Safety

 

In the latest in a flurry of motorcycle recalls, Harley-Davidson is recalling 57,000 bikes. The bikes in question include certain 2017 bikes built between the dates of July 2, 2016 and May 9, 2017. The bikes include the following models:

• Electra Glide Ultra Classic
• Police Ultra Glide
• Road King Special
• Police Road King
• Road King
• Street Glide Special
• Street Glide
• Road Glide Special
• Road Glide

Harley-Davidson reports that a clamp located on an engine oil cooler line could have been installed incorrectly. As a result, oil lines could possibly come off and cause a hazard. As of this date, Harley-Davidson has received nine reports of oil lines coming off, a problem that led to two crashes and one injury.

If your bike is affected by the recall, your Harley-Davidson dealer will inspect the bike and make any necessary repairs free of charge. Harley-Davidson is expected to announce the recall and begin providing information to affected customers this week.

This recall is unrelated to the NHTSA investigation of a number of motorcycles with model years between 2008 and 2011. That investigation dealt with problems in the anti-lock brake system. In that instance, 43 complaints were filed and there were three reported crashes.

At Kass & Moses (1-800-MOTORCYCLE), we work to keep riders informed about the dangers on the road, including pertinent recalls. Ride safe and if you ever have questions about a motorcycle crash or the law, contact an experienced motorcycle attorney at Kass & Moses!

Bikers across the country are singing the praises of lane-splitting. Lane-splitting is the process of moving past traffic in the space that is located between the two lanes. Filtering, a similar behavior, is moving ahead of cars that are stopped at a stoplight.

In the recent past, lane-splitting was outlawed across the country, even though it is legal in Europe and Asia. Now, California and several other regions of the country have passed laws to allow lane-splitting. Numerous studies such as the famous Hurt Report have found that it saves lives by putting bikers in control of riding where they can be seen. Even the notoriously conservative American Motorcycle Association is speaking out in favor of the practice. They cite the problems when bikers travel through congested traffic with distracted drivers who may not see them. Stop-and-go vehicles also create hazards, because what would only be a minor tap on a car bumper could be disastrous to a biker.

Lane-Splitting is Proven Beneficial

The US Department of Transportation has come out in favor of lane-splitting, stating that it can “provide an escape route for motorcyclists who would otherwise be trapped or struck from behind.” California has noted a decrease in bikers being struck from behind since allowing the lane-splitting.

A study by the University of California at Berkeley found that motorcyclists who split lanes in traffic significantly reduce their risk of being struck from behind. In addition, they lower their risk of head or torso injuries, and fatalities if a collision does occur.

Another added benefit of lane-splitting is the reduction in congestion. One recent study found that if we increased the number of motorcycles on the road to 10 percent of all vehicles, traffic would be reduced by a whopping 63 percent for all vehicles on the road. Indeed, lane-splitting allows bikers to maneuver through heavy traffic areas, and come out ahead and traffic.

Most bikers know that they face risks when entering an intersection and turning. Lane-splitting allows bikers to move to the front of traffic, where they can proceed cars into the intersection and be less likely to be unseen by distracted drivers.

Indeed, the biggest stumbling block in passing legislation allowing lane-splitting seems to be the ignorance of law enforcement and government officials. Since bikers still make up a relatively small portion of the population, they must work diligently to be heard by government officials. Bikers can contact their local department of transportation and state representatives to speak out in favor of lane-splitting.

At Kass & Moses, we support the rights of bikers nationwide. As bikers as well as motorcycle crash lawyers, we know just how devastating injuries can be. We fight for safety measures to be instituted nationwide, including lane-splitting.

Motorcycle safety for kids is especially important, as they are the future riders. We all know the enjoyment and pleasure that motorcycles bring to our lives- and bikes can do the same for kids. Still, young bodies are fragile and young minds are not always very wise! That’s why it’s important to consider special safety precautions when it comes to motorcycle safety for kids.

