During Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month in May, promoting awareness among children about watching for motorcycles is crucial.
A game where kids count motorcycles instead of “punch bugs” can foster early recognition of motorcycles, benefiting their future driving habits.
This effort aims to enhance overall safety on the roads, emphasizing that safety gear and motorcycle technology alone are insufficient without driver awareness.
By encouraging families and friends to engage in this activity, we invest in a safer future for all road users.
The excitement of spotting motorcycles in this game can make road safety a priority at an early age, emphasizing the importance of vigilance on the roads.
It is important to get the word out to your non-riding friends and family!
I don’t own any of these photos/memes about motorcycle safety, but I have gathered them from actross the intenet. I think that “Fair Use” is in full operation regarding their use.
So, PLEASE, copy past and any of these motorcycle safety pictures and memes. Post them all to your favorite media sites. Point them out to non-riders, we motorcycle riders already get it!
I must admit, as a child my parents asked me that question many times. As an adult, I still get that inquisitive look and even if the words are not said, the eyes shout that question to some degree. When I first told friends that I was going to volunteer to get up early, keep my eyes on the track, and pick up crashed motorcycles at the races I both saw and heard “why,” or in a few cases “how did you arrange that?”
Until 2012, the only races I watched were Olympic Track and Field races. I did not watch or follow any motorsport racing. I first started watching motorcycle racing when my son, who was 14 at the time, did a research paper on Valentino Rossi. He and I accepted the invitation of a friend to watch the MotoGP races at his place. After several Sundays of watching races, my interest rose and I began studying the rules, regulations, classes, and riders.
Two years later I was hosting MotoGP watch parties at a local BBQ joint in the “party room” and inviting people in the area who either already watched, had the same curiosity I had a few years ago, or were just looking for a way to hang out and meet others who rode. We would connect the laptop to a big TV and watch the replay of races that often happened in the early hours of the morning, as they were held overseas. Some years we had door prizes from local dealerships and shops for attendees at the first and last races of the year.
Opening Race 2023 was well attended and full of fun and excitement.
When it was announced the Circuit of the Americas (COTA) in Austin, TX was hosting a MotoGP round in 2013, I decided to attend with some friends. The live action was amazing and I was hooked. Before the event, I had received an email from one of the track marshal organizers asking if I would share the request for volunteers with my Christian Motorcyclists Association friends (at the time I was part of the North Texas Leadership Team). I knew nothing about track marshaling or what it entailed, so I passed the information on to others but did not volunteer myself.
Two years later with my son being 18 years old, we researched what track marshals did and both registered to volunteer at the 2015 race. (flaggers and rider assist positions were also available). Our volunteer applications were accepted and we were able to learn even more that weekend at COTA. It was a fun experience and to see and hear the bike go by that close to us was something you couldn’t get from normal seating at the track. I returned to volunteer in 2017, 2020, 2021, 2023, and again this year, 2024. I also was a track marshal for the 2023 MotoAmerica round at COTA. The MotoAmerica paddock is more open and fans are allowed a lot more access to riders.
My son and I were waiting for the trailer to take MotoGP Legend Andrea Dovizioso’s bike that ran out of fuel on the cool-down lap. Dovi placed 2nd and had already caught a ride to the podium celebration.
So why do I volunteer three full days to be a track marshal?
1) A love for motorcycle racing and the view of the races is the best you can get. You not only see the races, you feel the races. DO NOT volunteer if you are trying to get content for social media – there are strict rules concerning personal cameras, cell phones etc…
2) The opportunity to help provide a safe (as much as possible) racing environment for the riders.
3) To help represent the USA on a world stage by being part of a high-quality track marshal team.
4) The chance to promote, and encourage motorcycling in America. Without volunteers, most racing series would not survive.
5) The chance to meet volunteers from around the world i.e. Czech Republic, Australia, Mexico, England, and others. I now have friends in many other countries that I have met while volunteering at these events. One friend, Roberto, I now pick up at the Austin airport and he stays with me and other friends who attend the race at a rental house for the weekend.
