Archive for 'Motorcycle Safety'

Lear To Ride A Motorcycle

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For many, the idea of getting on a motorcycle is synonymous with freedom. Riding a motorcycle means no barriers between the rider and the great outdoors, a fusion of rider, wind, and sun on an endless open road. There are many things to consider for those who are ready to learn how to ride a motorcycle. Becoming a responsible rider begins with making the right choices and taking the time to learn motorcycle safety.

The first thing for a prospective motorcycle owner to consider is how big and how heavy their first motorcycle should be. Ultimately, being capable of handling a motorcycle depends on the rider’s size versus the size of the motorcycle. Once it’s decided which motorcycle to start out on, it’s time to learn some rules of the road.

Unlike driving a car, riding a motorcycle requires much more vigilance and awareness on the road. Potholes and debris can be hazardous to a motorcyclist. Learning how to watch out for these and other obstacles is vitally important to motorcycle safety. Other motorists pose an even bigger threat. A motorcyclist must learn to anticipate other drivers’ moves to avoid disaster. Generally, drivers are not consciously looking for motorcycles on the road and will often overlook them when changing lanes or pulling onto roadways. Without a heightened awareness, riding a motorcycle can be risky and dangerous.

It is best to learn how to ride a motorcycle on an even surface and practice some basic skills before taking it on the road. First, it’s important to get a feel for the bike by sitting on it with feet flat on the ground or by utilizing the three point position with the left foot on the ground and the right foot on the rear brake pedal. Good posture is critical in keeping the bike balanced and an eye on the road ahead.

After getting a feel for the bike it is time to learn how to ride. Anyone just learning should have a skilled rider present. A skilled rider can offer pointers and assist in the best handling of the bike. Before taking a motorcycle out on the road the new rider needs to learn starting, accelerating, decelerating, shifting, braking, and parking until it can be done comfortably and confidently. The first things one should practice with diligence is starting, stopping, and clutch control. Once these skills are mastered, the novice rider will have a better grasp of control and experience a smoother, safer ride.

Before anyone decides to learn how to ride a motorcycle, they should familiarize themselves with state laws and should always use a helmet. In addition, for the best protection against injuries from a fall, motorcyclists should wear snug-fitting clothing that will cover their legs and arms. Loose clothing can flap in the wind or get caught on parts of the motorcycle which can have disastrous results. Sturdy boots or shoes without laces are another good idea for extra protection and safety.

Riding a motorcycle can be fun, safe, and economical. With the right training and practice, it can be the beginning of a beautiful friendship with the open road and great outdoors.

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Protecting You Body In Motorcycle Accidents

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Motorcycles are more prone to accidents as well as fatalities. The accidents are caused due to other vehicles or obstructions coming in its path or riders error. A major risk is concussion and brain damage due to violent head injury. Injury to the chin is also common. This can be reduced sharply when the rider and the pillion rider wears head protection gear that is as per approved standards. Other main forms of injuries are breakage of joints such as shoulders, elbows, knees, hips and wrists, spine, neck and fingers. Shoulder and pelvis injuries are the most common. These injuries can be minimized, if not prevented, by using extra padding in jackets and pants at vulnerable joint regions. The extra padding can be either foam padding or dual density foam.

Soft tissue damage to the muscle and skin almost always occur. This happens when the body scrapes over the surface of the ground. Wearing protective apparel can prevent these types of injuries to a large extent. The protective apparel could be in the form of jackets made of such materials as cordura, leather, Kevlar, ballistic nylon and other synthetics. Reinforced pants could also be useful. There are many ways to minimize motorcycle accidents. One way is to make the motorcycle conspicuous so that other oncoming vehicles can easily see it. The visibility can be improved with the use of retro-reflective strips and head lamps. Highly visible jackets can also be worn by the rider. Yellow, orange or bright red are remarkably visible from a distance. Enhancing the visibility of the vehicle and the rider is an effective way to warn other of the movement of the motorcycle. Nevertheless, it is important that the riders will have to have a good understanding of the variety of causes of accidents and take the necessary precautions.

