Quotes from David L. Hough

If Doc can't let it go, you can always remind him that statistically a human is more likely to die from a hospital error than from a motorcycle ride.

Motorcyclists, like pilots, put the priority on avoiding accidents rather than attempting to survive accidents. The energy is focused on doing everything right, rather than on surviving the crash. That's a significant difference that motor vehicle safety experts in the U.S. seem unable to grasp. The NHTSA approach has always focused on crash padding, rather than on driver skill.

A driver who has no interest in motorcycles, and isn't expecting to see one, may not comprehend a motorcycle regardless of how conspicuous it is.

What they need to know is, to lean right, push on the right grip; to lean left, push on the left grip. If

For whatever reason, speed enforcement in the U.S. is a bigger deal than elsewhere in the world. In Europe, police seem to be more concerned about preventing accidents and less consumed with the passion to write speeding tickets.

squeeze the clutch during a quick stop, so you can concentrate on the brakes and keep the engine from locking up the rear wheel.

In general, motorcyclists and motorcycle dealerships don't understand how to manage the risks of riding, so it's more comfortable to avoid the topic. Since

A skilled rider should be able to operate the throttle and front brake simultaneously.

The self-balancing action of a motorcycle front end is a result of the combined effects of a number of details, including rake, trail, steering head rise and fall, mass shift, contact patch location, and tire profiles.

less experienced riders look closer to the bike with a more fixed gaze, while skillful riders look farther ahead and frequently change their focus.

12 seconds represents about as far ahead as you can see details. If you're not in the habit of looking that far ahead, then you should be working on that important technique.

point your nose—rather than just swivel your eyes—in the direction that you want to go. For whatever physical or psychological reasons, the act of turning your head helps aim the motorcycle in that direction.

Novices start out with the physical skills of mastering the clutch, throttle, brakes, and balance. Veterans understand that motorcycling is really more of a mental process of scrutinizing the situation, evaluating the hazards, and deciding what to do with the motorcycle.

The problem with riding over your head is that the laws of physics are self-enforcing.

It does seem to help to lean your torso toward the curve. You don't have to shift your butt to the inside of the saddle, just lean your torso forward and toward the curve. Some riders use the mirror as a reference point, leaning toward the inside and lining up the mirror with their cornering line. That happens to work nicely with countersteering, as you'll tend to pull the grips toward the curve as you lean your torso.

Whom the gods wish to destroy, they first make mad." (Euripides)

Scary as it seems, the best tactic for swerving is to stay off the brakes and hold the throttle steady, conserving all of the available traction for steering.

Sage advice about curves is go in slow, go out fast.

The delayed apex line maximizes traction, helps guide you away from potential collisions, and gives you a better view around blind turns. If you like those priorities, consider adopting the trendy delayed apex line yourself.

1. Anticipate what's going to happen.

Two ways to increase your anticipation time are looking farther ahead and reducing speed in busy situations.

Contrary to those pseudo-serious Loud Pipes Save Lives stickers, noise basically annoys people and demonstrates that you are impolite and self-centered.

The system is a drill, or set of steps, that is accomplished in sequence when approaching any hazard: 1. Select course 2. Look behind, signal, adjust speed 3. Change gear 4. Look behind again and signal again 5. Use your horn 6. Look behind again 7. Maneuver and accelerate

The obvious tactic for avoiding alcohol-precipitated crashes is to avoid riding after drinking. And that's a decision you have to make before your judgment is impaired.