Kenai Peninsula, Alaska Chapter #8150 - H.O.G.®

Interested in Rider's Edge training? Give the shop a call - (907) 260-6777. Although they don't yet have a schedule set, they are accepting names for spring 2010 Rider's Edge classes.

Hand Signals

Use and understand hand signals. The hand signals below are used by the Chapter to communicate with each other on group rides. Pass the hand signals back to those behind you.

Start Engines With your right or left arm extended, move your index finger in a circular motion.

Left Turn Raise your left hand horizontal with your elbow extended.

Right Turn Raise your left arm horizontal with your elbow bent 90 degrees vertically.

Hazard Left Extend your left arm at a 45 degree angle and point towards the hazard.

Hazard Right A Extend your right arm at a 45 degree angle and point towards the hazard.

Hazard Right B Extend your left arm upward at a 45 degree angle with your elbow bent to 90 degrees and point towards the hazard over your helmet.

Speed Up Raise your left arm up and down with your index finger extended upward. This indicates the leader wants to speed up.

Slow Down Extend your left arm at a 45 degree angle and move your hand up and down.

Stop Extend your left arm at a 45 degree angle with the palm of your hand facing rearward.

Single File Position your left hand over your helmet with your fingers extended upward. This indicates the leader wants the group in a single file formation. Usually this is done for safety reasons.

Staggered Formation Extend your left arm upward at a 45 degree angle with your index and pinkie finger extended. This indicates that it is safe to return to a staggered formation.

Tighten Up Raise your left arm and repeatedly move up and down in a pulling motion. This indicates the leader wants the group to close ranks.

Ride In Formation

A staggered riding formation allows a proper space cushion between motorcycles so that each rider has enough time and space to maneuver and to react to hazards. The leader rides in the left third of the lane, while the next rider stays at least one second behind in the right third of the lane; the rest of the group follows the same pattern. A single-file formation is preferred on a curvy road, under conditions of poor visibility or poor road surfaces, entering/leaving highways, or other situations where an increased space cushion or maneuvering room is needed.

Periodically check the riders following in your rear view mirror.
If you see a rider falling behind, slow down so they may catch up. If all the riders in the group use this technique, the group should be able to maintain a fairly steady speed without pressure to ride too fast to catch up.

If you’re separated from the group or need to stop, don’t panic.
Your group will have a Road Captain riding sweep. Don’t break the law or ride beyond your skills to catch up.

While trying to stay clear of a debate on the use of helmets, it’s interesting to see a new certification for motorcycle helmets. As of October 2009, the Snell Foundation has a new certification for helmets called the Snell 2010 standard. This is an update of the Snell 2005 standard. There are differences between 2010 and previous Snell standards, mostly due to including safety standards of ECE 22-05, the mandatory standard in the UK and Europe.
According to Snell, helmet manufacturers have been able to build a helmet to meet both Snell and DOT standards in the past, but not Snell and ECE 22-05. Larger sized helmets with head sizes of 60 cm and up might be able to meet both Snell and ECE 22-05, but smaller helmets usually don’t meet both sets of requirements. The new Snell 2010 standard resolves this problem. Manufacturers will now be able to build helmets which will satisfy Snell, DOT, and ECE 22-05.
For street helmets bought in the USA, there are minor changes with the new Snell 2010 standards. The main message here is if a helmet meets Snell 2010, it meets all safety standards no matter what helmet size you wear. Snell 2010 includes safety factors for two impacts, less G force transmission, and better energy management. Be aware that DOT and Snell standards are different and Snell standards are voluntary for helmet manufacturers.
Recent studies show that under normal use, helmets will start to loose their effectiveness and protection factor with time due to normal handling, wear & tear, UV light degradation, and compression of the internal foam layers. Helmet manufacturers recommend replacing your helmet every three years.