6) The opportunity to walk the paddock and meet riders and their team members when allowed. While there isn’t always a ton of time during the weekend, occasionally there will be opportunities to experience some of the event as a fan as well.
7) The opportunity to share your passion for motorcycling and motorcycling racing.
What is needed to be a track marshal volunteer?
1) Willingness and commitment. Please DO NOT accept a volunteer position and then not attend. Each year I am surprised at the number of “no-shows” that take place. One year over 100 volunteers didn’t show! The volunteer organizers work hard every year to recruit, rearrange, and fill in as needed to make sure America does not fail MotoGP.
2) A good attitude. This is not the place for egos. People need to be flexible, humble, helpful, and willing to follow instructions. The only line to be “drawn in the sand” is one’s safety.
3) Willingness to attend virtual training sessions before the race weekend. Usually one or two training sessions of 1 to 1.5 hours.
4) Understanding and commitment to do your best regardless of the weather conditions. Rain, cold, or hot and sometimes all three in one weekend can happen, but the races go on.
5) Come with a humble attitude and willingness to follow directions given by experienced team members. Not following instructions can lead to problems and/or injuries.
The global MotoGP feed is running while I help Aleix Espargaro #41 after a high-speed crash
What do track volunteers get for their time and efforts?
1) The best seats in the house! Nothing blocking the view of the race as they ride by your station.
2) Breakfast, lunch and dinner is provided. Water and sports drinks are provided at each station during each day.
3) Opportunities to walk on the track, meet riders, and be a part of the event
4) “Swag bag” for each volunteer. Items in the bag may change but each year I have received a custom volunteer cap, t-shirt, race program book, and other items. Past goodies have included a COTA or MotoGP mug, sunglasses, a keychain, sunscreen, a small notebook, etc.
5) Free parking (at the volunteer lot)
6) Three complimentary tickets to share with friends or family. Each ticket is good for one entry so one person can enter each day or three could enter for one day. This year (2024) my complimentary tickets helped two friends get seats on the starting grid opposite the VIP suites and stands!
7) A satisfaction and sense of pride in being a part of the team ensuring the event is successful.
Celebrating with Joe Roberts after finishing 2nd in Moto2 – first American to finish on the podium at an American GP since Ben Spies in 2011 at Indianapolis. Joe took my flag on the celebration ride and garage celebration.
What are the “value-added” aspects of being a track marshal?
1) Meet other race fans and make new friends from all over the United States and the world. Over the years there have been track marshals from Australia, the United Kingdom, the Czech Republic, Canada, Mexico, Turkey, Italy, Brazil, Ukraine, South Africa, and others!
2) Future preference when volunteering to marshal other racing events, including MotoAmerica and Formula 1 (provided you fulfill your commitment and aren’t one of the “difficult” marshals). Leadership will even help if you want to try to marshal at an international race!
3) Potential opportunity to help riders who have gone down, and see the most expensive, high-powered motorcycles in the world up close!
4) To be a small part of the MotoGP World Championship and the racing excitement that has made you a fan of the sport. As I mentioned before, they rely heavily on volunteers to make these events operate smoothly and continue to be something we can enjoy for years to come
5) For riders who enjoy track days, club racing, or are considering either can see the best of the world and get a clearer idea of advanced riding techniques.
2018 Valentino Rossi’s bike getting prepared for the race.
What jobs are available for volunteers and what do they do?
Track Marshal – check track for debris before and between races, quickly assist a down rider restart or remove the bike (“be quick but don’t rush’), help ensure riders safely get off the track.
Flaggers – when appropriate or directed display the appropriate flag to communicate with the riders track situations or conditions.
Rider Assist – assist medic in cases where a rider is injured.
*** All three positions work as a team to ensure the safety of riders and volunteers. ***
How does one go about volunteering?
1) Visit the Circuit of the Americas volunteer page and register.
2) Visit the MotorsportsReg page and search for the event you want to work.
