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Motorcycle Blog

Welcome to the Michael Padway & Associates Motorcycle Blog

We are not just lawyers representing motorcyclists. We’re riders, advocates and junkies for any newsworthy events in the motorcycle community. Michael Padway & Associates is here not only to provide excellent representation during your court case, but to educate you on motorcycle safety and protect a beloved American pastime with a great motorcycle blog!

Here in the Motorcycle Blog, you’ll find tasty tidbits on current events on the motorcycle community including news on motorcycle laws and local events. We’ll provide you with detailed product reviews, breaking down the best and worst of safety gear. You’ll also get groundbreaking updates on technological advancements in motorcycle specification and safety technology. We’ll help keep you safe with motorcycle safety tips and resources while helping you gear up for your next ride with unique local destinations to visit.

So sit back, relax and enjoy the ride.

How to Ride a Motorcycle in Crosswinds

Riding in a crosswind can be daunting at times. At some point in time, you will wonder how to deal with severe crosswinds, regrettably, this would most likely happen while you are in the process of fighting them! The surprise is that most of the time you really do not have to do anything ‘special’ and the motorcycle should not have a problem handling the majority of crosswinds with just the usual responses from you. However, it is true that it can sometimes be very difficult to ride... Read more

How to Choose a Motorcycle That Fits Your Height and Size

Be sure to get a motorcycle that fits your height. One of the most important decisions facing the beginning motorcyclist is what motorcycle to buy. With so many styles available, whether or not a bike is of a suitable height is an obvious concern. By far the best way to pick a motorcycle to fit your height is to visit a motorcycle dealer and try several models for size. This will allow you to get a feel of the weight distribution of a motorcycle and distance from seat to foot and hand cont... Read more

How to Make a Tight U-Turn on a Motorcycle

Performing a U-turn on a motorcycle is one of the toughest maneuvers, particularly for new riders. In fact, many veteran riders find U-turns so tricky because they rarely have the opportunity to practice. Here's a quick walkthrough to help you master the U-turn in tight spaces without dropping your bike. Step One: Prepare for the Turn It's best to start off going in a straight line before the actual turn to prepare and maintain a steady speed. Slip the clutch, open the throttle and gently... Read more

How to Park a Motorcycle on a Hill

One of the most frustrating experiences a motorcycle owner can have is finding their bike tipped over due to a poor parking job. While such a risk always exists, it is heightened when a biker is forced to park a motorcycle on a hill. If the parking job is not done correctly, the damage done to the bike could be quite extensive. This is why you should be extremely careful when you attempt to park your bike on a hill. You should never be haphazard about the position you park in. The motorcycle ... Read more

Motorcycle Night Riding – Tips for Staying Safe

How To Stay Safe When You Ride At Night? Plenty of research has been done looking into motorcycle safety. You can find enough stats to scare you away from your bike forever on Wikipedia’s Motorcycle Safety page. These are some of the spookier statistics: According to the U.S. National Highway Transportation Safety Administration, Motorcyclists are 35 times more likely to die in a fatal accident as drivers of other types of vehicles. According to a national study by the Australian Tran... Read more

Motorcycle Night Riding – Top 6 Safety Tips

How To Stay Safe When You Ride At Night? Plenty of research has been done looking into motorcycle safety. You can find enough stats to scare you away from your bike forever on Wikipedia’s Motorcycle Safety page. These are some of the spookier statistics: According to the U.S. National Highway Transportation Safety Administration, Motorcyclists are 35 times more likely to die in a fatal accident as drivers of other types of vehicles. According to a national study by the Australian Transp... Read more

50 Years of Riding and 40 Years as a Motorcycle Lawyer

This year I celebrate riding motorcycles for 50 years, and dealing with accidents for 40 years. I hope I learned something in all that time that might be useful to other riders, so here it is. Is it safe to ride a motorcycle? Years ago, I remember discussing this question with Luke Lucarelli. He was known as the “million mile motorcyclist”, because he had more than a million miles under his belt. He set up the CHP motorcycle training program, and he taught motorcycle riding and safety,... Read more

Motorcycle Group Riding Hand Signals

Although motorcycle hand gestures are something that most riders learn as part of their motorcycle license exams, often they are forgotten and not used when actually needed. For example, if your signal lights are damaged, or if you’re riding in a large group, communication between riders via hand signals are critical to staying safe at all times. Here’s a useful infographic to help serve as a refresher for some of the more common hand signals. Click image to enlarge: Left tur... Read more

Are Scooters Dangerous?

Should I get a scooter or a motorcycle? Frequently new riders who want to migrate to two wheeled motorized vehicles may consider a scooter instead because it’s a more economical solution, but may be terrified of the power of some motorcycle engines. Buying a scooter can be a great alternative. Scooters are virtually mini motorcycles. However, a scooter will have the rider sitting upright and feet will be resting on floorboards instead of pegs.  There’s no shifting involved either. ... Read more

Best Open Face Motorcycle Helmet

When it comes to riding motorcycles, the thrill of the ride and the social stamina of the group can take center stage.  However, safety should be a rider’s primary concern.  Whether you’re cruising down the highway, streamlining down back country roads, or riding with a large group of friends, safety gear is important.  The smallest mistake could lead to catastrophic crashes, which is why your gear should be your priority. Specifically dealing with helmets, there is a wide range of dif... Read more