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Wait a second there Jimmy Dean. Are you prepared? Did you perform a pre-ride check of your bike and your gear? Have you taken an approved rider safety course? You didn’t? Well then you’re just another motorcycle shop story waiting to be told. You know the stories I’m talking about don’t you? The stories that float around from motorcycle shop to motorcycle shop, from rally to rally, where some guy or gal had an accident and “got all messed up”. Yeah, those are the stories that I’m talking about.

It’s very easy to greatly reduce your chances of sustaining serious injury or death from a motorcycle accident if you prepare.

The first step is rider training. The Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF) is the leading authority on motorcycle safety. They are dedicated to teaching people to safely operate and enjoy motorcycles. The MSF has regular classes at locations throughout the country. The cost for the classes ranges from $220.00 to $300.00. The length of the class is usually 4 hours. The MSF also offers advanced riding classes and continuing education. They can be found on the internet at www.msf-usa.org.

While we are on the subject of safe riding, let’s talk about riding techniques. Safely operating a motorcycle is a skill set that you will learn. You must practice these techniques, however, in order to be proficient. Regularly practicing your newly acquired skills will hone them. Before long, these skills will be second nature to you, and safely riding a motorcycle will be the only way you know how to ride.

The next topic we should talk about is the motorcycle itself. Before each ride, the operator should check the general condition of the motorcycle. You should take the time to insure that the controls operate smoothly. Make sure that the gear shift and brake foot controls are operating smoothly and have full range of motion. If your motorcycle has a windshield, clean it.

Be sure to check the tire pressure. The proper inflation rate is printed on the side wall of each tire. Tires that are either under or over inflated can result in loss of control. The tires should also be free of cracks, and have a minimum of 1/32″ of tread. An easy way to check this is to insert a penny upside down. If you can see the top of Lincoln’s head, then it is time to change your tires. Tires are the single most important element of safe riding. Please don’t neglect them.

The single most overlooked aspect of safe riding may be riding gear. Riding gear consists of proper helmet, eyewear or face shield, riding jacket, riding pants, and footwear.

Many states have laws in effect which mandate the use of motorcycle helmets, and this is the source of great controversy. Regardless of how you feel about the issue, it is a good idea to wear a Department of Transportation (DOT) approved helmet. In addition to DOT qualifications, a rider can purchase a Snell certified helmet. Snell laboratories improve the safety characteristics of motorcycle helmets and other gear.

Helmets are made in three basic configurations, which are: full face, three-quarter face, and half helmets. Full face helmets cover the entire head of the rider including the chin and base of the skull. Full face helmets offer the most complete protection. Three-quarter face helmets cover the face, ears, and rear part of the head of the rider. However they expose the lower jaw and chin. Both full face and three-quarter face helmets have a full face shield.  Full face shields not only protect your eyes, but also keep bugs and debris from striking your face.  Half helmets protect only the crown of the head. Half helmets leave the base of the skull, ears, and the whole face exposed. Obviously, half helmets offer the least protection.

One of the complaints often heard about both full face and three-quarter face helmets is that they are hot when riding in warm weather. Both of these types of helmets have generous venting which allows a continuous flow of air around the head of the rider.

One final word on helmets, which can be applied to all motorcycle gear, is that the price denotes the quality. Cheap helmets are cheap for a reason. Please don’t skimp on your choice of helmet, or any other gear. We have a saying in the motorcycle dealership where I work, “If you have a $30.00 head, then buy a $30.00 helmet.” Generally speaking, a quality helmet will cost about $125.00 to $200.00.

The next piece of gear to consider is a riding jacket. I can already hear the shouts from current riders saying jackets are too hot. Actually, the opposite is true. All manufactures produce riding jackets that are convertible. In their basic form, riding jackets are made of a net of material that allows air to easily flow through. Liners are then added for either rain or cold weather or a combination of the two.

Good riding jackets also have CE rated armor at the impact areas. This armor offers the best protection against impact injury in a non race application, which is daily riding. These areas are the elbows, the shoulders, and the back. The material of the jacket should be made of at least 600 denier fabric. Denier fabric is specially designed to give the rider the best protection against abrasion.

