Warm Weather is Motorcycle Weather in WV. Keep it Fun by Keeping it Safe!
As a biker, you know you have all of the same rights as everyone else on the road. Even so, because you are less protected, you are more vulnerable to serious injuries. Motorcycle safety requires that you wear the right gear.
The most experienced biker we know would tell you, “Dress for the slide, not the ride. It is not if, but when…”
Did you know that good quality motorcycle gear is second only to space suits in its ability to protect and provide comfort for riders?
According to experts:
“There are a couple things you need to understand about motorcycle gear:
1) It’s expensive.
2) It’s nearly as fundamentally important to the act of riding a bike as the motorcycle itself, so you simply need to factor its cost into your overall budget.
If you’ve got, say, $5,000 budgeted to buy your first bike, expect to spend $1,200 to $1,500 of that on stuff like a helmet, suit, boots and all that.
Over time, the financial burden will decrease as you acquire new items separately; you know, a new helmet here, a better back protector there and so on.” (Source link below).
Riders argue:
“It’s too hot to wear all that.”
“It’s too restrictive.”
“I’m a good rider!”
High-quality gear looks great and may add years to your ability to enjoy life and ride. A good DOT-compliant helmet, jeans with leather chaps, boots covering the ankles, and a riding jacket with thick elbows and shoulders and armor will give protection. You’ll look amazing!
Make yourself visible by wearing bright colors and using reflective tape.
Finally, because you know the first thing you always do when you fall is stick out your hands, wear gloves.
Additional Motorcycle Safety Tips:
If you can, avoid riding in poor weather conditions.
Use turn signals for every turn and lane change, and position yourself in the lane where you will be most visible to other drivers.
Always signal your intention to merge with traffic.
Road conditions that are minor annoyances to drivers in larger vehicles can pose major hazards to motorcyclists. Potholes, gravel, debris, wet, and slippery surfaces can cause a major adjustment or slide, not just a bump.
Whenever possible, stay out of other driver’s blind spots.
Other drivers should always “Look Twice to Save a Life,” and check mirrors and their own blind spots before changing lanes.
Above all, ride sober. Grab the throttle, not the bottle!
Drive as safely and defensively as possible, and do not drive after consuming alcohol. Try to only drive a motorcycle in the safest conditions, specifically during the day in dry weather.
To prevent injury, wear appropriate safety equipment, such as a helmet and special clothing for motorcycle riders. Also, brightly colored clothing can make you more visible to other drivers. All these things can help to prevent an accident or injury, but accidents and injuries can still happen.
West Virginia Motorcycle Lawyers
If you have had the misfortune of being injured in a motorcycle mishap or collision, we can help. Contact our Morgantown motorcycle accident lawyers for a free consultation. We can help accident injury victims from all over West Virginia.
Here’s also a link to an awesome article about everything you need to know about choosing the right gear: Click Here
Keep it Fun by Keeping it Safe!
Jeffery Robinette was admitted to practice law in 1991 and is licensed in all levels of state and federal trial courts in West Virginia. Mr. Robinette is also licensed in all state and federal appeals courts in West Virginia and the United States Supreme Court. As a National Board Certified Trial Attorney who has handled hundreds of motor vehicle, injury, and construction defect claims and a leading author on insurance claims settlement issues and difficulties in West Virginia, Jeff Robinette is uniquely qualified to represent your best interest.
