Message from MSF

[motorman587]

MSF Highlights the Top Five Rules Riders Should Remember for Motorcycle Awareness Month

 

 

IRVINE, Calif., April. 30, 2010 - May is the month of motorcycles and motorcyclists. The sun shines, the birds sing and riders across the country swing their leg across their two-wheeled steeds to hit the open road. This month, the Motorcycle Safety Foundation would like to remind all riders of a few basic rules to follow to ensure that everyone, riders and non-riders alike, can enjoy a beautiful and safe spring season.

 

1. Get properly trained and licensed - The best first ride is an MSF RiderCourseSM. Riding is serious fun and proper training is crucial. However, half of all riders today have never taken a proper safety class. To help motorcyclists earn an endorsement or license, MSF offers progressive instruction to motorcyclists of all skill levels, starting with the Basic RiderCourse for beginning riders that includes five hours of classroom instruction and 10 hours of riding exercises in a controlled environment. Riders who already have basic skills and a license can hone their techniques in one of MSF's advanced RiderCourses or MSF's new Street RiderCourse, part of the new CORE Curricula being announced in 2010, which takes riders beyond the traditional controlled learning environment and into real-world traffic. MSF recommends every new rider enroll in the Basic RiderCourse and encourages riders to get as much training as possible, no matter how skilled they may be. Even the pros practice the basics to keep their skills sharp.

 

2. Wear all protective gear, all the time - T-shirts and shorts are good for the beach, but not for riding a motorcycle. Riders should gear up properly before every ride, even if just riding down the street on an errand. Wearing a DOT-compliant helmet and eye protection is the law in many states, and is strongly recommended everywhere else. Wearing boots that cover over the ankle, long pants, and a riding jacket is also advisable. Built-in body armor is a smart addition, and can look pretty cool too.

 

3. Ride unimpaired by alcohol or other drugs - Bikes and booze don't mix. Government studies show that 46% of riders killed in motorcycle crashes had been drinking. While under the influence of alcohol or other drugs, a motorcyclist's necessary skills, including agility, perception and awareness, are decreased dramatically. In fact, having a blood-alcohol content greater than 0.05% increases the risk of crashing by about 40-times. So while it is bad enough to try to get behind the wheel of a car while buzzed or drunk, hopping on a machine that requires maximum control and concentration is simply stupid.

 

4. Ride within your own skill limits and obey traffic laws - Every rider should know the limits of their ability, and not attempt to exceed them. Humans weren't designed to fly, and unless you're a trained professional on a closed course, stunting, high speed or tricks can only cause you trouble. Follow all traffic laws and be conscious of how road conditions may affect your riding. MSF now offers an online Rider Perception Challenge to help riders gauge and improve their visual awareness of road signs and common collision traps, which can be taken free at www.msf-usa.org/riderperception. Using sharp skills and common sense will keep you alive; trying to be Superman will not.

 

5. Be a lifelong learner by taking refresher RiderCourses - Motorcyclists should keep in mind that no matter how often or how long they've been riding, there is always room to learn something new. Taking an advanced course to brush up on the basics and work on perfecting current skills is a smart move for any rider. MSF's CORE Curricula programs include two new Street RiderCourses for training in traffic and the Advanced RiderCourse - SportBike Techniques course for intensive maneuvering drills, among other classes to keep expanding motorcyclists' learning experiences.

 

The Motorcycle Safety Foundation hopes riders will follow these rules and suggestions for everyone's benefit, and to ensure a safe Motorcycle Awareness Month for 2010.

 

The Motorcycle Safety Foundation promotes safety through rider training and education, operator licensing tests and public information programs. The MSF works with the federal government, state agencies, the military and others to offer training for all skill levels so riders can enjoy a lifetime of safe, responsible motorcycling. Standards established by the MSF have been recognized worldwide since 1973.

 

The MSF is a not-for-profit organization sponsored by BMW, BRP, Ducati, Harley-Davidson, Honda, Kawasaki, KTM, Piaggio, Suzuki, Triumph, Victory and Yamaha. For safety information or to enroll in the RiderCourse nearest you, visit www.msf-usa.org or call (800) 446-9227.

 

[beemerman2k]

MSF Highlights the Top Five Rules Riders Should Remember for Motorcycle Awareness Month

 

1. Get properly trained and licensed - The best first ride is an MSF RiderCourseSM. Riding is serious fun and proper training is crucial. However, half of all riders today have never taken a proper safety class.

 

Wow, that's a lot more riders taking such classes than I would have guessed given what I see on the road. Judging by the bikes I see everyday, I would figure maybe 30% tops have good, safe, riding habits in mind. Either because most fail to dress properly, or because of the way they ride (stunting, excessive speeding, weaving in and out of traffic), or both.

