NC Motorcycle Safety Education Program - Find out more information about the Basic and Experienced Rider Courses and then find a site near you.  It's more than learning to ride a motorcycle; it's about learning new techniques to enhance your motorcycle riding skills! For more info visit the link below or e-mail ncmotorcyclesafety@embarqmail.com

Motorcycle Rider Safety – Basic riding Course

Designed for riders with little or no experience, this course will teach safety skills that minimize chances of accident and injuries. Students will have classroom instruction on proper motorcycle operation and then practice on the outside range. This is a self-supporting course, and fees will be charged to all students.

How to Register: http://www.davidsonccc.edu/distance_education/reginfo_cont_ed.htm Call the Registration/Records office at 336.249.8186 to register. You may pay by cash, check, or credit card (VISA, MasterCard, or Discover). Make all checks payable to DCCC.

Davidson Campus http://www.mapquest.com/maps/map.adp?searchtype=address&country=US&addtohistory=&searchtab=home&address=297+DCCC+Road&city=Lexington&state=NC&zipcode=27295
297 DCCC Road
Thomasville, NC 27360-7385
336.249.8186

From Greensboro: take I-85 Business South, Exit 118

From Salisbury: take I-85 Business North, Exit 87

From Winston-Salem: follow U.S. Hwy 52 South to Lexington Exit 92 for Highway 8, then take I-85 Business North

Motorcycle Rider Safety – Experienced Riding Course

It’s a great way to learn more about your riding abilities, and the capabilities of your motorcycle.  Students interested in attending an Experienced Rider Course (ERC) must possess a valid motorcycle license or motorcycle endorsement to their license.  A motorcycle learner’s permit is also acceptable.  It is recommended that you have at least 6 months riding experience or 3,000 miles under your belt.  You must provide a street legal, properly licensed motorcycle for the range exercises, and must show proof of insurance.  Your bike must also pass a visual safety inspection on the morning of the class. If you normally carry a passenger, you may take the ERC with your passenger on board. 

This is a self-supporting course, and fees will be charged to all students

Can be a solo rider to participate at Davidson Campus!

·         BikeSafe-North Carolina invites motorcyclists to participate in Rider Skills Days that offer assessment on present skills, and advice to help make their riding in North Carolina safer and more enjoyable. As well as professional riding techniques, topics covered include the system of motorcycle control, collision causation factors and security.
    The Rider Skills Days are run during the week and at weekends, by highly qualified police motorcyclists passing on their wealth of knowledge and experience in a friendly and informal manner. Held at the Highway Patrol Driving Facility, Raleigh, the pre-booked days include both classroom based advice and on-road ride-outs. Contact Sgt. Mark Brown for more information at BikeSafeNC@ncshp.org. 

What is the MSAP Program (Motorcycle Safety Awareness Program) and where can I find more information about it? Please visit http://www.cba-abatenc.org/msap.htm

For more information about this program or to learn to be a MSAP Instructor, please contact:

Matt Shamblin

Director of Safety, Education and Awareness

CBA/ABATE of North Carolina

(252) 241-0682  mshamblin@ec.rr.com 

October 25, 2006 Motorcycle Safety Awareness Program (MSAP) The CBA/ABATE of NC has a program that teaches instructors to go into drivers education classes in local high schools to help educate the young driver about motorcycle awareness.  The program needs more instructors. Training is open to any rider. Dedicated bikers who take time off  from their work day to help make these young drivers, better drivers and more aware of motorcycles on the road.  Anyone interested in this program, should contact the new CBA/ABATE of NC MSAP Director Matt Shamblin at 484 Old Airport Rd, Newport NC 28570; [Cell] (252) 241-0682; or e-mail mshamblin@ec.rr.com.  Please visit http://www.cba-abatenc.org/msap.htm for some of the basic ideas behind MSAP. (Note: Mama Sue is trained as an instructor and can give you an idea of how it works.)