As far as being too hot is concerned, riding jackets keep the sun off of your skin, thereby reducing your skin’s surface temperature. Riding jackets also regulate your perspiration rate. Rider fatigue is often contributed to dehydration.

Perhaps the most compelling reason to wear a riding jacket is to avoid road rash. I could attempt to explain the horrors of road rash, but the following website will illustrate the point much better than I can ever hope. The website can be found here: http://www.myspace.com/brit2morrow.

Riding pants offer the same benefits as riding jackets. A pair of heavy denim jeans offers some level of protection. A motorcycle rider would do well to consider a pair of riding pants as part of his riding gear.

Lastly we will talk about footwear. A good pair of riding boots is your first line of defense in an accident. Motorcycle boots are designed for just that. They are cut in a way that is the most comfortable for a motorcycle rider. They are also reinforced in strategic areas that give you the most protection available for your feet. Riding boots have non-skid, thick rubber soles. This allows you to control your motorcycle at stops with less effort than with other types of footwear.

I will finish with a controversial statement about motorcycle rider safety. Every single motorcycle accident is the motorcycle operators fault. I say this because each rider is responsible for their safety. A person should ride a motorcycle like he is invisible. He should keep plenty of distance around him from other traffic, and not allow himself into dangerous situations. He should always have an escape. Practice, patience, proper gear, and good habit forming are the keys to motorcycle safety.

Sure, there’s an unfairness toward sports cars here, but even so, not all are speed demons. In fact, some of the cars on our list could be smoked by your sister on a moped, but that’s not the point.

Get one of these marvels and start showing it off!

1. Ford Model T

   
   
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   The car that began to mobilize America, brought to you by Henry Ford. Even though this vehicle may not even have 20 parts to it, it is still one of the most complicated thing to handle.

2. Jeep CJ

   
   
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   Inspired from war vehicles, the Jeep opened the door of opportunities for the world of off-road.

   It began production in 1945 and ended in 1986. Though it may be rickety and not have all of the safety features of modern SUVs, you’ll have a fun experience.

3. Datsun 240Z

   
   
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   Datsun, during the Vietnam War era, brought the ideal car to consumers. It was a very sturdy car to drive and, at the time, it helped with energy shortages.

   Though not a pedal-to-the-metal vehicle, it had credible performance and opened enthusiasts’ eyes to less ordinary for the time. Even today, it still keeps up with the busy traffic and is still fun to drive.

4. 1959 Cadillac

   
   
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   Although the 80’s version was greater than this one in reality tail fins and chrome grew with each new model until it climaxed with the 1959 Cadillac. Today it stands as dazzling and anyone who owned one of these owns an icon of the age.

5. 1965 Austin Healey 3000

   
   
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   These cars have always stood for the enjoyable nature of the automobile world, considering the performance and complication of a Jaguar. At the time it was introduced, it stood out for being a larger than normal motor vehicle.

   Today, it has a sympathetic shifter hand and the resolve not to fuss about excessive heat series with surprisingly decent handling.

6. Chevrolet Camaro Z-28

   

   
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   The Chevrolet Camaro released in the late sixties was only the beginning to a long lasting trend of this car. If you haven’t experience it firsthand yet, the next thing you do is to climb in one and get a feel for how Chevy handles the speed.

7. Porsche 911 GT3

   
   
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   There have been few cars that can match the greatness of the Porsche. From its release in 1964 to the present day, there can’t be a bigger disappointer for competitors than this. Speeds over 200mph makes it a doozy.

8. Shelby Cobra Roadster

   
   
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   The Shelby Cobra Roadster, has been written about and amazed the public since the late 1950s. It shouldn’t matter which model you choose, so long as it’s an authentic Cobra, you’ll be pleased all around.

   All models have a pleasurable experience, if somewhat challenging for the novice driver. So little weight and so much power, however, might induce a burnout at 100 mph.

9. Ferrari 250 GT Berlinetta

   
   
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   To look at a vintage Ferrari road car, it’s difficult to imagine Enzo Ferrari justifying its existence as little more than a necessary distraction to fund his racing program.

   Driving any one of these multi million dollar rides is not only rare, but a fun workout.

10. Bugatti Veyron

    
    
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    This speed demon is as “BA” as you can get. Going 0-60 in a little over two seconds, you can easily lose yourself. These babies top out around 200 mph.