These are the hand signals we use in our Star Touring and Riding Chapter. At least the published ones


Hand Signals


Each rider and passenger should duplicate all hand signals given by the rider in front of them, so that the signals get passed all the way to the back of the formation. The following signals are used in addition to the standard (right, left turn, slow/stop) hand signals

Block Lane Change
The Road Captain (after having the Tail Gunner secure the lane) Raises his left arm straight up. Each rider repeats this signal. Then as the Road Captain lowers his arm to point to the lane into which he's moving, he actually initiates the change. All other riders lower their arms at the same time and change lanes too.

Fill In From Rear
After having the Tail Gunner secure the lane and putting on his directional signal (which is repeated by each rider), the Road Captain raises his left hand to his shoulder and "pushes" his open hand toward the lane into which he wants to move. This signal is repeated by all riders, and each rider in turn, rearmost first, moves into the space ahead of the riders behind them.

Single Up
When conditions warrant single file (narrow road, anticipated wind blast from trucks, obstructions, pedestrians, ect..) the Road Captain will raise his left hand straight up, holding up just his index finger. All other riders will repeat this, and the two columns will merge into one.

Staggered Formation
After Singling Up, when single file is no longer necessary, the Road Captain will raise his left hand with the thumb and pinky out, other fingers closed, rotating his wrist back and forth (indicating left, right, left, right). All other riders will repeat this and resume staggered formation.

Tighten Formation
When the Road Captain feels that the formation should be tighter (bikes closer together) (Usually after being informed by the Tail Gunner), he raises his left hand with fingers spread wide and repeatedly closes them into a fist. All other riders repeat this and close up all unnecessary space in the formation.

Road Hazard
This is one signal that can be initiated by ANYONE. Anyone seeing a hazardous condition on the road surface (road kill, oil, gravel, significant pot hole, ect..) will point at it. All following riders will repeat this, and all riders will avoid the hazard