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I might have told you this story previously: A friend of mine was riding his not quite stock FJR one afternoon and had just turned off I-5 onto Chuckanut Drive - a long straight road. A pale blue pickup pulled up beside him and the driver of the truck pulled out a pistol and started shooting at my friend. He opened the taps and went ahead as fast as the bike would go. A few miles later, still at speed, he passed a state trooper car on the verge. He slowed, pulled off to the verge and stopped. The trooper roared up and parked behind him and got out of the car. "Do you know how fast you were going?" he demanded. "There was a guy in a blue pickup with a gun!" my friend explained. "Where?" asked the trooper. "Just back there a few miles," said my friend, pointing back down the road. The trooper jumped back in their car and did a u turn back up the road at speed. My friend waited, his heart still pounding from the experience. A few minutes later, the trooper came back. "We got him!" they said. "He's been shooting at people for weeks and we could never catch him. But we go him now. And by the way, you were doing 186 mph when you passed me. Have nice day, sir." And they got into their cruiser and left. My friend continued on his way, at a vastly more sedate pace.

Free beer at a motorcycle dealership is unconscionable.

I love your channel. Once again you are spot on. I just want to add a comment about helmets. You're stats are great, but here's my true story why I always wear a helmet. About 15 years ago I was rear-ended by a tractor trailer. I learned to fly that day. I landed on my head and my left knee. The left knee was destroyed and it took 3 years of surgery and PT to walk unassisted. My head however, not even a concussion!!! The helmet was destroyed, all the protective material in the the helmet was compressed, and the shell cracked, but my head was 100% fine. Without a helmet, I would not be typing this right now. Thanks for all your awesome videos!!!

I started riding at the age of 15 in 1971. I grew up in Lake Highlands over by White Rock Lake. I have ridden all of my adult life and still do today. One cannot get away from the fact that motorcycles are inherently dangerous. What's worse is that they are inescapably addictive. I have committed all 4 of the sins you related in this video but that was back in those days when I was bullet proof. Hopefully your words will sink in with that bulletproof crowd today.

I was an anesthesia practitioner for 30 yrs… I cared for about 200 mtc accident patients (riders & passengers)… ALL BUT ONE WERE IMPAIRED… Many died-others were profoundly injured for life… nuff said… I stopped going to poker runs 20yrs ago cuz almost every stop was at a bar or tavern… a couple of yrs ago, our riding club amended our bylaws to forbid alcohol consumption in any form during club riding events… if you drink during a ride you will be asked to leave the ride & go home on your own…

Riding at night when there is no need for it is also not a good idea. At night you cannot see things (soon enuf) that could cause a problem such as: wandering deer, potholes, older cars with no lights on at dusk, and many other potential hazards. Your channel has likely saved some lives. Good job!!!

When I working the flight deck in the Navy, we had a saying " keep your head on a swivel " , I use that same mindset when riding always have always will.

Agree with you on ALL points. Well said. To point out the outlandish practice of providing free beer at dealerships, a Harley dealer here in the dfw area regularly has a law firm that specializes in representing bikers injured or killed in crashes sponsor those “happy hours,” giving beer away from under a pop-up with the law firm’s name on it. If I was opposing counsel in a case involving a crash with an impaired rider, I’d be showing some pictures to the jury.

Rider 50 years +. And I will never understand how I was always the guy with the helmet on while my buddies whipped off their helmet at the 1st chance. Maybe because a simple helmet saved my life at 17 years old when I collided with a bucket loader in a construction zone.

Good advice. I'd like to add a detail about helmets most would not consider, but could be a absolutely life-changing. In 1981, I was involved in a riding accident caused by a pick-up truck. I was wearing a helmet, which broke out the passenger side window upon impact. A multiple compound fractured femur was the worst of many injuries. After stabilizing me, the ER doc sent me to a CT scan for my head, but following that...and the fact that I showed only a few cuts to my neck...an orthopedic specialist took over and reassembled my leg, knee and ankle. So what? Well, I was told later by my orthopod that if I had suffered serious head injury, all attention would have gone toward my brain, eyes, nose, etc. and my mangled leg would have been sacrificed in the attempt to save my life. The leg would have been amputated above my right knee, closer to my hip. That was 42+ years ago and while my right leg aches occasionally, it is still attached. I ran and played with my own children and now my grandchildren. I still ride track days (in full gear). Conclusion: That Bell Star helmet saved my life and my leg.

