Motorcycle Safety in Klamath Falls, OR

What Every Motorcycle Rider Should Know

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Tips for Beginners & Experienced Riders

Motorcycle Safety in Klamath Falls, ORThe key to staying safe riding your motorcycle is to be prepared and understand how to avoid risks. Motorcyclists are at a higher risk being on the road compared to a vehicle. Keep these things in mind to dramatically lower your risk for injury.

Refine Your Skills

If you’re new to riding, look to take a riding course from the Motorcycle Safety Foundation in your area. This class can teach you the basics. Or, if you’re an experienced rider, you can learn more advanced techniques.

Practice Makes Progress

After taking a Motorcycle Safety riding course, be sure to get out there and ride! Racking up miles will help you become a better rider. Set a short term goal of riding 1,000 miles before a specific date.

Wear the Right Clothing & Footwear

Especially if you’re new to riding, you need to wear the proper attire in case you go down. Look to buy leather or textile protective gear (jacket, pants, gloves). It helps when your clothing is breathable when you’re riding in the hot summer days.

Shoes with good traction are essential to staying safe on the road. A non-slip bottom boot or shoe is ideal. They should also be over-the-ankle to give extra protection.

Ride More Defensive Than You Drive a Car

Many drivers don’t see motorcycles or simply make judgement errors because of your size. Be sure to pay more attention to your surroundings when you’re riding. Pay attention to everything including street corners and intersections, but also parking lots, alleys and anywhere where a vehicle is trying to enter into moving traffic. Also, look far ahead when you’re riding. For example, say a car is pulled over or construction is coming up. Sure, you may see it, but does the car next to you? Lastly, avoid the blind spot of all cars. Ride up ahead of them or far enough before in case they need to suddenly switch lanes.

Besides being aware of your surroundings, it’s important to look for pot holes or bumps in the road. While a car can handle these without a problem, being on a motorcycle is a different story. If you can’t avoid them, slow down as much as you can.

Do a Quick Inspection

Before hopping on your bike, be sure to check a few areas. Check the chain, belt, and brakes. Inspect your tires for proper pressure. Also check to make sure your lights and directional signals are working properly.

While we’d love to sit in your sidecar to help you ride safely, we have work to do saving great people like you money on their motorcycle insurance. As an independent agent, we have access to some of the top insurance carriers in the country.

If you have questions about your home, auto or commercial insurance, call the insurance agents at Pacific Ridge Insurance. They write business across the state of Oregon from their home office in Klamath Falls, OR. Policies can easily be written over the phone by calling (888) 337-5882.  With years of insurance experience they can easily help you insure everything from your home to your auto or commercial auto insurance. They live where you do and are an independent insurance agent, so they can help you find the right company to fit your needs. You can also check out their website, 24/7.

 

Camper Trailer Insurance Klamath Falls, OR

Seven Areas to Look Before Buying a Used Camper

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Simple Tips That Could Prevent an Unwanted Repair

Tips Before Buying a Used RV in Klamath Falls, ORSpring is a great season to start looking for good used campers. Whether you’re looking at a dealership or from a person off of Craigslist, it’s important to know how to look for possible damage or wear.

Look for these trouble areas to save yourself on repairs:

  1. Delamination

RV’s are typically made of a laminated plywood and adhered with an adhesive. This adhesive over time can become deteriorated and cause the side of the RV to delaminate. This delamination can become worse over time and unfortunately, there is not an inexpensive fix. Reasons for delamination can be moisture, heat or simply age. To look for delamination, look down the side of the RV. You’re looking for a change in the plane – it looks almost like a large bubble. Take your hand and press on it. Does it flex or feel like there is air between the exterior fiberglass shell and the interior plywood?

  1. Tires

Tires are easy to inspect. What you’re looking for is small cracks in between the tread. As RVs sit, they develop flat spots and weather cracks. These cracks while largely cosmetic in nature, can over time deteriorate the tire. If the tires are worn or cracked, consider this into the cost of purchasing the RV.

  1. Rodent Damage

Rodents get into everything. Your RV or trailer is no different. In fact, they make ideal homes for rodents because most of the year, they’re sitting undisturbed. When looking for signs of rodents, pull up some seat cushions and look in storage spaces. You’re looking for rodent droppings. Mice and rats leave droppings everywhere. This can both be a health hazard and also damage your RVs interior as they nest.

