Leading a group is not everyone’s cup of tea and it can particularly get tricky on the road. Group tours on motorcycles are common for bike enthusiasts. This is where communication becomes important. To put it simply, communication is major on road tours as people may lose track or stay behind. As using a phone is prohibited during driving and it can be more dangerous while on a motorcycle, hand symbols come in handy. Knowing the motorcycle group riding hand signals can enhance your touring experience.
Let’s go through and learn all about motorcycle group riding hand signals and when to use them.
Motorcycle Group Riding Hand Signals
Motorcycle trips have a certain charm. Exploring the never-ending fields and chains of deserts while being fully exposed to different climatic conditions adds adrenaline to motorcycle enthusiasts. Like-minded people can also make your trip better and you wouldn’t want to lose track of any group members because of bad synchronisation.
Before you set off for the trip, you should check the motorcycle trip checklist to avoid any inconvenience on the road. You don’t want to cause trouble for anyone else on the road while keeping the group together. Therefore, it is advisable to know about the bike hand signals as they are crucial for safety.
Learning these signals can also ensure a smooth motorcycle riding experience. Listed below is the list of motorcycle group riding hand signals that you should know about:
HAND SIGNAL TO TURN LEFT
Usually, a motorcycle rider will use the left indicator to let the vehicles behind them know that they are going to turn left. Failed indicator lights are a possibility and it is often hard for people to notice the indicator, particularly in group travelling.
In group travel, a leader usually leads the way while others follow. For a left turn indication, you should raise your left hand to a high angle. This should let the riders behind know about turning left.
HAND SIGNAL TO TURN RIGHT
While you can take your left hand and signal for a left turn rather easily, the right turn can be tricky as you cannot remove your hand from the accelerator. Additionally, bringing your left hand to the right side can disbalance the motorcycle. It is strongly advised that you avoid this technique. You should know about the gear for motorcycle rides to ensure safety.
You can let the riders behind you know about the right turn by bending your elbow to a 90 degrees angle and pointing your clenched fist towards the sky.
HAND SIGNAL TO STOP
Showing your palm is the universal signal to tell someone to stop. The gesture remains the same for motorcycle group riding hand signals. But showing your palm to the riders behind you can get tricky so how do you do it?
Bend your arm 90 degrees with an open palm and the fingers facing the road. This should signal the group riders to step on the brake.
HAND SIGNAL TO TURN OFF INDICATOR
On a regular trip or group tours, you can sometimes forget to turn the indicator off after you have taken the turn. This can cause trouble on the road, especially on group tours. Other riders following you can also turn their indicators on, interrupting the entire route.
If you have crossed a rider with their motorcycle’s indicator on, take your left hand out with the palm facing backwards. Open and close your fist to tell the rider to turn the indicator off.
HAND SIGNAL TO SLOW DOWN
This is among the most used motorcycle group riding hand signals and for all the right reasons. There are several scenarios where the leader would want to slow the group down, to a potential hazard ahead or any other reason.
Extend your left arm with your palm facing the road and waft it downwards. This should tell the riders behind you to slow down. The braking lights should also indicate the same.
HAND SIGNAL TO SPEED UP
Bike hand signals come in handy, particularly for inexperienced groups. Lack of synchronisation can not only result in riders going off track but it can also cause accidents. Different types of motorcycle pants can add a safety layer to your gear.
If you feel like the riders behind you need to pace up, extend your left arm with your palm facing the sky. Move your arm in an upward motion to give the signal.
HAND SIGNAL FOR ROAD HAZARD
One advantage of motorcycle signs on group tours is that the leading rider can warn the following riders about any potential hazard beforehand. If you spot a pothole on the road or any other thing that can be dangerous for the other riders, you can use this signal.
If the hazard is on the left side, you can extend your left arm and point towards the hazard. If the hazard is on the right side, use your right leg to point to the hazard.
HAND SIGNAL FOR POLICE AHEAD
You don’t want to spoil your trip by getting in conflict with the law. It is advised to carry all required documents and not break any law during the ride. If you spot police ahead, you should inform the following riders as they can slow it down a notch and be ready to make a stop if the police ask to.
With an open palm tap your helmet to let the riders know about the police. Follow the laws for a smooth and trouble-free ride.
HAND SIGNAL FOR FUEL STOP
Long trips mean your motorcycle will be using a fair amount of petrol. While many riders take additional petrol with them on trips, several can choose to refuel during the trip to avoid carrying extra weight.
If you see the fuel bar going down, point to your bike’s fuel tank using your index finger. This would tell the riders to stop when you need to refuel.
HAND SIGNAL TO PULL OFF
This is vastly used among motorcycle hand signals. Long trips mean you’ll be making several stops for refuelling, eating, restroom breaks, or cooling down the engines. The pull of hand signal can tell the riders to pull off the highway; immediately or at the next exit.
Extend your left arm and point with your clenched fist. Use the bent elbow and move your arm towards your head and back towards the junction.
BIKER’S SIGN OF RESPECT
While this isn’t necessarily a signal you need for group motorcycle tours, it is a frequently used one. Extend your left hand at a lower angle and make the victory sign with your index and middle finger. Riders use this as a show of respect.
This was everything about the motorcycle group riding hand signals. The signals are pretty easy to understand and true riders are aware of them all. However, if any member of the group doesn’t know about the bike hand signals, things can get messy on the road. Carry all necessary documents and discuss the hand signs beforehand to enjoy a hassle-free trip.
Additionally, you can learn about how to change your motorcycle tyre or jumpstart a motorcycle as these all can help you avoid inconvenience on the road. Go through the motorcycle slang terms that bike enthusiasts know and use.
If the idea of a motorcycle trip sounds fascinating to you and you want to get one for yourself, check out these used motorcycles for sale in the UAE and have your pick.
Stay tuned to UAE’s top property blog for more information.
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