Been doing this since the 80's. Whether it being a fund raiser, a funeral run, a pub crawl, or just a relaxing ride, we haven't gotten any citations yet.
How much of a fine could it be? Nothing to get worked up about. You pay it and forget about it.
You take a chance getting a fine running your loud pipes, wearing a novelty or an unapproved D.O.T helmet, running those ape hangers that are higher than the 15" allowable limit, wearing dark sunglasses at night, etc.
Most of the larger runs we do, are cleared with the Township PD's before it goes down. Just don't tell them it's a pub crawl. They frown on that.
If your smart, you always invite a LEO to join in. We all know that if you get stopped, cops don't give cops tickets. [sm=biker.gif][sm=biker.gif][sm=biker.gif][sm=biker.gif][sm=biker.gif][sm=biker.gif][sm=biker.gif][sm=biker.gif][sm=biker.gif][sm=biker.gif][sm=biker.gif][sm=biker.gif][sm=biker.gif][sm=biker.gif][sm=biker.gif][sm=biker.gif][sm=biker.gif]

 

I've ridden with huge groups over the years. There were 638 bikes from Milwaukee to Sturgis for the 50th Anniversary Party. Police escort the whole way. I never saw one problem the whole way there. I've been on hundreds of "Non Alcohol" poker runs with no problems. You toss a couple of beers at each stop and you're asking for problems.

 

I'm not a cop, and don't feel a lot of passion about this one way or another, but I do know that in the Northeast, and especially Massachusetts, blocking is illegal. After 911, there were a lot of fundraisers and not all of them were well coordinated with the local LEO. There was one incident where a guys bike was impounded and towed away, the rider was cuffed and brought to the station and booked, and his wife was left on the side of the road. (cops were PO'd because they weren't notified.. that is key.)

It's also arisky thing to do. Many motorist have no idea that motorcycle riders want to stay together in a group, and could care less about not breaking up a group. You take a cager that is in a hurry, or one that is a road rage flaming idiot and block him at a light where he's got the green, there isno telling what he might do. Or, take another case of some lame brain that has his/her mind everyplace but on the road in front of him and they see a green and just plow through it... never thinking that the biker blocking their way has no intention of moving until it's too late.

It's perfectly understandable to want to do it from a motorcyclist perspective, but the average cager doesn't have a clue. Worse yet, some just plain don't like us. All I'm saying is it "can" be dangerous, not always, but there's a certain risk in getting in a cagers path when they have the right of way.

It's also a moving violation in Mass which means unsafe driver points on your insurance record which is 7 years of extra high insurance.. so it isn't a matter of just a minor fine. It's 7 years of fines.

 

We have been on many large group rides. I make it a point to stay away from them unless they are with riding group like Red or Blue Knights HOG ect.

This past week we went ona guided tour with about 40 bikes. Two groups of 20 bikes. First half was not any fun one bad rider made it difficult for everyone. Leader even had a talk with him that did not help. Second half we ended up with the other group. That was fun, great road everyone was a good rider. At the end of the ride everyone commented on how nice the ride was with experianced riders.

 

Just road today on Memorial Ride to Minature Wall. From Fort Walton Beach to Penscola FL. 280 bikes, approximately 40 miles, 3 counties with escorts from all counties. No problems.

 

I live in Massachusetts, and insurance sucks no matter what. As for blocking I never knew it was illegal
and as for leaving my wife on the side of the road impounding my bike[:@][:@][:@]

 

Went on the Elvis Run today.. http://www.streetsoffire.com/ over 1000 bikes, police escorted, ZERO problems. Been doing this and other police escorted runs for years... again... no problems.

 

Unless it is a PGR mission ( I trust my fellow PGR riders without reservation) I stay away from group rides like a STD infected ***** house.

I will ride with people I know in small groups, only because we think anr react alike, but large rides, especially ones where alcohol is part of the mix like POKER RUNS are not for me.

 

Riding in a small group can be bad enough... Had small froup of 8, all in staggered formation, the group slowed the rider behind me shot past me... also clipped my handle bar...... Good thing I live in remote Arizona as I am not tempted to ride with many others.... Bad enough to have to worry about cages...much less a fellow biker! 95% of my rides are solo.... for good reason...

Later

Hogback

 

I've also been hit from behind by another biker in my small group. I was leading a group and since there was a red light, and the 2 cars in front of me stopped, I kind of figured I would too. My fellow rider plowed into my rear end and took out my right saddle bag with his left side foot peg. I had my feet solidly on the ground and my front brake on, so he went down after crunching $600 worth of my hardbag. ...he's an MSF instructor.