Motorcycle Explorer October 2014 Issue 2 | Page 57

Two's Company
Practise Your Positions.
4
No, not those positions! I mean your bike positions on the road.
Travel close enough to keep in touch in traffic, but ride staggered
on the open road so the second rider a) can see the road ahead to
avoid potholes etc, and b) will not run into the leader if they brake
unexpectedly.
Adopt a strict ‘make your own judgement’ mantra for overtakes,
filtering and other manoeuvres. Blind follow-my-leader tactics are a
recipe for disaster. Do a few longish shakedown rides together on
the bikes you’ll be riding, with the luggage you’ll be carrying,
before setting off on The Big Trip.