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Motorcycling has essentially two dangers: 1) the rider, and 2) every other vehicle on the road. As motorcyclists, we can control one of these; the other we have to try to nullify.
Motorcycle accident statistics have been fairly consistent over the years. Approximately half of all accidents are single-vehicle situations where the rider was at fault. The three biggest contributing factors are alcohol, speed, and inexperience, sometimes singly, sometimes in combination. Put all three together and you have a recipe for disaster.

But this is good news, because all of these factors are within our control. We can choose to drink responsibly or not at all when we're out on our bikes. We can choose to ride within the limits of our abilities, and not pull stupid stunts. We can choose to get rider training that teaches us to be more in control of our bikes and more aware of the hazards we need to watch out for.
The other half, approximately, are multiple-vehicle accidents. Of these, one-third tend to be the fault of the rider. These come about in the same ways that the single-vehicle accidents occur and they can be avoided in the same manner.
What is really scary are the other two-thirds. These are caused by the other motorist, and generally that means violating the biker's right-of-way. This occurs in one of four ways. 1. The other vehicle turns left in front of the rider. 2. The other vehicle crosses the center line into the path of the biker. 3. The other vehicle pulls out from a driveway or cross-street into the path of the biker. 4. The other vehicle, going the same direction as the biker, changes lanes without checking to ensure that the lane is clear, moving into the path of the biker.
Every experienced motorcyclist has been through all four of these situations multiple times. The key to escaping without a scrape is driving defensively, skillfully, and soberly.

That applies as well to the small number of other accidents that occur. Yes, those do occur. But whether it's a deer running out in front of you, or hitting sand on a curve, or any of the other everyday perils, you don't have to be a victim. You have the ability to be in control. If you drive defensively and anticipate what might happen you can be prepared for nearly anything. And being prepared gives you the highest probability of avoiding the crash. You can wear all the protective gear known to man, but crashing safely will never serve you as well as avoiding the crash in the first place.

Carlos Davila/Getty Images

The carnage is, statistically, undeniable: When motorcycles crash, their riders get hurt. In single-vehicle accidents, motorcyclists are injured 96 percent of the time, according to the Hurt Report. Sometimes, they die. Between 1975 and 1999, more than 38,000 motorcyclists perished in single-vehicle accidents alone. And according to the National Highway and Traffic Safety Administration, riders were at least 35 times — yes, 35 times — more likely to be killed in a wreck than people in passenger vehicles like cars and trucks, which offer more protection. That’s not stopping people from riding, however. From 1998 to 2007, U.S. motorcycle registrations increased 84 percent, from 3.9 to 7.1 million.

More motorcyclists mean more chances for horrific, two-wheeled calamities. But a lot of motorcycle accidents are preventable, and even in unavoidable wrecks, there are precautions that can help reduce the severity of injuries.

Keep reading, and you’ll see 10 ways to make your motorcycle journeys safer — for you and for your fellow travelers. After all, there’s nothing romantic about breaking your body to bits.

10: Find Your Brain’s Power Band

Motorcycles aren’t transportation toys for the absentminded or angry. Sans the protective glass and metal that come with driving, say, a semi or a truck, a clear mind is your primary shield against harm.

If you’re feeling very distracted, emotional, sick or just tired, you’re better off leaving the bike in the garage until you find your happy place again. Otherwise, you’re far more likely to make a tiny mistake that can have huge consequences.

9: Kick the Tires

The Motorcycle Safety Foundation calls it T-CLOCS, and it might just save your life. T-CLOCS stands for Tires, Controls, Lights, Oil, Chassis and Stands. It’s the quick safety inspection that you should perform before you ride.

If you can’t remember what the acronym stands for, you might want to print the foundation’s safety inspection checklist. It reminds you to scope your bike for a range of potential problems, from worn tires and frayed wires to oil leaks.

Happily, few fatal motorcycle wrecks are due to problems with the bike. But keeping tabs on your tires and brakes, among other vital components, will give you peace of mind and also keep you from getting stranded on the side of the highway with a malfunctioning machine.

8: Just Say Slow

With the highway rolling by just beneath your boots, it’s easy to get caught up in the thrill of the motorcycle experience. But hauling back on the throttle and rocketing to the speed of light is, shall we say, a rather unsafe rush.

