Riding with others unannounced??

[Phaedrus]

Ok, I did a 300 mile roundtrip ride today. Whew! There were a lot of bikes out too. I got behind a couple here and there and kinda "rode with them" for a few miles until they or I turned off, etc. whatever.

My question is this, is it proper or improper etiquette to ride along with other bikes that are out there riding the same road as you? What do you do when another biker comes up and your riding almost "grouplike" when in fact your just out there riding solo?

Anyone know what the hell I am trying to say?? haha  

[MR_PINK]

in my experience most sportbikers don't care at all if you tag along as long as your not being an ass and dangerous  

[JetSwing]

it's public roads  

[pandy]

I like impromptu group rides myself!  

pandy  

[cobalt135]

I try to stay back if there is a solo or group in front of me at least 5+ car lengths.  If there is a bike(s) stopped at a light or sign I stop behind them, never next to unless they made room and motioned me up to wait beside.  In other words I do not associate myself with the other bikes because if you have not spoke and made an agreement with the other person or group of bikes, your are not part of the group.  Ya, they might care less, but they may also not like the idea of you trying to ride with them.  I just try to be considerate. :dunno:

[JetSwing]

yea, i never pull up next to another rider in the same lane. i may pull up in the adjacent lane and say hi...

when i'm following a group of riders, and if they are going slow, i just pass them. otherwise i just go where i need to go.

[John Bates]

I would say that pulling into close formation behind an unknown rider is a bit presumptuous and may be irritating to some.

On the other hand, staying a safe distance behind is certainly your right to the road.

[cobalt135]

Just remembered this.  Last weekend I was cruising along about 70 mph on a back road and all of a sudden I see a headlight in my mirrors like following right behind me just short of riding my ass.  Some dude came out of nowhere on his little Ninja 250.  He followed for about three or four minutes and I turned off to head towards home.  I didn't know if dude wanted to race, was just gonna try to pass (plenty of opportunity, no curves), was being a squid, or what their deal was.  Hell, maybe they were just in a hurry to get somewhere (probably to ER to get his rash scrubbed out when he went down wearing his nice t-shirt).

[DarkCyDE]

I usually dont care If riders pile in with me. If I am motioned to join a group I will but for the most part I do my own thing and han back. not everyone wants tag-a-longs

[Blueknyt]

biggest thing is to stay out of their blind spots, ride up as if your SURE they dont know your there, IF your going to pass in their lane (preferably not) do it only a little faster then they are traveling, I.E. like your walking past them dont just go Blowing by them. if its a group, be respectful and watch their style, how they handle passing cars, or changing lanes. then follow suit so as to not be a break in the flow. once past them if you wish, resume your own riding.  its all about being courteous

[Lukewarm Wilson]

as long as your not trying to carve them up if they are riding normaly it should be ok I myself enjoy others joining me as there is generally safety in numbers.  its a lot harder to say "I didn't see THEM" as opposed to "I didn't see HIM" when the tin tops try to take you out but i can understand some bigger bikes being annoyed that some small cc bike is trying to race them when they just want to cruise     so I wouldn't try to overtake till they turned up the wick and then its free for all :lol: