If you are planning on getting a motorcycle, then you are probably excited. However, don’t let this blind you to the fact that you have a lot of prep work to do before you can be safely riding you new bike with peace of mind. Motorcycles are much less visible than cars so you can easily end up in someone’s “blind spot” and get hit. Plus you have a lot less protection around you i.e. no steel between you and much larger vehicles so what might be a minor “fender-bender” in a car or truck could cause life threatening injuries on a motorcycle. And finally road conditions i.e. potholes, wet roads, black-ice, oil spills, etc. can easily cause you to become airborne and end up with a bad case of “road rash” or worse.
If you’re not careful, you could find yourself in a world of hurt physically, financially, and psychologically. So don’t take the risk.
Do these four things before hitting the road:
Safety Gear
It might look cool to be riding along on your motorcycle without a helmet, or with shorts and tennis shoes. This is the wrong way to go about it though. Corpses never look cool, no matter what they are dressed in. Use the best gear you can find and protect your elbows, head, and needs first.
Know the Laws
A lot of laws have also changed recently, so you could be looking at a major ticket if you don’t take the necessary precautions to protect yourself. Take a motorcycle safety course. This will help you learn the laws and be prepared to meet all the applicable laws in your state. Each state is different but most states have special licensing requirements before you can drive a motorcycle legally. This may be a special test either written, or on your cycle or both.
Insurance
Insurance is no joke these days. If you don’t have it, expect a ticket or a trip to jail. Furthermore, sometimes you can’t even get it without a license or vice versa so check with both your DMV and your insurance agent to get the correct process down before you want to ride. Waiting for paperwork is a major buzz kill when you’ve been waiting already, know what to expect.
Get a Good Lawyer
If you do find yourself in an accident or violating a law make sure you have an experienced injury lawyer handy. The reason is that you cannot predict how other drivers are going to be. You could have the best defensive riding in the world, but still get into an accident. Injuries are common among riders, and often they are caused by other people. So have a lawyer you trust in your rolodex and be prepared to contact them.
When it comes to riding motorcycles, it is one of the most fun things you can do. The feeling of the open road and freedom is second to none. However, you can’t just hop on a bike and start riding. You need to do the right things first. That way, you aren’t stuck with a major issue that you can’ reverse.Instead, if you use the tips above you’ll be on your way to an epic ride in no time.
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