Leather Chaps Are a Must For All Motorcycle Enthusiasts

It is a beautiful spring day. You just left the motorcycle dealer with your new bike. Of course you picked out your helmet, and you still have that old leather jacket in the closet from years past. But I am curious if you picked out a good pair of chaps? The truth of the matter is, if you didn't, you will be wishing you had about the time the sun sets. A pair of chaps usually seems to be the last form of protective gear purchased. In many cases the chaps are purchased on the fly, in the midst of bad weather or cool temperatures due to one not realizing the importance and level of comfort that they provide. You see, chaps don't just look cool, but they serve a very important purpose to a motorcycle rider. Lets talk about how a good pair of leather chaps will improve our riding pleasure.

1) Chaps provide comfort. The chaps will allow you to ride comfortably in temperatures that otherwise might be undesirable. The chaps will prevent the wind from penetrating to your skin. In many cases we will start our rides early, or end them late. Temperatures could vary as much as thirty or forty degrees throughout our ride. Sixty degrees in the sunshine and sixty degrees in the dark of night are two completely different conditions. The leather chaps will help to improve the comfort of the rider in cold weather conditions. Chaps come with or without liners, but I do recommend the chaps with lining.

2) Along with warmth, chaps will provide a barrier from moisture. Your chaps should be treated with the waterproofing product of your choice to prevent the penetration of moisture. I prefer beeswax, but there are many like products that will protect your leather chaps, boots and leather jacket from saturation. It is important to own a pair of chaps, it is equally important to treat them with the necessary products to obtain maximum advantage from them.

3) There are always unforeseen instances. Nobody expects to touch their leg on a hot exhaust pipe, but the chaps will protect from that. Nobody plans for an object to be kicked up from the road that can potentially strike their leg, but the chaps will add protection from that as well. In the event of a slide or fall, the chaps will offer an added layer of protection to the rider.

Chaps might not be the first thing you think of when you are purchasing your motorcycle protective gear, but they are just as important as the items that seem to come to mind first. Helmets, leather jackets, and leather boots all add to the overall comfort and protection of a motorcycle enthusiast. Don't overlook the added value of a good pair of leather chaps as well. Don't let that cool morning keep you on the couch until noon, and don't cut your ride short because the sun is getting ready to set. Reach in your saddlebag, pull out those chaps, saddle up and keep enjoying the beauty of our land on two wheels.

Jeffrey A Criley is the owner of MotorcycleCloset. At MotorcycleCloset.com it is our top priority to provide our customers with quality products at affordable prices. In addition to leather jackets, chaps, and helmets, we offer a broad selection of motorcycle accessories. Additional items include, but are not limited to, LED lights and leather boots. Customer service and quality products are our main focus at MotorcycleCloset. Visit http://www.motorcyclecloset.com for all your motorcycle accessory needs.

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Things That Go Splat On Your Motorcycle Ride

Riding motorcycles means to get hit by bugs and other stuff thrown up by traffic. It's a fact of life. You clean bugs off the windshield of your car and you clean them off the windshield or fairing of your bike, off your visor, off your jacket. It doesn't mean you decide you're not going to ride because you don't want to be hit by stuff in the air, it just means you're going to be spending time on a regular basis making that Suzuki GSX1250FA that you bought shine as nice as when it was new.

Usually it is only bugs. And every now and then a small rock. When one of those things hits you square in the visor you know you made a good choice wearing that helmet. I was going through a construction zone once where they were doing a chip-seal and the truck in front of me tossed a quarter-sized stone right at my face. It glanced harmlessly off my helmet and that was that.

I've seen a lot of other stuff, too, though, and read about some of the things other riders have encountered. My friend Bill has hit a couple birds over the years. One flew in front of him, banged off his mirror, and struck him in the chest before it went its not-so-merry way. The other time, he saw it swoop low in front of his bike and then it just disappeared. Vanished. When we stopped next for gas he took a look and there it was, embedded in the frame of his bike just where the hinge swings out to deploy his kick stand. Suicide by motorcycle, bird style.

Every rider has his own tales of what he has dodged. More than one guy I know tells of riding behind pick-up trucks loaded with stuff, often the household possessions of people who are moving. They may have tied things down but since this is not something they do every day they often misjudge just how much force the wind can apply. You're riding along and all of a sudden a couch cushion or chair or even a mattress is coming your way. If you've been thinking about safety there's a good chance you have expected something like this and already dropped back or moved over. Otherwise it's time for evasive maneuvers, NOW!

