Assuming snow or ice hasn’t held up the mailman, you probably received this magazine during the first week of January. For most of us, the weather isn’t conducive for a motorcycle ride, so why read about motorcycle safety now?
Glad you asked.

On January 26th and 27th, one of the largest motorcycle shows east of Mississippi will be held in Charlotte. Tens of thousands of motorcycle enthusiasts will visit the downtown Charlotte Convention Center.

North Carolina ranks 7th highest among states with the most registered motorcycles; South Carolina, 28th.

Increased ownership has spawned an increase in motorcycle accidents and fatalities.

Fatal motorcycle accidents have been on the rise for 10 years, according to the National Center for Statistics and Analysis.

Unlike cars, the age group with the largest increase in motorcycle fatalities isn’t young people riding sport bikes: it’s the 45 and older age group riding large cruisers with 1,500cc or more.

Riding Safely
Here are some things to consider:

1. First and most important: Always ride with all your safety gear.
2. Take a motorcycle drivers’ training course. A list of the dates, times and locations for the courses can be found at www.msf-usa.org. Check out the library of safety articles.
3. Considering a modification to your current bike? Take a trial run before making
   the final decision. Extended forks, “Ape-Bars,” even saddlebags can have a significant impact on how your bike maneuvers.
   Always test ride a larger bike to make sure you can handle it safely.
4. Make your first ride of the New Year short and solo. The first week of “good riding weather” is the same week when the most motorcycle claims are reported.

Buying Insurance
When it comes to purchasing insurance for your new “hawg” remember the following:

1. Most companies limit the dollar amount of accessories they will insure. Make sure to contact your agent about “hidden limits” within the policy. Custom
   paint jobs, murals, etchings and non-OEM accessories are often limited.
2. Always tell the insurance company about the total market value of your bike. Most motorcycle claims are total losses, so if you try to save a few dollars by insuring the bike for less than what it’s worth, you will suffer dearly at the time of the claim settlement.
3. Contact your agent about adding the motorcycle under your umbrella policy. If you don’t have an umbrella policy, this is a perfect time to get one. If the insurance company writing your umbrella doesn’t know about the increased
   exposures of the motorcycle, this could be grounds for denying a claim.
4. If you have questions, call your insurance agent. AAA Carolinas insurance
   consultants have insured more motorcycles in North and South Carolina than any other agency.

From one motorcycle enthusiast to another, “Keep it upright” and if you’re going to attend the bike show in Charlotte, visit us at the AAA booth.