Motorcycle Safety Tips
Wearing proper gear is one of the most important things you can do to protect yourself while enjoying your motorcycle. Make sure that your helmet fits properly – a full-face model is the best bet, because it protects all of your face and neck. If you don’t wear a helmet with a face shield, be sure to protect your eyes with goggles or glasses.
Riding clothing should be made of thick, tough material, such as the leather jackets popular among bikers. Leather is also a good durable material for boots and gloves. Your gear should cover your arms and legs, even in the summer, to protect your skin in case of a spill. Many jackets designed for motorcycle riders feature vents which make them comfortable to wear even on warmer days.
Good riders give their bike the once-over before every trip. If there’s a new problem, you want to catch it before you’re on the freeway. Lights, tire pressure, fluid levels and brakes should all be checked out before you get rolling.
In addition to the pre-trip checklist, keeping up on regular maintenance will ensure your bike is running properly. Check your owner’s manual for the recommended service schedule, and stick to it. Stashing the owner’s manual on the bike with your tool kit will help you out should you ever need to change a tire or find the fuse box.
Most car drivers just aren’t looking for motorcycles, making the road more dangerous for bikes. Brightly colored gear with reflective strips can do a lot to increase your visibility and keep you safe. It’s also especially important to avoid riding in other vehicles’ blind spots when you’re on a bike.
When riding in a group, maintain a following distance of at least two seconds between yourself and the bike in front of you. It’s appropriate to wait at stop signs or lights in pairs, but be sure to pass other vehicles individually.
Source:
Motorcycle Safety Foundation
http://www.msf-usa.org