In 2008, 35 percent of motorcyclists who died in crashes were traveling above posted speed limits. Excessive speed gives you fewer chances to correct for errors of all kinds. What’s more, many riders misjudge their speed on curves, which is why many people die simply because they ride right off the road.

Slowing down and remaining at speed with the traffic around you is a great strategy for survival. If you must speed, join a racing club and get your acceleration adrenaline fix on a closed course.

7: Get Your Peacock On

Motorcycles are vastly outnumbered by other passenger vehicles. They’re only about 1 percent of vehicles on the road, yet their riders make up 10 percent of traffic fatalities, according to The New York Times. One reason that so many bikers die is that other drivers just don’t see them. Motorcycles are so small that they slip neatly into blind spots, and many drivers just aren’t paying attention. Both facts doom some motorcyclists to ugly crashes.

Make yourself as visible as possible. Most motorcycle stores sell high-visibility safety vests with neon colors and reflective strips that stand out much better than black leather jackets.

Consider installing a motorcycle headlight modulator. This device makes your headlight flash quickly, almost like a strobe light, and grabs the attention of other drivers, even in bright daylight.

Being seen is being safe. Gaudy may not be cool, but it might keep you alive.

6: Practice Your Panic

On good days, when everyone on the highway is driving in a safe and friendly manner, motorcycling is a pretty easy task. But those days are rare, meaning you often have to dodge other vehicles to avoid a wreck.

In a car, when panic strikes, you can quickly spin a steering wheel and slam on the antilock brakes. Motorcyclists, however, must twist their bodies and find a balance between braking and steering in order to avoid collisions and also to keep from sliding or flying over the handlebars. These maneuvers don’t come naturally to most riders.

That means you have to practice emergency braking and steering — in an empty parking lot, of course. Repetition trains your body and mind to control the significant heft of your motorcycle, no matter the situation. And more riding time means you’re more familiar with the bike as a whole, too.

Sang Nguyen/Getty Images

5: Before You Intersect, Inspect

In about 70 percent of two-vehicle accidents involving motorcycles, the driver of the passenger cars just don’t see the two-wheeler, according to Motorcycle Cruiser.com. In two-thirds of those accidents, the car driver violated the motorcyclist’s right of way and, as a result, caused the collision, according to the Hurt Report.

Intersections are particularly dangerous. When other drivers don’t see bikes, they often make left turns right in front of them or even right into the motorcycle itself.

Be alert and wary as you proceed through intersections. Scan every part of the intersection before you enter it, and if a vehicle coming from the opposite direction looks as if it may be planning to turn left, slow down and prepare for evasive maneuvers.

Ride defensively and as though other drivers will never see you. In doing so, you could dodge a really large, wheeled bullet.

4: Forget the Flip-Flops

If you’re ever tempted to wear open-toed sandals and short-sleeved shirts while riding a motorcycle, think cheese. That is, think of your skin as a nice, soft cheese, and the road as a cheese grater, filled with billions of tiny, sharp teeth.

You already know that even one-vehicle motorcycle crashes almost always result in some sort of injury, be it minor lacerations or scrapes, or compound broken bones and gaping flesh wounds. But wearing the proper gear can significantly reduce and, in some cases, even prevent injury.

Wear solid motorcycle boots to prevent exhaust pipe burns and painful toe strikes. Protect your hands with thick gloves, and your arms and legs with good-quality gear, like leather chaps and jackets. All motorcycle shops stock clothing that shields your skin, and often they sell items designed to be breathable even in hot weather. Some jackets have ultra strong armor integrated into the fabric to safeguard you in case of a collision.

Even the best gear can’t save you in a really bad accident. But in the event of a minor collision or wipeout, really good protection can mean the difference going home and spending weeks in a recovery room.

3: Eyes Off the Skies

If you’ve ever taken a long road trip in a car, you know how your mind drifts as you navigate the highways. But cars are more forgiving than motorcycles, and a mental vacation while you’re riding might end in a pricey ambulance ride.

The Motorcycle Safety Foundation encourages riders to use their SEE (search, evaluate, execute) strategy to keep their minds engaged on short or long trips. In searching, you use your eyes to continually monitor road and traffic conditions. You evaluate every potential risk. And you quickly develop and execute actions to avoid problems.

In short, really, you just need to keep your eyes, and your mind, on the road. By anticipating problems, you can actually avoid them.

