Autoevolution posted a video of how a rider’s late reaction results to a crash.
When riding a motorcycle the operator must be attentive driver. driver’s late reaction is said to be a key element of a crash. While on the other hand, traffic awareness and properly assessing the road conditions are key elements which allow a rider to stay out of dangerous situations or make the best of the unexpected things happening around him.
Add in the rain to an already dangerous method of transportation and things become really interesting, so to speak. Riding in the rain is very risky and it requires the rider’s full attention. But this does not necessarily mean that a rider would crash… unless something is missing.
To watch the video and read the original post, CLICK HERE.
Columbus, Georgia – Rain has canceled a session focusing on safety for motorcycle riders at the National Infantry Museum. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration,motorcycle traffic deaths have increased over the last three years.
The Maneuver Center of Excellence was hosting the Motorcycle Mentorship D-day Remembrance safety ride to emphasizes safety, education of Department of the Army and post motorcycle riding policies and tips for new motorcyclists. The event that should coincide with the start of summer riding season was cancelled due to heavy rain.
DOVER, Delaware— Current and retired police gathered for the Wall to Wall Memorial Ride at Legislative Mall last Saturday morning. At around 9:30 a.m., the motorcycle riders left the Delaware Law Enforcement Memorial, where the names of the state’s fallen police officers are etched in stone.
Three hours later, they arrive at the National Law Enforcement Memorial at Judiciary Square in Washington where more names were written. The ride is meant to draw attention to the memorial and raise funds for maintenance. Half the ride’s proceeds will support the monument; the rest are given to the state chapter of Concerns of Police Survivors, or COPS who help rebuild the lives of families of law enforcement officers who died in the line of duty. The organization’s programs include retreats, counseling, scholarships, and kids’ camps.
The ride’s sponsors included Dunkin Donuts, Walmart, the Delaware Police Chiefs’ Foundation, and J. R. Gettier and Associates.
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Police advise riders and drivers to be more aware of each other as they hit the road after the long winter months. As the weather warms, motorcycle riders are ready to roll but it usually takes a little while for other drivers to get used to sharing the road to motorcycles again.
“Cars aren’t used to the motorcycle traffic in and out of lanes. It’s a good time of year to start being observant and watching lanes before you switch,” said Capt. Donna Greenwell of the Kansas City, Mo., Police Department.
But it’s not all on the drivers. Police say those on two wheels need to do their part, too. According to Greenwell, they should not ride in blind spots and must be cautious riders.
The motorcycle accidents in the state was caused by drivers, others by the riders, or a combination of both, so police are urging everyone to keep their eyes open and share the road safely because it’s only going to get busier.
“The warmer it gets and the less rain we get, the more motorcycles you’re gonna see out there.”
Bud Wilkinson shared his thoughts about riding in the rain in his latest post on Republican American.
Motorcycle Rain Gear
Maybe it’s time to buy a motorcycle rain gear. While I’ve never limited myself to fair weather riding, the drizzle, the showers and the full-on rain encountered in the past week when riding has me considering the acquisition of apparel designed to prevent wet jeans, a dripping leather jacket and squishy feet upon getting home.
When riding in the rain, it is not fun removing clammy garments then hanging them in assorted places to dry or wringing out socks. The only upside to soggy sojourning is your bike is clean for the next ride. Rain makes me a chicken rider due to the possibility of oil and other vehicular drippings being diffused across the blacktop.
More riders these days actually still get out for a ride no matter the forecast. The esprit de corps among riders seemingly elevates, because riding in the rain says the motorcycle operator is serious about the recreation.
The last time I bought a rain gear, a two-piece PVC rainsuit made by Tour Master, it held up for one use before falling apart. That was more than eight years ago. Maybe enough time has passed from that bad experience to try again.
PETALING JAYA: A 20-minute ride to work from Puchong to their designated motorcycle lanes is a daily headache for motorcyclists like videographer Patrick Chin.
