Tell The Biker In Your Life To Read These Motorcycle Safety Tips Before Heading Out
As anyone who has ever hit the road on a motorcycle can attest, biking is one of the most exhilarating experiences you can have on two wheels (or three wheels, if you prefer one of those cool Trikes that are all the rage these days). As thrilling and satisfying as biking can be, however, riding a motorcycle can turn into a potentially dangerous, life-altering – or life-ending – activity.
In 2012, the Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA) reported 4,957 motorcycle-related deaths nationwide – a nine percent increase from 2011. Thanks in part to ongoing motorcycle safety campaigns, U.S. motorcycle fatalities decreased by an estimated seven percent in 2013 – the second such decrease since 1997. According to GHSA’s most recent report, motorcyclist fatalities decreased in 35 states and the District of Columbia, increased in 13 states and remained the same in two, compared to the first nine months of 2012. While fewer bike-related fatalities is always the goal, there are still far too many instances where routine safety checks could have made the difference in the outcomes of hundreds of tragic motorcycle accidents.
The lawyers, paralegals and support staff at Warshauer Woodward Atkins want Georgia’s motorcycle enthusiast to enjoy every ride during the Summer of 2014, and for many summers to come. Ideally, every bike owner should have a multi-point inspection performed on his or her motorcycle by a certified motorcycle mechanic or retailer – in fact, getting a bike “check-up” is a great habit to get into at the start of every riding season. Arguably, the most important safety check any motorcyclist can perform before every outing is a check of the tire pressure. For detailed information, download the PDF version of the Motorcycle Industry Council’s Tire Guide, where you will find helpful tips about everything from how much pressure PSI each tire should have, to recommended safe speeds for virtually every street bike.
Consider the following safety tips before your next long ride to the mountains or quick trip to the store, in order to lessen your risk of a serious – or perhaps deadly – motorcycle accident:
- Inspect your tires thoroughly. Sometimes, dry-rot or cracking can occur during the winter months, and exposure to extremely cold winter temperatures can lower the air pressure in your motorcycle’s tires. Review your owner’s manual for the manufacturer’s recommended tire pressure PSI for one-up or two-up riding. If you recently purchased a used motorcycle or are new to motorcycle ownership, consider getting your bike – or at the very least, your tires – inspected by your nearest motorcycle retailer or mechanic before your first ride of the season – the experts can show you how and where to look for potential problems, and advise you on how many miles you can go on the tire’s current tread.
- Purchase a tire pressure monitoring system. Some manufacturers, such as BMW, offer TPM systems on every new bike sold; unfortunately, other manufacturers, including Harley Davidson and other popular foreign and domestic brands, do not offer tire pressure monitoring. Several third-party vendors offer reliable and east-to-install tire pressure monitors. Slow deflations are common, and can cause tires to heat up and fail during a long ride! Paying attention to your tire pressure in “real time” provides an opportunity to avoid a catastrophic or deadly tire failure at 70 miles per hour.
Have a safe summer…we’ll see you further on up the road!