Get Your Motor Running-Five Motorcycle Tips for New Riders

Nothing is more exciting than getting out on the highway with your motorcycle for a ride. The sense of freedom and adventure can be exhilarating. If you are a beginner or getting reacquainted with the art and science of riding a motorcycle after several years, however, there are basics you will want to keep in mind. Here are five musts from the Motorcycle Safety Foundation’s top ten list, when it comes to hitting the road with your motorcycle.

1. TAKE FORMAL TRAINING AND GET LICENSED.

This advice may sound like common sense and be a no-brainer for most, but you can always learn more about your motorcycle and how to ride it safely. The laws in all 50 states and the District of Columbia require a motorcycle license, endorsement, or a permit to ride a motorcycle legally. The Motorcycle Safety Foundation includes a well-regarded selection of courses ranging from a Basic Rider eCourse to a Circuit Rider Course with skills practice. Patrick Hahn, the communications and outreach manager for Team Oregon in 2018, recently talked to Motosport.com. Team Oregon, a non-profit program of Oregon State University and a partner to the Oregon Department of Transportation, teaches rider training and safety classes. “Advanced training isn’t for expert riders,†he said. “It’s how you become an expert rider. If we’ve never taken training, or have only taken basic training, most riders’ skills are basic skills. No matter how carefully we ride, no matter how many years we’ve ridden, eventually, our number will probably come up.â€

2. WEAR ALL GEAR WHEN RIDING.

According to the Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA), there were an estimated 4,990 motorcyclist accident deaths in 2017. Motorcyclists were 28 times more likely to be in a fatal accident compared with their car and truck counterparts, based on fatalities per mile traveled.

According to Consumer Reports, government studies indicate riders without a helmet are 40 percent more likely to suffer a fatal head injury in a crash and are three times more likely to suffer brain injuries than those wearing helmets.

Helmets may not always be comfortable or convenient but wearing one will drastically increase your chance of keeping your noggin intact if you take a spill. Helmets are not the only gear you will need, however. Heavy denim or leather is a motorcyclist’s go-to riding gear for obvious reasons.

3. RIDE UNAFFECTED BY ALCOHOL OR DRUGS.

Driving while under the influence has the same negative repercussions on a motorcycle as it does when driving a car, except with a car, you may have a little bit more protection than when you are riding a motorcycle. A GHSA report showed 25 percent of motorcyclists involved in fatal crashes in 2016 had a blood alcohol content (BAC) over the legal limit, the highest percentage of any vehicle type. State data signaled that this trend continued in 2017. The data also showed that, with recreational marijuana legalized in many states, there might be a higher number of drivers and motorcyclists under the influence of drugs. Marijuana impairment is known to increase a person’s crash risk, and a 2017 Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) study found that, overall, vehicle collision claims in states with legalized recreational marijuana were 3 percent higher than would have been expected without legalization.

4. ASSUME OTHERS DO NOT SEE YOU.

Accident reports show that it is the drivers of cars who cause most motorcycle accidents. All too often, drivers of four-wheeled vehicles do not pay close enough attention to the riders on the two-wheeled vehicles. The National Safety Council reports that car drivers often collide with motorcycles for multiple reasons: motorcycles are relatively small, and drivers do not see them; drivers do not anticipate the motorcycles’ movements; the driver’s view of the motorcyclist is obstructed, often by the vehicle’s blind spots or other vehicles; or the driver is distracted. Motorcycle drivers should keep their distance from cars, not only so they have braking distance from the vehicles ahead of them, but, also, because they need to be able to maneuver in case an obstacle appears in the road. Road debris that can sometimes be straddled by cars can be a disaster for the biker following those cars. Also, consider wearing brightly colored clothes when riding your bike to increase your visibility to drivers. If a driver sees you, hopefully, they can avoid hitting you.

5. ENTER INTERSECTIONS AND CURVES WITH CAUTION.

Going fast on a motorcycle can go with the territory, but that can turn into a problem when coming to a turn or a bend in the road. The California Department of Motor Vehicles’ motorcycle handbook advises being particularly careful when approaching a change in direction. They explain that riders often try to take curves or turns too fast. This mistake can lead to the motorcyclist not being able to hold the turn and crossing into oncoming traffic or going off the road. In some cases, riders overreact and brake too hard causing a skid and loss of control. The handbook recommends four steps for better control:

1. Slow: Reduce your speed before the turn by rolling off the throttle and, if necessary, applying both brakes.
2. Look: Look through the turn to where you want to go. Turn only your head, not your shoulders, and keep your eyes level with the horizon.
3. Press: To turn, the motorcycle must lean. To lean the motorcycle, press on the handle grip in the direction of the turn. Press left-lean left-go left. Press right-lean right-go right. Higher speeds and/or tighter turns require the motorcycle to lean more.
4. Roll: Roll on the throttle through the turn to stabilize suspension. Maintain steady speed or accelerate gradually through the turn. This safety measure will help keep the motorcycle stable.

Motorcycles can be a great passion. They can also cause serious risk to riders and others if the person at the throttle is not careful or experienced. If you are new to them or just getting back in the saddle, consider these tips and do not stop there. Educating yourself on being a better rider is a lifelong journey, not a destination.

http://www.msf-usa.org/downloads/fools-gear-cool-gear-poster.pdf