Archive for May 28th, 2009

Motorcycle Safety For Beginners

Thursday, May 28th, 2009

Motorcycle Safety For Beginners
One of the time-tested age-old truths of beginning to ride a motorcycle is that you will tip over It’s very similar to when you first learned to ride a bicycle-you fell more than a few times right? When learning to ride a motorcycle it’s much wiser to start on a smaller, inexpensive bike If you go out and purchase a $20,000 monster for your first bike, you are asking for trouble Simply tipping over in a bike like that could leave you with a repair bill of $1000 or more It is imperative that beginning riders take some time to learn how to handle their bikes . .Some interesting findings in the Hurt Report (a motorcycle accident study) . .1 Two-thirds of single vehicle accidents are due to driver error .2 Riders between the ages of 16 and 24 are significantly more represented in accidents .3 Motorcycles riders involved in accidents are virtually without training-92% were self taught, or learned from family or friends .4 In over half the accidents, the riders had less than 5 months experience on the motorcycle . .It’s easy to get over confident after riding for only a short time Don’t be that rider, pay attention and drive safely Motorcycles can be safe to drive, however the learning process can be dangerous Be aware of your abilities, and be extremely vigilant in watching out for other vehicles Car and truck drivers often have difficulty seeing motorcycles Also pay attention to the weather and road conditions . .Wear proper protective gear while riding-there are all kinds of protection for motorcycle riders-most importantly a good helmet Some states don’t require helmets, but the fact is they are the single most important safety factor for riders . .An excellent way to start your bike riding career is to enroll in a motorcycle safety course The Motorcycle Safety Foundation offers 15 hour courses (2-3 days) all over the country They are supervised by expert riders, and provide a great way for beginners to develop safe riding skills .
Source: www.rsstnx.com

Are Motor Scooters Safe? Yes and No!
Motor scooters, both electric scooters and gas scooters, are a style of motorcycle that have a step through frame and have become a very popular method of travel all over the world. They have been scooting out of show rooms at record speed. But what many people do not realize is that motor scooters are classified as motor vehicles when it comes to highway regulations. And although they are an object of desire for many they can also be dangerous for many. They are typically regulated by state laws as either motorcycles or mopeds and are subject to many of the same regulations as other motor vehicles. With a careful and alert driver a scooter can be as safe as any other vehicle on the road. But accidents frequently occur when motor scooter drivers think they are exempt from the conventions that apply to automobiles. Motor scooters (sometimes called mopeds or go peds) are commonly purchased for use by children and teenagers, most of whom do not even possess a valid license to drive. Licensed drivers have had a certain amount of training behind the wheel of a car, unlike many motor scooter drivers under the age of 16. Without proper training children and young teenagers can easily find themselves in positions that experienced drivers normally would not. Darting in and out of traffic with little driving experience, on a motor scooter that is so small it cannot be seen by other drivers, poses a hazard to both the scooter driver and other motorists traveling the highway. To be safe a motor scooter driver must think of himself as being invisible to the other drivers making their way down the busy streets. A scooter driver cannot assume that other drivers will see them. A safe approach for a scooter driver would be to assume that they are completely invisible to other drivers and then act accordingly. A motor scooter rider must be ready to maneuver out of harm’s if another driver makes a sudden unexpected movement. Being safe means staying alert at all times. Being safe also means following the rules of the road and not making unnecessary or risky moves in traffic that would cause their moped scooter to dart out in front of another moving vehicle. Automobile drivers must have time to react to a scooter driver’s movements. There are many reasons to own a motor scooter. They are often used for traveling short distances around the neighborhood to perform errands. Due to their size, fuel-efficiency, weight, and typically larger storage room than a motorcycle, they are ideal in this situation. But in the hands of the youth, without any previous driving experience, they can be deadly. The ATV, go carts, dirt bikes and mini bikes are other vehicles that are often owned and operated by younger drivers. ATVs are usually used off road along with dirt bikes and mini bikes. Go karts are typically driven on paved tracks specifically made for the go cart. The go kart, mini bike, dirt bike or ATVs don’t usually get out on the open road where there are cars to contend with. Therefore they also avoid many of the dangers that scooter drivers must face. Motor scooters are the latest craze, especially among the youth market looking for a quick, cheap form of transportation. These youths can be too young to own a driver’s license, and the result is a dangerous situation. They are more popular than ever, but as their popularity grows, people’s awareness of driving regulations has not kept pace, especially among the younger generation. Kids often think of motor scooters as toys, not as adult vehicles. But a scooter is not a toy. It’s a potentially dangerous motor vehicle subject to certain laws and regulations. Also, youth often think of themselves as being immune to automobile driving regulations and immune to accidents as well. “It won’t happen to me” is a very common attitude among the youth. But it’s precisely this attitude that can get them into trouble. People need to be aware of the potential motor scooter dangers and take appropriate action. Scooter riders should pay special attention while driving, making sure not to drive erratically, but to be predictable and courteous to other drivers on the road. Both kids and adults need training and experience before attempting to maneuver their scooters out in traffic. If parents will take a little time to train their children, making sure they are aware of the rules of the road before they are allowed to travel on them, it could make driving a pleasure instead of a danger. With a little training and some wise words of advice we can all make a difference in the lives of the youth. Give them some training and experience and their motor scooters may be an object of fun instead of injury.J Larry Alan is an enthusiast of <a href="http://www.my-motorscooters.com">motor scooters</a>. He enjoys driving motorcycles and motor scooters. He also enjoys promoting scooter safety. For more information visit his site about <a href="http://www.my-motorscooters.com">gas motor scooters</a>.
Source: www.ArticlePros.com

