Surviving the Maiden Voyage
March 23, 2014
A must-read for beginners purchasing their first motorcycle, this article by Motorcycle Safety Group’s James R. Davis tells you everything you need to know about transporting your new motorcycle home safely.
Roadway Safety Foundation Guide for 2014
March 23, 2014
The Roadway Safety Foundation is debuting their guide for improving safety in 2014. Dubbed Roadway Safety: A Primer for Community Leaders, the user-friendly, share-able online document is intended for local officials and community leaders who are in the process of updating their Strategic Highway Safety Plans (SHSP). See the full document here:
Future of Vehicle Repairs
March 23, 2014
The always informative geeks at Wired tested Zero’s electric motorcycle and came away with some interesting thoughts. For one, electric motorcycles are much easier to maintain, that is, until they lose thrust while traveling down the highway because of a computer glitch. For now, Zero will have to recall its 2012 and 2013 models for repairs, however, future models will be able to diagnose and upload quick fixes wirelessly.
In fact, Tesla already has the ability to update its cars wirelessly. The company even made some tweaks to their Model S series last year after repeated incidents of battery fires. Tesla was able to manipulate air suspension to increase ground clearance, and because the cars are so highly-computerized, they were able to do it wirelessly. There’s no doubt that many common issues will be able to be fixed wirelessly in the future. However, there’s also reason to believe that the computerization of our vehicles is causing the need for these fixes.
Tailgaters
March 22, 2014
The Cycle Gear blog has a fool-proof solution for those pesky tailgaters:
http://cyclegear.wordpress.com/2008/05/29/tailgaters-what-to-do-not-to-do/
Warm Weather Warning
March 22, 2014
Warning: The weather is warmer! People are getting excited about riding again, and forgetting many of the basic safety tips. So, for your convenience, here’s a quick review:
1. Make eye contact. Drivers haven’t seen motorcycles on the road a long time, so they’re not looking out for you when changing lanes or turning.
2. Don’t make assumptions. Even if you believe the driver, cyclist or pedestrian can see you, they may misjudge your speed and proceed anyhow.
3. Keep a safe distance. Cars and trucks are erratic. They change lanes quickly, stomp on their brakes and swerve around hazards at the last minute. If you’re too close, then these actions could be fatal.
4. Look for hazardous road conditions. Winter has taken its toll on the roads, leaving behind fresh cracks and potholes. And of course, there’s the ever-present dangers of wet roads, fluid spills, sand and gravel that can affect tire traction.
5. Beware left-turning vehicles at intersections. This is actually one of the most common motorcycle accidents.
6. Be cautious when entering or exiting a freeway. Cars often don’t see you, or don’t want to slow down for you.
7. Take it easy on curves. Motorcyclists tend to forget this one often, especially after a long winter.
A Lesson in Safety from Docs Harley Davidson
March 20, 2014
Ready for riding season? Before you hit the road, have a look at this video from the good folks at Docs Harley Davidson:
http://fox2now.com/2014/03/13/motorcycle-safety-tips-from-docs-harley-davidson/
Pre-Season Checkist
March 20, 2014
Unless you’re one of those tough-as-nails, year-round riders, more than likely your motorcycle has been in storage through the long winter. Now that the snow is finally starting to melt, it’s time to thaw out the bike and get everything in shape for the road again.
A good place to start is with the old T-CLOCS inspection (Tires, Controls, Lights, Oil, Chassis and Stand). The Motorcycle Safety Federation’s T-CLOCS inspection checklist can be downloaded here.
Once the bike has been properly inspected, it’s time to make sure all the paperwork is in order – registration, insurance and license plate stickers all need to be up-to-date before hitting the road, and of course, make sure that your motorcycle license has not expired.
Last but not least, don’t forget about ATGATT (All The Gear All The Time). Make sure you have all the necessary gear, and that it is still in good condition. Leather can get dried and cracked when neglected, sunglasses can get crooked when stored improperly, and well-used boots can fall apart surprisingly quickly.
Once you’re ready to hit the road, be sure to take it easy at first. Many riders get a little rusty over the winter, and a casual cruise away from heavy traffic is a better way to kick off the spring riding season anyhow.
Learn. Ride. Repeat.
March 19, 2014
Whether you’re a beginner on a moped or an old school harley rider, the art of motorcycle riding is something that takes both skills and knowledge. To be a safe rider, it never hurts to continue the learning process. Thanks to the MSF, four new and completely free courses will be available on Apple’s iTunes U, including “An Adventure in Motorcycle Physics”, “Dr. Ray’s Street Strategies”, “Dr. Ray’ Guide to Group Riding”, and “Dr. Ray’s Seasoned Rider”. See the full story here:
Motorcycle Helmets: Style Vs Law
March 19, 2014
Let’s face it: motorcycle helmets are a life-saving necessity. In most states they are required by law, and not only that, they must also be DOT certified. Many old school and novelty helmets do not meet the standards required for a DOT certified sticker, however manufacturers are hard at work designing helmets that are both legal and stylish. Recently, Chad Hodge designed this vintage-style helmet under the influence of Bell Star, which is both DOT and ECE certified – meaning you can wear it on the road in America as well as Europe. Biltwell Gringo and Ruby le Castel are also well known for their nostalgic helmet designs, and many other novelty helmet producers can be found online.
However, beware of unknown novelty helmet brands. Many companies have been known to use the DOT sticker deceptively, selling helmets that aren’t fit for full protection on the road. Typically, the company includes a sticker that the consumer puts on the helmet, while a legal helmet should have the sticker already placed on the backside.
Why We Ride
March 18, 2014
Why We Ride is a love story of sorts – a saga of the relationship between the motorcycle and the rider. This 89-minute visual masterpiece is a tribute to America’s love affair with the motorcycle, with both historical footage and filming of the modern-day madness that epitomizes why riders love to ride. Old school bikers, families, racers and novice riders will all enjoy this movie, especially with a crowd of fellow motorcycle enthusiasts.
There are public screenings running through March, but you’ll have to get the tickets soon to experience this movie with your local biker community! Find a screening near you at whyweride.com.