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What’s the “most important” thing to know about riding motorcycles?

© Brian Salisbury

An acquaintance once asked me, "What is the most important thing a person considering buying their first motorcycle should know." I thought this was a good question; one I'd never considered.

I suppose I could have told him riding a motorcycle would give him great freedom, the joy of the open road, renewed youth and many other happy things. Instead, I took a much harsher tack. I told him, "Anyone who rides a motorcycle will eventually have an accident. It might not happen right away, and it might happen while traveling only 5 miles per hour, but eventually you're going to fall off."

My intention then and now was not to frighten that guy or anyone else from the sport. I assume there are people who ride who never had an accident. And I bet my negative observation about the sport would annoy many motorcycle riders. After all, the only information I have to back up my opinion is anecdotal accounts from other riders.

I suppose I could also include the numerous accounts from people who thought I wanted to hear their gruesome tales about motorcyclists killed, maimed or crippled in accidents. I wonder if they also tell Little League players' parents about kids getting hit in the head by baseballs, or if they tell stories to golfers about duffers struck by lightening while out on the links.

But I digress....

Regardless, if an awareness of motorcyclists' susceptibility to accidents is not the most important thing to know about riding motorcycles, it's somewhere near the top. Even though some motorcycle riders may never have an accident, I believe it is best to start every ride prepared for a mishap. And, of course, you must ride smart, remain alert and do everything possible to avoid bad situations altogether. Accidents are like evil genies. They can pop up out of nowhere when least expected.

Recently I was reminded of this after heading out for a weekend ride. The day was bright and clear and the traffic light. My motorcycle was sporting a new rear tire I had mounted a few days earlier. This was the tire's maiden voyage.

Over the years, every time I've had a new front or rear tire installed on any of my motorcycles, the mechanic invariably told me to take it easy for the first 50 or 100 miles. New tires can be slippery until contact with the road buffs up their shiny surface. Riding straight and upright presents no problem, but it is unwise to take corners too fast or deep until a tire's sidewalls are roughed in.

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