  1. Water Damage

RV’s are incredibly susceptible to water damage. Truth is many manufacturers in the US don’t build the RVs with as much quality as they could. Water damage is usually pretty easy to spot or smell. If the RV smells musty or feels damp, this is a big indicator. Look for mineral stains or water stains on wood, around skylights and air conditioners on the roof. Also, go around the RV or trailer and push in on all of the sides all the way around. If water got into the walls, it can quickly rot the structural portions of the RV. Pushing on the sides will identify any areas that may be compromised. An RV should be stiff and hard, if it flexes, it is possible there is water damage. Check closely around windows and on the roof.

  1. Appliances

RV appliances are incredibly expensive to replace because of their compact size. If you’re considering a used RV, have the owner or dealer fire up the refrigerator prior to you getting there so you can feel it cool. RV refrigerators can run on electricity, battery or propane. They take about 2 hours to cool down, so before your arrival, ask them to turn it on. Also, while there, test any water heaters and/or other systems that may be important to you.

  1. Canvas

If your trailer or RV has any canvas, look it over closely for mold and staining. Also, if any windows are plastic on your RV, check all zippers and windows for cracks. New canvas tops for a pop-up camper can cost upwards of $3,000.

  1. Floor

The floor of an RV is one of the most common places an RV, camper or trailer is damaged. The floor is typically made up of simple plywood and in older RVs was not protected by anything. Additionally, floors that were protected underneath often time trapped water that entered from above causing the floors to rot. When inspecting a trailer for a rotted floor, get on your hands and knees and push all over the floor looking for flex. If the floor flexes or feels mushy, it is likely rotten and may require replacement. You can also take a small screwdriver or pick and lightly push from underneath (for exposed wood floors only) and see if the material is rotted.

Taking these steps can save you a lot on costly RV repair. We hope you enjoy your camping season. Many memories can be made while camping so we hope we’ve been successful in helping you be an expert when shopping for a used RV.

If you have questions about your home, auto or commercial insurance, call the insurance agents at Pacific Ridge Insurance. They write business across the state of Oregon from their home office in Klamath Falls, OR. Policies can easily be written over the phone by calling (888) 337-5882.  With years of insurance experience they can easily help you insure everything from your home to your auto or commercial auto insurance. They live where you do and are an independent insurance agent, so they can help you find the right company to fit your needs. You can also check out their website, 24/7.

How to drive in snow and ice in Klamath Falls, OR

The Best Strategies to Drive Safe in the Snow & On Ice

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Winter Weather Driving Tips

How to drive in snow and ice in Klamath Falls, ORIt’s important for every driver to know how to drive in winter weather conditions. It can be challenging to drive in these conditions, but with the knowledge of the information below, you’ll know how to stay safe on the road.

  • Be sure your car has plenty of antifreeze. You do not want to run out while driving in poor weather conditions.
  • Make sure your windshield wipers are in good condition and that your wiper fluid remains full. Dirty roads can cover a windshield with dirt quickly impacting your visibility.
  • Keep control of your vehicle by not using your cruise control settings.
  • Pack the essentials in your car in case you get stuck. A flashlight, roadside visibility reflectors, a snow brush and ice scraper, jumper cables and a bag of sand to help with traction are all key items that can help you deal with winter weather.
  • Always check the road conditions before you leave on your trip. Once you know the weather conditions, be sure to leave earlier so you don’t have to feel rushed. Giving yourself the extra time allows you to drive at an appropriate and safe speed.
  • Brake appropriately on slippery surfaces. If you start to skid, take your foot off the accelerator until you regain traction. Many people want to slam on the brakes when they notice their car starting to skid.
  • Give yourself more distance between the car ahead of you. When the weather conditions are poor, you will need more space between the car ahead of you to stop.
  • Know where to be extra cautious. Bridges, ramps, overpasses and shaded areas are likely to freeze first and can be extra slick.
  • To defrost your car, turn on your front and rear defrosters. Don’t use your windshield wipers. Once your car has warmed up slightly, use your plastic ice scrapers.

Knowledge is the first step to becoming a safe driver. Having the awareness and driving skills can help you stay safe in less than optimal weather conditions.

If you have questions about your home, auto or commercial insurance, call the insurance agents at Pacific Ridge Insurance. They write business across the state of Oregon from their home office in Klamath Falls, OR. Policies can easily be written over the phone by calling (888) 337-5882.  With years of insurance experience they can easily help you insure everything from your home to your auto or commercial auto insurance. They live where you do and are an independent insurance agent, so they can help you find the right company to fit your needs. You can also check out their website, 24/7.