Every May, riders across the U.S. unite for Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month (MSAM) – a time to sharpen our skills, refresh our habits, and recommit to the practices that keep us safe.

I’ve learned one truth: safety isn’t a checkbox; it’s a mindset. This year, let’s dive into the 2025 MSAM checklist with insights from trusted orgs like the Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF) and real-world wisdom from riders like you.

Motorcycle Safety Awareness Blueprint

1. The Pre-Ride T-CLOCS Ritual

Developed by the MSF, T-CLOCS (Tires, Controls, Lights, Oil, Chassis, Stands) is the gold standard for pre-ride inspections. Here’s how seasoned riders use it:

  • Tires & Wheels
    • Pressure Matters: Check cold tire pressure (per your manual). Underinflated tires? You’ll lose traction. Overinflated? Say hello to a harsh ride.
    • Tread & Damage: Use the penny test (Lincoln’s head upside down in the tread). Spot cracks, bulges, or embedded nails? Swap that tire ASAP.
  • Controls
    • Throttle Snaps Back: A sticky throttle isn’t just annoying – it’s deadly. Test it at full lock left/right.
    • Cables & Levers: Frayed clutch cables or loose brake levers? Fix ’em. My rule: If it feels off, it is off.
  • Lights & Electrics
    • Brake Light Test: Hit both the front brake lever and rear pedal. If one switch fails, the other is your backup.
    • Mirror Check: Adjust them after sitting in your riding posture. A misaligned mirror = a blind spot.
  • Oil & Fluids
    • Leaks Kill: Spot fresh drips under your bike? Trace ’em. A coolant leak today could mean an overheated engine tomorrow.
  • Chassis
    • Chain Slack: Too tight? You’ll strain the drivetrain. Too loose? Risk a derailment. Check tension at the tightest point.
  • Stands
    • Retention Springs: A loose side stand can deploy mid-corner. Ask me how I know.

Pro Tip: Laminate the T-CLOCS checklist (downloadable from MSF’s site) and stash it in your toolkit.

2. Gear Inspection

Your gear isn’t just apparel – it’s armor. Last year, a rider in our group lowsided at 40 mph. His jacket’s zipper failed mid-slide, leaving his arm road-rashed. Lesson? Check your gear like your life depends on it (because it does).

  • Zippers & Seams
    • Run zippers through their full range. If they snag, replace the slider.
    • Inspect seams at stress points (shoulders, knees). Fraying threads? Time for repairs.
  • Helmet Health
    • 5-Year Rule: Even if it looks fine, replace helmets every 5 years (UV degrades materials).
    • Strap Check: Frayed straps or loose D-rings? Retire that lid.
  • Armor Placement
    • Knee pads shifted to your shins? Rearrange them. Properly positioned armor absorbs impact, not your bones.

Rider Hack: Use a flashlight to inspect gear interiors. Hidden wear spots love to lurk.

3. Lighting & Visibility

motorcycle headlight check

Motorcycles are smaller than a sedan’s blind spot. NHTSA data shows that 60% of multi-vehicle bike crashes happen because drivers “didn’t see the rider.” Here’s how to fight invisibility:

  • Headlight Aim
    • Park 25 feet from a wall. The low beam’s cutoff should sit just below the headlight’s center height. Too high? You’ll blind oncoming traffic.
  • Reflective Add-Ons
    • Add reflective tape to your helmet, jacket, and bike. A rider in our club swears by 3M’s SOLAS tape – “glows like a UFO at night.”
  • Bulb Backup
    • Carry spare brake/turn signal bulbs. LED lights last longer, but they’re not invincible.

4. Fluid Checks

During a cross-country trip, I ignored a minor oil seepage. Three states later, my engine seized. Don’t be me.

  • Brake Fluid
    • Cloudy or dark fluid? It’s absorbed moisture. Replace it – boiling fluid = brake fade.
  • Coolant
    • Check levels cold. Milky coolant? Head gasket issues are likely.

Pro Move: Mark fluid inspection dates on your calendar. Monthly checks prevent surprises.

5. Drivetrain TLC: Chains, Belts, and Shafts

Motorcycle chain maintainence

A loose chain isn’t just noisy – it’s a hazard. Last season, a rider’s chain derailed on the highway, locking his rear wheel.

  • Chain Lubing
    • Lube after riding (warm chains absorb better). Avoid WD-40 – it’s a degreaser, not a lubricant.
  • Sprocket Check
    • Hooked or pointed teeth? Replace the chain and sprockets as a set.

6. Riders Mental Game

Fatigue, stress, or ego can kill faster than a blown tire. My mantra: Ride sharp or don’t ride.

  • SEE Strategy (Search, Evaluate, Execute)
    • Scan 12 seconds ahead. Spot a pothole? Adjust early.
  • Weather Prep
    • Got rain gear? Pack it. A sudden storm in Montana once taught me hypothermia isn’t fun.

NHTSA reports that 27% of rider fatalities involve alcohol. Ride sober, period.

7. Defensive Riding: Assume Everyone’s Out to Get You

Motorcycle Blind spot check

A truck merged into my lane last week. Thanks to my escape route (left shoulder), I’m still here.

  • Blind Spot Rule
    • If you can’t see the driver’s face in their mirror, they can’t see you.
  • Intersection Vigilance
    • Cover your brakes when approaching greens. That minivan might run the red.

Advanced Tip: Take an MSF course. Their emergency braking drills saved my skin twice.

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Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month isn’t just May – it’s every ride, every mile. As riders, we owe it to ourselves, our families, and the asphalt beneath us to make safety non-negotiable. See you out there, and keep the rubber side down.