Rider Stories: How Safety Courses and Gear Saved My Life

Every rider has a story. And every story is different. But the tales from the riders below all have a couple things in common. They prove that when you’re riding, there’s always risk, and the best thing you can do is prepare for that risk. With proper motorcycle training and DOT-approved gear, you can live to tell your rider story, too.

Read the stories below to learn from real riders how proper safety training and gear saved their lives.

KEN

One night west of Spearfish, Ken was riding his motorcycle home from work when a car abruptly changed lanes in front of him. Without using a turn signal, it was apparent the car didn’t see Ken on his bike. And though he saw the car, he didn’t have enough time to avoid a collision. Ken hit the car, causing him to fly over it, hit the pavement and roll off the highway. Luckily, he was wearing a helmet and survived to
share his story.

“THE TROOPER ON THE SCENE WAS AMAZED I WASN’T KILLED. HE SAID MY FULL-FACE HELMET SAVED MY LIFE. TO THIS DAY I NEVER RIDE WITHOUT ONE.”

PHILIP

Philip acknowledges that motorcycle training classes and proper gear have saved his life – on more than one occasion. With the skills he learned in training, he was able to brake and swerve in emergency situations. He once dodged a turning car that didn’t see him or his bike, and another time avoided a collision with
a herd of deer.

“TRAINING SAVED MY LIFE, SO I SAY TRAINING IS A GOOD SKIN SAVER, AS WELL AS GEAR”

BRYAN

Once he completed several motorcycle training courses, Bryan got his first bike. Shortly after, an early morning ride to work went wrong. An SUV passed him and swerved into his lane, causing Bryan to panic, hit the brakes and swerve off the road. In hindsight, Bryan knows his crash could have been avoided if he listened to his training. But as an inexperienced rider, instincts kicked in before he could think through the situation. This goes to show: it doesn’t matter if you’re an inexperienced or pro rider, no amount of training can guarantee a crash-free ride.

But the knowledge you gain can help prepare you. And luckily, where Bryan was lacking in experience, he made up for by wearing full gear.

” THE GEAR DEFINITELY SAVED MY BACON. I ALWAYS WEAR A FULL-FACE HELMET, RIDING JACKET, PANTS AND BOOTS – EVEN WHEN IT’S 100 DEGREES! THE GEAR WORKS, AND I WISH MORE PEOPLE WOULD WEAR IT.”