Motorcycle Safety: What You Need To Know
Motorcycles are a great way to enjoy the beauty that can be found on the open road. Whether you have a motorcycle for leisure or use one as your primary mode of transportation, one thing that will never change is the need for safety. Below are several ways you can protect yourself, your passengers and your motorcycle. By familiarizing yourself with these safety tips, you can keep yourself and those around you out of harm's way.
Protective Gear
A helmet is probably the first thing that comes to mind when you think of protective gear. Helmets are absolutely essential, but you can't stop there. You need full body protection. If you are involved in an accident, you will minimally sustain severe road rash and possibly worse if high speeds are involved. You should seriously consider investing in and religiously wearing the following safety gear; it could mean the difference between life and death.
- Goggles (if not built into the helmet)
- Chest armor
- Elbow guards
- Gloves
- Protective pants
- Knee guards
- Boots
Each of the pieces listed above protect vital and vulnerable areas of the body. Don't skimp on safety gear-- find a dealer like Rocket Harley-Davidson or storefront who sells high-quality protective equipment.
Keep an Eye Out
There are three common traffic instances that often put motorcyclists in harms way. Being on a motorcycle limits your visibility to other drivers. You can disappear in a car's blind spot, cars tend to follow too closely to motorcyclists and they may fail to yield to you when they are entering traffic. Knowing when you are the most vulnerable to other drivers can help you protect yourself from unnecessary traffic accidents.
Be Prepared
When driving any vehicle, you run the risk of becoming stranded. That risk increases on a motorcycle because inclement weather can strike suddenly, leaving you helpless on the side of the road. You should always keep emergency supplies with you should you find yourself grounded for an undetermined amount of time. Harley Davidson has put together a comprehensive list on items that you should consider carrying with you at all times. Their emergency supply list includes a few of the following items:
- First aid kit
- Emergency contact info
- Spare key
- Emergency blanket
- Waterproof matches
- Food
- Water
- Flashlight
It is so much better to be prepared for those 'what if' occasions rather than wishing you'd taken care of it after the fact. You can prepare yourself physically by wearing the recommended safety gear, by being aware of common triggers for motorcycle accidents and by planning ahead should you get sidelined in the middle of nowhere. Enjoy the freedom riding a motorcycle brings you by taking important and necessary safety precautions.