Pre-ride checklist
On a daily basis these are suggested steps before you ride.

The Motorocycle Safety Foundation (MSF) methodology for inspection is T-CLOCK. Tires, Controls, Lights, and Electrics, Oils, and Fluids, Chassis and Chain and Kickstand. Nine good inspection points include:

1. Tire(s) condition and pressure
2. Brakes condition and fluid levels
3. Suspension adjustment(s) - air pressure, or whatever
4. Cable(s) conditions, insluding clutch, etc.
5. Oil, primary case, transmission, etc... ALL fluid levels
6. Headlights and other lights - have spare bulbs/fuses, etc.
7. Windshield cleanliness/translucidity
8. Operation of ALL controls
9. Loading of bike and positioning of such load.


How to plan trips
Motorcycle Safety Foundation Top 10
Elisabeth Piper, Director of Corporate Affairs for the Motorcycle Safety Foundation, has established her top 10 list as a guideline for trip taking:

1. Plan your route, mark it on the map.
2. Let a friend know your route and expected arrival times at planned locations.
3. Know the traffic and safety laws of any state you are riding in.
4. Call ahead for any road construction areas etc. on your planned route. Make hotel reservations in advance.
5. Check the weather report for the days of your trip.
6. Pack an emergency first-aid kit, a cell phone, etc. Remember the load triangle rule when packing materials on a motorocycle.
7. Pre-ride check of motorcycle - TCLOCK (of course, this is predicated on the idea that the owner has been taking care of the motorcycle all along. A simple pre-ride check isn't the time to find out you need new tires, or your brake lines are fraying.
8. Appropriate protective riding gear (helmet, eye protection, jacket, long pants, full-fingered gloves, and sturdy over the ankle boots).
9. Also pack rain gear, extra layers for warmth if needed and clear face-shields for nighttime riding.
10. Most importantly, rider condition (level of fitness for a long ride, a good nights sleep prior to and during the ride, do not ride while impaired by alcohol, prescriptions drugs, over-the-counter medication or illegal drugs.)


Did you know?
Night Riding
From the Motorcycle Safety Foundation
Quite often you'll have to ride at night. After all, it is dark 50 percent of the time.

Dusk is really the worst time, when people's eyes are adjusting from daylight to headlights. Be especially careful just after sunset.

Usually it is advisable to slow down a little when riding at night, especially on nay sort of winding road.

Use your own headlight and those of other traffic to keep an eye on the road surface. It is more difficult at night to see the patch of sand or something that fell out of a pickup. The distance between you and the vehicle in front becomes even more important at night. Give yourself room to react.

Wear a clear faceshiled without scratches. A scratched shield can create light refractions that might confuse you; two headlights can look like four and you don't know who is coming from where. One of your biggest hazards at night may be a "who" coming from a few hours of drinking. Be especially alert for drivers and vehicles doing odd things, like weaving in and out of traffic, and give them lots of room.


Steel Bridged Gratings and Rain Grooves
From the Motorcycle Safety Foundation

Steel-mesh bridges can be externally unnerving, (like the Wilson Bridge). Keep an even throttle and keep the bike straight. Don't grip the handlebars too hard. If there is a vibration in the handlebars, do not fight it. This is a natural feedback from your timers going over these thousands of little squares.

Some parts of the country have rain grooves in the highway. They're not very popular among motorcyclist. This is when the road surface, usually concrete, has several dozen grooves running lengthwise down each lane. The purpose of the grove