Over the last few years I've watched several aquaintances come to motorcycling, either as new riders or as returning riders after a long time away. I always worry that they won't do the basic things that make motorcycling immensely safer than if they're not done. Here are some thoughts on that.
Nearly two decades ago I also wrote some hasty thoughts down on a discussion forum, and later expanded it for publishing here. They outlined what I had experienced and seen in others during our motorcycling journeys. Read The Four Stages of Motorcyclist Maturity if you're curious. Maybe ask yourself where you fall in the sequence, and if they ring true for you.
Now this:
My doctor calls them "donorcycles".
And this:
I had to lay it down to avoid a crash.
And these gems:
I'll never wear a helmet. You can't see in them and they'll break your neck!
Easy on that front brake! You'll fly over the handlebars!
There are many more. They all reflect the typical American approach to riding motorcycles: "Freedom", arrogance about one's abilities, and self-teaching. Many of us seem to think that any effort at preserving one's life and hide is a detriment to the experience.
I strongly disagree. After being in that mindset as a young man, and suffering the consequences, and still not learning my lesson, I've found a new road. With more than 30 years of riding and way over 100,000 miles behind me, I hope to convince you that it's the right one. I am not an expert. I am not a professional. I'm just a guy who has learned to take riding seriously... to be a motorcyclist in the most important sense. I think it's made riding more enjoyable. It has certainly made it more sustainable, since I now share the pastime with my wife much more often, and I worry about burdening my family with my death or serious injury much less.
This is a work in progress. Check back occasionally for additions and amendments.
The Things
There are four things I think are key to making motorcycling more safe and fun. They're not complicated. To my mind, they're critical for any rider to understand and achieve. They'll take your risk of the worst case outcome from tens of times more likely than if you were in a car to only a few. For those of us seeking a rich and full life, sometimes on two wheels, that's often an acceptable situation.
1. A Bike That Fits
We all want to ride something that stirs our soul. I get that completely. It's not the subject of this article, though, so let's move on. The point is that sometimes what we think we want to ride is simply and objectively inappropriate. It's too big, or too powerful, or just doesn't fit a body right. Those things need to be considered. There are many smaller bikes, much easier to handle and learn well on, which can be resold at virtually no value loss. Sometimes they end up being a long-term choice because small bikes can be even more fun to ride than big ones. I keep a little sweetheart on hand for days when that's what I want out of a ride.
So, I implore you: buy a bike that fits you. Learn to ride well on it before moving on.
2. Basic Protective Gear
An approved full-face helmet. Gloves. A purpose-made jacket. Pants that won't come apart after three feet of pavement. Sturdy boots.
That's really it. Plan to spend a few hundred on quality products as part of your first bike purchase. As they say, if you can't affor the gear, you can't afford the bike.
The helmet actually makes it easier to see in most cases. It doesn't affect hearing in most situations. Gloves protect what usually hits the road first in a mishap. Ask me how I know. Abrasion-resistant pants help keep more flesh on your bones; those with some level of armor can do even more. Boots may spare you from a broken ankle, or worse.
Wear your gear. Wear it on every ride. After a while you'll feel naked and vulnerable if you should stray from the rule, because you are.
3. Training!
It amazes me how many people think that learning to ride from a random friend, or teaching themselves to ride, is fine. It's not. There are many "survival reactions" we intuit when riding that turn out to be the total opposite from the right move, such as target fixation, fear of the front brake, early apexing, and body tension. Once we learn them, and if we strive to become better riders, we have to unlearn them. That can be difficult.
Take a rider course. Go to a track day with a novice program. Learn how to look through corners and brake progressively and move your body effectively.
Don't stop there, though. Practice! Practice more! If you don't drill the right thing to do until it's habit fed by muscle memory, it's not going to save you when a panic situation arises. Be honest about your skill level and always work on improvement.
4. Road Strategy
This might be the thing most likely to save your life in the modern world full of distracted and careless drivers in their metal and glass and airbagged bubble wrap. The risk to them has waned to the point that surviving a crash is taken as a given. It's not, of course, but that seems to be the mindset.
By learning how to see situations before you're in them you can prevent nearly every hazard presented by other road users. I know this because I've accumulated the experience needed to predict what other motorists will do. It's become something of a side hobby for me. A game of spot-the-lunatic. You may not have the advantage of that experience, so learning from others who do gives you the best chance of staying upright when things get tight. It'll make you a better car driver, too.
Good Ways to Learn
Training Courses & Track Events
Many years ago, and many years after I started riding, and many years after I had my first painful crash, I grew up a bit. I realized that I should do better as a rider to protect myself and spare my family from potential grief. I took what was then called the Experienced Rider Course by the Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF). This gave me some solid skills to practice. It was a good move. However, what really opened my eyes was a track day for novice riders which included classroom instruction. Track days aren't just for racers. They help you see what your bike is capable of. Once you know that, you can control it much more affectively and not be limited by some vague artificial notion of its limits. To put it simply, your bike is usually capable of much more than you are.
The Minnesota Department of Public Safety (DPS) offers riding courses at various experience levels. They hold the new rider courses at the local technical college. They provide bikes if you don't have one yet. Sign up and do it. Avoid those bad habits early.
The MSF offers various levels of training, also. Some are online only, which can't hurt. Ideally you want to be in person with a skilled coach.
Zalusky Advanced Riding School hosted the novice track day I attended many years ago at Dakota County Technical College in Rosemount, MN. I actually took the course twice, the second time with a buddy who also wanted to improve. It was a game-changer for me. They also host events at Brainerd International Raceway.
Don't be intimidated by the course names or the fact that they're held on a track in some cases. That's the safest place to do them. The coaches genuinely care about your skills and safety.
Video Content
I've found many great YouTube channels in the last few years. They've helped me stay fresh in my riding and they've raised my awareness about road strategy and common traffic mistakes. Here are my favorites.
MCrider - This fella mostly talks at you from behind his desk, but his style is level-headed and approachable. His stuff, which covers a wide range of topics, is worth a few hours of your time as a starting point.
DanDanTheFireman - Dan takes road strategy to a science. He has a graphical risk level gauge that helps you see where you're in real danger. He addresses all manner of traffic situations as well as post-crash trauma preparation. Again, give his stuff a few hours.
CanyonChasers - This channel may give you the initial impression that it's geared toward boy racer types on sportbikes. It isn't. Well, it is, but nearly all of what's covered is highly relevant to being a safe rider. Case in point: trail braking. It's not just for the track. Look into it.
Keith Code's A Twist of the Wrist playlist - He looks like a wannabe rock star from an earlier era, but he's widely considered a canonical motorcycling teacher. At least skim through the list and pick a handful of the most relevant or interesting offerings to soak up.
Study Resources
A Twist of the Wrist II: Keith Code's sequel covers the "survival reactions" I mentioned earlier, along with many critical skills. If anything in the book has gone a bit stale, it's the practice of keeping in the throttle in corners. Look into "trail braking" instead, which is now considered a safer way to keep traction high and deal with unexpected situations.
Proficient Motorcycling and Mastering the Ride, by David Hough: Both great foundational texts. These would make great gifts for the newer rider in your life as well.
Anything well-reviewed on motorcycle maintenance. Knowing the machine that carries you well is important for staying safe and enjoying yourself on longer rides.
Many of the YouTube content creators mentioned above offer free text resources. Grab 'em.
I wish you the best on your riding journey. I'm truly passionate about riding, and riding well, and I want to help others find their best road. I hope we can share ideas and experiences in person sometime soon.
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