With spring just around the corner it is time to think about all the great rides we will be coming back from. I did not say going on, because unless you make it home it won’t be a great ride.
I ride every day, no matter the weather but during the summer I add a sidecar to my bike, with the sidecar on my bike handles differently, just like driving a car for the winter months then hoping on your bike for the first spring ride, you need to retrain yourself.
Before that ride with your friends or that event, Reread the motorcycle hand book, watch that motorcycle training video you bought when you first started riding, take the MSF refresher course for experienced riders, get your bike out and put a few miles on it, and get comfortable with your bike again.
Why spend $30,000 on a motorcycle and only $19.95 some plastic toy helmet? You have all the money in your bike, right? What about your personal safety gear? What is your body worth $10, $50, $1000?
I know your saying to yourself “I am a good rider I have never had a crash” but personally I only know two kinds of motorcycle riders, those that have crashed and those that will. And the better prepared you are the better you will survive.
How about a few Facts,
Motorcycle crash fatalities have increased every year for the past 10 years.
NHTSA says that in 2007, 5,154 motorcyclists died in crashes
In 2007 motorcycle helmets saved 1,784 lives. NHTSA says that if all motorcyclists had worn helmets, 800 more lives would have been saved. Helmets are estimated to be 37 percent effective in preventing fatal injuries and 67 percent effective in preventing brain injuries.
A study done in Munich in 1986 found that motorcyclists wearing protective gear (heavy jacket, gloves, boots etc.) could expect a reduction in injuries of 30% or more.
“MotorcycleSafetyInfo.com” The head, arms, and legs are the most often injured in a crash.
Here is my list of basic summer safety gear.
Helmet, DOT or Snell, I like full face Modular, best of all worlds
Riding Jacket, mesh with CE-approved armor, with two-stage removable waterproof and insulated liners
Riding pants, mesh with CE-approved armor, with two-stage removable waterproof and insulated liners
Riding gloves, mesh, with knuckle protector and leather palm and fingers
Riding boots, good leather boots
Sun glasses,
Cooling Vest,
Bottled water,
I know some people like the black leather jacket and chaps, but when it’s into the 90’s and that jacket is in your saddlebag it is not doing its job. With the mesh I can remove the liners when it is hot and still have my protection, and when it’s really hot add the cooling vest.
Please ride safe. Don’t become a statistic.
Brittany Morrow aka the road rash girl, Road rash 1 year after,

My leg after cashing my dirt bike and having the foot peg cut open my boot and leg (not wearing proper boots)
