There is an aspect of motorcycling we don't like to think much about, but inevitably must all deal with it. Whether that becomes an ordeal or just another part of the fun will be determined by positive attitude and preparation more than skill and experience.

New riders frequently will ask me for riding advice, which is invariably to take as many rider training courses as you can afford to on street and track, regardless of the kind of motorcycle you ride. If they've already done all that (or are in process of doing so), I give them just one more nugget: "See Everything."

If you recall my last article (Aug. '08), I spoke about muscular balance and how offsetting this natural equilibrium can alter spinal position. It is virtually impossible to be in perfect anatomical position every minute, but we can reverse a lot of the damage our daily routines cause. The key is to use exercises that specifically target the muscle groups responsible for poor posture. Another great way to combat poor anatomical alignment is to switch arms or sides in whatever you're doing. For example, if you have a baby, switch the arm that you hold her with or carry the car safety seat in the other arm. When you grocery shop, evenly load your bags into both arms if you're carrying them. Women should switch the shoulder they carry their pocketbook on, and so on. Try challenging yourself to use your nondominant side in every daily task if you can: It'll make a difference.

Have you ever been at a rally and taken a really good look around? If you gazed long and hard, you probably realized the folks you're checking out aren't exactly the most stand-up group-literally. In other words, your motorcycling brethren are a bunch of slouches. The good news is that most of the general population has bad posture too, not just motorcyclists. The bad news is that the biggest cause of slouching is not laziness, but sitting.

Virtual Safety