OPEN SEASON
Welcome to the grand opening of this years motorcycling season. To the non-rider it is hard to describe the feeling that comes over the avid rider when the uninhibited sense of freedom washes over you, knowing you will be taking to the roads. Some will ride for enjoyment, taking them to places desired or dreamed of. Some will take their cruisers, sport or touring rigs to the highways and travel to a vacation spot, rally or to visit friends or relatives. The serious adventurers will load up their enduros, dual sports and adventure bikes and make history by trekking on and off roads to places few of us will travel. I stand in honor of our “brethren and sistren” of the two-wheels who have taken their bikes around the world! There are those of us who will make our daily commutes on our trusty metal steeds, partial satisfying the hunger to ride. The fact remains, the season is here and the world will see and hear our machines on our highways and byways.
PARTNERSHIP OF SAFETY
All euphoria aside it is also the season to remind, our brothers and sisters of the roadways, that we will be out there. I am speaking to the large majority of our neighbors who ride on their cars, SUV’s, trucks and the like who, for the most part have a measure of protection being surrounded by the metal cage these vehicles provide. We humbly ask that you remember to take that pause at left-turning lanes, center turning lanes, intersections, driveways and highway lanes, to look for someone riding on a motorcycle near them. Do not look just once, look twice. Don’t be in such a hurry that you neglect take at least 10 seconds to look both ways twice. Doing so is an investment in your safety and the safety of every motorcyclist on the roads this season. Make it a habit, you WILL save a life.
The partnership of safety also involves every motorcyclist. We desire for the non-motorcyclist to be aware of us but it is our part to be responsible with this great privilege and freedom of riding motorcycles. Riding safely and responsibly is vital for everyone on the road and it begins with the motorcyclist. Yes, it begins with you and me. Motorcycle safety is a heart/mindset that develops well before we twist a throttle. It involves a commitment to simple objectives each time we ride. It is a commitment that we will live responsibly, take care of ourselves, not indulge in alcohol or drugs, nor ride of in anger or with anything that can distract us from safely traversing the roads, streets and highways. Motorcycle safety information is readily available nationwide through your local motorcycle dealership, state driver licensing agencies, motorcycle associations and through organizations such as the Motorcycle Safety Foundation (www.msf-usa.org) which is sponsored by some of the major motorcycle manufacturers.
There needs to be a move to make sure motorcycle safety education begins while our youth are still in high school. In addition to our driver education programs, motorcycle safety needs to be added as a mandatory module. Making the MSF Basic Rider course an additional option during high school would also increase the spread of safety awareness for our children in their late teens. It is in this age group where we see an increase in the use of sport bikes, some of the fastest machines on the roadway today.
HOW EASY SAFETY CAN BE ATTAINED
Maintaining a safe riding profile for each of us is easy. As a starter, here’s what you can do right now to increase your awareness; go the Motorcycle Safety Foundation web site and download the Basic Rider Course (BRC) Manual. You cannot print it but you can save it to your hard drive and read it on your computer. It has excellent content for both the beginner and experience rider. Motorcycle Safety training is a must, not an option. Many of these courses are free or do not cost a lot. you can check your local or state training resources on the respective web sites or search for training sites through the MSF web site.
ATGATT & TCLOCS spell SAFETY:
The MSF Basic Rider Course (BRC) manual outlines two primary safety topics that clearly spell out motorcycle safety: ATGATT and TCLOCS.
“All The Gear All The Time” (a.k.a. ATGATT) is a the part of the equation that focuses on the rider and is the riding mindset where the motorcyclist is committed to personal safety by making sure they wear the proper gear each ride, every ride, regardless of the distance or weather conditions. In today’s market there is a plethora of types of gear (specifically: helmet/eye protection, jacket, gloves, pants, boots). You can get helmets for under $100 to over $500 depending on your budget or likes. No matter what you choose make sure it has the dual endorsement from the US Department of Transportation (DOT) (49CFR571.218) and from the Snell Memorial Foundation who thoroughly test the crashworthiness of helmets. MSF courses require a DOT endorsed helmet at a minimum. Personally, I would not purchase a helmet that did not have both DOT and Snell endorsements because of the rigorous testing and research that has gone into those products.
When it comes to jackets, gloves, pants and boots you will find quite a variety followed by varied opinions of those have purchased them. The bottom line is these items act as your outer skin, so choose wisely. You will find many options from armored (reinforced with pads) to non-armored textile or leather. They should s completely cover your arms, torso and legs and boots should be at least ankle boots or better. God forbid, but even a low speed dropping of the bike can cause some serious injuries. My stepfather was commuting home from work, locked up his brakes because someone ran out in front of him. He was traveling about 35 mph, low-sided and dropped the bike. The bike skidded about 100 feet, he did not. The motorcycle had few “injuries”. One side of his body was bruised, head to toe, broken shoulder/collarbone, wrist, tibia/fibula fractures and ankle. He was wearing a helmet but not extra outer gear. He was fortunate. Fact: proper gear may not totally eliminate injury but it can save you a world of hurt.
The BRC manual also outlines the other side of the equation, the machine, called TCLOCS. The emphasis is on routine and preventative maintenance, specifically focusing on pre-ride evaluation of your motorcycle. TCLOCS means:
· T=Tires and wheels (pressure, quality of tread / spokes, etc.)
· C=Controls (cables, hoses, etc.)
· L=Lights and electrics (do they work?)
· O=Oils and other fluids (proper levels)
· Chassis (frame, bolts, suspension, etc.)
· Sidestand (integrity, auto-cutoff switch to engine)
I’ve been almost 100% consistent with it and it takes me about 5 minutes (even checking tire pressures) before a ride. I also try to do a post ride check because things can change, bolts can become loose. Next time you see a motorcyclist doting over his or her bike, don’t dismiss it as an obsession of materialism. No, it is much rather an obsession with safety. Even routine cleaning the motorcycle will reveal structural problems, cables that have become detached, hose cracks, and loose bolts, to name a few. Make TCLOCS an pre-ride ritual.
AN OUNCE F PREVENTION IS WORTH A POUND OF CURE
Benjamin Franklin received this revelation through his years of life of observation and working through some of the nation’s most challenging times. It rings true with motorcycling. It only takes a little bit of effort up front to avoid some very drastic consequences later. It is a choice we all need to make. Our commitment to pre-ride safety, responsible riding habits will not only save ourselves. It will save the car or truck motorist as well as other motorcyclists. Yes, there are risks in motorcycling but if you accept the risk and do everything you can to manage the risks by consistent proper safety checking it is most probable your next ride will be a success. Have an excellent and safe motorcycle season!
Helpful links:
Motorcycle Safety Foundation – http://www.msf-usa.org
Snell Memorial Foundation – http://www.smf.org
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