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Use Your Hands to Communicate in Motorcycle Group Riding
October 30, 2009

According to the Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF), a national, not-for-profit organization sponsored by motorcycle manufacturers such as Harley-Davidson and Honda, hand signals are an “easy and effective way to communicate” with other motorcyclists when riding in a group.

For example, your need to make a fuel stop can be communicated by pointing to your tank. To make this signal more visible to a motorcyclist behind you when group riding, you might extend your arm out to the side while pointing to your fuel tank.

But just as hand signals serve to “keep everyone together and on-task,” they can also differ from group to group. Whenever you hook up with a new riding group, always ask what signals they use.

For illustrations of commonly used hand signals, check out the MSF’s “Group Riding” Quick Tips.