General Guidelines For Riding Safely -- (from the www.msf-usa.org) Be visible:   Remember that motorists often have trouble seeing motorcycles and reacting in time. Make sure your headlight works and is on day and night Use reflective strips or decals on your clothing and on your motorcycle. Be aware of the blind spots cars and trucks have. Flash your brake light when you are slowing down and before stopping. If a motorist doesn’t see you, don’t be afraid to use your horn. Dress for safety:   Wear a quality helmet and eye protection. Wear bright clothing and a light-colored helmet. Wear leather or other thick, protective clothing. Choose long sleeves and pants, over-the-ankle boots, and gloves. Remember – the only thing between you and the road is your protective gear. Apply effective mental strategies:   Constantly search the road for changing conditions. Give yourself space and time to respond to other motorists’ actions. Give other motorists time and space to respond to you. Use lane positioning to be seen; ride in the part of a lane where you are most visible. Watch for turning vehicles. Signal your next move in advance. Avoid weaving between lanes. Pretend you’re invisible, and ride extra defensively. Don't ride when you are tired or under the influence of alcohol or other drugs. Know and follow the rules of the road. Stick to the speed limit. Know your bike and how to use it:   Get formal training and take refresher courses. Call 800.446.9227 or visit www.msf-usa.org to locate the Motorcycle Safety Foundation hands-on RiderCourse nearest you. Practice. Develop your riding techniques before going into heavy traffic. Know how to handle your bike in conditions such as wet or sandy roads, high winds, and uneven surfaces. Remember: Give yourself space. People driving cars often just don’t see motorcycles. Even when drivers do see you, chances are they’ve never been on a motorcycle and can’t properly judge your speed.   Ten Things All Car & Truck Drivers Should Know About Motorcycles   There are a lot more cars and trucks than motorcycles on the road, and some drivers don't "recognize" a motorcycle; they ignore it (usually unintentionally). Look for motorcycles, especially when checking traffic at an intersection. Because of its small size, a motorcycle may look farther away than it is. It may also be difficult to judge a motorcycle’s speed. When checking traffic to turn at an intersection or into (or out of) a driveway, predict a motorcycle is closer than it looks. Because of its small size, a motorcycle can be easily hidden in a car’s blind spots (door/roof pillars) or masked by objects or backgrounds outside a car (bushes, fences, bridges, etc). Take an extra moment to thoroughly check traffic, whether you're changing lanes or turning at intersections. Because of its small size a motorcycle may seem to be moving faster than it really is. Don't assume all motorcyclists are speed demons. Motorcyclists often slow by downshifting or merely rolling off the throttle, thus not activating the brake light. Allow more following distance, say 3 or 4 seconds. At intersections, predict a motorcyclist may slow down without visual warning. Turn signals on a motorcycle usually are not self-canceling, thus some riders, (especially beginners) sometimes forget to turn them off after a turn or lane change. Make sure a motorcycle's signal is for real. Motorcyclists often adjust position within a lane to be seen more easily and to minimize the effects of road debris, passing vehicles, and wind. Understand that motorcyclists adjust lane position for a purpose, not to be reckless or show off or to allow you to share the lane with them. Maneuverability is one of a motorcycle's better characteristics, especially at slower speeds and with good road conditions, but don't expect a motorcyclist to always be able to dodge out of the way. Stopping distance for motorcycles is nearly the same as for cars, but slippery pavement makes stopping quickly difficult. Allow more following distance behind a motorcycle because it can't always stop "on a dime." When a motorcycle is in motion, don't think of it as motorcycle; think of it as a person. Guidelines For Carrying A Passenger On Your Motorcycle Legal Considerations   All state laws and requirements for carrying a passenger must be followed. Some states have specific equipment requirements. Examples: the motorcycle must have passenger footrests, passengers must be able to reach the footrests, and a motorcycle must have a separate seating area for a passenger. The decision to carry a child, assuming all safety and legal factors have been considered, is left to the parent or guardian. Ensure that the child is mature enough to handle the responsibilities, tall enough to reach the footrests, wears a properly fitted helmet and other protective gear, and holds onto you or the passenger hand-holds. Check your state’s laws; a few states have set minimum ages for motorcycle passengers. Operator Preparation   Passengers should be considered as a second "active" rider so they can help ensure that safety and procedural operations are correctly followed. A passenger will affect the handling characteristics of a motorcycle due to the extra weight and independent motion. A passenger tends to move forward in quick stops and may "bump" your helmet with theirs. Starting from a stop may require more throttle and clutch finesse. Braking procedures may be affected. Braking sooner and/or with greater pressure may be required. More weight over the rear tire may increase the usefulness and stopping power of the rear brake, especially in quick stop situations. Riding on a downgrade will cause braking distance to increase. Extra caution is called for in a corner because of the extra weight. Cornering clearances may be affected. More time and space will be needed for passing. The effects of wind, especially side wind, may be more pronounced. Motorcycle Preparation   The motorcycle must be designed to accommodate a passenger. The motorcycle owner’s manual should be reviewed for manufacturer’s tips about motorcycle setup as well as any related operational recommendations. The motorcycle’s suspension and tire pressure may need adjustment. Care should be taken to not exceed the weight limitations specified in the owner’s manual. Passenger Preparation   Passengers should be tall enough to reach the footrests and mature enough to handle the responsibilities. Passengers should wear proper protective gear. Passengers should receive a safety briefing (see #7 below). Passengers should consider themselves a second operator and share responsibility for safety. General Safety Considerations   You need to be experienced in the motorcycle’s operation and have a safety-oriented attitude before taking on the added responsibility of carrying a passenger. Practice low-speed clutch/throttle control as well as normal and emergency braking in a low-risk area like an open parking lot, with a passenger. Use caution in cornering and develop cornering skills over time to ensure passenger comfort and safety. Use