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It's hard to count the ways that I'm amazed at the collective experience and wisdom of the MTF membership. So, given the task of a newsletter article, it occurred to me that "tapping into" this wisdom might be a good way to go. What better source than the MTF Charter and Gold members? Using the MTFTA database, I emailed all of these members who were in the database (If you're a Charter or Gold and you're not in the database, you should be!!), and I asked them, "I suspect that we all have one or two things that we do in preparing for a trip that we feel will contribute to a safer journey. I'd like to know what your top one or two things are?" By the way, my system was manual, so I'm sure I missed somebody, and I apologize in advance.
I did this last Wednesday and requested a response by Sunday. Fortunately (for them), many of our members were out riding, but, nonetheless, I did receive a good response. I wasn't sure what I'd do with this information as it came rolling in, so I just began logging and categorizing to see where it might lead. One of my early revelations was that the primary beneficiary of all this was going to be me. It's always great communicating with MTF members, and this was no exception. If you get a chance to offer your services to the group, do it. If you're like me, you'll be the winner.
In any case, it became clear quite early why I respect this group so much. By the way, I asked that individuals not give me their laundry list. I just wanted their top one or two. I figured that if it was at the top of their list it probably should be important to me. ….and collectively, we might end up w/ a pretty good laundry list. I think we did. I ended up grouping the mentions into like responses, and we ended up with the following groups: Maintain/Prep Bike, Maintain/Prep Rider, Travel Accessories/Supplies/Medications, Preparation - Home/Family/Trip, Roadside Emergency Equipment/Tools, Tires & Tubes, Riding Gear, Emergency Info, Clean the Bike, and Visibility Preparedness.
I believe that each and every one of these items is worth our thought and consideration as we prepare for our trips. Remember, even if there was only one mention, it was the top one or two for that particular member, and therefore considered very important. As I looked over this listing, I was gratified that most of the items have found their way in one form or another to my "laundry list," but I was also reminded that there are some that I need to give additional attention. That's the benefit of the group.
I was very impressed at the thought that went into these items. We all know that we should wear riding gear, but the message here was that we do this so that our attention can be directed to the ride, so that we're not distracted by the elements. And to do this well, we I must plan gear for the full range of conditions that we may encounter. Similarly, the reason for taking care of things at home is that doing so will help to get me right mentally for the trip as well as avoid distractions along the way. On first reading, the connection of some of these things to safety may not be obvious. The second and deeper reading is quite revealing and worthwhile, imo.
The other thing that impressed me as I was preparing this is the degree to which safety is growing within the MTF. It was clear in each and every one of these responses. It's also been clear in recent posts and threads and activity on the forum. If you haven't - read or re-read the two recent threads on the ride and the risk. Good stuff in there! Fenceman Jimmy recently shared with us how he and the "old farts" meet at the start of a ride to get right spiritually and mentally. These are but a couple of examples of what is a bigger phenomenon. You folks are making it happen! That's what it's all about! We have an enviable safety record given the miles ridden, but any one accident is one too many!
Below is a listing by grouping of the mentions that we received from our Charter/Gold respondents. Under each are just a few quotes culled from the responses that I though you might enjoy reading. As with everything safety, it's not what I've done with this - it's what each of us will CHOOSE to do with this. Spend some time, and make your next journey a safer one.
Special thanks to Terry Braud, Jerry Waggener, Braz, Dave Norem, Tom Maiden, Lou Canick, John Hargis, Bo Griffin, Pat McGhie, Harry Esenwine, Jason Jonas, Jon Power, Tom Nichols, Bob Moore, Neil Dolson, Joyce Johnson, John Wynes, Bob Fisher, John McDaniel, and Dan Huber for their responses and assistance in preparing this article. You're making the MTF a safer place. One more time, I'd like to apologize for my manual systems. I expect I missed some members, and I may have dropped a response or two - my apologies!
Maintain/Prep Bike - 6 mentions
"In my opinion, a well maintained bike is a more safe bike."
"I don't want to have to worry about scheduling any kind of repair stop. I like to be free of negative thoughts so I can enjoy my trip."
"I make sure I am packed ahead... I then take a shake down cruise."
"never leave home knowing that there is a problem, no matter how trivial , thinking maybe it will be o.k. until I get back and then worrying about it for the entire trip"
"Change all the fluids on the bike."
Maintain/Prep Rider - 5 mentions
"And since maintenance is necessary for your ride, so is it necessary for your body."
"The most important thing for me is to be ready mentally."
"the main thing I do is get my mind right. I ask God to hold me in the palm of his hand."
"The most important thing for me to take on a trip is patience. I am not safe when I am impatient."
Travel Accessories/Supplies/Medications - 5 mentions
"windshield cleaner, rags, rubber gloves (med type), band-aids, Ibuprofen and Acetaminophen, water"
"I carry a credit card and a Roadside Assistance Card in case the need arises."
"Make sure all my prescriptions are filled and I have enough insulin, etc. for the duration of my trip PLUS 3-4 EXTRA days."
"2 major Credit Cards (call and warn them you'll be traveling), Bike Insurance/Registration, Visa (if going into Mexico or Canada), cache of cash, good Road Atlas"
"I never like to travel without my passport. I figure with all that and a credit card I can go just about anywhere."
"I always carry 1/3 to 1/4 roll of toilet paper."
Preparation - Home/Family/Trip - 4 mentions
"I make sure I talk to my mom, my wife and all my daughters before I leave."
"at the top of my list is to pay all the bills so i don't have to worry about it"
"I also make sure more than one person knows where I am going and where I'll be."
"I also like to "Google" any special sites I might want to check out. Having the hours, directions, and a little background info on board eliminates a lot of the screw-ups that can happen."
Roadside Emergency Equipment/Tools - 4 mentions
"Air gauge, tire pump, patch kit."
"I carry an air compressor, plug kit, and slime."
"working Flashlight (spend some $$$ and get a good one), First Aid Kit"
"sharp pocket knife, Tool Kit, small assortment of Parts and Supplies (nuts, bolts, wire connectors, tape, zip-ties, etc,), Shop Manual, a list of Dealer Locations and phone numbers."
"a roll of Duct Tape. Over the years, duct tape has "saved my ass" a gazillion times"
"My primary "Insurance Policy" item is that $11 airpump"
Tires & Tubes - 3 mentions
"In my estimation, tires are the most important things on any ride."
"Tires are critical as they can look good but still have problems.. Pay very close attention to them"
"The one thing I've done which has given me the most peace of mind was to install a tire pressure monitoring system."
Riding Gear - 3 mentions
"I try to anticipate pretty much every kind of weather conditions along the route and prepare."
"any distractions in comfort lead to distractions in riding concentration"
Cell Phone - 3 mentions
"my cell phone has all necessary numbers entered into its memory"
"I always like to be sure my cell phone is charged and I have my in room charger with me"
Emergency Info - 3 mentions
"my emergency contact information, medical information, etc is in my left glove box on the Wing"
"MTF Emergency Info Tag, list of MTF Touring Assistance Members"
"I also make sure I have my emergency ID tag"
Clean the Bike - 2 mentions
"As you clean look over the bike for missing parts/screws/bolts. While cleaning check your brake pads & replace as necessary"
"the bike gets a bath. I do this so I can check over, by hand, every inch of the bike to make sure nothing
is loose, cracked or otherwise in poor condition."
Visibility Preparedness - 1 mention
"There is one thing that is most important to me regarding safety. That is visibility."
For more information on motorcycle safety check out the MTF website's safety pages.
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