10 Tips For New Motorcycle Riders

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June 18th, 2010 at 3:01 pm star

Take a motorcycle safety class. Learn how to ride proficiently.
Practice in an empty parking lot and become proficient at breaking, turning and evading.
Ride using the SIPDE: scan, identify, predict, decide and execute.
I am an ABATE member and believe we should have the right to choose whether to wear a helmet or not. In Michigan it's the law. If you're going to wear a helmet I recommend a good one. A DOT approved helmet and one that has full face coverage. I've had many clients come to me after a crash and tell me they are happy they had one on.
Watch out for intersections. The vast majority of all motorcycle accidents occur at intersections. The most common accident I see involves the at fault driver making a left turn.
Do not ride in bad weather. The chances of going down go up.
When you ride don't consume any alcohol. Just make it your policy.
Make sure you insure your bike and do so properly with uninsured motorist and underinsured motorist protection.
Be conspicuous. I remember my motorcycle riding instructor saying, “why is it that everything they make for us is black?” Wear bright colored coat and helmet. Europeans have the right idea-- they don't think it's “uncool” to wear a high visible reflective vest while riding a motorcycle. One of the best and most noticeable items I've seen a biker wear was a neon green and orange swirled pattern helmet. When the motorcyclist looked left and right at an intersection the sunlight bounced off of it almost as if it were a police siren. And what do negligent drivers that hit motorcyclist say, “I just didn't see him.”
Watch for people pulling out of side streets, business parking lots and coming across backed up traffic lanes. These are situations I see constantly where a motorcyclist gets hit.