Motorcycle Monthly

April 2004

Spring Riding

Christopher M. Pyne

After a long cold winter, everyone (and especially motorcyclists) suffers from "cabin fever" and can't wait to get back outside. On the first sunny day with temperatures in the 50s, anyone with a motorcycle will take to the road to enjoy the warmer weather and sunshine.

Most motorcycles, including mine, sat idle this winter collecting dust in the garage. On the first slightly warm afternoon, it will be tempting to just hop on the bike and take off. But, as a personal injury attorney who has practiced and tried cases for over 20 years, I have represented many bikers who have been seriously injured in motorcycle accidents and I am very aware of the need to do everything possible to avoid an accident. Critical to a safe first ride is taking some time to ensure the bike is in top condition before heading out on the road.

The following guidelines for checking your vehicle before the first ride will help prevent accidents:

- Inspect your motorcycle by rolling it to a spot where you can stand back and walk all around it and clearly see it.

- If you have a windshield, clean it. Check for cracks or defects.

- Turn on the ignition and check front and back lights, high and low beams.

- Check brake lights by pressing the rear brake pedal and then the front brake lever.

- Be sure turn signals work, front and rear.

- Test the horn and check and clean the mirrors.

- Inspect the tires for defects and check the air pressure.

- Tug and pull on various areas of the bike to look for loose or disconnected parts.

- Check the oil level, fuel level, gauges, suspension, belt or chain.

In addition to checking the bike, inspect your helmet, eye protection, gloves and other clothing to be certain they are defect-free and will provide the protection and visibility that you want. Boots are the best protection for feet and ankles.

And don't forget - check your insurance and registration. Be sure they have been properly renewed and are in effect. Know your coverage and limits and be sure they are what you asked for when you purchased the policy. (If you are unsure what limits to carry, check out my articles on our website for general information and suggestions: www.stark-stark.com.).

Be aware that roads are more dangerous than usual this year. Our long hard winter brought us lots of snow, ice, plowing, and salting. Plows often dig up grass, gravel, and dirt from roadsides which along with salt can end up in travel lanes causing treacherous conditions. Ice and frigid temperatures have caused deeper potholes and more torn pavement than usual this season. Give yourself plenty of space to see ahead of you and also time to warn fellow riders behind you of road hazards. If you pass to the right of a pothole, point down with your left hand. If you pass to the left of a pothole, point to it with your right foot. These signals will tell those behind you to beware of perils they might not otherwise see until it is too late.

After months of inactivity, I believe in having a practice session before going back on the road. I find an empty parking lot with lined spaces where I can review the basics: braking, turning, driving a straight line, making 90 degree turns, and figure eights. I test my reflexes and balance at varying speeds, including very slow speeds. My safety class instructor believed that many experienced riders had accidents due to the overconfidence and carelessness that can come with experience. Practice hones your skills, refreshes your memory, and sharpens your reactions.

Ride defensively! Bear in mind that 75% of all motorcycle accidents involve crashes with other vehicles, usually passenger automobiles. Two thirds of those accidents happen because the other driver did not see the motorcycle. Always expect that another vehicle will turn in front of you and prepare to take evasive action. When the traffic light turns green, take a moment before you start-up to check for vehicles on the cross street to make sure they are not running their red light. Drivers of cars and trucks are not used to sharing the road with motorcyclists and may not be as vigilant as you would hope they would be. Brightly colored clothing and reflective tape will increase your visibility. Many riders keep their headlight beams on high during the day and on low at night to make it easier for others to see them.

Remember to avoid riding in the blind spots of other vehicles and allow yourself plenty of room on each side in case you have to make an evasive maneuver. When coming to a stop behind another vehicle, I recommend giving yourself 8-10 feet of space so you have room to move if a vehicle coming up behind you doesn't appear to notice you. Where to stop is a matter of personal choice. I prefer to remain in the left tire track so I am in front of the driver coming up behind me. Hopefully, he will be more likely to notice me if I am in his line of sight. Others, on the other hand, prefer to stop in the right tire track so they have a safer "out" to the shoulder should the vehicle behind them fail to stop in time.

One final thought about chilly weather. If you have been cruising for a while, you may not notice that your hands, fingers, arms, and legs have gotten stiff. Be cautious when you turn off the highway because your fingers and hands may not move as quickly as you expect them to. Try not to put yourself in a situation where you need to make a sudden maneuver - your body and bike may not react as fast as you assume they will.