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I love your channel. Once again you are spot on. I just want to add a comment about helmets. You're stats are great, but here's my true story why I always wear a helmet. About 15 years ago I was rear-ended by a tractor trailer. I learned to fly that day. I landed on my head and my left knee. The left knee was destroyed and it took 3 years of surgery and PT to walk unassisted. My head however, not even a concussion!!! The helmet was destroyed, all the protective material in the the helmet was compressed, and the shell cracked, but my head was 100% fine. Without a helmet, I would not be typing this right now. Thanks for all your awesome videos!!!
Rider 50 years +. And I will never understand how I was always the guy with the helmet on while my buddies whipped off their helmet at the 1st chance. Maybe because a simple helmet saved my life at 17 years old when I collided with a bucket loader in a construction zone.
I’m in my 40’s and it was actually difficult to buy a helmet where I used to live in my teens, because of lack of demand… and internet wasn’t an option at the time. Once you’ve grown up like that, you don’t really see the need. It’s the only thing you know. I bought my 1st helmet when I moved to Europe. Now I don’t understand how I could stand all the bs flying into my face before 😂
Rode for years without. When I finally put on that full face, I wondered what the hell took me so long. Besides the obvious crash and elements protection, the fatigue protection was huge. 👍
Spot on with all of this! Especially with riding and drinking. The most dangerous thing a rider can do! I’m a Harley rider but never have been to a dealership and had a beer. They were available but I refuse to.
Thanks for the frank discussion about safety. A topic most riders are scared to talk about in fear of either offending other riders or being ridiculed by those riders. It’s one thing if a rider wants to spend months in a burn unit getting countless surgeries, but it’s unconscionable for riders to put passengers in short-shorts, a halter top, sandles and a half helmet on the back of their bike. Here in Vegas, that’s a common sight in the summer and it just chaps my behind…. Without going down.
The dealership drinking events problem just exacerbates the cultural inclusion of alcohol at motorcycle events. Dealerships could easily replace free beer with t-shirt giveaways and prizes like free services. The cost might even be a little less. The Texas Motorcycle Safety Coalition (TMSC) is working toward getting more dealerships involved in their efforts. I hope that helps. Thanks for the great content Kevin.
Im 57 and been ona licensed ride from 16. Great video i agree and just one thing i do as well is plan my route away from main stream traffic as much as possible. Country roads and the back make a much more enjoyable and safe trip. Dont be in a hurry. Cheersb
I pride myself on riding safely, meaning at safe speeds, being in the right mindset (not being in a hurry or angry riding), wearing gear, and never riding impaired. One thing I'd like to say though is people need to be aware of their mindsets if they ever go on a group ride. I made a stupid mistake on a group ride which caused me to low side and take a little slide, luckily I was relatively uninjured (nothing I had to go to the doctors for). I let the guy I was riding with set the pace because I was following him on a route he likes to take, he was riding fast (something I don't do), and he was turning the ride into a game. I let him get me into the wrong mindset which is why I made a silly mistake and low sided. Don't go on a group ride and let the peer pressure make you ride differently than you normally do, ride how you feel comfortable riding
I've been watching your channel for years; ever since I started riding. I always find solid information and advice and this video is SPOT ON PERFECT. I recently stopped riding with a group of really good guys simply because they rode too fast and performed unsafe passing on the 2 lane. I have lots of miles left before I hang up this sport and being safe is the only way I'll get there.
I will add one. Never allow yourself to get distracted. I did just that 5 weeks ago. I was in my neighborhood, had just rounded a corner and got distracted. I now tell people it was a gal in a yellow poka dot bikini. As a result my 99 Valkyrie was totaled, I hit the rear view mirror with my sternum and cut my shin. I'm still recovering, my chest while better is still very sore. DO NOT allow yourself to become distracted. I was only traveling about maybe 20 mph which is about 30 feet per second.
i like to ride at double the posted speed, wearing only a fundoshi, while drinking whiskey, and smoking weed, 3" from a car's back bumper. it's ok to do this, because i have loud pipes. jokes aside, one of the best things you can do as a rider is read, and re read david hough's book "proficient motorcycling" on the off season. knowing what you learn in that book, and practicing it will go a long way to avoiding problems
3:45 I ride a 300cc Kymco (Taiwanese) scooter and I bought a full face helmet before I ever rode it. It's suitable up to 85mph but for me it stops being fun and I stop feeling comfortable at about 65. I've got a couple of protective jackets and always wear jeans and shoes that are over my ankles. The helmet can be a drag on a hot day but I kind of like my face.
Nice to see you using facts and stats to explain how riders can save their lives or avoid injuries. Helmets are mandatory in Europe, and Spain is moving to full face only. Let's be honest, most riders' families would prefer they did not ride at all so trying to ease their concerns by wearing suitable safety gear should be a done out of respect and love.
I was wondering what folks think about adding camera technology to bikes? Do some manufacturers already have it? I'm a novice rider but it seams a distraction to use the mirrors. I'm thinking a rearward view on the display screen would help.
I have a similar scooter experience. I bought an old Honda Elite 250 scooter from a guy in town. When I showed up with my riding gear, the seller gave me a hard time - "you gonna wear all that stuff? it's just a scooter". I told him the pavement is just as hard whether I come off a scooter or my motorcycle.
I have had a beer or two (small ones) over a long lunch while riding a few times. The last time I crashed later that day. No injuries and my bac was probably negligible by that time, but it probably contributed. That was over 20 years ago.
I ride and also a private pilot. FAA regulations state no operating an aircraft after consuming any alcohol for 8 or 12 hours depending on type of operation. Riding my motorcycle requires at least more attention, balance and skill than flying.
A note about distance for our insurance safety App users, don't confuse normal with ability! It's true bikes *commonly* brake faster than cars in normal riding, we got less weight to stop. The Allstate app even allows you to check "I was on my motorcycle" for trips where fast acceleration and braking were noted and keep your safety points. This does NOT mean MCrider is wrong about ability. It's even more true that in a panic situation the most amateur drivers can stop a car quicker than a highly skilled motorcyclist. If you effectively use progressive breaking without slipping anywhere near as well as the kid with the ABS locked on in front of you, you'll have the entire rear of the bike over the handlebars along with you. Only the amount of distance that allows us to keep the back down, or a path around the problem can save us.
178 MPH was the top speed I saw in that video from Colorado Springs to Denver, crazy! I'm glad he got arrested as well! If you look at the "Part 2" of that guys video, at 1:41 the speedometer flashes from 177 to 178 a couple times.