Scooters are categorized under motorcycle. There are mobility scooters, gas scooters, motorized scooters, electric scooters and gas scooters. Push scooters or Kick scooters are increasingly popular amongst kids. There are no engines and so no pollution to bother about. It moves with a push and glide motion. Legs are used for pushing the kick scooter. Electric kick scooters are also available in the market. Kick scooters are useful, fun and moreover cheap. Razor, for instance, produces kick scooters such as Razor Kick Scooter, and Razor A & AW kick Scooter,  electric scooters such as Razor E200S/E225S Scooter and Razor E100 Series Scooters, miniature electric scooters, miniature electric motorcycle as Razor Pocket Rocket and electric wagons.

Cars and heavy vehicles dominate the roadways and highways. The system of road transportation is biased is biased against two wheelers. Motor vehicle drivers too show an intolerant attitude to the motorcycles often encroaching and dominating the space on the road.

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What You Should Know About Causes of Motorcycle Accidents

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The rate of accidents is higher in the case of motorcycles. The fatality rate is also higher with motorcycles. Most of the cases of accidents are when passenger vehicles are involved with motorcycles. Often it is found that many accidents are caused when other vehicles encroach into the path of motorcycles. The remaining accidents do not involve other vehicles. But rider error is the cause of such single vehicle accidents. These happen due to a variety of reasons such as slide-out, over-breaking, running wide or under-cornering on a curve at over speed. A few of the accidents do happen because of vehicle failure including a puncture flat. Roughly half the fatal accidents involve consumption of alcohol.

Speed, involvement of alcohol and size of the motorcycle determines the severity of the injury. Quite often the cause of the injuries after the accident is found to be caused by the protective barriers that are on the road including fences, signs and lamps. Additional injuries are likely to happen with the motorcyclists crashing on to the protective barriers. The low visibility of the motorcycle is a major cause of motorcycle accidents.

Motorcycles are categorized into the dual purpose, street and off-road motorcycles. The dual-purpose motorcycles are designed to be used both for transportation as well as motor racing. Street bikes include cruisers, mopeds and scooters. Street bikes are what are usually driven on the streets. The off road motorcycles are not designed for street riding and are not permitted for transport. They are for motor racing. There are different kinds of scooters such as electric scooters, gas scooters, motorized scooters, mobility scooters and kick scooters.

Gas scooter is the most common on the roads. Some of the scooters include Honda, Peugeot, Piaggio, Puch, Suzuki, Vespa, Yamaha, Bajaj, TVS, and ZNEN. There are companies such as X-Treme who manufacture electric scooters such as X-Treme XB-420M, X-Treme X-500, X-Treme X-250, and X-Treme X-140; Gas motorcycle Moped as X-Treme XM-155; Gas Moped as X-Treme XM-160; gas motorcycle moped as X-Treme XM-50, gas scooters moped as X-Treme XM-150, electric moped motorcycle as X-Treme XM-4000Li and gas scooters as X-Treme XG 470 scooter. The most common scooter found on the roads is the gas scooter. They come in different models and brands such as Peugeot, Honda, Puch, Piaggio, Vespa, Yamaha, Suzuki, TVS, Bajaj and ZNEN. Companies such as X-Treme manufacture electric scooters as X-Treme X-500, X-Treme XB-420M, X-Treme X-140 and X-Treme X-250; Gas Moped as X-Treme XM-160; Gas motorcycle Moped as X-Treme XM-155; gas scooters moped as X-Treme XM-150; gas motorcycle moped as X-Treme™ XM-50; gas scooters as X-Treme XG 470 scooter and electric moped motorcycle as X-Treme XM-4000Li.

With the economic slow down and increased cost of gasoline, there is an increased demand for motorcycles. The traffic congestion and the ability of motorcycles to get through he traffic easily, more people are opting for thee motorcycles. The manufacturers are responding to this demand with newer designs and models with a variety of features.

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Motorcycle – How to Ride Safely

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Riding safely is an important part of owning a motorcycle. Since riding a motorcycle is so different from driving a car, the rules for safe riding are a bit different too. For starters, nobody is going to be able to take the wheel from you if you make a mistake. You’re on your own while riding a motorcycle. For this reason, getting the hang of safe motorcycle practices can be difficult unless you know what to look out for. That’s why you should familiarize yourself with the basic safety procedures before hitting the road.