It is important to remember that safety begins at home, with the adult role models in the child’s life. If your son or daughter sees you ride carefully, obey the law, and ride with appropriate gear, it’s likely that they will grow to do the same. If they see you behaving recklessly, riding while angry or intoxicated, or failing to wear proper gear, they will likely follow your lead there as well.

One great way to start your child on a bike is through the Motorcycle Safety Foundation DirtBike School. This is a wonderful first start for any child, and doesn’t require you to buy a bike that may be stored away in the garage and ignored. Young riders learn on a variety of different bikes, and are trained by pros. Training includes proper safety precautions and guidelines.

Motorcycle Safety for Kids- What You Must Know

1. Teach one thing at a time. Young minds are sponges and can take in a lot of information, but can get confused if you teach them too quickly. It’s best to separate instruction into different topics. For example, you might want to teach your child first about proper gear. This can include a trip to the bike shop to try different helmets and learn about proper fit. On a different day, you may teach your child how the bike operates, breaking each lesson down into manageable chunks.
2. All the gear, all the time. Find a helmet that fits appropriately. It should fit snugly and have a chin-bar for added protection. The downside is that you will need to replace the helmet often as your child’s head grows. Proper clothing includes a heavy riding jacket, motorcycle pants (or heavyweight jeans), boots that rise above the ankle, and leather gloves. Even if your child is going to ride with you, they should have all this gear. If YOU need it to keep you safe, so do they! Never have your child ride in front of you, and be sure that your child is old enough to ride along with you securely. Also, some states have laws that require a child be of a certain age to ride with you.
3. Start by having your child ride with you, around the block or just down the road. It’s important to remember that this is new to your child, and excess speed, winding roads, or hills may be overwhelming. It’s best to start very slowly: you can always build up later.
4. Find a bike that is a proper fit. If you enroll in dirt bike school, there will be an array of different bikes. The child should be able to touch the ground. This is critical for both safety and control of the bike. Work with them carefully on balancing the bike when stopped. Do not move forward until they can adequately balance the bike at a stop.
5. Teach children to master the clutch. This is the first major challenge for many bikers (young and old). Have them let the clutch lever out gradually to the point of friction when the bike starts to roll ahead. Have them hold it and let it out gradually.
6. Keep the speed at low levels, very gradually increasing rates of speed. Carefully monitor control, the ability to stop, and maneuvering skills. Do not allow the child to increase speed until they are safe and secure at lower speeds. Obviously this helps the child remain safe, but it also keeps them feeling in control. A biker who feels in control of their bike is much more secure.
7. Never, ever allow your child to ride unsupervised. Crashes do occur, even with experienced bikers. Utilize the buddy system at all times.

Ride safe, and exercise proper precautions to protect kids. Motorcycle safety for kids is paramount as they learn to love and respect bikes. If you are ever in a crash, remember you can talk to an experienced biker lawyer at any time at 1-800-MOTORCYCLE.

Motorcycle safety is one of our platforms, so it should be no surprise that we spent a lot of time sharing motorcycle safety tips. Many riders have shared their own tips over the years, and we encourage you to do so in the comments section below. The statistics for motorcycle crashes are alarming and seem to get worse each year. Follow these motorcycle safety tips and you will be safer and more in control of your bike.

Motorcycle safety tips:

