Author: Michael Theodore

Proper mirror positioning can give you the fairest view of them all.
Most riders position their mirrors to provide the same rearward view. Resulting in a duplicated image and a much narrower overall view. By angling mirrors outward, you the rider can expand and optimize the rearward view while still seeing everything behind.
You wouldn’t ride with a blindfold on. Nor would you ride with blinders to Obscure your peripheral vision (like horses wear). Yet many riders keep their right and left mirrors adjusted in a way that provides the narrowest view (including an excellent view of their elbows). Hum is this you?
Next time when you get on your bike, and before you pull away, take a careful look into each mirror. What do you see? Is the view in the left mirror virtually the same as the view in the right mirror? How much of the scene behind you can you see in both mirrors? If the scene is largely duplicated by each, try angling both mirrors outward to expand the width of your overall view. The ideal adjustment allows you to see a vehicle directly behind in either mirror but with minimal overlap of that image. You should have a distinctly different view to the outside of the mirror now as well. The left mirror  should reveal more of the space adjacent to your bike on the left (where cars pass), and the right mirror should expand the view of the space to the right of your bike (where merging vehicles appear from), significantly expanding your total rearward view.
While we are talking mirrors, it’s a good time to consider what other drivers see. Car drivers have a rearview mirror mounted on the windshield that provides exactly what the name suggest; a rear view. Cars also have two side – view mirrors mounted to the outside of the vehicle one on the left one on the right side. Unfortunately, dispite the name. those mirrors are typically adjusted inwards to take in the same rearward view as the inside mirror. That means that vehicles – including our motorcycles – are easily obscured from the driver’s view. Be aware as you ride alongside other vehicles; if you can’t see their reflection in their side mirror, then they can’t see you.

Keep the contact patch between the lines

Michael Theodore
National Road Captain
Coordinator for Ohio

California
The states anti-profiling bill (A.B. 2972), would prohibit law enforcement officers from stopping and questioning motorcyclist based on their choice of vehicle or clothing,cleared the policy committee on a 5-2 vote. However, the measure met opposition on the Assembly floor, resulting in a 28-24 vote against the bill. Assembly member Ann Caballero who introduced the bill, requested reconsideration, which means the bill may be voted on again before the July1 deadline. Also A.B.2761 introduced by Assembly member Jay Obernolte, would authorize the driver of a vehicle facing a traffic-actuated signal that fails to turn green with in a reasonable period of time to proceed with caution when it is safe to do so, after having stopped at the intersection. Similar legislation has been adopted in 16 states already.

Florida
Driving requirements for auto cycles change July 1, allowing residents to operate these vehicles with a valid state driver’s license.
According to the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators, an auto cycle is “a three-wheel motorcycle that has a steering wheel and seating that does not require the operator to straddle or sit astride it”.

Nebraska
The auto cycle definition has been adopted for three-wheeled vehicles such as the Polaris Slingshot. State residents no longer have to obtain a motorcycle endorsement to drive them in Nebraska. State Sen, Jim Smith, who sponsored the legislation, said the change helps broaden the market for the vehicles and “makes it easier for the small businesses who sell them to expand and create jobs.”

Colorado
H.B.1272 is a distracted driving proposal that requires cell service providers to make distraction-control technology available. Use of the technology would be at the customer’s discretion. The technology would limit distracting content from the network on any mobile device while the customer is driving. The bill was introduced by state Reps Mike Foote and Jovan Melton.

Mississippi
Drivers of auto cycles, such as the Polaris Slingshot, will no longer have to obtain a motorcycle endorsement on their licenses after July 1. Mississippi is the 43rd state to adopt such legislation.

Michael Theodore
National Road Captain
State of Ohio Coordinator

The question always comes up. Should you stick with the tire pressure recommended in your owner’s manual? Or should you go by the maximum pressure listed on your tires sidewall?

Answer to this question is. Check the air pressure with a good tire gauge. Check them when your tires are cold or at least 3 hours after a ride. As part of your pre-ride inspection, and adjust it according to your motorcycle owner’s manual. Or the tire information label on the chain guard,frame or swing arm.
There maybe two sets of recommendations for tire pressure one for solo riding and one for riding with a passenger and /or cargo.
Never exceed the maximum inflation pressure listed on the tire’s sidewall. And never exceed the motorcycle’s or tire load limit (combined weight of operator,passenger,cargo and accessories), since that can cause tire failure.
Some riders reduce the frequency of tire pressure checks to once a week or two before long trips. And perform only a visual inspection for surface conditions is this you? How ever, be aware that it is impossible to determine proper inflation by appearance alone. Again a accurate pressure gauge is needed, unless your motorcycle is equipped with a tire pressure monitoring system that gives a specific pressure read out.
Proper tire pressure is critical for optimal bike handling and maximum tire life.
Under-inflation or overloading can cause heavy steering,irregular wear,internal damage due to over-flexing and tire separation from the rim. Over inflation can reduce the contact area (and available traction) and can make the motorcycle react harshly to bumps.
Safe riding depends on selecting the right tires,inspecting them and maintaining them and replacing them.
Always be aware while riding Keep the contact patch between the lines.

