Rider Training Update

 

Click here for November Training Newsletter on Flats

November 2008


I. Bears Repeating

Chris’s Safety Talk at the November Club Meeting was an excellent review of topics that should stay fresh in our minds as we ride. In his typical lighthearted fashion, Chris recounted several instances from his personal observations as a Ride Captain of areas that we might want to look at again. (Each of the topics may be found in BMMC’s Safety Library and Downloads via the supplied link.)

1. Anti-lock Braking Systems (ABS) – Studies show that motorcycles having ABS are 38% safer than those that don’t. They are well worth the additional expense.   For the article on ABS,  Click HERE.

2. Head Checks – They only take a few seconds but they can save your life. The proper way to do one before pulling out to pass is to signal your intentions (turn signal and hand), check your mirror for other vehicles, turn your head to clear your blind spot, then pull out into the passing lane.  To read the BMMC Rider’s Guide, pg 8/C/1 - Click Here.

3. Target Fixation – Has the connotation of being a bad thing, but really, it’s what you want to do to avoid mini and maxi disasters. Simply put, your bike will go where you are looking. In other words, if you are looking at the guardrail on the side of the road you’ll probably go for it. On the other side of the coin, however, if you see something in the road that needs avoiding, look toward your escape route and you’ll go there.  To read the March 2007 article on Target Fixation - Click HERE.

4. Wearing Helmets – As Chris put it, “If you have nothing to put in one you probably don’t need one”. It’s been proven time and time again that wearing a helmet can save your gray matter better than your hair can. The full-face helmet is your best protection against facial injuries, too.     To read the December 2007 article on helmets - Click HERE.

5. Protective Clothing – “You dress for the fall, not for the ride.” Words to live by, really. Today’s protective clothing, from lightweight armored mess jackets all the way down to good quality boots with non-crushable soles, is a relative inexpensive way to help protect you should your bike go down. Picking gravel out of your chaps is less painful than out of your thighs.  To read the April 2007 article on Protective Gear - Click HERE.


II. Flat Happens

This month’s safety topic centers on getting you home if one of your tires goes flat. ‘On the road’ flat fixes are common today with the small, inexpensive, easy to use, and very effective fix-a-flat-tire kits available on the market. And they are not just for men. With more and more women riding their own bikes, knowing how to fix a flat (and assuming you have a kit with you) is great peace of mind should you walk up to your bike in the restaurant parking lot and see it sitting on one of the rims.

Hope your find it interesting and useful.


As always, thanks for your time.

Gene Adee
BMMC Rider Training Coordinator