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About Pat Hahn
(Top Expert on this page)

Expertise
I can answer questions related to motorcycle safety: knowledge, skills, technical, or theoretical. I am especially familiar with the concepts of risk management, hazard awareness, crash avoidance, and traction management as they pertain to motorcycle riders. Please do not ask me to troubleshoot your mechanical/electrical problems ("Why won't my bike start?").

Experience
I'm an MSF-Certified Instructor (12 years), author of the motorcycle safety books How to Ride a Motorcycle and Ride Hard, Ride Smart, co-author of Motorcycle Track Day Handbook, and Public Information Officer for the State of Minnesota: I coordinate public information and education for the Minnesota Motorcycle Safety Center, a project of the Minnesota Department of Public Safety.

Organizations
Motorcycle Safety Foundation, Minnesota Motorcycle Safety Center
Check out my website at www.motorcyclesafety.state.mn.us Of particular interest is "Safety Tips"
   

You are here:  Experts > Shopping > Motorcycles > Motorcycle Safety & Driveability

SubjectDate AskedExpert

New Rider - Bike Selection10/30/2009Pat Hahn
  Q: Pat: This year I turned 50, took the MSF course, and started searching for a motorcycle based upon ...
  A: Ron, good on you for giving it so much thought. A conscientious rider can learn to ride on any ...
Difficulty balancing when stopping or stopped10/20/2009Pat Hahn
  Q: I'm a newbie to the riding world and I just recently received my riders certificate of competance, ...
  A: Low-speed riding is a difficult skill and it takes years of riding and practice to really master it. ...
Shifting question10/12/2009Pat Hahn
  Q: Well I been riding on a 250 moving to a 600 yamaha r6 09. Then I saw one of your answer about ...
  A: The important thing is to shift where you're most comfortable shifting. My recommendations for when ...
motorcycle size10/10/2009Nigel Bowers
  Q: I'm 5'7 and 230 pounds. what size sportsbike would be best for me. ANSWER: I would be all to happy ...
  A: The best thing I can suggest is you go to your local training centre and see what is available. Try ...
car9/30/2009Andrew Booth
  Q: 1. How do you know what motorcycle for me? 2. Can I get a $1500 such as Suzuki or Mitsubishi? ] 3. ...
  A: Sorry Henry, I doubt very much if I could answer this one. Being in the UK I know very little about ...
Motorcycles9/27/2009Andrew Booth
  Q: Is Motorycles a better vehicle than cars? ANSWER: Henry, in which way do you need an answer? This ...
  A: Henry, I'm sorry if it seems like I am being difficult but it is very difficult to answer this ...
new bike9/25/2009Brent Riffel
  Q: what is the proper size dirtbike for my eight year old son it will be his first bike
  A: It really depends on his size and overall capability (you're the judge here). If it were me, I'd ...
Motorcycles9/23/2009Andrew Booth
  Q: Is Motorycles a better vehicle than cars?
  A: Henry, in which way do you need an answer? This question is one of those that can't have a ...
new teen rider9/22/2009Pat Hahn
  Q: My 17 years-old daughter just completed the basic motorcycle training course. She has only ridden in ...
  A: A dual sport in the range of 250-450 is a fine starter bike, but they tend to be rather tall. The ...
1993 Yamaha Seca II9/13/2009Brent Riffel
  Q: I'm looking at getting one of these, but since I'm in school I want to make sure I'm getting the ...
  A: They are fine bikes for commuting. The engine in that bike comes from a LONG history of Yamaha ...
Looking for a bike9/10/2009Brent Riffel
  Q: My wife and I both took the rider safety course. We bought a Honda Reflex Scooter (250) and we both ...
  A: $2,000 would be tough to find something that didn't need some kind of work, but as I was thinking, ...
purchasing a first bike9/8/2009Brent Riffel
  Q: What's a good bike to start with? I'm 6' 4", and weigh about 215. I've been told that I'm too big ...
  A: I think the Aprilia will fit your height better, but you can put some highway bars on a Sportster ...
motorbike safty9/8/2009Pat Hahn
  Q: what are the hazards when starting a motorbike
  A: Unless the bike is a rickety bomb about to go off, there are no real physical hazards at startup. As ...
Thanks9/6/2009Pat Hahn
  Q: Pat, Just a note of thanks for your efforts. I attended the BikeSafeNC that rainy day in March that ...
  A: Wow, thanks very much for the kind words. Mark is a hard worker and a true asset to the motorcycle ...
Brakelight requirement9/4/2009Pat Hahn
  Q: "I live in Minnesota and I know that a headlight and tailight are both required but am wondering if ...
  A: A red taillight with a stop lamp is required in Minnesota, so no, the hand signal is not sufficient. ...
Brakelight requirement9/4/2009Steven E. Staples
  Q: I live in Minnesota and I know that a headlight and tailight are both required but am wondering if a ...
  A: If a motorcycle does not have a functioning brake light it is not street legal. Not only is a brake ...
Stoping distance and time8/20/2009Nigel Bowers
  Q: I am trying to find out how much time and the distance it takes to stop a 2007 Suzuki GSXR 750 if ...
  A: A very open question, but I found this article that may help: ...
upshifting on a roundabout8/16/2009Pat Hahn
  Q: When stopping at a roundabout (to give way), then taking off in first gear. I was told that you ...
  A: This is a tricky question, but it's good that you're thinking about it. So: You should "be able ...
Downshifting...8/13/2009Pat Hahn
