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PREFACE

Operating a motorcycle safely in These revisions reflect:


traffic requires special skills and • The latest finding of motorcycle-
knowledge. The Motorcycle Safety safety research.
Foundation (MSF) has made this manual
• Comments and guidance provided
available to help novice motorcyclists
by the motorcycling, licensing and
reduce their risk of having a crash. The
traffic safety communities.
manual conveys essential safe riding
information and has been designed for • Expanded alcohol and drug
use in licensing programs. While information.
designed for the novice, all motorcyclists In promoting improved licensing
can benefit from the information this programs, the MSF works closely with
manual contains. state licensing agencies. The Foundation
The original Motorcycle Operator has helped more than half the states in
Manual was developed by the National the nation adopt the Motorcycle Operator
Public Services Research Institute Manual for use in their licensing
(NPSRI) under contract to the National systems.
Highway Traffic Safety Administration Improved licensing, along with
(NHTSA) and within the terms of a high-quality motorcycle rider education
cooperative agreement between NHTSA and increased public awareness, has the
and the MSF. The manual and related potential to reduce crashes. Staff at the
tests were used in a multi-year study of Foundation are available to assist state,
improved motorcycle operator licensing private and governmental agencies in
procedures, conducted by the California efforts to improve motorcycle safety.
Department of Motor Vehicles under
contract to NHTSA.
The purpose of this manual is to
educate the reader to help avoid crashes
while safely operating a motorcycle. For
this edition, the MSF has updated and
expanded the content of the original Tim Buche
manual. President,
Motorcycle Safety Foundation

2 Jenner Street, Suite 150


Irvine, CA 92618-3806
www.msf-usa.org
CONTENTS

PREPARING HANDLING DANGEROUS SURFACES ...27


TO RIDE Uneven Surfaces and Obstacles ........27
Slippery Surfaces ..............................28
WEAR THE RIGHT GEAR ..................... 4 Railroad Tracks, Trolley Tracks
Helmet Use ........................................ 4 and Pavement Seams .....................29
Helmet Selection ................................ 4 Grooves and Gratings .......................29
Eye and Face Protection ..................... 5 MECHANICAL PROBLEMS ..................30
Clothing ............................................. 6
Tire Failure .......................................30
KNOW YOUR MOTORCYCLE ............... 6 Stuck Throttle ...................................30
The Right Motorcycle for You ........... 6 Wobble ..............................................30
Borrowing and Lending ..................... 7 Chain Problems .................................31
Get Familiar with the Engine Seizure ..................................31
Motorcycle Controls ....................... 7
ANIMALS ..............................................31
Check Your Motorcycle ..................... 8
KNOW YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES ......... 9 FLYING OBJECTS ................................32
GETTING OFF THE ROAD ...................32
RIDE WITHIN CARRYING PASSENGERS
YOUR ABILITIES AND CARGO ......................................32
BASIC VEHICLE CONTROL ................ 10 Equipment .........................................32
Body Position ................................... 10 Instructing Passengers ......................33
Shifting Gears .................................. 10 Riding With Passengers ....................33
Braking ............................................ 11 Carrying Loads .................................33
Turning ............................................. 11 GROUP RIDING ....................................34
KEEPING YOUR DISTANCE ................ 12 Keep the Group Small ......................34
Lane Positions .................................. 12 Keep the Group Together ..................34
Following Another Vehicle ............... 13 Keep Your Distance ...........................34
Being Followed ................................ 14
Passing and Being Passed ................ 14
BEING IN SHAPE
Lane Sharing .................................... 16 TO RIDE
Merging Cars ................................... 16 WHY THIS INFORMATION IS
Cars Alongside ................................. 16 IMPORTANT ......................................36
SEE ..................................................... 17 ALCOHOL AND OTHER DRUGS IN
INTERSECTIONS .................................. 18 MOTORCYCLE OPERATION .............36
Blind Intersections ........................... 19 ALCOHOL IN THE BODY .....................37
Passing Parked Cars ......................... 20 Blood Alcohol
Parking at the Roadside ................... 20 Concentration ................................37
INCREASING CONSPICUITY ................ 21 ALCOHOL AND THE LAW ...................38
Clothing ........................................... 21 Consequences of
Headlight .......................................... 21 Conviction .....................................38
Signals .............................................. 21 MINIMIZE THE RISKS .........................38
Brake Light ....................................... 22
STEP IN TO PROTECT FRIENDS ..........39
Using Your Mirrors .......................... 22
Head Checks .................................... 23 FATIGUE ..............................................39
Horn ................................................. 23
Riding at Night ................................ 24
EARNING
CRASH AVOIDANCE ........................... 24
YOUR LICENSE
Quick Stops ...................................... 24 Knowledge Test .................................40
Swerving or Turning Quickly .......... 25 On-Motorcycle Skill Test ..................41
Cornering ......................................... 26

3
PREPARING TO RIDE
What you do before you start a trip goes a long way toward
determining whether or not you’ll get where you want to go safely.
Before taking off on any trip, a safe rider makes a point to:
1. Wear the right gear.
2. Become familiar with the motorcycle.
3. Check the motorcycle equipment.
4. Be a responsible rider.

WEAR THE RIGHT GEAR • An approved helmet lets you see


as far to the sides as necessary. A
When you ride, your gear is
study of more than 900 motorcycle
“right” if it protects you. In any
crashes, where 40% of the riders
crash, you have a far better chance of
wore helmets, did not find even
avoiding serious injury if you wear:
one case in which a helmet kept a
WEAR THE RIGHT GEAR

• An approved helmet. rider from spotting danger.


• Face or eye protection. • Most crashes happen on short
• Protective clothing. trips (less than five miles
long), just a few minutes after
HELMET USE starting out.
Crashes can occur — • Most riders are riding slower
particularly among untrained, than 30 mph when a crash
beginning riders. And one out of occurs. At these speeds, helmets
every five motorcycle crashes results can cut both the number and the
severity of head injuries by half.
in head or neck injuries. Head
injuries are just as severe as neck No matter what the speed,
injuries — and far more common. helmeted riders are three times more
Crash analyses show that head and likely to survive head injuries than
neck injuries account for a majority those not wearing helmets at the time
of serious and fatal injuries to of the crash.
motorcyclists. Research also shows
that, with few exceptions, head and HELMET SELECTION
neck injuries are reduced by properly There are two primary types of
wearing an approved helmet. helmets, providing two different
Some riders don’t wear helmets levels of coverage: three-quarter and
because they think helmets will limit full face.
their view to the sides. Others wear Whichever style you choose, you
helmets only on long trips or when can get the most protection by
riding at high speeds. Here are some making sure that the helmet:
facts to consider:

4
HELMETS

HELMET USE
• Meets U.S. Department of Goggles protect your eyes,
Transportation (DOT) and state though they won’t protect the rest of
standards. Helmets with a label your face like a faceshield does. A
from the Snell Memorial windshield is not a substitute for a

EYE AND FACE PROTECTION


Foundation give you an added faceshield or goggles. Most
assurance of quality. windshields will not protect your
• Fits snugly, all the way around. eyes from the wind. Neither will
eyeglasses or sunglasses. Glasses
• Has no obvious defects such
won’t keep your eyes from watering,
as cracks, loose padding or
and they might blow off when you
frayed straps.
turn your head while riding.
Whatever helmet you decide
To be effective, eye or
on, keep it securely fastened on your
faceshield protection must:
head when you ride. Otherwise, if
you are involved in a crash, it’s likely • Be free of scratches.
to fly off your head before it gets a • Be resistant to penetration.
chance to protect you. • Give a clear view to either side.
• Fasten securely, so it does not
EYE AND FACE PROTECTION blow off.
A plastic shatter-resistant • Permit air to pass through, to
faceshield can help protect your reduce fogging.
whole face in a crash. It also • Permit enough room for
protects you from wind, dust, dirt, eyeglasses or sunglasses, if
rain, insects and pebbles thrown up needed.
from cars ahead. These problems
are distracting and can be painful. Tinted eye protection should
If you have to deal with them, you not be worn at night or any other
can’t devote your full attention to time when little light is available.
the road.