Mopeds Can Be a Great Alternative
In the realm of alternative transportation, it is hard to ignore the moped A moped is essentially a bicycle-like with bearing two wheels at the back and one at the front They can either be peddled and therefore powered by human strength or be powered by battery or gas . .Because of safety concerns, most mopeds are restricted to travel only around 50 mph This is because in rough or uneven terrain, mopeds tend to tip over and this has been attributed to many serious injuries and even death This has caused many governments especially in the United States to step in and issue legislation that governs their manufacture, sale and use . .Mopeds have become popular especially in the US This is because they accrue several advantages One is the fact that they can traverse difficult terrain In the case where people are searching for something or somebody who has been reported lost, mopeds are usually used to get into places where travelling by car can be hazardous if not impossible Take for instance in a case of a missing person Mopeds have been known to play a crucial role in the search and retrieval of missing persons . .The cycle is actually an invention of one Derek Davis who thought to improve on the current styles of motor cycles and scooters While his invention was received with mixed reactions and responses, the moped sensation created a significant buzz In the UK, the technology was enhanced to create what we have today as the modern mopeds . .In the US, we see mopeds being used by adults and teens for recreational use At beaches, the beach police uses them to drive through the beach and traverse large stretches of sand This is because in this type of duty, the authorities need a way to move around slowly and also at relatively faster speeds without endangering people The moped become the vehicle of choice for these types of assignments . .The military has also warmed up to mopeds These are now used for military patrols in less dangerous areas especially where the terrain is not conducive to motor vehicles That is why the US military has shipped thousands of mopeds to their troops stationed overseas . .The cycles also have a set of drawbacks One of them is what we mentioned earlier Mopeds, because of their overall design, tend to tip over easily especially if driven by an amateur who has not yet mastered the art of balance Throw in uneven terrain and rocky territory and you have a disaster waiting to happen Since mopeds have also become very popular with teens and the younger generation, they have been associated with numerous injuries and even deaths This can resulted in the Federal Government stepping in to regulate their use and purchase . .Purchasing a moped is easy They can be purchased at any motor cycle dealer In places like the US, there are actually specialized moped dealers who sell nothing else The Internet is also an excellent place to do market research before you make your purchase .
Source: www.rsstnx.com