There's a first for everything when riding a Laverda...

[Laverdalothar]

Last weekend I took a little tour on a sunday morning, but went off later than usual -resulting in lots of cyclists, classic cars, convertibles, motorcyclists and big groups of motorcyclists. No scraping footpegs on that morning Please note I may have some prejudicy regarding groups as I don't like riding in groups of more than 3 or so -got turned away when I was young from the Navy for being too much of an individualist, so there's that I guess

But this morning there were several groups I ran into, most of which were keeping around the speed limits and just enjoying a nice sunday morning together like I did alone. However, after my short pause I went off again. Had to let a car go ahead of me coming from the right, so let the bike roll since it was some distance off, and kept some distance as there was a village coming up and overtaking would not have been much use. I noticed a group coming up behind me (my 750 does not have mirrors or indicators) and somewhat to my surprise some of them, first 5 of 15 or so, overtook me, but not the car, and filled up the distance I kept so close that the foremost bike's front tire was almost scraping the paint of the car's bumper, and the last one nearly cut me off... sheesh! SInce there was no more room for the other 10 or so to go I was closed up and boxed in -exactly why I don't like riding in both groups and with strangers as you never know how they ride in a group.

With the village coming up and a T-junction at the end (with us coming up on the long side of the T) I looked next to / behind me, nobody there other than the rest behind me, then a glance again over my left shoulder and stick out my hand to signal going left around the same time -imagine my surprise in between those few seconds one of those behind me was really close next to me suddenly and I very, very nearly smacked him on his helmet when signalling -he suddenly had some big very big pupils!

Fortunately at the next junction they went right and I went along the village so I was freed again, but sheesh, some of those people.... Anyway, moral of the story is my prejudicy with groups was confirmed again at that time, & always look over your shoulder even if you have mirrors.

Happy weekend and safe kilometers or miles, wherever you are!

PS my group prejudicy is of course a bit overstated. I don't like riding in big groups, but saw quite a few other groups, be it GS-es or H-D Glide FXXGRRHSSXTHS and everything in between, and they were riding nice & not hindering anyone! As always it's the exceptions though... :/

I ride in Groups regularely, from small groups like 3-4 people up to the largest I ever did was more than 500 People (which is not really a ride mut more a parade... That said, on the Laverda's 50's Birthday ride out, I think we were something like 200 - 300 and it was still a ride... .

It is a question of agreeing on some basic rules that may sound obvious, but to my experience can help to survive and not to lose group members.

If I run into or am overtaken by a group I don't know, I let them ride on and go into distance. for the very same reasons shown above...

 

[jko_78]

Mirrors sometimes look strange.
View attachment 99091

That's because those lack the reflective properties to be useful (get what you mean of course)

Mirrors on the racetrack are never a good idea.

Marnix

I my case I would not need them too, as I'd be last so nothing to look at anyway!

If I run into or am overtaken by a group I don't know, I let them ride on and go into distance. for the very same reasons shown above...

Sound advice -I should not have been so irritated and stubborn at getting my distance to the car being gone and getting cut off I guess....
My brakes are good but of course no match for modern bikes if it comes to that.

Thanks for all the other insights too regarding groups -pleased to read nobody actually gave someone an accidental slap

Last time I was in a group was with a few co-workers a few years ago, we had riders and bikes of all sorts (ranging from my R90S to a Yamaha MT something, (a naked R1) and everything in between. (didn't have the Laverda yet) We all had the route so if we got separated we'd meet at the next coffee stop or the organizer would note and pull over somewhere safe. So no running nearly red lights or overtaking in dangerous spots just to keep the group together. The collegue organizing is an experienced and responsible rider too, which helps. It was one of the few group rides I enjoyed (15 or so bikes) However I was way more tired afterwards when compared to riding the route alone. And I do miss being able to stop or pause somewhere I want rather than the pre-planned stop

Even on my indicator less 1979 KL250A (number 2) I can't ever recall nearly giving someone a slap when indicating direction, though...