WHen riding on the trail, remember the LAST person is zero in hand signals....

1

1blue99srx600

New member
I use them when safe, if it is not I don't. I see people who don't and that is fine, I assume there are always more behind them whether it be in their group or a different group that has caught up. Just like always staying to the right and assuming there is someone coming around the corner at me or over a hill. I am usually the sweeper and believe if people oncoming see the riders ahead of me giving the signal and assuming they know what the signal means & they can count they can still figure it out (Provided there is no else behind me) I am the last even if I don't get my fist up. Slowing down/Yielding and getting over on the trail also helps, that bothers me more than not using the signals. People just need to exercise common sense, unfortunately you don't have to prove you have it to ride.
 
Last edited:
R

rsvectordude

New member
They shouldn't even be teaching new sledders hand signals in snowmobile safety courses. Keep your hands on the bars and stay right. I for one could care less how many people are behind you or in front of you.
 
G

GTL

Member
Hand signals

Two weeks ago we met 3 groups totaling 11 people, and three had their closed hand up. Here's my opinion -------- keep your hands on the bars. I've NEVER met a DNR officer on the trail that used signals. That in it self must be saying something and I will ask them at our safety class next week.
 
Last edited:
C

chadlyt

Member
during the daytime i use hand signals as much as i can. for us "trail riders" that have to deal with other trail riders, it can only help. when i am out with the wife and kids, if i meet someone after a turn, i will signal to them that there is another behind me. why? because i do not trust anyone. especially on a turn, bend, corner, hill whatever.

I laugh at people who signal at night...

Now getting passed by someone and getting left in their wake, i just show them one finger.
 
C

catalac

Active member
Went for a ditch ride over in Iowa a few weeks ago, and three guys were coming my way with their hands up, like we were up north on a trail in the woods. I was laughing. Thought that was pretty good in a wide open ditch.
 
Y

yeffy

Member
I normally lead our group and like to use hand signals when I can. The way I figure it, if a oncoming ride knows that there a sleds behind me, maybe they will slow down and my family will be a little safer. As others have pointed out, I never trust the closed fist as there is always the possibility that there is another group right behind.
 
5

5slednx

New member
What is up with people giving hand signals at night. The last few night rides I went on people were flashing me all kinds of signals. Must have been gang bangers! Good thing I didnt signal back, I might have gotten kilt for flashing the wrong sign.
 
U

upbarleyboy

New member
GTL said:
Two weeks ago we met 3 groups totaling 11 people, and three had their closed hand up. Here's my opinion -------- keep your hands on the bars. I've NEVER met a DNR officer on the trail that used signals. That in it self must be saing something and I will ask them at our safety class next week.
Click to expand...

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
That's because one hand has his pen, and the other is holding his ticket book waiting to write you a ticket:).
 
S

scott_b

Member
My buddy who had never been riding before wanted to know why the last guy in every group gave him the "black power" sign
 
F

Firecatguy

New member
GTL said:
Two weeks ago we met 3 groups totaling 11 people, and three had their closed hand up. Here's my opinion -------- keep your hands on the bars. I've NEVER met a DNR officer on the trail that used signals. That in it self must be saing something and I will ask them at our safety class next week.
Click to expand...

if you mean the class at simley yes they are the ones who taught me to use hand signals over 20 years ago.......
 
D

dekx

New member
Administrator said:
What I hate is when I have more than 5 persons behind me, then I have to take both hands off the handlebars. I never ride with more than 10 behind me as my feet would get too cold and it would be a pain taking my boot off all the time. :rolleyes:

-John
Click to expand...

Now thats funny John!
 
R

rocketman356

New member
Administrator said:
What I hate is when I have more than 5 persons behind me, then I have to take both hands off the handlebars. I never ride with more than 10 behind me as my feet would get too cold and it would be a pain taking my boot off all the time. :rolleyes:

-John
Click to expand...

I like when the ladies flash us
 
M

mjkaliszak

New member
Administrator said:
What I hate is when I have more than 5 persons behind me, then I have to take both hands off the handlebars. I never ride with more than 10 behind me as my feet would get too cold and it would be a pain taking my boot off all the time. :rolleyes:

-John
Click to expand...

Sweet.... I think I'll stop signaling from now on. I just going to hold on for dear life.....
 
C

cdsprague

New member
Nothing wrong with taking your hand off the handlebars to signal how many left in your group, providing you aren't in a bad spot where you can't doo it. (sharp corner, big mogul) If you can't take a hand off even on a nice groomed straight stretch then you have problems. You probably should get your sled dialed in, new track, newer sled, or try a different sport. Would be no different than driving a car or bicycle with one hand. Look at the pro's, they can land a 100 foot jump with no hands! I'm not a pro, but I can ride with one hand off the bar no problems.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top