September Safety Tip
Have you ever thought about your riding strategy? A strategy is a framework for making decisions about how you will ride. Before you jump in the saddle of your bike, there are some basic strategies to consider.
First, is your equipment; both bike and gear. I’ve talked about T-CLOCS (tires, controls, lights, oil, chassis, stand) and the importance of the pre-ride checklist. If you haven’t put this simple procedure in your pre-ride you need too. It’ll only take one time of being stranded or a tire blowout to get your attention. Simple pre-checks can prevent a disaster on the roadway. Then there is your equipment. If you wear a helmet, how old is it? Is it time to replace it? How about riding jackets, boots, chaps, riding pants, gloves? Are they worn, torn and need replaced? Remember, not all equipment has an unlimited service life. If something needs replaced, now is the time to do it.
Second, is taking the time to warm up, both mentally and physically before getting out on the road. Go to your nearest parking lot and dial yourself in by practicing turns from a stopped position. This will help with head and eye positioning; slow speed operation to get your handling of the friction zone fine-tuned; and a few threshold braking drills to get the muscle memory of those mechanics fresh and active.
Third, when you are out on the road be actively aware of your lane position and refining that position to maximize the conspicuity to other vehicles around you. The old adage, ride like you’re invisible applies. More importantly, ride to maximize your visibility to others around you is more appropriate.
Fourth, have a survival mind-set. I talked about this in a previous Safety Tip. Bottom line, take charge of your destiny, do not let someone do it for you.
Last, but not least is training. The more competent you are in handling the bike the safer you will be out on the road. If you haven’t considered taking additional training courses to improve your technical riding skills, I would highly recommend it.
I’ve also attached a YouTube video from MCrider about “How To Survive A Motorcycle Crash”. Kevin points out some tips that should be helpful if you are involved in a crash. You may want to consider subscribing to his channel for his weekly tips. https://youtu.be/ZXSOOZZX6e4
Be safe out there!
Sinjin
August Safety Tip
As many of you prepare for Sturgis and other events, here’s a few tips to help you get to your destination safely.
- Get plenty of rest – Don’t rely on caffeine to keep you going through the day. Rest up and listen to your body. If you’re tired, pull over.
- Stay healthy by putting in good nutrients – Have a good, balanced meal before and after your ride and drink plenty of water and eat healthy snacks throughout the day. Load up on protein and fiber for breakfast to prepare for your long journey ahead.
- Don’t speed – The adventure you’re on is more of a marathon than a sprint. Losing an hour or so in one day isn’t a big deal, but getting pulled over while speeding will delay you even more.
- Get an early start on your ride each morning – Riding in traffic is unpleasant, so opt to start early to beat the crowds and the heat. If you’re lucky, you’ll be able to catch the sunrise each day!
- Take a lot of breaks – The human mind does best when it stays focused for 45-minutes followed by a 15-minute break. Stop every so often for a certain amount of miles to stretch, relax, eat, and drink. Check out the local scenery; you just might learn some new history at a rest stop with a map. Refresh your energy and relax your body. Do some stretches; the best long distance riders practice yoga, so do these simple stretches at each stop to stay ready to ride.
- Be flexible with your itinerary – Traffic can vary by the hour, as well as the weather. Plan for the unexpected with the right gear for the ride and utilize your GPS to keep you up-to-date on route changes.
For Your Motorcycle:
- Check your oil and fuel levels on your rest stop – It takes an extra minute to check your motorcycle at a stop. Don’t let a leak leave you stranded.
- Carry an extra key – Believe it or not, things do get lost on a long trip, including your motorcycle keys. Be mindful of where you store the spare, as thieves can go rustling through your belongings.
- Perform a thorough T-CLOCS inspection each morning:
- Tires and Wheels
- Controls
- Lights and Electrics
- Oil and Other Fluids
- Chassis
- Stands
- Know your fuel range – Don’t assume each town has a gas station. Be aware of how many miles you can ride on a tank of gasoline, how many gallons your tank should hold at fill up, and how to calculate your miles per gallon every tank. It will allow you to plan ahead for the next stop and won’t leave you stranded in the middle of nowhere at night.
- A long-distance motorcycle ride is a challenge for your mind and body with a massive reward for completion. Planning and preparation is the key to getting off on the right path. Follow these steps for an enjoyable ride and finish strong!
Happy riding
July Safety Tip
All of us have fears. It’s normal and necessary for survival. It is our reaction to that fear which will determine our fate. A famous proverb once said our experiences are 10% percent of what the world gives us and 90% of how we react to it. Riding a motorcycle is no different. Allowing fear to consume your thoughts can kill you – it leads to riders panicking and making critical control mistakes or worse yet, taking no actions at all. It leads to self-doubt that “I cannot make that corner, or I cannot get the bike stopped quick enough.”