Good advice. On the stopping distance subject, also, always have an escape route. When the driver in front of you stops abruptly, never stop behind them, you will get sandwiched. Stop beside them.

Great video! Been riding since I was 16, now I'm 70 and still racking the miles up. Unfortunately you can't teach experience, but can only pass your knowledge on. I ride as if everyone else on the road is out to kill me. So far it's working well!

Brother, again I say THANK YOU and God bless you for the safety reminders. I've been on a motorcycle since I've been 4 years of age; the back of my grandfather's BMW "Battleship". Your safety reminders are certainly appreciated by many of us older-experienced riders because to many of us, they are invaluable safety briefings. Again, thank you and God bless you for caring.

I've only been riding a month (UK), still a learner and will be forever, full gear, no intention of ever riding on beer, cautious cruiser. Watching many of your videos and those of others and applying advice in my continuing self-training, I've found myself more than a little concerned with inconsiderate car drivers who get up my back end sounding their horns when all I've done is slow down a little in windy and rainy conditions. Thank you for your content, dude. You really make a difference.

Never ride if you are running late, just had a fight with your wife, have a headache, feeling unwell and so on. Basically anything that would alter your concentration or tempt you to take risks you might not take otherwise. It's the am I OK test. Many times I planned to ride and failed the am I OK test so I took the car instead.

I used to know a guy who used to ride like a madman, wheelies in front of od speed cameras and the like, but ATGATT. One day he decided to just hop on the motorbike for a quick trip to the store, maybe a couple of miles away, wearing only a helmet. That's when he got cut off by a van. It was his first serious accident, and judging by the photos of the side of the van, that helmet saved his life.

My full face helmet SAVED my life in 1981 my helmet was a wreck but I was fine. Thank you Bell helmets

Spot on with all of this! Especially with riding and drinking. The most dangerous thing a rider can do! I’m a Harley rider but never have been to a dealership and had a beer. They were available but I refuse to.

I totally agree with all 4 points. I ride soft myself and find no problem with that. I enjoy life and want to keep on doing the same, for me and others.

Some other things in our control: visibility. Drivers don’t see you. I added yellow auxiliary lights with wide dispersion beam so that riders see me during daylight hours. Will be adding an extra bright brake light, and I also bought a helmet mounted brake light that lights up if I just roll off the throttle. Most people spend money on pipes right away… I feel safety lighting is right up there behind full gear. Then be reasonable, make space, and try to pick out the drivers acting abnormally, or most likely to violate your right of way. That can go a long way towards reducing the risks of riding

Really important points for any rider who wants to mitigate the statistical risks of riding a scooter or motorcycle. I had to chuckle about the woman laughing at the scooter rider wearing all the gear. I've encountered similar things. I always tell people that the road doesn't care what I've been thrown from...

In NZ one of the first statistics you get taught on your first ride course, is that a whopping 40+% of riders land on their chin in an accident... full face helmets are worth it

Good video. I agree with what you said, but here is the list of risk factors that I go by, based on statistics: 1. Wear a helmet (you covered that well), 2. Ride sober (you covered that well), 3.) Don't speed (you covered that well), 4.) You listed safe riding distance here, and I don't disagree, but riding without a license is on my list (and lots of riders don't have a license and have never taken a course). 5.) Avoid riding at night (you mentioned this one under your #2, ride sober). Statistically, riding at night is the BIGGEST risk factor on the whole list. I have ridden at night several times, usually when I'm out in the hill country having fun and lose track of time, but I try to avoid it. The numbers don't lie. P.S. - you are right about Yammie Noob.

