Motorcycle Beginning Safety: Tires and Controls

Be Smart. Be Safe.

Riding motorcycles have been the cool thing to do for a long time and maybe you are just beginning to ride and you want to make sure you do it right. Well, you are reading the right article! Riding a motorcycle is an exhilarating experience but there needs to be a reverence and respect for the power that you have when riding your bike. Vehicles have radically increased in power and speed over the past decades. They also have increased dramatically in safety but this does not mean that we are invincible on the road. This is especially the case when motorcycles don't have a large metal cage to protect you from accidents along with all the other safety precautions that a car has over a bike. All the more reason you need to be safe on your bike. You don't want to be a tragic story on the news so please drive safe.

The Motorcycle Safety Foundation was nice enough to come up with a great acronym to you keep safe. It is a simple checklist to go through before you hit the open road. I'll share each word to the acronym and why it is important to check each of these in terms of road safety. This is the first article in a three part series which explains T-CLOCS. Each article will explain two of the letters of this acronym. The acronym that the Motorcycle Safety Foundation uses is T-CLOCS which stands for:

T - Tires & Wheels
C - Controls (This includes any levers, pedal, cables, hoses & your throttle)
L - Lights (headlights, turn signals, mirrors, battery and any other light your bike might have)
O - Oil (fluid levels)
C - Chassis (your frame, your suspension, your chain, etc.)
S - Stands (center stand and/or kickstand)

Tires & Wheels- It is crucial to keep checking your tires. It is beneficial for your gas mileage to check the air in your tire. The better you take care of your tires, the better they will serve you. Also it is good to know where you are going and how long you'll be on the road so that you'll know the condition of your tires. They recommend changing your tires between 8,000 miles to 12,000 miles to stay safe. You don't want to be stuck on the road with a popped tire. You also have to take into account how hard you are riding. If you are all in and hit the road at a heavy pace and very consistently then you are going to want to be checking more frequently.

Controls - This one will be more obvious to check because these are what make your bike run properly. Check and make sure that everything that is connected to a cable works properly. Make sure everything is working smoothly because don't want anything caught up. For the brakes, push the bike in each direction and use both brakes to make sure they are working properly. Make sure the when it brakes, that it is firm and not lose at all. You can also test it out as soon as you get on the road to make sure it is road worthy. Also, make sure you check your throttle that it seems firm in its position and it isn't in a loose position where it could be snapped which can leave you on the side of the road.

Make sure all your motorcycle parts are working correctly and if you are looking for parts there are great websites that sell Yamaha Parts, Honda Parts, Harley Part etc... Online is a great way to shop for bikes.

I will be addressing the rest of the explanation of T-CLOCS in "Motorcycle Beginning Saftey: Lights & Oil" and in "Motorcycle Beginning Safety: Chassis and Stands"

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Motorcycle Beginning Safety: T-CLOCS Checklist - Chassis and Stands

Having an Awareness

Looking into get on the road safely and you need to check your motorcycle? In my past two articles we have tackled the importance of road safety, knowing the importance of checking your motorcycle parts and checking your motorcycle and making sure it is road worthy. It is essential to know that operating a vehicle has a lot of responsibility with it. There needs to be a respect for the road, a respect for our vehicles and a respect for other vehicles. The Motorcycle Safety Foundation if you couldn't tell by their name is very active in the Motorcycle world and promoting safety. They have a bunch of great advice for on the road and one of the great things they have done is created a quick and easy checklist before you go out on the road. They were creative enough to put it into an easy to remember acronym call T-CLOCS which stands for:

T - Tires & Wheels
C - Controls (This includes any levers, pedal, cables, hoses & your throttle)
L - Lights (headlights, turn signals, mirrors, battery and any other light your bike might have)
O - Oil (fluid levels)
C - Chassis (your frame, your suspension, your chain, etc.)
S - Stands (center stand and/or kickstand)

In this article I'll be explaining the importance of chassis and stands and why would should check them. It is good to know the importance of each of the words in this acronym after all the guru of Motorcycle road safety put each of these in here for a purpose.

Chassis- Some of you might be asking; what does that word even mean? When I first heard it I had no idea what it meant but it is speaking to the supporting structure of the motorcycle. This is important that your bike is adjusted according to the weight it is carrying. This is important that you check this especially after you have either been traveling long distances where you have needed to carry more than normal or you have had an extra person on your motorcycle. You want to make sure your suspensions move smoothly and slowly. You don't want it to be moving fast because it will throw your weight around too much when you are riding on the road and it can be potentially very dangerous. If you are bouncing up and down then you should head straight to the mechanic if you don't have an adjustable suspension. If you do have an adjustable suspension then make sure you do it right and refer to the manual to be sure of your safety. Test it out a second time just to make sure. It won't ever hurt.

Stands-. The stands on your motorcycle are pretty important. It's what keeps your motorcycle from crashing to the ground. It is always good to check your stand because after a lot of use they can get bent or cracked. Check the springs to make sure they are working properly and aren't loose. Does it look like your bike could fall? Then you'll want to take a look at your stand and if you need to get a new stand they are fairly easy to find on the internet. Check out motorcycle parts houses which are great online tools to find the motorcycle parts you need.

