Motorcycle Safety Tips

At Duluth Lawn & Sport, we are concerned about the safety of our fellow riders. Whether you are an experienced racer or just starting out, these safety tips will help keep you safe on your motorcycle.

  • Read and understand the owner's manual.
  • Always wear a helmet and protective clothing.
  • Always wear a helmet, eye protection, and protective clothing.
  • Never drink alcohol and ride.
  • Avoid tailgating.
  • Avoid riding between lanes of slow moving or stopped traffic.
  • Know and obey traffic laws, including ordinances in your community.
  • Avoid excessive noise by leaving the stock muffler in place or using a muffler of equivalent noise reduction.
  • Avoid excessive speeds and be extra careful on difficult terrain.
  • Slow down before entering blind turns and be watchful at intersections and when passing driveways and alleys.
  • Select a motorcycle that fits. You should be able to touch the ground with both feet.
  • Check the location of the controls. Make sure you can reach and operate them easily and comfortably.
  • Do not carry passengers until you are an experienced rider.
  • If you will be carrying a passenger, make sure the motorcycle you select has a passenger seat and footpegs for the passenger.
  • Be extra cautious after the first rain following a dry spell. All the oil that has accumulated on the road comes up, creating slick conditions.
  • Stay in the left tire track area at toll booths to limit the amount of oil you pick up on your tires. Drive away cautiously.
  • Stay to the left side of your lane when passing parked cars to your right.
  • Back into a downhill sloped parking spaces and pull straight into uphill sloped spaces.
  • Look as far up the road as you can, scanning for trash, pot holes, etc.
  • Practice hard braking in vacant parking lots or quiet streets so you can safely apply the brakes in an emergency situation.
  • Watch out for left turners and stay out of blind spots.
  • Remember: the bike goes where you look. Don't fixate on anything you don’t want to hit.
  • Know your motorcycle’s limitations.
  • If you are on a group ride, don’t worry about keeping up with the group. Ride at your own pace.
  • Check your tire pressure before every ride.
  • When stopping in traffic, position your bike either to the left or right hand side of the lane and stop at least eight feet from the car in front. This allows you room to pull out if the vehicle coming up behind you doesn't stop.