IAM IN THERE WITH YOU SIR , MY WAY OF ENJOYING RIDING MY MOTORCYCLE IS WEARING AL SAFETY LIKE HELMET. JACKET. BOOTS AND GLOVES. I DON'T DRINK NIGTHER USE DRUGS DON'T SPEED JUST THE NORMAL WAY BY REGULATIONS. I HOPE OTHERS COULD GET THE MESSAGE AND APPLY. THANK YOU FOR THE ADVICE MANY OUT THERE REALLY NEED IT.
It blows me away that helmets are not mandatory in certain cities in the US. They are mandatory in Australia, and I wish jackets, gloves and boots at a minimum were also mandatory. I don't go anywhere on my bike without them, even if it's around the corner from my house. Thanks for the video.
Excellent work. Thank you. I’ve been riding for >30-years and will offer a fifth item within each rider’s control for every ride: Practice. I personally make each and every ride a practice of at least one routine skill from corner entry / exit speed, counter steering with either hand, emergency braking, u-turns & figure eights, swerving, swerving & breaking in a corner, slow control, and being mindful (totally in the present moment without any rumination about anything else or distraction to the ride). I also try to ride a few times a year with a free program called “Ride Safe” which is offered in many states through the Motorcycle Police in many municipalities. Try it. It’s fun. Stay healthy to ride again tomorrow. ☮️🙏🏻🏍️
I agree that probably 95% of accidents can be avoided by the rider. I have ridden on the street for 48 years now without exchanging paint with another car or leaving a streak down the pavement. I believe this is 95% due to my riding skill and situational awareness and 5% due to luck. I fully realize and accept that some day the 5% may get me, but I am working hard to ensure I can avoid the 95% that I have influence over. It is a shame you even mentioned Yammienoob. Idiots like that deserve no air time at all, not even to be used as a bad example. That moron should be in jail.
I agree with the points you've made. In my view if you can't afford the gear you can't afford and ought not to buy the bike. Whilst you argue for individual freedom and individual responsibility and for the most part I agree I think that riders who don't wear helmets or other gear impose a cost on the rest of the community. They do this because when they're bought to the hospital the health system has to treat them and divert resources from other areas to treat injuries that could have been prevented by wearing protective gear. Riding while under the influence of drugs or alcohol again puts others on the road at risk. The affected person thinks they're ok to drive/ride when they're not. The accident they cause injures/kills them but also injures/kills other parties who were doing their best to obey the road rules and get where they're going safely.
Yes that is true in Texas and parts of Australia (where I live) as well. I Often wonder about the hundreds (if not more) dollars spent on decorating the body with tattoos that in the event of a crash with no gear will make great road art not to mention costly and painful skin grafts. @@sean8470
Trying to keep up with your buddies that have a death wish just to prove that you're as cool as they are. Never allow peer pressure to impair your judgment. Ride to live, live to ride, another day.
Gear??? In June of 2021, I hit a deer at about 50 mph. Center punched it, and somersaulted over the deer, bounced a couple times, and slid to a stop. Snell rated full-face helmet - toast. Armored mesh jacket and pants - toast. Tourmaster boots and Held gloves - toast. 5 days in the hospital, and the doc said if I hadn't been wearing the gear, I would have died.
About half of automobile deaths have fatal head injuries so non-usage of helmets isn't just a motorcycle thing. It's also a car driver problem. Driving helmets used to be a thing up until the 1970's; older movies and documentaries actually show helmet usage was quite high among sports car enthusiasts on public roads. Curiously, higher bicycle helmet usage is correlated with higher bicycle fatalities. Motorized vehicles are quite dangerous regardless of what kind of vehicle it is and most US motorists deaths are from drivers with head injuries. To me, it seems quite obvious that helmet usage should probably be mandated for both drivers and motorcyclists.
Ive been now 59 years both street and dirt always a helmet and some kind of gear ! many accidents on dirt one serious no more than a dropped bike on the street. I save the shananagans for the dirt ! I wear gear because I want to ride until I die naturally in my bed not on the side of the road 😁
Number 1 is true and i agree. Now for me im so hot down in lower 48 i dont wear gear. I wear a helmet when its raining. Not saying it wont help i just read many people getting their neck broken and die or knowsomeone that died because of the helmet makes your head bounce like a basketball. I do wear boots and gloves always.
Wearing visible gear helps a lot. I've seen guys all in black on black bike riding at night. I wear white helmet and hi viz vest. I can tell drivers behind me sometimes hesitate to catch up as they think I may be a cop 😄
Maybe a part of your "maintenance" error, but I think it's important to call out: riding with poorly-inflated tyres. After a close call years ago, I am obsessively checking my tyre pressures before EVERY ride...I never get on the bike without first checking those pressures. Under-inflated tyres present the most "urgent" danger, both because they reduce the stability and predictably of the bike's handling (as the contact patch is deformed and moves excessively relative to the wheel rim) and because they are more prone to overheating and breaking (high-amplitude standing waves are lethal to a tyre's structural integrity). But over-inflated tyres can turn a good tyre into glass on the tarmac. Check those pressures, check those tyres for damage - before every ride!
I grew up on motorcycles from the age of 10, and 52 years later, though I have ridden constantly, owned over 40 bikes, and have ridden them in at least 25 states from coast to coast, I have never tangled with a car or truck. I associate this with the fact that they have never been able to catch me. 😎
Too much speed into blind corners or going up a hill is another bad move. I got very very lucky once going around a curve and had about 3 feet of room to squeeze past an idiot blocking both lanes with a trailer he was either backing out or pulling in. Even a car would not have been able to stop doing the speed limit around that curve. I think the guy lived at that spot and if I were doing what he was doing, I would have had someone go over to the curve and flag. Still, driving or riding, it is up to us to slow the f down
I’m guessing we might use different units to measure alcohol in USA and EU. 0,08 here is a tiramisu. 0,2 is a small beer. 0,28 is legal in Spain. 0,5… I don’t want you riding anywhere near me 😂
Some more to think about. Stunt riding... at high speeds especially by inexperienced riders. Riding when sleep deprived. Riding fast in unfamiliar areas.
As a biker my biggest issue is the young rider driving newer high speed bikes riding all over the road as if they know or can avoid anthing. These things sound like super sewing machines and sneak up and pass at high sped without warning. What gives them the right to do that.
A person may not mind that they kill themselves, but how about some consideration for the people who witness the carnage or the emergency people who have to scrape you off the pavement?
