Ten Things All Car & Truck Drivers Should Know About Motorcycles

We tend to give a lot of advice to motorcycle riders in, but this blog is for all the other motorists on the roads. Too often we hear “I just didn’t see the motorcycle.” The Cole Legal Group is committed to changing this. While many drivers are only looking for cars or trucks, motorcycles have as much right to the road as any other vehicle.

• There are a lot more cars and trucks than motorcycles on the road, and some drivers don't "recognize" a motorcycle; they ignore it (usually unintentionally). Look for motorcycles, especially when checking traffic at an intersection.
• Because of its small size, a motorcycle may look farther away than it is. It may also be difficult to judge a motorcycle’s speed. When checking traffic to turn at an intersection or into (or out of) a driveway, predict a motorcycle is closer than it looks.
• Because of its small size, a motorcycle can be easily hidden in a car’s blind spots (door/roof pillars) or masked by objects or backgrounds outside a car (bushes, fences, bridges, etc). Take an extra moment to thoroughly check traffic, whether you're changing lanes or turning at intersections.
• Because of its small size a motorcycle may seem to be moving faster than it really is. Don't assume all motorcyclists are speed demons.
• Motorcyclists often slow by downshifting or merely rolling off the throttle, thus not activating the brake light. Allow more following distance, say 3 or 4 seconds. At intersections, predict a motorcyclist may slow down without visual warning.
• Turn signals on a motorcycle usually are not self-canceling, thus some riders, (especially beginners) sometimes forget to turn them off after a turn or lane change. Make sure a motorcycle's signal is for real.
• Motorcyclists often adjust position within a lane to be seen more easily and to minimize the effects of road debris, passing vehicles, and wind. Understand that motorcyclists adjust lane position for a purpose, not to be reckless or show off or to allow you to share the lane with them.
• Maneuverability is one of a motorcycle's better characteristics, especially at slower speeds and with good road conditions, but don't expect a motorcyclist to always be able to dodge out of the way.
• Stopping distance for motorcycles is nearly the same as for cars, but slippery pavement makes stopping quickly difficult. Allow more following distance behind a motorcycle because it can't always stop "on a dime."
• When a motorcycle is in motion, don't think of it as motorcycle; think of it as a person.

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Source: Motorcycle Safety Foundation

Loading the Motorcycle for Trips

Whether it is a carton of milk from the convenience store, or camping gear for a three-week trip, you will end up carrying more than people on your motorcycle. All loads should be tied to the machine. Do not balance a bag of groceries between your legs for a short ride home. Strap it to the back seat with bungee cords or an elasticized cargo net. A great carrying device is the tank bag. It puts the weight where it should be – near the bike’s center of gravity. Make sure it is properly secured and remember never to carry anything on the gas tank or inside the fairing that might interfere with the steering of the bike. Just imagine what happens if the bars won’t turn far enough – big trouble.

There are appropriate places to carry loads on a motorcycle, but they do not include your front forks or fenders. If your machine comes with saddlebags a travel trunk, you’re set. If you have none of this, you can always buy a luggage rack or throw-over bags; they are very useful items. When you load saddlebags, keep equal weight on both sides. This is even more important when you are using soft throw-over bags, as an imbalance can cause one side to drop down and rest on the muffler. A blazing saddlebag is no joke. Keep the weight relatively light in your travel trunk or on your luggage rack. Being aft of the rear axle, this is the worst place on the motorcycle to carry much weight. It can turn a well-handling motorcycle into a poor handling terror. Sleeping bags go great back there; a 50-pound sack of dog food does not.

Check the security of the load frequently, and make sure nothing is dangling. It is one thing to lose part of your luggage, quite another to get it tangled up in a wheel.

Above all, DO NOT EXCEED THE GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating) of your motorcycle! You might find that figure on the plate attached to the steering head; sometimes it is found on the frame; but the best place to look is in the owner’s manual. It is written in pounds, and it includes the weight of the motorcycle, all gasoline, oil and coolant, the rider(s), and the luggage.

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Source: Motorcycle Safety Foundation

Drugs, Drinking & Riding

We kid you not. Mixing alcohol or other drugs with motorcycles is like putting nitro with glycerine: there’s a dangerous reaction. Alcohol is a depressant. The first thing to go is your judgment – and good judgment is essential. Bad judgment gets you into trouble. Drinking riders tend to run off the road more often, have a high percentage of rider error, and use excessive speed for conditions around them. Those are the statistics – and that spells trouble.

It takes a long time for the effects of alcohol to be cleared from your body, roughly one hour for each bottle of beer, glass of wine, or shot of liquor. Nothing but time will shed that alcohol - not showers, coffee, or other so-called remedies.

Have a couple of beers if you wish, but have them at home. Then you don’t have to go anywhere afterward. If you are going to drink, don’t even think about riding.

Alcohol is not the only drug that affects your ability to ride safely. Whether it is an over-the-counter, prescription, or illegal drug, it may have side-effects that increase the risks of riding. Even common cold medicines could make you drowsy – too drowsy to ride – and mixing alcohol and drugs is even more dangerous than using either alone.

Drunk Driving Crashes are no “accident" and are usually life changing. Drunk drivers get behind the wheel due to series of horrific choices and should be penalized through punitive damages. DWI/DUI claims are unique considering criminal charges may be pending, driving and employment records can be key when commercial vehicle drivers are involved; and restaurants, bars, party hosts and other parties who supplied drugs or alcohol can often be held responsible when accidents occur.

DWI/DUI accidents are serious threats to the safety of our community and deserve serious investigation. The Cole Legal Group has a proven track record of obtaining substantial insurance settlements and jury awards for people hurt or killed by drunk or impaired drivers.

Let our experience, commitment and fight work to get you the money you deserve to rebuild your life. Our commitment to you: We will not be out worked!

Contact us today for a free consultation.

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Source: Motorcycle Safety Foundation

4B Wild West Bike Rally

The 4B Wild West will be holding it's 4th annual bike rally August 10th through the 11th, at 1761 Country Club Rd in Brownfield, TX (79316).

With over 400 acres of FREE camping, it is one of the biggest bike rallies in Texas! Gates open at 12 pm and admission cost $20 for the whole weekend.

There will be 8 live bands such as an AC/DC tribute band Back in Black, and the infamous Whips and Kisses. There will be an afternoon "Cancer Rides 2 Remember," 4 Brigade FMX stunt show,  burlesque shows, biker games, and so much more.

Since 2009, the 4B Wild West's profits for the event have benefited local cancer patients who are in need financially, and continues to help out those in need. You must be 18 or older to enter.