rule should ever be an apsolute.

+1

The road is dynamic and you have to adapt. In some situations staggered formation suits. In others it doesn't.

I don't believe staggered formation is what the title of this thread suggests though, i.e. wrong.

$0.02

**BiK3RChiK** · 18th February 2008, 15:39

I'm only a newbie, so I know diddly squat! But... I have ridden staggered (sort of) with my husband and when he is behind me in staggered formation with only 1 second between us, I tend to find it too close. I prefer him to be 2 seconds behind me even if he isn't in the same wheel track as me. From my point of view, it is less distracting and I feel more comfortable.

Just my 0.02

M

**Waxxa** · 18th February 2008, 16:48

If you are on an organised bike run, like the upcoming Westpac Helicopter run, and travelling at slow speeds, Staggered formation is acceptable.

However, when riding in a group at speed, you really should be travelling in single file folks with the appropriate space in between riders.

This allows each individual rider their own 'piece' of road to manouvre around pot-holes, road-kill, set up for corners etc without encroaching on the other riders around you. Lets ride safe.