Other times you'll come around a blind corner only to find something strange. Maybe, if you're in a national park, it's a bunch of tourist cars stopped in the middle of the road to look at a moose off on the side of the road. Maybe it's a semi that has rolled and spread its cargo all over the highway. Maybe it's a herd of cattle being moved to a new pasture. You never know.

And then there are the times that are totally unpredictable. Once we were riding along on a four-lane highway, me in the lead, and we came up on a semi. Just as I was preparing to pull left to go around him, one of his tires exploded, throwing bits of rubber ranging from tiny bits up to chunks of tread everywhere. They were all around us but fortunately no one got hit by anything big.

Of course, every bit of this kind of thing can happen when you're in a car, too. It's just that on a motorcycle you feel-and you are-a lot more vulnerable. I don't know that car drivers sit around and swap tales of things they've encountered on the road, at least as a regular topic of discussion, but bikers do. It's just a little more personal with us.

For a New York Motorcycle, visit Island Powersports at http://www.IslandPowersports.com or call 516-795-4400. We have rock bottom pricing, outstanding customer service, and knowledgeable staff to satisfy your thirst for fun. Schedule an appointment today to get out and ride!

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Motorcycle Riders In The Rain

Do you ride your motorcycle in the rain? Probably the better question is, do you really get out and ride your motorcycle? Because if you do, you inevitably ride in the rain, at least at times, and at least for the amount of time it takes for you to find shelter.

It doesn't matter that you started off on a clear, sunny morning. You headed out on your Royal Star Tour Deluxe thinking what a beautiful day for a ride it is, but now it's not looking so good. Those low-hanging clouds are heading your way and the closer they get the darker and uglier they become. It's a good thing you've got your rain suit with you.

You do, don't you? You don't ever take off without it, do you? It ought to live in one of your bags and be with you all the time when you're out on the road.

Having a rain suit - and carrying it with you - is one of the things that separates newbie riders from experienced riders. I should know. I am the latter but at one time I was the former. When my buddies and I first got our bikes and took off riding them we were totally unprepared. Just about the only type of gear we had were helmets and we didn't even wear them very often. You figure out very quickly, however, that a helmet is essential in the rain because otherwise those little rain drops feel like hundreds of sharp little pins turning your face into a pin cushion.

It can be a little harder figuring it out with the rain suit. If you're like us, you look at the expensive suits at the local motorcycle dealer's and you have a hard time laying out more than $100 for a proper rain suit. So you go to the discount store and buy a $3 little plastic thing and figure that will suffice.

Bill did that early on. The first time he needed to put it on we were coming down a canyon into town and he was in the lead. John and I started seeing these colorful little pieces of something flying past us, and it took a couple pieces going past before we realized they were the same color as that rain suit Bill was wearing. In fact, they were the rain suit Bill was wearing. Flapping vigorously in the breeze as he rode along, the suit was disintegrating and tearing off in pieces. Back to the drawing board.

John took the middle route. He still didn't want to pay up for the real thing, so he dropped about $40 on something that he figured would be adequate. It didn't fall to pieces the way's Bill's el cheapo had done, and it even did OK in the occasional cloud burst, but the first time we rode in some serious rain, he noticed a peculiar feeling. His crotch was getting wet. It turned out that water was soaking through the seams and as water ran off down the suit and off his gas tank it was all collecting right there at his crotch. And coming right through.

All this time, I had been getting by wearing a crummy old generic rain suit that a former roommate had left behind. There were a lot of things about it that could have been better, but it kept me reasonably dry. But it was starting to wear out. So I finally bit the bullet and bought a real honest-to-goodness motorcycle-specific rain suit. Yes, it cost me $150 but it is worth it. And Bill and John soon did the same. Now when it rains we just suit up and keep on riding. Sometimes it just doesn't pay to go the cheap route. This is one of those times.

For a New York Motorcycle, visit Island Powersports at http://www.IslandPowersports.com or call 516-795-4400. We have rock bottom pricing, outstanding customer service, and knowledgeable staff to satisfy your thirst for fun. Schedule an appointment today to get out and ride!