Michael Theodore
National Road Captain
State of Ohio Coordinator

California
A.B. 2972 would prohibit law enforcement officers from stopping motorcyclist based on the fact that a person rides a motorcycle or motorcycle club related clothing  without any individualized suspicion. The AMA supports this bill, which is keeping with organizations position statement on motorcyclist profiling. Also A.B. 1874 would end the transfer of funds by the state taken from the off Highway Vehicle Trust Fund to the General Fund. Currently, state law requires the Controller to transfer $833,000 a month.

Michael Theodore
National Road Captain

Some forms of posturing are actually appropriate

Did you ever think about your posture while you are riding? Have you ever asked the question is my riding posture correct?
Riding posture is one of the most over looked aspects of road riding. For most of us, the topic was mentioned in your beginning rider course ( you did take one of those right?) Yet proper riding posture can do wonders to improve control and provide all day comfort.
Even on a straight road, it’s important to place ourselves in a central position that allows the bike to move freely beneath us as we stay mostly still. For that to happen, we must sit upright and relaxed. Your  back should be should be straight but not stiff (and never slouched). Arms should be loose and your elbows relaxed, never locked. Your hands should rest lightly on your bars not griping them hard to improve feel through the bars and enable lighter steering input. Your knees should be bent slightly and lightly press against your gas tank. Having your feet your pegs/floorboards ready to bear your weight creates a more athletic position. If you have pegs on your bike and not floorboard. Place the balls of your feet the pegs when not shifting or braking.
Riders often complain of aching shoulders, sore wrist and stiff backs after even a few miles of riding. The culprit is often it’s because of poor riding posture. You can improve comfort by rolling your hips forward, which straightens the spine and absorbs shocks more efficiently. You can rotate your shoulders back instead of allowing them to roll forward; this one adjustment will greatly reduce shoulder stress and arm fatigue. Hinge forward at the waist to reach the handlebars without straightening your arms. Be sure not to place your weight on your hands and wrists. It may feel awkward at first, but it will soon become second nature.
So straighten up and ride right no slouching and see what a little posturing work can do to give you more control and less pain.

Michael Theodore
National Road Captain

Arizona
The state Senate will consider two bills that would make lane splitting legal for motorcyclist. S.B. 1007 was introduced by state Sen. David Farnsworth. This bill strikes the current language that prohibits lane splitting. S.B. 1015 introduced  by state Sen. John Kavanagh adds language permitting lane splitting and includes a requirement that motorcycle riders and passengers wear helmets.

Michael Theodore
National Road Captain

Understanding the effects of crowned roads on riding technique.

Crowned road design helps to efficiently shed water from the pavement. But it also influences the way we ride right and left curves.

Roads are engineered to disperse rainwater and minimize pooling on the road surface. The way those civil engineers achieve that is by designing roads with a crowned profile. The surface is higher in the middle (where the double – yellow is) and slopes downward to each side of the road –a bit like a pitched roof on a house. The cross slope design does much to make wet – weather riding safer. But motorcyclist should also consider how a crowned road comes into play even when the road is dry. We travel on the right side of the road here in America. On a crowned road, that means the pavement slopes from its highest point at the left side of our lane down to its lowest point on the right edge of the lane. Have you ever noticed that the left side of your bike’s tires wear more than the right? It is because your bike travels along a slanted plane for miles on end.
But here is a new slant; Think about how the crown effect comes into play when the pavement turns. In the right-hand corners, the cross slop of the road creates a banked turn within our lane, providing slightly more traction, ground clearance and more responsive steering as we lean into the curve.
Conversely, a left-hand curve has a reverse chamber as the pavement slopes away from the rider, slightly reducing traction and ground clearance and contributing to less responsive steering. This is one reason many riders find left-hand curves to be more challenging. A more conservative entry speed, combined with positioning your head and upper body toward the inside of the curve will reduce the bike’s lean angle and more than compensate for any compromise in ground clearance and traction due to the crowned road.  With a little practice, those crowned left-hand curves may become your crowning achievement!

Always keep it between the lines
Michael Theodore
National Road Captain