Safe Riding


Safe Riding Tips: “Our Concern is your Safety”

  • Motorcycling is a fun, exciting and practical way to get around. But, like any other activity, it has risks. The reality is that you are exposed and vulnerable; it is up to you to avoid accidents and injury. Risk – and how you treat it – is what safe cycling is all about.
  • Know your skills. Take a beginners or experienced Rider Course from a Motorcycle Safety Foundation recognized training center. Call 1-800-446-9227 for the Rider Course nearest to you. The more you know, the better the rider you become!
  • Know the rules of the road and respect other road users. Don’t forget, riding is a privilege. Get yourself and your motorcycle properly licensed; get insurance. Know the limits of your skills, your motorcycle, and the road conditions.
  • Ride with the right gear. A helmet, eye protection, sturdy jacket, pants, boots and gloves are your best defense against accident injury. It can happen to you!
  • Ride aware. A car turning left across your path is the most frequent accident. Three-fourths of motorcycle accidents involve collisions with other vehicles, the majority caused by the other driver. Intersections can be bad spots, so slow down and be prepared to react. We repeat: It can happen to you!
  • Ride to survive. Be seen and not hit. You aren’t as big as a Mack truck, but you can attract attention. Wear bright clothing, use your headlight and bright colored fairings, select a lane and a position within a lane to be seen, avoid rapid lane changes, and keep looking around – you don’t need surprises!
  • Ride straight. Alcohol and other drugs do not let you think clearly or make sound judgments. Up to 45% of all fatal motorcycle accidents involve alcohol.
  • Keep a safe bike. Know your owner’s manual, follow recommended service schedules, and have repairs made by an authorized dealer. Always, check your bike’s tires, suspension and controls before riding.
  • Share a safe ride. Company is nice. Some company weighs 100 pounds; other company weighs more. All weight affects handling. Having someone on the back is a big responsibility. Instruct them on proper riding technique and protective gear.
  • Do not ride above your comfort level.

 

Ride Rules

  • Arrive prepared: On time, full gas tank, empty bladder and attitude for fun.
  • All rides leave on time. Arrive 30 mins early. All riders MUST be part of the safety briefing .
  • All guests must sign a waiver. Nonmembers and minors.
  • Speed limits will be observed.
  • No drugs or alcohol during the ride.
  • Your safety is your responsibility; we are all responsible for the safety of the group. Do not ride above your comfort level at any time, and stay alert to changes around you.
  • If you have special needs or concerns, please let the group leader know.
  • We ride in a staggered formation.
  • Try to maintain a 2 second space from the bike ahead of you. Additional space may allow room for a car to try to squeeze in, and result in a dangerous situation.
  • Maintain your lane position unless you need to ride up to fill a gap in the formation. This allows riders to become familiar with riding styles of those around them and created predictability.
  • BE CAREFUL NOT TO RIDE IN SOMEONE’S BLIND SPOT **Note: if you cannot see the face of the rider diagonally in front of you in their mirror, you are in their blind spot.
  • Do not block traffic or intersections; the head road caption will pull over when safe and wait for the rest of the group to make it through the stop sign, red light or other obstacle.
  • When stopping as a group at an intersection, break stagger formation and pull up beside the bike in the adjacent lane. This will reduce the length of the group by half. Stay in this formation until you are through the intersection (if we are going straight). Because this group is half as long it will take half the time to clear the intersection and increase the odds of keeping the group intact.
  • On turns at intersections, let the rider who was traveling ahead of you go first. When in a tight curve, the rider on the outside of the curve should give room to the rider on the inside, in case the curve is too tight to negotiate at that speed without excessive overcrowding.
  • Turn signals and hand signals should be used at all times. See sheet in packet.

 

Carrying a Passenger on Your Motorcycle

  • Make sure the motorcycle is designed to carry a passenger.
  • If you decide to carry a child, make sure the child is mature enough to handle the responsibilities, can reach the footrests, wears a helmet and other protective gear, and holds onto you or the passenger hand-holds.
  • Keep in mind that some states have minimum age requirements for motorcycle passengers.
  • Instruct your passenger to keep his or her legs away from the muffler to avoid burns.
  • Instruct your passenger to limit movement and talking.
  • Remember that the extra weight from carrying a passenger can affect braking procedures, starting from a stop, and riding through a corner.
  • Exercise caution in quick stops, as a passenger can move forward and bump your helmet with theirs.
  • Passing will require more time and space.
  • The effects of the wind will be more distinct.
  • Review the motorcycle owner’s manual for tips on preparing for riding with a passenger.
  • Do not exceed the weight limitations specified in the manual.
  • Before riding, practice low-speed clutch/throttle control and normal and emergency braking in an open area, like a parking lot, with a passenger.
  • Allow the passenger time to adjust to the speed of riding and the feeling of leaning.
  • Make sure the passenger keeps all hands and feet away from hot or moving parts.
  • When in a corner, the passenger should look over the operator’s shoulder in the direction of the corner.
  • The passenger should not make any sudden movements or turns.
  • When crossing an obstacle, the passenger should stand on the motorcycle pegs with knees slightly bent, allowing the legs to absorb the shock upon impact.
  • The motorcycle should be started before the passenger mounts.

 

Legal Responsibilities

  • Know your state’s licensing requirements. It has been estimated that one-third of motorcycle operators killed in crashes are not licensed or are improperly licensed to operate a motorcycle. By obtaining a license, state licensing agencies ensure that motorcycle operators have the skills needed to safely operate a motorcycle.
  • Take the motorcycle written test, if required by your state.
  • Make sure you get insurance coverage. Most states require liability insurance.
  • Know your state’s helmet laws.
  • Resist the urge to speed. Every year a high percentage of riders killed in accidents were speeding.
  • Never drink alcohol and get on a motorcycle.

 

Other Tips

  • Always carry your H.O.G. Touring Handbook.
  • When in a tight curve, the rider on the outside of the curve should give room to the rider on the inside. This prevents excessive crowding if the curve is too tight.
  • Use the buddy system when riding. If your buddy has trouble and must pull out of the group, only the Road Captain pulls off the road with him or her and offers assistance.
  • Keep a safe distance behind the bike in front of you. Know the stopping distance of your motorcycle. Never ride in someone’s blind spot. Be able to make eye contact in mirror.
  • Try to maintain a constant speed. Don’t “RUBBER BAND,” or speed up and slow down.
  • Be aware of openings as you ride so that you will have some place to maneuver in case of an emergency. Also, be aware of the riders around you, especially the ones to your side, and give each other as much room as possible.
  • Always try to keep the pack tight without crowding each other. Stay close through intersections and traffic lights so that the group doesn’t become separated. Remember that some riders in the group may not know where they are going ,and could end up “leading” the remainder of the pack with no idea how to reach their destination.
  • If there is a vehicle that needs to get onto the freeway, let that vehicle through and close the gap.
  • Remember, you’re not safe from lighting on your bike.
  • If you need to leave before ride ends, please let road captain know.