5) Visit the webpage of the track you want to marshal at and search for the volunteer tab.
Not all motorcycle races have the same volunteer organizers, so you may have to search the internet or call the track. Volunteers are needed at all levels and all types of motorcycle racing so there are a lot of opportunities. Give it a try and I believe you will find it rewarding.
About Thomas
Thomas Osburn , native Texan recently moved to Pulaski, Tennessee to get closer to my wife’s family. Thomas Retired in 2022 after 36 years in public education – teacher, coach and then campus administration for the last 19 years.
Started riding in 2004 – currently I own a 2022 Indian Pursuit. He have organized, led and completely run an annual summer motorcycle tour since 2006. This summer there are 14 individuals going on my “Beat The Heat Tour 2024” to East Tennessee/NC.
He has been a member of the Christian Motorcyclists Association since 2004 and was a part of the Texas State leadership team 2013-2023.
In 2017 he attended the MotoGP races at Mugello, Italy. After the race he rented a motorcycle in Milan, Italy and rode for a week in the Alps (Switzerland and Italy).
In 2018 he and three friends and rode to Homer, Alaska and back.
His son, Richard, is an assistant sales manager at Laconia Harley Davidson. If you are ever in that area Thomas would like you to stop by and to say high as see it he can help you out.
Be aware that this motorcycle recall list is for the United States for the last 30 days, there is no way I could cover the entire world. But in the world of global manufacturing, if a motorcycle is being recalled in one country there is a good chance it is under recall in others. So, safety first.
Also, (DISCLAIMER) this should not be considered a definitive list, check for yourself if you have any questions.
If you are US based, use the NHTSA website http://www.safercar.gov. Enter your VIN number to see if your motorcycle is affected by the recall.
If you are based outside the USA, use the appropriate website to locate recalls that may impact you.
*****
Motorcycle Recall April 2024: Kawasaki
Be aware that this motorcycle recall list is for the United States for the last 30 days, there is no way I could cover the entire world. But in the world of global manufacturing, if a motorcycle is being recalled in one country there is a good chance it is under recall in others. So, safety first.
Also, (DISCLAIMER) this should not be considered a definitive list, check for yourself if you have any questions.
If you are US based, use the NHTSA website http://www.safercar.gov. Enter your VIN number to see if your motorcycle is affected by the recall.
If you are based outside the USA, use the appropriate website to locate recalls that may impact you.
*****
NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V270000
Manufacturer Kawasaki Motors Corp., U.S.A.
Components TIRES
Summary Kawasaki Motors Corp., U.S.A. (KMC) is recalling certain 2024 ZR900C, ZR900E and ZR900N (Z900RS ABS, Z900RS CAFE ABS, and Z900RS SE ABS) motorcycles. Due to an improper manufacturing process during installation of the sidewall rubber of the tire, the front tire may blister on the inner surface. As such, these motorcycles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 119, “New Pneumatic Tires-Other Than Passenger Car.”
Remedy Dealers will replace the front tires, free of charge. The manufacturer has not yet provided a schedule for recall notification. Owners may contact KMC customer service at 1-866-802-9381. KMC’s number for this recall is DAL491A.
Your motorcycle helmet is your most important piece of equipment so keeping it clean is important. Not just from an appearance perspective but as a method to ensure it is still in good working condition.
Also, April is Motorcycle Helmet Awareness month so now is a good time to do the work!
While you are cleaning your helmet look for cracks in the shell, that the hard foam is intact and in good condition (this is the part that does most of the work to protect your head) and all the other parts are in good working order.
Before you start… read your owner’s manual on cleaning your specific motorcycle helmet.
1 – Take either a microfiber or paper towels, soaked in warm water and lay across the helmet and visor. This will moisten any hard dried bugs or grime that might scratch the finish if you first went to scrubbing or rubbing. Leave the towels on for about 10 minutes and then gently remove the now softer bugs/grime. Remove the visor before step 2.
2 – After the bugs/grime are soft use warm soapy water to clean the shell fully. Rinse, dry and admire your clean exterior.
