There are so many great roads in New England to go for a cruise on a motorcycle. My favorite time to ride is early in the morning when it’s quiet on the roadways. It seems as if you truly own the road. But even when there isn’t much traffic on the road, I’m careful to scan the road ahead. When you’re riding a motorcycle, you can never let your guard down.
And that leads me to another really important point: protect yourself by remembering the three Is—insurance, insurance, and insurance. Of course, you can get cheap insurance to put your bike on the road, but adequate additional coverage is not all that expensive. Given the statistics surrounding motorcycle accidents and injuries, you should never take the cheapest way out.
Although personal injury protection (PIP) is not available on motorcycle insurance policies, your insurance agent can help you purchase medical payment coverage, uninsured and underinsured coverage, and bodily injury coverage. Here's a video that explains insurance coverage, if you're interested. If you have an accident, you’ll be glad you have good insurance.
Another way to protect yourself is to take a motorcycle safety class. One of the best things I did as a rider was to take the Basic RiderCourse endorsed by the Registry of Motor Vehicles (currently, there are 13 approved rider education schools in Massachusetts). It was a great class, and the instructors pointed out some mistakes that I had been making for years. It not only made me a better rider, but I also received an insurance discount for taking the course.
Finally, remember to wear protective gear—dress appropriately and invest in a good helmet.
And my final piece of advice? Look out for each other, drive safely, and have fun!
—Joe Mahaney
