30 - Friday, March 25, 1994 - North Shore News F APIDIUB E * WARRANTY APPROVED “| © 10-MINUTE OIL CHANGE DRIVE-THRU Ol CHANGE PROFESSIONALS © NO APPT. NECESSARY © OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK i Limit { coupon df per package. Cannot be combined WITH THIS COUPON 4 with any other offer. 3th & Lonsdale Ca a ee No cash value, " > 4 STARTING AT $19.95 6 EXPIRES APRIL [2/94 Vegi We accept competitors coupons at face value. 10% Discount to BCAA Members & Senior Citizens. 2288-4050 _f at "NORTH SHORE PARTS & Ke INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES IS NOW... 34 ( Aule Parts Plus SEAT CRP MCRAE T eT Reg Taree gunenie FS Se ee ea nnn “YOUR AUTO PARTS SPECIALIST” 2 LOCATIONS TO SERVE YOU BETTER 1425 Main Street 4305 Welch Street North Vancouver, B.C. North Vancouver, B.C. 980-6531 ¢ 980-4508 REO Drive with greater care to help prevent motorcycle accidents “DRIVER ERROR coritributes to 90% of accidents involving motor- bikes,” says Scott Masales from behind the relative safety of the cluttered counter at Performance Motorcycles in North Vancouver. By Martin Millerchip Contributing Writer Masuales, who has taught motor- cycle riding himself, points out that the American study that came up with the figure included accidents where riders should have been able to limit the severity of the accident, “We've gota shopful of 750s with 2,000 km on them and the front end stoved in.” He makes no mention of what might have happened to the riders. CERTIFIED AirCare REPAIR CENTRE #50431 ERVICI “8 Complete Mechanical Repairs & Service ¢ Complete Collision Repairs & Painting “All makes & models of cars, trucks & 8.V.'s” i All Work Gonditionaily Guaranteed 4 “FREE COURTESY CARS AVAILABLE” 3 — ) MERCEDES-BENZ . NORTH SHORE is proud of its reputation of sales and service excellence. Spring is here now. This is an ideal time to bring your eB Mercedes in for an annual inspection at our world class service facility. Make your appointment now to ensure a summer of trouble free driving. Spring is also the prime selling season. If you are contemplating a change of vehicles and would like a free market evaluation or to discuss selling your vehicle directly to Mercedes-Benz Canada Inc., please call the sales manager of our Pre-Owned car division at 984-9351. Mercedes-Benz SALES ™, 984-9351 a th SERVICE 984-9701 1375 MARINE DRIVE, NORTH VANCOUVER Young mule riders buy as much bike as they can afford, often sacri- ficing safety and control factors for a more macho image. Masales believes all new riders should obtain professional instruc- tion before buying their first bike and that there should be a gradual progression to high-end perfor- mance if desired, There are several private schools that offer riding tuition as well as the B.C. Safety Council, which offers riders the experience of several types of bikes as they learn. “There is no way a 17-year-old youth should be handling a sport bike. You ski on the bunny slopes to Start, not the Devil's Punchbowl,” emphasizes Masales. Inexperience and bravado com- bine to place many young riders in dangerous situations that are com- pletely avoidable, then poor riding technique contributes to an acci- dent. “It's appalling how badly most riders brake. You don’t want to find out what your stopping dis- tance and traction limit is in a panic situation.” ~ Masales says al\ riders should practise emergency braking on a regular basis and every time riding conditions change. “Practice in the rain, Get a feel for your bike. Know what it's like to deal with a bike that has come unhooked.” Masales says most riders rely too much on their rear brake for fear of front-wheel skids. Then, if they feel the back wheel locking they let go of everything and don't brake at all. Any rain after a dry spell makes road surfaces hazardous. Oil on.the surface mixes with the water to make all braking and comering an adventure. oe Masales describes intersections as “minefields” with their painted white lines that offer no traction at all, sewer and drain covers and the increase in oil from cars idling at slop signs. Even novice riders wise-up quickly to the road-surface dan- gers, but tend to tense up, which further affects their bike control. “Riding in the rain is just like going fast, only slower,” says Masales. He has a personal beef with governments over their approach to motorcycle safety in two areas. “Riders generally rode with their headlights on for years before cars came to be built that way. We used to stand out. Now we have lost that visibility factor.” Masales also says that helmet development stopped in 1980 when the federal government defined its safety standard. Since that time motocross racing hus seen the development of safety features like spine braces and the use of kevlar in riding gear but hel- mets have remained essentially the same for road riders because there ‘is no impetus to pay for research and development. . Masales says year-round riders “tend to be either commuters riding . their bike for economic reasons, or enthusiasts who ride when the - weather is decent enough. Either way, they tend to be more experi- enced riders and‘ capable of their own maintenance. ‘ Soe Even so, he cautions that longer .~ rides in wet weather need ‘careful planning and as much attention to driver comfort as possible.. : Cold weather saps a rider's strength imperceptibly and the strain of riding in inclement condi- tious with a tighter focus results in.” . increased fatigue. The rider must quit while he is -ahead — and alive. OWNERS SPRING SERVICE SPECIAL | / COMPLETE TUNE-UP | Y LUBE, OIL & FILTER Y 20 POINT SAFETY INSPECTION ENVIRONMENTAL LEVY & TAXES EXTRA. 95 PLUS PARTS NORTH POINT Mt 1606 HASTINGS ST. VAN HYUNDAI S/SER 5.