EDUCATION: If you haven't been schooled in how to pick up your motorcycle (or someone else’s) by yourself--here are a few videos that clearly show you how:

http://w ww.youtube.com/watch?v=_ULl2kyEK3o&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1sP3cqKbOEs&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VkBN1ENtWz8&NR=1

An easy way to pick up a fallen motorcycle - See videos of Carol “Skert” Youorski in action on her own web site: http://www.pinkribbonrides.com

·         FYI: Motorcycle Safety Classes at Guilford Technical Community College Starting for the upcoming summer May 15^th Basic Riding Class will be $150 and Experienced Riding Class will be $85.00. The schedule will be posted on their website at www.gtcc.edu; look under the “Live and Learn Personal Enrichment” section.

October 2006 Safety Articles:

October Safety Tip #1: Cold Weather Strategies to Extend Your Riding Season With fall and winter weather closing in fast on us I thought I would share this link with you from my AMA Extra Monthly on-line newsletter.  There is an excellent cold weather article from 2005 featured on the AMA DirectLink web site at http://www.amadirectlink.com/roadride/riderresc/cold.asp called “Cold Weather Strategies to Extend Your Riding Season.” The article written by AMA’s own Bill Andrews (e-mail: bandrews@amadirectlink.com) covers the following topics: Ice, Hypothermia (with a Wind Chill Calculator), The Well Dressed Rider, “What About the Bike?,” Going Electric, Chemical Options, and Keep Hydrated.

October Safety Tip #2: National Transportation Safety Board Public Forum on Motorcycle Safety The NTSB recently held a forum in Washington DC on Motorcycle Safety.  It covers some of the new innovations in motorcycle safety as well as possible programs to elevate motorcycle safety in America and around the world.  The NTSB has recently posted the complete web cast on its web site at http://www.ntsb.gov/events/symp_motorcycle_safety/symp_motorcycle_safety.htm.  The daily forum from September 12^th and 13^th is posted there in two formats: Real Video and Windows Media.  To view the web cast click on the media type that you use under each day’s web cast archive.

     The goal of the public forum was to gather information about ongoing motorcycle safety research and initiatives, as well as safety countermeasures that may reduce the likelihood of motorcycle accidents and fatalities.  NSTB Staff lead technical panel discussions examining each major aspect of motorcycle safety including rider training and licensing, rider protective equipment, vehicle design, and public education.  Representatives from the motorcycle industry, government, academia, and motorcycling organizations were invited to give presentations highlighting their perspectives. 

October Safety Tip #3 National Agenda for Motorcycle Safety Implementation Website National Agenda for MC Safety Project forum is up and running http://www.implementnams.org/Default.aspx. This site is focused on furthering the recommendations set forth by the NAMS. The variety of entities from the safety and enthusiast communities who can do this is as diverse as the motorcycling community itself. We come here with many different skills and interests, but with one single purpose: to make motorcycling safer for all who share the road.

May - September 2006 Safety Articles:

Safety Tip #1 HJC Recalls 4806 Helmets HJC AMERICA, INC. has recalled 4806 motorcycle helmets manufactured January 15, 2004 through September 30, 2004. These helmets fail to conform to the penetration requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 218, Motorcycle Helmets. These helmets are medium size Z1R Metro. This NHTSA campaign ID is 06E031000 issued April 13, 2006. In the event of a crash, the wearer may not be adequately protected, possibly resulting in serious injury or death.  HJC AMERICA will notify owners and replace the helmets free of charge. The recall is expected to begin during May, 2006. Owners may contact HJC AMERICA at (562) 407-2186. [Note from Papa Jim: I received the above info on 05-01-06 from the MSF List E-mail Group that I belong to as a MSF RiderCoach.]