We all have or have had some type of fear when we started riding and you may still have some of those fears today, but over time with practice and experience, those fears can be morphed into confidence and competence.
Competence = Confidence. The more proficient rider you become, the better you feel when on the ride. There is no better feeling than to be able to make a Big V-Twin do exactly what you want it to do. Master the machine, don’t let it master you.
As I was finishing a ride yesterday, I passed a sign along the road that said, “Hang in there, we got this.” And I say the same to all of you, now get out there and ride!!
Until next time, Ride Safe!
Sinjin
June Safety Tip
I’m sure many of you have heard stories of riders colliding with objects, vehicles or just running off the road when they had plenty of space and time to avoid hazards and negotiate the roadway. Many of these riders were victims of “Target Fixation”.
Many riders make the mistake of looking in the direction the bike is currently traveling. This is good, as long as you are riding on a straight path. Many riders forget to transition and look in the direction they need the bike to go. Hence, why some riders have difficulty with cornering, tight turns and parking. Looking where you want to go, will trigger the subconscious to physically apply the forces on the bike. It is much more difficult to get the bike to go in a direction that you are not looking.
Try this technique in a parking lot when you get the chance: Pull into an area that is relatively clear of obstacles and vehicles. Pull all the way into a parking space until your front tire touches the end line of the space. Come to a complete stop. Turn your bars either left or right until fully locked, then back the bars just slightly. Sit nice and straight. Turn your head 90 degrees and look down and up onto the horizon in the direction you want to go. Then proceed with your left or right turn from the stop. Remember always to look in the direction you want to go during the entire movement, not in the direction you are currently sitting. If you stay focused on the horizon, you’ll be amazed how tight your turn will be. If you glance away from the horizon for even a brief second, your turn will be much wider. Practice this simply technique before every ride. You’ll be amazed how much tighter and smoother your turns become.
Until next time, Ride Safe!
Sinjin
May Safety Tip
Did you know May is Motorcycle Safety Month? We had planned a presentation and demonstration with the Hamilton County Sherriff’s Office and the Erlanger Trauma Center to discuss motorcycle safety. However, due to the imposed quarantine we had to cancel it but hope to reschedule at a later date.
Over the years of working in my profession, I have always been taught to play the “What If?” game while on-duty. This strategy forces one to actively think about their current strategy to react or respond if something bad should happen right at that moment. Hence, what if this happened, what would I do?
I try to apply this same strategy when on the bike. What would I do if the vehicle trying to turn left in front of me doesn’t stop as I’m approaching the intersection? Do I have an escape route? Where are other vehicles around me? What are the surface conditions like? What if the vehicle in the adjacent lane wanders over towards me? What if, what if, what if? That’s the question. More importantly, what are you going to do? Without a strategy you are left with subconscious reaction. This may work if you are very skilled and practiced, but if you’re not, then what.
The point of this mental game is to keep your conscious mind engaged. The more alert you are and actively thinking about survival strategies the less likely you are to be caught on your heels. As we say in my profession: complacency kills. I would say the same applies to motorcyclists.
There’s a lot of technology out there that can help us to be safe. However, there’s nothing like using your sense’s along with common sense to help keep you safe. The attached short video is a prime example. It’s from a European country but has subtitles so you can follow. You can learn from watching it.
Give the “What If” technique a try. You will be amazed at what you’ve been missing along the way. The point of the survival mindset is not allowing yourself to become a victim. Take charge of your own destiny.
April Safety Tip
If you’ve ridden a motorcycle more than a day, then you know that not all roads are the same. They are made of different materials, the quality of their surfaces varies considerably; they might be pristine and immaculate in one place, only to become pot-holed war zones a few miles further along.
This is especially true right here in Tennessee and Georgia. You may start your ride on city roads that are well maintained and smooth; then cross over to a county road where the surface quality and slope are much different.
The curves in one section of a road can be well lighted, perfectly banked, and of consistent radius while only a mile away a similar curve can be dark, decreasing radius, covered with ‘tar snakes’, and have rocks or sand in the tire tracks and along the edge.
Interstate highways are consistent within a state, but once you cross state lines, they can be much different. You can see this variation from Tennessee to Georgia.
So, the message here should be obvious: As you ride, whether it be from the urban corridor into the county, mountains or open interstate, be sure to be ready for changes in road surface and quality. Slow down and experience the workmanship and care of the roads for a few miles before believing that you can take that next blind curve as fast as you are accustomed to riding. Surface Appraisal should be a constant in your riding strategy and technique.
