Motorcycle Safety - Information, Biker Tips, and Rules of the Road

RULES OF THE ROAD

MOTORCYCLE MANUALS

ARIZONA

CALIFORNIA

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5. Everyone and every thing on the road is a potential accident.
Sounds a little paranoid, but I often ride my bike as though I were playing a video game. The blacktop battlefield differs only slightly from arcade versions: you don’t get an extra life by inserting another quarter.

8. Carrying a passenger will change the way your bike handles.
Be aware that any weight added to your bike will alter its center of gravity. Also make sure any luggage is securely attached to the bike. This adds to your own safety, as well as the safety of the biker following you.

7. Monitor your alcohol consumption.
I’m nagging now, right? But statistics point to alcohol as a contributing factor in a large proportion of motorcycle accidents. By the way, while you’re at it, you could also keep an eye on how much your buddy is drinking!

6. Observe posted speed limits.
Some may argue that it is safer to operate your bike slightly faster or slower than the flow of traffic. Just don’t get carried away, will ya?

9. Be prepared for unexpected weather.
Especially in the winter, or in the mountains, the temperature can change quickly. Dress in layers; be sure to carry extra cold-weather and rain gear. Also, remember the sunscreen and water. Believe it or not, you’ll get dehydrated from riding in cold weather as easily as in the summer heat.

10. Enroll in an approved motorcycle safety course.
Knowledge is the best weapon against the dangers encountered on the road. The more familiar you become with your bike, the better you can predict how it will handle in emergency situations.

1. Watch for vehicles turning left in front of you.
I even go as far as to cover the horn button with the thumb of my clutch hand! This simple technique will dramatically reduce reaction time if something unexpected catches you off-guard.

2. Cover your brakes when approaching an intersection.
Remember, intersections are not just major cross-streets with traffic control devices (lights or signs).

3. Look to the left and right at every intersection.
Every side-street, park -ing lot entrance (or exit), back alley, or driveway is an intersection, and a possible unexpected encounter.

4. Learn to use hand signals.
Those tiny turn signals with smoked lenses may look ‘trick’ at the bike show, but are almost impossible for the average distracted driver to notice. There’s no need to be an encyclopedia of Braille; simple Left Turn, Rignt Turn, and Stop hand signals will increase your visibility to anyone who is following you.

BIKER TIPS

If you are traveling across state lines don’t take it for granted that all states have the same rules for motorcycle operators....because they don’t!

Here a few website links for states near Arizona.

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LIST OF 21 ITEMS

FOR LONG DISTANCE RIDING

1. Tools (scroll down for list)
2. Jumper cables
3. Can of compressed air
4. Siphon tube
5. Turkey baster (to transfer gas)
6. Extra battery for cell phone
7. Maps of area of travel
8. Lighter or matches
9. Toilet Paper
10. Rain Gear
11. Water
12. Extra key for your bike
13. Extra battery for your bike key
14. Flashlight w/new batteries
15. Emergency area phone numbers
16. First aid kit and flare
17. Sunscreen
18. Extra quart of oil
19. Knife (or gun if licensed)
20. Cable with lock
21. Cover for your motorcycle

You know the names of all the tools in the photo above so I’ll just say it is nice to have a good 3/8” ratchet and an assortment of sockets along with a couple extensions. I also include a small set of combination wrenches ( I carry 5/16 thru 5/8 with a few duplicates: old habits die hard) as well as phillips and slotted screwdrivers. Every bike has plenty of hex (allen) and star (Torx) fasteners, so I like to include a set of each in my toolkit. A couple of pair of pliers and a knife are essential items, and don’t forget the spark plug socket and plug gap tool. Along with a tire pressure guage, I also carry a tire plug kit and a small hand pump. ‘Tie’ wraps are small and light and easy to stow. A few specialty items are okay but this list could quickly get out of hand.

Ever run out of gas along the road with no station in site? I have and I wish I would have had one of these with me when another biker stopped to see what the problem was. It is small and light, easy to cary in your saddlebag. Pick one up at your local grocery store for just pennies. It will be worth it if you ever run out of gas along the highway!