May is Motorcycle Safety Awareness month. It is important to get the word out to your non-riding friends and family!
I don’t own any of these photos about motorcycle safety but I have gathered them from across the internet. I think “Fair Use” is in full operation in regards to their use.
So copy and paste these motorcycle safety pictures &, memes. Post them up to all your favorite sites. Point them out to non-riders, we already get it!
Ride safe.
May is Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month.
As we all know all the safety gear we wear and all the safety tech on our motorcycles are just not enough at times. Awareness of motorcycles by drivers of cars and trucks is as important as everything we do.
So to help improve the awareness of others (and therefore ourselves) we need to start teaching children to watch for motorcycles. That is why the idea of teaching kids to count motorcycles instead of “punch bugs” is so important. If they are watching for motorcycles as kids they will have an easier time seeing them when they start to drive. Thus our safety as motorcyclist is improved. The payoff is in the future but let’s invest now.
Make a game that has a small reward when they spot “X” number of motorcycles. Ask your non-riding friends to do this with their children. Mention it at events and gatherings, just get the word out. You know when a 6 year old yells “motorcycle” that their parent is going to see it to!!
Here in North America and in many other parts of the world, our motorcycles are coming out of their winter hibernation. Along with the all of our riding accessories including helmets.
So what does that mean to you and me, the average motorcycle rider?
It means that you need to perform the safety checks for your motorcycle (tires, brakes, etc.). You also need to check the condition of your helmets. Some ideas on checking your motorcycle helmet:
While your helmet might look clean and shiny it does not mean that it not ready for replacement. Worse yet, a single drop to the ground might be enough to cause you to consider replacement, according to the manufactures.
Here are some industry guidelines regarding your helmet:
Now it is your head so you need to make the decision, but you should at least check out your lid to make sure there are no major issues.
You can also go to HelmetCheck.Org to get some additional information.
An advertisement for the Bajaj Pulsar motorcycle, an Indian brand. But, wow, what an advert! Who would have EVER though I would say sumo and motorcycle in the same sentence.
The DawgHouse Motorcycle Radio…The #1 Motorcycle Show in the US
This week another interesting motorcycle podcast/show.
Dateline Kenya: What do you do if your motorcycle is stolen in Kenya? Call the local witch doctor! In this case the guys discuss a recent event where the witch doctor actually comes though and finds the stolen bike…. Or does he?
Dateline Electric Bikes (kind of): It seems we are talking about a new electric vehicle every third show or so, this time Morgan Motors is the latest to offer an electric motorcycle. Well motorcycle or trike or autocycle, the Morgan 1909 falls in that weird category that that the T-Rex or SlingShot also fills. One thing for sure is that the Ken and Phil have no love for the appearance of the electric version of the classic motorcycle.
Dateline The Space Age: Graphene is one of the newest “space-age” materials. Strong, light, heat resistant and able to leap tall building in a single bound, graphene has made it to the world of motorcycles. The guys talk about MOMO’s attempt to integrate graphene into helmets that are reasonably priced.
Dateline Stupid Rules: In the racing segment Phil brings up the topic of the new rules for World SuperBike motorcycle racing. It seems that the “participation trophy” generation has come to WBSK. No one on the show how the lack of achievement will now be rewarded.
In fact we think that there could be fight between the 3rd 4th and 5th place riders to finish 4th….don’t understand? Listen to the show.
Motorcycles are one of the most sought after vehicles, not only for those great people that want to purchase one of their own to ride and enjoy, but also for those that lean towards the darker side of life and seek bikes out to steal. Yes, motorcycles are a huge commodity for thieves and other unscrupulous souls who enjoy taking what they can get and making a profit off it even when it does not belong to them. As a legal bike owner, there are a few things you may want to consider to keep your bike safe from thieves and ready for you to ride when you need to unwind with a little solitude down a long and winding road.
The summer months between July and September are the months with the highest risk for bike theft while the months between November and March have the least risk. This means that right now is the perfect time of year to get your bike geared up for the upcoming spring and summertime. If you live in states including California, Texas or Florida, you may benefit from knowing that these states have the highest risk of theft in the U.S. for motorcycles and being diligent when it comes to security is a wise decision to make. When you own a great motorcycle, keeping it safe should be a top priority.
Averting Bike Theft
There are numerous ways to avert bike theft and help keep your motorcycle safe and sound from thieves. A few of these ideas for security include:
Something that many bikers try is to have large chains to hold the bike in place securely. While this is something that may cause thieves think twice before they approach a bike they may be attempting to steal, it also makes it a bit arduous for the bike owner to have to carry around a large, and usually heavy, chain or to find somewhere to store it when parking in public. Another drawback to a large chain is that on many bikes, chains simply will not fit on a modern bike in any area that would prevent theft. So, if a bulky chain is out of the question, what type of locks work the best when trying to prevent motorcycle theft?