I might have told you this story previously: A friend of mine was riding his not quite stock FJR one afternoon and had just turned off I-5 onto Chuckanut Drive - a long straight road. A pale blue pickup pulled up beside him and the driver of the truck pulled out a pistol and started shooting at my friend. He opened the taps and went ahead as fast as the bike would go. A few miles later, still at speed, he passed a state trooper car on the verge. He slowed, pulled off to the verge and stopped. The trooper roared up and parked behind him and got out of the car. "Do you know how fast you were going?" he demanded. "There was a guy in a blue pickup with a gun!" my friend explained. "Where?" asked the trooper. "Just back there a few miles," said my friend, pointing back down the road. The trooper jumped back in their car and did a u turn back up the road at speed. My friend waited, his heart still pounding from the experience. A few minutes later, the trooper came back. "We got him!" they said. "He's been shooting at people for weeks and we could never catch him. But we go him now. And by the way, you were doing 186 mph when you passed me. Have nice day, sir." And they got into their cruiser and left. My friend continued on his way, at a vastly more sedate pace.
@@snowflakesuperbike8294every Japanese sportbike since the year 2000 has been electronically limited to 187. All of them. It’s a condition of them coming to America. The 1999 hyabusa, it’s first year, it’s top speed was 199 mph. The 2000 hyabusa’s top speed was 187. lol. All literbikes are near 200 mph bikes, with a flashed ecu taking the governor off.
I started riding at the age of 15 in 1971. I grew up in Lake Highlands over by White Rock Lake. I have ridden all of my adult life and still do today. One cannot get away from the fact that motorcycles are inherently dangerous. What's worse is that they are inescapably addictive. I have committed all 4 of the sins you related in this video but that was back in those days when I was bullet proof. Hopefully your words will sink in with that bulletproof crowd today.
I stopped using the term, common sense, a few years back and replaced it with "sensibility". The reason is simple. Sensibility is selective for those who act in a thoughtful and respectful manner. And if you think that is for sissys think again. A true man controls his emotions, but a knucklehead let's his emotions control him.
In 1971 roads were safer because: there were less vehicles on the road, they were slower (albeit brakes were bad), more space on the side of the road, and more common sense and sensibility.
... and I would submit the roads were pretty much free of potheads texting on their cell phones at 70 mph. You are right. The roads were infinitely safer then. @@patriciogutierrez1452
We have a gathering called "Two Wheel Tuesday" where I live. Good weather means close to 100 bikes. Almost all the sport bike, vintage, and naked bike riders drink soda..... 90% of the Harley riders drink beer. Draw your own conclusion.
@yepok2957, not many nowadays! It's your fault. Just listen to the cages that pull out in front of them. Look at idiots popping wheeles on the highway.
Riding at night when there is no need for it is also not a good idea. At night you cannot see things (soon enuf) that could cause a problem such as: wandering deer, potholes, older cars with no lights on at dusk, and many other potential hazards. Your channel has likely saved some lives. Good job!!!
I ride to work at 3:30 am about 9 months of the year. The fall season when deer are more on the move is when I’m most concerned. But, I love to ride to and from work.
Unfortunately (maybe not), I learned how to ride by riding at night. It was dark when I went in, and dark when I got out. Maybe it made me more cautious overall, even in the daytime.
I get some Harley motorcycle riders who ride next to me and they're like, "stay safe" and I'm wearing a DOT approved helmet and they're wearing a baseball cap as their helmet. RIDICULOUS!!!!!!
Never ride if you are running late, just had a fight with your wife, have a headache, feeling unwell and so on. Basically anything that would alter your concentration or tempt you to take risks you might not take otherwise. It's the am I OK test. Many times I planned to ride and failed the am I OK test so I took the car instead.
Great video! Been riding since I was 16, now I'm 70 and still racking the miles up. Unfortunately you can't teach experience, but can only pass your knowledge on. I ride as if everyone else on the road is out to kill me. So far it's working well!
Agree with you on ALL points. Well said. To point out the outlandish practice of providing free beer at dealerships, a Harley dealer here in the dfw area regularly has a law firm that specializes in representing bikers injured or killed in crashes sponsor those “happy hours,” giving beer away from under a pop-up with the law firm’s name on it. If I was opposing counsel in a case involving a crash with an impaired rider, I’d be showing some pictures to the jury.
Brother, again I say THANK YOU and God bless you for the safety reminders. I've been on a motorcycle since I've been 4 years of age; the back of my grandfather's BMW "Battleship". Your safety reminders are certainly appreciated by many of us older-experienced riders because to many of us, they are invaluable safety briefings. Again, thank you and God bless you for caring.
Some other things in our control: visibility. Drivers don’t see you. I added yellow auxiliary lights with wide dispersion beam so that riders see me during daylight hours. Will be adding an extra bright brake light, and I also bought a helmet mounted brake light that lights up if I just roll off the throttle. Most people spend money on pipes right away… I feel safety lighting is right up there behind full gear. Then be reasonable, make space, and try to pick out the drivers acting abnormally, or most likely to violate your right of way. That can go a long way towards reducing the risks of riding
Good advice. On the stopping distance subject, also, always have an escape route. When the driver in front of you stops abruptly, never stop behind them, you will get sandwiched. Stop beside them.
When I working the flight deck in the Navy, we had a saying " keep your head on a swivel " , I use that same mindset when riding always have always will.
I've only been riding a month (UK), still a learner and will be forever, full gear, no intention of ever riding on beer, cautious cruiser. Watching many of your videos and those of others and applying advice in my continuing self-training, I've found myself more than a little concerned with inconsiderate car drivers who get up my back end sounding their horns when all I've done is slow down a little in windy and rainy conditions. Thank you for your content, dude. You really make a difference.
Everyone wants to speed, and it's annoying. We just had rain storms in California and so many drivers were still speeding, half without lights on, so dumb. There's a time and place, so I hear you.
I was an anesthesia practitioner for 30 yrs… I cared for about 200 mtc accident patients (riders & passengers)… ALL BUT ONE WERE IMPAIRED… Many died-others were profoundly injured for life… nuff said… I stopped going to poker runs 20yrs ago cuz almost every stop was at a bar or tavern… a couple of yrs ago, our riding club amended our bylaws to forbid alcohol consumption in any form during club riding events… if you drink during a ride you will be asked to leave the ride & go home on your own…
In NZ one of the first statistics you get taught on your first ride course, is that a whopping 40+% of riders land on their chin in an accident... full face helmets are worth it
I used to know a guy who used to ride like a madman, wheelies in front of od speed cameras and the like, but ATGATT. One day he decided to just hop on the motorbike for a quick trip to the store, maybe a couple of miles away, wearing only a helmet. That's when he got cut off by a van. It was his first serious accident, and judging by the photos of the side of the van, that helmet saved his life.
