Loads my non-rider friends don't ride bikes for this very reason. My question is... Do they have a point, and if so what does that mean for me?
Whenever you first start talking to people about your bike the first thing that ALWAYS comes up is: "Once I saw this accident..." And they proceed to tell you this gruesome story of someone being decapitated twice, or some other heinous "...then he was dragged half way down the road..." story, at which point I awkwardly look down at my drink and come up with some excuse to leave the conversation.
These stories bug me! And I don't think I'm alone.
Let's all be honest, we either know someone or we are that someone who has done something stupid on a motorcycle.
When I first got my little 125cc I used to ramp her up pavements to avoid traffic, only after nearly hitting a poor lady carrying her Woolworths shopping bags did I realize that I was being rather reckless.
Often I'll see a guy on a Yamaha R1 wearing shorts and a T-shirt going 140 km/h in a 60 zone and think to myself; " If he comes off he wont have legs, never mind roasties." And how often do we say to ourselves, " I'm just going up the road, I don't need my jacket?"
There's a big move to encourage riders to wear all the gear, all the time. Or more commonly referred to as ATGATT. ATGATT set ups are different from bike to bike, but the basic idea is that, no matter where you're going on your machine, you're dressed right!
This includes the right sort of helmet, neck brace (especially on dirt and for commuting) a jacket with all the right padding, pants (more important that you realise) good boots (purpose specific) and most importantly gloves.... always wear gloves!
No two ways about it, If you're wearing the right stuff you lower the risk of injury, but like all things its not a sure thing. You can also make sure you're visible. I don't really think headlight gels work, but I do recommend bight colours (neon riding vest) especially when commuting and going on long rides. I really have heard the benefits of louder pipes (pun intended) as being a huge safety advantage.
The best form of safety is in fact what's under your helmet. Ride defensively, almost expect to get knocked off your bike. Be vigilant, avoid bottle and throttle, look for hidden roads, don't overtake on a blind rise, and make quick decisions and follow through... hesitation leads to danger.
There's no such thing as safe riding. But actually there's no such thing as safe living either. People die in their sleep. When its your time, its your time. But be wise with your machine, treat her with respect and she'll do the same for you.
Now for the video:
Often I'll see a guy on a Yamaha R1 wearing shorts and a T-shirt going 140 km/h in a 60 zone and think to myself; " If he comes off he wont have legs, never mind roasties." And how often do we say to ourselves, " I'm just going up the road, I don't need my jacket?"
There's a big move to encourage riders to wear all the gear, all the time. Or more commonly referred to as ATGATT. ATGATT set ups are different from bike to bike, but the basic idea is that, no matter where you're going on your machine, you're dressed right!
This includes the right sort of helmet, neck brace (especially on dirt and for commuting) a jacket with all the right padding, pants (more important that you realise) good boots (purpose specific) and most importantly gloves.... always wear gloves!
No two ways about it, If you're wearing the right stuff you lower the risk of injury, but like all things its not a sure thing. You can also make sure you're visible. I don't really think headlight gels work, but I do recommend bight colours (neon riding vest) especially when commuting and going on long rides. I really have heard the benefits of louder pipes (pun intended) as being a huge safety advantage.
The best form of safety is in fact what's under your helmet. Ride defensively, almost expect to get knocked off your bike. Be vigilant, avoid bottle and throttle, look for hidden roads, don't overtake on a blind rise, and make quick decisions and follow through... hesitation leads to danger.
There's no such thing as safe riding. But actually there's no such thing as safe living either. People die in their sleep. When its your time, its your time. But be wise with your machine, treat her with respect and she'll do the same for you.
Now for the video:
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