Current Safety Article
COLD TIRES, COLD STREETS
Last month I brought up the topic of complacency. I hope as you have been riding, or even driving that this has popped into your mind a time or two.
This month I would like to talk about complacency's cousin, DISTRACTION. To begin I must tell you that I am not a motorcycling purist, nor am I opposed to technology. I am however, and as many of us are, longer in the tooth and so could be considered an old school rider.
When considering a new bike or even one's current bike, have you actually looked at and thought about all the features and technology in modern motorcycles? While most of these things are well designed, practical and well intentioned, how much do they actually make you a more skilled and safer rider?
Let's look at a partial, non all inclusive list of features a bike may have these days.
- Cell phone brackets/holders
- Navigation systems
- Sound systems and speakers
- Traction control
- Multiple Riding modes
- Tire Pressure monitoring systems
- Go Pro modules
- Hill start assist
- Cornering management function
- Launch control
- Throttle-response systems
- Radar systems
- Heads up display
- Touch screen display
- Electric windshields
I'm sure the list goes on but that isn't my point. While many of these features are positive good things, how much do you rely on them? What if they fail? Do they distract or detract your attention, or worse…
Are you the one who rides into a lot after a long ride who has their stereo cranked up so loud it would drown out the Starlink rocket launch? Got your nav system up showing you how to navigate the parking lot? Busy talking to your one up on the Bluetooth and generally oblivious to anything going on around you?
Or more subtly, maybe you just relied on your TPS system which failed three months ago and you didn't know. One of the biggest contributors to riding accidents is incorrect tire pressure. I talked about that last month too. Yes, it's important. In my opinion, much too important to solely rely on a mechanical device that can fail. A regular physical check to corroborate the device is a wise decision.
These features are all designed to help you with your ride, but none of them actually make you a better rider. At least not in my opinion. So please, please hone your skills constantly and pay attention.
Thunderstruck at full blast is awesome but you probably won't hear the semi bearing down with its air horn blasting...
Stay safe and remember the winter rule: COLD TIRES, COLD STREET.
