Hand Signals During Rides??

[Gregster]

Does this group of riders use any type of signals during group rides? I've ridden with the "Wild Hogs"  and they use all types of hand and foot signals. I was inquiring about y'all 

[Mark]

I've led many group rides with the members of this forum, and there are a number of hand/leg signals we use regularly:

Left arm out (usually pointing) - left turn
Right arm out (usually pointing) - right turn
Left leg out and back in quickly - moving to left lane/left side of lane
Right leg out and back in quickly - moving to right lane/right side of lane
Left leg held out - obstacle in road on left side
Right leg held out - obstacle in road on right side
Left arm out with palm facing rearward - stopping
Left arm moving up and down with palm out and facing down - slow down
Tapping helmet - cops in the area
Thumbs up - everything's OK (or if you're the last rider in the group, everyone's accounted for)

Turn signals and brake lights are used in place of or in conjunction with hand signals for turning/stopping, too. If I'm leading, I'll often use hand signals and turn signals, but if I'm just following, I'll usually just use turn signals to indicate turning. Also, on occasion, I will use my arm and finger to point at an obstacle in the road rather than use my leg, but I usually use my leg for that purpose.

There may be other signals we use occasionally, but those are the ones I can think of off-hand. We ride staggered, but don't really have a hand signal to correct people who aren't doing it correctly. Maybe we should add that one to our arsenal, as we seem to need it often.

Oh, and if I see someone with a blinker on by accident, I'll use the blinker hand signal, which I've learned as: make an "OK" signal (last three fingers up, with index finger and thumb making a circle), then open and close the gap between your index finger and your thumb like you're pinching something. This doesn't appear to be a universal signal, though, so many people don't know what I'm trying to tell them. I can't find the reference I learned this one from, but I saw it somewhere in a list of hand signals.

So yeah, I guess we do use a fair number of signals. Got to communicate somehow if you want to get 20 riders to do the same thing safely.

[GixxerGurl]

For a right turn, you can also lift your left arm out perpendicular to your body and hold your hand & lower part of your arm straight up, so that your arm is making an "L" shape. I use this way because I have my right hand on the throttle. 

[GixxerGurl]

This is a very good topic, btw.  Discussion of motorcycle safety is a very good thing. There are a couple attachments showing common hand signals. I'm one of those people who learn better with visuals. 

[Gregster]

SUPER helpful!

[HVRobison]

I think it would be wise to put this post where new members can see it. I would have loved to see this info before my first group ride although it went well. Most of the signals make common sense, but as Mark stated communication is very important when in a group.

[GixxerGurl]

I think it would be wise to put this post where new members can see it.

I agree 100%.

[Mark]

Thanks for the suggestion, Hoyt. Stickied.

[spadoc79]

most important one is pat the top of your helmet means COP..lol

[area51]

...and the only one I paid attention too.. lol

[Maverick]

good times!

[Ivegotextra36CCs]

I must say that I love the "refreshment stop" hand gesture!!! Ill be sure to use that one some day hahahaa

[theups]

Here is a good read for anyone new to group riding.
Hand Signals and Group Riding

[EBGB]

Here is a good read for anyone new to group riding.
Hand Signals and Group Riding

good read for sure, think we should define the whole riding staggered, two seconds behind, and how is it supposed to be in turns? Single file?  If we have large turn outs for these monthly rides it definitely needs to be defined!  Thanks ups!

[Chef]

Single file in turns.