Proper Motorcycle Riding Techniques Saves Lives

So far in Fiscal Year 2005, the Air Force has tragically lost 15 warriors to motorcycle-related deaths. Aggressive riding behavior on sport bikes has been one of the leading causes of motorcycle deaths. Other causes of fatalities are excessive speed and overestimation of riding skills.

Motorcycles easily outperform all but the most expensive luxury sports cars. Sport bikes like the Suzuki GSX-R 1000 are capable of a 9.96 second quarter mile at 144.7 MPH with a top speed of 180 MPH. To put that in perspective, a new 2006 ZO6 Corvette will turn a quick 12 second quarter mile. Motorcycles and sport bikes in particular will out-brake, out-corner, and out-accelerate most any other street legal vehicle. This performance, in theory, should allow an attentive rider to stay out of harm's way.

DOD requires civilians who ride street bikes on base and all military members who ride street bikes to complete a Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF) course. This course is offered at no cost to the individual. The MSF course can give you the knowledge, but not the seat time, to develop your riding skills or the proper attitude. Without proper rider skill and attitude, even the best handling and acceleration advantages of a sport bike can become a danger instead of a safety advantage. This is especially true with sport bikes.

Sport bikes also appeal to younger, less experienced male riders. Additionally younger riders are less experienced at judging risk and are more apt to push the motorcycle past their own riding ability.

Here are several incidents involving Charleston AFB individuals showing poor judgment on very fast sport bikes:

Ð'* Two individuals were observed on Aviation blvd pulling wheelies and riding erratically.

Ð'* An individual cited by Charleston P.D. on I-26 near downtown for speeding and reckless driving. Individual was clocked at over 100 MPH while weaving through

traffic.

Ð'* An individual was spotted by SC Highway patrol racing another motorcycle. The individual attempted to elude the officer driving at speeds in excess of 140 MPH in traffic.

Ð'* An individual was observed speeding while riding a wheelie down Aviation blvd. He was cited for reckless driving.

This type of riding is not only illegal, but when you are caught you may be subject to the UCMJ for your actions. Aside from the legal side, riding in this manner is a recipe for disaster. Your chances of surviving a street crash at these speeds are nearly zero because motorcycles do not offer the same impact protection as automobiles.

The only protection that you have is the gear you wear. Statistic show that most motorcycle riders are eventually involved in an accident. If you have ever dropped a bike, you know that the only thing between you and the pavement is