Motorcycle Safety for Beginners
One of the time-tested age-old truths of beginning to ride a motorcycle is that you will tip over. It’s very similar to when you first learned to ride a bicycle—you fell more than a few times right? When learning to ride a motorcycle it’s much wiser to start on a smaller, inexpensive bike. If you go out and purchase a $20,000 monster for your first bike, you are asking for trouble. Simply tipping over in a bike like that could leave you with a repair bill of $1000 or more. It is imperative that beginning riders take some time to learn how to handle their bikes.
Some interesting findings in the Hurt Report (a motorcycle accident study)
1. Two-thirds of single vehicle accidents are due to driver error.
2. Riders between the ages of 16 and 24 are significantly more represented in accidents.
3. Motorcycles riders involved in accidents are virtually without training—92% were self taught, or learned from family or friends.
4. In over half the accidents, the riders had less than 5 months experience on the motorcycle.
It’s easy to get over confident after riding for only a short time. Don’t be that rider, pay attention and drive safely. Motorcycles can be safe to drive, however the learning process can be dangerous. Be aware of your abilities, and be extremely vigilant in watching out for other vehicles. Car and truck drivers often have difficulty seeing motorcycles. Also pay attention to the weather and road conditions.
Wear proper protective gear while riding—there are all kinds of protection for motorcycle riders—most importantly a good helmet. Some states don’t require helmets, but the fact is they are the single most important safety factor for riders.
An excellent way to start your bike riding career is to enroll in a motorcycle safety course. The Motorcycle Safety Foundation offers 15 hour courses (2-3 days) all over the country. They are supervised by expert riders, and provide a great way for beginners to develop safe riding skills.