2: Break the Bottle

If you drink, don’t ride. In 2009, 29 percent of motorcyclists in fatal accidents had blood alcohol concentrations above legal limits, according to the Governors Highway Safety Association.

Alcohol slows your reaction time and messes with your judgment. In other words, when you drink and ride, you’re more likely to make mistakes — and your decreased reaction speed means you might not recover.

In 1999, alcohol involvement in fatal motorcycle accidents was a whopping 50 percent higher than it was for cars and trucks. In the same year, almost half of riders who died in single-vehicle accidents were drunk, according to the National Highway Safety Association.

So if you’re going to drink, don’t ride. Your family, and everyone else on the road, will appreciate it.

1: Wear a Quality, Full Face Helmet

Helmet laws vary by state and country. Many people eschew helmet use or flaunt helmet laws altogether for a variety of reasons, from claiming that helmets obstruct their vision and hearing (they don’t) or infringe on their civil liberties.

Whatever your stance on helmet use might be, the empirical data on helmet effectiveness are hard to argue with. In 2008 alone, helmets saved the lives of nearly 2,000 motorcyclists, and the National Highway Traffic Safety Association estimates that over 800 more would have lived if they’d been wearing a helmet.

But you can’t wear just any helmet. In the United States, full-face (with chin guards), DOT-approved helmets are your best option. Other regions, such as Europe, have their own standards, such as the CE mark, indicating products that conform to high safety standards.

In spite of these facts, use of DOT-compliant helmets actually decreased by 13 percent in 2010, according to the Governors Highway Safety Association.

Don’t be a clichéd statistic. No part of your brain, or your body, needs to meet the asphalt at high speed. Ride defensively, go slow and keep your eyes on the road, and you’ll ride off into the sunset instead of the hospital.

By Nathan Chandler
Editor: Rachel E. Frank

Article from : dscdiscovery

Carlos Davila/Getty Images

Motorcycle riding has an unmistakable aura of romanticism. Avid motorcyclists will tell you there’s nothing quite like taking to the open road on two wheels, with the wind buffeting your whole body and fewer obstructions to attenuate the sensory experience of hurtling down the highway. But that thrill can be dangerous if you’re not careful.The carnage is, statistically, undeniable: When motorcycles crash, their riders get hurt. In single-vehicle accidents, motorcyclists are injured 96 percent of the time, according to the Hurt Report. Sometimes, they die. Between 1975 and 1999, more than 38,000 motorcyclists perished in single-vehicle accidents alone. And according to the National Highway and Traffic Safety Administration, riders were at least 35 times — yes, 35 times — more likely to be killed in a wreck than people in passenger vehicles like cars and trucks, which offer more protection. That’s not stopping people from riding, however. From 1998 to 2007, U.S. motorcycle registrations increased 84 percent, from 3.9 to 7.1 million.More motorcyclists mean more chances for horrific, two-wheeled calamities. But a lot of motorcycle accidents are preventable, and even in unavoidable wrecks, there are precautions that can help reduce the severity of injuries.Keep reading, and you’ll see 10 ways to make your motorcycle journeys safer — for you and for your fellow travelers. After all, there’s nothing romantic about breaking your body to bits.

10: Find Your Brain’s Power BandMotorcycles aren’t transportation toys for the absentminded or angry. Sans the protective glass and metal that come with driving, say, a semi or a truck, a clear mind is your primary shield against harm.If you’re feeling very distracted, emotional, sick or just tired, you’re better off leaving the bike in the garage until you find your happy place again. Otherwise, you’re far more likely to make a tiny mistake that can have huge consequences

.9: Kick the TiresThe Motorcycle Safety Foundation calls it T-CLOCS, and it might just save your life. T-CLOCS stands for Tires, Controls, Lights, Oil, Chassis and Stands. It’s the quick safety inspection that you should perform before you ride.If you can’t remember what the acronym stands for, you might want to print the foundation’s safety inspection checklist. It reminds you to scope your bike for a range of potential problems, from worn tires and frayed wires to oil leaks.Happily, few fatal motorcycle wrecks are due to problems with the bike. But keeping tabs on your tires and brakes, among other vital components, will give you peace of mind and also keep you from getting stranded on the side of the highway with a malfunctioning machine.

