There is a time and place for everything.  While we normally ride staggered around town, out on the open road there are times when we ride axle to axle.  As you say, it isn't safe in an area where there is a multitude of safety issues but on the open road we have done this for years with no problems at all.

Hawk

Kansas said,

"No doubt. On the open straights side-by-side isnt too bad. Thing is, some people don't know when to stop the side-by-side riding in certain situations. The worst thing to see is a rookie rider riding side-by-side. Alot of bad things can happen when a rookie panics.

I agree totally Kansas.  Those of us that do ride axle to axle have been doing it for a long time and because of this we know each others style and comfort factor.  A newb has no business in this situation and because of their limited experience makes things worse for those around them in terms of safety.  In town, forget it, it isn't safe at all.

Hawk

Here's a little incident that occurred last year in Orange County while 2 Officers were riding axle to axle.  I thought you would find it interesting.

Hawk

MOTORCYCLE OFFICER HURT ON FREEWAY

(From Orange County Register, 2 June 04)

IRVINE, CA. A Costa Mesa Police motorcycle officer was injured Sunday night when he was struck from behind by a motorcycle traveling at more than 100 mph, authorities said.
Officers Dennis Dickens, 39, and Tony Yannizzi, 48, were riding side by side at about 65 mph in the southbound car-pool lane of the San Diego (I-405) Freeway when the collision took place just north of Jamboree Road, police said.
A third motorcycle, driven by Javier Gasga, 33, of Mission Viejo, ran into Dickens’ motorcycle from behind, police say. Dickens landed on Yannizzi’s motorcycle and tried to hold onto Yannizzi’s left leg but lost his grip and fell to the pavement, police said.
Gasga was catapulted onto Dickens’ motorcycle and rode it for about a quarter mile before losing control and crashing.
Yannizzi stopped his motorcycle, ran to Gasga and pulled him out of traffic. He then ran to Dickens, who was trying to crawl to safety.
“When I saw my partner rolling and bouncing, I thought for sure he was dead,” Yannizzi said.
Dickens suffered abrasions and a cracked pelvis.
Gasga, who suffered a collapsed lung, was arrested on suspicion of felony drunken driving.

Post Edited (Smitty) : 5/22/2005 5:31:13 AM GMT

I agree with all the responses. Up here in Wisconsin I see a LOT of riders side-by-side, on city streets, two-lane highways (called letter roads by some), interstate, and even VERY busy inner-city interstate like in Milwaukee. Maybe it's just more prevalent up here, but I do see it a lot.

Sure, when you're out in the middle of nowhere, I90 in South Dakota, or I2 in Iowa, it might be ok to ride side-by-side, but that's about the only time I could justify it. I like the comment about newbies not riding side-by-side, and it goes with my comment about how can you learn from other riders if they're right next to you. If a newbie follows another rider they have a better view and opportunity to learn.

I don't trust anyone enough to ride axle to axle.  I and a couple of guys from work go out quite often on lunch with our bikes.  We always ride staggered and even that takes my utmost concentration to pull off safely.  Being trained to do it is one thing but with a group of guys just out for a ride, I can't see myself ever being comfortable with that.

Now, staggered versus single file I can tell you I'm riding staggered every time.  It's a safety thing.

Hmm.  Well, since you're an MSF instructor and I'm a total beginner, I'm gonna tell you you're wrong.    Well, no, I won't...  But if you have a moment, I'd like to know what you think of my approach to riding with someone else?

I passed the MSF BRC a little over 2 months ago, just rode my first 500 miles, and only a week or so ago got comfortable getting the bike up to 55 mph (the speed limit for a lot of the roads around here, if you want to go anywhere).  My husband, on the other hand, has a lot more experience.  When we ride, I take the lead and he rides a little bit behind me (staggered, obviously).  The reasoning is that it's better if he's "stuck" behind me going a little slower than he's capable of (say, my 53-55mph on a 55mph road, rather than his 60-65mph), rather than him in front unwittingly going faster than I can handle. 

We tried riding today with him taking the lead, and neither of us liked it.  I didn't like it because he'd have occasional moments where he'd go just a little bit faster than I liked (he'd realize it pretty quickly and slow back down -- I wasn't going to speed up to catch him); and he didn't like it because he couldn't both watch the road and always be able to see that I was doing okay.

I thought letting the newbie set the pace would be better...?

I agree totally Cadd.  I often find it refreshing to actually follow behind the newb at a safe distance;  only because they do have a tendency to be unpredictable and often don't hold good lines.  Also is the fact that I can't help them if I can't see what they are doing be it positive or negative in the greater scheme of riding.  On a group ride I want the newb at the rear just in front of the sweep rider so they can get used to riding in a pack and they have someone with them who is experienced.  I would rather not put a newb in the middle or up front until they have been with us for a while and there experience has a solid foundation.  Either way it is the safety of the pack that must come first.....

Hawk 

Understanding that the newb should for all practical purposes be the weakest link, the ride captain should base the pace on that rider as opposed to pushing the riders limits.  Often I will ask the newb how they are doing and if they are comfortable with the pace.  I will check this answer with the sweep privately in an effort to be sure the newb is doing ok as opposed to being all over the place because they are being pushed.

Hawk

++++++++++++++++++++

This is the sort of thing that happens when riders are not aware of each other's skills. The author had too much faith in the rider ahead of him, and was following too closely. When the first rider went down, he was taken out too.