| We all have enough "In memory of..." patches on our | | | | back of your helmet (if you use one) and maybe a |
| vest and do not wish to add any more. So here are 11 | | | | glow 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 a | | | | to simply not see us! The blind spot in most cars is |
| Motorcycle Safety Foundation course. Not only will this | | | | sufficiently large for a motorcycle to be completely |
| course teach you lots of the things that will help keep | | | | hidden from view. But other cage drivers simply don't |
| you safe but your motorcycle insurance will probably | | | | seem to look for us. Unless, of course, they son, |
| be slightly lower as well - and who doesn't want to | | | | daughter, husband or wife happens to ride; |
| save on insurance, especially when riding in states with | | | | unfortunately, we can't tell who those people are and |
| Helmet Optional laws that require large bodily injury | | | | have to be doubly aware of other vehicles than when |
| coverage to enjoy the right for those who ride to | | | | driving a car. |
| decide. | | | | · Never assume that just because there is no turn |
| · Remind yourself where your suicide or kill switch | | | | signal on that car that it isn't going to turn right in front |
| is located. This switch, if you realize you are going to | | | | of you. No matter how many other drivers don't use |
| have to drop the bike, can save you from having your | | | | turn 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 highly | | | | preventative 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. A | | | | say "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 to | | | | see the driver's face in the rear view mirror of the |
| complain. Ride in this controlled environment until you | | | | vehicle in front of you, chances are they can't see you |
| feel completely in control of the vehicle. Learn how to | | | | at 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 a | | | | riding 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 of | | | | remain aware of where you would choose to put the |
| day when the traffic is at a low. Jumping into rush hour | | | | scoot down if the need arose. If you get in trouble and |
| traffic can easily lead to an accident on your very first | | | | have any time at all, select where to lay the |
| outing. Select a route that takes you into very low | | | | motorcycle instead of allowing traffic or the bike to |
| traffic zones such as through neighborhoods, scenic | | | | determine that for you. If you can elect to place the |
| routes and avoid at all cost getting on a freeway until | | | | bike 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 car | | | | much less road rash than allowing momentum to take |
| or truck driver. Those cars win every single time in a | | | | you 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 your | | | | That 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 to | | | | you can easily lose control, especially at very low |
| the side | | | | speeds. |
| · 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 a | | | | safely to ride again another day. Road rash and |
| poorly light area, it is much more important to be seen | | | | accidents costing hundreds of thousands in medical bills |
| than to be cool, no matter what your friends say! Be | | | | are all too common. Be defensive and be aware to |
| sure your lights are bright and clean for maximum | | | | avoid losing your bike - or worse, your life. |
| visibility but also consider placing reflective tape on the | | | | |