8: Just Say SlowWith the highway rolling by just beneath your boots, it’s easy to get caught up in the thrill of the motorcycle experience. But hauling back on the throttle and rocketing to the speed of light is, shall we say, a rather unsafe rush.In 2008, 35 percent of motorcyclists who died in crashes were traveling above posted speed limits. Excessive speed gives you fewer chances to correct for errors of all kinds. What’s more, many riders misjudge their speed on curves, which is why many people die simply because they ride right off the road.Slowing down and remaining at speed with the traffic around you is a great strategy for survival. If you must speed, join a racing club and get your acceleration adrenaline fix on a closed course.

7: Get Your Peacock OnMotorcycles are vastly outnumbered by other passenger vehicles. They’re only about 1 percent of vehicles on the road, yet their riders make up 10 percent of traffic fatalities, according to The New York Times. One reason that so many bikers die is that other drivers just don’t see them. Motorcycles are so small that they slip neatly into blind spots, and many drivers just aren’t paying attention. Both facts doom some motorcyclists to ugly crashes.Make yourself as visible as possible. Most motorcycle stores sell high-visibility safety vests with neon colors and reflective strips that stand out much better than black leather jackets.Consider installing a motorcycle headlight modulator. This device makes your headlight flash quickly, almost like a strobe light, and grabs the attention of other drivers, even in bright daylight.Being seen is being safe. Gaudy may not be cool, but it might keep you alive.

6: Practice Your PanicOn good days, when everyone on the highway is driving in a safe and friendly manner, motorcycling is a pretty easy task. But those days are rare, meaning you often have to dodge other vehicles to avoid a wreck.In a car, when panic strikes, you can quickly spin a steering wheel and slam on the antilock brakes. Motorcyclists, however, must twist their bodies and find a balance between braking and steering in order to avoid collisions and also to keep from sliding or flying over the handlebars. These maneuvers don’t come naturally to most riders.That means you have to practice emergency braking and steering — in an empty parking lot, of course. Repetition trains your body and mind to control the significant heft of your motorcycle, no matter the situation. And more riding time means you’re more familiar with the bike as a whole, too.

Sang Nguyen/Getty Images

5: Before You Intersect, Inspect

Intersections are particularly dangerous. When other drivers don’t see bikes, they often make left turns right in front of them or even right into the motorcycle itself.

Ride defensively and as though other drivers will never see you. In doing so, you could dodge a really large, wheeled bullet.

4: Forget the Flip-Flops

3: Eyes Off the Skies

In short, really, you just need to keep your eyes, and your mind, on the road. By anticipating problems, you can actually avoid them.

2: Break the Bottle

If you drink, don’t ride. In 2009, 29 percent of motorcyclists in fatal accidents had blood alcohol concentrations above legal limits, according to the Governors Highway Safety Association.

So if you’re going to drink, don’t ride. Your family, and everyone else on the road, will appreciate it.

1: Wear a Quality, Full Face Helmet

In spite of these facts, use of DOT-compliant helmets actually decreased by 13 percent in 2010, according to the Governors Highway Safety Association.

By Nathan Chandler
Editor: Rachel E. Frank

Article from : dscdiscovery

Motorcycle helmets are very important in keeping people alive. In fact, there is nothing that will help you more in a crash situation than wearing one. A motorcycle helmet protects the head, and is also used as a face shield, for ear protection, and for intercom purposes.Modern helmets are made from plastics, and are often reinforced with Kevlar or a carbon fiber. For comfort and protection they generally have fabric and foam interiors. During a crash situation, a motorcycle helmet will break, which is what they are designed to do.

In essence, the helmet will absorb the energy and impact of the fall instead of the rider’s skull. As a result, they don’t offer much protection after their first impact. An impact may come from other reasons outside of a crash situation, ie. dropping the helmet from a high place, which may not cause any external damage. As a rule, helmets should be replaced after any type of major impact. But, it’s a good idea to replace it after three to four years, regardless of whet

her it has sustained impact or not; it’s a good safeguard.There are three types of motorcycle helmets; depending on how much protection you are looking for

:• Full-face helmet: covers the entire head, including the base of the skull. These helmets usually have a protective section that covers the chin as well. A plastic shield covers the eyes. The obvious benefit of a full-face helmet is its level of protection. The draw

backs are an increased level of heat and reduced level of hearing

.• 3/4 face helmet: covers the back of the skull, but doesn’t have chin protection. Some offer a visor, which blocks out bright sunlight or blinding headlights. A 3/4 face helmet provides similar rear protection as a full-face helmet, but not much protection f

or the face.• 1/2 helmet: provides the least amount of coverage generally allowed by law in the US.