5
CLOTHING CLOTHING KNOW YOUR
The right clothing protects you MOTORCYCLE
in a collision. It also provides There are plenty of things on the
comfort, as well as protection from highway that can cause you trouble.
heat, cold, debris and hot and moving Your motorcycle should not be one of
parts of the motorcycle. them. To make sure that your
• Jacket and pants should cover motorcycle won’t let you down:
arms and legs completely. They • Read the owner’s manual first.
should fit snugly enough to keep • Start with the right motorcycle for
from flapping in the wind, yet you.
loosely enough to move freely.
Leather offers the most protection. • Be familiar with the motorcycle
Sturdy synthetic material provides controls.
a lot of protection as well. • Check the motorcycle before
Wear a jacket even in warm every ride.
weather to prevent dehydration. • Keep it in safe riding condition
THE RIGHT MOTORCYCLE

Many are designed to protect between rides.


without getting you overheated, • Avoid add-ons and modifications
even on summer days. that make your motorcycle
• Boots or shoes should be high and harder to handle.
sturdy enough to cover your ankles
and give them support. Soles THE RIGHT MOTORCYCLE
should be made of hard, durable,
FOR YOU
slip-resistant material. Keep heels
short so they do not catch on rough First, make sure your motorcycle
surfaces. Tuck in laces so they is right for you. It should “fit” you.
won’t catch on your motorcycle. Your feet should reach the ground
while you are seated on the
• Gloves allow a better grip and
motorcycle.
help protect your hands in a crash.
Your gloves should be made of
leather or similar durable material.
In cold or wet weather, your
clothes should keep you warm and
dry, as well as protect you from
injury. You cannot control a
motorcycle well if you are numb. 1 Test Yourself
Riding for long periods in cold
A plastic shatter-resistant face
weather can cause severe chill and shield:
fatigue. A winter jacket should resist
A. Is not necessary if you have a
wind and fit snugly at the neck, windshield.
wrists and waist. Good-quality B. Only protects your eyes.
rainsuits designed for motorcycle C. Helps protect your whole face.
riding resist tearing apart or D. Does not protect your face as well
ballooning up at high speeds. as goggles.
Answer - page 40

6
At minimum, your street-legal are licensed and know how to ride

KNOW YOUR MOTORCYCLE


motorcycle should have: before allowing them out into traffic.
• Headlight, taillight and No matter how experienced you
brakelight. may be, ride extra carefully on any
• Front and rear brakes. motorcycle that’s new or unfamiliar
to you. More than half of all crashes
• Turn signals.
occur on motorcycles ridden by the
• Horn. operator for less than six months.
• Two mirrors.
GET FAMILIAR WITH THE
BORROWING AND LENDING MOTORCYCLE CONTROLS
Borrowers and lenders of Make sure you are completely
motorcycles, beware. Crashes are familiar with the motorcycle before
fairly common among beginning you take it out on the street. Be sure
riders — especially in the first to review the owner’s manual. This is
months of riding. Riding an particularly important if you are
unfamiliar motorcycle adds to the riding a borrowed motorcycle.
problem. If you borrow a motorcycle, If you are going to use an
get familiar with it in a controlled unfamiliar motorcycle:
area. And if you lend your
motorcycle to friends, make sure they

MOTORCYCLE CONTROLS
Light Switch (high/low) Engine Cut-Off
Choke (varies) Switch
Turn-Signal Electric
Switch Start
Button
Ignition Key
(varies)

Horn Button Throttle

Front Brake Lever


Clutch Lever Speedometer
& Odometer
Tachometer
(if equipped)

Fuel Supply Valve


(if equipped)
Rear Brake Pedal
Gear-Change Lever
Kick Starter
(if equipped)

7
CHECK YOUR MOTORCYCLE • Make all the checks you would • Brake Light — Try both brake
on your own motorcycle. controls, and make sure each one
• Find out where everything is, turns on the brake light.
particularly the turn signals, horn, Once you have mounted the
headlight switch, fuel-supply motorcycle, complete the following
valve and engine cut-off switch. checks before starting out:
Find and operate these items
• Clutch and Throttle — Make
without having to look for them.
sure they work smoothly. The
• Know the gear pattern. Work the throttle should snap back when
throttle, clutch and brakes a few you let go. The clutch should feel
times before you start riding. All tight and smooth.
controls react a little differently.
• Mirrors — Clean and adjust both
• Ride very cautiously and be mirrors before starting. It’s
aware of surroundings. Accelerate difficult to ride with one hand
gently, take turns more slowly and while you try to adjust a mirror.
leave extra room for stopping. Adjust each mirror so you can see
the lane behind and as much as
CHECK YOUR MOTORCYCLE possible of the lane next to you.
When properly adjusted, a mirror
A motorcycle needs more may show the edge of your arm or
frequent attention than a car. A minor shoulder—but it’s the road behind
technical failure in a car seldom leads and to the side that’s most
to anything more than an important.
inconvenience for the driver. • Brakes — Try the front and rear
If something’s wrong with the brake levers one at a time. Make
motorcycle, you’ll want to find out sure each one feels firm and holds
about it before you get in traffic. the motorcycle when the brake is
Make a complete check of your fully applied.
motorcycle before every ride. • Horn — Try the horn. Make sure
Before mounting the motorcycle, it works.
make the following checks: In addition to the checks you
should make before every trip, check
• Tires — Check the air pressure,
the following items at least once a
general wear and tread.
week: Wheels, cables, fasteners and
• Fluids — Oil and fluid levels. At a fluid levels. Follow your owner’s
minimum, check hydraulic fluids
manual to get recommendations.
and coolants weekly. Look under
the motorcycle for signs of an oil
or gas leak. 2 Test Yourself
• Headlights and Taillight — More than half of all crashes:
Check them both. Test your switch A. Occur at speeds greater than
to make sure both high and low 35 mph.
beams are working. B. Happen at night.
• Turn Signals — Turn on both C. Are caused by worn tires.
right and left turn signals. Make D. Involve riders who have ridden
their motorcycles less than six
sure all lights are working months.
properly. Answer - page 40

