Two motorcycles riding together

[Chuck78]

ALWAYS staggered... except on the twisty roads (pick your own best/cleanest/most strategic line through the full width of the lane), or on narrow roads, a bit less staggered.
And it is always best for the lead rider to be nearest the dotted line on the side of the adjacent lane which the lead rider is most likely to switch over to. So lead rider in the fast lane on the freeway should NEVER be in the far left position, as to change back to the slower lane(s), the lead rider would then have to cross the path of the 2nd position rider to move 1 lane to the right.
This doesnt always work out and needs adjustments in situations where the rider can anticipate a right hand turn and may need to be hugging more closely to the shoulder on the right (USA etc), use with discretion and logic, but this works best when travelling on major routes and interstates / freeways.

Also with 6 lane freeways, the basic rule of thumb goes out the window if you are in the middle lane of 3 lanes in your direction of travel, & must be adjusted to the side of the lane which the lead rider most likely suspects they will be switching to next (exiting vs passing, or passing in slow lane if fast lane is obstructed bt a slow driver etc).

It all comes down to situational logic and reasoning...

[1980GS1000E]

Side by side for me and my bud. Live dangerously, I say.

[Brendan W]

Side by side for me and my bud. Live dangerously, I say.

Sidecar combos don't count....................

[KEITH KRAUSE]

I never ride directly behind anyone. I can't see things as well with another rider in the way. Not safe either if the rider in front were to go down suddenly. I can't imagine any instructor suggesting that. Maybe miss-communication?
Harleys and old English bikes spray oil on you too.

[earlfor]

I never ride directly behind anyone. I can't see things as well with another rider in the way. Not safe either if the rider in front were to go down suddenly. I can't imagine any instructor suggesting that. Maybe miss-communication?
Harleys and old English bikes spray oil on you too.

That and I never want anyone directly behind me either. One never knows if the person behind uses the front brake or knows how to. LOL

[Mr.humbucker]

Always staggered, offset with the lead bike on the left and the second bike to the right so that the lead bike can see the second bike in their right mirror. When in the second position to the right I always look to see the lead riders face in their right mirror. I have ridden in motorcades in side by side pairs for work in tight formations of up to 16 bikes with little room between pairs .... wouldn't recommend it unless you practice as a group ... a lot and are all on the same radio frequency. Evasive action, when riding in side by side pairs, to vere right can go very bad.

[earlfor]

Always staggered, offset with the lead bike on the left and the second bike to the right so that the lead bike can see the second bike in their right mirror. When in the second position to the right I always look to see the lead riders face in their right mirror. I have ridden in motorcades in side by side pairs for work in tight formations of up to 16 bikes with little room between pairs .... wouldn't recommend it unless you practice as a group ... a lot and are all on the same radio frequency. Evasive action, when riding in side by side pairs, to vere right can go very bad.

Side by side in tight formation on the highway would make you a sitting duck and a statistic looking for a place to happen.

[Mr.humbucker]

Agreed and why I said I wouldn't recommend it. I road doing motorcades for (police) work. We practiced a lot and it was a controlled environment. That was a few years ago, haven't road side by side since.

[Guest]

We have always rode staggered, though when pulling up to a stop light or sign, we would always pull up next to each other in order to block anyone from trying to weasel in around us, then right back to the staggered formation when moving again.