Riding Safety

Many riders would agree, fall is prime motorcycle season. Near perfect temperatures, clear blue skies, changing leaves and less traffic on favorite backroads make for great end-of-season rides.

On the other hand, fall has a few downsides. With winter right around the corner, riders have to be mindful of freezing overnight temperatures and black ice. These hazards, combined with falling leaves, roadwork and drivers who aren’t expecting to see motorcycles this time of year, remind us to ride carefully and defensively through the end of fall.

As you enjoy the few mild autumn days we have left here in New England, keep these points in mind.

1. Beware of Fallen Leaves

Our region of the country is a must-see spot for leaf peepers – however, changing leaves have to come down eventually. When they do, they can form a slick, muddy blanket that greatly reduces tire traction. An unsuspecting motorcyclist may start to slip and slide, especially if their tire treads are worn out.

Large leaf piles can obscure potholes and uneven pavement, also catching riders by surprise. Added to this, high winds may bring small branches down with the leaves, creating another level of obstruction.

With these risks in mind, here’s how to approach a leaf-covered road this season:

• Ride around the piles, as you never know what lies underneath.
• Go slow, until you’re past the areas with fallen leaves and acorns.
• Make sure your tires have sufficient traction.
• Slow down and take care around corners.
• Never ride over broken branches, as they have potential to rip and puncture your tires.

2. Adjust to Shorter Days

When daylight saving time comes to an end, you’re more likely to end a late afternoon ride in the dark. For this reason, make sure your bike’s headlights, brake lights and turn signals are all in working order. So other motorists can see you, further make yourself visible with reflective clothing.

This time of year, the sun now sits lower in the sky. Unless you’re traveling north, this positioning often creates glare and, with fewer leaves on the trees, there is nothing to block the light. To reduce the blinding glow and any potential accidents, make sure you’re equipped with appropriate eyewear and take it slow when the sun prevents you from seeing far ahead.

3. Think About Animals

Plenty of creatures are migrating south, searching for food or seeking hibernation this time of year. Due to these factors, you’re more likely to come across deer and other medium-to-large mammals, especially at dawn and dusk. To anticipate this risk, ride with appropriate protective gear and keep your eyes peeled for animals approaching from the side of the road.
Read More →

You’re enjoying a smooth ride when suddenly, your motorcycle hits a bump. You maneuver your way around the potholes and loose gravel in the road, hoping for smooth asphalt around the bend.

For cars, these disturbances are a minor annoyance but for motorcycles, they can lead to a fall or bike damage. Unfortunately, you’re likely to encounter uneven, ridged roads at some point while out on your motorcycle. What can you do to get through these rough patches?

1. Plan Ahead for Rough Pavement

When you see signs for construction or enter a highly trafficked road, you may ride over:

• A grooved surface
• Gravel or an unpaved surface
• Rumble strips, usually around diverted routes and construction zones
• Fresh pavement, which brings oil to the surface when wet
• Slick pavement, worn-out blackout tape and pavement markings
• Steel plates, which may be smooth or rough in texture
• Manhole covers

In particular, pavement milling can be very noticeable on bikes with narrow front tires. When driving over these uneven surfaces, don’t panic. Stay relaxed and ride through it slowly.

In many of these instances, the change is sudden. Coupled with the uneven or traction-free surface, your bike may become harder to control. Take it slow and allow yourself enough time to see the obstructions before passing over them.

2. Look for Smoother Ground

Maneuver around ridged, cracked areas and seek out smoother ground. Similarly for slick surfaces, move around what appears to be wet, oily or shiny. Keep in mind that on highways, this smooth area may toward the center of the lane. Be careful of debris that ordinary motor vehicles can drive over.
Read More →

Warm days and clear roads are finally here! Before you hop on your motorcycle this spring, think about how you will refresh your skills to stay safe.

Refresh Yourself

Like many skills, riding a motorcycle is all about muscle memory. When winter arrives and you take a hiatus for several months, you may need to refresh your skills with a quick ride around the neighborhood.