Been riding for 20 years now rain or shine all year around. My advice is... keep all moving vehicles and static objects as far away from you as possible. If it's not around you near you you can't run into it. The distance between you and other cars while you're in a car... if you can, expand that 5x.. or more. And all that st00p1dsh1t you see other motorcyclists doing on KZfaq... stuff like lane splitting, popping wheelies, driving really fast on the interstate... don't do it. Pain hurts and injuries can be lifelong.

I'm 59 and have been riding since an early teen. Always wore a helmet had a few tumbles banged my head on the tarmac, and the helmet stopped me from going to an emergency room. Another important safety practice is making sure your headlight is on. I knew 2 friends who were killed by left-hand cars turning into them . They were both on 1974 nortons, and the weak headlight had to be switched on by the rider. They didn't do that. It might have cost their lives? I know modern bikes have daytime running lights. I like to have my headlight on.

You are awesome. Glad you are on here not just for new, but all riders.

The dealership drinking events problem just exacerbates the cultural inclusion of alcohol at motorcycle events. Dealerships could easily replace free beer with t-shirt giveaways and prizes like free services. The cost might even be a little less. The Texas Motorcycle Safety Coalition (TMSC) is working toward getting more dealerships involved in their efforts. I hope that helps. Thanks for the great content Kevin.

I ride a Harley and I totally agree with you about the alcohol, they do the same at Harley dealers here,crazy! I don't drink but if I did I wouldn't take a chance of an accident not to mention I paid alot for my bike and I don't want to tear it up!

Thanks for the frank discussion about safety. A topic most riders are scared to talk about in fear of either offending other riders or being ridiculed by those riders. It’s one thing if a rider wants to spend months in a burn unit getting countless surgeries, but it’s unconscionable for riders to put passengers in short-shorts, a halter top, sandles and a half helmet on the back of their bike. Here in Vegas, that’s a common sight in the summer and it just chaps my behind…. Without going down.

I get some Harley motorcycle riders who ride next to me and they're like, "stay safe" and I'm wearing a DOT approved helmet and they're wearing a baseball cap as their helmet. RIDICULOUS!!!!!!

I don't always agree with all of your opinions, but I agree 100% with what you've said in this video. I live in a state where helmets are optional and most of those who don't wear helmets are older and riding cruisers. I won't even ride half a block down the street without helmet, gloves, and jacket at a minimum. I wear more gear if I'm going more than a few miles. I know what a difference it can make and you never know ahead of time when you'll get tossed off of your bike. I happen to have over 20 years of crash-free riding and hope for at least another 20 more. But I dress to best survive the crash anyway.

Well said! Keep it coming!

Been riding for over 50 years; at 71 I’m still riding long and hard. Well, most of me anyway. I’d add that another mistake we make is engaging more with videos and magazines that focus on the shiny stuff rather than digest information about riding skillfully and safe. Me? I’m still learning after all these years.

Excellent video and reminder, thanks Kevin!

Excellent advice, thank you.

Good video. Thanks for posting it.

Right on point!

Good thoughts. Keep up the good work !

Excellent video, Thank You

I always enjoy your thoughts and wisdom, thanks.

Great counsel sir! Thank you.

1 I wear a helmet 2 always wear boots,kevs with knee and hip pads,a vest in very hot weather,a full leather jacket with elbow etc armor all other times 3 I don't drink at all 4 always practice slow moves even after 50 plus years of riding 5 study traffic always observing what is happening 8 to 10 cars ahead, being prepared for the idiots and riding defensively Rubber down, eyes up,stay alert,MLLH & R 6 always help other riders in need Always keep up to date with road rules

Great info, Kevin. I agree with you, thank you for all you do.

Excellent points that needed to be addressed. Enjoy your videos. Thanks for all you do.

Great information! I agree with all your ideas. Thank you~

Great advice

Clear and good advice ❤

I really appreciate your lessons.

Well said Sir. thanks for the post.

Truth! Thank you for the reminder to do better. Appreciate you and your approach.

Thank you brother, great video. God bless.

Well said Sir. Love your videos.

Great info.