All of these types of helmets are secured by a chin strap, which offers some level of protection by keeping the helmet on the head.More popular since mandat

ory helmet legislation was passed are "beanies", which are not certified and are used to by riders to make it appear that they are complying with the law. Such helmets are smaller and lighter than others and usually have a cool, sleek appearance. They are not good for crash protection because they lack the foam layer that protects the rider’s brain.A typical motorcycle helmet has two major protective mechanisms

:• An outer shell that is made of acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) plastic, fiberglass or Kevlar. It is usually fairly thin. The purpose of this hard outer shell is to prevent penetration of the helmet by a pointed object that could puncture the skull. It also provides structure to the inner liner so it does not disintegrate when it hits concrete, pavement or any other hard surface. The foams used on motorcycle helmets usually have very little resistance to penetration and abrasion

.• A thick, soft inner liner made of expanded polystyrene foam or expanded polypropylene foam.

The purpose of the foam liner is to crush during impact, which increases the distance and time over which the helmet stops, reducing its acceleration.HJC motorcycle helmets are one of the best brands of helmets in the industry.

They offer a complete product line for every type of budget. Their helmets are categorized by feature level, starting with the CS Series on the low end, to the HJC Series in the middle price point, and the AC Series in the high end.Up North Sports is an established power sports accessory business located in the small town of Bemidji, Minnesota, 100 miles south of the Canadian border. They specialize in motorcycle helmets such as bell motorcycle helmets and, which have numerous available features and are available in youth sizes too.

While statistics often don't tell the whole story, when used properly, statistics can give a very clear explanation of events.

Here's a scary statistic for you. More than 47% of motorcycle fatalities involve a rider under the influence of alcohol. In this day and age, it's hard to believe anyone could be stupid enough to get on a motorcycle after drinking a few beers, but the reality is, it happens everyday. While its bad enough to get behind the wheel of a car under the influence, getting on a motorcycle under the influence is sheer stupidity. Let's face it, riding a motorcycle involves a great deal more coordination and skill than driving a car. On a bike you have to balance, steer, counter steer, clutch, shift and use 2 separate brakes. The first thing alcohol does to you is affect your motor skills, in other words, your coordination. That's why field sobriety tests examine and test your ability to do two or more things at once.

I've heard people say many times, "I just had a couple of beers, I'm fine." The fact is, depending on your weight and how much food you have in your system, even 1 beer can have an effect on you. Alcohol is a sneaky drug. You may feel fine, be able to walk straight and not slur your words, yet, if you had to make a quick evasive maneuver on your bike such as a simple brake then swerve, you'd be in trouble with a capital T.

Remember, alcohol affects your ability to do more than one thing at a time and even a simple brake and swerve requires you to perform several tasks. First, you'll have to decide which to do first, brake or swerve. Once that decision is made you'll have to push on one of the bars to make the bike swerve. Will you remember which one you'll have to push on in a panic situation with a couple of beers in your system? Then, you may have to brake and even one beer can slow your reflexes. Now with your reflexes slowed, will you be able to brake in time? Will you remember to put more force on your front brake than the rear? Will you be able to keep that rear brake from locking? Most riders have a problem with the rear brake dead sober. Oh, and don't forget, you have to pull in the clutch and down shift as well during the brake and swerve.

The fact is, in an emergency brake and swerve maneuver, the average rider will be lucky not to crash. The even slightly impaired rider, the one who "just had a couple of beers" has NO chance. Think about it. Is it worth taking that chance?

Motorcycle and Bike Safety is something that some of us think about, some of us worry about, but many of us do too little or nothing about it! For many of us, it seems that protective clothing is too restrictive, or is much too hot in the summer heat. Just look at your average rider rolling down the boulevard all cool, collected and casual. Tank tops and brain buckets are the norm with this group. I've been there, done that, how about you? And don't forget the sport bike missile rider that launches past you in the hammer lane at 100+ mpg! I haven't done this one, but what about you? These are two of many types of riders that riding in denial. It is these two types of riders that are contributing to the increasing death rate for motorcycle riders worldwide. While we are contributors to our own accidents, injury and death rates, we are also victims of other motorists at an alarmingly frequent rate!

