Martin's Motorcycle Safety Web Page.

Life can be hard when you are slidding down the road with gravel being forced under your skin and the friction ripping you apart to the bone, and in slow motion you watch the telegraph pole getting closer and closer, you feel and hear a cracking crunching noise as the collision happens pain quickly turns to blackness. Hazyness, a familiar face, strange noises, waking up in intensive care, broken ribs, legs and pelvis, lucky to have lived at all. Months pass slow in traction. Do you really want to have to undergo all this pain, if not look after your bike an get yourself trained.

Mechanical Condition and Maintenance

Regular maintainance and cleaning of your motorcycle my seem a troublesome and tedious task but a sensible motorcyclist will keep their bike clean and in good mechanical order. A motorcycle which is not regularly maintained will become unsafe. Older machines with high mileages will require more regular attention. It is best to follow the manufacturers routine checklist on a regular basis so that some points are not overlooked. The maker's handbook will tell you what needs done and how often. Books such as the Hynes manuals are an invaluable aid to servicing your bike, but be warned. Do not attempt jobs that are out of your league which would require a trained dealership mechanic. These may need specialist tools and tuning / balancing equipment. Note the following as a checklist for maintaining your bike. Note to prolong the life of your engine you should change the oil twice as often as recommended using the best quality synthetic oil and change your oil filter with each oil change. If you have bought your bike new it is still good practice to run the engine in for at least 1600 Km.

The best of British Motorcyles.

Click on the Triumph logo to your right to visit the BEST of BRITISH.

Check that:

• Reflectors and number plate are clean.
• Head lamp, break lights, indicator lights and number plate lights are clean and work. Always carry spare bulbs as vibration can have an adverse effect on bulbs causing them to have much shorter lives than would be expected.
• Oil, brake fluid, water and battery acid are not leaking.Top up as required.
• Flexible brake pipes are not cracked or bulging.
• All control cables operate smoothly. look for signs of rust, broken strands and nipples pulling off the cable. Make sure none are trapped or pinched. Lubricate as needed.
• Brakes are working properly.
• Tyre pressure is set to the recommended setting for the machine, remembering that the pressure will need to be adjusted when carrying a passenger.
• Tyres are not damaged by stones in the tread, or cuts and bulges in the side walls. A burst tyre could cause a fatal accident. Make sure that the tyre has at least 1mm of tread over 3/4 of the tyre width and throughout the entire circumference of the tyre and is free from uneven wear.
• Make sure the drive chain and sprockets are not worn and that the chain is not stretched. Also ensure that the chain is lubricated at least weekly.
• There is no undue play in the steering head, and that there is free movement from lock to lock.
• The wheels are true (not out of alignment) and there is no play on the bearings. Be vigilent for loose spokes.
• The horn works.
• The front forks are not leaking oil from the oil seals. Test the suspension by pushing down on the machine. Adjust the rear suspension to suit your weight or when needed to suit carrying a passenger.
• The swinging arm bushes are not worn and grease as required.
• All nuts and bolts are tight and that spilt pins are in place in both front and rear wheel spindles.
• There are no fuel leaks.

Motorcycle Clothing

You should buy the best clothing that you can afford. It should be well insulated to keep you warm and provide waterproof protection. You clothing should be highly visable. Buy bright or fluoresent clothing with reflective patches alternatiively you can wear a reflective belt and sash combination or fluoresent reflective over waist coat. Good motorcycle clothing must be able to stand up to the abrasion caused by falling off you bike

• Your helmet. must bear BSI kite mark (BS 5361 or 2495). Make sure it is of a good tight fit and do not paint or cover with stickers.
• Your visor must comply with (BS 4110XA, YA or ZA). Keep clean. Replace if scratched. Visability is paramount. Do not use tinted or coloured visors. If you need glasses to see distant objects, you must wear them at all times.
• Many good makes of gloves are available. Obtain a pair that are strong, waterproof and warm.
• Leathers, should be strong and waterproof. A waterproof over jacket can be bought to wear in winter.
• Boots should be long enough to protect your ankles and should also be strong,waterproof and warm.

Being Seen

In many of the collisions involving cars, the drivers claim not to have seen the motorcyclist. This applies equally in the day light as night time. It is easy for a motorcyclist to be obscured by a tree, lamp post or padestrians from a driver coming out of a junction. Therefore:

• Stay well back from the vehicle in front to give better visability of the road ahead and to allow other road users to see you.
• Use the new road legal Blue Xenon bulb in your headlight and dipped headlights at all times.
• Wear bright/fluoresent or reflective clothing.
• Make sure headlamps tail lights and indicators are clean.
• Wear a white or brightly coloured helmet.

Brakes and stopping distance

Apply brakes gently except in an emergency. Apply front brake first fractionally before applying the rear brake, this gives more stability, control and stopping power

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