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Setting Speed Records in a Motorcycle

It is the rare soul, at least here in the USA, who does not associate the Bonneville Salt Flats, in Utah, with speed. It's common knowledge that this is where the fastest cars and motorcycles go to set world land-speed records.

What many people probably don't realize, however, is just how many possible records there are, with many of them still waiting to be set. Sure there are the ultimate goals: The fastest speed of any vehicle of any kind, i.e., the ultimate land-speed record of them all. Or, getting a little more specialized, the fastest car or truck or motorcycle. But there are in fact classes for all different sizes of machines, whether or not they are stock, and a lot of other variables.

Well, once you start creating classes of vehicles there's no end of it. A friend of mine, Jerry, who personally has set three world land-speed records, and currently still holds two of them, takes the easy way. He looks over his stable of mostly vintage bikes and looks at the list of unclaimed records to see what matches. All he has to do then is go and make two successful runs and he becomes the first ever record holder in that particular class. In 2010 he set a world record in the class for 650cc pre-1956 stock motorcycles. The average of the two runs is what becomes the record, and his record was a scant 52.202 mph.

That sort of thing is easiest with old bikes. If there is no existing record in an under-150cc class for bikes that were built before 1940, for example, and you have such a bike, you're not going to have a lot of competition. On the other hand, if you want to take your 2011 Kawasaki ZX10 Ninja and set a record in its class you have some serious work ahead of you. You can assume there is an existing record in that class and you better expect that it's going to be a very big number. Bring lots of cash. The people who set those kinds of records have a lot more money than most of us and this is one way they enjoy spending it.

You don't have to spend a lot of money to have fun, though. Jerry has a lot of great stories about the trials and tribulations, the glories, and the heartbreaks of just going out to set a record with a top speed well under 100 mph. You go through the same prep as all the big boys. You get up way too early in the morning to be out on the salt before temperatures get too high. You invest time and money in this fantasy only to have gremlins attack your bike minutes before you're set to run, threatening to-and sometimes succeeding in-dashing all your hopes at the very last minute.

And sometimes, after all you've done you go home with a world record.

Now, you may not hold onto it for long. Jerry earned that record in 2010 but by 2011 someone else had broken it, so he took the same bike back to reclaim it. His first record was low because the engine wasn't fully broken in and he didn't want to push it. He just needed to finish at any speed to claim the record. Well, the new record was more reflective of what that size bike can actually do, so he was going to really have to run this time. Of course, the engine was by then well broken in, but there were other issues that cropped up once he got to Bonneville. Bottom line: he was unsuccessful. Oh well, there's always next year. And he will be back next year.

For a New York Motorcycle, visit Island Powersports at http://www.IslandPowersports.com or call 516-795-4400. We have rock bottom pricing, outstanding customer service, and knowledgeable staff to satisfy your thirst for fun. Schedule an appointment today to get out and ride!

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Refreshment On The Road With Your Motorcycle

When my buddies and I first started going off on week-long motorcycle trips we were ignorant and unprepared. We didn't have proper gear: nothing to keep us dry in the rain, nothing to protect us in case we went down on the bike.

And we had no idea of dehydration. The only fluids we carried with us was about a pint of water in an Army-surplus canteen I wore on my belt. We'd stop out in the middle of the desert in Utah with the sun blazing and temperatures in the 90s and we would each take a couple sips from the canteen. That was it.

Of course, we were on small, old bikes at that time, too. Nothing like the big touring bikes of today, the Suzuki Boulevard C109RT or Kawasaki's Vulcan 1700 Voyager ABS. Ours were just little 750cc bikes we had picked up used, and lacking luggage, we just strapped things on with bungee cords.

Trust me, this has all changed now. One by one we all bought bigger, new bikes with bags for storage. One by one we all got good leather or textile riding jackets, rain suits that will actually keep us dry, and a lot more. We also figured out we needed more than just an occasional sip of water.

The first step in this evolution came when I decided to try strapping a small soft cooler on my rear rack along with my tent and sleeping bag. This thing had a soft plastic cover and thin foam lining, with a zipper that went around the top. It was big enough for a six-pack, or, in our case, three cans of pop and some ice.