One of the greatest causes of death or injury, and the leading mortality factor for bikers, is not being seen by nearby motorist. Many of us have died simply because another motorist didn't see us. It's not that people in cars can't see us, they just don't see us. Motorist get into the habit of driving "in zone and not necessarily in a full awareness mode. We are all guilty of it. Driving becomes so second nature that it's almost a reflex rather than an activity. As motorcar drivers, it becomes especially easy to drop into the zone while we sing along with our favorite CD, play with the cell phone, or dine on burgers and fries while engaging the highway or interstate. While in the zone, we tend to see mostly obvious objects such as big cars, tractor trailers and other attention grabbing objects. These big objects break through the "zone and motorist respond accordingly by stopping, slowing down, or clearly signaling an intended turn. However, pity to those that can't break thru this zone (you and I and the other millions of motorcycle riders) If you don't believe about motorist driving in the "zone", just think about it…. Do you know anyone that had an accident when they were truly making an effort to drive cautiously? Probably not, at least not in the snow or during a terrible storm. This zone can be a very cozy place for most motorist, but it's a deadly zone for you and I. Our bikes just aren't big enough or loud enough to break through the zone. I can honestly say that all my accidents and even all my speeding tickets in my car, over the last 35 years, have happened when in my zone. Even the times someone else hit me, I probably could have avoided or minimized the vehicle to vehicle contact had I not been in the zone. The zone is the deadliest thing you will face as a motorcycle rider! Pay attention to this article because it can help keep you out of the zone!

As a motorcyclist, if you want to avoid being injured or killed by another motorist, stay out of their zone! The best way to stay out of the zone is to ride defensively, assume every driver is in the zone, and most of all, call a lot of attention to you, your bike, and your presence. A huge Mack truck does a pretty good job of staying out of the zone. Most motorist will absolutely see a Mack truck. Your itsy bitsy tiny motorcycle is another story completely. It very comfortably hides in it's own open lane and that's a fact! Your bike calls very little attention to itself and if you believe otherwise, you are in the zone right now! Often, a motorist appears to look right at you and still may pull out in front of you. We bikers need a much bigger zone presence and anything you do to increase your zone presence can save your life!

Thankfully, there are a few inexpensive things you can do to increase your Zone presence and some of them only require a few minutes of your time. First, do you ride in daylight with your high-beam on? Is your high beam properly adjusted for maximum legal beam height? Many bikers are riding in daylight with the low beam. That's a BIG NO-NO! Furthermore, many bikes have a misadjusted headlamp pointing way to deeply into the asphalt. Next time you see an approaching biker group, pay close attention to the pack. After you get over the fact you're not riding with them, look at the pack and pick out the bikes that command attention to their zone. They are the few, believe me! You should be able to pick out the high visibility bikes immediately from the rest of the pack. Which bike is yours? I hope you are in the high visibility group. Well lit bikes simply have a great street presence and headlamps can be your greatest defense against an opposing left turn in front of your bike. I have no proof to share, but I honestly believe brightly lit bikes are hit less often than dimly lit ones.

Some bikes are very noticeable while others can easily disappear into the Zone. Which bike do you have? If you have a properly aligned headlamp (high beam always on in daylight) and properly aligned running lights, you can easily increase your zone presence to that of a much larger vehicle. It's hard to left turn in front of a biker when his headlamps are blasting bright rays into the windshield of the left turning car. Take immediate action now and adjust your headlights, and use them always on high beam and running lights on during the day. It can greatly improve your chance of not getting hit! If you are worried that your bright light and running lights are too bright in the daylight as to blind a motorist, don't worry! Unless you are running some kind of super nuclear bulb, you will never outshine the daylight.

For all that believe "loud pipes save lives", I say to you that "loud lights save more lives""!

When you combine a brightly lit high beam head lamp and two properly positioned running lights, your zone has suddenly become visually loud - a great advantage to you. This is the perfect scenario to break thru the zone and get the attention of the motorist. Simply put... Maximize your frontal zone appearance and you decrease chances of suffering the number 1 cause of mortality in our brotherhood, a left turn from an opposing car in front of you.