Good advice. I'd like to add a detail about helmets most would not consider, but could be a absolutely life-changing. In 1981, I was involved in a riding accident caused by a pick-up truck. I was wearing a helmet, which broke out the passenger side window upon impact. A multiple compound fractured femur was the worst of many injuries. After stabilizing me, the ER doc sent me to a CT scan for my head, but following that...and the fact that I showed only a few cuts to my neck...an orthopedic specialist took over and reassembled my leg, knee and ankle. So what? Well, I was told later by my orthopod that if I had suffered serious head injury, all attention would have gone toward my brain, eyes, nose, etc. and my mangled leg would have been sacrificed in the attempt to save my life. The leg would have been amputated above my right knee, closer to my hip. That was 42+ years ago and while my right leg aches occasionally, it is still attached. I ran and played with my own children and now my grandchildren. I still ride track days (in full gear). Conclusion: That Bell Star helmet saved my life and my leg.
I totally agree with all 4 points. I ride soft myself and find no problem with that. I enjoy life and want to keep on doing the same, for me and others.
Been riding for 20 years now rain or shine all year around. My advice is... keep all moving vehicles and static objects as far away from you as possible. If it's not around you near you you can't run into it. The distance between you and other cars while you're in a car... if you can, expand that 5x.. or more. And all that st00p1dsh1t you see other motorcyclists doing on RUclips... stuff like lane splitting, popping wheelies, driving really fast on the interstate... don't do it. Pain hurts and injuries can be lifelong.
@@justanotherguy6359 No, it's dangerous as phwck, because American motorists do not expect it at all, and American car drivers in traffic are impatient and randomly jump lanes just to get a little ahead like motorcyclists do. It's only a matter of time while lane splitting before some motorist decides to jump lanes in front of you... or worse, cut across perpendicularly an open gap in stopped traffic to make a left hand turn. And no matter whether you are at fault or not, you are going to be seen at fault, because for American's, lane splitting is considered cutting in line, and line cutters are looked upon with disdain by just about everyone. In other countries, like India, or in Europe, it may be culturally acceptable and even widespread... but in the US, unless you're running from the cops on a bike (in which case all rules get thrown out the window and you take your life into your own hands in exchange for escape), it's universally frowned upon.
I went down last year after hitting a couch that fell from a truck. My helmet looked like it was cut diagonally with an axe. I didn’t even get a headache. No head injury what so ever. All scrapes and broken left hand. I was going 70 on an interstate in Houston. I don’t even go to the gas station next to my house without it.
Really important points for any rider who wants to mitigate the statistical risks of riding a scooter or motorcycle. I had to chuckle about the woman laughing at the scooter rider wearing all the gear. I've encountered similar things. I always tell people that the road doesn't care what I've been thrown from...
I ride a Harley and I totally agree with you about the alcohol, they do the same at Harley dealers here,crazy! I don't drink but if I did I wouldn't take a chance of an accident not to mention I paid alot for my bike and I don't want to tear it up!
I'm 59 and have been riding since an early teen. Always wore a helmet had a few tumbles banged my head on the tarmac, and the helmet stopped me from going to an emergency room. Another important safety practice is making sure your headlight is on. I knew 2 friends who were killed by left-hand cars turning into them . They were both on 1974 nortons, and the weak headlight had to be switched on by the rider. They didn't do that. It might have cost their lives? I know modern bikes have daytime running lights. I like to have my headlight on.
Good tips. My friend sits in a bed now 24/7. He was a handsome 20 something- girlfriend, new family, new...finally a good job. All gone. He will NEVER walk again. Only one arm works but it hurts him badly. It is dislocated permenantly. Nerve pain every minute of the day. They refuse to cut it off like he asked. He had protective gear on. Also, helmets do not prevent consussions/mTBI's. They limit skull fractures so yes, do wear one. You will survive better with one. That said, people think they are 100% protected and do dumb stuff with a helmet. There is a very clear limit as to how much protection they can offer. You can still get a permanent brain injury while wearing one. I got one. I rode for 20 years- was very lucky looking back. These days, with all the nuts on the road I WOULD NOT RIDE.
Very appropriate video for all riders to view and follow. I would add a 5th mistake that will kill you, and that is stunt riding, there is so much to enjoy about riding a motorcycle and stunt riding should not be a part of it, period.
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I love your channel. Once again you are spot on. I just want to add a comment about helmets. You're stats are great, but here's my true story why I always wear a helmet. About 15 years ago I was rear-ended by a tractor trailer. I learned to fly that day. I landed on my head and my left knee. The left knee was destroyed and it took 3 years of surgery and PT to walk unassisted. My head however, not even a concussion!!! The helmet was destroyed, all the protective material in the the helmet was compressed, and the shell cracked, but my head was 100% fine. Without a helmet, I would not be typing this right now. Thanks for all your awesome videos!!!
Curious if you had knee armor on? Thanks
@@Buddycoop1 No I did not. I was only wearing Jeans that day. I bet knee armor would have changed my story dramatically.
Another factor totally within our control is proper safety maintenance. By us or a ‘professional’. Les in UK 🇬🇧
Rider 50 years +. And I will never understand how I was always the guy with the helmet on while my buddies whipped off their helmet at the 1st chance. Maybe because a simple helmet saved my life at 17 years old when I collided with a bucket loader in a construction zone.
I’m in my 40’s and it was actually difficult to buy a helmet where I used to live in my teens, because of lack of demand… and internet wasn’t an option at the time. Once you’ve grown up like that, you don’t really see the need. It’s the only thing you know. I bought my 1st helmet when I moved to Europe. Now I don’t understand how I could stand all the bs flying into my face before 😂
Rode for years without. When I finally put on that full face, I wondered what the hell took me so long. Besides the obvious crash and elements protection, the fatigue protection was huge. 👍
Spot on with all of this! Especially with riding and drinking. The most dangerous thing a rider can do! I’m a Harley rider but never have been to a dealership and had a beer. They were available but I refuse to.
Thanks for the frank discussion about safety. A topic most riders are scared to talk about in fear of either offending other riders or being ridiculed by those riders. It’s one thing if a rider wants to spend months in a burn unit getting countless surgeries, but it’s unconscionable for riders to put passengers in short-shorts, a halter top, sandles and a half helmet on the back of their bike. Here in Vegas, that’s a common sight in the summer and it just chaps my behind…. Without going down.
