ROCHESTER, N.Y. — For some, warmer weather is a reminder of the open roads.

“The feeling of riding is like flying with nothing around you,” Roc On Harley-Davidson sales manager James McDaniel said.

But for Roc On Harley-Davidson owner Beth Sardone, it's a reminder of safety.

What You Need To Know

  • According to the Institute for Traffic Safety Management & Research, 4,525 police reported motorcycle crashes occurred in 2023, increasing from years prior

  • The owner of Roc On Harley-Davidson and its staff discuss the importance of motorcycle safety as drivers go full-throttle as we approach warmer weather

  • It's interactive seminar is offered for new riders and the seasoned pros, to get personalized advice and gear up to be road-ready

“We've done this for three years,” Sardone said. “The unknown is really where people get scared. I had never ridden a bike until we bought the place, so I know what they're feeling. That's one of the reasons that I do the class. We want to make sure people are taken care of.”

Facilitating a non-crash course interactive seminar at Roc On Harley-Davidson. Its staff discusses the perfect bike for your style and needs, as well as finding the best protective gear to rev up your ride.

“If a 5-foot woman comes in, weighs less than 100 lbs., maybe an 850 lb. Harley isn't the bike for you,” Sardone said. “So we fit you with the correct bikes. And they go through the correct gear they need, because gear is just as important as anything. Talk about helmets, helmet safety, how long a helmet is good for you. I mean, a helmet is only good for 5-7 years. And if you walked out the door with a new helmet and dropped it on the ground, that helmet is no longer any good.” 

Educating both new riders and even the seasoned pros. 

“I've been able to ride across the country and go through the mountains and see the deserts and everything out west, and it's just something that you have to do once,” McDaniel said. “Expect everything to happen to you because it's going to happen to you. So the more you ride. The more education you can get. It will definitely make you a better rider.”

No matter how many miles you have ridden, a split second decision can make all the difference. Finding the skills learned throughout the seminar can be lifesaving. 

“I remember the first time I did it, I’m like ‘oh my god',” Sardone said. “And then I got up there and I’m like ‘oh my god this is wonderful.’ And that’s what you want people to realize, that it’s a lot of fun as long as you do it the right way.”

For more information about the seminar, visit their store, located at 2600 W Henrietta Road in Rochester, or call (585) 424-2120.