Motor School with Quinn Redeker: Benefits of Being Last

Despite the fact that I’m getting up there in age, I still like to think of myself as a motorcycle racer. But if I’m honest, it’s more of a dream than reality. I’ve won zero purse money, never had sponsorship funding past dear old Mom and Dad, and not once has Broc Glover spooned a free set of Dunlops onto my race steed. Still, if ever our paths have crossed on track, you know I don’t like to follow, I won’t get out of the way, and I’m going to do everything in my power to lead to the checkers…

They say with age comes wisdom. No, I’m not talking about the increased bran uptake or the geriatric mobility stretching I’ve incorporated into my daily life. I mean that I’m growing to appreciate the benefits of pulling up the rear when I go on motorcycle rides. While I pass up the potential for champagne, roses, and adoration, I gain valuable insights that I can’t get if I’m trying to stay up front all the time. Give me a second to pop some vitamin I (ibuprofen) and I’ll explain.

At first glance, being the caboose doesn’t sound great. Your scenery gets cluttered with Big Tom on his three-wheeler, you lose influence on speed and direction within the pack, and if someone is going to miss the green light, odds are it’s going to be you. But let me make the case for some of the tangible benefits of removing ourselves from the lead group.

First, the obvious: Your riding group probably goes a tad over the speed limit from time to time. Now I’m not saying they ride like they’re evading Sheriff Buford T. Justice to win a bet with Big Enos, but I am suggesting that being at the back of the line when the speeds pick up improves your odds of making it home without a ticket. Just sayin’.

Second, while we’re playing backmarker, we have a fantastic vantage point for watching the lead riders manage traffic hazards, road imperfections, and camber changes, all with a bit of processing time before it’s our turn to move to the dance floor and show everybody what we’ve got. It’s like having a crystal ball, allowing you to see a bit into the future and increase your margin of safety.

Also, should you steer yourself to a local track, there is no better way to get acclimated than by following a skilled rider around the circuit. From behind, you learn proper corner entry, braking markers, line selection, and everything necessary to be safe and have fun. In fact, I regularly introduce myself to riders I’ve observed pounding laps to ask if they’d slow a bit and allow me to follow so I can figure things out, and usually they are happy to oblige. Think of it as getting a friendly “tow” around the track until you map out the terrain.

Here in Southern California, we do plenty of lane splitting on the highways, and while it’s a huge timesaver and safer than being stuck in traffic between bumpers, it can be tricky. Some cars give you a wide birth while others wander around blindly. Whenever possible, I hang back a bit and let other riders forge a path, as it tends to “sound the alarm,” making drivers aware there are motorcyclists coming through by the time I squirt past.

Here’s one for you motorcycle-riding content creators: Ever watch a POV motorcycle video shot by a lead rider? There are no motorcycles in the video, just scenery rolling by. You might as well have your friend hold a GoPro out the sunroof of your Datsun 280ZX. At least then you might pick up some righteous tunes with Foghat blaring out of the car’s speakers. Instead, shoot video from the back of the pack so your content shows motorcycles in action, leaning into corners, and doing all the things that made you want to saddle up in the first place.

At Total Control Training, we teach on-track Advanced Riding Clinics, where we instruct students using road-speed concepts within a track setting so they learn what to do, when to do it, and how to do it properly. In this setting, my role is that of instructor. And while melting a set of Metzeler supermoto tires in the front of the group undeniably contends with my childhood joys of Christmas morning, staying behind allows me to get a better sense of how students are interpreting and applying the instruction we provide. Yes, we lead students at times to show techniques by example, but by following, I am a far more impactful instructor. This same thinking applies to the street and pays big dividends with my riding buddies too.

Another aspect of the Advanced Riding Clinics is suspension theory and practical set-up. All those suspension dials and clickers you sometimes throw screwdrivers at? Well, they can make a huge impact on how a bike feels and performs, and following behind someone while riding is a great way to see if a bike is set up correctly. Trust me, your riding group could do itself some big favors by taking a little time and systematically rotating each member to the tail-gunner position to observe each other’s motorcycles in varying environments. At the minimum, it might catch that Steve did a lousy job of securing his camping gear to the pillion, and that alone is a win in my book.

And let’s not lose sight of the fact that every riding group needs a “mother hen” to keep a lookout from the back of the pack. No, it doesn’t have to be the same person on every ride, but it’s good sportsmanship to serve as the team’s sweeper from time to time. Not only will you be able to observe potential mechanical problems, but you will also see who might be struggling and could use some helpful feedback when you get to the coffee stop.

Now before you argue these are obvious and uninspiring ideas to add to your riding plan, let me push back and say that having information and putting it into practice aren’t the same thing. I’m suggesting here that you drop back more often than you do now and spend more time in the role of observer. Over time, you will see more, learn more, and ultimately improve the quality of both your own ride and that of your team. And who knows, maybe if you keep your eyes open, you might find the Coleman stove that liberated itself from Steve’s saddlebag.

For more information on Total Control Training and available clinics, go to the Total Control website. Quinn wears Lee Parks Design gloves exclusively. Find Quinn at Police Motor Training.

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