  Q: I'm very new to riding, and my main problem has been shifting. More specifically, downshifting is ...
  A: It is normal for the bike to rev up when downshifting. You're shifting to a smaller (lower) gear, so ...
Motorcycle Engine Size8/7/2009Pat Hahn
  Q: Pat: I am a pretty big guy, I stand at 6' 4" and weigh around 265 pounds. I am in the market for ...
  A: Between the two bikes, I'd recommend the Boulevard. In general, for new riders I recommend a ...
wheel rim size and safety7/28/2009Pat Hahn
  Q: Wheel rims for scooters come in various sizes from 10" to 16". Is there any difference in safety ...
  A: Not so much safety as stability. Smaller wheels make the bike less stable in a straight line--more ...
Safety7/21/2009Nigel Bowers
  Q: Hey Nigel.. I'm 17 years old and i weigh 58kg.. I really want to purchase a Suzuki gsx-r600 as a ...
  A: I take it you are going do take your test in the States........ Here in the UK you would have to ...
hieght7/10/2009Pat Hahn
  Q: i have a 110 right now and i was wondering when i would need to switch to a ttr 120 or yz 80 and i ...
  A: When you reach the point that there's nothing more you can learn on that bike--when you can make the ...
height7/9/2009Pat Hahn
  Q: im somewhere around 4-8 and have a yamaha 110 dont no how tall i need to be to ride a yamaha 120 and ...
  A: Height is a real issue for novices. For experts, not so much. It's more a matter of feeling ...
italica6/17/2009Andrew Booth
  Q: Andrew, this may be off topic...but doyou have any English speaking web sites for the Italica motor ...
  A: I agree, they are the best in the world. As for Italica, all I know is that they are made in China ...
Type of Bike I should get6/11/2009Nigel Bowers
  Q: I'm a new rider and I'm a 5'7" 135 lbs female and i'm not sure what size bike I should get for my ...
  A: If I can give you some advice I will. First of all have been looking for a motorcycle yet, if so ...
motor bikes6/9/2009Andrew Booth
  Q: and im looking to buy a scooter, but im not sure what i can and can not ride. there is no bike ...
  A: Sorry to hear about your car, hopefully all is ok with passengers and yourself? When did you pass ...
First Bike HD Sportster 883 or other6/3/2009Steven E. Staples
  Q: So I am looking to get into motorcycles. I have done a lot of research online about how to start: ...
  A: Colin, if you are just getting into biking, taking the MSF BRC is a good first step. The course will ...
Max headlight output laws6/3/2009Pat Hahn
  Q: I've searched all over the web for an answer to no avail. Are there any laws that you are aware of ...
  A: The first sources is the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards: Standard No. 108 - Lamps, ...
how to choose the right size motorcycle for me5/28/2009Steven E. Staples
  Q: How do I choose the right motorcycle for me? I am a new rider, almost 50 y.o., everyone seems to be ...
  A: Ricky, your question addresses the most important considerations for making your bike selection. ...
license plate location5/24/2009Pat Hahn
  Q: what are california law regarding license plate location (left side, right side?)?
  A: I'm unfortunately not an expert in California's motor vehicle code, but a quick Google search turned ...
front wheel wobble5/24/2009Andrew Booth
  Q: i have a ducati 916,i get the handle bars shaking between 40mph and 50mph,have had the front ...
  A: I could do with a little more information about the types of wheel you've been trying. Is your wheel ...
First bike5/20/2009Pat Hahn
  Q: I am a newbie looking to buy his first used bike. I am 6'2" 235 lbs and the bike I am considering ...
  A: That's a good enough starter bike. It will probably be a little small for you physically but you'll ...
sidecar5/9/2009Pat Hahn
  Q: I recently got a motorcycle with a sidecar, so both of my dogs could ride along. The hack is very ...
  A: The torque upon acceleration and braking is unavoidable, it's just a characteristic of sidecars ...
motorcycle helmets4/27/2009Pat Hahn
  Q: I'm doing a project on if the U.S. government should make it illegal to ride a motorcycle without a ...
  A: I disagree--the US and state governments should not mandate helmet use for all motorcycle riders. ...
I've never ridden and I'm a big guy.4/8/2009Pat Hahn
  Q: I'm about 6'5" and weigh in excess of 400 lbs. I have no experience on motorcycles but am really ...
  A: Naw, you're not too big. As long as you have your wits about you and have decent motor ...
passenger riding4/7/2009Pat Hahn
  Q: my question is about passenger riding, my girlfriend being the passenger. her dad, and step dad, ...
  A: Problem is, 600cc sportbikes just aren't designed for two-up comfort. They're homologated race ...
Honda Shadow Exhaust4/5/2009Steven E. Staples
  Q: I have an '02 Honda Shadow Spirit 1100, I've owned it since '03 and it's been a wonderful bike. But ...
  A: Parker, I also ride an EXTREMELY quiet bike and I am hardly ever cut off, even in heavy traffic. The ...
Motorcycycle laws3/27/2009Steven E. Staples
  Q: In my state, I don't need turn signals on my motorcycle. If I ride in another state that requires ...
  A: If turn signals are a requirement to legally operate a motorcycle on the street you would definitely ...
Un-winterizing my HONDA CM450E for Spring3/25/2009Brent Riffel
  Q: OK, now that the weather is turning warm in the mid-Ohio valley, and my motorcycle insurance is ...
  A: If you haven't run the bike on a regular basis, I'd change the oil/filter, drain the fuel out of the ...

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