DeKok Insurance Group, Inc.

507-226-8121 [email protected]

Heading to Sturgis?

By

scenic mountain highway

 

Which cyclists have the highest risk for serious motorcycle accidents?  Surprise:  It’s 40-year-olds.

Whether you’re taking your cycle and heading across country (This year, the Sturgis rally is 76 years old.), or riding the Minnesota back roads, we want your ride to be safe this summer. Here are a few top tips:

No one’s too old to wear a helmet.

A motorcycle rider not wearing a helmet is forty percent more likely to sustain a fatal head injury in a crash than a rider with a helmet.* A National Highway Traffic Safety Administration study reports that “helmets saved 1,658 motorcyclists’ lives in 2006, and that 752 more could have been saved if all motorcyclists had worn helmets.”* Buy a full-face helmet for the best protection for your head and eyes. Wear other protective gear as well: heavy leather or synthetic gloves, long pants and jacket, and over-the-ankle leather boots.

Take breaks.

Plan to stop for water breaks to prevent dehydration, which can cause riders to feel tired or weak. Don’t ride tired. A short walk around a park, or a cup of coffee while filling up with gas is often enough to revive a weary rider.

In a crash, the SUV wins.

 When cars and motorcycles collide, it’s usually because the driver of the car failed to see the cyclist. With more SUVs on the road, it’s even more critical to take extra steps to become more visible. Use your headlamps—both night and day—and wear yellow, red or orange jackets to make yourself easy to see. Make a point of positioning yourself in your lane for visibility.

Training saves.

One out of four motorcycle drivers involved in fatal crashes in 2006 were driving with invalid licenses.* Safeco offers discounts to riders who attend the Motorcycle Safety Foundation’s safe riding courses or are active in one of 10 approved groups that promote safe riding. Do both those things and you can reduce your premium.

New Gear? Update your policy.

Some companies, including Safeco, offer special coverage for custom parts and equipment—but you have to make sure each piece of equipment is listed on your policy. Anytime you buy new leathers or safety equipment or customize your bike, call me at 507-226-8121 or e-mail [email protected]  before you head out on the highway.

Enjoy the ride,

Jon

Email: [email protected]

Phone  507-226-8121

 

Photo purchased from: © Jim Parkin – Fotolia.com

Ride Safe! More Motorcycle Safety Tips from DeKok Insurance Group

By

You might wonder why I’m sharing these motorcycle safety tips. His name is Mike. He didn’t intend to die riding his cycle, but he did – from massive head injuries. So, please do all you can to ride safe!

Motorcycle

Ride safe with these motorcycle tips. . .

Motorcyclists know that riding gives them a freedom that driving a car just can’t match. But the best riders also know that motorcycles require more focus to operate and don’t provide the same protections cars do in the event of a crash. The best riders also take great care in all situations, whether they’re in heavy traffic on <local highway>, stuck in the rain or just taking a quick ride on a perfect day.

If your habits aren’t as safe as they could be, or if you’re new to motorcycling, don’t worry! Instead, take time to improve. The quick safety tips below are a great place to start.

Want more? Check out the Motorcycle Safety Foundation (http://www.msf-usa.org) or the American Motorcyclist Association (www.americanmotorcyclist.com). And remember to give us at <agency name> a call at <agency phone> when you need to get coverage for your bike (or your home or auto, boat or more)!

First things first . . .

  • Wear proper safety gear and, most importantly, a helmet – no matter how short your trip may be.
  • Make sure you can be seen by other motorists. Make it easier for them by wearing reflective clothing, always using turn signals (and perhaps hand signals as well) and keeping your headlight on.
  • Even when taking the above precautions, stay alert and assume that other drivers don’t see you — especially at intersections and when making lane changes or passing.
  • Be patient. Don’t tailgate, and if someone is tailgating you, get out of their way.
  • Don’t ride after drinking or taking any medications that could impair your abilities.

Riding at night . . .

  • Again, make sure you’re visible — particularly at dusk. Consider upgrading your headlight or adding other lights to your ride. Is your bike black? What about your clothing? Both will make you more difficult to see at night.
  • Your vision needs to be clear, so keep your visor or goggles clean and free from scratches. If you don’t use face or eye protection, consider it.
  • Carry a flashlight or other emergency gear with you so a mechanical problem doesn’t leave you stranded — and invisible — on the side of a dark road.

Bad weather?

