ESHOG Safety

Riding in the Rain

General Wet Weather Riding Tips:

1. Dress (or pack) for the conditions, with excellent rain gear, gloves, and a helmet. Tuck your gloves under your sleeve cuffs, so the water will not drain into your gloves.

2. Put your rain hood on under your helmet to avoid a stream of water down your back.

3. Anticipate upcoming actions, so you have time to execute smoothly, for example, other vehicle's actions, sudden turns, stoplights, oncoming traffic, and lane changes.

4. Be especially aware of manhole covers, painted lane stripes, crosswalks, lane markers, railroad tracks, and bridge decks.

5. Remember light rain draws oils to the roadway surface and may be more dangerous than a heavy downpour, which tends to wash off the roadway.

6. The time to ensure you have adequate tread depth (greater that 3/16th) and proper inflation is before it starts raining, and before you start your ride. Improperly inflated tires dramatically increase the chance of hydroplaning.

Motorcycle Maneuvering in Wet Weather:

1. Make every action deliberate and slow. Think, "low and slow, and very smooth. Initiate all turns very gradually and slow down prior to the turn or intersection.

2. Downshift smoothly and engage the clutch slower and more deliberate than normal.

3. Avoid abrupt throttle changes, both up and down.

4. Experiment with a higher gear to reduce the thrust applied to the rear wheel.

5. Apply controlled pressure to the brakes so the tires are not loaded or unloaded abruptly. Apply more front braking and feather the rear brake, using gradually increasing pressure.

6. If you start to hydroplane, do not brake or accelerate hard, and keep the front wheel pointed straight ahead.

If you have any questions or concerns regarding motorcycle safety, please let me know. And always keep the shiny side up!

Your Safety Officer - Dan

Important Safety Rules:

I cannot stress how important rider safety and rider training is to today's motorcycle rider. And, as the number of cars and bikes on the public roadway grows, so does the need for riders to train.

Never stop Learning - Don't pass up an opportunity to train, and take advantage of advanced rider training.

Gear Up - Always wear protective motorcycle apparel and a DOT approved helmet.

Ride Sober - Never use alcohol or other drugs when riding.

Ride Within Your Limits - Don't ride faster/longer than your abilities allow.

Motorcycle Safety & Training Links

The Motorcycle Safety Foundation(SM) is a national, not-for-profit organization promoting the safety of motorcyclists with programs in rider training, operator licensing and public information. The MSF also offers educational materials that provide important safety information on their website.

Harley Davidson offers the Rider’s Edge (New Rider, Skilled Rider, and Group Riding) Courses. For more information about this motorcycle riding safety program contact your local HD Dealership and ask about the Rider’s Edge Program.

For those who want to stretch their riding ability I suggest you check out the Northwest Motorcycle School. Police motorcycle operators who teach the first week of police motorcycle operation to civilians run this MC Safety Program. There is a lot of slow cone work, emergency braking and stopping, and evasive maneuvering. You can check out their website at:

The mission of the Evergreen Safety Council reads in part, "To prevent accidental deaths and injuries by being a resource for information and safety training through citizens and businesses of Washington State... on the highway, at home, in the community and at play"

If your looking for specific information about Washington State Motorcycle Safety and Licensing requirements check out the WA Department of Licensing Motorcycles web page.

Universal M/C Hand Signal Chart

If you're uncertain what hand signals to use while motoring in a group, or you just want to make sure you're solid with your hand signals check out this web page on hand signals

Washington State Motorcycle Laws

DOT helmet laws http://www.wsp.wa.gov/traveler/docs/equipmt/helmet.pdf