 | Kevin Helt has been racing in all forms of motorsports, building and maintaining his race equipment since 1984. He has worked in the aircraft field for about 12 years in Quality Assurance before going to work for Nmotion Race Technology in early 2004 as a dyno technition and engine builder. In 2005 Kevin became an owner and took over the parts manager position where he made many contact in the motorcycle and atv industry which has proven to be very beneficial to Nmotion. Kevin is experienced in most of the day to day operations at Nmotion where he has taken an active role in managing Nmotion. |
Motorcycles
2008-09-01 15:06:00
Safety tips for all ages
I know you’ve talked about safety and motorcycles in the past, but the article written last month regarding accidents (both car & motorcycles) got me thinking that we can never have too much education on safety. Could you please reiterate some safety tips for all riders and regardless of their skill level?
Answer: Tips for the New and the Experienced Motorcyclist
Be Conspicuous. The best choices for bikes, helmets and clothing are those eye-catching colors in the red-to-yellow range, and they should be bright, a dull yellow is not as effective as a bright yellow. Fluorescent colors are best.
Black is by far the most popular color but almost the worst possible color for a motorcyclist. Olive drab, gray, camouflage patterns and other dull colors are worse, but black doesn’t jump out at all, and at night black is the worst color you could possibly think of to wear!
Since most collisions occur with the vehicle that started out in front of you, the bright colors should be on the front of the vehicle or rider. A yellow touring fairing is hard to overlook. Reflective panels on a helmet or jacket are eye-catching at night.
Use your headlight too. Running the high beam during the day makes you stand out. You can further employ your headlight’s eye-grabbing tendency by using a headlight modulator, which flashes the high beam.
Wear a Helmet. No matter how careful you are things beyond your control can cause you to be in an accident. When that happens, the only thing that will make a major difference is whether you chose to wear a good helmet.
The choice between no helmet (and a novelty beanie helmet, which is almost the same thing) and a basic DOT helmet can be the difference between “living” as a vegetable and having a normal life. A full-face helmet can further improve the odds in your favor. If you’re willing to spend some time shopping you can find one that is more comfortable than riding bareheaded.
Though a jacket, boots, gloves and other clothing can reduce your injuries those are not likely to affect injuries of the life-changing sort, though a back protector could conceivably prevent a spinal injury.
Gloves, which might prevent grinding off part of a finger, are the second most-important apparel items, but all good clothing is worth its cost because it makes riding more comfortable.
Practice, Practice, Practice. Practice your skills every time you drive. Brake hard every time you come to a stop without a car behind you. When you have the road to yourself you could practice weaving quickly between lane lines or around tar spots. Cruiser riders should be comfortable dragging their bikes’ footrests in corners so they can use the available lean angle when they need it. These exercises will make you better able to ride your bike to its limits in a crisis.
Ride Every Day. A new rider’s skills should be exercised frequently. If you only ride on weekends, your abilities will decline between rides, and you will have to rebuild them the next time you ride. Riding to work or riding every evening or morning will make you a better rider in fewer miles than just riding occasionally.
See and Be Seen. Pick your lane position so you can see the road ahead and the places from which other cars might emerge. On straight roads, position yourself to see around the vehicle in front of you or, if there isn’t one, close to the center of the road so you have earlier warning of cars, kids and animals coming into the road. Be where you can see as far as possible around a curve.
When approaching an intersection where cars might pull out, ride so you can see them and your presence isn’t hidden by moving or parked cars or roadside objects. In most cases, positioning yourself to detect threats ahead also means that they can see you. Be aware of things like glare when the sun is rising or setting behind you, blind spots of cars and the possibility that the window pillars can hide your narrow silhouette as you approach a car.
Drive Defensively. Assume motorists do not see you and plan escape routes. And do not tailgate. Use the “Four Second Rule” to create space between you and vehicles ahead of you.
Avoid Riding with Groups. The dynamics of group riding makes it much more risky than riding solo. You may also have to deal with riders who are less skilled than you are or have been drinking. Wait until you are completely comfortable on your bike before taking this challenge.
Approach New Situations Slowly. In addition to riding in groups, carrying a passenger and traveling long distances on your motorcycle require some adjustment and learning. Find a safe place to practice carrying a passenger before you venture into traffic. Take some shorter trips on your bike before you head for the third state over, and allow time on your initial long rides for repacking, dealing with aches and making adjustments. Long trips are great for really getting to know your motorcycle so don’t avoid them.
Enhance Your Skills with Education. The Motorcycle Safety Foundation is a national, not-for-profit organization sponsored by the U.S. manufacturers and distributors you can visit their website at www.msf-usa.org for available classes.
Courses will help you expand your skills and give you a chance to have your riding habits critiqued before bad habits take hold. Racetrack schools are also a good way to expand your skills, even if you ride a cruiser.
Keep Your Bike in Good Shape. Regularly performing a pre-ride walk-around check of your bike will teach you both how it works and what needs periodic adjustment as well as helping you catch something that has a problem before it becomes a safety threat.
Tires are the most commonly ignored mechanical component, so make sure the pressures are per the manual. Loose chains and improperly adjusted clutch, brakes and control positions can also affect your motorcycle control. You might want to ask your dealer’s service department about these things if the manual leaves you uncertain of how to maintain them.
Don’t Drink and Ride. More than a third of the people who die on motorcycles did some drinking shortly before. Even one beer is too much as that brew can use up millimeters and microseconds of reaction time.
Be aware that you can become impaired by all sorts of other situations and substances from over-the-counter medications, to exhaust fumes in the Lincoln Tunnel to thin air going over Independence Pass or simple fatigue.