  • Keep rain and cold-weather gear handy. Riding isn’t just more enjoyable when you’re warm and dry — it’s safer, too.
  • Use extreme caution when it first begins to rain, as the roads are most slick at that point. Pull over and wait if necessary. It’s better to be late than ride in unsafe conditions.

I wish that all of your rides could be on sunny days with wide-open roads, but we know that’s not going to happen. So think about safety every time you start up your bike!

Jon

Email: [email protected]

Phone  507-226-8121

Better coverage. Better prices.

Jon DeKok has been serving insurance clients for over 30 years. He specializes in home, auto, umbrella, recreational vehicle, business, and life insurance. He is licensed in the state of Minnesota.

Graphic purchased from: © Dudarev Mikhail – Fotolia.com

Motorcycle Gear

By

Motociclista con Harley Davidson

The best alarm clock is sunshine on chrome.  ~Author Unknown

Proper motorcycle safety gear helps you ride right . . .

Whether you’re an experienced rider or just getting started, the right protective gear will help you have enjoyable and, most importantly, safe journeys. Even if you’re riding just a short distance, the fact that motorcycles don’t offer the same protections as other vehicles means that you need to take great care when you hit the road.

We here at DeKok Insurance Group, Inc. want everyone on the road to reach their destination safely. So we’re providing some safety gear tips gleaned from motorcycle safety organizations, including the Motorcycle Safety Foundation and the American Motorcyclist Association.

Keep your head . . .

Perhaps the most important piece of safety equipment — other than a well-maintained bike — is your helmet. Not only does a helmet protect your head in the event of a crash, the visors and face shields provide additional safety benefits along with a more enjoyable ride. You don’t really want to get hit in the face with a pebble or a bug on Highways 52 or 63, do you? Full-face helmets also cut down on wind noise and can help reduce rider fatigue.

Always make sure your helmet has a secure fit and that any face-protection options you select allow you to easily see what’s around you.

It may be tempting to feel the wind in your hair as you ride along the Minnesota highways and byways, but wearing a helmet should be a no-brainer when you consider the safety benefits.

Your feet and hands . . .

Boots protect your feet and ankles from injury not only in a crash but also during the ride by providing a barrier against road debris and hot exhaust pipes. The right boot soles (oil-resistant, rubber-based composite) will help you keep your feet where they need to be — on the pegs.

And remember to protect your fingers. Gloves improve your grip and prevent abrasions and blisters. Just be sure that they fit properly so you can still work the controls of your bike.

The rest of your body . . .

When it comes to clothing to wear while riding your bike, there are options for every style choice. Look for protective gear designed specifically for motorcyclists – it will offer you the best protection while still allowing you to comfortably operate your bike.

There’s a reason many riders wear leather. It is extremely durable and protects against abrasions. Newer fabrics, however, also provide these benefits. Look for reflective strips or other features designed to help make you more visible to other drivers, or add your own reflective strips if needed.

If it’s windy, you’ll want to wear layers to help keep the wind from your body. If you ride in inclement weather, don a rain suit or other gear designed specifically for those times when the road ahead isn’t quite sunny. You can even look for clothing that features electric heat, which can make your journey a lot more comfortable.

Non-clothing items . . .

Safety gear isn’t all about clothing. Some items to keep handy: a flat-tire repair kit, tire-pressure gauge, spare fuses and anything that might be of use for your particular bike. Remember to pack a flashlight, in case you end up on the side of the road in the dark. (And it can help keep you visible to passing traffic, which is always a real concern.)

We know that this list of safety gear sounds like a lot, but safe riding means being responsible. If you are looking to buy cool new gear to go with your bike, you might as well get the kind that will make you look good and help save you from injury.

Other safety resources . . .

The Motorcycle Safety Foundation (http://www.msf-usa.org) is a great resource to learn more about safety gear and motorcycling in general, as is the American Motorcyclist Association (www.americanmotorcyclist.com). We’re here to help, too! If you have questions about insurance coverage for your bike, are looking for a quote, or want more safety resources, give me a call at 507-226-8121.

Enjoy the ride!

Jon

Email: [email protected]

Phone  507-226-8121

Better coverage. Better prices.

Jon DeKok has been serving insurance clients for over 30 years. He specializes in home, auto, umbrella, recreational vehicle, business, and life insurance. He is licensed in the state of Minnesota.

 

Photo purchased from: © M.Camerin – Fotolia.com