8
KNOW YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES
KNOW YOUR • Be visible — wear proper
RESPONSIBILITIES clothing, use your headlight, ride
in the best lane position to see and
“Accident” implies an
be seen.
unforeseen event that occurs without
anyone’s fault or negligence. Most • Communicate your intentions —
often in traffic, that is not the case. In use the proper signals, brake light
fact, most people involved in a crash and lane position.
can usually claim some responsibility • Maintain an adequate space
for what takes place. cushion — following, being
Consider a situation where followed, lane sharing, passing
someone decides to try to squeeze and being passed.
through an intersection on a yellow • Scan your path of travel 12
light turning red. Your light turns seconds ahead.
green. You pull into the intersection • Identify and separate multiple
without checking for possible hazards.
latecomers. That is all it takes for the • Be prepared to act — remain
two of you to tangle. It was the alert and know how to carry out
driver’s responsibility to stop. And it proper crash-avoidance skills.
was your responsibility to look
Blame doesn’t matter when
before pulling out. Neither of you
someone is injured in a crash. There
held up your end of the deal. Just
is rarely a single cause of any crash.
because someone else is the first to
The ability to ride aware, make
start the chain of events leading to a
critical decisions and carry them out
crash, it doesn’t leave any of us free
separates responsible riders from all
of responsibility.
the rest. Remember, it is up to you to
As a rider you can’t be sure that keep from being the cause of, or an
other operators will see you or yield unprepared participant in, any crash.
the right of way. To lessen your
chances of a crash occurring:

9
RIDE WITHIN YOUR ABILITIES
This manual cannot teach you how to control direction, speed or balance.
That’s something you can learn only through practice. But control begins with
knowing your abilities and riding within them, along with knowing and
obeying the rules of the road.

BASIC VEHICLE too much throttle. Also, adjust the


CONTROL handlebars so your hands are even
with or below your elbows. This
permits you to use the proper muscles
BODY POSITION for precision steering.
To control a motorcycle well: • Knees — Keep your knees against
• Posture — Sit so you can use your the gas tank to help you keep your
BODY POSITION

arms to steer the motorcycle rather balance as the motorcycle turns.


than to hold yourself up. • Feet — Keep your feet firmly on
• Seat — Sit far enough forward so the footrests to maintain balance.
that arms are slightly bent when Don’t drag your feet. If your foot
you hold the handlegrips. Bending catches on something, you could
your arms permits you to press on be injured and it could affect your
the handlebars without having to control of the motorcycle. Keep
stretch. your feet near the controls so you
• Hands — Hold the handlegrips can get to them fast if needed.
firmly to keep your grip over Also, don’t let your toes point
rough surfaces. Start with your downward — they may get caught
right wrist flat. This will help you between the road and the footrests.
keep from accidentally using
SHIFTING GEARS
SHIFTING GEARS

HOLDING HANDLEGRIPS There is more to shifting gears


than simply getting the motorcycle to
pick up speed smoothly. Learning to
RIGHT use the gears when downshifting,
turning or starting on hills is
important for safe motorcycle
operation.
Shift down through the gears
with the clutch as you slow or stop.
Remain in first gear while you are
stopped so that you can move out
WRONG
quickly if you need to.

10
Make certain you are riding Also, using the front brake

BRAKING
slowly enough when you shift into a incorrectly on a slippery surface
lower gear. If not, the motorcycle will may be hazardous. Use caution
lurch, and the rear wheel may skid. and squeeze the brake lever, never
When riding downhill or shifting into grab.
first gear you may need to use the • Some motorcycles have integrated
brakes to slow enough before braking systems that activate the
downshifting safely. Work toward a front and rear brakes together
smooth, even clutch release, when applying the rear brake
especially when downshifting. pedal. (Consult the owner’s
manual for a detailed explanation
It is best to change gears before on the operation and effective use
entering a turn. However, sometimes of these systems.)
shifting while in the turn is necessary.
If so, remember to do so smoothly. A TURNING
sudden change in power to the rear Riders often try to take curves or
wheel can cause a skid. turns too fast. When they can’t hold

TURNING
the turn, they end up crossing into
BRAKING another lane of traffic or going off the
Your motorcycle has two brakes: road. Or, they overreact and brake too
one each for the front and rear wheel. hard, causing a skid and loss of
Use both of them at the same time. control. Approach turns and curves
The front brake is more powerful and with caution.
can provide at least three-quarters Use four steps for better control:
of your total stopping power. The
• SLOW
front brake is safe to use if you use
it properly. • LOOK
Remember: • PRESS
• Use both brakes every time you • ROLL
slow or stop. Using both brakes for
even “normal” stops will permit • SLOW — Reduce speed before
you to develop the proper habit or the turn by closing the throttle and,
skill of using both brakes properly if necessary, applying both brakes.
in an emergency. Squeeze the front • LOOK — Look through the turn
brake and press down on the rear. to where you want to go. Turn just
Grabbing at the front brake or your head, not your shoulders, and
jamming down on the rear can keep your eyes level with the
cause the brakes to lock, resulting horizon.
in control problems. • PRESS — To turn, the motorcycle
• If you know the technique, using must lean. To lean the motor-
both brakes in a turn is possible, cycle, press on the handlegrip in
although it should be done very the direction of the turn. Press
carefully. When leaning the left — lean left — go left. Press
motorcycle some of the traction is right — lean right — go right.
used for cornering. Less traction is Higher speeds and/or tighter
available for stopping. A skid can turns require the motorcycle to
occur if you apply too much brake. lean more.

11
• ROLL — Roll on the throttle 3. Test Yourself
through the turn to stabilize the When riding, you should:
suspension. Maintain steady speed
A. Turn your head and shoulders to
or accelerate gradually through the look through turns.
turn. This will help keep the B. Keep your arms straight.
motorcycle stable. C. Keep your knees away from the
gas tank.
In normal turns, the rider and the
D. Turn just your head and eyes to
motorcycle should lean together at look where you are going.
the same angle. Answer - page 40

TURNS KEEPING YOUR


DISTANCE
The best protection you can have
is distance — a “cushion of space” —
all around your motorcycle. If
someone else makes a mistake,
LANE POSITIONS

distance permits you:


• Time to react.
• Space to maneuver.

LANE POSITIONS
In some ways the size of the
motorcycle can work to your
advantage. Each traffic lane gives a
In slow tight turns, counterbalance motorcycle three paths of travel, as
by leaning the motorcycle only and indicated in the illustration.
keeping your body straight. Your lane position should:
• Increase your ability to see and be
SLOW, TIGHT TURNS
seen.
• Avoid others’ blind spots.
• Avoid surface hazards.
• Protect your lane from other
drivers.
• Communicate your intentions.
• Avoid wind blast from other
vehicles.
• Provide an escape route.
Select the appropriate path to
maximize your space cushion and
make yourself more easily seen by
others on the road.

