I have been aware of something for a long time

For a long time I have watched other motorcycle riders, You get a great view of them on Poker Runs and Charity events. To this day I find it amazing how many people on motorcycles don't know how to ride motorcycles. The next time you are out, watch how many people, because they are unsure of them selves, ride off a stop sign or traffic light with their feet hanging, dangling along or doing a duck walk to get going. Not only do they sacrifice the bikes balance by doing this, they have given up control of the gears and rear brakes.  As the bike starts to leave, the feet should be moving instantly to their riding position. 

Waving, It is amazing how many people can't wave and ride. Not counting those who actually wave using their right hand, (yes, have seen it, it's funny) but even those waving with their left, come off the throttle to do so. here's a tip, both hands can operate independently, you can maintain speed with your right hand and wave with your left. this is why when riding in a group it is good to watch those around you to know what they are going to do. 

Another issue is lane position, granted, it is not as an important issue when you are riding alone, but in formation, sweeping across the lane in turns just isn't cool. And people, in formation, try to keep a constant distance to the person ahead of you, because if you are seesawing you are pissing off the guy behind you, and the one behind him and the one behind him...etc...

I am going to touch one more subject about being in a large group of bikes and it would take care of it self if you follow what I said in the last paragraph. keep a constant distance between yourself and the bike ahead, a safe distance for stopping space and yet close enough to "maintain formation integrity". In a large ride (like the recent Pappy's day ride) cars got into the formation. This not only makes it difficult to keep the group together, because one car will let other cars in, but it id dangerous, allowing vehicles in a formation means there is an uncontrolled element that is not going where everyone else is going, may turn and brake or stop. 

A vehicle in formation brings forward another element of danger, that is the other motorcycle riders who have no clue of reality blasting by a stopped or slow moving car. most of these riders have one thought in mind, keep up, consequences don't usually dawn on them until it's too late, I have seen them pass and entire group of bikes and a vehicle, blasting by everyone. I have also seen them unaware of what lies beyond that vehicle. Safe rule here, if you have an opportunity to pass in a safe area, do not crank open the throttle unless you know what is happening ahead of the vehicle. 

Case in point, we were on a ride once and at the base of the Gold Star bridge with traffic coming in off the ramps, the column got broken, I moved to the left lane, made the pass and pulled back in behind the group who were slowed by traffic ahead. The bike behind me cranked his throttle, passed the car and then realized too late that he was already back at the group, he locked his rear brake (front brake in an emergency has more stopping power) he went into a skid and put his front wheel next to my saddle bag. Still not able to stop he tuned and leaned left for the open lane, unfortunately his front wheel was against by hard case, I accelerated up to and to the side of the bike ahead to clear him so he would not tumble off his bike since it was leaned over to the left by now. As his front wheel cleared his bike, still skidding, forced him left into the next lane, causing the vehicle in that lane to lock it's brakes. Luckily everyone stayed up and no one got squished. 

Remember, when catching up with a formation, take a mile to make up 100 feet, you won't be left behind.


basic riding instruction :  read it,  read more than just it
http://www.msf-usa.org/downloads/Street_Motorcycle_Tips.pdf

http://www.instructables.com/id/Riding-a-Motorcycle/
Practice, become comfortable with your bike, and keep your head on your shoulders, no splattered on the ground.

PS: On the highway incident above, I had a lovely 1/4 circle carved into my right hand saddlebag from his front wheel. It was ok though, a half year later during a ride with only five bikes a bike riding behind me as I led, did not see my turn signal due to the setting sun, he collected my left saddle bag before crashing into the ground, both saddle bags matched after that. (Don't worry mister Woodhall, I won't tell them who it was) I did start calling him on the CB before every turn afterwards just to bust his stones.

"left turn coming up"