Tom's Blog
As it gets warmer, the urge to fire up your bike and hit the road gets stronger. Bikers across North Carolina are charging batteries, checking tire pressure, and polishing up the chrome… getting ready for that warm afternoon to get out on the highway. All bikers look forward to the first spring ride but before you do, here are a few safety reminders. You don’t want to be the first to the hospital because you got in too much of a hurry. Avoid these dangers on your motorcycle.
We’ll assume you prepared your motorcycle properly when you put it in storage for the winter. Hopefully, ethanol in the fuel was treated last fall to avoid build up and clogged injectors. Check all fluid levels, tire pressures, and add some fresh gas. Charge up the battery, and fire it up. It’s also a good idea to let the bike sit for a few days to make sure your battery holds a charge. With a well maintained motorcycle, this is about all that’s necessary if you did your proper maintenance before winter storage.
Being safe on the road depends primarily on how alert you are while riding, and how well you are paying attention to what’s going on around you.
After a long winter, with road crews working long hours to keep the roads clear of ice and snow, there is a very dangerous residual leftover from the plowing process.
SAND the highway department used on roads presents a serious danger to bikers. Loose sand is everywhere in the early spring.. main roads, side streets corners, and intersections. Accumulation of sand presents a severe danger to all 2 wheel vehicles. If you lean over too far and power through a corner in the spring, with some left over sand on the road, your wheels will slide out from under you. Road rash is very painful. Sliding your body across the asphalt will rapidly grind skin and flesh off your body. Not a good experience.
Watch out for loose sand at intersections as well. Stopping too fast on a thin layer of sand will send you sliding through an intersection, possibly into the path of traffic.
Car and truck drivers have forgotten all about motorcycles over the past few months.
Even in perfect weather a motorcycle is almost invisible to cars. Headlights on can help, but it’s crucial to ride with the attitude that everyone out there is trying to kill you. For all practical purposes they are. Tangling with a car is the last thing you want to do.
Keep in mind, this is the time of year when a large number of new, inexperienced motorcycle riders hit the North Carolina roads. With the price of gas increasing, more and more people will be riding motorcycles for daily transportation. Not only should these new riders be most cautious, but the experienced rider can find themselves in trouble because of mistakes made by someone with little or no experience, that happens to be in their riding space.
Many motorcycle safety courses are offered throughout North Carolina and can lower your costs on insurance significantly. Be sure to take advantage of every motorcycle insurance discount you deserve. Some motorcycle insurance companies offer more discounts than others. Shopping around can save you money and if you want to save time too, we can do the shopping for you. Just give us a call at 866-869-3335.
When you head out on the road this spring, be aware. Know what’s going on around you and give yourself enough space to safely avoid dangers. Motorcycles are one of the best ways to see North Carolina, enjoy it safely!
