riding etiquette

executor · May 20th, 2009, 10:30 PM

I apologize if this has been asked before but i could not find the topic via the search function.

I was out riding tonight and saw a group of 3 bikes, i swung around and kind of just followed them for a bit wanting to join their group. Is this acceptable or not? They lost me pretty quickly on their gsxrs but prior to that at a red light they all kind of grouped around me to take a look at my little ninja.

Is it weird to kind of just start following a group of riders you don't know or do people do that frequently?

Alex · May 20th, 2009, 10:35 PM

Yes.

sm0kediver · May 21st, 2009, 03:41 AM

That's perfectly normal behavior... if you're a scary stalker and you normally follow people around while walking or driving a car

Otherwise, probably a bad idea.

I had a good ride on the way home from work with a Gold Wing yesterday though. He left room for me at the first stop light, I pulled up beside him, and we had a good running conversation at stop lights for about ten miles.

Snake · May 21st, 2009, 04:21 AM

I would say wait for one of them to make the invitation to join in. If none is given than just ride your normal pace and route.

DerTeufel · May 21st, 2009, 05:06 AM

I've had great impromptu rides like that at times.

BlueTyke · May 21st, 2009, 07:02 AM

Um... I would say it's kind of weird... I have fallen in behind bikes on the freeway and they didn't seem to mind but I didn't follow them. But I have never (unless I knew someone in the group) Joined (as in followed for more than a few miles) a group of people I have never met while actually on the road.

CC Cowboy · May 21st, 2009, 08:24 AM

Bikers are pretty easy going maniacs. If you stop at a light or stop sign just ask them where they are headed. If they want you to join them they will usually just say "wanna come along", then they will ride like idiots to try to lose you (maybe that's just me). If you keep up they will think you're OK. If you fall behind, but eventually get there, they will ridicule you, but only in fun. If they don't say anything, well you get the idea.

capt_bugaloo · May 21st, 2009, 01:36 PM

Try doing that with some Hell's Angels...

djindia23 · May 21st, 2009, 01:45 PM

well im not gonna lie... on the highway i've kinda of paced behind a group of bikes... its funny cuz one guy on a busa was tellin me to follow them but the guy on the R6 seemed kinda like a prick... but its not like i go into the middle of their formation or ride up their a$$... i keep like a good 4-5 car lengths back and i mean they lose me pretty quick if they are going over like 95-100... but usually as long as you're not in their way or anything people around here dont mind...

KJohnson21 · May 21st, 2009, 01:46 PM

Around town, I, or another rider, might say "Hi" at a stop light. It's usually just a friendly way to kill time, but if you wanted to hang out with them, that's a good time to introduce yourself. They might be OK with that, or they might laugh at you. You might have to go through a few of the laughing clowns to get to the nice ones.

My weekend commute is a 300 mile round trip on the freeway. I see other motorcyclists frequently. Sometimes, I get another rider going about the same pace, and we might stay together for several miles until one of us exits or something. But, I don't remember ever "pairing up" in those circumstances, where you're riding staggered within a cars length like I might if I was with a buddy.

Avoid the "stalking" technique. You never know what people might do if you freak them out.

CC Cowboy · May 21st, 2009, 02:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by capt_bugaloo

Try doing that with some Hell's Angels...

Hells Angels are just misunderstood bikers. Can't we all get along. Reminds me of Pee Wee's Big Adventure.

Snake · May 21st, 2009, 03:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CC Cowboy

Hells Angels are just misunderstood bikers. Can't we all get along. Reminds me of Pee Wee's Big Adventure.

Tequila!!!

executor · May 21st, 2009, 07:46 PM

thanks for the feedback, now i know not to be a stalker

i just didn't know if ppl randomly started riding together or not, seems i won't get much respect from the ss crowd on my 250 anyway. i just have to try and convince a friend to buy a bike lol.

sm0kediver · May 22nd, 2009, 03:42 AM

I think it's pretty easy to strike up a friendship when it just happens, like you're both headed the same way and stopping at the same lights. When you have to turn around to chase them down, they're automatically on the defensive. Post on here. There are probably forum members close to you.

CC Cowboy · May 22nd, 2009, 05:15 AM

Just be yourself when you ride. If you are friendly, then you have no problem talking to anyone. If you are shy, then you probably are afraid to even wave.

I'm on the shy side so I just roar past every other bike I see on the road (usually at twice their speed and about two inches away from their handlebars). That way they won't even think about talking to me.

sm0kediver · May 22nd, 2009, 07:19 AM

The version of the last post I got in my mailbox was a lot funnier

CC Cowboy · May 22nd, 2009, 09:23 AM

I thought it might be taken wrong so that one is between you and me.

sm0kediver · May 22nd, 2009, 10:49 AM

Gotcha

Funniest damned thing I have seen all week though

zeroth · May 26th, 2009, 08:51 AM

Great, now you got me curious! Come on, share!

gizmogamez · May 26th, 2009, 09:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by executor

thanks for the feedback, now i know not to be a stalker

i just didn't know if ppl randomly started riding together or not, seems i won't get much respect from the ss crowd on my 250 anyway. i just have to try and convince a friend to buy a bike lol.

