Here’s some handy information about using hand signals when riding your motorcycle in groups. This info is provided by our Douglas County H.O.G. Chapter whom shared this info on their website.

Motorcycling is primarily a solo activity, but for many, riding as a group — whether with friends on a Sunday morning ride or with an organized motorcycle rally — is the epitome of the motorcycling experience. Here are some tips to help ensure a fun and safe group ride:

Arrive prepared. Arrive on time with a full gas tank.

Hold a riders’ meeting. Discuss things like the route, rest and fuel stops, and hand signals (see diagrams on next page). Assign a lead and sweep (tail) rider. Both should be experienced riders who are well-versed in group riding procedures. The leader should assess everyone’s riding skills and the group’s riding style.

Keep the group to a manageable size, ideally five to seven riders. If necessary, break the group into smaller sub-groups, each with a lead and sweep rider.

Ride prepared. At least one rider in each group should pack a cell phone, first-aid kit, and full tool kit, so the group is prepared for any problem that they might encounter.

Ride in formation. The staggered riding formation (see diagram below) 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.

Avoid side-by-side formations, as they reduce the space cushion. If you suddenly needed to swerve to avoid a hazard, you would not have room to do so. You don’t want handlebars to get entangled.

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, don’t panic. Your group should have a pre-planned procedure in place to regroup. Don’t break the law or ride beyond your skills to catch up.

For mechanical or medical problems, use a cell phone to call for assistance as the situation warrants.

Use Hand Signals: 

Thanks who all who came down to the Colorado Motorcycle Show and Swap this past weekend, it was a great event. Those of you who wore your Mile High Harley-Davidson attire  received $5 off your purchases – a good score. Make sure to join again for next year’s 2013 Colorado Motorcycle Show and Swap. Ride Safe!

Saturday, January 28, 2012
9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Sunday, January 29, 2012
10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

National Western Complex
Off I-70 Exit at Brighton Blvd.
(North of Denver Coliseum)
Denver, Colorado

1 DAY ADMISSION:
$15 per person

2 DAY ADMISSION:
$20 per person

Admission is CASH only, no credit cards for admission!

Live Music Saturday: The Hollow Point Band

Mile High Harley-Davidson has teamed up with True Kustom to offer these exclusive specials to get your motorcycle looking its best for spring.

Painted & Installed Inner Fairing
Look down at a customized sparkling fairing, making all those gauges look even better.
FLH – Starting @ $599
FLT – Starting @ $799

Paint Reconditioning Complete Buff, Wax & Paint Repair Assessment
Treat your Harley-Davidson motorcycle with a complete buff and wax, plus we’ll inspect your paint and recommend repair if needed, so you can keep your bike in tip-top shape.
Non Touring – Starting @ $175
Touring Without Faring – Starting @ $275
Touring With Faring – Starting at $375

Complete Chrome Polish & Wax – Starting @ $100
We will clean your motorcycle’s chrome, removing dirt and grime to reveal the shiny chrome underneath. We use soaps and solvents, nothing abrasive, and are very careful to use clean, soft rags, to ensure no scratches will occur. The final polish is achieved by buffing with a rotating wheel which has been loaded with a special buffing compound to achieve a beautiful shine to the chrome.

Leather Conditioning – Starting @ $50
We use wax-free leather conditioner formulated to gently clean, condition, and preserve leather.

Wheel Conditioning – Starting @ $75  
Get your motorcycle tires looking like new again! Includes whitewall scrub & spoke detail.

Call Mile High Harley-Davidson Service for details & appointment availability: 303.343.3300

We’re hoping to get a chance to get out to the Harley-Davidson Museum in Milwaukee to see the new art exhibit coming on January 20th, featuring works by the motorcycle designer and iconic figurehead of the Harley empire – Willie G. Davidson. The “Watercolors by Willie G.” exhibit will feature around 40 paintings, mostly landscapes he’s seen while on the road with his motorcyle, as well as sketches and snapshots.

The exhibit gives us the opportunity to the lesser known side of Harley-Davidson’s Chief Styling Officer and grandson of one of the original founders. His paintings of the idyllic rural landscapes and still life watercolors are

The exhibit starts January 20, 2012 and will run through April 15th.

If you can make it out there this Thursday, January 19th, you should get tickets to the early private preview of the exhibit and listen to Willie G. describe his experience and passion for art and design. You can get tickets at www.harley-davidson.com.

If any of you are able to go, let us know what you think of his paintings!

The Pre-Sturgis party at Mile High Harley-Davidson of Parker was a blast! Thanks to everyone who came out and joined us. Check out the video, click here »

With power comes freedom. With freedom comes anything. Introducing the new Harley-Davidson® 2012 motorcycles. Check it out at Harley-Davidson® 2012 Motorcycles

Mile High Harley-Davidson is proud to sponsor the Ladies Run again this year!

Registration: 8 to 9:30 AM
Departure:  10:00 AM Sharp

Saturday, July 9th
Meet at Kipling & Hampden
Xcel Energy Parking Lot

REGISTRATION AT EVENT $15
(PRE-REGISTRATION $13)

Fairplay Registration
Saturday, July 9th AM
5th & Front Street

The Ladies Run of Colorado is the oldest run in the country organized & promoted solely by women.

Every year since 1987 a bunch of ladies get together and plan a charity run up to Fairplay, Colorado where we inevitably take over the town for a weekend of fun and games. The ride is incredible with several scenic stops along the way. The registration fee includes:

• Treasure Hunt
• Poker Run
• Give-a-ways all day long
• All new “Old Skool” biker rodeo
• 50/50s
• Ride-in bike show
• Tattoo competition
• Darts & Horseshoe competition
• Vendors
• Saturday evening dance
• Fun Buns Contest
• Wooly Bully Contest

Read more about the Ladies Run on their website: www.ladiesrun.com

Mark your calendar’s, we’re having our annual Pre-Sturgis Party at Mile High Harley-Davidson of Parker on Saturday, July 16th.

At Mile High Harley-Davidson of Parker:
6280 E. Pine Lane, Parker, CO 80138
2 blocks South of E-470 on S Parker Rd & Pine Ln
720.842.1500
View Google Map »