3 – The visor needs additional attention. The warm towels may have helped get rid of the road grime, but your visor needs special attention. DO NOT use any products that have acid or ammonia! Even products with citric acid can damage the visor (personal experience). Most glass cleaners have some form of acid or ammonia so avoid them as well. Warm soapy water and microfiber cloth is the best way to safely clean your visor.
4 – Make sure you clean out the visor mechanism. Keeping the mechanism clean will help make sure it works as designed.
5 – Clean the sun visor in the same manner you cleaned the visor. No ammonia or acid-based cleaners!
6 – Now that the outside of your helmet is clean how about the inside? MOST helmets allow you to remove the interior padding. Look at your instructions and pull the lining out. Some motorcycle helmet manufactures allow you to put the padding in a washing machine, others recommend hand cleaning in warm soapy water. If you use the by hand method, I recommend a baby shampoo.
7 – If your helmet’s padding is not removable follow the instructions your helmet manufacture provided. BUT, in my opinion only, dunking the entire helmet into soapy water is not the way to go. It takes forever to dry; it can mildew, and I am always unsure if it may have damaged the underlying foam. My suggestion is to use a motorcycle helmet sanitizing spray.
8 –Check the vents to make sure they are clean and open. A shot of compressed air, from the inside, might dislodge dried road grimes and bugs.
9 – Put it back together, following the instructions if you still have them. 😊
What you need to know… There has been an increase in motorcycle rider deaths.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) released its final 2022 Fatality Analysis Reporting System traffic crash data. NHTSA reported 42,514 total fatalities in the U.S. in 2022. That is a 1.7% decrease from the previous year.
BUT, motorcyclists deaths increased 1.2%. The official number of motorcyclists killed in 2022 was 6,218, an increase of 75 deaths compared to 2021.
Alcohol-impaired fatal crashes account for 29% of all motorcyclist deaths. Across the nation, 7.8% of fatal crashes involved a “distracted driver.”
My Take –DOWNSHIFT – 1800 people killed due to riding while drunk, wow. I hope the 2023 numbers are better. If you want to see the entire NHTSA report click this link.
What you need to know… Speed cameras to catch cell phone users
In England the police are deploying AI powered cameras that not only catches speeding cars but people using their phones while at the wheel.
Each unit will have multiple cameras to give the most complete view of drivers and passengers, with the kit mounted on either a trailer, or specialist van.
“Working with our police partners we want to reduce such dangerous driving and reduce the risks posed to both the drivers and other people. We believe that using technology like this will make people seriously consider their driving behavior,” Head of National Road User Safety Delivery at National Highways. Matt Staton said.
Drivers can be fined up to £500 for not wearing a seat belt, with phone users getting up to six points and a £1000 fine,
My Take – Hitting Neutral – While this is a step in the right direction to bust distracted drivers, why are we even having this problem. The phone companies could be forced to tun off everything, but the hand-fee features when the phones are moving at more than 5 MPH. The technology is already there.
At least once a year you should check your helmet to make sure everything is right and correct. As the month of April is Motorcycle Helmet Safety month, now is a good time to do the checks.
What are the things you need to check? Here are the minimum things you need to look for:
1) Is the shell all in one piece? No cracks or splits?
2) Are the straps and connectors in good shape, no adverse wear or tear?
3) The internal padding is connected and stays in place?
4) Remove the padding and check the foam. Is it dented or have cracks?
5) While looking at the foam, most companies place a sticker printed with the helmet’s birthday. Is it over 5 years old?
6) Does the rest of the internals look in good operating condition?
7) Check the visor for damage that might obscure your vision can you see clearly?
8) Are the screws or other visor attachments tight?
9) Make sure that insects/creatures are not living in your helmet, see the photos below!
Checklist item 5 is the 5-year rule. Most manufactures recommend that after 5 years you replace your helmet. While the cynical among us will cite the “more money” theory of why they want it replaced ,there is evidence that the foam lining (the part that does most of the work in a crash) does deteriorate over time. It is your head, so it is your decision to replace or not if everything looks good.
