Re: Accidents?

Posted by sgtslag on Jul 17, 2012; 3:05pm
URL: http://vintage-and-classic-hondas.81.s1.nabble.com/Accidents-tp4025340p4025342.html

Statistics show an increasing number of riders, every year, for several years now.  There is no guarantee of safety, but there are things each rider can do to improve their odds/chances of avoiding, and/or surviving accidents:

1)  Take the Basic Skills Course in your area (should be required by law, but they only require you pass the test);

2)  Take an advanced skills riding course after your first year, or two, of riding, to improve your skills;

3)  Read some of the available, good books on riding skills, and tactics (Total Control, Twist of the Wrist, Proficient Motorcycling, etc.), then put them into practice, on the road, every time you ride;

4)  Check out, or buy, some riding skills DVD's, watch, practice, and then employ those skills on the street (Ride Like a Pro, by Jerry Palodino, is superb);

5)  Wear full, protective gear (full-face/modular helmet, armored jacket, riding pants/chaps, gloves, boots), as often as is humanly possible (I tend to avoid riding in temperatures so hot I cannot wear my full gear -- I take the car, then, as it is not worth the risk, to me, personally, YMMV);

6)  Ride like you're invisible, and throw your 'Road Rage' attitude in the ditch/storm sewer, or gutter -- it will get you killed...

Even with all of that, riding will still be a risk.  All you can do is to 'improve' your odds, but you cannot turn it into a 'sure thing', ever.  It may sound cavalier, but, everybody dies.  Enjoy life, while you can.  Cheers!