12
LANE POSITIONS
/

In general, there is no single FOLLOWING ANOTHER


best position for riders to be seen VEHICLE

FOLLOWING
and to maintain a space cushion
“Following too closely” could
around the motorcycle. No portion
be a factor in crashes involving
of the lane need be avoided —
motorcyclists. In traffic, motorcycles
including the center.
need as much distance to stop as
Position yourself in the portion cars. Normally, a minimum of two
of the lane where you are most likely seconds distance should be
to be seen and you can maintain a maintained behind the vehicle ahead.
space cushion around you. Change
position as traffic situations change. To gauge your following
Ride in path 2 or 3 if vehicles and distance:
other potential problems are on your • Pick out a marker, such as a
left only. Remain in path 1 or 2 if pavement marking or lamppost, on
hazards are on your right only. If or near the road ahead.
vehicles are being operated on both • When the rear bumper of the
sides of you, the center of the lane, vehicle ahead passes the marker,
path 2, is usually your best option. count off the seconds: “one-
thousand-one, one-thousand-two.”
The oily strip in the center
• If you reach the marker before
portion that collects drippings from
you reach “two,” you are
cars is usually no more than two feet following too closely.
wide. Unless the road is wet, the
A two-second following distance
average center strip permits adequate
leaves a minimum amount of space to
traction to ride on safely. You can
stop or swerve if the driver ahead
operate to the left or right of the stops suddenly. It also permits a
grease strip and still be within the better view of potholes and other
center portion of the traffic lane. hazards in the road.
Avoid riding on big buildups of oil
A larger cushion of space is
and grease usually found at busy
needed if your motorcycle will take
intersections or toll booths. longer than normal to stop. If the

13
FOLLOWING
/

pavement is slippery, if you cannot drivers ahead and to prevent lane


see through the vehicle ahead, or if sharing by others.
traffic is heavy and someone may
BEING FOLLOWED

squeeze in front of you, open up a BEING FOLLOWED


three-second or more following Speeding up to lose someone
distance. following too closely only ends up
Keep well behind the vehicle with someone tailgating you at a
ahead even when you are stopped. higher speed.
This will make it easier to get out A better way to handle tailgaters
of the way if someone bears down on is to get them in front of you. When
you from behind. It will also give you someone is following too closely,
a cushion of space if the vehicle change lanes and let them pass. If
ahead starts to back up for some you can’t do this, slow down and
reason. open up extra space ahead of you to
When behind a car, ride where allow room for both you and the
the driver can see you in the rearview tailgater to stop. This will also
mirror. Riding in the center portion encourage them to pass. If they don’t
of the lane should put your image pass, you will have given yourself
in the middle of the rearview mirror and the tailgater more time and space
— where a driver is most likely to to react in case an emergency does
see you. develop ahead.
Riding at the far side of a lane PASSING AND BEING PASSED
may permit a driver to see you in a
sideview mirror. But remember that Passing and being passed by
most drivers don’t look at their another vehicle is not much different
sideview mirrors nearly as often as than with a car. However, visibility is
they check the rearview mirror. If the more critical. Be sure other drivers
traffic situation allows, the center see you, and that you see potential
portion of the lane is usually the best hazards.
place for you to be seen by the

14
PASSING stay in the center portion of your

PASSING
1. Ride in the left portion of the lane. Riding any closer to them could
lane at a safe following distance put you in a hazardous situation.
to increase your line of sight and Avoid being hit by:
make you more visible. Signal • The other vehicle — A slight
and check for oncoming traffic. mistake by you or the passing
Use your mirrors and turn your driver could cause a sideswipe.
head to look for traffic behind.
• Extended mirrors — Some
2. When safe, move into the left lane drivers forget that their mirrors
and accelerate. Select a lane hang out farther than their fenders.
position that doesn’t crowd the
• Objects thrown from windows
car you are passing and pro-
— Even if the driver knows you’re
vides space to avoid hazards in
your lane. there, a passenger may not see you
and might toss something on you
3. Ride through the blind spot as or the road ahead of you.
quickly as possible.
• Blasts of wind from larger
4. Signal again, and complete mirror vehicles — They can affect your

BEING PASSED
and headchecks before returning control. You have more room for
to your original lane and then error if you are in the middle
cancel the signal. portion when hit by this blast
Remember, passes must be than if you are on either side of
completed within posted speed limits, the lane.
and only where permitted. Know your Do not move into the portion
signs and road markings!
of the lane farthest from the
BEING PASSED passing vehicle. It might invite the
When you are being passed from other driver to cut back into your lane
behind or by an oncoming vehicle, too early.

PASSING BEING PASSED


/ /

15
LANE SHARING LANE SHARING another lane if one is open. If there is
Cars and motorcycles need a full no room for a lane change, adjust
lane to operate safely. Lane sharing is speed to open up space for the
usually prohibited. merging driver.
Riding between rows of stopped
or moving cars in the same lane can CARS ALONGSIDE
leave you vulnerable to the Do not ride next to cars or trucks
unexpected. A hand could come out in other lanes if you do not have to.
of a window; a door could open; a car You might be in the blind spot of a
could turn suddenly. Discourage lane car in the next lane, which could
sharing by others. Keep a center- switch into your lane without
portion position whenever drivers warning. Cars in the next lane also
might be tempted to squeeze by you. block your escape if you come upon
Drivers are most tempted to do this: danger in your own lane. Speed up or
• In heavy, bumper-to-bumper drop back to find a place clear of
traffic. traffic on both sides.
• When they want to pass you.
• When you are preparing to turn at BLIND SPOTS
an intersection.
• When you are moving into an exit
lane or leaving a highway.

MERGING CARS
Drivers on an entrance ramp may
not see you on the highway. Give
them plenty of room. Change to

MERGING
/

4 Test Yourself
Usually, a good way to handle
tailgaters is to:
A. Change lanes and let them pass.
B. Use your horn and make obscene
gestures.
C. Speed up to put distance between
you and the tailgater.
D. Ignore them.
Answer - page 40

16
SEE

SEE
Good experienced riders remain • Road and surface characteristics
aware of what is going on around — Potholes, guardrails, bridges,
them. They improve their riding telephone poles and trees won’t
strategy by using SEE, a three-step move into your path but may
process used to make appropriate infuence your riding strategy.
judgments, and apply them correctly
• Traffic control devices — Look
in different traffic situations:
for traffic signals, including
• Search regulatory signs, warning signs,
• Evaluate and pavement markings, to help
• Execute you evaluate circumstances
Let’s examine each of these steps. ahead.
• Vehicles and other traffic —
SEARCH May move into your path and
Search aggressively ahead, to the increase the likelihood of a crash.
sides and behind to avoid potential Think about your time and space
hazards even before they arise. How requirements in order to maintain a
assertively you search, and how margin of safety. You must leave
much time and space you have, can yourself time to react if an
eliminate or reduce harm. Focus even emergency arises.
more on finding potential escape
routes in or around intersections, EXECUTE
shopping areas and school and
construction zones. Carry out your decision.
Search for factors such as: To create more space and
minimize harm from any hazard:
• Oncoming traffic that may turn
left in front of you. • Communicate your presence with
lights and/or horn.
• Traffic coming from the left and
right. • Adjust your speed by
accelerating, stopping or slowing.
• Traffic approaching from behind.
• Adjust your position and/or
• Hazardous road conditions. direction.
Be especially alert in areas with Apply the old adage “one step
limited visibility. Visually “busy” at a time” to handle two or more
surroundings could hide you and hazards. Adjust speed to permit two
your motorcycle from others. hazards to separate. Then deal with
them one at a time as single hazards.
EVALUATE Decision-making becomes more
Think about how hazards can complex with three or more hazards.
interact to create risks for you. Weigh the consequences of each and
Anticipate potential problems and give equal distance to the hazards.
have a plan to reduce risks.