The dealership drinking events problem just exacerbates the cultural inclusion of alcohol at motorcycle events. Dealerships could easily replace free beer with t-shirt giveaways and prizes like free services. The cost might even be a little less. The Texas Motorcycle Safety Coalition (TMSC) is working toward getting more dealerships involved in their efforts. I hope that helps. Thanks for the great content Kevin.
Im 57 and been ona licensed ride from 16. Great video i agree and just one thing i do as well is plan my route away from main stream traffic as much as possible. Country roads and the back make a much more enjoyable and safe trip. Dont be in a hurry. Cheersb
I pride myself on riding safely, meaning at safe speeds, being in the right mindset (not being in a hurry or angry riding), wearing gear, and never riding impaired. One thing I'd like to say though is people need to be aware of their mindsets if they ever go on a group ride.
I made a stupid mistake on a group ride which caused me to low side and take a little slide, luckily I was relatively uninjured (nothing I had to go to the doctors for). I let the guy I was riding with set the pace because I was following him on a route he likes to take, he was riding fast (something I don't do), and he was turning the ride into a game. I let him get me into the wrong mindset which is why I made a silly mistake and low sided. Don't go on a group ride and let the peer pressure make you ride differently than you normally do, ride how you feel comfortable riding
I've been watching your channel for years; ever since I started riding. I always find solid information and advice and this video is SPOT ON PERFECT. I recently stopped riding with a group of really good guys simply because they rode too fast and performed unsafe passing on the 2 lane. I have lots of miles left before I hang up this sport and being safe is the only way I'll get there.
Not many bikers are responsible as you Kevin, and they are affraid to admitt something like that! Respect!
I will add one. Never allow yourself to get distracted. I did just that 5 weeks ago. I was in my neighborhood, had just rounded a corner and got distracted. I now tell people it was a gal in a yellow poka dot bikini. As a result my 99 Valkyrie was totaled, I hit the rear view mirror with my sternum and cut my shin. I'm still recovering, my chest while better is still very sore. DO NOT allow yourself to become distracted. I was only traveling about maybe 20 mph which is about 30 feet per second.
i like to ride at double the posted speed, wearing only a fundoshi, while drinking whiskey, and smoking weed, 3" from a car's back bumper. it's ok to do this, because i have loud pipes.
jokes aside, one of the best things you can do as a rider is read, and re read david hough's book "proficient motorcycling" on the off season. knowing what you learn in that book, and practicing it will go a long way to avoiding problems
Thanks boss.
Amen preach it brother
That following distance can also get you by not seeing an object in the road that the car or truck in front of you may split or swerve to miss.
3:45 I ride a 300cc Kymco (Taiwanese) scooter and I bought a full face helmet before I ever rode it. It's suitable up to 85mph but for me it stops being fun and I stop feeling comfortable at about 65. I've got a couple of protective jackets and always wear jeans and shoes that are over my ankles. The helmet can be a drag on a hot day but I kind of like my face.
Nice to see you using facts and stats to explain how riders can save their lives or avoid injuries. Helmets are mandatory in Europe, and Spain is moving to full face only. Let's be honest, most riders' families would prefer they did not ride at all so trying to ease their concerns by wearing suitable safety gear should be a done out of respect and love.
Thks!
You nailed it on all four Kevin. Couldn’t agree more. Great content
Thank you. You have probably saved some lives.
I learned last summer always inspect your bike before you ride, every time. Even if you were just riding it 30 minutes before.
I was wondering what folks think about adding camera technology to bikes? Do some manufacturers already have it? I'm a novice rider but it seams a distraction to use the mirrors. I'm thinking a rearward view on the display screen would help.
Motorcycle maintenance too
I have a similar scooter experience. I bought an old Honda Elite 250 scooter from a guy in town. When I showed up with my riding gear, the seller gave me a hard time - "you gonna wear all that stuff? it's just a scooter". I told him the pavement is just as hard whether I come off a scooter or my motorcycle.
I have had a beer or two (small ones) over a long lunch while riding a few times. The last time I crashed later that day. No injuries and my bac was probably negligible by that time, but it probably contributed. That was over 20 years ago.
I ride and also a private pilot. FAA regulations state no operating an aircraft after consuming any alcohol for 8 or 12 hours depending on type of operation. Riding my motorcycle requires at least more attention, balance and skill than flying.
Some in my family say “Two beers - two wheels” and it bothers me every time…I say, “Two beers - many tears”
Great information! I agree with all your ideas. Thank you~
A note about distance for our insurance safety App users, don't confuse normal with ability!
It's true bikes *commonly* brake faster than cars in normal riding, we got less weight to stop. The Allstate app even allows you to check "I was on my motorcycle" for trips where fast acceleration and braking were noted and keep your safety points. This does NOT mean MCrider is wrong about ability.
It's even more true that in a panic situation the most amateur drivers can stop a car quicker than a highly skilled motorcyclist. If you effectively use progressive breaking without slipping anywhere near as well as the kid with the ABS locked on in front of you, you'll have the entire rear of the bike over the handlebars along with you. Only the amount of distance that allows us to keep the back down, or a path around the problem can save us.
Yes sir. Very informative information. Thanks for today's sharing
Good thoughts. Keep up the good work !
I agree on all points
178 MPH was the top speed I saw in that video from Colorado Springs to Denver, crazy! I'm glad he got arrested as well! If you look at the "Part 2" of that guys video, at 1:41 the speedometer flashes from 177 to 178 a couple times.
100% spot on!
IAM IN THERE WITH YOU SIR , MY WAY OF ENJOYING RIDING MY MOTORCYCLE IS WEARING AL SAFETY LIKE HELMET. JACKET. BOOTS AND GLOVES. I DON'T DRINK NIGTHER USE DRUGS DON'T SPEED JUST THE NORMAL WAY BY REGULATIONS. I HOPE OTHERS COULD GET THE MESSAGE AND APPLY. THANK YOU FOR THE ADVICE MANY OUT THERE REALLY NEED IT.
Amen
It blows me away that helmets are not mandatory in certain cities in the US. They are mandatory in Australia, and I wish jackets, gloves and boots at a minimum were also mandatory. I don't go anywhere on my bike without them, even if it's around the corner from my house. Thanks for the video.