Now that we've covered the front, I have bad news…. The back of your bike is a problem too. Being rear-ended is a "not fun" activity. If you have a tiny, measly and anemic brake light, as do many stylish models, replace it immediately or consider one of the Halogen brake light bulbs. These halogen brake lights are about 35% brighter and can add a little visual noise to the rear of your bike and help call attention to your brake when applied. Also consider installing rear running lights that also supplement your brake light. Three bright lights on the back of your bike are much safer than a single anemic brake light. It only takes minor changes to generate a huge safety payback. Correct bike lighting on the front and rear of your bike can greatly decrease your chance of being hit.

And while on the subject of lighting, consider adding side lights as well. Side lights are much more effective in night riding. At night, they can help avoid being taken out on your left or right side when approaching an intersection. There are an assortment of extremely bright LED illuminators that can be mounted under your fuel tank and cast a warm light glow on the asphalt below. These super bright LED lights can create quite a large lighted space on the roadway and can be seen for several hundred feet away. Check with your state law to determine legal colors and requirements first, but if legal, add them! Now we're all lit up, what else can we do?

Reflective Decals and Bright Motorcycle graphics are a good step!

For nighttime riding, I strongly recommend reflective materials both on your body and on your bike. A well illuminated bike is going to bring attention to a motorist that is within striking zone, especially if you ride with multi-color reflective items. My favorite configuration is a large and bold reflective helmet decal kit, a reflective vest or jacket, and you can even buy an assortment of reflective motorcycle graphic kits such as tank flame graphics or fender graphics. I suggest that you investigate reflective products and pay close attention to items that can be permanently attached to your helmet or motorcycle. My favorite place for reflective motorcycle graphics and helmet decals is Streetglo Reflective Decals and graphics ( http://www.streetglo.net ). They have a very impressive photo at this site that demonstrates the effectiveness of reflective helmet decals and reflective motorcycle graphic kits. On my own bike, I have a large racing stripe reflective decal configuration on my helmet that is visible from the left, right and rear of the helmet. On my motorcycle itself, I have at least 144 square inches of highly reflective graphics in the form of decorative reflective pinstripe and reflective gas tank flames and reflective fender flames. These reflective flame decals look absolutely stunning in the day and dress up the bike at night. Best of all, they explode in bight colored light at night whenever headlights are pointed at them. You can see the side of my bike better from the reflective decals than the headlamp itself (side view). With the right combination of reflective decals, permanently installed, you are still pretty well protected even when you forget to bring along a reflective vest or jacket. Reflective decals and materials are especially important if you have a dark colored bike.

If you are not willing to consider reflective decals on your bike, consider airbrushing with contrasting bright colors on your fenders and tank. There are a number of really nice airbrush sites on the internet that can give you ideas for your own bike. Visit http://www.streetglo.net/links/ as there is a large collection of airbrushing sites in Streetglo's motorcycle index. The point that should be taken here is dark colors don't reflect light very well. If you want to ride safe, you must take all available actions to make sure your bike is seen, especially at a 90 degree angle when riding at night.

While airbrushing can be very expensive it can add great visual impact to your ride not to mention some designs can make an ordinary bike an extraordinary one! If something less expensive is on the agenda consider reflective decals and vinyl graphics which are relatively inexpensive. If you go the route of vinyl graphics, then select Reflective Vinyl over any other type. There are several companies that specialize in reflective vinyl graphics including Streetglo, Reflective Decals and others, just to name a few. You can completely customize your bike with reflective graphics for less than $100.00 including really bright reflective helmet decal designs. Having your head illuminate like an alien spaceship when a car is within striking distance of you is a pretty cool idea!

To maximize your appearance at night with reflective graphics I suggest a combination of items including large and bold reflective helmet decals, reflective pinstripe and reflective motorcycle graphics. You can find really attractive tank flame graphics or other tank graphics to suite your taste. Combine them with attractive fender graphics for a totally illuminating experience! If you are a sport biker rider with factory graphics, consider overlaying reflective graphic designs to make a multi-color graphic. There are some ready to install kits… or you can order a custom kit from nearly all reflective decal manufactures and still not spend more than about $100.00 or even much less! If you aren't much into decorating your bike, consider same color reflective decals and reflective tape. While this will do little in the daytime, it can save your life at night. Same color reflective tape sells for about $5.00 a roll and it won't change the appearance of your bike.

