Are You In The Need For Speed? These Motorcycle Tips Will Get You Soaring

“The point is valid: the difference between survival and wipe-out in a physical crisis is nearly always a matter of conditioned reflexes.” 

― Hunter S. Thompson, Hell's Angels: A Strange and Terrible Saga

Motorcycle riding carries more risk than that of cars or trucks, simply because the rider is more exposed. According to a recent article in the Bracebridge Examiner, there is growing concern among OPP of the rise of collisions involving motorcyclists who have experienced life-threatening injuries. Often, according to the article, it is more often the motorist who is at fault and not the motorcyclist, simply because the former may be following too close behind, not paying attention to a cyclist riding through an intersection, or not seeing a cyclist changing lanes in front. 

A friend of mine owned a Harley Davidson for some time--he had been a truck driver for many years and was a very confident driver, with a penchant for the euphoric nectar of speed. He was gliding down the left-hand lane of the Gardiner Expressway, the Toronto skyline at dusk gleaming before him, when a car zipping up in the middle lane slid over and nudged his handle bar with its rear-view mirror. With his heart lumped in his throat, he gained control of the bike as the car drifted back to the middle lane and sped off ahead. The following day, my friend sold the Harley, and has never ridden again. 

If you are a first time rider, considering purchasing your first motorcycle, or are getting back in the saddle of one for the first time in a long while, here are some tips that will help you on your way.

1. Don't choose too much bike
Bike size is important for safety and control; as well, motorcycles are increasing in speed and power every year. It's therefore important to choose a motorcycle that is the right size for you. Your feet should be able to comfortably rest on the ground without being pulled up on tippy-toes, and it should be light enough for you to control it while in centre-stand--if it feels heavy while you're trying it out, then it simply is. A motorcycle with a 250 or 300-cc engine makes for a good commuter bike; but if you're doing a lot of highway riding, then a 500-750-cc range will be adequate for keeping up with the speed of traffic. 

2. Get anti-lock brakes
Anti-lock brakes are a proven life-saver, and comes with many models of motorcycles. With anti-lock brakes, you are 37 percent less likely to get into a fatal crash than without. What anti-lock brakes avoid are those tragic sliding crashes that are customary among riders, the result of the brakes being locked up and the rider losing control. Anti-lock brakes come standard in many high-end motorcycles, and are only a few hundred dollars extra for more basic models. 

3. Take riding classes
Taking motorcycle riding classes is an important way to learn all you need to know about safe riding: by working with professionals, you'll learn all the basic techniques, as well as performing evasive emergency maneuvers. Insurance companies will often provide a discount to those who have taken a riding course. According to Motorcycle Basics, riding courses are not mandatory for getting a license in Ontario, but they hold out several important advantages over those who just take the test and hope to pass: 1) Survivability: those who take the course learn what it takes to ride carefully and avoid fatal errors, 2) There is a higher percentage pass-rate on the test for those who have taken a course, 3) Shorter wait time for the actual riding license, and 4) Discounted insurance rates, from several hundred to, in some cases, a thousand dollars. 

4. Wear a helmet--it's the law
Helmets are mandatory in Ontario--period. Here's how that law is defined:

Canada’s motorcycle helmet laws are easy to understand because they are        fairly uniform across all 10 provinces and three territories: all passengers on a motorcycle or motor-assisted bicycle must wear crash helmets at all times securely fastened under the chin.

And the kind of helmet is important, as explained here:

Motorcycle helmets must meet safety standards approved for use as a motorcycle helmet in Canada. Only helmets that meet CSA CAN3-D230-M85 standards may be worn in compliance with Canada’s universal helmet laws. These are roughly equivalent to helmets certified by the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) for sale in America. There should be a label on the helmet indicating the certification.

If you have one, but it's five years old, it's considered due for replacement. Helmets can succumb to chemicals and overall wear and tear that compromise its performance. As well, the technology of helmets is growing, which ensures you a level of improvement to your old one.

5. Be alert and defensive
In up to 60 percent of motorcycle collisions with motorists, the latter is at fault. With the rise of mobile devices, there are more accidents caused by distracted driving than by impaired driving. And those driving automobiles are often not paying enough attention to motorcycles, and can easily cut you off, or whip out in front of you turning left at an intersection. It's thus very important to be alert and defensive when you're riding. It's obviously a temptation to ride like those more reckless around you, but then you're increasing your chances of falling prey to a possibly fatal collision. Don't tailgate vehicles ahead of you, for they might suddenly brake or swerve to reveal an obstacle in the road that you may not have enough time to respond to.