Excellent work. Thank you. I’ve been riding for >30-years and will offer a fifth item within each rider’s control for every ride: Practice. I personally make each and every ride a practice of at least one routine skill from corner entry / exit speed, counter steering with either hand, emergency braking, u-turns & figure eights, swerving, swerving & breaking in a corner, slow control, and being mindful (totally in the present moment without any rumination about anything else or distraction to the ride). I also try to ride a few times a year with a free program called “Ride Safe” which is offered in many states through the Motorcycle Police in many municipalities. Try it. It’s fun. Stay healthy to ride again tomorrow. ☮️🙏🏻🏍️
I agree that probably 95% of accidents can be avoided by the rider. I have ridden on the street for 48 years now without exchanging paint with another car or leaving a streak down the pavement. I believe this is 95% due to my riding skill and situational awareness and 5% due to luck. I fully realize and accept that some day the 5% may get me, but I am working hard to ensure I can avoid the 95% that I have influence over.
It is a shame you even mentioned Yammienoob. Idiots like that deserve no air time at all, not even to be used as a bad example. That moron should be in jail.
I agree with the points you've made. In my view if you can't afford the gear you can't afford and ought not to buy the bike. Whilst you argue for individual freedom and individual responsibility and for the most part I agree I think that riders who don't wear helmets or other gear impose a cost on the rest of the community. They do this because when they're bought to the hospital the health system has to treat them and divert resources from other areas to treat injuries that could have been prevented by wearing protective gear. Riding while under the influence of drugs or alcohol again puts others on the road at risk. The affected person thinks they're ok to drive/ride when they're not. The accident they cause injures/kills them but also injures/kills other parties who were doing their best to obey the road rules and get where they're going safely.
biggest reason i see for the lack of gear of riders isn't cost or looks its the added heat it often brings
Yes that is true in Texas and parts of Australia (where I live) as well. I Often wonder about the hundreds (if not more) dollars spent on decorating the body with tattoos that in the event of a crash with no gear will make great road art not to mention costly and painful skin grafts.
@@sean8470
Trying to keep up with your buddies that have a death wish just to prove that you're as cool as they are. Never allow peer pressure to impair your judgment. Ride to live, live to ride, another day.
Gear??? In June of 2021, I hit a deer at about 50 mph. Center punched it, and somersaulted over the deer, bounced a couple times, and slid to a stop. Snell rated full-face helmet - toast. Armored mesh jacket and pants - toast. Tourmaster boots and Held gloves - toast. 5 days in the hospital, and the doc said if I hadn't been wearing the gear, I would have died.
Our local Harley dealer has free beer almost every Saturday.
About half of automobile deaths have fatal head injuries so non-usage of helmets isn't just a motorcycle thing. It's also a car driver problem. Driving helmets used to be a thing up until the 1970's; older movies and documentaries actually show helmet usage was quite high among sports car enthusiasts on public roads. Curiously, higher bicycle helmet usage is correlated with higher bicycle fatalities.
Motorized vehicles are quite dangerous regardless of what kind of vehicle it is and most US motorists deaths are from drivers with head injuries. To me, it seems quite obvious that helmet usage should probably be mandated for both drivers and motorcyclists.
Ive been now 59 years both street and dirt always a helmet and some kind of gear ! many accidents on dirt one serious no more than a dropped bike on the street. I save the shananagans for the dirt ! I wear gear because I want to ride until I die naturally in my bed not on the side of the road 😁
85% of bike fatalities occur due to right of way violations.
Especially where they can turn left at the green light (that has no arrow).
Agree on everything you just told us.👍
Number 1 is true and i agree. Now for me im so hot down in lower 48 i dont wear gear. I wear a helmet when its raining. Not saying it wont help i just read many people getting their neck broken and die or knowsomeone that died because of the helmet makes your head bounce like a basketball. I do wear boots and gloves always.
drinking and riding is exactly the reason I do not do poker runs anymore...
Not having an MC license and / or MC insurance. If you don't have them both, your heads not in the right place about riding.
Wearing visible gear helps a lot. I've seen guys all in black on black bike riding at night. I wear white helmet and hi viz vest. I can tell drivers behind me sometimes hesitate to catch up as they think I may be a cop 😄
"I strongly believe in individual freedom" **Cries in Australian government
Maybe a part of your "maintenance" error, but I think it's important to call out: riding with poorly-inflated tyres. After a close call years ago, I am obsessively checking my tyre pressures before EVERY ride...I never get on the bike without first checking those pressures. Under-inflated tyres present the most "urgent" danger, both because they reduce the stability and predictably of the bike's handling (as the contact patch is deformed and moves excessively relative to the wheel rim) and because they are more prone to overheating and breaking (high-amplitude standing waves are lethal to a tyre's structural integrity). But over-inflated tyres can turn a good tyre into glass on the tarmac. Check those pressures, check those tyres for damage - before every ride!
I grew up on motorcycles from the age of 10, and 52 years later, though I have ridden constantly, owned over 40 bikes, and have ridden them in at least 25 states from coast to coast, I have never tangled with a car or truck. I associate this with the fact that they have never been able to catch me. 😎
Too much speed into blind corners or going up a hill is another bad move. I got very very lucky once going around a curve and had about 3 feet of room to squeeze past an idiot blocking both lanes with a trailer he was either backing out or pulling in. Even a car would not have been able to stop doing the speed limit around that curve. I think the guy lived at that spot and if I were doing what he was doing, I would have had someone go over to the curve and flag. Still, driving or riding, it is up to us to slow the f down
Head and eyes up, scanning near and far. Too many riders are front tire focused.
I’m guessing we might use different units to measure alcohol in USA and EU. 0,08 here is a tiramisu. 0,2 is a small beer. 0,28 is legal in Spain. 0,5… I don’t want you riding anywhere near me 😂
riding in any city these days with stroads and cross-streets is dangerous. cellphone users make riding even more dangerous.
Some more to think about. Stunt riding... at high speeds especially by inexperienced riders. Riding when sleep deprived. Riding fast in unfamiliar areas.
Boggles my mind seeing free beer at dealerships. Correct. Always HD.
As a biker my biggest issue is the young rider driving newer high speed bikes riding all over the road as if they know or can avoid anthing. These things sound like super sewing machines and sneak up and pass at high sped without warning. What gives them the right to do that.
Trikes need more stopping room!
I bet that you forgot the number one reason , stupidity is the only capital crime that serves it's own punishment.
Helmets are really called crash helmets remember that one.😮
I heard that Helmets are only tested by the DOT at 13mph, Please comment on this I wear a helmet all the time even on my dirt bike.
A person may not mind that they kill themselves, but how about some consideration for the people who witness the carnage or the emergency people who have to scrape you off the pavement?
"just ask yammy (who?)"