Funny thing, though. It was worth about what I had paid for it, which was nothing. The insulation was thin, so the ice melted quickly, and it leaked all over my sleeping bag or whatever else was underneath it. That cooler never went with us again.

The following year, Bill showed up with his own take on the matter. My approach hadn't worked but he liked the idea of having more liquid, and having it be cold, so he actually spent some money and got a larger cooler that he strapped on the back of his bike. This one also had soft sides but inside was a rigid bucket sort of thing that-most importantly-did not leak. The ice still melted, but because it was bigger he could put more ice in, which would at least last longer. Of course, the bungee cords he used to strap it on progressively bent the sides of the bucket down over time, so after a few years it was looking pretty sad, but for a while at least it served us pretty well.

It was Bill again then who made the next step forward. By this time he had bought a new bike that was bigger and had a good, solid passenger backrest, or sissy bar as they are sometimes called. He bought a bag that had a pouch on the side designed to slip over the sissy bar. This allowed the bag to hang off the back unsupported and it unzipped at the top. The bag itself was not waterproof, but he found a thick plastic bladder somewhere that fit very nicely and with that inside, he could pack in a lot of ice, about a dozen cans or bottles of a variety of liquid refreshment, and it worked well enough to stay cold all day.

What a difference that made. Now it became the norm, when we would pull off somewhere, to cluster around the rear of Bill's bike and pull out whatever you were inclined to use to quench your thirst. Plastic, resealable bottles work best: you don't have to drink it all and you don't have to worry about it spilling. Yeah, we've come a long way, baby.

For a New York Motorcycle, visit Island Powersports at http://www.IslandPowersports.com or call 516-795-4400. We have rock bottom pricing, outstanding customer service, and knowledgeable staff to satisfy your thirst for fun. Schedule an appointment today to get out and ride!

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Choosing a Good Motorcycle Jacket

ByShahzad Nabeel

The right motorcycle apparel can mean the difference between life and death. A good motorcycle jacket can spare you the pain of having your skin rubbed off. And yet many people ride without a motorcycle jacket, thinking that motorcycle apparel is unnecessary and uncomfortable. Well, using the right motorcycle accessories and apparel can drastically improve your chances of surviving a wreck. So try and find some motorcycles accessories that are comfortable and look good. Don't worry, this article is here to help.

Why Jackets are Important

Choosing the right motorcycle apparel is very important, and motorcycle jackets aren't an exception. Finding the right equipment can save your life. So how does a motorcycle jacket help keep you alive?

Motorcycle jackets are specially designed to be able to survive abrasions. Many of the earliest were made of leather thanks to its tough and durable nature for this very reason. The leather could land on the road and still not rip through. Modern fabrics have managed to duplicate the effects of having a leather jacket, but they are still a great choice for motorcycle apparel.

The main purpose of a motorcycle jacket is to keep your skin on your body. Pavement is sandpaper if you hit it while going faster than 10 miles per hour, and trust me, sandpapering your body wouldn't feel good. Most shirts and fabrics aren't designed to handle the abrasions that a high speed motorcycle crash produces. They will tear right through. This is why they sell specialized jackets as motorcycle apparel.

But motorcycle jackets frequently help in other ways. Often they have hard pads in the joints that are designed to keep your bones from snapping due to a high speed crash. These pads are frequently rigid, designed to take a massive blow and distribute it across a larger portion of your body than a curb otherwise would. Not all motorcycle jackets have pads, but they are a great idea if you are worried about safety.

Choosing a Jacket

The jacket you choose for your motorcycle apparel depends on the climate and what you want out of it. You can get a thick, padded jacket if that is what you desire, or one made of mesh.

Mesh jackets are ideal apparel for motorcycles in warm, dry weather. Mesh jackets let air go right through the fabric, letting the air cool you as you ride. These are great, and this is what I personally choose. Just be aware that the mesh can also let sharp rocks protrude through a bit during a wreck, and that you will have to attach a liner if it starts to rain.

Heavier jackets are available if you live in cooler or wetter environments. These jackets are more tightly woven, a touch more durable (usually) and feature more padding in case of a fall. But you won't get near the air flow as you would with a mesh jacket. These can stifle you on hot pavement during a hot day, roasting you like a nut. So your best choice might to be to buy one of both types.

