Safety

The Rhode Island Retreads are committed to rider safety. We understand that riding a motorcycle takes more skill than driving a car and has more risks involved. No matter how long you ride, there are skills you can improve and new tips you can learn to reduce the risk, and increase your enjoyment of the sport.

This page includes some information you’ll want to know if new to the Retreads, or just want to brush up on your knowledge. Featured articles will change periodically so visit this page often.

If you have a topic you would like to see featured, or some information to share, we would love to hear from you.

Hot Weather Riding

Summer has finally arrived. When riding in hot weather the main thing to prevent is probably the most obvious: DEHYDRATION. Take precautionary measures to avoid the harmful effects of dehydration:

Don’t wait until you’re thirsty to drink. Drink plenty of fluids. Water and sports drinks are the drinks of choice. Avoid tea, coffee, soda, and alcohol. These can lead to dehydration.

Make sure you are taking in more fluid than you are losing. A good rule of thumb is you should need to urinate every time you stop.

Insulate your skin from the heat. Exposed skin on a hot day is not only subject to sunburn, but bare skin soaks up MORE heat from the sun. A mesh jacket is ideal for hot weather riding. I never thought that to be true, but I can tell you from personal experience, it’s true. Generally I’m cooler wearing the mesh jacket than riding with just a tee shirt and my arms exposed to the sun and wind.

Try to schedule your ride during the cooler parts of the day. Early morning and late afternoon.

Recognize dehydration. Some symptoms are thirst, decreased output of urine that is darker in color, dry skin, nausea, fatigue, headache, dizziness, confusion and cramps.

The best advice for anyone feeling these symptoms is to get off the road. Go indoors or find a shaded area, and rehydrate by drinking fluids.