Prior to jumping on your scoot and hitting the open road there are a few things to consider and actually spend time accomplishing. In order to Ride Right, you must prepare three major components in motorcycling; yourself, your gear and your motorcycle. Should you take a shortcut and leave out one of these components, you may not only shorten your ride, but you could jeopardize your safety.
Are you prepared? Mentally and physically have you prepared yourself for the ride? Focus on what’s at hand? Have you gotten plenty of rest? Is your body free from drugs? Are you focused or do you have stress from family, job, finances, etc. on your mind? Cycling uses all of our senses. Mental and physical fatigue dulls them and with it our safety.
Is your gear ready? Since last year, do you know where everything is? Take time and find it now, prior to running around later when you should be riding. Does anything need to be replaced? Maybe you saw a different helmet, gloves, boots or jacket last fall that you wanted to purchase. Make sure your gear still fits. Replace worn out items.
Is your motorcycle ready? All motorcycles have maintenance intervals. When was the last time yours was maintained? If it’s been awhile, or you don’t remember, then it’s a great time to call and setup an appointment. Again, don’t miss out on those great days of riding because your bike is in the shop. Those of you that have taken a Basic Rider’s Course (BRC) hopefully remember the acronym. “T-CLOCS”. Before any ride check the following; Tires & Wheels, Controls, Lights & Electrics, Oil & Other Fluids, Chassis and finally Sidestand. Get in the habit!
Okay, now that you, your gear and your bike is ready to go, STOP and THINK about when the last time you actually rode a motorcycle was. Do you remember? Yeah, it was a few months ago! Like most things learned, if not practiced on a regular basis, we tend to forget. Our motor skills, especially fine motor skills start to deteriorate as soon as we stop riding. When you are prepared (the 3 components mentioned above), then practice your “good habits” prior to the “first” ride of the year. Posture, clutch control and friction zone, using both brakes smoothly, turning your head, keeping your head and eyes up, to just name a few. Parking lots, or should I say “empty” lots are a great place to practice. Make sure that they are free of loose gravel, sand and whatever other debris that might get in the way.
For those of you that have been riding for few years, think about signing up for a Skilled Riders Course (SRC). Many of the same range exercises done in the BRC on smaller motorcycles are now completed on your own bike. I can’t begin to express the feeling of accomplishment you’ll get when taking this advanced class. Capital City Harley-Davidson offers both the BRC and SRC. Refer to the link to see dates, times and costs. Capital City offers students, instructors that have been certified by Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF) and Harley-Davidson’s Rider’s Edge programs. Their instructors have years of experience and will provide you with the knowledge and skills you need to develop good habits. The practice and enjoyment are in your hands!
Next month hear how my son did in the Rider’s Edge Program at Capital City Harley-Davidson. I will ask him to write a blog, from the mind of a teenager. Until then ride safe, straight and sober.
Are you prepared? Mentally and physically have you prepared yourself for the ride? Focus on what’s at hand? Have you gotten plenty of rest? Is your body free from drugs? Are you focused or do you have stress from family, job, finances, etc. on your mind? Cycling uses all of our senses. Mental and physical fatigue dulls them and with it our safety.
Is your gear ready? Since last year, do you know where everything is? Take time and find it now, prior to running around later when you should be riding. Does anything need to be replaced? Maybe you saw a different helmet, gloves, boots or jacket last fall that you wanted to purchase. Make sure your gear still fits. Replace worn out items.
Is your motorcycle ready? All motorcycles have maintenance intervals. When was the last time yours was maintained? If it’s been awhile, or you don’t remember, then it’s a great time to call and setup an appointment. Again, don’t miss out on those great days of riding because your bike is in the shop. Those of you that have taken a Basic Rider’s Course (BRC) hopefully remember the acronym. “T-CLOCS”. Before any ride check the following; Tires & Wheels, Controls, Lights & Electrics, Oil & Other Fluids, Chassis and finally Sidestand. Get in the habit!
Okay, now that you, your gear and your bike is ready to go, STOP and THINK about when the last time you actually rode a motorcycle was. Do you remember? Yeah, it was a few months ago! Like most things learned, if not practiced on a regular basis, we tend to forget. Our motor skills, especially fine motor skills start to deteriorate as soon as we stop riding. When you are prepared (the 3 components mentioned above), then practice your “good habits” prior to the “first” ride of the year. Posture, clutch control and friction zone, using both brakes smoothly, turning your head, keeping your head and eyes up, to just name a few. Parking lots, or should I say “empty” lots are a great place to practice. Make sure that they are free of loose gravel, sand and whatever other debris that might get in the way.
For those of you that have been riding for few years, think about signing up for a Skilled Riders Course (SRC). Many of the same range exercises done in the BRC on smaller motorcycles are now completed on your own bike. I can’t begin to express the feeling of accomplishment you’ll get when taking this advanced class. Capital City Harley-Davidson offers both the BRC and SRC. Refer to the link to see dates, times and costs. Capital City offers students, instructors that have been certified by Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF) and Harley-Davidson’s Rider’s Edge programs. Their instructors have years of experience and will provide you with the knowledge and skills you need to develop good habits. The practice and enjoyment are in your hands!
Next month hear how my son did in the Rider’s Edge Program at Capital City Harley-Davidson. I will ask him to write a blog, from the mind of a teenager. Until then ride safe, straight and sober.