Safety Tip #2 NHTSA Motorcycle recalls for May – June 2006 Make/Models: Model/Build Years includes BMW K1200 R (2006), K1200 S (2005), K1200 S (2006), R1200 ST (2005), R1200 GS (2004 - 2005), R1200 GS (2006), R1200 RT (2006), R1200 GS (2006); Manufacturer: BMW of North America, LLC.  NHSTA Campaign ID Number: 06V164000 Mfg’s Report Date: May 12, 2006.  Component: Service Brakes, Hydraulic: Anti-lock; Potential Number of Units Affected: 13,200.  Summary: On certain motorcycles, under rapid, repeated, and unusually harsh braking, loss of ABS capability could temporarily occur. Consequence: Temporary loss of ABS braking could increase the risk of a crash.  Remedy: Dealers will add a physical restriction, in the form of a bandjo bolt with a flow restrictor to the brake line, and on certain models dealers will install new front brake discs of a slightly larger thickness free of charge.  The recall is expected to begin during May 2006.  Owners may contact BMW at (800) 831-1117.  Notes:  Customers may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s vehicle Safety Hotline at (888) 327-4236 [TTY (800) 424-9153], or visit http://www.safercar.gov [Source http://www.nhsta.gov]

Safety tip # 3: Do you know how to speak “Tire Language?” Are your skins getting thin? Gas prices pinching your budget? Learn everything you need to know about tires and tips for getting better mileage (plus a lot of other topics) in the AMA Rider Resources section: http://www.ama-cycle.org/roadride/tires.asp Stow the car and ride the bike. Here are some tips for getting better mileage from whatever you ride: http://www.amadirectlink.com/news/2005/Mileage.asp.  (Note from Papa Jim: The above info came from e-newsletter from my subscription to AMA Extra online.  Click on “Get the motorcycle news you choose” at http://www.amadirectlink.com  - you do not have to be an AMA member to view these files relating to road, trail or racing.)

Safety Tip # 4: Driver Distraction Info From Carolyn Overcash (NC Retreads®) Carolyn sent us a link to the NHTSA web site with some background information titled “Safety Implications of Driver Distraction When Using In-Vehicle Technologies.”  Please visit the following web site for in depth background info at http://www-nrd.nhtsa.dot.gov/departments/nrd-13/newDriverDistraction.html.  The press release titled “Breakthrough Research on Real World Driver Behavior Released” was available on April 20^th.  For more info go to http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov and type in the search NHTSA box the above title and click on the 4/20/06 link shown.

Safety Tip # 5: Motorcycle Awareness Public Service Announcements WE’RE OUT THERE by the MSF http://www.msf-usa.org/psa/culver.cfm and from the United Kingdom Motorcycle Safety PSA http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mSU-lCFumZw.  Fast Fred said, “Both of the above PSA’s have positive messages unlike the PSA that the SC Department of Safety has chosen to run on our radio stations.” [Info from Fast Fred’s Biker E-Zine at http://BikerEzine.com.]

More Safety Info: MSF Web Site offers a "Test Your Skills" Motorcycle Challenge Link Please visit the Motorcycle Safety Foundation web site at http://www.msf-usa.org/MotorcycleChallenge/index.html.

There is a "Skills Levels" list of that offers you several different scenarios to test your "Skills Knowledge." Click on a level skill and watch the short video and answer the questions on "What would you do?" The levels/options are as follows: Basic Skills (Exiting Car; Negotiating a Curve; Narrow Bridge With RV.), Intermediate Skills (Blind Intersection and Nighttime Intersection), and Advanced Skills (Obstacle Avoidance; Crossing Over Obstacles; Avoiding Wildlife; Rocks on a Mountain Curve). How did you do?