According to Chin, poorly-lit tunnels are a problem day and night. He also cited poor signage and road maintenance as the reason why many would rather use the main Federal Highway.
Chin complained about the poor design of the lane. He added that when it rains, the potholes look like puddles and many motorcycles skid or fall over after hitting a pothole. Motorcyclists had to choose between risking riding a motorcycle in the rain or waiting beneath an underpass where they would be splashed and sometimes even hit by passing vehicles.
The Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research (Miros) had revealed that fatalities could be reduced by 30% if motorcyclists were separated from the main road.
To improve security, frequent patrols and lights at strategic sections are recommended by many riders.
TUPELO, Mississippi. Bikers ride in order to raise money to help fund Operation First Response. More than 300 riders and their motorcycles departed Tupelo’s BancorpSouth Arena, headed for Southern Thunder Harley in Southaven Saturday morning.
The purpose of this charity event is to raise money to help fund Operation First Response, which covers all five branches of the military for emergency financial relief. According to bikers who participated on the event, it’s the least they could to do show their support to soldiers.
Many of the bikers are former military and have returned from Afghanistan, Iraq and even Vietnam. They say events like this are worth every dollar raised.
When the charity motorcycle ride was originally put together, the intent was to do it for one year. However, organizers say as long as there is a need, they’ll continue to ride and raise money to help out the soldiers, rain or shine.
This is only one of the many charitable acts bikers in Mississippi like to do annually because it shows they care for those who are in need of extra assistance. The ride is one of three scheduled for this year.
The origins of the very first motorized bicycle can be traced back to the second half of the 19th century. It was in 1867 when a Parisian Ernest Michaux, fitted a small steam powered engine to one of his fathers ‘velocipedes’, or ‘Michauline’. This has became the first model of bicycle with pedals at the time.
The Hildebrand & Wolfmüller became the very first motorcycle available for purchase by the general public in 1894. Only a few hundred examples of this motorcycle were ever built, however, as engines became more and more powerful and designs began to outgrow their humble bicycle origins.
Today, there are three major types of motorcycle and typically seen with many variants within each subcategory. Street legal motorcycles include cruisers, sportbikes, and scooters, while off-road bikes include many types designed for dirt-oriented racing classes such as motocross. Finally, there’s the dual-purpose motorcycle that consists of the dual-sport style, which are made for off-roading but also include features that make them street legal.
According to Steve Swindlehurst, the enthusiastically passionate motorcycle instructor with the Grande Prairie Regional College program Ready To Ride, the passion to ride a bike is a little crazy. Riding a motorcycle is a different way to take in the scenery; a different way to take in the world as you drive around you can actually smell the rain.
The Program..
Ready to Ride Motorcycle Program
For two years, Steve and his wife, Heather Swindlehurst, have been crisscrossing the Peace Country region together. Working in tandem, they teach novice motorcycle enthusiasts everything they need to know when riding a motorcycle, including how to mount a motorcycle.
They provide 4 hours of studying motorcycle defensive riding theory inside the safety of a classroom, and an additional 16 hours of on-bike training. This includes on-road and gravel riding, low speed exercises, and emergency and safety maneuvers.
Throughout these two-day, 20-hour course, riders will learn the latest in motorcycle defensive driving theory and riding skills, and will be prepared for acquiring their Class 6 Motorcycle Road Test.
Steve Swindlehurst agrees that motorcycling can be a dangerous activity, however you should learn how to drive defensively while being in tune with your surroundings, and most importantly, be highly aware of your comfort level and skill. Riders are encouraged to wear motorcycle helmet andriding pants and other safety gears for protection.
The GPRC Ready to Ride Motorcycle Safety Program runs an estimated 26 to 34 classes per year, with a 10 student per class maximum. All motorcycles are included in the cost of $550, but it is mandatory that all students bring with them their own safety equipment.
