1. Honda Shadow Owners UK 2nd Person Drop Off Bike Convoy
Version /08/2005

2. Honda Shadow Owners UK
Bike Convoy
2nd Person Drop Off

3. Contents Convoy Rule’s 2nd Person Drop Off
Example of making a manoeuvre using
Travelling in a large bike group is problematic in communication and safety,
Also keeping the group together can become very difficult and make the journey
slow and arduous. With these simple convoy rules and the concept of 2nd person
drop off we can travel quickly and safely together in any size groups. However it
requires a simple understanding of everyone in the group.
So please spend 10 minutes looking at the following presentation.

4. Convoy Rule’s you. You only need to worry about the person behind you.
• The only person you need to keep pace with is the person behind
you.
You only need to worry about the person behind you.
If the person behind you is dropping back, slow down to let
him/her catch up.
If you lose sight of the person behind you find a safe place
to pull over and stop.
• The convoy will ride in a strict staggered formation.
• You will keep to a distance of no more than 2-3 bike lengths behind
the person in front, this can be extended when travelling on
motorways or at higher speeds.
Avoid riding in the rider in fronts blind spot. Always allow room for the rider in front to change lane position in an emergency.

5. • To indicate that you need to stop either:
Convoy Rule’s (Cont)
• To indicate that you need to stop either:
Make a short honk on your horn, Pull forward along side the
person in front and point to your tank. This person will do
the same until the message has reached the convoy leader. OR
Honk your horn and quickly switch your main beam on and
off, do this until you see an indication that the convoy leader
has received your message.
If your requirement is urgent, pull out to properly and safely
overtake the convoy until you reach the leader. Never undertake
the person in front.

6. Convoy Don’ts • Never undertake the person in front.
• Never lose the person behind you. Your main responsibility in
keeping the convoy together is watching out for the person behind
you.
Except when manoeuvring through Traffic light’s or making a turn
on the road. You may lose sight temporarily
• Never leave the convoy without the others knowing what you
intend to do, ie if you are leaving the convoy to take your own
route home, others must know this especially the “Leader”.
• Do not leave formation unless you need to urgently gain the
attention of the leader.

7. 2nd Person Drop Off There are 4 components to the convoy.
The “Leader” (Yellow Vest)
The “Tail Gunner” (Yellow Vest)
The “Runt” (Red Vest)
The “Masses”

8. The Convoy Leader
The “Leader” is the person leading the convoy. The “Leader” will always be in the front of the convoy and should not be overtaken. When the convoy exits off slip roads, exits off roundabouts or left/right hand turns off cross roads or T junction the leader will indicate to the first person of the “Masses” (who is directly behind him) where the “Leader” wants you to wait to mark a turning, indicating to the rest of the convoy where they should turn. This indication from the “Leader” will be a hand signal pointing to where to wait, or in Europe by sticking out his/her right leg. The “Leader” will hold a road position between the middle and the offside of the road. When the “Leader can see the “Runt” directly behind him he should find a safe place to pull over and stop, waiting for the rest of the convoy to catch up. (The “Leader” knows where we are going).

9. The Tail Gunner
The “Tail Gunner” is the person at the back of the convoy, you should always be in front of the “Tail Gunner”, and if you are at the side of the road waiting for the masses to overtake the “Tail Gunner” will let you pull out in front of him/her. Do not get behind the “Tail Gunner”. If you do find your self behind the “Tail Gunner” make efforts to overtake him/her. The “Tail Gunner” will hold a road position between the middle and the offside of the road. (“Tail Gunner” has a map to where we are going).

10. The Runt
The “Runt” is the person marking the end of the “Masses” he/she will always be the last person in the convoy with the exception of the “Tail Gunner”. The “Runt” will not participate in 2nd person Drop Off. If you are one of the “Masses” waiting at the side of the road marking the route for the convoy, once you see the “Runt” at the end of the convoy you should rejoin the convoy immediately after the “Runt” (Remember the “Tail Gunner” will let you pull out in front of him/her). The “Runt” will hold a road position between the middle and nearside of the road allowing you to overtake easily. Once you rejoin the convoy you should over take the “Runt” and rejoin the convoy at the rear of the masses. ( the “Runt” hasn’t a clue where we are going).

