Motorcycle Safety Tips

Sure, I took the Motorcycle Safety Foundation course, and learned how to ride a motorcycle from the pros. I learned the importance of wearing a properly fitted helmet that had not been dropped repeatedly; I learned why it's a good idea to wear boots, long pants, gloves and a jacket. I know about visibility and how far ahead to watch for inturning cars and other dangers. I learned about how to go around a blind curve, how to accelerate onto a highway, how to ride at night. I learned all these things in theory . It was only through real experience that I learned some other important safety tips.

1. If your bike has side bags, take those into consideration when attempting to maneuver your bike through tight spots (like between gas pumps) Side bags make the bike wider. (yes, I learned this through experience).

2. When riding on loose gravel, riding exceedingly slow is more dangerous (in terms of going down) than riding at a fairly normal speed.

3. When riding in mud, accelerate cautiously, and never, never do a hard brake. In fact, avoid the back brake completely. This tip also applies to riding in gravel)

4. Don't attempt to turn the bike around on the shoulder of a highway in order to make an exit.

5. Don't wear black leather, black jeans and ride a black bike at night.

6. Make sure that your tires have sufficient tread, especially before a trip where you may not have motorcycle or tire shops near.

7. Don't travel alone without a cell phone.

8. Always carry a tire repair kit with you, especially if you don't pay attention to #6, above.

9. Either wear a helmet, or invest in some really comprehensive long-term care insurance and disability insurance. (Yes, I understand this is a personal choice; this is just my opinion formed after watching my significant other leave the bike at a high speed going around a turn-around in gravel.)

10. Use your turn signals.

11. Never, never, never pass another motorcyclist on the right. Just don't do it.

12. Don't ride someone on the back of your bike unless you feel confident doing so.

13. The kickstand is there for a reason. Put it down before dismounting from your motorcycle. (I've seen men do this, too)

14. The center of the road approaching and leaving a toll booth is slippery; use caution.

15. The road is most slippery during the first five minutes of a rainstorm, especially in hot weather.

16. If you are entering a tunnel, in hot, rainy weather, and you're wearing sunglasses, be prepared to be blinded by the humidity. Take off the shades before entering the tunnel.

These are tips that I learned through personal experience, and through the adventures of my companions. One would think that these are all just common sense, but there are times when you're so excited just to be riding that you're just senseless........

Safety Tips from the professionals

From Share the Road Safely.Org - these are pretty basic, but worth the review

From the Minnesota Motorcycle Safety Center - I actually like this whole site, check it out.

From the source: The Motorcycle Safety Foundation

The New York State Motorcycle Safety Program - there are a few additional, common sense tips here.