The unique motorcycle

What are the options a rider has when dealing with other traffic? What are the particular movements, or directions a motorcycle can accomplish in its environment? How best can we utilize these changes in direction to assist our risk management…

February 1, 1986

This is the story of a life changing event. As a young Marine and father it is a very personal tale. The story is true to the best of my recollection, but some of it is filled in with the…

Riding in the wet

When the snow begins to melt, or the summer day turns nasty the motorcyclist gets to experience the wet. The nature of rain, from nasty tropical deluges, to prolonged dripping mist, is that they all are wet. Nothing can ruin…

T-CLOCK

Riders who consider the enormity of risk reduction will often start considering the options available to them, and the principle method of reducing risk is through preparedness. The methods of preparing for an encounter are basically through preparing our body…

SIPDE What?

Why would a rider SIPDE? The Gold Wing riders who have taken the Motorcycle Rider Course from the Motorcycle Safety Foundation learn about an observation skill called SIPDE. SIPDE is a technique that develops the requisite parts of the observation…

Even in the cold

The thermometer plummets towards the zero line, and the snow-plow just covered over the fresh shoveled drive. Again. It is definitely winter in the north. Or, maybe you live in a kinder, gentler, warmer place where riding a motorcycle in…

Naming the hazards

There are several types of hazards to be found on the roadway that can interfere with the operation of a motorcycle. The hazards can be classified as the road itself, other road users, pedestrians, and animals. Awareness of the specific…

Cornering

If you ask most motorcyclists how they negotiate a turn you will get a variety of answers. Some motorcyclists will answer they lean in to the turn. A few hardy souls will talk of hanging off the low side shifting…

Braking

Motorcycles are inherently unstable. At speed they can wobble, shimmy, and generally make the riders life difficult. At no time is a motorcycle more unstable then when its braking. Tire technology gives the rider some of the best tire traction…