Motorcycle riders are revving up their engines now that the snow is finally gone.

Before you take your bike out, safety should come first. Officials say bikers should wear over-ankle footwear, pants, a leather jacket, gloves, eye wear, and a helmet. William Jacobson knows this from first hand experience.
"I was riding home from work and a deer took out my motorcycle and I slid on the road. I'm glad I had the jacket on or I would've had some pretty bad road rash. I'd maybe still be picking out rocks," says Jacobson.

While those things are important perhaps the most vital safety item is a quality motorcycle helmet.

"A good motorcycle helmet is probably the most important piece of protective equipment a motorcycle rider can wear," says Superior Patrol Officer Todd Carlson.

"Every year they should check their helmets for proper fit, for any damage that may have happened to their helmet over that year and for the age of it, which we recommend be replaced every 3-5 years," says Harley Davidson Clothing Manager Patty Heino.

If a motorcycle connects with a car or truck its obvious who will come out of the crash better...that's why its vital that motorcyclist look carefully before making any turns or lane changes.

"As a motorcycle rider you want to make sure you are giving yourself a two second following distance from that vehicle to give you time to react if someone were to pull out in front of you," says Officer Carlson.

As summer is inching closer, motorcycle dealers are feeling the difference. "The cabin fever effect in the Northern climate really helps boost sales this time of year," says Harley Davidson store owner Dennis Kachelmyer.

Police and motorcycle dealers agree that a motorcycle safety class is an important tool in protecting everyone on the roadways.

"People who have ridden for 20-25 years have taken classes after the fact and told me that they still come away with something new," says Officer Carlson.


Motorcyclists are revving up their engines now that the snow is finally gone.


But before you take your bike out, safety should come first.
Experienced motorcycle riders say bikers should wear over-ankle footwear, pants, a leather jacket, gloves, eye wear, and a quality motorcycle helmet.
William Jacobson knows this from first hand experience.
"I was riding home from work and a deer took out my motorcycle and I slid on the road. I'm glad I had the jacket on or I would've had some pretty bad road rash. I'd maybe still be picking out rocks," says Jacobson.
While those things are important perhaps the most vital safety item is a motorcycle helmet.
"Your motorcycle helmet is probably the most important piece of protective equipment a motorcycle rider can wear," says Superior Patrol Officer Todd Carlson.
"Every year they should check their helmets for proper fit, for any damage that may have happened to their helmet over that year and for the age of it, which we recommend be replaced every 3-5 years," says Harley Davidson Clothing Manager Patty Heino.
If a motorcycle hits a car or truck its obvious who will come out of the crash better...that's why it's vital that every motorcycle rider look carefully before making any turns or lane changes.
"As a motorcycle rider you want to make sure you are giving yourself a two second following distance from that vehicle to give you time to react if someone were to pull out in front of you," says Officer Carlson.
As summer is inching closer, motorcycle dealers are feeling the difference.
"The cabin fever effect in the Northern climate really helps boost sales this time of year," says Harley Davidson store owner Dennis Kachelmyer.
Police and motorcycle dealers agree that a motorcycle safety class is an important tool in protecting everyone on the roadways.
"People who have ridden for 20-25 years have taken classes after the fact and told me that they still come away with something new," says Officer Carlson.
To find out how to register for a motorcycle safety course you can contact the Motorcycle Safety Foundation.