Motorcycle Riding Tips

We all have enough "In memory of..." patches on ourback of your helmet (if you use one) and maybe a
vest and do not wish to add any more. So here are 11glow in the dark patch on your back.
motorcycle riding tips to remind us of the things that· Never trust cages. Car drivers somehow, no
can keep us in one piece and out of the hospital.matter how loud or how rowdy bikers can be, manage
· If you are a novice, sign up for and attend ato simply not see us! The blind spot in most cars is
Motorcycle Safety Foundation course. Not only will thissufficiently large for a motorcycle to be completely
course teach you lots of the things that will help keephidden from view. But other cage drivers simply don't
you safe but your motorcycle insurance will probablyseem to look for us. Unless, of course, they son,
be slightly lower as well - and who doesn't want todaughter, husband or wife happens to ride;
save on insurance, especially when riding in states withunfortunately, we can't tell who those people are and
Helmet Optional laws that require large bodily injuryhave to be doubly aware of other vehicles than when
coverage to enjoy the right for those who ride todriving a car.
decide.· Never assume that just because there is no turn
· Remind yourself where your suicide or kill switchsignal on that car that it isn't going to turn right in front
is located. This switch, if you realize you are going toof you. No matter how many other drivers don't use
have to drop the bike, can save you from having yourturn signals, ALWAYS use yours and, if you have a
own motorcycle run over you causing injury.passenger during daylight, hand signals can be an extra
· If you are just learning to ride and live in a highlypreventative measure.
populated area, have an experienced rider take you· You know those trucker bumper stickers that
and your bike into an area with little or no traffic. Asay "If you can't see my mirrors, I can't see you"? Well,
parking lot of a closed business works very well.use this same common sense when riding. If you can't
Neighborhood streets can cause the residents tosee the driver's face in the rear view mirror of the
complain. Ride in this controlled environment until youvehicle in front of you, chances are they can't see you
feel completely in control of the vehicle. Learn how toat all. Stay out of blind spots at all times.
stop and start easily and smoothly. Learn how long it· Once you become an experienced rider, when
takes to stop safely - it isn't the same as stopping ariding on city streets, always allow room for other
car.people's errors. An added safety tip is that you should
· First-time street riders should choose a time ofremain aware of where you would choose to put the
day when the traffic is at a low. Jumping into rush hourscoot down if the need arose. If you get in trouble and
traffic can easily lead to an accident on your very firsthave any time at all, select where to lay the
outing. Select a route that takes you into very lowmotorcycle instead of allowing traffic or the bike to
traffic zones such as through neighborhoods, scenicdetermine that for you. If you can elect to place the
routes and avoid at all cost getting on a freeway untilbike on the ground, allowing it to move out from
you gain quite a lot of experience.between your legs at low speed, you will experience
· Never, ever become aggressive toward a carmuch less road rash than allowing momentum to take
or truck driver. Those cars win every single time in ayou with the motorcycle.
road rage situation. They are bigger, heavier and have· Novice riders should never carry passengers.
a lot more power. If someone tailgates you, tap yourThat comes later with more road experience. The
brake lights a few times and if they don't back off,movements of a rider can cause a situation where
change lanes or give them the road by pulling off toyou can easily lose control, especially at very low
the sidespeeds.
· We all know black is the only cool biker color,Above all, plan for safety so you will come home
right? Well, if you are going to be riding at night in asafely to ride again another day. Road rash and
poorly light area, it is much more important to be seenaccidents costing hundreds of thousands in medical bills
than to be cool, no matter what your friends say! Beare all too common. Be defensive and be aware to
sure your lights are bright and clean for maximumavoid losing your bike - or worse, your life.
visibility but also consider placing reflective tape on the