For more information about Motorcycle Jackets please visit us at http://www.motorcyclehouse.com/.

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Find the Right Motorcycle Helmet

ByShahzad Nabeel

Outfitting your motorcycle isn't all about the hardware. Finding the right motorcycle apparel to wear is very important, too. The right motorcycle apparel combines stylish looks with superb comfort and safety, but you can easily get bad motorcycle accessories if you aren't careful where you shop. So if you are trying to find the best motorcycle apparel to buy, this guide should help.

Finding the Right Helmet

Let's start with the helmet, quite possibly the most important piece of motorcycle apparel you can buy. There are three different types:

1. Full face
2. Three Quarters
3. Half Helmet

A full face helmet cover the entire face, as you would expect. They have a chin to cover your chin and wrap most of your head in a special protective womb. These helmets offer the most protection of the three different types of helmets, but also are the least liberating. Despite featuring vents to let air through, these can be muggy and uncomfortable. And cheaper helmets frequently fog up in the right conditions, which can be extremely dangerous while riding down the road. Still, though, these are great choices if you need a good, sturdy helmet, like you are new to riding.

Three quarters helmets are more liberating than fill face helmets. You might find that they are the best balanced of motorcycle accessories and apparel. Like full face helmets, these helmets feature a strong cocoon for your head. Unlike full face helmets, though, they lack the chin. With no chin blocking air flow, these helmets let air right into your helmet, giving you far more airflow than full face helmets. This also means you have more noise, though. The air is invigorating, and you don't have to worry about fog, as the constant airflow on both sides keeps moisture from building up. There is a bit more of a concern about safety, however. The lack of the chin means that if you fall off your bike and smash your head hard onto the ground, there's nothing to keep your face from contacting the pavement. With a full face helmet, the chin guarantees that the ground will stay far away. And the plexiglass is significantly smaller on a full face than on a three quarters helmet. But if you want a good mix of safety and wonderful airflow from your motorcycle apparel, go with a three quarters helmet.

I will admit, I don't truly see the appeal of half helmets. Unlike both full face and three quarter helmets, half helmets lack anything but the most rudimentary of protection. They are like wearing a bicycle helmet, but at high speeds. Half helmets barely protect your head. While they will absorb a sharp impact if the angle Is right, they cover so little of the face that your head will likely contact the pavement. And because there's no plexiglass to shield you from rocks, pebbles, bugs and dust, all of that is going right into your face. Now, I can imagine that you get a great feeling of freedom from riding with a half helmet. The air is in your face in a way that three quarter helmets can't match. But between bugs and a lack of safety, they just aren't a safe choice.

For more information about Motorcycle Helmets please visit us at http://www.motorcyclehouse.com/

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Different Types of Motorcycle Luggage

ByShahzad Nabeel

While this surely won't come as a surprise to you, there are many . You have probably seen several different varieties on display at your local bike shop, but probably not all. Many are specialized and designed to be only used by niche riders. So what are a few of the different types of motorcycle bags and luggage? Read on.

Panniers

Panniers are the classic form of motorcycle luggage. Also known as hard saddlebags, panniers are permanent additions to your bike. They are usually made of metal and are designed to be as durable as it is possible to make them. They have to be, because if the bike is dropped, they will have the full weight of the contraption on them.

Panniers are favored by adventure travelers because their hard shells make it hard for thief's to break into their contents while their hard shells keep fragile things from getting smashed when the bike falls (which can be a common occurrence on certain roads and trails).

Saddlebags

Much like panniers, except usually soft. Saddlebags are bags that hang from the side of your bike. They add easy and cheap storage to your bike, though they lack the durability of panniers. Saddlebags do feature one major advantage over panniers, however: they are removable. You can drag them around as your luggage, if you want to.

Most people have saddlebags on their bikes, and for good reason. Despite the cheap cost of this type of motorcycle luggage, they are some of the most flexible bags you can get. Saddlebags are a great choice of motorcycle luggage no matter how you ride.

Tank Bag

Tank bags are less common than saddlebags, but are not less useful for many people. In their most basic form tank bags act as a convenient spot to store small things like wallets, cards and snacks. Their utility often goes further than that, however. Tank bags usually include a specialized slot for different things. Tank bags with map holders are a common variant, as you can glance down at your tank to see where you are going. Since maps have been largely supplanted by GPS, other variants host a slot for your GPS system.