Simple yet poignant reminders. Being mindful of the points mentioned would cut a significant minority of accidents I am willing to bet. My personal lesson came due to your last point; maintaining your distance. I would ride up on leading vehicles because of superior visibility on a motorbike, but I once failed to see a rock that the 4-wheeled vehicle passed straight over. I hit it at speed, miraculously however I managed to maintain control and not come off. Learnt my lesson sharpish after that.

Very good video. I appreciate your advice.

Love your videos, you are probably saving lives with the advice you give.

Absolutely right! I enjey your videos. You have taught me many things I didn't know before in you other sessions. Greeting from Germany

Well said Kevin. Thank you sir.

I’m a fan of your channel and a fan of your messages. Keep up the great work and content.

Great video Kevin. I totally agree with you.

Solid information Kevin. Hope some riders change their way of thinking.

I'm in complete agreement with your views. Thank you for voicing them. Excellent submission.

I just came across your video and it’s completely on point. Thanks for putting meaningful content. I hope atleast a few folks will do what you have suggested. The points you suggested are life savers

As usual, great video Kevin!😎🏍️

Thank you sir for caring enough to share & advise. Ride Safe, Peace !

Yes sir. Very informative information. Thanks for today's sharing

Preach it Kevin! Thanks!

I think one great thing under our control is choosing to learn properly from a school rather than going through the self-taught path of KZfaq videos.

Thank you boss for the lessons!! I started riding motocycles around 7 years ago and I watched your videos since that time and I've learned a lot.

Great heads-up MC, I have been taking some liberties down-under in the great aussie heat but will pull my head back in after watching this timely reminder, kind regards to all...

You are the best! Great post! I agree with everything you mentioned. Gear, don't drink and ride, following too close and speed ... common sense. Thanks!

Thks!

Really helpful video - carefully considered comments very well presented. Will share.

Thanks for the continued great advices, helping disseminate a sense of accountability and keeping it real.

Great advice - somebody has to say it - well done, much appreciated 👍👍👍

Thanks !!!

Excellent points. Agree 100%.

All good advice!

I went down last year after hitting a couch that fell from a truck. My helmet looked like it was cut diagonally with an axe. I didn’t even get a headache. No head injury what so ever. All scrapes and broken left hand. I was going 70 on an interstate in Houston. I don’t even go to the gas station next to my house without it.

You nailed it on all four Kevin. Couldn’t agree more. Great content

Thanks boss.

So true, thanks 🤔

100% spot on!

Very succinct. Nice job.

Love the channel. I agree with you on all points, especially speeding. Too many times I’ll be riding and a group of riders will pass me going sometimes as much as double the speed limit. I’ve seen some very close calls when these riders will be weaving in and out of traffic.

Right on McRider! Especially the under-the-influence comments and speeding. They directly affect the safety of others.

Thank you MCrider for all you do!! I’m now at 60 yrs of riding……agree with all points. Maintaining constant alertness (360 degrees) and going thru “what if” situations in dangerous conditions has kept me alive as well. Practicing emergency maneuvering and braking regularly has helped greatly. The speed going around blind curves should never exceed that in which you cannot avoid an obstacle . Love your channel !

Thank You So Much. Also knowing when weather conditions are not optimal

Great video

I've been watching your channel for years; ever since I started riding. I always find solid information and advice and this video is SPOT ON PERFECT. I recently stopped riding with a group of really good guys simply because they rode too fast and performed unsafe passing on the 2 lane. I have lots of miles left before I hang up this sport and being safe is the only way I'll get there.

Thanks Kevin!

words of wisdom, thank you. Distance is such an important factor, it gives you time to react, choices to .............stay alive!

Kevin, I agree with all your points, the only one that I need to improve is following distance.

Yes, yes, yes, and yes... I have done and still sometimes do break all four of these rules. I need to be more mindful and try to do better. I have a good life and want to keep living it. Thanks for the heads up...

