A Harley Motorcycle

By Art Gib

When you see a beautiful bike - a motorcycle, that is - pull up alongside you in traffic, it can be hard not to stare. It is difficult to fight the tempting attraction that a chopper has - the unexplainable degree of freedom it can provide, the image that accompanies you… It’s like nothing in the world can stop you.

That is, until one person on the freeway doesn’t see you in a crucial moment. Sadly, there are reasons why so many of you out there daydream about having a bike of your own, yet so few of you will actually take the plunge.

Don’t get me wrong - concerns about safety are always a positive thing. But what makes all the difference on the road are good general safety practices and knowledge about how to handle the bike in potentially dangerous situations.

The first two things any motorcyclist needs to remember should be basic common sense, but if everyone paid attention to their internal voice of wisdom, there would be significantly fewer deaths and injuries involving bikers who had been careless. First, get to know your bike and its limitations. Don’t try to push it for enjoyment’s sake.

Second - and I can’t stress this one enough - obey the law! Yes, it is indeed exhilarating to be able to speed along the open stretch of highway, pushing past one hundred miles per hour, but the laws have been put in place as they are for a reason.

If you happen to hit something going that fast, I wonder if you would even have a split second to regret speeding before you die. Sounds dramatic? It’s reality. Don’t let yourself fall into the idea that you are invincible. Let the law keep you in check.

Third, become hyper-aware of your surroundings, and respond by making yourself very plainly seen. A leading cause of death among motorcyclists is simply “not being seen.” Often, this is the driver’s fault because they are not paying close enough attention to ALL of the vehicles on the road. Ultimately, however, if you end up in an accident which results in your death, you will have little luck in arguing about blame on the other side.

This means you need to make yourself seen as much as possible. Avoid sitting in a driver’s “blind spot,” and never weave in between cars, even when traffic seems to be going slowly or is even stopped because drivers often do unpredictable things when they become impatient.

Finally, always wear protective equipment. Remember when your mother insisted you wear your helmet whenever you went out for a spin on your bicycle? She just wanted to keep you safe. You should care for your life enough to listen to Mom’s nagging voice at the back of your mind. If you use common sense practices and extra caution while on your bike, there is no reason not to enjoy the beautiful liberation that having a motorcycle can provide.

About The Author

If you are looking for a Harley Davidson mens leather jacket to complete your motorcycling ensemble, then check out G R Harley (http://www.grharley.com) for a great selection of Harley jackets, leathers, helmets and more. Art Gib is a freelance writer.