Free beer mmmm
I might have told you this story previously:
A friend of mine was riding his not quite stock FJR one afternoon and had just turned off I-5 onto Chuckanut Drive - a long straight road. A pale blue pickup pulled up beside him and the driver of the truck pulled out a pistol and started shooting at my friend. He opened the taps and went ahead as fast as the bike would go. A few miles later, still at speed, he passed a state trooper car on the verge. He slowed, pulled off to the verge and stopped. The trooper roared up and parked behind him and got out of the car.
"Do you know how fast you were going?" he demanded.
"There was a guy in a blue pickup with a gun!" my friend explained.
"Where?" asked the trooper.
"Just back there a few miles," said my friend, pointing back down the road.
The trooper jumped back in their car and did a u turn back up the road at speed.
My friend waited, his heart still pounding from the experience.
A few minutes later, the trooper came back.
"We got him!" they said. "He's been shooting at people for weeks and we could never catch him. But we go him now. And by the way, you were doing 186 mph when you passed me. Have nice day, sir." And they got into their cruiser and left.
My friend continued on his way, at a vastly more sedate pace.
I probably would have hit the brakes instead. I find my shooting isn’t very accurate while still moving on the bike. 😁
186 MPH is the Factory Limiter on Many Superbikes !
@@snowflakesuperbike8294 fjr isn't really a superbike.. I doubt a stock one would do 160mph at all. If he did 186mph GPS I'd die to know how xD
@@Taking_Care_Of_The_Business Just enjoy the story.
@@snowflakesuperbike8294every Japanese sportbike since the year 2000 has been electronically limited to 187. All of them. It’s a condition of them coming to America. The 1999 hyabusa, it’s first year, it’s top speed was 199 mph. The 2000 hyabusa’s top speed was 187. lol. All literbikes are near 200 mph bikes, with a flashed ecu taking the governor off.
I started riding at the age of 15 in 1971. I grew up in Lake Highlands over by White Rock Lake. I have ridden all of my adult life and still do today. One cannot get away from the fact that motorcycles are inherently dangerous. What's worse is that they are inescapably addictive. I have committed all 4 of the sins you related in this video but that was back in those days when I was bullet proof. Hopefully your words will sink in with that bulletproof crowd today.
I stopped using the term, common sense, a few years back and replaced it with "sensibility". The reason is simple. Sensibility is selective for those who act in a thoughtful and respectful manner. And if you think that is for sissys think again. A true man controls his emotions, but a knucklehead let's his emotions control him.
In 1971 roads were safer because: there were less vehicles on the road, they were slower (albeit brakes were bad), more space on the side of the road, and more common sense and sensibility.
@@johnslitterbox Agreed, the most common thing about sense is it's not common.
@@2K_Unlimited SO TRUE!!!
... and I would submit the roads were pretty much free of potheads texting on their cell phones at 70 mph. You are right. The roads were infinitely safer then.
@@patriciogutierrez1452
Free beer at a motorcycle dealership is unconscionable.
We have a gathering called "Two Wheel Tuesday" where I live. Good weather means close to 100 bikes. Almost all the sport bike, vintage, and naked bike riders drink soda..... 90% of the Harley riders drink beer. Draw your own conclusion.
Not if people are responsible enough to say no thanks. Bad idea, but adults pay for their decisions.
@@wwb7091 And?
Black Hills H.D. in Rapid City has a keg on tap always. Only pull it during the rally.
@yepok2957, not many nowadays! It's your fault. Just listen to the cages that pull out in front of them. Look at idiots popping wheeles on the highway.
Riding at night when there is no need for it is also not a good idea. At night you cannot see things (soon enuf) that could cause a problem such as: wandering deer, potholes, older cars with no lights on at dusk, and many other potential hazards. Your channel has likely saved some lives. Good job!!!
Absolutely…I’m older so I don’t ride at all at night.
I ride to work at 3:30 am about 9 months of the year. The fall season when deer are more on the move is when I’m most concerned. But, I love to ride to and from work.
Unfortunately (maybe not), I learned how to ride by riding at night. It was dark when I went in, and dark when I got out. Maybe it made me more cautious overall, even in the daytime.
Yup, i have to ride to work early mornings in the dark, i ride a little slower, but i hate riding in the dark.
Right! Out here in the country add: deer, raccoons,rabbits… etc.
I get some Harley motorcycle riders who ride next to me and they're like, "stay safe" and I'm wearing a DOT approved helmet and they're wearing a baseball cap as their helmet. RIDICULOUS!!!!!!
Never ride if you are running late, just had a fight with your wife, have a headache, feeling unwell and so on. Basically anything that would alter your concentration or tempt you to take risks you might not take otherwise. It's the am I OK test. Many times I planned to ride and failed the am I OK test so I took the car instead.
Great video! Been riding since I was 16, now I'm 70 and still racking the miles up. Unfortunately you can't teach experience, but can only pass your knowledge on. I ride as if everyone else on the road is out to kill me. So far it's working well!
Agree with you on ALL points. Well said. To point out the outlandish practice of providing free beer at dealerships, a Harley dealer here in the dfw area regularly has a law firm that specializes in representing bikers injured or killed in crashes sponsor those “happy hours,” giving beer away from under a pop-up with the law firm’s name on it. If I was opposing counsel in a case involving a crash with an impaired rider, I’d be showing some pictures to the jury.
Brother, again I say THANK YOU and God bless you for the safety reminders. I've been on a motorcycle since I've been 4 years of age; the back of my grandfather's BMW "Battleship". Your safety reminders are certainly appreciated by many of us older-experienced riders because to many of us, they are invaluable safety briefings. Again, thank you and God bless you for caring.
Some other things in our control: visibility.
Drivers don’t see you.
I added yellow auxiliary lights with wide dispersion beam so that riders see me during daylight hours. Will be adding an extra bright brake light, and I also bought a helmet mounted brake light that lights up if I just roll off the throttle.
Most people spend money on pipes right away… I feel safety lighting is right up there behind full gear. Then be reasonable, make space, and try to pick out the drivers acting abnormally, or most likely to violate your right of way.
That can go a long way towards reducing the risks of riding
Drivers just don't care many times
Good advice. On the stopping distance subject, also, always have an escape route. When the driver in front of you stops abruptly, never stop behind them, you will get sandwiched. Stop beside them.
When I working the flight deck in the Navy, we had a saying " keep your head on a swivel " , I use that same mindset when riding always have always will.
I've only been riding a month (UK), still a learner and will be forever, full gear, no intention of ever riding on beer, cautious cruiser. Watching many of your videos and those of others and applying advice in my continuing self-training, I've found myself more than a little concerned with inconsiderate car drivers who get up my back end sounding their horns when all I've done is slow down a little in windy and rainy conditions.