There is no single thing you can do to make your motorcycle ride safer. You are required to take many steps. Being seen and driving defensively are probably the two areas that can greatly reduce your chance of being hit. There are many other things you can do to improve your chances of surviving your next motorcycle ride. First, realize your own mortality is in your hands every time you mount your bike and pull out of your driveway. Realize that your greatest threat is not being seen followed by your own ignorance of not anticipating turns and bends in the road. If you find yourself entering a turn too fast understand that experience may be the difference between completing the turn or rocketing over the shoulder or into oncoming traffic. If you haven't taken a safety course, take one now. Safety courses aren't just for the beginner. Personally, I prefer to ride in light traffic situations. I'm not an interstate rider and I don't enjoy 70 mpg cruising. My point is ride your comfort level and don't go beyond your comfort level. If you stay in your comfort zone, you are more likely to avoid an accident and you'll enjoy your ride much more. And don't forget to check your lighting and make the necessary adjustments. Take action now on your bike to make it naturally safer with visual effects. It can keep you out of the Zone and this is a good thing!

Full face motorcycle helmets offer the most protection of all the motorcycle helmet styles. The motorcycle helmet is the most important piece of gear that you own if you are a motorcycle rider. Most states require that you wear a helmet while riding a motorcycle, but some do not.

In those states where motorcycle helmets are not required there are often injuries when accidents occur involving a motorcycle. Quite often the injuries could have been avoided if the rider had been wearing a helmet.

There are many different types of helmets in terms of style, flip up, full face, off-road, open face, and shorty helmets. You should check and ensure that whatever helmet you buy meets DOT standards and that it has a Snell rating. A Snell rating means the helmet offers the highest level of production available.

Choosing a helmet is a personal choice; however a full face helmet is the best choice for a couple of reasons. A full face motorcycle helmet gives the protection of a chin bar and a tinted face shield which can also customize the look of the helmet.

The ventilation system is what makes or breaks a motorcycle helmet. Helmets that are high quality have close fitting shields and snug padding around the bottom of the helmet to cut back on the noise of the wind. The trade off with that is that it promotes fogging. Manufacturers try to avoid the fogging by installing breath deflectors at the top of the chin bar.

The best ventilation systems have air ducts in the styrofoam safety line to suck hot air away from the scalp of the rider. Manufacturers try to avoid the fogging by breath deflectors at the top of the chin bar. Try to get a field system that has a handy design that is tool free. You will find that many mid to high range helmets have this feature.

A full face helmet should feel natural so that you will forget that you are wearing one. Below is a list of the benefits and features of a full face motorcycle helmet:

- Lightweight

- Aerodynamic

- ISO Headfoam

- Poly Alloy Shell

- Flow Ventilation

A lightweight helmet will normally cut back on neck and shoulder strain and will offer an aerodynamic and ISO headform. Aerodynamic helmets are standard for all quality full face gear. Full face helmets are constructed to offer less resistance at top air speeds. The advantage is in the ability to ride longer and faster without damage to the rider's neck and shoulders.

Due to the ISO technology, a form fitting secure interior is created by the helmet. An important feature of your helmet is its shell as it prevents flying rocks and debris from damaging your head. Most importantly, if you are involved in an accident the shell of your helmet could save your life. The ideal helmet make is an outer shell designed out of thermoplastic poly alloy.

The one feature that sets the quality standard for a helmet is the ventilation system. A cool flow of air keeps you from becoming too hot on warm days and reduces wind noise. Quality airflow features are vents in the front and side vortex, exhaust vents in the lower back of the helmet, and built-in neck roll exhaust vents.

When purchasing a full face motorcycle helmet, try it on a number of times to find possible problem areas. Make sure the helmet rests just above your brow, use a mirror to see how the helmet fits your head. Test the fit by trying to get your thumb between the helmet and your forehead, the helmet should rest tightly on your forehead with no room left for your thumb. Always check for red marks after taking the helmet off.

If your motorcycle helmet is not DOT approved and Snell certified your insurance may be affected. The best thing to do is contact your insurance company about the helmet you are using to find out if it is approved.

Avoid noisy helmets as they distract the bike rider and can cause extra fatigue. Lower quality ventilation systems are the major cause of noise in helmets. The more aerodynamic your helmet is and the better the vents, the less noise there will be. Cheaper helmets are are most often noisier helmets.

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So you’re the co-rider this trip. What could you do to make the ride more pleasurable for both you and the rider?

The Look

A Sense of Direction

Preparation

Results

by Robert Vaughan

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