Team Oregon Motorcycle Safety Program

10/05/2026

To all the cornering enthusiasts out there, the Motorcyclist article "The Pace" by Nick Ienatsch was a wise and measured look at performance street riding. While the original article is nearly 35 years old, its message still resonates today. Even if the author is lately singing a different tune, we think Mr. Ienatsch got it right the first time...

https://www.motorcyclistonline.com/pace/

10/02/2026

The oncoming vehicle's view of the motorcyclist is partially blocked. There are at least three things the rider could do to minimize the risk of a right-of-way violation. Possible lane positions (left, center, and right) are colored in yellow, orange and red. What would YOU do?...

09/24/2026

Looking for friends to ride with? A local moto club to meet up and talk bikes? Want to attend a full-fledged motorcycle rally, or just find a way to get more involved? Team Oregon maintains a list of almost 50 clubs and organizations active in Oregon on our website. There are riding friends out there you've not yet met, waiting for you to arrive by bike...

https://team-oregon.org/rider-resources/clubs-and-organizations/

09/21/2026

"High-viz is the new black." Our colleagues at SMARTER have assembled a list of 20+ riding tips to make yourself visible to other drivers. What's best about the top 3 (reflective vest, white helmet, bright jacket) is that they are EASY. They require no attention or effort on the part of the rider after the initial purchase. Learn the art of conspicuity at www.highviz.org and have fun shopping...

Welcome to HighViz.org. You have arrived at a section of the website of the Skilled Motorcyclist Association – Responsible, Trained and Educated Riders, Inc. (SMARTER). Go to Research – Conspicuity to see the research supporting the value of strategies to increase rider and motorcycle visibility...

09/18/2026

On older motorcycles the signal light, tail light, and headlight bulbs on your motorcycle deteriorate with normal engine vibration, and moisture causes rust and corrosion of the housings. Incandescent and halogen bulbs wear out and can dim over time. So if one of the bulbs on your motorcycle fails, it’s a good reminder to replace the rest of them while you're under the hood. Remember to use dielectric grease on the connections...

Here is how to change the turn signal bulb on a motorcycle. Most mo...

09/15/2026

If you own an adventure bike but are not quite sure how to make the most of it off road then you're missing out on some of the best riding in Oregon! Team Oregon does not offer ADV training, but our partner RIDE Adventures does. They offer world-class training on your own bike, or you can rent one of theirs. Several Team Oregon instructors have taken the course and found it to be professional, challenging and fun -- a real eye opener...

https://www.rideadv.com/

09/13/2026

Get to know your bike in ways you might never imagine... A Braking Clinic will transform your stopping confidence. And a Precision Maneuvering Clinic (pictured) will completely change your low-speed tight turns. We still have a few classes available this fall, including a Level 2 PMC for graduates of the "easy" course! Never fear those challenging situations again cuz we've got your back. Saturday and Sunday afternoons, and among the best hundred-ish you'll invest in your motorcycle skills...

https://team-oregon.org/training-courses/additional-training/

09/11/2026

Did you know? Scooter riders are welcome in all Team Oregon advanced courses. The strategies and techniques that riders use to stay safe on motorcycles apply equally well to scooters! Don't be shy. Grab one of your Buddys (Get it?) and sign up for a Braking Clinic or Precision Maneuvering Clinic this fall! Please note that your scoot's gotta have a motorcycle plate, as mopeds (49cc, for example) are not allowed.

https://team-oregon.org/training-courses/additional-training/

09/09/2026

Some of the concepts Team Oregon teaches during training are also useful beyond the motorcycle world. Head and eyes up, for example, can be applied to almost everything... Except golf. What is something you've learned from riding that applies elsewhere in life? (This excellent forearm tattoo belongs to Portland instructor Tod Hyland...)

09/06/2026

We advise riders to always remain alert, but what does that actually mean? Let's unpack that. Think of alertness as mental energy: Your ability to accurately observe your surroundings, process information and respond to changes in the environment. The opposite of alertness is fatigue. When you are fatigued (like after a long day of work, or a long day of riding) your ability to observe your surroundings is diminished. You may be slow to recognize important clues, or miss them completely. Fatigue is an impairment, just like alcohol. If you are under the influence, you shouldn't be riding.