To inquire about classroom availability or to simply find out more information, you can do so by logging onto the GPRC website, and searching for the Motorcycle Safety Program.
May 4, 2013, Autoevolution posted tips and suggestions on how to beat the summer heat.
They say a motorcyclist who rides much throughout the year is seldom dry, as he or she is either wet from riding in the rain or wet from sweating. Those who are familiar with long rides just know that the blessed state of “I’m 100% OK” is quite a rare thing.
Most of the riders will be aboard their bikes during the warm season between May and September. However, riding in the blistering sun, and not knowing how to defend yourself against the unforgiving heat can easily take away the joy of riding and can even lead to serious problems.
There are several issues to consider before a rider went out for a long ride. First, check the weather forecast. Second consider how long your journey will be or how long you will be riding into the day and lastly, check your riding gear and remember about your potential health issues. Doing all these will increase the chances of having a successful day of riding.
How to beat the heat when riding in a how weather?
1. Know your enemies
There are two archenemies when it comes to riding in very hot weather: dehydration is the biggest evil of all and then there’s the rest of physiological effects of sun/heat on the human body and mind. When exposed to excessive heat, the human body attempts to balance and counteract the overheating process by sweating. Evaporating water cools down the area and this is the way in which our bodies fight against excessive heat. When exposed to excessively high temperatures over an extended period, some individuals might experience nausea, nose bleeding, increased heart rate, sensory delusions and many other nasty effects that are not to be desired, especially when riding a motorcycle.
Knowing the way your body reacts to heat exposure is the key element for taking the best precautionary actions and counter-balance the negative effects.
2. Water and minerals are your best friends
When sweating, the human body eliminates a huge amount of essential minerals that are to be found in the bodily fluids. One of the main things when it comes to preventing the effects of dehydration is trying to re-establish the natural mineral balance in your body. Only water will not do, special beverages, such as Gatorade and the likes of that are more than soft drinks: they help bring back the normal level of minerals in the body.
Aside from these drinks, dioralytes or Oral Rehydration Salts are also good. Dioralyte solutions are pretty much the same thing but in a slightly different shape: they are powdered mineral compounds that can be dissolved in water, sometimes coming with certain fruit flavors.
When going for long rides, dioralyte bags are far more convenient as they take up a very small place in your luggage and can be mixed on the spot whenever needed. When riding in very hot weather, it’s crucial to remember to rehydrate periodically. Depending on how much every individual sweats, drinking a small amount of water periodically is a very good way to prevent dehydration.
3. Why avoid dehydration?
Many people believe that dehydration equals thirst and once you had some water, things are back to normal. Dehydration is in fact many times more dangerous than the mere sensation of being thirsty. Medical studies on the negative effects of dehydration states that people should try to avoid dehydration as much as possible, by drinking enough water, before the strong sensation of thirst is present.
Riders should know that feeling a bit thirsty is the initial alarm that the body needs more water in order to keep functioning well. There is a very thin line between “alright” and “very bad” unfortunately when it comes to dehydration. According to studies, a mere 2% drop in hydration levels is already causing short-term memory to become fuzzy, makes some basic math and mental associations seem like harder tasks and so on.
Mild to moderate levels of dehydration lead to fatigue, muscle weakness, decreased concentration, headaches, dizziness or lightheadedness and more. Even more, dehydration makes blood be thicker than the usual, and this will cause the heart to work harder in order to pump the low-pressure fluid into your veins, causing unnecessary stress and decreasing the levels of oxygen reaching the cells.
This will also lead to rapid breathing, as the human body will attempt to supplement the oxygen intake. In more advanced situations, drowsiness may also ensue, increasing the risks of making a severe error hundredfold. Finally, if dehydration occurs, the body will regulate the amount of sweat, thus trying to preserve the water resources: less sweating equals less cooling, and there we go, a very dangerous snowball effect that can turn out extremely nasty results.
