May is Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month.  The summer riding season is here and it’s time to remind car and truck drivers they’re sharing the road with motorcycles.  According to NHTSA (National Highway Transportation Safety Administration), 5,290 motorcyclists were killed and 96,000 more were injured in 2008.  Drivers -  be on the lookout for motorcycles and take care when driving near them.

But Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month is more than just warning drivers to be cautious of motorcycles. It’s also a time to promote motorcycle rider responsibility. Things like proper licensing, responsible riding habits and diligent motorcycle maintenance go a long way in increasing motorcycle rider safety.

Here are some top maintenance tips for motorcycle safety:

• Check tire pressure regularly. Under inflated tires can make lane changes or emergency maneuvers dangerous.
• Inspect tire tread wear. Tires with tread wear or flat spots make the bike harder to turn.
• Clean and lubricate chains. A broken chain can make a driver lose control of the bike while driving.
• Check belts. A broken belt can cause loss of power and loss of control of the bike.
• Inspect and replace brakes before they fail completely. Don’t wait until you have no braking power at all.
• Adjust shocks for rider and passengers. Not enough spring tension and the bike drags on the ground. Too much and the rear end skips and bounces, causing loss of control.
• Replace halogen headlights before they fail. Halogen light emitted from headlights decrease over time. Replace headlight bulbs every 1-2 years to get maximum light output and maximum visibility.

For additional information on motorcycle safety, visit NHTSA.

Seton offers Motorcycle Parking Signs to give motorcyclists a safe place to park in your parking lot.

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