What makes a great riding buddy ?

[ST2UP]

Some prefer the road to themselves......others won't leave home without a riding friend 

So what do you look for in a riding buddy both on and off the roads....   

What works for you and why....


 

[hobs]

I've ridden with various pillion buddies from 70kg to 140kg, all first time pillions. Of course the lighter your pillion the less inpact on the bikes handling. I spend a fair amount of time advising what I expect from my pillion, riding position, how to sit on the bike, get on and off the bike, what to do during cornering, what to do during an emergency or lay down, what to do if a kangaroo or other creature bounds onto the road causing a collision. I enjoy having a pilion. Great company and we chat during the ride with helmet cam.

Some prefer the road to themselves......others won't leave home without a friend 

So what do you look for in a riding buddy both on and off the roads....   

What works for you and why....


 

[ST2UP]

Riding styles and safety is a big concern of ours when riding with a buddy or small group, for us we personally like to sit back and see how a rider we haven't ridden with in the past commands the road and has a situational awareness about their riding style before I fall into a relaxed style or indeed travel any distance with them in the future.

Safe and legal but rewarding riding speed and style is important to us.....and you will note I say us and ours etc, having a pillion on the same page as the rider makes the experience all the more rewarding for both. 


Riders/Pillions who enjoy a similar riding style in relation to speed, roads selected, time in the saddle between breaks, accommodation choices all contribute to our riding experience. Riding in a small group of 3 or 4 bikes is about our preferred limit in a group ride.

So to be fair I have mentioned our likes, so dislikes 

The Rider/Pillion who meets for a group ride and says...."I need to have B'fast before we go", "I haven't fuelled yet", "The bike is playing up and I don't know if it will make it today" are indicators that raise the eyebrows for the day ahead....fortunately this is all VERY rare in a awesome group of like minded riders on similar bikes like we have in OzSTOC 


Ohh and if you don't drink chilled Peach Fizz with a dash of vermouth and an umbrella at the end of the riding day we probably wont ride in the future together 

[StinkyPete]

These are things that for me contribute to compatible touring/riding companions, learned after touring with the same mates for around 50,000km on various trips, all without any tension or disagreements.

Plan your day and ensure everyone knows the plan and is happy with it.
Similar daily distance objectives, and distance between breaks.
Similar touring speeds, which for us is usually on the speed limit
Content with similar style of overnight accommodation and happy to share
Similar budget for meals and accommodation
Stick together to help each other when it's needed
Above all, tolerant of each other's various idiosyncrasies
A total of about four bikes is my limit, and I'm happy riding on my own

Being a good pillion is something that comes with experience, and fits in with all of the above, as well as having total trust in your rider, learning when to sit still, when it's OK to shuffle around a bit, and being prepared to sleep with the rider at the end of the day.

Being a good rider for your pillion fits in with all of the above, as well as being aware of the extra life in your hands and being considerate in regard to cornering, acceleration, braking distances.

[Philbo]

I usually go on rides alone, because it takes little preparation.  If it looks like a nice day for a ride, I can go.  I would prefer company, for the companionship and the safety, but this takes more organization, and the weather may be inclement (am a sook).
A small group of one or two companions works for me.  People who are prepared to take time to smell the roses.
I don't like riding with show offs as they can pressure you into riding beyond your talent if you let them.
In a word, I think that maturity is the thing that makes a good riding buddy, or for that matter - a good buddy.
Philbo
http://ozstoc.com/Smileys/default/wht11.gif

[WendyL]

Pillion wise, my daughter has been on the back since she was 5, never know she's there, unless I do something silly and get a tap on the shoulder (didn't slow down enough over a speed bump last weekend, was in trouble for that).

As for other riders, similar riding style plays a big part in longer distances.  For a short ride for coffee you can put up with most foibles.  There are individuals we have uninvited from group rides due to their riding style.  We also ride with a lot of learners and inexperienced riders.  We give them as many tips as possible to keep the ride safe and enjoyable for all.

[Kev Murphy]

I usually ride alone, but am not adverse with joining others that I meet on the road, providing they behave. Was refuelling in Warrnambool a few months ago on the way to Melbourne when a woman, mid 20's?, helmet in hand, asked where I was heading. She very politely asked if she could follow me, as she was a bit worried about travelling alone, (newbie rider) this being the first time she had travelled outside of her home town. I allowed her to lead, so I could match her speed and gauge her riding abilities.
We stopped at Colac for a break and a coffee, and I made a few riding suggestions to her. She was unaware of 'pushing the bars' to tighten up into corners, and embraced the idea within a few bends which seemed to improve her line through the corners as I had witnessed her drifting wide previously. Had a great trip to Melbourne western suburbs with her, albeit at a lower speed than I normally travel, but she was very pleased that I had assisted by providing company and riding advice. Was supplied with a coffee and an offer of a meal by her grateful parents, who thanked me for accompanying her on her first open road trip.
Made my day.

I find when travelling in company with sensible riders, it seems to make the trip seem shorter, even if the clock says otherwise.

[Pocket STocker]

Travelling with people you gel with is ever so important, keeping things light hearted but safe on the road is really important to me. We have travelled with some fabulous people in and out of OzSTOC and been lucky to not have had any bad experiences.

We did ride with some sports bikes once and that was a scary experience, they over took in illegal places and gave bike riders a bad name in my eyes.


Pockey 

[HONK]

Just had a week riding with a group of 6, a mix of  adventure and sports bikes and me on the ST. They seem to have no problem doing 120 on an 80K road. The guy leading the ride had the only GPS unit and all the routes where un familiar to us all, so its keep up or risk getting lost.
Loved the countryside and loved the roads we rode but I finally had enough and headed for home on my own.
Too much respect for my skin and licence. I will not going next year going to stick with OZSTOC or CMA in the future as the speed limit is usually the limit.
I do like to ride on my own as I set the pace, stop and take photos, head down a different road if I like and take the responsibility for my own safety.
Honk
.

[Sicman]

Pockey's riding buddy is often seen with his favourite colour trim on his bike 



 

[ST2UP]

Hmmm........must change the locks on my shed and hide the keys 


Blasted kids....


Now everyone say good by to Sicman.....now which buttons.....ctrl/alt and DELETE 

[alans1100]

I've only ever ridden on my own (includes partner) and I'm comfortable with that except for the time we had the Overland Corner Hotel RTE when we met at Morgan and I got to lead the rest to the hotel (blind leading the blind sort of thing).

[curious1]

A good riding buddy is one what has the right tool in his pocket when you need it (and helps you upright your ST when you trop it)

[Streak]

Riding buddys was an odd one, i only really rode with my brother up until OzSTOC came along....i have always been pretty happy riding by myself.

but after a few years of riding around the countryside with Deisel, a few national rally trips with Shiney (Mainly), Sabie, Stimpy, Abe, and others, i have to say riding with the right people is loads of fun, all of my trips would have been very plain without riding with all of this crew

Diesel and I have experienced some amazing places, and we would not have had the laughs if we had been alone.

i guess i look at it, if you can find a riding buddy who makes you laugh, has similar riding habits to you, and makes a point of doing something hilarious every trip, take them with you!