Your chances of getting to where you want to go, all in one piece, are affected by things done before starting out. A safe rider wears a helmet and also makes it a point to:

• Wear the proper clothing.
  
• Use eye and face protection.
  
• Check the motorcycle's equipment.
  
• Test the motorcycle's operation.

THE HELMET

All motorcycle riders and passengers, regardless of age, are now required to wear a helmet when operating a motorcycle, motor-driven cycle, or motorized bicycle on a public street, highway, or freeway. Studies show that, with few exceptions, head and neck injuries are reduced by the proper wearing of a helmet that meets Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) #218. Helmets must be labeled to state they meet the requirements of FMVSS #218 (49 CFR §571.218). The label constitutes the manufacturer's certification that the helmet conforms to the applicable federal motor vehicle safety standards (VC §27802). A helmet should:

• Fit snugly all the way around.
  
• Have a strong helmet strap with two rings to fasten it. Snap fasteners can unsnap in an impact.
  
• Be a bright color such as red, white, yellow, or orange.
  
• Be made of a reflective material or have reflective tape on the back and sides.
  
• Be free of defects such as cracks, loose padding, frayed straps, or exposed metal.

Whatever helmet you decide on, keep it securely fastened. Studies of motorcycle crashes show that a loose helmet is only slightly better than not wearing a helmet at all.

CLOTHING

Clothing can help protect you against injury in case of a fall.

Jacket and pants should cover your arms and legs completely. Wear a jacket even in warm weather you can get a jacket that is designed to keep you cool. Leather offers the most protection, but heavy denim usually does an adequate job at a reasonable price. Vinyl and other sturdy synthetic materials also can give you a lot of protection. Your clothes should fit snugly enough to keep from flapping, and yet let you move freely. Be careful of pant cuffs that can catch on exposed parts of the motorcycle.

Boots or shoes should be sturdy, and high enough to protect the ankles. Soles should be made of hard, durable materials. Heels should be short so they do not catch on rough road surfaces. Do not wear shoes with rings or laces that may catch on the controls.

Gloves are also important. They protect your hands and give you a better hold on the handgrips and controls. Your gloves should be made of leather or heavy cloth. Some gloves are made to keep wind or rain from going up your sleeves.

In cold or wet weather, your clothes should keep you warm and dry as well as protect you against injury. You can't control a motorcycle if you are numb with cold. Riding for long periods in cold weather can cause severe chill and fatigue. A winter jacket should resist wind and fit snugly at the neck, wrists, and waist. Rain suits should be of good quality and designed for riding. Those that are not designed for motorcycle use may tear apart or balloon up at high speeds.

EYE AND FACE PROTECTION

Your eyes need protection from wind, dust, dirt, rain, insects, and the small pebbles and debris thrown up from vehicles ahead of you. A plastic face shield is best because it protects your whole face. However, if your motorcycle has a windshield, a set of goggles will be OK.

Eyeglasses are not made to protect riders. They might blow off when your head is turned. If you wear glasses, also use a face shield.

To be effective, eye or face protection must:

• Be free of scratches.
  
• Be made of material that does not shatter.
  
• Give a clear view to either side.
  
• Fasten securely so that it cannot be blown off.
  
• Allow air to pass through so it won't fog.
  
• Allow enough room for eyeglasses or sunglasses, if needed.

Tinted eye protection should not be worn at night or any other time when there is little available light.

CHECK THE MOTORCYCLE

A motorcycle needs more frequent attention than a car. If there is anything wrong with the motorcycle, the time to find out about it is before you are in the middle of traffic. Here are the things you should check before every ride.

Controls

Make sure your controls are in working order before you start out.

• Brakes– try the front and rear brakes one at a time. Make sure each one holds the motorcycle when it is fully applied.
• Clutch and throttle– make sure the controls work smoothly. The throttle should snap back when you let go.
• Cables– check the cables for kinks or broken strands. If a cable breaks while you are riding you may have an accident.

Tires

Since you only have two tires, keep them in good condition. Check for:

• Inflation– the motorcycle will not handle properly if the air pressure is too low or too high. Check the owner's manual for the correct tire pressure.
  
• Tread– worn or uneven tread can make the motorcycle hard to handle, particularly on wet pavement.
  
• Damage– check for cuts, or nails stuck in the tread. Also, the sidewalls should be checked for cracks. A blowout on a motorcycle can be extremely dangerous.

Lights

Don't trust that your lights will work. Keep them clean and check them regularly.

• Turn signals– check all turn signal lights. Make sure they flash when they are turned on and are bright enough to be seen.
• Headlight– check your headlight before every ride. In daytime, pass your hand in front of the beam to make sure the headlight is really on. At night, try your dimmer to make sure both high and low beams are working.
• Tail and brake light– try each of your brake controls and make sure that each one flashes your brake lights.

Horn

Try the horn. The time to find out it doesn't work is long before someone fails to see you.

Chain

Make sure the drive chain is properly adjusted andlubricated. When your weight is on the cycle, the chain shouldn't sag more than about 3/4 inch.

Mirrors

Clean and adjust both your mirrors before you start. It is difficult and dangerous to ride with one hand while you try to adjust a mirror.

Swing your mirrors outward far enough to see around your own body. Adjust each mirror so that it lets you see about half of the lane behind you and as much as possible of the lane next to you.

Gas and oil

Check gas and oil levels before you start. Running out of gas can be dangerous if it happens where you can't get off the road quickly.

Lack of oil can cause your engine to "seize," which could lock your rear wheel and cause you to lose control.

Make sure you are completely familiar with the motorcycle before riding it on the street. If it is a borrowed cycle, check it carefully.

• Make all the checks you would on your own cycle.
  
• Find out where everything is, particularly the turn signals, horn, headlight switch, fuel control valve, and motor cut-off switch. Make sure you can find and operate them without having to look at them.
• Check the controls. Know the gear pattern. Work the throttle, clutch, and brakes a few times before you take off. All controls react a little differently.
  
• Ride very cautiously until you are used to the way the motorcycle handles. Take turns slowly and give your self extra stopping distance.

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