Riding in a formation with tens to hundreds of other bikers is the dream of many boys, girls, and exhausted office workers. Imagine sitting on a loud and heavy motorcycle while going 60 miles an hour with your very own family like a tight-knit motorcycle gang. It’s nothing but you, your makeshift family, and the open road. And if all of you are wearing the same American eagle jackets mens, well, that makes the experience even better.
You may think it is odd, but many people are out there on motorcycles on the road right now who are wearing flip-flops and small jean shorts. Those who wear basic streetwear while riding on a motorcycle are very foolish and should never be imitated. If you are truly serious about motorcycle safety, you must be clothed head to toe in proper motorcycle gear.
Owning a motorcycle can allow you to experience a new side of life. You can spend all day in your car fighting traffic on the freeway and sitting down at work listening to your boss and their overzealous demands while dodging your gossipy coworkers. But when you interact with your motorcycle, it’s like you enter into a new world where none of that matters. The moment you sit on your motorcycle and turn on the engine, you will feel that the whole world is out there for you to discover it. You can go anywhere, and all that you need is a toothbrush, some gas in your motorcycle, and some great tunes. But if you are not smart, all of these wonderful fantasies and feelings can end in the blink of an eye. Your luck could change faster than taking off a pair of leather motorcycle gloves. No matter where you are, what vehicle you’re using, or how long you’ve been on the road, it is crucial to keep your wits about you and look for signs of danger to avoid it. So here’s what you must look for when you’re on the street.
Motorcycles have a plethora of advantages compared to cars, especially when it comes to space and parking, but cars are the better bet when it comes to safety and anti-theft. Unfortunately, it is simple for someone to steal a motorcycle from a person’s home or just off the street. However, there are few things a motorcycle owner can do to make it more difficult for a person to steal their bike.
Humans can learn using many methods, and each technique can help improve already existing skills or talents. One excellent learning method that every motorcycle rider needs to know about is visualization. An easy way to understand visualization is called daydreaming for a purpose. We all have had those times where we review in our head what we’re going to do when before we do it. This is visualization in its simplest form. Other times visualization has happened automatically within our brains is when we picture ourselves grabbing breakfast before starting work, reviewing what should happen during a birthday party before the guests arrive at our homes, or planning how we’re going to succeed when we’re giving a year-long project from work.
The life of a motorcycle group leader is never dull and never easy. There is a trade-off: if you are a follower, you don’t have to worry about where you are going next or how to manage disputes within the group. Your only mission is to eat and ride. You’ll have to earn your place within the group, but it is a smooth living once you do. But if you are the leader, you decide where the group goes, where they sleep, where they eat, and how they live. It is always good to be on top, but that role does not come without responsibilities. As a leader, you must make wise decisions for everyone and keep the peace as well. Everyone will know and respect you, but if you do not lead your people well, everyone will think you are a failure and leave you faster than a suburban mom exiting a truck stop bathroom.
It’s no secret that one of the less pleasurable aspects of riding a motorcycle is listening to the traffic. Whether you are on the highway for a cross country trip or stuck in afternoon gridlock it can get LOUD. Safety is no joke and we should all do everything we can to be safe out there but does that include leaving the music off?
All of us plan on living forever no matter how stupid we know it is. Part of us knows we won’t, so the only way we can react to the threat of injury or death is to proclaim “bring it”. This is true for people in general and motorcycle riders in particular. We are a great bunch but fear makes people stupid. We will tell the world that we ride with the devil and if he says it’s time then we will go with a smile because we don’t actually plan on dying. Not when a semi cuts us off or we are doing 85 on the turnpike while our hair flaps in the wind. For someone out of a hundred people who claim it maybe they really don’t care. And I suppose those one out of a hundred aren’t who I am talking to right now. I am talking about the other 99 out of a hundred people who know they should be careful or are too lazy or too self-conscious to take the smart steps.
Quick, what was the last training session you attended for riding your motorcycle? Ah, you are probably figuring the same thing I did after eight years. You probably have not attended a single safety and training session since you got your license. Am I right? If so then keep reading and if not keep reading anyway because we all need that friend reminding us to brush up on our weak points.
Some of us can’t stand the thought of putting up the motorcycle at the end of summer. The idea of not being able to ride in the winter and fall is a real and prudent plan for a lot of us in the north and the concerns are valid. For myself, I can’t stand going about town in my leather riding jacket while driving my pick up and I won’t put it away because I just need to ride. It is how I find my peace and my joy in life. Before you start, make sure that your motorcycle is ready for winter. So if you are going to ride at least through fall we both need to stay mindful and that is what I am going to go over next.
