Wayne Moore Insurance - New Bern

With warmer weather rolling in, motorcycle riders will once again be cruising in the open air. An enjoyable trip needs to be a safe one, though. Motorcyclists are 25 times more likely to die—and five times more likely to be injured—from a crash than passengers in cars, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. To stay on the good side of those numbers, keep these safety pointers in mind: •Make a seasonal checklist. In the spring, have a technician inspect your bike for leaks, engine noises and other abnormalities. Fill up the tires, check all the lights and make sure the clutch, throttle and brakes are in good working order. Install your luggage racks and other add-ons and go for a ride. “A rider doesn’t want the trip to end before it begins,” says Shawn Fechter, director of tours for EagleRider, a leading motorcycle rental company, “so take a dry run to get the feel for whether the bike is overloaded.” •Take a refresher course. Riders at all levels can benefit from safety classes. Beginner courses offer instruction in proper braking, steering techniques and crash avoidance. More experienced riders have the opportunity to build their skills. “Often, skilled riders begin to ignore basics such as pre-trip equipment inspection, proper personal safety gear and tight maneuvering,” says Jim Wagnon, education manager at the Motorcycle Mechanics Institute. “Instruction can build upon their experience as an intermediate or experienced rider. In some cases, courses are available so advanced riders can practice high-speed braking and maneuvering on a closed racecourse.” •Remember basic safety rules. Since motorcyclists don’t have the protection of a vehicle, you need to make safety your number one priority. Stay away from motorists’ blind spots—especially around tractor-trailers, motor homes and other vehicles with reduced vision. Avoid exterior lanes to reduce the risk of colliding with cars pulling out of roads and driveways. Make sure drivers can see you. “Motorcyclists are far more exposed than automobile drivers are,” Wagnon says. “They’re not afforded the same protection from the elements, nor are they protected [by a car’s structure] from road debris, stones thrown from a tire or an accident. Not identifying a large pothole might be hard on a tire or the front end alignment of an automobile, while the same pothole could result in a motorcyclist losing control and going down.” •Wear the right gear. All motorcyclists should wear a Department of Transportation-approved helmet along with appropriate footwear, pants, jacket and gloves for protection. “This can range from chaps and a leather jacket to sophisticated Kevlar clothing or full-leather riding suits,” Wagnon says. “Brightly colored clothing and retro reflective gear can greatly improve visibility. Sadly, many riders have the appropriate safety gear but might be tempted not to bother on a hot day or for short trips. This can be a very costly mistake.” •Carry a repair kit. Mechanical breakdowns can happen anywhere, so carry a working set of repair tools in a travel pouch. The Motorcycle Mechanics Institute recommends: spark-plug sockets, open-end wrenches, screwdrivers, locking pliers, combination wrench, hex key set, electrical tape and a flashlight. •Consider antilock brakes. The rate of fatal crashes is 37 percent lower among motorcycles equipped with antilock brakes than among the same motorcycles without them, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety and the Highway Loss Data Institute. Bikers with antilock models also file 22 percent fewer collision claims.