I've often been getting gas or a snack while out on a ride and started talking to other riders. I find that if they are just out for a joy ride like I am we usually end up riding together. There are some nice twists not far from where I am and I find I have no problem keeping up with them in the twists (usually it's me having to slow down so I don't hit them from behind lol) but if they go faster then the 160km/h top speed of the ninjette they are always good and slow to wait for me to catch up if they do decide to rip on a straight away.

BlueTyke · May 26th, 2009, 09:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by executor

thanks for the feedback, now i know not to be a stalker

i just didn't know if ppl randomly started riding together or not, seems i won't get much respect from the ss crowd on my 250 anyway. i just have to try and convince a friend to buy a bike lol.

I know we all simply love Ninjette.org but I am pretty sure most places have local forums. It is a great way to meet people. I feel more comfortable riding with someone I have met on here/on any other forums I am on than just tagging along. I would check and see if there are any London riding forums. Not all are going to be just two fifty based but your in it for the ride. Also if you find the right group, they won't care what you ride as long as you do it safely.

Quote:

Originally Posted by CC Cowboy

I thought it might be taken wrong so that one is between you and me.

Quote:

Originally Posted by sm0kediver

Gotcha

Funniest damned thing I have seen all week though

I am with Zeroth on this one... Fess up...

CC Cowboy · May 26th, 2009, 10:11 AM

I don't know what ur talking about

May 20th, 2009, 10:30 PM	#1
executor ninjette.org member Name: jack Location: london Join Date: May 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2008 kawasaki ninja 250 Posts: 34	riding etiquette I apologize if this has been asked before but i could not find the topic via the search function. I was out riding tonight and saw a group of 3 bikes, i swung around and kind of just followed them for a bit wanting to join their group. Is this acceptable or not? They lost me pretty quickly on their gsxrs but prior to that at a red light they all kind of grouped around me to take a look at my little ninja. Is it weird to kind of just start following a group of riders you don't know or do people do that frequently?

May 20th, 2009, 10:35 PM	#2
Alex ninjette.org dude Name: 1 guess :-) Location: SF Bay Area Join Date: Jun 2008 Motorcycle(s): '13 Ninja 300 (white, the fastest color!), '13 R1200RT, '14 CRF250L, '12 TT-R125LE Posts: Too much. Blog Entries: 7	Yes. __________________________________________________ Montgomery Street Motorcycle Club / cal24.com / crf250l.org / ninjette.org ninjette.org Terms of Service Shopping for motorcycle parts or equipment? Come here first. The friendliest Ninja 250R/300/400 forum on the internet! (especially Unregistered)

May 21st, 2009, 07:02 AM	#6
BlueTyke So slow I'm first! Name: Sunny Location: San Jose, CA Join Date: Oct 2008 Motorcycle(s): 06 Kawasaki Ninja EX250 Posts: A lot. Blog Entries: 10	Um... I would say it's kind of weird... I have fallen in behind bikes on the freeway and they didn't seem to mind but I didn't follow them. But I have never (unless I knew someone in the group) Joined (as in followed for more than a few miles) a group of people I have never met while actually on the road. __________________________________________________ Learn from the mistakes of others, you cannot make them all yourself. Save yourself the trouble and Learn.

May 21st, 2009, 08:24 AM	#7
CC Cowboy ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Whodat Location: Ware Is.,MA Join Date: Jan 2009 Motorcycle(s): I pass the wind! Posts: A lot. MOTM - Mar '13, Jun '14	Bikers are pretty easy going maniacs. If you stop at a light or stop sign just ask them where they are headed. If they want you to join them they will usually just say "wanna come along", then they will ride like idiots to try to lose you (maybe that's just me). If you keep up they will think you're OK. If you fall behind, but eventually get there, they will ridicule you, but only in fun. If they don't say anything, well you get the idea. __________________________________________________ If everything seems under control; you're just not going fast enough!

May 21st, 2009, 01:36 PM	#8
capt_bugaloo motorcycle rider Name: Bruce Location: Victoria, BC Join Date: Apr 2009 Motorcycle(s): '14 Yamaha V-Star 650 Custom (silver) Posts: A lot.	Try doing that with some Hell's Angels... __________________________________________________ '14 Yamaha V-Star 650 Custom (silver)

May 21st, 2009, 03:41 AM	#3
sm0kediver one disaster at a time Name: Jody Location: West Georgia Join Date: Aug 2008 Motorcycle(s): EX250J9 Posts: 411	That's perfectly normal behavior... if you're a scary stalker and you normally follow people around while walking or driving a car Otherwise, probably a bad idea. I had a good ride on the way home from work with a Gold Wing yesterday though. He left room for me at the first stop light, I pulled up beside him, and we had a good running conversation at stop lights for about ten miles.

May 21st, 2009, 04:21 AM	#4
Snake ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Rick Location: Alexandria, Louisiana Join Date: Jan 2009 Motorcycle(s): 05 Blue Ninja 250 Posts: Too much. MOTY - 2017, MOTM - Jan '19, Oct '16, May '14	I would say wait for one of them to make the invitation to join in. If none is given than just ride your normal pace and route.