caution in corners as clearance may be affected. Use a Search, Evaluate, Execute (S.E.E.) strategy to increase time and space safety margins. Allow time for a passenger to adjust to the sense of speed and the sensation of leaning; speeds should conservatively safe and reasonable until a passenger acclimates to the proper riding techniques. Ensure passengers follow safety procedures:   Complete personal protective gear is properly in use. Hold operator’s waist or hips, or motorcycle’s passenger hand-holds provided. Keep feet on footrests at all times, including while stopped. Keep hands and feet away from hot or moving parts. When in a corner, look over the operator’s shoulder in the direction of the corner. Avoid turning around or making sudden moves that might affect operation. If crossing an obstacle, stand on the pegs with the knees slightly bent and allow the legs to absorb the shock upon impact. Allow more time for passing. Be ready to counter the effects of wind. Avoid extreme speeds and dramatic lean angles. Be ready for a passenger "bump" with their helmet when stopping quickly. Start the motorcycle before the passenger mounts. Have the passenger mount after the motorcycle’s stand is raised and the motorcycle is securely braced. Annually complete an ERC Skills Plus RiderCourseSM with a passenger. Have frequent passengers complete a Basic RiderCourse so they can better understand the operator’s task. MSF’s Guide to Group Riding Motorcycling is primarily a solo activity, but for many, riding as a group -- whether with friends on a Sunday morning ride or with an organized motorcycle rally -- is the epitome of the motorcycling experience. Here are some tips to help ensure a fun and safe group ride:   Arrive prepared. Arrive on time with a full gas tank. Hold a riders’ meeting. Discuss things like the route, rest and fuel stops, and hand signals (see diagrams on next page). Assign a lead and sweep (tail) rider. Both should be experienced riders who are well-versed in group riding procedures. The leader should assess everyone’s riding skills and the group’s riding style. Keep the group to a manageable size, ideally five to seven riders. If necessary, break the group into smaller sub-groups, each with a lead and sweep rider. Ride prepared. At least one rider in each group should pack a cell phone, first-aid kit, and full tool kit, so the group is prepared for any problem that they might encounter. Ride in formation. The staggered riding formation allows a proper space cushion between motorcycles so that each rider has enough time and space to maneuver and to react to hazards. The leader rides in the left third of the lane, while the next rider stays at least one second behind in the right third of the lane; the rest of the group follows the same pattern. A single-file formation is preferred on a curvy road, under conditions of poor visibility or poor road surfaces, entering/leaving highways, or other situations where an increased space cushion or maneuvering room is needed. Avoid side-by-side formations, as they reduce the space cushion. If you suddenly needed to swerve to avoid a hazard, you would not have room to do so. You don’t want handlebars to get entangled. Periodically check the riders following in your rear view mirror. If you see a rider falling behind, slow down so they may catch up. If all the riders in the group use this technique, the group should be able to maintain a fairly steady speed without pressure to ride too fast to catch up. If you’re separated from the group, don’t panic. Your group should have a pre-planned procedure in place to regroup. Don’t break the law or ride beyond your skills to catch up. For mechanical or medical problems, use a cell phone to call for assistance as the situation warrants. Preventing Motorcycle Theft Follow these basic tips to help avoid becoming a victim of motorcycle theft:   Lock your ignition and remove the key. Most bike thefts occur when the ignition is shut off, but not locked. Lock the forks or disk brakes with locks that have large, brightly colored tags. If traveling with other riders, lock motorcycles together when not in use. If riding alone, lock your bike to a secure, stationary object that can’t be easily dismantled, such as a light pole. Add an audible alarm to your motorcycle. When traveling and spending the night at a hotel, locate an outdoor security camera and park your bike in the camera’s view. If this is not possible, park your bike close to your room. Keep an eye on your bike. When parking at a public event, check your motorcycle periodically, especially immediately after leaving your bike, to make sure there are no suspicious individuals lurking about. If parking in a garage, block your bike with automobiles, close the garage door and make sure it is locked. Don’t store your title in your bike’s storage compartment, tank bag or saddlebag. The safest place for your title is at home. Uniquely mark and then photograph your bike. If thieves take your bike, note its unique markings to law enforcement using the photos you have taken. Keep your bike registration and insurance identification card on you when you ride. Be careful about giving out private information on where you live, work or play. If you use a trailer to transport your motorcycle, follow these safety tips:   Park the trailer in a well-lit location near security cameras or in an area easily seen by restaurant, hotel or event staff. Lock the trailer doors and hitch. Secure doors by backing up to a wall, so there is not enough room for doors to be opened. Know your trailer identification and license plate registration numbers. When riding home, make sure you’re not being followed. Guard against theft when selling your bike: Using fake identities has become common in bike thefts. Don’t turn over the title until you can verify the check or money order is valid and has cleared the bank. Mail the title to the new owner.   Ask the buyer for his or her name, address, date of birth and driver’s license number. Then ask to see the driver’s license and check that the information given matches the license. Be especially cautious of anyone who presents out-of-state identification. Make sure the potential buyer wasn’t dropped off by another party and is planning to take a one-way test ride with your bike. Verify that the buyer owns the vehicle he or she arrived with, and that the vehicle is of equal or greater value than your bike. Check that the buyer's driver’s license carries a valid motorcycle endorsement. It isn’t necessary that you provide a buyer with the title right away. A written document signed by the seller and buyer indicating price and method of payment can serve as proof of purchase. You can forward the title to the buyer once the check has cleared the bank. If you decide to sell your motorcycle on consignment, do not provide the signed title to the dealership until you have received your money in full. Make sure the dealership is a reputable business before you trust them as an agent. Theft Prevention Tips courtesy of Sentry Insurance