Reevaluating Oregon's Helmet Law

Currently there is a bill being passed through the House of Representatives, sponsored by Andy Olson that would relax Oregon’s helmet law. House Bill 3141 would amend the law to state that people over the age of 21 are allowed to ride their motorcycles without helmets. This will be a very popular amendment to the law for a lot of people. I am one of them.

I believe that it should be my choice as to whether or not I wear a helmet while I am on my bike. My choice would be to wear a helmet of course. A full face helmet. Yes, although I believe that there shouldn’t be helmet laws, I would also still choose to wear a helmet. My head may be funny shaped, but it is mine.

As much as I would love to see my beloved Oregon become a state where we can make choices as individuals, I am a little disturbed by the motivation behind it. He is sponsoring this bill because friends of his who ride have told him that it is too hard to see or hear out of full face helmets. I call shenanigans.

This is an argument that I have heard numerous times, and I just can’t swallow it. I have had a few years out on the road, riding from little Corvallis, Ore. to Seattle, San Francisco, Klamath Falls and even around Crater Lake three times. I have never worn anything less than a full face helmet, and I have had plenty of close calls. However, none of those were caused by my inability to see or hear the traffic around me.

Also, if you don’t like full face helmets, then don’t buy one. They are actually the most expensive of the helmet designs. A small DOT approved “skull cap” helmet can be picked up at a gear shop for around $30. These helmets do not impede anything, as no part of them is anywhere near your eyes or ears. How is this going to work into the argument of “I can’t see or hear anything when I wear a helmet?”

I do believe that the helmet law should be revised. I think that the new bill that is being introduced is a good idea. However, I don’t believe that it is being fought for the right reasons. If you start stating that full face helmets are dangerous on the road, who’s to say that the next bill wouldn’t outlaw full face helmets?

This is a fight that bikers have been slogging through for a long time. I just want the fight to be for the real reason, a biker’s choice. My choice will still be my full face helmet.

Where Can I Get a Jacket?

Where is a good place to get a riding jacket? This is something that I hear a lot when out on the road, from people who ride in ski jackets or letterman’s jackets when they start to crave the protection of windproof materials and foam armor.

Proper riding gear really can make the difference between a good ride and a bad one. The materials that are used in the production of riding gear are tested and used specifically for protection against weather , crashes, or both.

Let’s start with the two main types of material: leather and textile. Both are abrasion resistant, so they will keep your skin on your body in the event of a crash. Usually textile is a little lighter and less expensive than leather.

There are a few online sources for getting riding apparel. DennisKirk.com has a very large (over 300) selection of men’s jackets and riding suits alone. Another online source for riding apparel is Leatherup.com. They have a large selection as well, of both leather and textile products. The upside of shopping for jackets online is that the prices are usually lower, as they are able to buy in bulk. Dennis Kirk even has a deal that if you spend over $100 then the shipping is on them.

The downside to ordering from an online store however is that riding gear needs to fit you a certain way. Having an experience d sales person who can help you get the right fit and show you how to adjust the straps properly will make you a more comfortable and a safer rider. A great store to check out is Cycle Gear in Salem, Ore.

Cycle Gear is a chain store, but very customer service driven. They have a price match guarantee, where they will match a price and knock off an extra 5 percent on any product that is found at a local retailer. The staff members are knowledgeable and most of them commute on motorcycles themselves. If there is something that they don’t have in the store, they will likely be able to order it. Employee Ron Davis said if they have a product at a different store, they can have it shipped to your local store. Also, if there is something on their website that you want, you can order it from the website while in the store and have it shipped directly to your house.

Getting a properly fitting jacket will keep loose material from slapping around in the wind, beating you up. Also the material of a motorcycle jacket will keep the wind out, helping to keep you warm and prevent dehydration. With a little shopping around, you will be able to find a jacket that will suit your needs and not cost you more than your tuition.

Preparing Your Bike for the Winter

It is a heartbreaking experience, pulling your trusty steed out of the spot where moss has started to form around the tires. As you push it out to a nice clear space to start it, you wonder why you don’t remember your bike weighing this much. You soon realize that the rolling resistance is caused by the completely flat rear tire .

Then you turn the key. Although the headlight comes on, when you push the starter button, the motor hardly turns over. Damn. If you are lucky, then there is merely a single plastic cover over your battery. However, if you have a full fairing, out come the tools.

Once the fairing is off you realize that the battery is low on water. Usually this is an easy thing to fix, except that your terminals are corroded together. Double damn. Suddenly the pleasant day of riding has turned into two hours of work, frustration, and the delusion that the birds chirping merrily in the background are actually mocking you.

There are a few simple steps that you can take to make sure that this isn’t your beginning of the riding season scenario. The simplest answer is of course to not end the riding season. Brad Lawrie commutes daily on his motorcycle and his response to storing his bike for the off season is, “There’s an off season?” Through the use of proper riding gear, including electric clothing, he is able to ride year round.

However, if you are not into riding during inclement weather (safety first) then you will have to prepare your bike for storage. First, get a cover of some sort. Covers are fairly inexpensive and can be found at most auto parts stores and motorcycle dealerships.

Disconnect the battery. This does two things positive for you. First, trying to get corroded terminals to disconnect is an arduous task, as they are usually brass and can strip easily. Also, if there is a slow voltage leak, it will keep your battery from draining. If you have a garage, getting a Battery Tender is a great idea. This is a product that charges your battery and keeps it at a constant charge without blowing it up.

Also before you store your motorcycle, you should address the fuel. Gasoline degrades quickly, so adding something like Sta-Bil fuel stabilizer will help keep the fuel in the tank from turning into paint thinner later. And speaking of your carbs, draining them is always a good idea for long term storage. As the fuel breaks down, it leaves a gummy residue on important internal parts, keeping your bike from performing at its peak.

Taking these small steps before the weather kicks you off your bike, will save you a huge headache when the sun does come out for the season.