Until next time…Please Ride Safe!
Sinjin
March Safety Tip
This month I want to discuss group riding. Whether you’re a new rider or one that’s been riding for years, riding in a group brings on different dynamics. Learning how to prepare for a ride, riding in formation, hand signals and getting through intersections are all important in order to keep everyone safe. Watch this video from the Motorcycle Safety Foundation https://youtu.be/erpkyD7SMfw to get an better understanding. Keep an eye on our calendar as we’ll have some upcoming training on group riding.
Ride safe,
Sinjin
February Safety Tip
Last month we discussed riding in the rain, this month I want to discuss the importance of your tires. We talk a lot about tires…e.g. How many miles are you getting on a set of tires or what tires have the best grip, etc. How many of you really know the specifics on your tires and what should be on your motorcycle?
Any keen biker will know that other than their crash helmet and leathers, their tires keep them safe while out riding. Any defects could mean the difference between a safe ride on the roads, or a trip to the hospital. Checking your bike before you ride is common sense, and a good practice to get into. When it comes to checking your tires, here are three things that you need to check before going for a ride.
Pressure
Firstly, the tires need to be inflated to the manufacturers recommended level for the type of road conditions, and the frequency of use. Daily road riding is very different from occasional dirt track riding, and while the same bike can be used for both activities, the pressure needed is likely to be very different. The pressure also keeps the tire bead pressed against the rim. In extreme cases, low pressure can lead to the tire coming away from the rim. Check your tire pressure when your tires are cold. Checking them after you have been on a ride will give you a higher reading, as the air in the tire can expand by up to ten percent. Either check the pressure before you run your bike, or give at least 20 minutes of cooling off time after you have been out.
Tread
Much like the pressure, the tire tread can vary depending on what you are doing and where you are riding. The first thing to do is carry out a visual inspection of the tires, getting up close to check for general wear and damage. All tires now come with wear bars built into them. They are not visible on new tires, but as the tread wears away over time, they become more prominent. When the level of tread matches the wear bars, it is time to get the tire replaced. Riding on tires that do not have enough tread can lead to accidents and blow outs.
Using a penny is another common way to check the depth. The penny should be partially covered by the tread, covering part of Lincolns head. If all his head is visible then the tire should be changed. Another visual check should be between the tread of the tires, to make sure there are no small objects wedged into them. Small stones, glass, or screws that have become lodged in the tire can affect its performance, and even cause an accident.
Type
There are two main types of tire, radial and bias. The difference is in the construction. A radial tire has the internal cords at a ninety-degree angle to the rubber, while a bias tire has the cords running diagonally. These tires behave differently under force, so acceleration and breaking can be affected by the tire type. Bikes are usually manufactured to use one type or the other, so when replacing your tires, it is important to use the correct ones. Your local tire shop will be able to advise you to make sure you stay safe on the road.
Remember, your only contact point with the ground is your tires. Shouldn’t they be important to you? If they aren’t, your next contact point with the ground may be YOU!
If you need any further advice or want your tires checked professionally, stop in at Crockett Powersports and talk with Thomas and his staff.
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Sinjin
January Safety Tip
Welcome to 2020! I hope everyone had great Christmas and a safe New Year. I’d like to take the time to welcome you to our new webpage, please explore the site and let us know what you’d like to see more of or less of.
I’d like to start the year off with a Safety Tip, I plan on writing at least one Safety Tip a month. This past week has seen temps down in the low 30’s and as high as the mid 70’s. We’ve had dry roads, icy patches and rain. After riding all week in the bi-polar Winter season of Tennessee, I figured a tip on wet weather riding would be appropriate.
Most motorcyclists obviously do not prefer to ride in the rain, but if you spend a lot of time on the bike, it will be inevitable you will have to deal with wet road conditions. However, with the right clothing, the proper technique and a bit more concentration, the ride in the rain can be enjoyable as well. The rider and the bike have to be up for the challenge.
The dynamics are usually no different in the rain than on a dry road. The difference is that acceleration, braking, turning and cornering have to be done much more gently and smoothly. Due to the decrease in traction, you cannot lean as much during cornering.
All shifting and braking should be gradual and smooth. Any abrupt acceleration and deceleration on a wet surface could result in a loss of traction.
When riding wet city streets, particular attention should be paid to manhole covers and street striping. Avoid leaning the motorcycle on these surfaces. I prefer to ride in between crosswalk striping when turning at an intersection.
If on an interstate or highway, increase you’re following distance and decrease your speed. Shifting your lane position can also help reduce the amount of road spray you encounter.
The key phrase to remember here is, “smooth is safe”.
Until next time, Ride Safe!!
Sinjin