Dr. Ray's Tip of the Day Archive:

For a group ride, arrive ready with plenty of gasoline and check with the group leader for details about the ride.

Published: May/22/2013 Wednesday

Parking lots and narrow lanes can limit your space. Practice turning at low speeds and use a lot of handlebar turn.

Published: May/21/2013 Tuesday

Even a positive emotion can distract you. Any emotion that keeps you from fully using your safety strategy will increase risk.

Published: May/20/2013 Monday

When carrying cargo, consider weight, location, and security. Do not exceed the motorcycle’s load limit. Do not overload your bags.

Published: May/19/2013 Sunday

"Risk offset" refers to your skill and your risk. Negative risk offset is when risk exceeds skill. You want plenty of positive risk offset.

Published: May/18/2013 Saturday

Use a good set of earplugs to prevent permanent hearing loss.

Published: May/17/2013 Friday

When braking hard move body weight rearward to keep the back of the bike down. A tire will hum & sing as it nears lock-up, so listen.

Published: May/16/2013 Thursday

Always be searching. This means to scan near-and-far and side-to-side. It includes continually checking mirrors, blind spots and instruments

Published: May/15/2013 Wednesday

A pre-ride inspection includes checking the coolant level, reservoir and/or coolant recovery tank, only when cool. http://bit.ly/TCLOCS

Published: May/14/2013 Tuesday

While having good physical skill is important, safe riding is more about your eyes and mind rather than about your hands and feet.

Published: May/13/2013 Monday

Remember, your convex mirrors make objects look farther away than they really are. Use a head check to see what may be in your blind spot.

Published: May/12/2013 Sunday

Have 360-degree awareness. Constantly look for factors in front of you, behind, to the left and to the right.

Published: May/11/2013 Saturday

When riding in rain, use tire tracks left by cars to help prevent hydroplaning (occurs when water builds up under the tire contact patch).

Published: May/10/2013 Friday

When approaching a curve, look for curve warning signs. Are there speed advisory signs? Is other traffic around?

Published: May/09/2013 Thursday

If a tire fails while riding, hold handgrips firmly without fighting steering. Avoid shifting/braking until your speed is under control.

Published: May/08/2013 Wednesday

Check over your shoulder whenever you change lanes, pass a vehicle, pull out into traffic or make any lateral maneuvers.

Published: May/07/2013 Tuesday

Before you ride, consider the condition of your riding gear, your bike, and your mental readiness.

Published: May/06/2013 Monday

Always know what speed you and your bike can handle and adjust that speed with your controls. http://dld.bz/dsGR

Published: May/05/2013 Sunday

At intersections, others may not see you or yield the right of way, especially when they are turning left across your path of travel.

Published: May/04/2013 Saturday

On two-lane roads with oncoming traffic, use the right third of the lane to avoid windblast from large, oncoming vehicles.

Published: May/03/2013 Friday

When stopped at an intersection, remain in first gear and have an escape path.

Published: May/02/2013 Thursday

In the unlikely event you have a tire blowout, ease off the throttle & slow gradually. P.44 http://bit.ly/MSFTIPS

Published: May/01/2013 Wednesday

Think about the close calls you’ve had in a car. What would have been different had you been riding?

Published: Apr/30/2013 Tuesday

When considering potential left or right escape paths, remember that you may not need an entire lane to escape a problem.

Published: Apr/29/2013 Monday

Good search-and-evaluate techniques can prevent swerves. If you must swerve, be sure you are ready with a good escape path.

Published: Apr/28/2013 Sunday

When riding in a group, single-file formation is best for curves.

Published: Apr/27/2013 Saturday

Passengers add weight and affect handling. Adjust suspension & tire pressure per your owner’s manual. P.49 http://bit.ly/MSFTIPS

Published: Apr/26/2013 Friday

Your safety margin is gone if you do not see a problem, do not evaluate it as a threat, or do not have the skill to execute a proper action.

Published: Apr/25/2013 Thursday

Keep a space cushion all around you, especially to the front. You want time and space to respond before an emergency reaction is needed.

Published: Apr/24/2013 Wednesday

FINE-C Neutral - Shift into neutral & make sure light is green. Roll forward & back w/ clutch lever released - double-check your bike.

Published: Apr/23/2013 Tuesday