TOP TEN MOST OVERLOOKED SAFETY TIPS FOR NEW RIDERS Miami, FL UM (United Motors), the first full line powersports manufacturer in almost 30 years, has recognized that their line of lower displacement motorcycles and scooters appeal to new riders. In accordance, they have developed some often overlooked, yet very important safety tips for those who are new to the lifestyle. The following tips, when applied, may help to increase rider safety: 1. MOTORCYCLE SAFETY FOUNDATION COURSE If you are a new rider, it is important for you to gain a solid motorcycling foundation. This course can help provide the skills necessary to safely operate a motorcycle. Another added benefit to the courses that MSF offers is a likely discount on motorcycle insurance rates. 2. EVALUATE THE ROAD TRAFFIC If you are an inexperienced rider, and live in a highly populated area, ask a more experienced rider to escort you to a less populated area to practice your motorcycling skills with little or no distraction that comes from riding in a busy traffic area. The physics involved in operating a motorcycle are much different than a car. Example: Many riders don’t know that you need to push, not pull, on the right handgrip to turn right and the left handgrip to turn left. 3. DON’T BE AFRAID OF YOUR FRONT BRAKE Front Brakes provide most of the stopping power on motorcycles and should be used in conjunction with the rear brakes in any stopping situation. Be sure to become familiar with the stopping power of the front brake in a controlled setting before using it on the open road. 4. BE SEEN Although you may look cool in black, at night you become invisible. When wearing a helmet, a piece of reflective tape on the back of your helmet can increase you visibility to others with whom you share the road. Also, reflective vests are readily available enhancing your visibility. 5. KEEP YOUR COOL Never let road rage affect you. A car or truck will win every time. If someone is tailgating you, pull over and let them pass. 6. CHOOSE YOUR TRAFFIC TIMING WISELY New riders should pick a time of day when traffic is at a minimum. Heading out for your first time on a bike into rush hour traffic can easily lead to an accident. Also avoid freeways until you gain quite a bit of motorcycling experience. 7. DON’T ASSUME Just because that car in front of you doesn’t have its turn signal on doesn’t mean it won’t get over in front of you. Additionally, even though the cars around you don’t use their turn signals, always use yours, and when riding with a passenger, have them use hand signals as an added safety measure. 8. DON’T TRY TO PREDICT No matter how loud your exhaust may be, don’t assume that the car next to you hears you, or even looks to see if you’re there! Most motorcycles are small enough to be completely hidden in a vehicle’s blind spot. Stay out of it, at all costs. 9. “IF YOU CAN’T SEE MY MIRRORS, I CAN’T SEE YOU” Use the same common sense when operating a motorcycle. If you can’t see the driver’s face in the rearview mirror in the car in front of you, chances are they can’t see you either. 10. “SPACE CUSHION” As you become more experienced and spend more time in traffic, always allow room for other people’s errors. By keeping a “space cushion” around you at all times, you allow yourself the room to take emergency evasive actions with reduced risk of increased injury or damage. “With the increase in motorcyclists in recent times, we thought it would be wise to help those who are new to the sport,” said UM President Juan Villegas. “There are a number of people taking to motorcycling for a myriad of reasons. By giving them some not so common tips, we are helping to increase road safety as well as greater enjoyment.” About UM [United Motors] Headquartered in Miami, FL, UM is the first full-line Powersports manufacturer in almost 30 years, offering Street, Dual Sport & Off Road Motorcycles, Scooters and ATV’s in displacements from 49cc to 650cc. The company currently boasts more than 600 full-line UM Dealerships and 17 Distributors throughout the world including three North American distribution centers. Family owned and operated with more than 50 years of experience in the transportation industry, UM is currently celebrating 10 years in the Powersports industry and operates with the UM corporate motto “UM: Start Riding.” UM is the top rated complementary line to any established industry franchised dealership today. UM is committed to the highest UM Dealer/Consumer satisfaction and stands far apart from the industry players with its industry-best three-year-warranty, significant “true” wholesale margins, private label HSBC Retail Financing, GE Dealer floor plans, Dealer demo programs, aggressive COOP Program, National Consumer advertising, realistic product pricing at MRSP, one of the best parts availabilities/fill rates at 94%+, and superior after sales support. UM designs all of its cutting-edge products and is involved in every step of the production process. UM also supports a complete quality assurance, engineering staff, production controls and R&D group throughout Asia.