If you feel like you need a more thorough refresher, motorcycle safety classes cover basic skills, maneuvers and strategies.

Stay in Shape

It’s a good idea to keep your muscles in shape. Particularly during the holiday season, you may relax and put on a few pounds. Once spring arrives, your body suddenly has to get back into the groove of riding.
Maintaining your physical fitness has many benefits, including:

• Improved stamina, so you’ll be able to ride farther.
• Better physical flexibility.
• Greater concentration, so you can stay focused on longer routes and road trips.

Work on Bike Maintenance

It’s never a good idea to throw your bike into storage and leave it unchecked until spring. Pests, rust and corrosion, mold and viscous fluids may negatively affect its condition. Even after sufficient pre-storage prep, check your bike and make repairs before the new season.
The end of winter into early spring is the prime time to start making these updates. To begin, put together a checklist that covers the following:

• Suspension adjustments
• Engine tune-up
• Valve adjustments
• Fluid changes
• Battery check

Read More →

When spring arrives, we want to get out, hit and road and feel the wind as we travel. While adventure is likely on your mind this time of year, it’s important to be practical. We need to check our bikes for things like pests and old fluids, as well as brush up on our riding skills.

After you perform a motorcycle tune-up, what’s next? As you get ready for the first few rides of the season, think about the following points.

1. Have the Right Gear

You can never be too careful, even when circling the block to get back in the swing of things. Prepare for uneven pavement, potholes, accidents and unpredictable weather with the right riding gear:

• Have your motorcycle jacket, pants and boots ready to wear, rather than jeans and a T-shirt.
• Spring brings rain showers, so have your waterproof gear on-hand in case you’re caught in a storm.
• Don’t forget your cold weather gear for chilly spring evenings. Extra insulation is essential when you’re riding through cool temperatures and windy conditions.
• Will you be riding at dusk or past sundown? Have a clear visor, balaclava and glove liners to combat the chill.

2. Take Things Slow

We’re all looking forward to lengthy trips through back roads and down the coast, but these rides shouldn’t be on your radar yet. Now is the time to remember how it feels to ride and get your skills back up to speed. What can you do?

• Circle the block a few times and be sure to stay local.
• Understand your reaction time could be a bit slower in the beginning.
• Go around corners slowly, as you remember how to shift the weight of the bike into the curve.
• Stick to familiar roads and routes but understand there could be winter damage, like potholes.
• Travel the speed limit or slower, as other motorists may not be expecting to see motorcycles and could pull out in front of you.
• Always follow the rules of the road and drive defensively.

3. Think About Mechanical Issues

After the tires have been inspected and the fluids changed, your bike could still experience mechanical issues. Aside from staying on familiar routes close to home, anticipate any potential breakdowns and have a cell phone on-hand. Plan who to call for help in the event of a breakdown.
Read More →

Our favorite time of year is here: Summer! As motorcyclists, we especially love the longer days, open roads and bountiful sunshine. While this season often has the perfect weather for riding, it’s important to keep safety in mind. The following tips can help everyone to be safer on the roads this summer.

1. Watch Out For Traffic

Summertime brings a tremendous amount of traffic to roadways statewide. Be sure to watch out for all vehicles, including cars, trucks and bicycles, as well as pedestrians.

Never ride in another motorist’s blind spot, as a sudden lane switch or door opening could spill you off your bike. Ride safely and defensively to protect yourself and other drivers on the road.

2. Get Your Practice In

While charity motorcycle events can be the highlight of the summer, it’s important to be prepared for a large organized ride. If you have never participated in a group ride, be sure to get some riding time in beforehand.

During the journey to your shared destination, keep a two-second stagger between yourself and other riders and never lane switch. If one rider goes down, it could lead to a dangerous domino effect.

3. Be Prepared for Construction

All motorists should approach construction sites with caution, but motorcyclists have particular risks to keep in mind. When the road is being milled, slow down and ride at a comfortable pace, relaxing your grip on the controls. Do not make any sudden maneuvers for your own and the workers’ safety. If you have a narrow front tire, know this can magnify the effects of road milling.

Read More →