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I thought it would be an interesting and worthwhile process to hear the views on individual safety of our MTF leadership. We are fortunate in that our leaders not only have the responsibility of directing our forum, but they are also some of our biggest “doers” and participants in MTF activities. In many ways, they set the tone for the rest of us. Just in case you’re not familiar with our leadership, this webpage shows the structure of MTF.

I asked (3) questions:

1) What does safe motorcycling mean to you?,
2) Are MTF riders safe enough?, and
3) Do you have 3 ideas that could improve our individual’s safety?

What does safe motorcycling mean to you?

Alan: My feelings of motorcycling safety have been an evolution that I believe has been positively affected by the MTF. When I first started riding again in 2000, I wore a helmet most but not all of the time and my idea of riding gear was whatever I was wearing at the time or if I wanted to look cool, chaps and a leather jacket.

Over the years, the MTF has influenced me to be ATGA(almost all)TT. Yes, I occasionally get stupid and ride to the hardware store without gear, knowing I shouldn’t. However, I would never consider going out of town or on a trip without my gear.

Initially, I wore a ¾ helmet. I remember seeing a picture in the Proficient Motorcycling about the percentage of injuries caused in areas outside the protection of a ¾ helmet and tried a flip helmet. For the first year or so wearing a flip, I wore it flipped up most of the time. Gradually, I began to wear it in full-face mode more and more. After my dear friend boB Moore crashed and lost his flip, I learned about the roll-off test. I decided at that point that I would try a full-face helmet. I now wear a full-face helmet most of the time.

In terms of riding, motorcycle safety means that one should be educated and practice basic mechanics. Admittedly, I have not attended an MSF course ride in several years and don’t really do that much practicing.

I also believe that I have a responsibility to understand and not to exceed my limits. In a world where most of my friends are simply better riders than I am, I’m often tempted to push beyond my limits. But you will usually find me in the back of the pack riding my own ride.

Andy: No accidents, no close calls, nobody mad at me. Sometimes I like to ride fast. I have some indicators that tell me when to slow down – if I am sliding my wheels (braking), if I am dragging hard parts, if I can’t change my line in a curve, if I can’t safely stay in my own lane.

Barb: For me safe motorcycling starts with taking the offense against injury by wearing full riding gear and making sure my motorcycle is in top condition before ever leaving the garage. Then once on the bike, it means taking the defense by always looking for and creating a safety zone or “bubble” around me. My personal safety mantra includes DEFENSIVE/DECISIVE/VISIBLE, when I set out on a ride.

Dawn: Getting home safe EVERY time. Being pro-active to compensate for distracted drivers who are not paying attention.

John: Riding in today’s traffic conditions, with inattentive drivers, cell phone junkies, left lane loafers, suicidal deer and all the rest is a much higher risk activity than it was when most of us first threw a leg over a bike. Safe motorcycling to me begins by doing everything that I can to reduce that risk to a level that I can accept by preparing for the worst before the ride. Am I physically and mentally prepared, is my riding gear appropriate, have I packed what I’ll need and is the motorcycle good-to-go? I don’t think about any of that on the road and am able to devote my full attention to what’s going on and enjoying the ride.

Kevin: Wearing the proper riding gear, maintaining your motorcycle properly, and riding within your ability in a safe and controlled manner. And most importantly, returning home at the end of the ride.

Terry: Enjoying the ride knowing I’ve done all that I can to lessen any injuries in the event of an accident and returning home safely.

Alan: It is difficult to speak for “MTF riders”. The MTF is a diverse group of motorcycle riders who enjoy many different styles of motorcycle riding. I have averaged about 37,000 miles a year since 2000, and I have participated in long distance rides and rough road rides that have challenged my limits. Many of my friends think the decision to ride a motorcycle is unsafe; some think the decision to participate in long distance and rough road rides are unsafe.

Don Arthur said something to the extent that we all know that motorcycle riding is more risky than some other means of transportation and that long distance riding is more risky than the average motorcycle ride. However, he does what he can to mitigate the risks. I didn’t grow up riding dirt bikes so I personally feel that I am more challenged on the rough road rides than other types of rides. But like Don, I try to ride within my limits and mitigate my risks.

In comparison to other “motorcycling communities” MTF riders ride further and longer than most riders and are exposed to more opportunity for risk than the average motorcyclist. However, when you attend an MTF event, whether it is a formal event or an MTF lunch, you see that most “MTF riders” are wearing full riding gear and practicing safe riding skills. MTF riders seem to be more aware of the need to understand their limits and to mitigate their risks.

Andy: One of the things that drew me to the MTF was that the riders were smart enough to “ride at their own pace”.

