• Buy the power you need, but only as much as you can handle safely. Large motorcycles are heavy, and you must be strong enough to push it, or pick it up if it falls over. But smaller bikes (e.g., a 125cc machine) may not have the speed, performance and ride you'll need if you plan to travel long distances.
• Consider the primary use of your bike. Don't buy a "trail" bike for highway use. Similarly, don't buy a "highway" bike if most of your riding will be off the road. Some motorcycles are built especially for trail use, with special tires and suspension. Other motorcycles have special characteristics for highway use, such as tires designed to grip pavement, and more powerful braking systems. If you have dual requirements, combination cycles are available that make a compromise between road and trail riding.

The causes of many motorcycle crashes can be attributed to:

• lack of basic riding skills
• failure to appreciate the inherent

  operating characteristics

• failure to appreciate the

  limitations of the motorcycle

• failure to use special

  
  

  precautions while riding

• failure to use defensive

  driving techniques.

• lack of specific braking

  and cornering skills

• failure to follow speed

  limit

Treat other motorists with courtesy and respect. Avoid tailgating. Avoid riding between lanes of slow moving or stopped traffic. Know and obey traffic laws, including ordinances in your community. Avoid excessive noise by leaving the stock muffler in place or using a muffler of equivalent noise reduction. Use signals when appropriate.

Eye Protection:Since many motorcycles don't have windshields, riders must protect their eyes against insects, dirt, rocks or other airborne matter. Even the wind can cause the eyes to tear and blur vision, and good vision is imperative when riding. Choose good quality goggles, glasses with plastic or safety lenses, or a helmet equipped with a face shield. Goggles, glasses, and face shields should be scratch free, shatter proof, and well ventilated to prevent fog buildup. Only clear shields should be used at night since tinted shields reduce contrast and make it more difficult to see. Even if your motorcycle has a windshield, eye protection is recommended.

Jackets and Pants:Clothing worn when riding a motorcycle should provide some measure of protection from abrasion in the event of a spill. These should be of durable material (e.g., special synthetic material or leather). Leather jackets should have long sleeves. Pants (not shorts) should not be baggy or flared at the bottom to prevent entanglement with the chain, kick starter, foot- pegs, or other protrusions on the sides of a motorcycle.

Gloves: Durable gloves are recommended. They should be of the non-slip type to permit a firm grip on the controls. Leather gloves are excellent, as are special fabric gloves with leather palms and grip strips on the fingers. Gauntlet-type gloves keep air out of the rider's sleeves. Appropriate gloves are available for all types of weather.

Footwear: Proper footwear affords protection for the feet, ankles, and lower parts of the legs. Leather boots are best. Durable athletic shoes that cover the ankles are a good second choice. Sandals, sneakers, and similar footwear should not be used since they provide little protection from abrasion or a crushing impact. Avoid dangling laces that can get in the way.

Note: Upper body clothing should be brightly colored. Some riders wear lightweight reflective orange or yellow vests over their jackets. Retro-reflective material used on clothing, motorcycle helmet, and the motorcycle helps to make the rider visible to other motorists, especially at night. A high percentage of car-vehicle crashes occur because the driver of the other vehicle "failed to see the rider in time to avoid the crash."

"For over a decade, motorcycle crashes in Tennessee have increased annually, and in 

recent years the rate of increase has grown. This report shows relevant statistics and 

trends based on factors identified by TDOS as important in motorcycle crashes. 

Motorcycles in this report are defined as any 2- or 3-wheeled motored cycles including 

unknown motored cycle types, and excluding All Terrain Vehicles (ATVs). By focusing 

attention on this issue, it is hoped that the report might facilitate actions that will curb the 

increase in motorcycle crashes in upcoming years. "

“Motorcycling requires continued skill-building and practice to ensure safety on the roadways,” said PennDOT Secretary Allen D. Biehler, P.E. “These courses offer all riders the opportunity to learn or review valuable safety techniques, which may help decrease their chances of becoming involved in otherwise avoidable crashes.”