17
INTERSECTIONS In potential high-risk areas, such INTERSECTIONS
as intersections, shopping areas and The greatest potential for
school and construction zones, cover conflict between you and other traffic
the clutch and both brakes to reduce is at intersections. An intersection
the time you need to react. can be in the middle of an urban area
or at a driveway on a residential
street — anywhere traffic may cross
your path of travel. Over one-half of
motorcycle/car crashes are caused by
5 Test Yourself drivers entering a rider’s right-of-
To reduce your reaction time, you
way. Cars that turn left in front of
should: you, including cars turning left from
the lane to your right, and cars on
A. Ride slower than the speed limit.
side streets that pull into your lane,
B. Cover the clutch and the brakes.
are the biggest dangers. Your use
C. Shift into neutral when slowing.
of SEE [p. 17] at intersections
D. Pull in the clutch when turning.
Answer - page 40 is critical.
There are no guarantees that
others see you. Never count on “eye
contact” as a sign that a driver will
yield. Too often, a driver looks right
at a motorcyclist and still fails to
“see” him or her. The only eyes that
you can count on are your own. If a
car can enter your path, assume that it
will. Good riders are always “looking
for trouble” — not to get into it, but
to stay out of it.
Increase your chances of being
seen at intersections. Ride with your
headlight on in a lane position that
provides the best view of oncoming
traffic. Provide a space cushion
around the motorcycle that permits
you to take evasive action.

SMALL INTERSECTIONS

18
LARGE INTERSECTIONS

As you approach the intersec- cross street can see him as soon as
tion, select a lane position that possible.
increases your visibility to the driver.
Cover the clutch and both brakes to BLIND INTERSECTIONS
reduce reaction time.
Reduce your speed as you
approach an intersection. After
entering the intersection, move away
from vehicles preparing to turn. Do
not change speed or position
radically. The driver might think that
you are preparing to turn.

BLIND INTERSECTIONS
If you approach a blind
intersection, move to the portion of
the lane that will bring you into
another driver’s field of vision at the
earliest possible moment. In this
picture, the rider has moved to the Remember, the key is to see as
left portion of the lane — away from much as possible and remain visible
the parked car — so the driver on the to others while protecting your space.

19
PARKED CARS STOP SIGNS PARKED CARS

If you have a stop sign or stop


line, stop there first. Then edge
forward and stop again, just short of
where the cross-traffic lane meets
your lane. From that position, lean In either event, the driver might
your body forward and look around cut into your path. Slow down or
buildings, parked cars or bushes to change lanes to make room for
see if anything is coming. Just make someone cutting in.
sure your front wheel stays out of the Cars making a sudden U-turn are
cross lane of travel while you’re the most dangerous. They may cut
looking. you off entirely, blocking the whole
PASSING PARKED CARS roadway and leaving you with no
place to go. Since you can’t tell what
When passing parked cars, stay a driver will do, slow down and get
toward the left of your lane. You can the driver’s attention. Sound your
avoid problems caused by doors horn and continue with caution.
opening, drivers getting out of cars or
people stepping from between cars. If PARKING AT THE ROADSIDE
oncoming traffic is present, it is Park at a 90˚ angle to the curb with
usually best to remain in the center- your rear wheel touching the curb.
lane position to maximize your space
cushion.
PARKING AT CURBS
A bigger problem can occur if
the driver pulls away from the curb
without checking for traffic behind.
Even if he does look, he may fail to
see you.
6 Test Yourself
Making eye contact with other drivers:
A. Is a good sign they see you.
B. Is not worth the effort it takes.
C. Doesn’t mean that the driver will
yield.
D. Guarantees that the other driver will
yield to you.
Answer - page 40

20
INCREASING Reflective material on a vest and

CLOTHING
CONSPICUITY on the sides of the helmet will help
drivers coming from the side to spot
In crashes with motorcyclists, you. Reflective material can also be a
drivers often say that they never saw big help for drivers coming toward
the motorcycle. From ahead or you or from behind.
behind, a motorcycle’s outline is
much smaller than a car’s. Also, it’s HEADLIGHT
hard to see something you are not
The best way to help others see
looking for, and most drivers are not
your motorcycle is to keep the
looking for motorcycles. More likely,
headlight on — at all times
they are looking through the skinny,
(although motorcycles sold in the
two-wheeled silhouette in search of
USA since 1978 automatically have
cars that may pose a problem to
the headlights on when running).
them.
Studies show that, during the day, a
Even if a driver does see you motorcycle with its light on is twice
coming, you aren’t necessarily safe.

LIGHTS
as likely to be noticed. Use low beam
Smaller vehicles appear farther away at night and in fog.
and seem to be traveling slower than
they actually are. It is common for SIGNALS
drivers to pull out in front of
The signals on a motorcycle are
motorcyclists, thinking they have
similar to those on a car. They tell
plenty of time. Too often, they
are wrong. others what you plan to do.
However, you can do many
SIGNALING
things to make it easier for others to
recognize you and your motorcycle.

CLOTHING
Most crashes occur in broad
daylight. Wear bright-colored
SIGNALS

clothing to increase your chances of


being seen. Remember, your body is
half of the visible surface area of the
rider/motorcycle unit.
Bright orange, red, yellow or
green jackets or vests are your best
bets for being seen. Your helmet can
do more than protect you in a crash.
Brightly colored helmets can also
help others see you.
Any bright color is better than
drab or dark colors. Reflective,
bright-colored clothing (helmet and
jacket or vest) is best.

21
However, due to a rider’s added • You slow where others may not
vulnerability, signals are even more expect it (in the middle of a
important. Use them anytime you block or at an alley).
plan to change lanes or turn. Use If you are being followed
them even when you think no one closely, it’s a good idea to flash your
else is around. It’s the car you don’t brake light before you slow. The
see that’s going to give you the tailgater may be watching you and
most trouble. Your signal lights also not see something ahead that will
make you easier to spot. That’s why make you slow down. This will
it’s a good idea to use your turn hopefully discourage them from
signals even when what you plan to tailgating and warn them of hazards
do is obvious. ahead they may not see.
When you enter onto a
freeway, drivers approaching USING YOUR MIRRORS
from behind are more likely to see
While it’s most important to
your signal blinking and make room
keep track of what’s happening
for you.
USING YOUR MIRRORS

ahead, you can’t afford to ignore


Turning your signal light on situations behind. Traffic conditions
before each turn reduces confusion change quickly. Knowing what’s
and frustration for the traffic around going on behind is essential for you
you. Once you turn, make sure your to make a safe decision about how to
signal is off or a driver may pull handle trouble ahead.
directly into your path, thinking you
Frequent mirror checks should
plan to turn again. Use your signals
be part of your normal searching
at every turn so drivers can react
routine. Make a special point of using
accordingly. Don’t make them
your mirrors:
guess what you intend to do.
• When you are stopped at an
intersection. Watch cars coming up
BRAKE LIGHT from behind. If the drivers aren’t
Your motorcycle’s brake light is paying attention, they could be on
usually not as noticeable as the brake top of you before they see you.
lights on a car — particularly when • Before you change lanes. Make
your taillight is on. (It goes on with sure no one is about to pass you.
the headlight.) If the situation will
permit, help others notice you by • Before you slow down. The driver
flashing your brake light before you behind may not expect you to
slow down. It is especially important slow, or may be unsure about
to flash your brake light before: where you will slow. For example,
you signal a turn and the driver
• You slow more quickly than thinks you plan to turn at a distant
others might expect (turning off a intersection, rather than at a nearer
high-speed highway). driveway.

22
USING MIRRORS HEAD CHECKS

HEAD CHECKS
Checking your mirrors is not
enough. Motorcycles have “blind
spots” like cars. Before you change
lanes, turn your head, and look to the
side for other vehicles.
On a road with several lanes,
check the far lane and the one next
to you. A driver in the distant lane
may head for the same space you
plan to take.
Frequent head checks should
be your normal scanning routine,
also. Only by knowing what is
happening all around you are you
fully prepared to deal with it.

