motorcycle safety - DeKok Insurance Group, Inc.

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!

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

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