There is a cruel irony in me writing this article as I sit in bed with four broken ribs, a fractured spine, and a laceration across my spleen. I have been riding my motorcycle for a little over a year now and have generally been very careful. I have constantly been an advocate for motorcycle safety and take it very seriously. I have always understood that riding a motorcycle is inherently dangerous and made sure to be prepared for both the ride and the fall. Despite taking as many precautions as I can, I still am prone to make mistakes. I have recently crashed my motorcycle and injured myself, but thanks to my safety precautions I will live to ride another day... after I fix my bike. In the following articles I will tell you a bit about myself, my riding experience, and my safety tips to keep you safe on two wheels. If you don't ride then I will give useful information to tell your friends that do ride and to keep you alert of motorcyclists on the road.
Last summer (2022) I asked my grandfather a simple question. "Do you still have that old bike sitting around in your garage?" He told me he did and asked why I wanted to know. I almost half-jokingly said "You should give it to me." Slightly unexpectedly he told me that if I would actually ride it then he would consider giving it to me. I was of course excited and said I would ride it. He made me promise to go get lessons and show him that I was serious about it. After learning to ride and buying gear, him and I began to fix up his old bike together. Once we got it running, it was my bike. We continued doing maintenance on it throughout the last year and it had become one of my most prized posessions. My 1985 Honda Magna (VF700c). As long as the weather permits, I have been riding that motorcycle everywhere I can. Sometimes I've even ridden through the cold and rain. Over this past year, that motorcycle has become a big part of my life.
My grandfather gave me an open-face helmet and leather jacket with his bike. I wanted a full-face helmet so I bought a much nicer and expensive helmet with bluetooth built in. I got some tough jeans, boots, and gloves. In my entire time riding, I have never ridden without gear. After my first pair of gloves ripped, I bought some fingerless gloves. My fingertips are the only skin on my body that is showing when on my motorcycle. All of these factors are extremely helpful and can save your life, however they do not make you invincible as I have learned the hard way. Your bones can still be broken and your clothes can be torn through. Being fully geared is extremely important, however, you also need to be aware of your surroundings and be properly trained to ride a motorcycle. On the following pages I will stress the importance of proper safety training and gear, as well as giving you some information on various gear and options.