Whats with the " Don't ride in big groups, and avoid the freeway" part? Im new here too so just wondering.
Riding in big groups is insanely dangerous when you are inexperienced. Actually, to be honest, its dangerous even if you have experience because somebody else in the group might make a mistake and cause a huge domino effect.
If that's what you really like to do, then so be it, but give yourself a really nice space cushion or stay at the very back.
Also, its really boring because everybody has to go so dang slow and you're just part of a herd, but that part is not dangerous, just mind numbingly painful.
As for the freeway part, it just raises the stakes. You will quickly find that folks in cars see the space that you are occupying as a free spot and they'll quickly zip into it. It's almost as though they are sucked into the void as if you're presence creates an insurmountable vacuum. Nevermind that you are there on a motorcycle minding your own business.
They don't notice you because they are on their cell phone, doing their makeup, texting, reading the newspaper, yelling at their kids, fighting with their spouse, etc., etc., etc.
The point is, you have you be on your defensive when on the freeway and the high speeds make the game more dangerous. Folks just don't look out for motorcycles. They only look out for other big cars. That's just life.
Just be careful. That's my only point. I drive like a bat out of hell on long empty roads, and I'm not exactly sheepish around town and on the freeway, but I keep loads of space from other crazies, whether they are on bikes or in cages, and I'm always on the look out for the next sucker that's gonna try to mow me down.
I have no problem doing things that have an element of danger, but at the same time, I balance that danger with appropriate precaution.
That's kept the shiny side up for 20 years of riding. Let's hope for another 20 more.
