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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.

Motorcycle Red Light Sensor Frustration

Is It OK for Motorcyclists to "Run" Red Lights? Of course it's not OK for motorcyclists to speed through traffic, weaving in and out, running red lights, popping wheelies, and generally being a nuisance around town. That's not what I'm talking about. Frustration at the stop light If you ride a motorcycle, you've probably experienced rolling up to a red light only to sit there for up to 15 minutes waiting for it to change. Except it never changes, and you sheepishly roll through the... Read more

The Ultimate Motorcycle Safety Guide: Tips for New Riders

Table of Contents: 1. Motorcycle Maintenance 6. Types of Injuries 2. Pre-ride Motorcycle Checklist 7. Constant Vigilance 3. Helmet Safety 8. Ride with a purpose 4. ATGATT 9. Be Seen 5. Training 10. Eye Contact 1. Stay safe with a well-maintained motorcycle It's wise to consider the motorcycle itself as a part of your plan to stay safe on the road. Motorcycles have much tighter tolerances than automobiles. Motorcycles require fastidious and consiste... Read more

Motorcycle Accidents: What To Do Before, During and After A Crash

It's a question of when, not if. If you ride a motorcycle long enough, you will go down eventually. What you do before, during, and after your motorcycle crash may just save your life, so it helps to pay attention and plan for the worst as a motorcyclist. Choosing the right insurance Insurance goes beyond your motorcycle policy. A motorcycle policy may cover your bike and the property damage from the crash. But does it cover the damage done to YOU in the event of an accident? How... Read more

How to Find a Local Group to Ride With

Photo: Craig Howell CCAsk any motorcyclist about riding solo. Some say they love it, and it helps them clear their heads after a long week at work. Others say riding alone is boring and potentially dangerous. The most dangerous motorcycle accidents occur when riding alone. What if there's nobody around to see you when you go down? What if you can't drag yourself to safety, or even to a place where someone will see you? What if you can't find your cell phone because the crash threw it 100 ya... Read more

A Short History of Motorcycle Antilock Brakes

Photo: Raniel Diaz CC Motorcycling purists rolled their eyes. Racers thought wasting almost 25 pounds on it was silly. The year was 1988. It was the end of an era in motocross and Eddie Lawson stole the Grand Prix Championship title from Wayne Gardner. The Cold War was about to end and BMW released the very first motorcycle equipped with antilock brakes. Not on MY bike Back then, the idea of strapping 25 pounds of dead weight to a bike in the name of "safety" was anathema to motorcyclin... Read more

Everything You Need To Know About Off-Road Riding

Photo: fasteddy760 | CC Many riders get acquainted with motorcycling on the street as adults. Well-informed riders know they need good education to stay safe on the street. After a few years, many riders start asking, "How can I get better?" And the answer is to ride less on the street and more in a controlled environment, free from soccer moms and teen-aged drivers. The best way to do that without breaking the bank is to take your weekend ride off road. What kind of bike should you get... Read more

Top 10 Brand New, Old School Motorcycles

You don't have to buy brand new OR pay for a long, custom build to get the bike you want. All you have to do is scour the web's classifieds for one of these "modern classic" bikes from the past decade. Yamaha V-Max Photo: Ramsha DarbhaA drag-strip killer that eats big bore sportbikes for breakfast, the original V-Max was produced non-stop from 1985 to 2008. The redesign, released in 2009, is still in production. It looks like something a 1980s manga anti-hero would ride, and its 1200c... Read more

Safety First: Getting The Motorcycle Training You Need

Riding a motorcycle is tricky. It’s a learned skill. This is what makes it fun. It's also what makes it dangerous. Riders who plan on lasting longer than the summer have safety on their minds long before they ever throw a leg over. Even for people who never plan on riding a motorcycle, taking an introductory course to learn how to ride is an adventurous thing to spend the weekend doing. Managing your risk For those of us who love motorcycles, safety can be the furthest thing from... Read more

The New Riders’ Guide to Choosing a Motorcycle

Purchasing your first bike is a big step, and not one to be taken lightly. There are a number of things a beginner should look for in a motorcycle, and many common mistakes that can be avoided. Here’s a guide to help you select the right motorcycle for a new beginner rider. 1. Smaller Engine Size One of the biggest mistakes new riders make is purchasing a first bike with far more power than they need, or can handle. If you have just started riding and want to gain some experience, start ... Read more

Stopping, Starting and Holding a Motorcycle on a Hill

If you want to learn how to start, stop and hold your motorcycle on a hill, you’ll have to find a hill to get a bit of practice on. It is best to find a sparsely traveled portion of road with afew hilly sections, in order to minimize the risk of interfering with other traffic. This way, you’ll have plenty of time to practice your uphill launching and holding techniques without being worried about lots of traffic. Whenever you have to stop on an incline, bring the motorcycle to a ... Read more