That little red spot on the inside of the helmet below… is a Black Widow Spider!
Spring is here, and your motorcycle is beckoning you to hit the open road.
Before you embark on your two-wheeled adventures, take a moment to prepare your bike for the riding season. While the T-CLOCS (Tires, Controls, Lights, Oil, Chassis, and Stands) inspection is essential, let’s delve into some often-overlooked recommendations:
Check Your Gear:
Retrieve your riding gear from storage. It might have been sitting in your saddlebag for months.
Clean your gear thoroughly. Run it through the wash or clean it by hand.
Apply water repellent or waterproofing for added protection.
Inspect Your Helmet:
Your helmet deserves special attention. Start by cleaning the exterior. Those bugs from 2023 should be easy to remove by now.
Remove and clean the interior padding following the manufacturer’s instructions.
Don’t forget to check every nook and cranny for any unwelcome guests—SPIDERS (not the Can-Am species).
Evaluate and Replace Gear:
Take a close look at your riding gear. Are your helmet and gloves still in good condition?
Remember, you are responsible for your own safety. If something isn’t right, repair or replace it promptly.
Give Your Motorcycle a “Colonoscopy”:
If you didn’t adequately prepare your bike for winter, it’s time to peek up your tailpipe. Make sure nothing is living in your exhust.
Inspect all areas for leaks and ensure everything is in ship shape.
Give your bike a rub down: Happy ending optional!
Give it a good wipe down to clean off the dust and debris that adhered to your bike over winter.
Now is a good time to give your motorcycle a waxing to help preserve the paint.
Restock your saddlebags or backpack:
If you pack a first aid kit replace what you used last year or what is now expired.
Sunscreen and ChapStick…might want to swap them out for new.
That candy bar you had for an emergency snack, go ahead, and eat it now and put a new one in its place.
Review the owner’s manual:
Get yourself reacquainted with the bike.
Check your insurance:
Did you stop or reduce your insurance on the motorcycle over the winter? Give a quick call to your agent to get your insurance up to date.
Remind yourself about PANIC STOPS:
Find an unused bit of road or parking lot, get up to speed and BREAK HARD! Get that feeling about what you and your motorcycle will do when you must make a sudden stop.
Ride with a passenger? Then run this exercise with them on the bike as well. It is best to know how it feels in a controlled environment before you really need to do it. OH, check your breaks before you do this to make sure they are good to go.
This is not an all-inclusive checklist or recommendations, I am sure each of you can add more items, but it can get you started for the new riding season. Remember, a well-prepped motorcycle, and rider, ensures both safety and enjoyment during the riding season.
Motorcycle News – What you need to know… 2024 Moto Guzzi Experience USA
Moto Guzzi has announced the 2024 Moto Guzzi Experience in the United States. The Moto Guzzi Experience is not only about stunning scenery but also about rewarding riding.
“Participants will tackle some of the country’s most challenging and bucket-list-worthy roads and highways, offering a true test of skill and adrenaline. experiencing the thrill of riding our latest Moto Guzzi models on some of the most iconic routes in this beautiful country.”
Rocky Mountains, June 5-9, 2024 (3-day Ride)
Pacific Northwest, July 15-21, 2024 (5-day Ride)
Yellowstone, July 31 – August 5, 2024 (4-Day Ride)
Smoky Mountains, September 11-16, 2024 (4-Day Ride)
My Take –UPSHIFT – While some folks don’t care for vendor driven events, I do. You often get to see their new products and often get to take them on demo rides. I don’t own a Moto Guzzi if I did I would try to attend one or more of the events.
What you need to know… Suzuki 2024 National Demo Tour
Suzuki has kicked off its 2024 Demo Tour. Their tour will give you a chance to try out a large part of their fleet of motorcycles. The tour began during Daytona Bike Week.
Here is a listing of the motorcycles you could try out:
I JUST WANT 2 RIDE!! 