I hope you learned the importance of safety on the road and learned what T-CLOCS stands for and why The Motorcycle Safety Foundation found it necessary to create the acronym for those who are operating motorcycles on the road.

You did the trusty T-CLOCS check and your motorcycle didn't seem quite right? It's probably a part problem. Search online for motorcycle parts. Motorcycle Parts. Buy motorcycle parts online at: http://www.yamahapartshouse.com/.

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Motorcycle Beginning Safety: Lights and Oil

In my last article I addressed the importance of safety on the road and the responsibility that we have as operators of vehicles. We have great power when we are driving at high speeds. If we learned anything from the movie Spiderman then we know "with great power comes great responsibility." We need to be responsible on the road and that is why The Motorcycle Safety Foundation came up with a great acronym to quickly check out your bike before you hit the road. The acronym is T-CLOCS which stands for:

T - Tires & Wheels
C - Controls (This includes any levers, pedal, cables, hoses & your throttle)
L - Lights (headlights, turn signals, mirrors, battery and any other light your bike might have)
O - Oil (fluid levels)
C - Chassis (your frame, your suspension, your chain, etc.)
S - Stands (center stand and/or kickstand)

It is good to know this helpful acronym for motorcycle safety but we need to know the importance of each letter in this acronym for the safety of the road. I am going to address and explain the importance of Lights and Oil in this article. This is the second article in a three part series explaining the importance of T-CLOCS. Please take note on the importance of each of these because you and everyone on the road will benefit from you mastering these simple reminders.

Lights - Lights are there so that you can see where you are going, especially at night. Don't try to ride on the road without them. Keep in mind that you want to be seen by others as much as you want to see what is in front of you. Motorcycles are much smaller than cars and it is ESSENTIAL that you have bright lights. Seeing and being seen are the best ways to avoid any kind of accident on the road and being aware. Make sure to check your headlights, check high beam & low beam, check if your break lights work and then check your turn signals. Obviously headlights are very important at night but your brake lights and turns signals are crucial for you at all times of the day. The truth is that some drivers in cars don't know how to interact with motorcycles on the road so keep that in mind when you are checking your lights. If you need lights they are easily replaceable and your find motorcycle parts online very easy. Just search motorcycle parts house into a search engine and you should come up with great sites that will help you out with everything you need.

Also something that they encourage you to do when you check your lights is to check your horn. I know it doesn't really fit the whole lights theme but don't point your finger at me. I didn't make the acronym.

Oils/Fluids/Fuel - So if you've ever driven any kind of vehicle it should be natural for you to check the gas gauge but maybe you are new to motorcycles and you have realized that some don't have gas gauges. Make sure you check the level of gas in your tank. Check frequently if you can't remember. You don't want to run out of gas in the middle of ride. Just don't be "that guy" because then most likely you'll inconvenience someone else and that's never fun regardless how nice your friends are. Also, you really don't want to run out of oil. You want to check this before every ride to make sure that your bike is running properly. Oil can go a lot quicker in Motorcycles depending on how you ride and how frequently.

If you are looking for the rest of the explanation to T-CLOCS you'll have to check out the other articles in this three part series they are called "Motorcycle Beginning Saftey: Tires & Controls " & "Motorcycle Beginning Saftey: Chassis & Stands"

Did you check your lights and they aren't working properly? you want to be seen? You need to get new Motorcycle Parts. Buy motorcycle parts online at: http://www.yamahapartshouse.com/.

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Three Important Motorbike Safety Rules You Must Know

It is undeniable that riding a motorbike is one of the most popular sources of fun and excitement especially for thrill seekers. However, this enjoyment is limited by the risk involved in being a biker. Statistics for daily road incidents reflected motor biking as one of the usual causes of accidents that often leads to unfavorable situations.

In order to sustain motorbike enjoyment and avoid the unwanted risks, safety rules must be practiced. Three of the most important motorbike safety rules that you must be aware of are stated below to help you stay on the right track.

Safety Rule # 1: Safety starts with you, the rider. Riders sometimes fail to consider the risks involved in riding the motorbike. The danger it may bring is often masked by the fun and excitement it gives to the rider. But, this should not be the case. No matter how fun riding can be, you must always be conscious of what you are doing. You should be disciplined and responsible enough to handle yourself and your bike in order to be safe while on the road.

Safety Rule # 2: Know the rules and learn to follow it. In driving, road rules are to be practiced and it should not be neglected especially in the case of motorbike riding. Keep in mind that these rules are for your safety and welfare. If you can diligently abide with the rules, you can greatly avoid unnecessary situations along the way.

Also included in this rule is to strictly avoid driving when under the influence of alcohol. It is safer to ride with a clear mind than to ride your bike in an unstable state. Keep in mind that your safety must always be your top priority.

Safety Rule # 3: Ride the right bike. This means that you have to ensure that your bike is in good condition before you drive. Before going on the road, consider checking your bike's condition first. Be cautious and always consider even the smallest details. Being aware of your bike's needs will help you enhance its efficiency. Always have your bike maintained so you can drive at ease.

