All the saving, nagging, and arguing, has finally paid off, the object of your ambitions and your dreams has been fulfilled, your joy is tangible as you ride her, with sheer delight and the freedom you cherish, the reward for it all has finally arrived… your motorcycle. Talk to any biker, the crotch rocket, thrill seeker, to the almighty Harley lover, the freedom of the road and of course, the black leather jacket, is all anyone needs to fulfill their dreams. Is it surprising, the acquisition of a motorcycle tops the list of items a man will bestow upon himself, before the ink is dry on his divorce decree? A woman will often compensate herself with breast augmentation, and a man will acquire the rumble of 1,000cc’s between their legs, it is a win-win situation.

In addition to the freedom and thrill of motorcycle ownership, comes the responsibility of protecting yourself and your bike. Not only is liability insurance mandatory by law, statistics show the need for coverage is essential in the case of an accident, collision, or theft. Acquiring additional liability coverage, comprehensive, and medical is recommended. Coverage for personal items, towing and roadside assistance, are supplementary options that may be included to your policy at very low prices.

Standard insurance does not cover you! It bears repeating, the state mandated insurance policy only covers other people and property involved in an insurance claim for accidents or collision. It is imperative to obtain additional coverage for yourself, your property, and your motorcycle.

In 2006, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported nearly 5,000 deaths related to motorcycle accidents, additionally 87,000 riders obtained serious injuries requiring a lengthy hospital stay. Factors leading to these statistics range from the repeal of helmet laws in some states and the increased popularity of motorcycles.

In addition to being a “cool” way to travel, motorcycle popularity has increased due to soaring gas prices. Many new motorcycle owners purchased them as an investment, to save on daily fuel consumption, during commutes to and from work. In the war against global warming and the greenhouse effect motorcyclists are frontline advocates in the fight for cleaner air and leave smaller “carbon footprints” by minimizing the need for fossil fuels.

There are a few basic rules that can improve motorcycle safety. Regardless of the helmet law in your state, simply wearing a helmet, reduces death rates from motorcycle accidents. Not simply a fashion must, the timeless, sexy leather jacket, will save your skin from road rash and other fashionable protective gear includes leather chaps, boots, and eye protection.

Of course, motorcyclists should drive defensively, check mirrors, avoid blind spots, and keep headlights on. Following simple common sense and safety tips can reduce your chances of injury, but it goes without saying we cannot control the actions of other drivers, and therefore, insurance is not only a necessity it is also the intelligent thing to do.