A big part of motorcycle safety is paying attention to your surroundings. Motorcycles are small and can easily be overlooked by cars or trucks, so it’s up to the rider to remain alert and recognize when you may be in danger. Many motorcyclists leave their headlight on even during daylight hours. This gives them extra visibility and reduces their chances of being overlooked. Make sure you are always visible to other drivers. Never ride in someone’s blind spot.

Pay extra attention at intersections and four-way stops. This is where most accidents involving motorcycles occur. A car may not see a motorcycle crossing an intersection, with the result being that they speed right into you. Also make sure to take extra caution around driveways, in parking lots, or anywhere where someone might be backing out. New motorcyclists should prepare for some serious defensive driving.

Changes in weather are harder on a motorcyclist than they are on other drivers. Not only is your body exposed to the elements, but a motorcycle is relatively light and can sometimes be pushed around by the wind, or skid easily on slippery road surfaces.

Hitting an obstacle that wouldn’t hinder a car might send a motorcyclist flying. For this reason, it’s important to always wear a helmet, preferably the type that cover the entire face. If your helmet only covers the top of your head, you must also wear sunglasses or goggles. If you ride without eye protection, it’s very easy for the wind to blow dust into your eyes.

And finally, all motorcyclists should take a motorcycle training course. A training course will lay out the basics of motorcycle safety, as well as touching on any laws specific to your state. It’s important to always follow the local laws, mind the speed limit, and avoid drinking and driving.

 

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Motorcycle Safety – Why Motorcycle Helmets are Essential

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Every year thousands of people around the world are killed on motorcycles, and motorcycle riders are 30 times more likely to be killed in an accident than car drivers. Motorcycle safety is the most important thing for anyone wanting to open up their hog on the open road, and motorcycle helmets are the lynchpin of that security. Here’s what you need to know about motorcycle safety and helmets.

Police officers have a couple of frank and brutal names for riders without motorcycle helmets: organ donors or, after an accident, “street pizza.” Anyone who gets onboard a bike without a helmet is literally taking their life in their own hands. A motorcycle crash is obviously more dangerous than that of a car—you have no protection from the concrete, steel and obstacles of the road when you are on your bike. The very freedom that attracts riders can mean even a low speed accident can cause death for those who forego motorcycle helmets. Those who live are often subject to serious brain damage caused by concussions or facial disfigurement.

These are the reasons why motorcycle safety advocates insist every rider wear a helmet. In some states and countries such helmets are absolutely mandatory, while in others it is left to the biker’s discretion. The truth is if you have any brains worth protecting, you will use a helmet. There are several different types, each with their own advantages and disadvantages.

First is the standard “full face” helmet used by most road riders. This thick and bulky helmet covers the entire head, and shields the face behind a transparent sheet of shatterproof Plexiglas or plastic. It also covers the chin, vital since a large number of accidents involve impact under the chin area. Only full face motorcycle helmets offer the kind of full motorcycle safety that conscientious riders seek.

But “full face” helmets are also sweaty, claustrophobic and muffle the wearer’s hearing. A popular alternative which seeks to offer the best protection at greater comfort is the modular helmet, fitted with a face mask which can be flipped open. Everyone who rides wants the wind in their hair—modular motorcycle helmets let you get a little air while keeping your brain all in one place.

Much less protective and not recommended by motorcycle safety experts are three-quarters and half helmets, which are exactly what they sound like. The three-quarters helmet looks like an American Football helmet without the facemask, covering the top and sides of the head, but fastened with only a strap (offering no chin protection) and typically without any face mask. Half helmets were more popular in decades past and only cover the top of the head. The obvious disadvantages for riders are less protection, particularly in the chin and face areas which are highly vulnerable and often exposed to injury during wrecks.

All this to say: if you are considering a bike, please keep motorcycle safety on your mind with a helmet. The alternative is disfigurement, loss of brain function or death.

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