Low-res version of videos available from Motorcycle Safety Foundation “Dear Training Community, Due to numerous requests, we’ve posted a new low-res version (20 megs) of the Group Ride video, located on the www.msf-usa.org  home page, for those people who’ve had difficulty downloading or viewing the high-res version (36 megs).  In addition, an informative DirtBike School Riding Tips video clip - a 6-minute overview of the one-hour DirtBike School DVD featuring riding tips from AMA Supercross stars Ricky Carmichael, Chad Reed and Kevin Windham is also available for viewing or download from the home page of the DirtBike School www.dirtbikeschool.com. This video is also available in high-res and lo-res versions. As a reminder, you may link to either of these videos from your own website.  You may also download and host the videos on your own website.  No permission from MSF is required.  Best regards,” Ken Glaser, Special Assistant to the President, MSF

Safety PSA New 30-second PSA for New York Rob Dingman, Assistant Commissioner for Transportation Safety, New York State Dept. of Motor Vehicles, has completed a new 30-second TV public service announcement on motorcycle awareness.  The video may be viewed at: http://www.nysdmv.com/media/gtsc_6_5_4_pm.mpg  (Note from Papa Jim: Sure would love to have a version like this for NC!)

FYI: Virginia Sidecar/Trike Training Sidecar training provided at the following Virginia Community College campus’ located in Loudoun, Portsmouth, Danville, Lynchburg, and Wytheville.  Classes run Friday (7:00 PM – 10:00 PM), Saturday and Sunday (8:00 AM – 5:00 PM).  Course fees run from $65.00 - $190.00 depending on location; sidecar outfits are provided for student use.  The current courses are posted at http://www.esc.org/Course%20Calendar-shell.htm (www.esc.org).

FYI: NC Trike and Sidecars Training Course Info  The NC Motorcycle Safety Education Program is currently exploring options to provide trike/sidecar classes at Randolph Community College in Asheboro and Lenoir Community College in Kinston.  These sites are currently compiling lists of interested riders, and will schedule a class when they have enough names on the list. Contact info for Randolph CC, Asheboro is Lewis Edwards at (336) 633-0216.  Mr. Edwards states that the student must use his or her sidecar unit and/or trike to take the course at Randolph CC campus as they currently do not have units for students to use.  Contact info for Lenoir CC is Phoebe Emory at (252) 527-6223, ext 713.  We currently have one trained instructor, and with the help of the Governor's Highway Safety Program, we are hoping to get some additional instructors trained in the spring of 2006. We will post further information as it becomes available.  Please keep an eye on our web site at http://home.earthlink.net/%7Encmotorcyclesafety/id12.html. 

Safety Tip: ICE - IN CASE OF EMERGENCY I received this information from a newsletter I receive each month from the July 2005 edition of the Federal Citizen Information Center’s FEDINFO E-letter. These subscription e-letters from Pueblo are sent 6-8 times a year with helpful updates, practical information, and special offers to make your life a little easier. You can always find the latest information on their websites at: http://www.pueblo.gsa.gov and http://FirstGov.gov.  To read their illustrated online version, go to: http://www.pueblo.gsa.gov/fedinfonews/fedinfo05-4.htm.  I want to thank some of our Retreads® that had forwarded this info on to me earlier before I received the above newsletter from FEDINFO.  - Papa Jim

     A campaign encouraging people to enter an emergency contact number in their cell phone’s memory under the heading “ICE” (i.e., In Case of Emergency) has rapidly spread throughout the world as a particular consequence of the recent terrorist attacks in London. Originally established as a nationwide campaign in the United Kingdom, ICE allows paramedics or police to contact a designated relative or next-of-kin in an emergency situation.

     By adopting the ICE advice, an individual's cell phone will help emergency personnel quickly contact a friend or relative--which could be vital in a life-or-death situation. It only takes a few seconds to do, and it could easily help save a life. Why not put ICE in your cell phone now? In your phone book or contacts list, type the acronym “ICE” and the telephone number of the person you wish to be contacted.

Safety Tip #3 Additional Safety Tips Can be found on the American Motorcyclists Association web site at http://www.ama-cycle.org/roadride/NewRider/index.asp#Rider%20Resources.  While you are there please take the time to check out the complete web site at http://www.amadirectlink.com/index.asp for all of the information available to you.