Tank bags will never store a lot, but they are a more convenient type of motorcycle bags luggage than most. If you want an easy place to store small things or you need to be able to look at maps while driving, a tank bag is right for you.

Handlebar Bags

Motorcyclist cram storage wherever they can, and the handlebars are no exception. Like tank bags, handlebar bags are a small type of motorcycle luggage bags. They usually consist of some combination of small bags hanging from the handlebars and a bag hanging out over the top.

Not every motorcycle can sport handlebar bags. This type of motorcycle luggage only works with bikes that have enough space on the bars to host more things or don't have the light attached at the very top of the bike. If your bike can host them, however, these are a great addition to your motorcycle

For more information about Motorcycle Luggage please visit us at http://www.motorcyclehouse.com/

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Finding Motorcycle Luggage That Fits Your Bike

ByShahzad Nabeel

You might not think about it, but attaching motorcycle luggage to your bike can be difficult. Every bike has a slightly different design, and every single bike has different mounting points. There are very few truly universal motorcycle luggage bags that will fit every bike, as I found out when I got a pair for my dual-sport.

The pair of universal saddlebags and tail bag I got supposedly worked with any bike model. I quickly found out, however, that they had trouble on mine. My first sign of trouble was when I noticed that the motorcycle luggage strap laid right against the tailpipe, and that the bag itself was mere inches from it. Not a problem, I thought. I fashioned myself a small bracket to keep the bag and strap away from the tail pipe. That worked okay, not great, but it was enough for me to go out on a trip. As I quickly found out, however, the bags still didn't work properly. My universal bags slid sideways, despite being cinched tightly to the back of my DRZ-400S, and ran into the tire. I didn't notice, thank god, because the clothes spilling out of the ruptured bag didn't catch in the tire. But I was lucky.

Finding the right Motor Cycle Luggage

If you own a cruiser, then you can probably buy a pair of universal bags and luggage with little trouble. My problem was that I tried to adapt motorcycle luggage to a bike that wasn't initially designed for it. You will, however, at least want to look into customized options. They will always fit better and look nicer.

As cruisers are the most popular style, you can find any style motorcycle luggage and bags for them. Standard bikes, sport bikes and dual-sport bikes are a bit harder to find things for, though with sport bikes that is because they were not designed to carry anything but the pilot.

There are full websites dedicated to individual bikes, having a full listing of dozens of different forms of motorcycle luggage for each. You will probably have a listing of hard bags, soft bags and semi-rigid bags.

If you are going for fit and polish on your bike, you should go with hard bags. These are not only durable, they look great on your bike. When decorated properly they can even give a bike some much needed character. If you are on a less popular bike, you might have to resort to forums to find people who fabricate hard luggage bags for your bike. Usually there are one or two for every motorcycle community who design and make high quality custom hard bags.

If you decide to go with soft bags, you have more options. Fabric is a more forgiving medium than steel, so they are cheaper to make. More manufacturers create fabric saddlebags than create metal panniers. They also frequently stitch attachment methods designed just for your bike, which will be much better than the universal fit motorcycle luggage that you would otherwise be stuck buying.

For more information about Motorcycle Luggage please visit us at http://www.motorcyclehouse.com/

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Motorcycle Myths and Misconceptions

Myths have been a part of almost any culture in history. If you Google popular myths you will be bombarded with celebrity gossip, urban legends, and even a list of common misconceptions on Wikipedia. These myths often start out as minor misconceptions and in some cases are harmless. Sometimes, however, a common myth can cause serious harm. Knowing fact from fiction could mean the difference between life and death for motorcycle riders.

Some of the most common motorcycle myths have been around for decades. These myths may have contributed to a number of catastrophic and fatal accidents. If you gather a group of motorcyclist, a few of these myths will almost certainly be discussed. The problem is that when we believe these misconceptions our chances of being hurt in a motorcycle accident are increased.

To ensure that you know fact from fiction take a quick look at the following motorcycle myths. Five minutes now could save your life down the road.

Myth 1: Loud Pipes save Lives

A common myth by riders who believe that purchasing or modifying their bike to be loud will help other vehicles notice you. There are some situations where this might work. The only one that I can think of is if you are right next to a car or truck that has their window down. The problem with all that noise is that it is directed rearward. That means that the next vehicle you are approaching probably didn't hear all that loud and annoying noise.