It really makes no difference which way you replenish your water resources while on the road, as long as you do it. What you eat and drink just before starting off your journey on the road can prevent dehydration.
Remember that certain types of food and beverages will require bigger amounts of water to be processed by the human body and they might have a negative impact on the water levels. Drinks such as alcohol, coffee, black tea and similar beverages that contain caffeine will cause more frequent urination and need large amounts of water to be processed.
On the other hand, dishes with high-protein content need water for breaking down the proteins, while a diet based on high-fiber content tends to eliminate water by associating it with fiber excretion. Remember that the biggest water consumption is caused by the simple sugars, as they need very much water in order to be metabolized. Candy bars and similar sweets are draining more water from your body than you could imagine.
A balanced meal before the trip will help you stay in better shape (water-wise) and is a key element for “beating the heating,” if a very subtle and often overlooked one. Ride safe and be cool, see you soon with another episode.
Wisconsin, May3, 2013– According to Cycle News, Road America announced that Yamaha has become the Official Motorcycle of Road America as part of a multi-year agreement. Additionally, Yamaha will also play an integral role at the track as part of Road America’s successful motorcycle school programs to educate two-wheel enthusiasts. Endorsed by the Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF), Road America’s Basic Rider Courses are taught by award-winning rider coaches who have completed extensive training through the MSF and the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT). Successful completion of the school’s basic rider course enables participants to obtain a Class M endorsement on their driver’s license from the WisDOT.
“The Yamaha partnership is a deeply-integrated program that will bring many new benefits to Road America,” said George Bruggenthies, president and general manager of Road America. “We are looking forward to elevating our programs and offerings as we work alongside Yamaha to bring new experiences and opportunities to fans, motorcycling enthusiasts and the many Yamaha motorcycle dealers in the region.”
As part of being an official partner of Road America, Yamaha will have a presence through multiple areas of the venue and fans will have the opportunity to purchase tickets for the GEICO Motorcycle AMA ProRacing Subway SuperBike Doubleheader, May 31-June 2 at local dealerships. As part of the Road America Motorcycle Schools, Yamaha motorcycles will be used exclusively to train beginner and advanced students how to ride safe.
The Courses
For anyone interested in learning how to ride at Road America, the Basic Rider Course or (BRC) consists of 16 hours of combined classroom and practical riding instruction. Participants in this course learn basic riding techniques on motorcycles and scooters supplied by Yamaha, along with important safety skills to minimize the risks of motorcycling.
For the experienced enthusiast, Road America offers a Level 1 Total Control Advanced Riding Clinic, developed by world-renowned motorcycle journalist and race champion, Lee Parks. This one day clinic will make a specific, measurable improvement in an individual’s skills regarding throttle control, throttle/brake transitions, corner entry, line selection, body position and corner exit.
Road America also offers Supermoto (Demo & Basic). These courses are taught on Road America’s Blain’s Farm & Fleet Motorplex, a purpose-built 1-mile paved and dirt track with multiple configurations and elevation changes.
About Yamaha Motor Corp., U.S.A.
Yamaha Motor Corporation, U.S.A., (YMUS), is a leader in the motorsports market. The company’s ever-expanding product offerings include motorcycles, ATVs and Side-by-Side vehicle, outboard motors, personal watercraft, snowmobiles, boats, outdoor power equipment, accessories, apparel and much more.
About Road America
Established in 1955 as the first permanent road racing course in the United States, Road America is located midway between Milwaukee and Green Bay in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin. The 640-acre, park-like grounds offer amazing viewing opportunities, fantastic concessions and high-speed excitement to hundreds of thousands of spectators each year. In addition to public race weekends, Road America offers a variety of group event programs, the Blain’s Farm & Fleet Motorplex for karting and supermoto, and the Road America Motorcycle and Advanced Driving Schools.
PETALING JAYA: A 20-minute ride to work from Puchong to their designated motorcycle lanes is a daily headache for motorcyclists like videographer Patrick Chin.