More Safety Info: Wind Chill Calculator NC Retreads® member Vinny Neumann (Cary) passed along this web site where you can calculate the wind chill factor for winter riding and even for summer riding as well. Please visit to use the calculator. Vinny passed this on as he had ridden from Cary to Burlington for the January 16th NC Retreads® Get-Together. "On Sunday night I was riding back from Burlington in 30 degree weather and I was wondering what the wind chill temperature would have been at 70 MPH. There is a wind chill calculator posted at http://www-wwrc.uwyo.edu/wrds/wsc/reference/chill.html. (30 degrees and 70 MPH = -6 degrees) Time for me to buy some heated gloves!!!" - Vin

BMW Motorcycle repair and maintenance tips I found this web site while out playing on the Internet.  I thought I would pass it on to those Beemer riders out there in case you weren’t aware of it.  So you may want to check it out at http://w6rec.com/duane/bmw/bmw.html

Motorcycle Safety Alerts and Recalls

Here is a couple of examples of the this month's motorcycle recalls. Contact your dealer for the dealer remedies/fixes.

NHTSA Recalls 1800cc Gold Wings http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/problems/recalls/results.cfm

A) Make: Honda, Model: GL1800A, Year: 2003; Manufacturer: American Honda Motor Co.  NHTSA 

     Campaign ID Number: 05V027000; Recall Date: January 28, 2005; Component: Structure Frame and

Members; Potential Number of Units Affected: 34919

Summary: On some motorcycles, certain frame welds do not meet manufacturing specifications.  High loads created when riding on rough road surfaces or through potholes can cause the affected welds to crack.

Consequence:  The welded area could break, resulting in rear suspension collapse or lower cross member separation, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, reinforce the welds on 2001 – 2002 motorcycles.  On 2003 - 2004 motorcycles, the units will be repaired, no inspection will be necessary.  The recall is expected to begin on February 15, 2005.  Owners should contact Honda at (866) 784-1870.

Notes: Honda Recall No. P66.  Customers can also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s Auto Safety Hotline at (888) 327-4236.

B) Make: HONDA, Model: GL1800A, Year: 2003; Manufacturer: American Honda Motor Co.  NHTSA 

Campaign ID Number: 03V350000; Recall Date: September 16, 2003; Component: Structure Frame and Members – Underbody Shields; Potential Number of Units Affected: 8196

Summary: On some motorcycles, certain frame welds do not meet manufacturing specifications.  High loads created when riding on rough road surfaces or through potholes can cause the affected welds to crack.

Consequence:  The welded area could break, resulting in rear suspension collapse or lower cross member separation, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Dealers will inspect and reinforce the welds on all frames.  Owner notification began during October 2003.  Owners should contact Honda at (866) 784-1870.

Notes:  Customers can also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s Auto Safety Hotline at (888) 327-4236.

C) Make: HONDA, Model: GL1800A, Year: 2003; Manufacturer: American Honda Motor Co.  NHTSA 

     Campaign ID Number: 05V010000; Recall Date: January 18, 2005; Component: Service Brakes, Hydraulic; Potential Number of Units Affected: 36046

Summary: Certain motorcycles equipped with combined-brake systems have a Proportioning Control Valve (PCV) that mechanically proportions brake force when the rear brake is applied.  A seal in some PVC’s is improperly shaped and brake fluid leakage may occur.

Consequence:  If the motorcycle continues to be used after a leak occurs, the rear brake would eventually become inoperative.  A loss of rear brake force could increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy:  Dealers will inspect the rear brake for leakage.  If leakage is confirmed the dealer will replace the PVC.  The recall is expected to begin on February 03, 2005.  Owners should contact Honda at (866) 784-1870.

Notes: Honda Recall No P66.  Customers can also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s Auto Safety Hotline at (888) 327-4236 [888-DASH-2-DOT].

Source http://www.nhtsa.gov/