 

As much as I am opposed to legally mandating such things, Massachusetts is the only New England state with a helmet law, so I'm used to seeing riders wear something for head protection. When I travel to the other New England states, however, I cringe to see riders out there with no helmet, no protective gear, riding in the rain on slippery roads, on high power sport bikes Everyone has the right (or should have the right) to ride while stupid, but it pains me to see folks exercise this freedom.

[4wheeldog]

Helmets and boots are my pet peeves. I cringe when I see sandals (or flip flops) on a rider. It only takes a second to scrape off some toes. You don't even have to fall off.......You can pop 'em right off just doing a stupid, feet-in-front-of-the-pegs stop light wobble.

 

You would think that those who valued appearance so much would be more protective of their pretty feet......and their swagger.......just try to swagger with some toes missing.

 

[RichEdwards]

The flip-flop and bare-headed (bone-headed?) riders are out if full force now that the warm weather has arrived in Florida. i've tried talking to a few and it's a waste of time. They think I'm nuts for wearing a helmet, boots, an armored mesh jacket, and long pants.

Maybe I should tell them to check out:

http://www.stunterschool.com/crashes_roadrash.htm

[tallman]

Rich,

I've printed pictures of serious road rash and left them on parked bikes where the riders wore minimal clothing.

I put the ER phone number in big print.

[anvo]

Everybody knows that as far as protection goes, nothing beats a Corona tank top. It's like an invisible shield: Corona Tank Top Safer Than Leather

[beemerman2k]

MCDude, nice find! Man, whoda thunk it, Corona tank tops, eh?

 

In fact, I'm pretty sure that David Hough sporting the wheelie in the picture of that article you linked. The entire first chapter of his next book is about the inherent safety properties of these tee-shirts, and he demonstrates as much in his new book

 

Gonna be a nice summer of riding, baby

 

DISCLAIMER: this is just a joke folks. Do not try this at home

 

I'm always worried someone is going to read this stuff and fail to get the humor involved.

[anvo]

Thanks! I thought for a second about putting a disclaimer with it, but then I thought c'mon, how could anyone not get the satire here? But you're right, there's always somebody out there to surprise you...

[pmdave]

MCDude, nice find! Man, whoda thunk it, Corona tank tops, eh?

 

In fact, I'm pretty sure that David Hough sporting the wheelie in the picture of that article you linked. The entire first chapter of his next book is about the inherent safety properties of these tee-shirts, and he demonstrates as much in his new book

 

Gonna be a nice summer of riding, baby

 

DISCLAIMER: this is just a joke folks. Do not try this at home

 

I'm always worried someone is going to read this stuff and fail to get the humor involved.

 

As I read it, the Hough noted for making the quote (and who knows, doing the wheelie?) is "Daniel Hough" (not to be confused with his alter ego David L. Hough, author of the books "Proficient Motorcycling","Everything You Wanted to Know About Horny Toad Sex (But Were Afraid to Ask", "How to Lose Money Investing in the Stock Market", and "Buying a Motorcycle Without Informing Your Wife".

 

And you thought no one reads this stuff!

 

pmdave

[Mister Tee]

I struggle with #3 and #4.... hahahaha

[dhanson]

It is very disappointing but we have an officer in our local BMW club that she and her husband do not support ATGATT. Good riders both, and lots of bikes, but shorts and tennis shoes to club meetings just is not right in my book!

[motorman587]

What not to wear?????

[wbrissette]

Helmets and boots are my pet peeves. I cringe when I see sandals (or flip flops) on a rider. It only takes a second to scrape off some toes. You don't even have to fall off.......You can pop 'em right off just doing a stupid, feet-in-front-of-the-pegs stop light wobble.

 

You my friend obviously haven't seen these:

 

 

Motorcycle sandals, now there's a market.

 

 

[beemerman2k]

Let's just pray they don't plan on making any helmets

[nealopp]

I took the Experienced RiderCourse this past Monday (Memorial Day). I lucked out; I was the only student there. They usually don't hold classes with less than 3, but I slipped through the cracks and was never notified of the cancellation. I have to give my sincere thanks to Ian from TWST in the Bay Area for going ahead with the class anyway!

 

Even for those of you that are very experienced riders, I'd recommend taking this or some other course as a refresher. It was an eye-opener when he had me do full panic stops. I *thought* I had engaged the ABS on the front wheel in the past. I hadn't. Wow.

 

I'd like to become a RiderCoach some day, and plan on shadowing the instructors down here pretty soon. Lookout!