1. Wear your helmet – Thanks to advances in technology, helmet effectiveness has jumped to 40% in the last 15 years. That means you’re over 1/3 less likely to die from a head injury, which account for half of motorcycle fatalities. Not only that, a helmet serves the same functional purpose as a windshield. If I’m going 80mph, I’d rather have something catching rocks and bugs besides my face. People like to spout garbage about reduced visibility, or that a helmet can’t protect you in *all* accidents, but consider this: 3% of all drivers are motorcyclists, but motorcyclists account for 10% of traffic deaths. I didn’t even mention helmet efficacy in reducing traumatic head injury, because I shouldn’t have to. There’s no good reason not to wear one.

2. Wear protective gear – By this, I mean shoes, gloves, and a motorcycle jacket. Leather tends to hold up better than mesh, and either are a great alternative to skin. Scrubbing asphalt out of your arms and legs isn’t a fun experience, and road rash flat-out sucks. There’s a reason superbike riders wear racing suits, and those guys get right back up from 100+mph crashes. I’ve been the idiot on the bike wearing flip-flops and basketball shorts, and I can’t say either are my first pick for sliding down the pavement

3. Be visible – It’s a good thing motorcycles have daytime running lights, but the profile from the front is still pretty small. Don’t assume your bike is visible just because you’ve got ape hangers or a neon paint scheme. Wearing black might make you look like a bad ass, but it also makes you a bad ass that’s impossible to see at night. If you’re the guy that got a set of pipes so people will notice you, there’s an episode of South Park you should catch. The best way to be seen on a bike is to wear something noticeable; the more obnoxious, the better.

4. Take a Safety Course – I’ve had more than a few friends ask for advice on buying a motorcycle. They’re usually looking at 600cc sport bikes. When I ask them about their experience, they tell me that they rode dirt bikes when they were kids. That’s my cue to tell them they’re an idiot. Motorcycles are a lot heavier, a lot faster, and a lot harder to ride than a dirt bike. You can get into an MSF course down at DMACC for less than $100, and it’s worth every penny. Knowing when and how to brake, swerve, or correct speed wobble is invaluable information that you’d rather have before the situation presents itself, and having somewhere to practice in front of experts is invaluable.

5. Get a bike within your capabilities – I have a CBR929RR with some, er, slight modifications. That ‘RR’ stands for ‘race replica’, which means I can break every speed limit in less than three seconds. Most 600cc sport bikes aren’t that far behind, either. Suffice it to say, I wouldn’t recommend either for anyone’s first bike, or second, or third. There is quite a bit of difference in terms of handling between a cruiser, sport bike, and moped. The conventional wisdom is to start small and work your way up, and the insurance is a lot cheaper that way.

6. Learn how to fall down – Sooner or later, you’re going to fall off of your motorcycle. Whether it’s your own stupidity, or someone else’s, accept the fact that it’s going to happen. That being said, there are right ways to take a fall. Luckily for you, the university Judo and Hapkido clubs specialize in that sort of thing, and it’s the first thing they’ll teach you. You’ll also fair better if you’ve had experience in Wrestling, Gymnastics, or Football – just ask Josh Koeppel.

7. Ride like you’re invisible – Keep your distance, and always assume they can’t see you. People will pull out in front of you, turn in front of you, and aren’t looking for you in their blind spot. The only person on the road you should be relying on is you.

8. Save the racing/stunting for the track – One thing that pisses me off to no end are the idiots zipping around town like it’s a day at the races. Iowa roads aren’t the best to begin with, not to mention the debris and wildlife. Lincoln Way isn’t a place to practice wheelies. There are at least six times a year when the Iowa Speedway has sponsored track days, and $100 will get you all of the racing you want. Speed and stupidity are the two factors responsible for most motorcycle accidents, and Ames – especially campus – isn’t a place for either. Don’t be that guy.