Proper Motorcycle Riding Techniques Saves Lives

So far in Fiscal Year 2005, the Air Force has tragically lost 15 warriors to motorcycle-related deaths. Aggressive riding behavior on sport bikes has been one of the leading causes of motorcycle deaths. Other causes of fatalities are excessive speed and overestimation of riding skills.

Motorcycles easily outperform all but the most expensive luxury sports cars. Sport bikes like the Suzuki GSX-R 1000 are capable of a 9.96 second quarter mile at 144.7 MPH with a top speed of 180 MPH. To put that in perspective, a new 2006 ZO6 Corvette will turn a quick 12 second quarter mile. Motorcycles and sport bikes in particular will out-brake, out-corner, and out-accelerate most any other street legal vehicle. This performance, in theory, should allow an attentive rider to stay out of harm's way.

DOD requires civilians who ride street bikes on base and all military members who ride street bikes to complete a Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF) course. This course is offered at no cost to the individual. The MSF course