by D. Edward Hughes

Created on: December 28, 2008   Last Updated: January 06, 2009

If you own a motorcycle, you should attend a motorcycle defensive driving course. There should be no question. All riders may benefit from the experience gained by exposure to the knowledgeable advice of other highway motorcyclists. These courses are made available to the motorcycle enthusiast community in vaious locations throughout the United States. Of a high profile nature at the present time is the Harley Davidson Riders Edge course. The American Motorcycle Association also offers numerous courses from state to state. The information and skills gained from these courses could definitely influence the dramatic reduction of the chances that you, the rider, may be involved in an injurious or life-threatening accident. There is no mandatory requirement in the state of North Carolina that a rider must attend and graduate any of the motorcycle defensive driving courses available here. However, should an individual meet the necessary qualifications, the state does provide possible funding for those motorcyclists wishing to improve the safety of themselves and others on its roads and highways.

Should you decide to attend a legitimate and reputable motorcycle defensive driving course, the following are some of the skills and defensive driving techniques covered at these schools.

Number one, wear a helmet. In many states, this is now a legal requirement to operate a motorcycle on any road or highway. There is a good reason for this, because it could result in a definite and literal "no-brainer" should the cyclist's head come into contact with the pavement or ground. The considerations of proper clothing, boot and glove protection is not to be neglected here, either.

Secondly, the rider should have more than a passing acquaintance with all state and local laws governing the use of a motorcycle.

Next, proper and regular maintenance of the motorcycle should be a mandatory function to maintain an optimum level of performance and safety at all times. There is no margin for error concerning the physical soundness of this mode of transportation when it comes to a rider's safety. Period. Responsibility is key and shoddy maintenance only reflects the shortcomings of the rider.

It is also to be remembered, and assumed by the rider, that they are never visible to other motorists. This simple rule of thumb will serve to remind the operator of the vehicle to exercise caution and be alert at all times. If at all possible, eye-to-eye contact should be established with each motorist

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