1. Never assume you can be seen. Drivers these days face many distractions – cell phones, ipods, passengers, eating and drinking – and unless you are riding right in their line of sight, they are likely to miss you. Mammoth size SUVs, tractor trailers, and even sedans can lose sight of you or fail to see you altogether. It’s best to always ride as if all the drivers around you have blinders on and cannot see you.
2. Always be at your best. If you just got in a fight with your girlfriend, please don’t hop on your bike. Raw emotions can lead to disaster. If you are sleepy, not feeling well, or emotionally charged, it’s not going to make for a good ride. These factors all increase your risk of being in a motorcycle crash.
3. Eat and drink beforehand. It may sound silly, but long rides can really take something out of you. You may not feel it, but under all that gear you are likely perspiring. And whether you know it or not, you are burning calories by maneuvering and balancing your motorcycle. Before you ride, have a snack and a glass of water, and if you plan on riding all day, remember to stop once or twice to refuel your body as well as your bike. Riding dehydrated or hungry can make it difficult to focus and make rapid decisions.
4. Lane splitting is about being seen, not about getting ahead. Lane splitting is legal in many states, and that’s a good thing. It allows bikers to maneuver around cagers and get to an area without obstacles where they can be seen.
5. Distance, distance, distance! If you are riding just a few feet away from a car, and the driver slams on their brakes, you are in trouble. I know some bikers will argue that they can quickly maneuver to the left or right. That’s true, but even the best, most adept biker needs some distance to move out of the way. The more distance between you and the vehicles around you, the safer you are.
6. Reflectors, and bright clothing. I love my biker jacket as much as the next guy, but I also want to be seen. Whether you choose to use reflectors, lights, or gear with reflective patches, be sure that you can be seen, especially if you plan to ride at dusk or during the evening hours.
7. Be aware of tractor trailers and semis. Their blind spot is enormous, and unless you can see their mirrors, they cannot see you. It’s best to try to avoid them on the road, if possible. When you go to pass a semi, do so quickly and aim to distance yourself from them again immediately after passing.
8. Ride your own ride. Although it feels great to ride with a group of experienced bikers, do not stretch your ability level. If you don’t feel comfortable riding at their speed or you feel anyone you are riding with is unsafe, break away from the group and ride alone. Better to ride alone and be safe than to ride with the pack and crash.
9. Feather your clutch on tight turns. Too much or too little clutch can lead to you tipping your bike on a tight turn. Instead, feather your clutch for proper momentum going into a sharp turn, u-turn, or into a parking lot.
10. Choose the right gloves. This may sound minor, but the right gloves can make a big difference. If your gloves are too large, you may not be able to adequately control your bike. Gloves that are too thin, especially on a crisp day, may leave your hands cold and practically numb. Find a pair of gloves that fit well, allow you to feel through them, and invest in some heated grips.

What motorcycle safety tips can you share? Let us know your favorite tips to stay safe on your bike and we’ll share them with others. Ride safe, and remember to call 1-800-MOTORCYCLE if you are in a crash!

May is Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month, for both motorcyclists and cagers alike. Motorcyclists are much more likely to be injured or even killed in the event of a crash, so safety must always remain a priority while traveling the roads. The number of fatalities of motorcyclists continues to rise, largely due to the increasing number of bikers. Any experienced biker will tell you it’s not a matter of if you are in a crash, but when.

Fortunately, there are a number of tips you can use to ride safely and protect yourself in the event of a crash.

Top 5 Motorcycle Safety Tips for Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month