Thank you for your content, dude. You really make a difference.
Everyone wants to speed, and it's annoying. We just had rain storms in California and so many drivers were still speeding, half without lights on, so dumb. There's a time and place, so I hear you.
Motorcycle dealerships need to stop handing out free beers to people who ride their bikes to these dealerships. Especially Harley dealerships.
I was an anesthesia practitioner for 30 yrs… I cared for about 200 mtc accident patients (riders & passengers)… ALL BUT ONE WERE IMPAIRED… Many died-others were profoundly injured for life… nuff said… I stopped going to poker runs 20yrs ago cuz almost every stop was at a bar or tavern… a couple of yrs ago, our riding club amended our bylaws to forbid alcohol consumption in any form during club riding events… if you drink during a ride you will be asked to leave the ride & go home on your own…
Snowmobilers often have similar alcohol situations and frequently travel at high speeds
In NZ one of the first statistics you get taught on your first ride course, is that a whopping 40+% of riders land on their chin in an accident... full face helmets are worth it
Buddy of mine got cut off, went over the front and landed right on his chin as well. Full-face helmet saved his face, made me a believer...
I used to know a guy who used to ride like a madman, wheelies in front of od speed cameras and the like, but ATGATT. One day he decided to just hop on the motorbike for a quick trip to the store, maybe a couple of miles away, wearing only a helmet. That's when he got cut off by a van. It was his first serious accident, and judging by the photos of the side of the van, that helmet saved his life.
My full face helmet SAVED my life in 1981 my helmet was a wreck but I was fine. Thank you Bell helmets
Good advice. I'd like to add a detail about helmets most would not consider, but could be a absolutely life-changing.
In 1981, I was involved in a riding accident caused by a pick-up truck. I was wearing a helmet, which broke out the passenger side window upon impact. A multiple compound fractured femur was the worst of many injuries. After stabilizing me, the ER doc sent me to a CT scan for my head, but following that...and the fact that I showed only a few cuts to my neck...an orthopedic specialist took over and reassembled my leg, knee and ankle. So what?
Well, I was told later by my orthopod that if I had suffered serious head injury, all attention would have gone toward my brain, eyes, nose, etc. and my mangled leg would have been sacrificed in the attempt to save my life. The leg would have been amputated above my right knee, closer to my hip.
That was 42+ years ago and while my right leg aches occasionally, it is still attached. I ran and played with my own children and now my grandchildren. I still ride track days (in full gear).
Conclusion: That Bell Star helmet saved my life and my leg.
I totally agree with all 4 points. I ride soft myself and find no problem with that. I enjoy life and want to keep on doing the same, for me and others.
Ride to live and ride another day.
Been riding for 20 years now rain or shine all year around.
My advice is... keep all moving vehicles and static objects as far away from you as possible. If it's not around you near you you can't run into it.
The distance between you and other cars while you're in a car... if you can, expand that 5x.. or more.
And all that st00p1dsh1t you see other motorcyclists doing on RUclips... stuff like lane splitting, popping wheelies, driving really fast on the interstate... don't do it. Pain hurts and injuries can be lifelong.
lane splitting isnt a stupid thing, its the safer thing for motorcyclists.
@@justanotherguy6359 No, it's dangerous as phwck, because American motorists do not expect it at all, and American car drivers in traffic are impatient and randomly jump lanes just to get a little ahead like motorcyclists do. It's only a matter of time while lane splitting before some motorist decides to jump lanes in front of you... or worse, cut across perpendicularly an open gap in stopped traffic to make a left hand turn.
And no matter whether you are at fault or not, you are going to be seen at fault, because for American's, lane splitting is considered cutting in line, and line cutters are looked upon with disdain by just about everyone.
In other countries, like India, or in Europe, it may be culturally acceptable and even widespread... but in the US, unless you're running from the cops on a bike (in which case all rules get thrown out the window and you take your life into your own hands in exchange for escape), it's universally frowned upon.
I always wondered if there is any overlap between your audience and YN's and gixxerbrah's audience. I bet it's almost zero.
I went down last year after hitting a couch that fell from a truck. My helmet looked like it was cut diagonally with an axe. I didn’t even get a headache. No head injury what so ever. All scrapes and broken left hand. I was going 70 on an interstate in Houston. I don’t even go to the gas station next to my house without it.
Really important points for any rider who wants to mitigate the statistical risks of riding a scooter or motorcycle. I had to chuckle about the woman laughing at the scooter rider wearing all the gear. I've encountered similar things. I always tell people that the road doesn't care what I've been thrown from...
With 10 million illegal immigrants soon to be driving on US streets, we must be 100% ready for the unexpected.
You are awesome. Glad you are on here not just for new, but all riders.
I ride a Harley and I totally agree with you about the alcohol, they do the same at Harley dealers here,crazy! I don't drink but if I did I wouldn't take a chance of an accident not to mention I paid alot for my bike and I don't want to tear it up!
I'm 59 and have been riding since an early teen. Always wore a helmet had a few tumbles banged my head on the tarmac, and the helmet stopped me from going to an emergency room. Another important safety practice is making sure your headlight is on. I knew 2 friends who were killed by left-hand cars turning into them . They were both on 1974 nortons, and the weak headlight had to be switched on by the rider. They didn't do that. It might have cost their lives? I know modern bikes have daytime running lights. I like to have my headlight on.
I’ve started to use the high beam headlight during the day. Better seen without blinding oncomers because it’s daytime.
Good tips. My friend sits in a bed now 24/7. He was a handsome 20 something- girlfriend, new family, new...finally a good job. All gone. He will NEVER walk again. Only one arm works but it hurts him badly. It is dislocated permenantly. Nerve pain every minute of the day. They refuse to cut it off like he asked. He had protective gear on. Also, helmets do not prevent consussions/mTBI's. They limit skull fractures so yes, do wear one. You will survive better with one. That said, people think they are 100% protected and do dumb stuff with a helmet. There is a very clear limit as to how much protection they can offer. You can still get a permanent brain injury while wearing one. I got one. I rode for 20 years- was very lucky looking back. These days, with all the nuts on the road I WOULD NOT RIDE.
Not riding like you're invisible. Also, wearing dark clothing (at night especially). You need to be seen...not heard...
Very appropriate video for all riders to view and follow. I would add a 5th mistake that will kill you, and that is stunt riding, there is so much to enjoy about riding a motorcycle and stunt riding should not be a part of it, period.
Absolutely right! I enjey your videos. You have taught me many things I didn't know before in you other sessions. Greeting from Germany