The Joy of Riding a Motorcycle
Whether you ride to work, enjoy the camaraderie of a group ride on the weekend or just want to explore new roads and vistas, motorcycling is an exhilarating experience. Motorcycles are meticulously designed to enhance performance and safety, with a powerful engine and chassis providing power and stability. Compared to cars, motorcycles are more compact and have exposed engines and wheels, creating much greater air resistance or drag, which requires more power to move the bike at high speeds.
Inventors experimented with putting engines on bicycles as early as the 1800s, and by 1900, manufacturers began mass producing small motorcycles using gasoline or other fuels. As technology and engineering improved, the industry expanded worldwide. Today, there are more choices of motorcycles than ever before, from affordable entry-level bikes with triple-digit gas mileage to top-of-the-line exotic machines.
Although motorcycles can have a passenger, the rider must remain firmly attached to the bike by using a waist or hip strap and keeping movements to a minimum to prevent slipping off. Passengers should wear helmets and eye protection to reduce injury in the event of a crash. The use of alcohol or drugs reduces judgment, balance, coordination and throttle control, so it’s best to avoid them while riding.
Always ride within your skill level and keep up with training to improve your skills and become a better rider. Be aware of your surroundings and other vehicles on the road, obey traffic laws and keep to the speed limit. Most multi-vehicle motorcycle crashes occur when other drivers don’t see the rider, so be sure to use reflectors and turn signals.