Lessons Learned | The American Legion

Riding a motorcycle for over 50 years and driving as a professional driver for over two million (accident free) miles have revealed to me a few things that bikes and cages have in common other than just the traffic rules that apply to all. Here are some tips that will increase your odds for getting back home incident free whether you are driving or riding.

1. Check your mirrors often. Mirrors tell half the story of traffic around you, don’t just look to the front and side. A fast approaching vehicle (especially at a stop light), room to change lanes, someone tailgating, and where your buddies just turned (the turn you missed) can all be seen in your mirrors.

2. Always give yourself room. Don’t tailgate, even if you know you can stop faster than the four-wheeler in front of you. In an emergency stop situation your response time will also be a factor. On the big road try to avoid getting bunched up with a load of four wheelers at 80 mph. Adjust your speed up or down so you will put some distance between you and the body of traffic.

3. Do not react to aggressive drivers. In a one on one situation the motorcycle always loses. Get over it.

4. Wear your gear/seatbelt. Motorcycle and car racers wear safety gear because the chance of crashing is real. If you think your chances of going down aren’t as bad on the street I’ve got a bridge on the Mekong River I’ll sell you. Most motorcycle crashes happen within five miles of home and over 50% involve a four wheeler.

5. Always communicate with signals. Riding with-in a group, and when you are tooling down the road solo, always let those around you know what you are doing.

6. Never assume anything on the street. Bad drivers and bad riders don’t need a turn signal to turn in front of you, or to run up your backside. Riding and driving like you are invisible to the world is a good habit to have.

7. Know your ride. Being familiar with the way your scooter shifts, leans, accelerates, and brakes can come in handy when you must think quick in an emergency situation.

8. Do a Pre-trip. Check on ‘ol Betsy to make sure you have brakes, air, oil, tread, lights and gas. Some emergency I.D. attached to your scooter would be nice too.

9. Don’t let your ego ride, or drive, faster than your skills Grasshopper. Although it’s quite entertaining, going down in front of your friends or ruining a great day for you and your friends because you did something stupid isn’t cool. Be mature about being a rider/driver and you might grow to be an old rider/driver. That’s why I like riding with the American Legion Riders, the ride is about the Veteran and not us or our egos.

10.Practice, practice, practice. Keep in tune with how well you can brake and swerve and lean the machine you ride. Watch a few videos on skilled riding like Ride like Pro and try a few maneuvers you feel comfortable doing. Take your riding to a new level.

John ‘Hammer’ Hanzlik,

ALR Chapter 1 Road Captain

Omaha, Neb.