MS COAST HOG

Safety Info

Safety Officer Lee Keegan

KNOW YOUR MOTORCYCLE

There are plenty of things on the highways and byways that can give you lots of head aches and your bike should not have to be one of them. To keep these headaches to a minimum make sure that your bike won’t let you down.

 Read the owner’s manual thoroughly before you think about getting one the bike.

 Make sure that the bike that you select is the one for you.

 Before you ever start the engine be sure that you are familiar with all the controls. Such as the run/stop switch, light, horn, fuel, turn signals, and so on…

 Check the bike before every ride. Tires, light, oil, gas and other safety equipment.

 Be sure that the maintenance is up to date on your bike. Remember you are on two wheels and there is not much room for error on this machine.

 Lastly, avoid any add-ons (modifications) that may hinder the operation of the bike. A few to think about are extended handle bars and forks, improper tires, and lowering kits are just a few.

THE RIGHT MOTORCYCLE FOR YOU:

First you should make sure that the bike that you purchase is the one for you. You should be able to put both feet flat on the ground while setting in the seat. Your hands should be able to reach the controls with just a slight bend at the elbow. You should be able to operate the clutch without over taxing you hand muscles. Next is your bike legal? These are the minimum requirements for a motorcycle to be street legal:

 Headlight, Taillight, and Brake lights

 Front and Rear breaks

 Turn signals

 Horn

 Mirrors

These requirements may very from state to state so you must become familiar with the laws of the state that govern the operation of a motorcycle on its roads and highways.

BORROWING AND LENDING:

Beware of lending or borrowing a motorcycle. I don’t lend my bikes and my rule is “you buy you ride” and that is the best policy. If anything is ever going to happen it will happen to something that you borrow.

Crashes are common among beginning riders – especially in the first few months of riding. Riding an unfamiliar bike only magnifies the problems. If you just have to borrow a bike get familiar with it in a controlled area. If you have to borrow some wheels borrow their car, it probably did not coast as much as their bike.

If you do lend your bike to someone you need to make sure of a few things:

 First make sure that they have a valid motorcycle license.

 Make sure that your insurance will cover them while they are operation you machine.

 Make sure that they can ride and operate your bike.

 Be sure they have safety equipment that fits…

 Remember it is your bike and you are responsible for it.

No matter how experienced you may be, riding an unfamiliar motorcycle requires extra care and attention. The controls may not all be located in the places that you may expect them to be. More than half of all the reported accident occur when the rider has less than six months experience.

KNOW YOUR MOTORCYCLE CONTROLS:

Before operating your new or old pride and joy you must become completely familiar with the controls. When you hit the street you don’t need to be looking for the turn signal switch or the horn. You should know where they are without looking. Review the owner’s manual again to make sure that you have not missed anything. If you are going use an unfamiliar machine:

 Make a check list from the owners manual.

 Find out where everything is located. Locate the turn signals, starter, ignition, horn, head lights, brakes and fuel valve. These are just a few of the necessary thing that you must know where they are located and how to use them. Below is a typical location of motorcycle controls. Your owners manual has the exact location for you machine.

KNOW YOUR GEAR PATTERN:

It is a must that you know the gear pattern. Not just to be able to get the bike up to speed but also to be able to slow it down. The engines are very high compression and with the brakes you will be able to stop the motorcycle very