WINTER MOTORCYCLE RIDING TIPS
By Scott O’Sullivan, O’Sullivan
Law Firm
a motorcyclist gets harder. Cars push the sand out to the
sides (which conveniently is also the apex of the corner),
so ride in the cleared troughs that their tires create. Be
especially careful in corners and at stop signs or lights, as
that is where sanding is typically the heaviest.
H
eading out for a winter
motorcycle ride? Great! In
this article, we would like to
share some tips to make you safer
on the road and maybe a better
rider.
Tips for Safe Motorcycle Riding
• Get insurance. The most important thing you need is
insurance. A lot of people turn their motorcycle insurance
off in the winter and then a gorgeous day hits in January
and they get their bike out. This is probably the single most
dangerous thing you can do. If you get in an accident,
everything you own is in jeopardy. Whether you cause
it or not, an accident while riding without insurance
can devastate you financially. So, make sure you have
insurance. If you have any questions at all about the kind
of insurance you need, don’t hesitate to call us.
• Watch the weather. You simply don’t want to head out if
it’s going to rain or snow. Street bikes are literally awful
in snowy conditions. The weather reports should indicate
“zero chance of snow” on the day you plan to head out.
• Know your route. We all know how Colorado weather can
change. If you’re heading out on an “iffy” day, map out your
route so that you aren’t surprised by how long it takes or
whether you might hit delays.
• Don’t push it. Colorado weather is notorious for getting
worse in the afternoon and evenings. Don’t get caught out
because you pushed too far or too long.
• Watch for gravel and sand. In the winter when the
plows drop sand and gravel on the road, and your job as
www.thunderroadscolorado.com
• Watch for ice. It may be a crisp sunny day but if it was below
freezing the night before, you could face black ice. Also, in
freezing conditions all it takes is one numbskull to dump his
Big Gulp on the ground to create an ice patch. I’ve seen a
one-foot swatch of ice drop a bike to the ground in an instant.
Don’t get distracted by the scenery; keep your eyes on the
road.
• Don’t take the lead. If you’re riding in a group, don’t be in
front. You don’t want to be the one to discover the ice. Stay
in back with a lot of stopping distance between you and the
front riders.
Hone Your Riding Skills
One of Eli’s favorite things to do in the winter is riding dirt
bikes! If you love to ride but don’t want to risk the winter roads,
get yourself a dirt bike (they are cheaper this time of year than
they will be next spring) and find a good dirt bike park. You
can ride a dirt bike in all sorts of inclement weather.
Not only are dirt bikes fun, but they are a great way to
improve your riding skills. You will literally fall over and off
your bike dozens of times, and you will learn to navigate
tricky obstacles, which is excellent training for the road. Also,
riding dirt bikes helps you to learn to control your natural panic
reaction in stressful riding situations - and it’s always easier to
keep the bike upright when you’re not freaking out.
Stay safe out there and have fun this winter!
If you have any questions about this article, don’t hesitate to
call me: 303-388-5304 or https://osullivan-law-firm.com/
January 2016
Thunder Roads Magazine® Colorado 9