Barb: From what I’ve observed, MTF members are, as a group, among the top riders for accident-free miles. It is rare that a member has an accident. But when one does, he can always identify the reason and nearly always reports that wearing full gear and that taking whatever mitigating actions available at the time, prevented it from being much worse. By way of contrast, there are several riding clubs in the area in which I live that report of accidents nearly every weekend among their riders who ride the same roads every weekend, rarely going beyond a 100-mile radius of home, and where group-ride peer pressure puts newer riders at risk. It reminds me of that well-worn but true cliché about riders who have 1 year’s experience 20 times.

Dawn: I would like to think the folks who are active on the MTF are a step above the occasional hobbyist rider. Practice makes perfect.

John: MTF riders are some of the most safety-conscious folks out there. On the forum and at events we freely share our knowledge of equipment and techniques to improve our safety. Ever notice how someone we haven’t met before will show up at his or her first RTE in less-than-ideal gear and the next time they’re sporting state of the art textiles and a new full face?

Kevin: Generally, the MTF members I’ve had the privilege of riding with are some of the safest riders I know. I see the MTF members occasionally mention on the forum they ride without a helmet, jacket, or gloves; which I believe are very important to personal safety. There’s also the very rare rider doing something stupid while riding. Regardless how safe we are, there’s always room to improve.

Terry: No one is ever safe enough. I think MTF riders (who’ve been around here for a while) are as safe or safer than most. Our culture seems to be one of being “Safety Conscious”. But there is always room for improvement.

Alan:
1. Educate ourselves on basic motorcycling mechanics and practice what we learn. The MTF has many motorcycling books available to its members through the library.
2. Practice ATGATT.
3. Understand the risks involved in motorcycling and do all that we can to mitigate our risks.
4. Understand our limits and ride within those limits.

Andy:
1. Always keep your scan going. Left right, close far, back, gauges.
2. Don’t try to do too much on your motorcycle. Ex: If you need to adjust your coat – stop. If you need to search for something on your GPS – stop.
3. Practice emergency braking.

Barb: To me, Individual safety is a self-help process. Like any other self-help endeavor – weight loss, better fitness, savings habits – the desire to change must come from within. Preaching to others rarely helps. We can provide the resources: books, videos, website links, all reviewed and recommended by individuals who would be recognized for their safety leadership (MC safety instructors, for example). And then periodically remind the MTF members that they are available.

Dawn:
1. Refresher Safety Courses.
2. Parking Lot Practice
3. Awareness exercises while riding. Consciously talking yourself through potential hazards.

John:
1. If you haven’t taken an Experienced Rider Course, sign up. If you have, and it has been more than 5 years ago, sign up for another.
2. Subscribe to Motorcycle Consumer News. The articles on mental motorcycling, proficient motorcycling and street strategy alone are well worth the cost.
3. Do as much of your own motorcycle maintenance as you can. Stretch your mechanical ability with a shop manual, following brand-specific forums, etc. You’ll be better able to spot any unsafe condition.

Kevin:
1. Encourage everyone to wear proper riding gear ALL THE TIME.
2. Take rider improvement courses, like the MSF Experienced Rider Course, and read related books (many are available in the MTF virtual library,) …
3. PRACTICE what you learned. Go to a vacant parking lot and practice the things mentioned in the books or during a course many times. No matter how experienced someone is, practice will make them a better and safer rider.

Terry:
1. Tire pressure-monitoring system.
2. Full face or flip front helmets
3. Each rider or passenger making his or her own decision regarding safety gear.

All three points relate back to a crash I experienced in November 2003. The cause of the crash was a rear tire that lost air rapidly at high speed, rendering the bike uncontrollable.

The tire pressure monitoring system would have alerted me that the tire was losing air in time to pull over before the crash. Since installing the system it has in fact done exactly what it was intended to do. It alerted me to a low front tire caused by a cracked valve stem. I was able to safely ride to a repair shop and have the problem fixed. I feel tire pressure is one of the most overlooked issues by riders.

A full face helmet kept my chin from relocating to my ear. Pure and simple. Why some riders choose to wear a beanie or three quarter helmet is beyond me. If you’re going to protect your head, why not protect your face?

All too often I’ve seen passengers (mostly women or kids) who will choose to wear the same protective gear, or lack of, as the driver. I feel that many women passengers take their queues as to what protective gear to wear from the driver (usually male). It’s as if they let the male dictate what protective gear the will wear. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a passenger in full gear riding behind a driver who is wearing a beanie helmet and T-shirt. While at MTF we stress ATGATT, we should also stress individual decisions as to how much protection we will wear.

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