Motorcycle Safety Tips
Motorcycle Safety Tips
Learn from Every Ride
As a new rider every ride is an opportunity to improve your skills and become a better rider. It is important to practice something different each ride until you become proficient with it. If you normally ride city streets, try some mountain roads which have more curves which will help you practice your cornering, braking, and steering.
Read moreGet Your Motorcycle License
It’s no secret that motorcycle laws will vary from place to place, but one truth is very evident: unlicensed riders are more likely to be involved in an accident, and you may have difficulty getting insurance without a license too.
Read moreStart Out The Right Way
In the old days we learned to ride a motorcycle without much professional input. We learned through trial and error, meeting other riders, and sharing experiences. Many times, we awkwardly tried to avoid disaster by counting ourselves lucky if we could hang on through the unexpected. Nowadays, there are lots of resources and training available to those who seek it out and want to become better motorcycle riders. If you are unsure where or how to find training, here are some good places to start. The motor vehicle department In most United States you need a driver license at a minimum with many states requiring a specific motorcycle or trike endorsement to legally ride in that state. The motor vehicle department is a good place to ask about rider training resources. If nothing else, they usually have literature telling you what to expect on the test. Manufacturers Every major motorcycle manufacturer has a website and most of them have links to rider training information. If it doesn’t, they can put you in contact with your local dealer to help you out. Some brands may offer free or discounted training courses if you purchase one of their bikes. A dealer Your local dealer probably won't offer training but may know who does in your area. If you don’t have a local motorcycle dealer, your local automobile clubs like the American Automobile Association AAA in America, the AA or RAC in the UK, and the ADAC in Germany, and many more often cater two motorcyclists as well as auto drivers. As a result, they can usually steer you towards insurance, licensing, and training solutionsAs always, did we miss anything? Please leave a comment below.
Read moreSafety Tip: Frontline Fashion
While it’s awesome to have so many styles and options in motorcycle jackets nowadays, you may be wondering what safety factors you should consider when making that choice. Of course, when you’re talking motorcycle jackets, you’re talking LEATHER. And the thickness of that leather determines how much abrasion it will take before shredding and exposing your skin to a nasty case of road rash.
Read moreCreating Your Motorcycle Tool Kit
When you travel on a motorcycle it is important to have the right tools to get you out of most mechanical issues that may occur. We know not every issue will be fixable with the tools you keep on your motorcycle, but this list of tools can reduce the need for a tow if something happens.
Read moreKeep Your Head On Straight When Riding
Your Mindset MattersYour emotional state of mind has a lot to do with riding safely.If you’re angry, you aren’t in control of yourself, let alone your machine.If you’re thinking about what you should have said in an argument, or how you’ve been wronged, or whatever, and you’re not focusing on what’s coming up ahead on the road. – you’re setting yourself up for trouble.Make sure to take the time to calm down, then ride.
Read moreThe Importance Of Keeping Your Vest Clean
Once you have your hands on a quality motorcycle vest of your own, you’ll find that it serves many purposes. First of all, it’s a statement of style. A vest is one of the most recognizable pieces of biker gear along with the signature jacket and jeans. You’ll find it adds comfort thanks to its adjustable fit and the fact that it holds loose pieces of clothing down. A good vest will also provide extra storage with added pockets, making it practical both on and off your bike.
Read moreTwo Tips to Make Your Motorcycle Boots Safer
Good motorcycle boots can help you avoid some common injury types that happen to bikers. For example, if the bike tips over, your foot can get trapped under it. In that case, your lower leg and ankle would bear the brunt of the motorcycle’s weight. But if you’re wearing sturdy motorcycle boots, the damage can be reduced significantly. Besides the inbuilt sturdiness, your motorcycle boots can be made even more protective with a few considerations. Pay Attention to the Laces If you have motorcycle boots with laces, make sure those laces aren’t hanging freely on the outside. Loose laces can cause many problems and even lead to injury. For example, your laces could get caught on different parts of the bike like the foot pegs or the shifter. If that happens, you might not be able to change gears properly or even put your foot on the ground. For this reason, it’s crucial to keep your laces in check. It would be best to tuck them into your boots to keep the laces from interfering with your movements. Don’t Underestimate Comfort When it comes to motorcycle boots, comfort isn’t only a matter of convenience. Overly tight boots can make your feet tired and sore. Furthermore, when your boots don’t fit well, they can prevent proper ventilation. All these things can become a distraction on the road, especially when you’re riding for hours. Plus, the discomfort can get even worse if you intend on walking anywhere after you park your bike. The best way to ensure your boots are comfortable enough is to choose a model that you can wear throughout the entire day. After all, you don’t always know how much time you’ll spend on the road or if you’ll make an unexpected detour or two. That’s why you should ensure you’re comfortable with spending the whole day in your boots without any inconvenience. If you can do that, you’ll have no problems with your footwear on the road. Make the Most of Your Boots The two tips you’ve learned about here represent the finer details that could end up being essential. Now that you know about the precautions to take regarding laces and comfort, you can dedicate your attention to finding a pair of boots that cover both points and are designed according to your needs. Visit Eagle Leather and check out the current models. You’ll have an easy time finding the right motorcycle boots for you.