1. Always ride with a large buffer of space around your bike. Cagers often fail to see bikes, due to their decreased road presence. Swift lane changes, sharp braking, and even rapid acceleration by the vehicles on the road around you put you at risk for becoming a statistic. That’s why it’s important to always ride with ample space around you, and an exit route you can take if a car enters your riding space. On highways, this can mean riding in the right-hand lane, where you can maneuver off the road if need be. It’s trickier on side roads where you may not have as much space around you.
2. All the gear, all the time. Without entering into the helmet debate, it’s important to wear protective gear to keep you safe in the event of a crash. Remember that protective gear extends beyond your helmet. Jackets, pants created for riding, and riding gloves will help protect your body as well. Road rash can be horrific and is often preventable by wearing proper protective gear. During Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month, why not visit your local bike shop and purchase some more gear to keep you riding safe and in style?
3. Use extra caution around intersections. Many crashes occur at intersections when drivers fail to see bikers and vice versa. Always use your turning signal in advance of making a turn. Also, regularly check your turn signals to ensure that they are in operating condition. Watch the vehicles around you carefully, and try to make eye contact with drivers. If drivers appear distracted or are obviously not paying attention (using their cell phone, talking to a passenger, etc), act with the understanding that they do not see you.
4. Ride safely in bad weather conditions. We’ve all encountered those random downpours that can make the road as slick as ice for bikers. It’s important to recognize when road conditions are hazardous and avoid them, if possible. Heavy downpours are clearly dangerous, but roads are also dangerous right after it begins raining, even if it’s just a sprinkle. That’s because the rain mixes with the oils and debris on the roads and makes the surface very slick. Remember, also, that braking distance is much longer for both bikes and cars during rainy weather conditions. May is Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month, but it’s also a month full of thunderstorms and rainy days, so ride cautiously.
5. Try to avoid the blind spots of drivers around you. We all know drivers are more distracted than ever. Unfortunately, there’s not much you can do to get a bad driver off their phone. You can, however, avoid riding in their blind spot where you are likely to be missed. Avoid the blind spots of drivers around you, and remember that the blind spots for tractor trailers is even larger than for cars.

Finally, the following tip is one that was shared with a Facebook follower. Instead of playing “Punch-Bug” where you spot Volkswagon Beetles on the road, play a version where you spot motorcycles. It will teach your children from an early age to become aware of bikers on the road, and this knowledge and awareness will carry over to adulthood.

During Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month and throughout the year, ride safely. There are far too many crashes, injuries, and deaths that could have been avoided. If you are involved in a crash, or just have questions about motorcycle collisions, biker safety, or how to ensure you get the compensation you deserve after a motorcycle crash, call Kass & Moses today at 1-800-MOTORCYCLE.

Whether you are an experienced rider or new to motorcycling, a motorcycle safety course is important. A quality motorcycle safety course will help you gain confidence while on your bike, understand the rules of the road and proper gear, and learn proper maneuverability that can save your life on the road.

A proper motorcycle safety course can literally mean the difference between life and death, so it pays to research the qualifications of instructors. Qualified instructors should present their credentials in course information or on their website. Some qualifications include completion of a state-supervised course for instructors, completion of a “student teacher” component in which the instructor is supervised by another instructor, and annual supplemental training.

Where Can I Find a Motorcycle Safety Course in My Area?

You can find a motorcycle safety course in your area by visiting your local Department of Motor Vehicles. They likely will offer you a printout of companies in your area that offer a course which may (or may not) prepare you for a provisional license. Most organizations offer several different courses that address the needs of beginners, novices, and experienced bikers. And bikers- please do not think that just because you have ridden for years, you can forget these courses. I have never failed to learn something new in a biker safety course.

You can also locate courses by performing a search online for motorcycle safety courses in your area. Local bike shops, like your neighborhood Harley-Davidson dealer, can probably also offer a few leads on where to go.

Courses range in price, but are usually around $150-$250, depending on length and the number of students. You will want to register early because, especially in my area, classes fill up quickly. Most providers will require you to bring proof of insurance and proper protective riding gear (ask in advance what gear you are expected to bring). You will probably need to bring your own motorcycle, but some schools may provide one you can use, so be sure to ask.

Some providers even offer a course I truly enjoy – an Advanced Riders Classroom Course in the winter. Truly, this course is about learning, even though it might seem like a classroom of bikers commiserating about the cold weather.

No matter which course you choose to complete, you will learn many techniques and safety tips to help protect you on the road. With all the distracted drivers, tractor trailers, and busy traffic on the roadways, it is important to always exercise caution and care.

At Kass & Moses, we are motorcycle crash lawyers who put safety first. That’s because we are also bikers. We know that you have family waiting for you at home, and just want to get back safely. If you are involved in a motorcycle crash, call our team to help see you through. And even if you think you know it all, consider taking a motorcycle safety course to help others!