Good video! In order to get a MC license back in the late 80s the state I lived in required taking an MSF class. The riding portion was elementary for me as I'd been riding and racing dirt bikes since the mid 70s (and still do on a 300 XC) but the classroom portion of that MSF course was illuminating and helpful, I carry that knowledge with me to this day when I ride. Trail riding and racing dirt bikes has definitely saved my bacon on pavement a few times. Riding at a decent level while off road involves constant scanning of the terrain and dealing with obstacles. The scanning part is good to do on the street where it is mostly for threat assessment. Any time the environment is potentially threatening, like intersections in a busy area, two fingers go on the front brake lever. That technique saved me from a left turning Caddy during the 90s. Dirt bikes also move around a lot and traction is variable. It is good to have experienced a sliding rear or better yet front end a thousand times on a dirt bike before ever experiencing it on pavement. I recall a big front end slide that was during a track day while taking a sweeping right turn at 90. The front end greasily went away, stayed loose and gently added more throttle to transfer load to the rear tire and waited. Will never forget that, it was one of those "slow motion" deals that anyone who has been in deep sh%t on a motorcycle can relate to. The front end finally did regain traction as I was about the leave the track and a tumble through the dirt and a wrecked bike were avoided. Crazy thing was I don't even think my pulse went up. Odd as it sounds the mindset was "I've done all I can" and I was at peace with it. I did pull off the track after that as my tires were fried. It was 105F that day, I may have been experienced in dirt and street riding, but had a lot to learn about hot weather track riding. Away from the awesome controlled and mostly predictable environment of the track and back on the jungle that is the street, we can't predict everything but a lot of "unpredictable" things are actually quite predictable if we assume we are invisible. To be brutally honest, I drive my big full size pickup a lot differently than I ride my bike. Not aggressive or anything in my truck, but I don't worry much about being near other vehicles for periods of time, while on the bike I strive to create buffer zones from other traffic, and never linger around semis (even in my truck) or in blind spots. If someone hits my truck it would suck, but I'm probably not gonna die, and their transgression will hopefully be captured on the dashcam and dealt with by insurance. Speaking of cameras, I do run an ancient GoPro Hero3 mounted to the NAV bar of my ADV bike with a powered USB cable and set to loop mode. Might as well! One final thought, I do think that some people need to be honest with themselves and simply shouldn't ride. One either has aptitude for riding or they don't. I've met people who are good athletes but have no feel for the bike at all and worse yet panic and "freeze up" easily when suddenly confronted with issues while riding. That death grip on the bars frozen to inaction trait when confronted with something "scary" will eventually get a rider killed on the street. When riding bikes, the promptly executed less than optimal response is almost always 100x better than no response. Lots of dirt riding can help fry the senses into being relaxed and smoothly decisive in times of stress, but some guys I've met are simply not wired to be good proficient riders no matter what they do. They aren't bad people, they simply aren't suited to riding motorcycles any more than I'm suited to playing in the NFL 😆

Thanks for this post and for your channel in general. I was hoping you would include the #4 leave plenty of distance in front in your list and I was not disappointed. Thanks.

I'm glad these were all common sense topics for myself. Getting a bike within the next year, Thanks for the video.

Outstanding Kevin! All 4 are fundamental safety considerations every responsible motorcyclist should adhere to. I got my endorsement in 1991 at 30 years old and made a promise to myself to never, I mean never, drink & ride. Not even 1 beer. I subscribe to your idea that there's plenty of time at the end of the day, once the riding day is over and the bike put away for the night, that if you want a beer or cocktail, then fine. If you overdo it, don't ride the next day. Riding hungover is riding under the influence. Thank you for having the gonads to call all these things out. My mantra has always been from day 1 back in 1991 that "riding a motorcycle is the ultimate test in defensive driving. If you fail the test, you'll likely pay with your life." Think about what you're about to do and ask yourself if it's worth it. On another topic, I put the Lee Park motorcycle gloves along with the suggestion of getting them via your KZfaq site on my Christmas list. They weren't under the tree and I'm not finding them in your Amazon store.

With Rights comes a RESPONSIBILITY ❤ WELL SAID