May 21st, 2009, 05:06 AM	#5
DerTeufel ninjette.org member Name: Aaron Location: Wildomar Join Date: May 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2008 Kawasaki Ninja 250R, 2009 KTM 690 SMC, 2001 Suzuki GSX-R 750 (track bike) Posts: 172	I've had great impromptu rides like that at times.

May 21st, 2009, 01:45 PM	#9
djindia23 Ride or Die Ninja Name: Kichu Location: New Jersey Join Date: Feb 2009 Motorcycle(s): Blue Ninja 250R (the fastest color) Posts: 90	well im not gonna lie... on the highway i've kinda of paced behind a group of bikes... its funny cuz one guy on a busa was tellin me to follow them but the guy on the R6 seemed kinda like a prick... but its not like i go into the middle of their formation or ride up their a$$... i keep like a good 4-5 car lengths back and i mean they lose me pretty quick if they are going over like 95-100... but usually as long as you're not in their way or anything people around here dont mind...

May 21st, 2009, 01:46 PM	#10
KJohnson21 ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Ken Location: Indio, CA Join Date: Dec 2008 Motorcycle(s): '08 Kawasaki EX250 "Yoshi", '99 Kawasaki Concours "Grace", '06 Concours "Belle", '06 Yamaha YZF600R "Slick" Posts: A lot. Blog Entries: 3	Around town, I, or another rider, might say "Hi" at a stop light. It's usually just a friendly way to kill time, but if you wanted to hang out with them, that's a good time to introduce yourself. They might be OK with that, or they might laugh at you. You might have to go through a few of the laughing clowns to get to the nice ones. My weekend commute is a 300 mile round trip on the freeway. I see other motorcyclists frequently. Sometimes, I get another rider going about the same pace, and we might stay together for several miles until one of us exits or something. But, I don't remember ever "pairing up" in those circumstances, where you're riding staggered within a cars length like I might if I was with a buddy. Avoid the "stalking" technique. You never know what people might do if you freak them out. __________________________________________________ < ATGATT > Sweat you can wipe off, Road rash you can't. HEY!! Unregistered!! Does your bike have a name?

May 21st, 2009, 07:46 PM	#13
executor ninjette.org member Name: jack Location: london Join Date: May 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2008 kawasaki ninja 250 Posts: 34	thanks for the feedback, now i know not to be a stalker i just didn't know if ppl randomly started riding together or not, seems i won't get much respect from the ss crowd on my 250 anyway. i just have to try and convince a friend to buy a bike lol.

May 22nd, 2009, 03:42 AM	#14
sm0kediver one disaster at a time Name: Jody Location: West Georgia Join Date: Aug 2008 Motorcycle(s): EX250J9 Posts: 411	I think it's pretty easy to strike up a friendship when it just happens, like you're both headed the same way and stopping at the same lights. When you have to turn around to chase them down, they're automatically on the defensive. Post on here. There are probably forum members close to you.

May 22nd, 2009, 05:15 AM	#15
CC Cowboy ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Whodat Location: Ware Is.,MA Join Date: Jan 2009 Motorcycle(s): I pass the wind! Posts: A lot. MOTM - Mar '13, Jun '14	Just be yourself when you ride. If you are friendly, then you have no problem talking to anyone. If you are shy, then you probably are afraid to even wave. I'm on the shy side so I just roar past every other bike I see on the road (usually at twice their speed and about two inches away from their handlebars). That way they won't even think about talking to me. __________________________________________________ If everything seems under control; you're just not going fast enough!

May 22nd, 2009, 07:19 AM	#16
sm0kediver one disaster at a time Name: Jody Location: West Georgia Join Date: Aug 2008 Motorcycle(s): EX250J9 Posts: 411	The version of the last post I got in my mailbox was a lot funnier

May 22nd, 2009, 09:23 AM	#17
CC Cowboy ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Whodat Location: Ware Is.,MA Join Date: Jan 2009 Motorcycle(s): I pass the wind! Posts: A lot. MOTM - Mar '13, Jun '14	I thought it might be taken wrong so that one is between you and me. __________________________________________________ If everything seems under control; you're just not going fast enough!

May 22nd, 2009, 10:49 AM	#18
sm0kediver one disaster at a time Name: Jody Location: West Georgia Join Date: Aug 2008 Motorcycle(s): EX250J9 Posts: 411	Gotcha Funniest damned thing I have seen all week though

May 26th, 2009, 08:51 AM	#19
zeroth weekend rider Name: JC Location: Central IL Join Date: Dec 2008 Motorcycle(s): '05 Ninja 250 Posts: 87	Great, now you got me curious! Come on, share!

May 26th, 2009, 10:11 AM	#22
CC Cowboy ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Whodat Location: Ware Is.,MA Join Date: Jan 2009 Motorcycle(s): I pass the wind! Posts: A lot. MOTM - Mar '13, Jun '14	I don't know what ur talking about __________________________________________________ If everything seems under control; you're just not going fast enough!

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