HORN
Some motorcycles have rounded HORN
(convex) mirrors. These provide a Be ready to use your horn to
wider view of the road behind than get someone’s attention quickly.
do flat mirrors. They also make cars It is a good idea to give a quick
seem farther away than they really beep before passing anyone that
are. If you are not used to convex may move into your lane.
mirrors, get familiar with them.
Here are some situations:
(While you are stopped, pick out a
parked car in your mirror. Form a • A driver in the lane next to you is
mental image of how far away it is. driving too closely to the vehicle
Then, turn around and look at it to ahead and may want to pass.
see how close you came.) Practice • A parked car has someone in the
with your mirrors until you become a driver’s seat.
good judge of distance. Even then, • Someone is in the street, riding a
allow extra distance before you bicycle or walking.
change lanes.
In an emergency, press the horn
button loud and long. Be ready to
stop or swerve away from the danger.
Keep in mind that a motorcycle’s
horn isn’t as loud as a car’s —
therefore, use it, but don’t rely on it.
Other strategies may be appropriate
along with the horn.

23
NIGHT RIDING RIDING AT NIGHT CRASH AVOIDANCE
At night it is harder for you to No matter how careful you are,
see and be seen. Picking your there will be times when you find
headlight or taillight out of the car yourself in a tight spot. Your chances
lights around you is not easy for other of getting out safely depend on your
drivers. To compensate, you should: ability to react quickly and properly.
• Reduce Your Speed — Ride even Often, a crash occurs because a rider
slower than you would during the is not prepared or skilled in crash-
day — particularly on roads you avoidance maneuvers.
don’t know well. This will increase
your chances of avoiding a hazard. Know when and how to stop or
• Increase Distance — Distances swerve, two skills critical in avoiding
are harder to judge at night than a crash. It is not always desirable or
during the day. Your eyes rely possible to stop quickly to avoid an
upon shadows and light contrasts obstacle. Riders must also be able to
to determine how far away an swerve around an obstacle. Deter-
object is and how fast it is coming. mining which skill is necessary for
These contrasts are missing or dis-
CRASH AVOIDANCE

the situation is important as well.


torted under artificial lights at
night. Open up a three-second fol- Studies show that most crash-
lowing distance or more. And involved riders:
allow more distance to pass and • Underbrake the front tire and
be passed. overbrake the rear.
• Use the Car Ahead — The • Did not separate braking from
headlights of the car ahead can swerving or did not choose
give you a better view of the road swerving when it was appropriate.
than even your high beam can. The following information offers
Taillights bouncing up and down
some good advice.
can alert you to bumps or rough
pavement.
• Use Your High Beam — Get all QUICK STOPS
the light you can. Use your high To stop quickly, apply both
beam whenever you are not brakes at the same time. Don’t be shy
following or meeting a car. Be about using the front brake, but don't
QUICK STOPS

visible: Wear reflective materials


“grab” it, either. Squeeze the brake
when riding at night.
lever firmly and progressively. If the
• Be Flexible About Lane Position.
front wheel locks, release the front
Change to whatever portion of the
lane is best able to help you see, be brake immediately then reapply it
seen and keep an adequate space firmly. At the same time, press down
cushion. on the rear brake. If you accidentally
lock the rear brake on a good traction
7 Test Yourself surface, you can keep it locked until
Reflective clothing should: you have completely stopped; but,
A. Be worn at night. even with a locked rear wheel, you
B. Be worn during the day. can control the motorcycle on a
C. Not be worn.
straightaway if it is upright and going
D. Be worn day and night
Answer - page 40 in a straight line.

24
.

STOPPING DISTANCE in the last few feet of stopping. The

SWERVING
motorcycle should then be straight up
and in balance.

SWERVING OR TURNING
QUICKLY
Sometimes you may not have
enough room to stop, even if you use
both brakes properly. An object
might appear suddenly in your path.
Or the car ahead might squeal to a
Always use both brakes at the
stop. The only way to avoid a crash
same time to stop. The front brake
may be to turn quickly, or swerve
can provide 70% or more of the
around it.
potential stopping power.
If you must stop quickly while A swerve is any sudden change
turning or riding a curve, the best in direction. It can be two quick
technique is to straighten the bike turns, or a rapid shift to the side.
upright first and then brake. Apply a small amount of hand
However, it may not always be pressure to the handlegrip located on
possible to straighten the motorcycle the side of your intended direction of
and then stop. If you must brake escape. This will cause the
while leaning, apply light brakes and motorcycle to lean quickly. The
reduce the throttle. As you slow, you sharper the turn(s), the more the
can reduce your lean angle and apply motorcycle must lean.
more brake pressure until the Keep your body upright and
motorcycle is straight and maximum allow the motorcycle to lean in the
brake pressure is possible. You direction of the turn while keeping
should “straighten” the handlebars your knees against the tank and your

SWERVE, THEN BRAKE BRAKE, THEN SWERVE

25
CORNERING feet solidly on the footrests. Let the CORNERING
motorcycle move underneath you.
A primary cause of single-
Make your escape route the target of
vehicle crashes is motorcyclists
your vision. Press on the opposite
running wide in a curve or turn and
handlegrip once you clear the
colliding with the roadway or a fixed
obstacle to return you to your original
object.
direction of travel. To swerve to the
left, press the left handlegrip, then Every curve is different. Be alert
press the right to recover. To swerve to whether a curve remains constant,
to the right, press right, then left. gradually widens, gets tighter or
involves multiple turns.
IF BRAKING IS REQUIRED,
SEPARATE IT FROM SWERVING. Ride within your skill level and
Brake before or after — never while posted speed limits.
swerving. Your best path may not always
follow the curve of the road.
CONSTANT CURVES

26
Change lane position depending on HANDLING DANGEROUS

DANGEROUS SURFACES
traffic, road conditions and curve of SURFACES
the road. If no traffic is present, start
Your chance of falling or being
at the outside of a curve to increase
involved in a crash increases
your line of sight and the effective
whenever you ride across:
radius of the turn. As you turn, move
toward the inside of the curve, and as • Uneven surfaces or obstacles.
you pass the center, move to the • Slippery surfaces.
outside to exit. • Railroad tracks.
Another alternative is to move to • Grooves and gratings.
the center of your lane before
entering a curve — and stay there UNEVEN SURFACES AND
until you exit. This permits you to OBSTACLES
spot approaching traffic as soon as
Watch for uneven surfaces such
possible. You can also adjust for
as bumps, broken pavement, potholes
traffic “crowding” the center line, or
or small pieces of highway trash.
debris blocking part of your lane.
Try to avoid obstacles by
slowing or going around them. If you
must go over the obstacle, first
determine if it is possible. Approach
it at as close to a 90˚ angle as
possible. Look where you want to go
8 Test Yourself to control your path of travel. If you
The best way to stop quickly is to: have to ride over the obstacle, you
A. Use the front brake only. should:
B. Use the rear brake first. • Slow down as much as possible
C. Throttle down and use the front before contact.
brake.
D. Use both brakes at the same time. • Make sure the motorcycle is
Answer - page 40 straight.