In addition to these safety rules, it would help to know more about other essential motorbike riding tips such as wearing proper gears while riding. It is recommended to wear helmets and bright-colored clothing especially during nighttime for this will allow others to see you even in the dark.

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Motorcycle Safety Importance

I recall that during my teenage years, it was my fantasy to own a bike. Eventually I achieved an old bike from a far relative and showed off on the streets. This has stopped one day, when a reckless car driver, crashed my bike, while it was parking along the pavement. This was my first total loss...

Now days, while I am a father of a teenager, I face a different fantasy. Well, not my own fantasy. My son has decided that he needs a motorcycle, not a bike. This vehicle is way dangerous than bikes. I do recognize that people, grownups as well as teenagers, all over the world are using motorcycles, and are proud of that. Not once have I watched those riders cruise the roads and the highways all over Europe and USA, while I was driving securely in my air-conditioned business rented car.

Yet, I cannot forget one real scene I have witnessed long ago, while I was about 20 year old. I was crossing a very busy crossroad, positioning myself at a place to catch a lift to my destination. No more than 2 minutes had passed, and a horror scene took place in front of my eyes. Two young boys were riding their motorcycle, and a hasty car crashed into them. From my position I have witnessed two bodies flying high above the other cars, like two rocks, and launching heavily on the hard road, about 20 meters away. Yelling and shouting started immediately. A first aid ambulance appeared from nowhere and the two guys were taken from the site to the hospital, along with me, while I was stretching one of the guys' leg in order to keep his knee from total cracking ( as I was instructed by a the therapist). The ride to the hospital lasted for ages, although it was only 3 Km away.

Since that instance, I lost confidence in the two-wheel vehicle whatsoever, specifically motorcycles.

Now, since I cannot stop my son from riding such a dangerous vehicle, I had to examine the safety measurements that need to be takes. I am not a biker of course but I do know that there are some imperative elements that must be used by motorcycle riders.

First, you must use a good helmet. In some countries this is enforced by law. Helmet is the main and he most important protection a rider must be equipped with. Head and face injuries might be lethal, and a good helmet may be the slight difference between life and death. Do not compromise about that.

Appropriate clothes are needed, including gloves. Elbow and knee protectors are needed for avoiding dangerous injuries. Still, comfort of the rider is important. Comfort of the driver enables him to drive at ease and pay attention to danger. Also, a good jacket provides warmth, protection from rain, and provides some physical protection too.

And last, you always can use a good injury insurance that can help you cover anything. At least this is what I am going to force my son to do.

More about Motorcycles and biking at My Motorcycle Zone and My Bike Zone

The author owns B.Sc. degree in Electrical Engineering, an M.Sc. degree in Interdisciplinary Engineering, and an MBA degree. Major interests are: Online education, computers, books, and Bikes.

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Safety Tips to Prevent Motorbike Crashes

A simple bike ride is at times a very fulfilling experience. You experience waves of thrill and passion, and you keep speeding up while your adrenaline levels rise more and more. But a safe motorbike drive requires skill. When we become skilled it makes us feel good and proud and we're eager to be the best. That's the main cause to why we drive bikes. That's also the cause to why we sometimes get drifted away and that fulfilling experience turns into a motorbike crash. In this article I'm going to write about avoiding motorbike crashes while sustaining the thrill and enthusiasm to the upper limit.

First, check your bike before you ride it. I assume you take good care of your bike; after all it's your baby, besides your girl. Check your lights, your mirrors, horn, signals, oil, fuel, controls and don't forget the tires. Put on your armor and helmet and prepare to drive.

Motorcyclists get into crashes too often because they lose control of their cycle. Loss of control happens primarily because of shunts and ground surface conditions. But if you leave enough room between you and the cars in front and behind, you'll avoid most shunts. With surface condition it's different, because sometimes you can see the mud or oil leaks on the road and sometimes you can't. Nevertheless, you have hints for some of these. If there are motor trucks on the road there could be diesel leakage, if you see building grounds there could be mud. Driving in stormy conditions is challenging enough so you better have thoroughly checked tyres or you might become a new YouTube motorbike crashes superstar.

Overtaking is another challenge for any motorcyclist; you have to estimate the speed and distance while riding a bike you're accustomed to. With a new motorbike you have to take time to discover the way it reacts to breaking and accelerating in various gears. Try to prevent overtaking when you're near joints, pedestrian crossways and bends. For every overtake you need to see everything around you so don't assume anything. Drive cautiously on country roads. You probably did your training on a town road. Some bends tighten up to a greater extent than you'd expect so slow down before the twist.

Send signals to the other drivers and avoid blind spots. A motorbike crash can easily happen just because a motor truck driver didn't see you. Use visible apparel and a headlamp. Bike riding is a risky sport and you should sweat a little if you want a secure ride. No pain no gain. But as long as you do it, you'll get to enjoy driving at minimum risk with zero motorbike crashes.

Learn more tips to prevent motorbike crashes and also check out some funny youtube motorbike crashes.

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