Locks That Work
Bulky chains aside, there are a few great locks that work well when you need to keep the bike safe whether it is parked at home or in the middle of a crowded parking lot. Here are just a few of the better locks available on the market today:
Ground Anchors with Locks
The Immobiliser Self Fit Defiant Ground Anchor, made in Britain by Almax Security Chains, attaches into concrete or brick and has a 15 ton pull resistance. It is a very solid anchor system and with its roller construction it is impenetrable to hacksaws and other common tools that thieves will try to use.
Disc Locks
Disc Locks have been found to be an exceptional way to keep a bike locked safely to prevent theft. One great disc lock, the Xena XX15 Disc Lock produced by Revzilla, includes a maximum security barrel and key, a double locking system and an alarm that is triggered by motion and shock to produce a very loud, piercing squeal that is sure to garner a great deal of attention.
Standard Locks
While large, bulky chains may be out of the but Kryptonite, an action sports security supplier, manufactures locks and chains that are secure, simple to use and easy to carry when riding. With a simple lock and key, you can chain your bike to a post or wall with an anchor where the bike will be safe while you are away.
Home Security for Bikes
A great deal of bikers think about keeping their bikes safe when they are traveling or when they need to park for an extended time, but some fail to consider the one place that needs to be secure. Your home. Whether your motorcycle is parked in the driveway, on the street in front of the house or even safely tucked away in the garage, security should be a top concern, especially at home.
Thieves will watch a home to see what your habits are. They will learn when you leave the house, when you return and even what time the lights go out which signals to them that you have retired for the night. Hiring a top notch security firm to come out and install security cameras on your property is the perfect way to deter a thief because when they see a camera, they know they will risk being caught by the police if they steal the bike. If the bike is garaged, having an alarm installed is a good idea to prevent break-ins and to keep the bike safe while indoors. Having adequate home security when you own a motorcycle, whether the bike is valued at $5000 or $50,000, is the best way to keep your bike as well as you and your family, safe from thieves and other crime.
*** Neither Jason or IJUSTWANT2RIDE are endorsing any of the mentioned products. The intent of this article is to give you ideas on products that you should research for yourself. ***
Jason Mueller is an entrepreneur living in Costa Rica with family from Canada. After graduating from high school and getting his pilot’s licence he lived to travel the world looking for adventure. He is currently working with A-1 Auto and is the owner of Jaco Ropes.
Jason has also provided two additional guest posts to this blog. Shipping Your Bike Overseas? Things to consider! and Motorcycle Riding in Paradise; Costa Rica. Check them out when you have some time!
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Viking Enforcer Motorcycle Jacket by MotorcycleHouse.com
MotorcycleHouse.com has asked me to review one of their jackets, the Viking Cycle Enforcer Jacket. Below is the unboxing and first impressions video. Over the next few weeks I will be wearing the Cycle Enforcer jacket and will provide a full review in the near future.
(This is the 2nd post by Jason. Check out his other post Motorcycle Riding in Paradise!)
You can chose to ship your motorcycle overseas. This can be an excellent choice if you do it right.
Before you get your bike crated and ready to ship (the photo is an example of a typical shipping crate) there are some steps you must first take. You must determine where and how you will ship your bike. Additionally, you must go through a process to ready your bike for its boat its trip. In the sections below, we’ll go over some of the details of what you need to know before shipping your bike overseas.
Having your bike transported by boat is more cost effective than air freight, though both are relatively affordable. Perhaps the most important thing to keep in mind when having your bike shipped to another country are the laws and regulations of that region.
Depending on where you’re shipping to, prepping your motorcycle to ship overseas can be tricky. In certain Latin American Countries like Brazil, Bolivia and Chile you can expect steep import taxes and tariffs, while shipping your bike to Nepal will require an import license.
To learn more about these laws and taxes, and how they will affect vehicle imports in particular countries, this PDF has some helpful information.
Crating & Insurance | Overseas Shipping Considerations
After you determine the specifics for where you would like to ship your bike, you have some options as to how you ship your bike. The most cost effective method is to have it crated and shipped in the cargo area of the ship. Some transport carriers are equipped with a special docking area for bikes that keeps them secure during shipping, but crating is the most typical method.
You are encouraged to consider purchasing marine insurance to assure that any damages to your motorcycle are covered. Insurance does come included as part of any transport agreement, but if you have a high-value or vintage bike, it’s a consideration worth making. It should be noted that your current insurance may also offer some coverage during shipment–check with them to see.
Now that you’ve determined where and how, you must start getting your bike ready.
Check with your international shipping company for any company specific requirements. Once you’ve crated and strapped down your bike, take a picture of it before leaving it in the care of the shipping company to prove that you in fact did deliver the motorcycle should damage or theft take place.
Jason Mueller is an entrepreneur living in Costa Rica with family from Canada. After graduating from high school and getting his pilot’s licence he lived to travel the world looking for adventure. He is currently working with A-1 Auto and is the owner of Jaco Ropes.
I JUST WANT 2 RIDE!! 