Read moreElectric Motorcycle Safety
Safety Tip of the Week Electric Motorcycle Safety If you’re going to ride—even test ride—an electric motorcycle, you’ll be surprised at the quiet. They just don’t make any noise. That’s good when you’re getting home late at night or when you’re hoping to see wildlife in the countryside. But it’s got a downside, too. Critters can’t hear you coming, so you’re apt to find more squirrels and such in you path. Motorists can’t hear you either. So wear brighter clothing and add reflective stripes for night riding. And assume that the drivers of the cars around you cannot see you at all. Please don’t think of your electric motorcycle as a toy that you can ride in shorts and a tank top. It’s not a scooter. It goes over sixty miles an hour, so you can get serious road rash if you wipe out. Gear up—an electric motorcycle is just as dangerous as any gas-engine cycle. Stay safe out there! - Mike
Read moreDangers of unattended idling motorcycles
Safety Tip of the Week Dangers of Unattended Idling Motorcycles A man in Manteca, California became bad example at the end of last year. He left his motorcycle idling in his garage while he walked over to a neighbor’s house for a chat. The unattended cycle started a fire, which moved into the attic and led to fire and water damage throughout the house—to the tune of $200,000.00. Worse yet, a firefighter was injured. Think of all the flammables in your garage, from oil spots on the floor, to paint, to rags, to newspapers for recycling. In this cold weather it’s tempting to start your motorcycle and let it warm up by itself. But yielding to that temptation can cost you your ride—and your home. And although the firefighter who was hurt in Manteca recovered fully, that outcome could have been tragic. The Manteca Bulletin has a full account of the fire and how it was fought. Click here to read the full story. Stay safe out there! - Mike
Read moreMotorcycle-Riding Gear for Dogs
Safety Tip of the Week Safety Gear for Your Canine Companion If you decide to take your dog along on motorcycle rides, be sure it has the right gear first. Unless your dog can ride in a sidecar, and maybe even then, you’ll need a safe carrier. Though you’ll find YouTube videos of dogs riding without a carrier, that’s not safe, especially in traffic or at highway speeds. Small dogs might ride safely in a carrier you wear as a backpack or a front-loaded baby-carrier. Bigger dogs will need a strap-on carrier suitable for their size. A helmet might save your dog’s life in case of a mishap. And besides, they look so cute and cool! Goggles (or doggles) are important, too. They protect your dog’s eyes against bugs and other stuff that might be in the air, and they keep the dog’s eyes from drying out in the wind. Dry eyes are painful and susceptible to infection. You can also get a motorcycle jacket for your canine companion, but perhaps more for looks than for safety. A quick look at various brands and types of carriers, helmets, and goggles shows that you can outfit your dog for less than a hundred bucks—an investment you’ll be glad you made. Stay safe out there! - Mike
Read moreDriving Safely after Drinking
Safety Tip of the Week When Is It Safe to Drive after Drinking? Have you ever wondered whether a friend (or you) has had too much alcohol to drive? You watch your friend for slurred speech and stumbling. And are you repeating that joke—again? But it’s hard to tell for sure, isn’t it? Technology may have an answer. “BrethalEyes” is an iPhone app that checks for a tremor in the eye caused by drinking alcohol (horizontal gaze nystagmus, if you want to get technical). Android phones have apps like DuI kNOw, which analyzes speech patterns. Best of all is to play a driving simulator on your phone or tablet. You probably already have a driving simulator installed. If not, any game that requires fast reactions will do. If your friend is usually good at a game and now can’t get to Level 2—she probably shouldn’t drive, either. Stay safe out there! - Mike
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