101 Critical Days of Summer: Motorcycle riding class required before taking to streets

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Michael Fellows
  • 341st Operations Support Squadron
MALMSTROM AIR FORCE BASE, Mont. --  Riding a motorcycle is a great way to get out and experience the fun and thrill of the open road. When proper safety precautions are taken, there is nothing else like it. With many different styles of motorcycles available, there is sure to be one out there for every age, experience level and preference. 

Before you ride a motorcycle, you need to take the basic motorcycle riders course to obtain you motorcycle riders certification. To sign up, see your unit safety representative. Classes are offered free on base each weekend through the State of Montana. 

Before you take to the road, or even start up your bike, there are a few things to check. By completing a few quick pre-departure checks, you ensure your time on your motorcycle will be enjoyable. First, check all of your fluid levels including brake fluid, engine oil, transmission fluid and engine coolant. Second, you need to make sure all of your lights and signals are working properly. This is made easier when you have your riding partner handy. If one or more of your lights are not working, make sure they are replaced before you ride. 

Now that you know your motorcycle is working properly, it is time to suit up. No T-shirts and sandals here. You may think that looks cool, but save it for the beach. People who ride in this type of clothing are just asking for preventable injuries. Proper attire is a MUST for a safe, enjoyable riding experience. Sturdy boots with ankle support is a good starting point. Follow that with a pair of thick denim jeans or leathers, and a full-length jacket, preferably either padded leather or padded textile jacket made for riding. 

If not brightly-colored and reflective, you must buy a vest that is. Next you are going to need some gloves. Even in the slightest incident that your bike falls with you on it, chances are that your hands and wrists are going to take some punishment. By wearing padded gloves with support for your wrists, you can prevent picking gravel out of your palms for the following week, or worse, a fractured wrist. The most important piece of safety equipment while riding is a helmet. Even though Montana has no helmet law, Air Force members are required to wear a DOT/SNELL-approved helmet while operating a motorcycle on or off base and on or off duty. Proper fit of your helmet is essential. 

If it is too tight, it is going to be very uncomfortable, and if too loose, it will not provide the protection you need. Just wearing your helmet is not enough. Make sure the chin strap is properly fastened and you have good visibility. 

Riding a motorcycle is more dangerous than driving a car. Because of this, it is essential to be on your guard 100 percent of the time and know where all the potential hazards are every second you are riding. Some hazards include gravel on the roads, potholes, other vehicles, wet road surfaces, pedestrians and animals. Riding in the spring, when the weather starts improving, is one of the most hazardous times to operate a motorcycle. 

The state of Montana uses gravel and sand on the roads when it snows. Even after all the snow is gone, and the roads are dry, the gravel will still be present on the road surface. Take your time going around corners, as your motorcycle will slide out if you are leaning too far. The weather in "The Big Sky" makes Swiss cheese out of the roads. 

Constant heating and cooling of the road surfaces creates large potholes. If hit by a motorcycle, cthey an cause severe damage to the bike, as well as injuries to the rider. The biggest threats to motorcycles are the cars and trucks they share the road with. 

Often it is not the rider who is at fault in an accident, but a car driver who was not watching. While riding, stay out of cars' blind spots. Anywhere you cannot see the other driver, it is safe to say you are in their blind spot. If you need to pass a vehicle, check around you, signal, and pass quickly and safely as to remain in their blind spot for the shortest amount of time possible. 

Quickly weaving in and out of traffic in an unsafe manner, or driving between lanes (i.e. driving down the center line) is illegal, not to mention hazardous. While not as frequent in town as out of town, animals pose a much greater threat to motorcycles as automobiles. Constantly scan the road, ditches and fields ahead of you for animals. If you see one, slow down quickly because chances are, if you see one, there are more around it. 

When done properly, riding a motorcycle is one of the best ways to travel. The freedom you get from a motorcycle is like nothing else on Earth. Getting your motorcycle certification, conducting proper pre-riding safety checks on your bike, wearing the appropriate safety gear and riding smart can be one of the best experiences you will have. 

Remember to be safe have a great time while riding this summer.