OBSTACLES

27
• Rise slightly off the seat with your brake lever gradually to avoid
weight on the footrests to absorb locking the front wheel.
the shock with your knees and Remember, gentle pressure on the
elbows, and avoid being thrown off rear brake.
the motorcycle. • The center of a lane can be
• Just before contact, roll on the hazardous when wet. When it
throttle slightly to lighten the front starts to rain, ride in the tire tracks
end. left by cars. Often, the left tire
If you ride over an object on the track will be the best position,
street, pull off the road and check depending on traffic and other road
conditions as well.
your tires and rims for damage before
riding any farther. • Watch for oil spots when you put
your foot down to stop or park.
You may slip and fall.
SLIPPERY SURFACES • Dirt and gravel collect along the
Motorcycles handle better when sides of the road — especially on
ridden on surfaces that permit good curves and ramps leading to and
traction. Surfaces that provide poor from highways. Be aware of what’s
traction include: on the edge of the road,
particularly when making sharp
• Wet pavement, particularly just turns and getting on or off
after it starts to rain and before freeways at high speeds.
surface oil washes to the side of
the road. • Rain dries and snow melts faster
on some sections of a road than
• Gravel roads, or where sand and on others. Patches of ice tend to
gravel collect. develop in low or shaded areas
• Mud, snow, and ice. and on bridges and overpasses.
• Lane markings (painted lines), Wet surfaces or wet leaves are just
steel plates and manhole covers, as slippery. Ride on the least
especially when wet. slippery portion of the lane and
To ride safely on slippery reduce speed.
surfaces: Cautious riders steer clear of
roads covered with ice or snow. If you
• Reduce Speed — Slow down
before you get to a slippery can’t avoid a slippery surface, keep
surface to lessen your chances of your motorcycle straight up and
skidding. Your motorcycle needs proceed as slowly as possible. If you
more distance to stop. And it is encounter a large surface so slippery
particularly important to reduce that you must coast, or travel at a
speed before entering wet curves. walking pace, consider letting your
• Avoid Sudden Moves — Any feet skim along the surface. If the
sudden change in speed or motorcycle starts to fall, you can
direction can cause a skid. Be as catch yourself. Be sure to keep off the
smooth as possible when you brakes. If possible, squeeze the clutch
speed up, shift gears, turn or brake. and coast. Attempting this maneuver
• Use Both Brakes — The front at anything other than the slowest of
brake is still effective, even on a speeds could prove hazardous.
slippery surface. Squeeze the

28
CROSSTRACKS-RIGHT enough away from tracks, ruts, or

TRACKING GRATINGS
pavement seams to cross at an angle
of at least 45˚. Then, make a quick,
sharp turn. Edging across could catch
your tires and throw you off balance.

GROOVES AND GRATINGS


Riding over rain grooves or
CROSSTRACKS-WRONG bridge gratings may cause a
motorcycle to weave. The uneasy,
wandering feeling is generally not
hazardous. Relax, maintain a steady
speed and ride straight across.
Crossing at an angle forces riders to
zigzag to stay in the lane. The zigzag
is far more hazardous than the
RAILROAD TRACKS, TROLLEY wandering feeling.
TRACKS AND PAVEMENT SEAMS
GRATE CROSSINGS-RIGHT
Usually it is safer to ride straight
within your lane to cross tracks.
Turning to take tracks head-on (at a
90˚ angle) can be more dangerous —
your path may carry you into another
lane of traffic.
For track and road seams that run
parallel to your course, move far
GRATE CROSSINGS-WRONG
PARALLEL TRACKS-RIGHT

PARALLEL TRACKS-WRONG 9 Test Yourself


When it starts to rain it is usually
best to:
A. Ride in the center of the lane.
B. Pull off to the side until the rain
stops.
C. Ride in the tire tracks left by cars.
D. Increase your speed.
Answer - page 40

29
MECHANICAL PROBLEMS MECHANICAL STUCK THROTTLE
PROBLEMS Twist the throttle back and forth
You can find yourself in an several times. If the throttle cable is
emergency the moment something stuck, this may free it. If the throttle
goes wrong with your motorcycle. In stays stuck, immediately operate the
dealing with any mechanical engine cut-off switch and pull in the
problem, take into account the road clutch at the same time. This will
and traffic conditions you face. Here remove power from the rear wheel,
are some guidelines that can help you though engine sound may not
handle mechanical problems safely. immediately decline. Once the
motorcycle is “under control,” pull
off and stop.
TIRE FAILURE
After you have stopped, check
You will seldom hear a tire go
the throttle cable carefully to find the
flat. If the motorcycle starts handling
source of the trouble. Make certain
differently, it may be a tire failure.
the throttle works freely before you
This can be dangerous. You must be
start to ride again.
able to tell from the way the
motorcycle reacts. If one of your tires
suddenly loses air, react quickly to WOBBLE
keep your balance. Pull off and check A “wobble” occurs when the
the tires. front wheel and handlebars suddenly
If the front tire goes flat, the start to shake from side to side at any
steering will feel “heavy.” A speed. Most wobbles can be traced to
front-wheel flat is particularly improper loading, unsuitable
hazardous because it affects your accessories or incorrect tire pressure.
steering. You have to steer well to If you are carrying a heavy load,
keep your balance. lighten it. If you can’t, shift it. Center
the weight lower and farther forward
If the rear tire goes flat, the back
on the motorcycle. Make sure tire
of the motorcycle may jerk or sway
pressure, spring pre-load, air shocks
from side to side.
and dampers are at the settings
If either tire goes flat recommended for that much weight.
while riding: Make sure windshields and fairings
• Hold handlegrips firmly, ease off are mounted properly.
the throttle, and keep a straight Check for poorly adjusted
course. steering; worn steering parts; a front
• If braking is required, however, wheel that is bent, misaligned, or out
gradually apply the brake of the of balance; loose wheel bearings or
tire that isn’t flat, if you are sure spokes; and worn swingarm bearings.
which one it is. If none of these is determined to be
• When the motorcycle slows, edge the cause, have the motorcycle
to the side of the road, squeeze the checked out thoroughly by a qualified
clutch and stop. professional.

30
Trying to “accelerate out of a ENGINE SEIZURE
wobble” will only make the When the engine “locks” or
motorcycle more unstable. Instead: “freezes” it is usually low on oil. The
• Grip the handlebars firmly, but engine’s moving parts can’t move
don’t fight the wobble. smoothly against each other, and the
• Close the throttle gradually to engine overheats. The first sign may
slow down. Do not apply the be a loss of engine power or a change
brakes; braking could make the in the engine’s sound. Squeeze the
wobble worse. clutch lever to disengage the engine
• Move your weight as far forward from the rear wheel. Pull off the road
and down as possible. and stop. Check the oil. If needed, oil
should be added as soon as possible
• Pull off the road as soon as you
or the engine will seize. When this
can to fix the problem.
happens, the effect is the same as a
10 Test Yourself locked rear wheel. Let the engine
If your motorcycle starts to wobble: cool before restarting.
A. Accelerate out of the wobble.
B. Use the brakes gradually. ANIMALS
C. Grip the handlebars firmly and
close the throttle gradually. Naturally, you should do
D. Downshift. everything you safely can to avoid
Answer - page 40 hitting an animal. If you are in traffic,
however, remain in your lane. Hitting
CHAIN PROBLEMS something small is less dangerous to
you than hitting something big —
A chain that slips or breaks while
like a car.
you’re riding could lock the rear
wheel and cause your cycle to skid. Motorcycles seem to attract
Chain slippage or breakage can be dogs. If you are chased, downshift
avoided by proper maintenance. and approach the animal slowly. As
you approach it, accelerate away and
• Slippage — If the chain slips
leave the animal behind. Don’t kick
when you try to speed up quickly
at an animal. Keep control of your
or ride uphill, pull off the road.
motorcycle and look to where you
Check the chain and sprockets.
want to go.
Tightening the chain may help. If
the problem is a worn or stretched For larger animals (deer, elk,
chain or worn or bent sprockets, cattle) brake and prepare to stop —
replace the chain, the sprockets or they are unpredictable.
both before riding again. 11 Test Yourself
• Breakage — You’ll notice an If you are chased by a dog:
instant loss of power to the rear A. Kick it away.
wheel. Close the throttle and brake B. Stop until the animal loses interest.
to a stop. C. Swerve around the animal.
D. Approach the animal slowly, then
speed up.
Answer - page 40

