10 tips for new motorcycle riders

1. Take a motorcycle safety class. Learn how to ride proficiently.
2. Practice in an empty parking lot and become proficient at breaking, turning and evading.
3. Ride using the SIPDE: scan, identify, predict, decide and execute.
4. I am an ABATE member and believe we should have the right to choose whether to wear a helmet or not. In Michigan it's the law.  If you're going to wear a helmet I recommend a good one. A DOT approved helmet and one that has full face coverage.  I've had many clients come to me after a crash and tell me they are happy they had one on.
5. Watch out for intersections.  The vast majority of all motorcycle accidents occur at intersections. The most common accident I see involves the at fault driver making a left turn.
6. Do not ride in bad weather.  The chances of going down go up.
7. When you ride don't consume any alcohol.  Just make it your policy. 
8. Make sure you insure your bike and do so properly with uninsured motorist and underinsured motorist protection.
9. Be conspicuous.  I remember my motorcycle riding instructor saying, “why is it that everything they make for us is black?”  Wear bright colored coat and helmet. Europeans have the right idea-- they don't think it's “uncool” to wear a high visible reflective vest while riding a motorcycle.  One of the best and most noticeable items I've seen a biker wear was a neon green and orange swirled pattern helmet. When the motorcyclist looked left and right at an intersection the sunlight bounced off of it almost as if it were a police siren.  And what do negligent drivers that hit motorcyclist say, “I just didn't see him.”
10. Watch for people pulling out of side streets, business parking lots and coming across backed up traffic lanes.  These are situations I see constantly where a motorcyclist gets hit.

When riding be smooth and agile with all your body movements and activities.  Make sure your passenger knows not to aggressively change body position.

Ride using the SIPDE: Scan, Identify, Predict, Decide and Execute

• Scan: search for potential hazards.
  
• Identify: locate hazards and potential conflicts (other vehicles, pedestrians, animals and stationary objects)
  
• Predict: anticipate what the hazard might do or where a collision may occur.
  
• Decide: determine what you need to do based on your prediction. Determine where, when and how to take action.
  
• Execute: carry out your decision. Your riding skills depend upon being able to execute.  They have to be in your muscle memory and be second nature for you be able to react quick enough.

Electric motorcycle:

The Brammo Company has made an electric motorcycle with a decent price point called the Enertia.  The cost is $7995 and offered for sale at certain Best Buy stores. There's no clutch or gears to shift, it is quiet and can go 40+ miles on a single charge.

www.brammo.com

Harley-Davidson offers a new trike.

It's a three wheeler starting at $29,999 the 103 in.³ twin cam powertrain with lengthened and raked front forks reduced turning effort and improve handling. The touring packing trunk offers a few feet of cargo space.
www.harley-davidson.com

Very cool motorcycle jacket: the company Belstaff  now offers a coat that is a replica of the motorcycle jacket worn by Steve McQueen in the Mojave Race ofhe 1960's.  It's made from cowhide and has “armor” in the shoulders and elbows. Keep in mind for Father's Day!

www.britishmotorcyclegear.com 

            Here are a few simple rules from the Motorcycle Safety Foundation you should follow when you anticipate coping with sand, mud, water or any loose surface or obstruction in the road:

• Downshift and slow before you reach the problem area.
• If there is traffic in the area, make sure that the drivers are aware you are slowing.
• Try to cross the bad surface in a straight line, or at least do not change direction or speed abruptly.
• Stay read to maintain the balance of the motorcycle.
• If you are moving along and have to go over an obstruction that is lying across the road, like a 2x4 piece of wood, rise upon the foot pegs and shift your weight toward the back of the saddle as your front wheel comes up to the obstacle. This will make it easier for the front wheel to bounce up and over. Then move your weight forward to help your rear wheel go over.
• Do not accelerate until you bike is completely over the obstacle.