Riding a motorcycle in Texas can be one of the most enjoyable ways to take in the great outdoors. Many people swear they will get a license but why bother when you’ve been riding and pick it up so easily? There are valid reasons to obtain a valid license.

Follow these steps to legally obtain a license in Texas.

In order to operate a motorcycle in Texas it’s necessary to obtain a Class M driver license. Qualifying for a Class M license requires that you satisfy the requirements for obtaining a standard driver license in addition to specific Class M requirements.

You must take a Department of Public Safety motorcycle safety course to qualify for a Class M license. If you have a valid license from another state, you do not need to take a motorcycle safety course.

Anyone who does not have a valid out-of-state motorcycle license must pass a written motorcycle knowledge test. Everyone must take a riding test unless they satisfy one of the following exceptions:

1. They are 18 years old, have successfully completed a motorcycle safety course and have a valid Texas Class A, B, or C license.

2. They are 18 years old and have a valid, unrestricted out-of-state motorcycle license.

3. They are applying for a learner license (Class M license with a J restriction).

4. They are applying for a Class M license with a K restriction, meaning that they will only be permitted to drive a moped. [Read more…]

According to the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles, state motorcycle registrations have increased from 180, 345 at the turn of the century to 439,108 last year. And it’s no surprise that motorcycles are so popular in the state.

The long riding season is definitely a plus for Texans. This article appearing in the Killeen Daily Herald talks about some of the ways Texas motorcycle enthusiasts are able to take advantage of the summer months, as well as discussing current biker trends. Naturally, nobody would ever plan to add a motorcycle injury into the fun. The Houston motorcycle injury lawyer of Kurt Arbuckle, P.C. encourages safe riding to prevent injuries and prolong the ride!

For those stuck in the frozen north, the riding season may be a few paltry months, but in the Lone Star state, your riding season may run year-round.

Will Watson, the sales manager at Indian Motorcycle of Fort Hood is optimistic about the growth potential for motorcycles in Texas. “This area rotates people about every three years and the riding here is beautiful, so I think the potential for growth in this area is limitless.” But the owner of Killeen Power Sports, Jim Foster, doesn’t agree. According to Mr. Foster, “The motorcycle future is flat right now, and the sales have not returned to where they were before the recession.” He believes that the economy is a prime factor in the downturn. [Read more…]

A recent study in the journal Injury Prevention has found that, although older riders are getting in fewer motorcycle accidents than their younger counterparts, their injury rate in accidents is three times that of younger riders.

Older riders, 60 and over, tend to be injured worse in these accidents, in part because of the physical deterioration that comes with age. “[O]lder riders were shown to suffer more head and chest injuries, and to be more likely to die as a result of their injuries.” They are also three times more likely to be hospitalized as a result of a motorcycle accident than riders in the 20-39 demographic.

These riders also have risk factors that may have contributed to a motorcycle crash, for instance, “delayed reaction time, altered balance, and worsening vision.”

The article reached conclusions about these results that could be useful in decreasing the incidence of these motorcycle crash injuries.

For instance, it concluded that some of these older riders were injured because they were new to motorcycles or had skills that deteriorated over time. A refresher course in motorcycle safety may be appropriate for some older riders. [Read more…]

If you’re looking for the best Texas motorcycle routes in its 260,000 square miles, you may want to check out this website. The site includes routes for all 50 states, including Texas.

Every rider is sure to find a favorite spot to ride in Texas. Whether it’s the state’s 624 mile coast along the Gulf of Mexico or the “big rolling grassy plains” of the panhandle. But Texas isn’t all plains, with elevations rising from sea-level to 8,749 feet. There are rolling hills covered with wildflowers in the center southwest, and “parries, lakes, and piney forest while becoming more green and moist as you approach the Louisiana border” toward the eastern side of the state. And in the west you’ll find scenery that would fit into a stereotypical Western with “landscapes of arid and rugged mountains, blowing tumbleweed, valleys and sandy plains.” [Read more…]