If you really want to keep yourself safe, wear a loud colored jacket and helmet. These will ensure you are seen and are proven to work.

Myth 2: It Is Better to Stay in Your Lane than To Split Lanes

This is another busted myth. In most parts of the world lane splitting is perfectly normal. In the United States it is only legal in California. According to a study conducted by the NHTSA, lane splitting slightly reduces crash frequency when traveling with stopped or slow-moving cars.

Myth 3: Motorcycle Helmets Don't Help In Most Accidents

Don't let those macho motorcycle riders fool you. A motorcycle helmet that displays the DOT label has saved the lives of countless riders and could save your life too. Energy absorbing qualities of a DOT helmet will ensure that riders suffer fewer neck and head injuries than those who do not use helmets.

Safety Tips For Motorcycle Riders

If you use a motorcycle as a regular means of transportation there are a number of safety tips that you should follow. If you would like to learn how to stay safe while riding a motorcycle please visit our motorcycle safety page.

Chris Foerster is an Internet Marketing SEO for the law firm Bisnar & Chase Personal Injury Attorneys. If you would like to learn more motorcycle safety tips please visit our website. For accident help you may contact us toll free at 1-800-561-4846.

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An Introduction to Motorcycle Safety

Motorcycles have always been a thrilling and efficient way to get around. Since its invention in 1867, the two-wheeled machine has memorized thousands upon thousands of people. It has been used by some for daily transportation and others as a weekend hobby.

Motorcycle Development

In 1867, Sylvester Howard Roper's invention called the motorcycle featured a two-cylinder steam-engine that was powered by coal. By 1885 Gottlieb Daimler used a wooden bike frame to produced the first ever gas powered motorcycle. As the years passed a number of start-up motorcycle manufacturers developed the motorcycle. One of these companies was formed by the inventors William Harley and the Davidsons brothers who later launched the Harley-Davidson Motor Company.

Although there have been many improvements since the introduction of the motorcycle in 1867, there are still a number of safety concerns for motorcycle riders. Motorcycle riders suffer from catastrophic injuries and even death with colliding with a car or truck. Unlike other vehicles a motorcycle does not protect the rider from the road in a crash. There are no airbags, no seat-belts and no barrios between you and the asphalt.

Motorcycle Safety

There are a number of dangers that could harm you when operating a motorcycle. A mechanical malfunction while riding at freeway speeds, right of way accidents at an intersection and other vehicles colliding with a motorcycles due to blind spots are all common reasons why you could become injured in a motorcycle accident.

To keep you safe when you are on the road there are a number of important factors that you should consider. Some of these motorcycle safety tips could save your life. Others you may already be aware of. Because safety should be a top priority, I have included seven important motorcycle safety tips that every rider should read and share with friends and loved ones.

The Seven Motorcycle Safety Tips

1. Always Wear A Helmet. A good helmet is priceless. Choose a helmet that displays the DOT label, which indicates that it meets the federal safety standards.

2. Use Both Brakes. When braking apply both breaks at the same time. Using only your front or back breaks individually could throw you off balance.

3. Watch Your Seed. As a motorcyclist, it is easy to pick up speed. With more speed also comes less time to react and a longer breaking distance. Follow posted speed limits at all times.

4. Know Your Limits. Your motorcycle has limits and so do you.

5. Keep Your Distance. No one likes a tailgater. Keep a safe distance between your bike and other vehicles.

6. Signal. Use your turn signals to allow other vehicles time to react and anticipate your maneuvers.

7. Be Seen by Other Vehicles. Avoid blind spots and always use your headlights day or night.

What to Do If You Are Involved in a Motorcycle Accident

If you are injured in a motorcycle accident it is important to seek medical attention immediately. If another party is negligent for the accident, you may have a claim for compensation. In this case, it would be a good idea to consult with a skilled motorcycle accident attorney who can help you receive compensation for your medical bills, lost wages and any other damages you may have.

Christopher Foerster works for the Bisnar & Chase law firm to help increase online visibility. If you have been injured in a personal injury accident please contact the California car accident lawyers at Bisnar & Chase by calling 1-800-561-4846.

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