11. The Masses
The “Masses” make up the bulk of the convoy, and are used as 2nd person drop off points to mark the route when the convoy make’s turns off the road. As other bikes in the masses are dropped off you will logically make your way towards the front of the convoy, when you are directly behind the “Leader” make sure you are concentrating as it will be your turn next to be dropped off to mark the route. Once you have taken your turn as 2nd person drop off you will rejoin the end of the convoy until you find your self back behind the “Leader” ready again to be the 2nd person drop off.

12. Staggered Formation
The Leader always takes the middle to off side road position.
From then on, it is staggered middle-near side, middle off-side
And so on.

13. Keep 2 – 3 bike lengths apart At high speeds Keep 3 – 4 bike lengths
Staggered Formation
The Leader always takes the middle to off side road position.
From then on, it is staggered middle-near side, middle off-side
And so on.
Keep 2 – 3 bike lengths apart
At high speeds Keep 3 – 4 bike lengths
between you and the person in front.

14. Riding on the Continent
The same rules apply, with the leader taking the offside position.

15. Making a turn at a roundabout
The Leader
You
The Masses
The Convoy leader show’s you where to wait
The Runt
Tail Gunner
As you exit the roundabout the leader Indicates to you that he/she wants you to wait at the side of the road about a meter after the exit.
You will wait here showing every one else where to exit the Roundabout with your left indicator flashing.
Step - 2
Step - 1
You have been following directly behind the
Convoy leader, waiting for your turn to become The 2nd person drop off. Follow the “Leader” around the roundabout as normal but watch out for the signal, to instruct you where to wait.
Step - 3

16. Making a turn at a roundabout
The Leader
You
The Masses
The Runt
Step - 4
You must wait patently at
The side of the road until
The right time.
Tail Gunner

17. Making a turn at a roundabout
The Leader
You
The Masses
The Runt
Step - 5
Once you see the “Runt” pass this marks where you should re-join the convoy. Now indicate right and carefully pull out before the “Tail Gunner”.
The “Tail Gunner” will be expecting you to do this. It might prove unsafe to you and the “Tail Gunner” if you hesitate.
Tail Gunner

18. Making a turn at a roundabout on the continent
Same rules apply on the continent, except the leader will use his right leg to indicate where the 2nd person should drop off

19. Making a turn at a roundabout
Now that you have re-joined the convoy the “Runt” will move to the nearside
Of the road allowing you to carefully overtake, taking up your correct position
in the convoy.
Step - 6
The Leader
Tail Gunner
The Masses
You
The Runt

20. Making a turn at a roundabout
We are now back in a staggered formation with you at the back of the convoy
But in front of the “Runt” and the “Tail Gunner”
Step - 7
The Leader
You
The Masses
The Runt
Tail Gunner

21. Making an overtaking manoeuvre on a motorway or Dual Carriageway
When it seems obvious, or when the Leader is in radio contact with the “Tail Gunner”
The “Tail Gunner” will pull out even though the over taking car has not cleared the
Convoy.
The Leader
You
The Masses
The Runt
Tail Gunner

22. Making an overtaking manoeuvre on a motorway
People must watch out for this
The Leader
You
The Masses
The Runt
Tail Gunner

23. Making an overtaking manoeuvre on a motorway
Having now pull out in to an over taking position, every one must take their
Over taking position
The Leader
You
The Masses
The Runt
Tail Gunner

24. Making an overtaking manoeuvre on a motorway
Continue to do this until we have all safely moved lanes.
The Leader
You
The Masses
The Runt
Tail Gunner

25. Making an overtaking manoeuvre on a motorway
Now we can over take in a group, then pull back in to the inside
lane when it is safe to do so.
The Leader
You
The Masses
The Runt
Tail Gunner

26. Thing to remember on motorways
Car drivers don’t understand the concept of a convoy so don’t get to upset
when if they pull into the middle of us, as long as they do it safely.
Even though we are on a motorway, as we’re travelling in a convoy high speeds
will split us up, so keep an eye on the bike in front and behind you.

27. Honda Shadow Owners UK
Thank you for taking the time to read the previous pages, if we adopt these simple rules we will enjoy the journey as well as the destination
If you have any question contact Steve on
or through the HSOCUK message board or
Version /08/2005