31
FLYING OBJECTS FLYING OBJECTS CARRYING PASSENGERS
From time to time riders are AND CARGO
struck by insects, cigarettes thrown Only experienced riders should
from cars or pebbles kicked up by the carry passengers or large loads. The
tires of the vehicle ahead. If you are extra weight changes the way the
wearing face protection, it might get motorcycle handles, balances, speeds
smeared or cracked, making it up and slows down. Before taking a
difficult to see. Without face passenger or a heavy load on the
protection, an object could hit you in street, practice away from traffic.
the eye, face or mouth. Whatever
happens, keep your eyes on the road
EQUIPMENT
and your hands on the handlebars.
When safe, pull off the road and To carry passengers safely:
repair the damage. • Equip and adjust your
motorcycle to carry passengers.
GETTING OFF THE ROAD • Instruct the passenger before you
GETTING OFF THE ROAD

If you need to leave the road to start.


check the motorcycle (or just to rest • Adjust your riding technique for
for a while), be sure you: the added weight.
• Check the roadside — Make sure Equipment should include:
the surface of the roadside is firm • A proper seat — large enough
enough to ride on. If it is soft to hold both of you without
grass, loose sand or if you’re just crowding. You should not sit
not sure about it, slow way down any farther forward than you
before you turn onto it. usually do.
• Signal — Drivers behind might • Footrests — for the passenger.
not expect you to slow down. Give Firm footing prevents your
a clear signal that you will be passenger from falling off and
slowing down and changing pulling you off, too.
direction. Check your mirror and • Protective equipment — the
make a head check before you take same protective gear
CARRYING LOADS

any action. recommended for operators.


• Pull off the road — Get as far off Adjust the suspension to handle
the road as you can. It can be very the additional weight. You will
hard to spot a motorcycle by the probably need to add a few pounds of
side of the road. You don’t want pressure to the tires if you carry a
someone else pulling off at the passenger. (Check your owner’s
same place you are. manual for appropriate settings.)
• Park carefully — Loose and While your passenger sits on the seat
sloped shoulders can make setting with you, adjust the mirror and
the side or center stand difficult. headlight according to the change in
the motorcycle’s angle.

32
INSTRUCTING PASSENGERS • Ride a little slower, especially

CARRYING PASSENGERS
when taking curves, corners or
Even if your passenger is a
bumps.
motorcycle rider, provide complete
instructions before you start. Tell • Start slowing earlier as you
your passenger to: approach a stop.
• Get on the motorcycle only after • Open up a larger cushion of
you have started the engine. space ahead and to the sides.
• Sit as far forward as possible • Wait for larger gaps to cross,
without crowding you. enter or merge in traffic.
• Hold firmly to your waist, hips, Warn your passenger of special
belts or to the bike’s passenger conditions — when you will pull out,
handholds. stop quickly, turn sharply or ride over
• Keep both feet on the footrests, a bump. Turn your head slightly to
even when stopped. make yourself understood, but keep
your eyes on the road ahead.
• Keep legs away from the
muffler(s), chains or moving parts.
CARRYING LOADS
• Stay directly behind you, leaning
as you lean. Most motorcycles are not
designed to carry much cargo. Small
• Avoid unnecessary talk or loads can be carried safely if
motion. positioned and fastened properly.
Also, tell your passenger to • Keep the Load Low — Fasten
tighten his or her hold when you: loads securely, or put them in
• Approach surface problems. saddlebags. Piling loads against a
• Are about to start from a stop. sissybar or frame on the back of
the seat raises the motorcycle’s
• Warn that you will make a
center of gravity and disturbs its
sudden move. balance.
• Keep the Load Forward — Place
RIDING WITH PASSENGERS the load over, or in front of, the
Your motorcycle will respond rear axle. Tankbags keep loads
more slowly with a passenger on forward, but use caution when
board. The heavier your passenger, loading hard or sharp objects.
the longer it will take to slow down Make sure the tankbag does not
and speed up — especially on a light interfere with handlebars or
motorcycle. controls. Mounting loads behind
the rear axle can affect how the
12 Test Yourself motorcycle turns and brakes. It can
Passengers should: also cause a wobble.
A. Lean as you lean. • Distribute the Load Evenly —
B. Hold on to the motorcycle seat. Load saddlebags with about the
C. Sit as far back as possible. same weight. An uneven load can
D. Never hold onto you. cause the motorcycle to drift to
Answer - page 40
one side.

33
GROUP RIDING • Secure the Load — Fasten the down a little to stay with the
load securely with elastic cords tailender.
(bungee cords or nets). Elastic • Know the Route — Make sure
cords with more than one everyone knows the route. Then, if
attachment point per side are more someone is separated they won’t
secure. A tight load won’t catch in have to hurry to keep from getting
the wheel or chain, causing it to lost or taking a wrong turn. Plan
lock up and skid. Rope tends to frequent stops on long rides.
stretch and knots come loose,
permitting the load to shift or fall. KEEP YOUR DISTANCE
• Check the Load — Stop and Maintain close ranks but at the
check the load every so often to
same time keep a safe distance to
make sure it has not worked loose
or moved. allow each rider in the group time
and space to react to hazards. A close
GROUP RIDING group takes up less space on the
highway, is easier to see and is less
If you ride with others, do it in a likely to be separated. However, it
way that promotes safety and doesn’t must be done properly.
interfere with the flow of traffic.
Don’t Pair Up — Never operate
directly alongside another rider.
KEEP THE GROUP SMALL There is no place to go if you have
Small groups make it easier and to avoid a car or something on the
safer for car drivers who need to get road. To talk, wait until you are both
around them. A small number isn’t stopped.
separated as easily by traffic or red Staggered Formation — This is the
lights. Riders won’t always be best way to keep ranks close yet
hurrying to catch up. If your group is maintain an adequate space
larger than four or five riders, divide
it up into two or more smaller groups. STAGGERED FORMATION
KEEP THE GROUP TOGETHER
• Plan — The leader should look
ahead for changes and signal early
so “the word gets back” in plenty
of time. Start lane changes early to
permit everyone to complete the
change.
• Put Beginners Up Front — Place
inexperienced riders just behind
the leader. That way the more
experienced riders can watch them
from the back.
• Follow Those Behind — Let the
tailender set the pace. Use your
mirrors to keep an eye on the
person behind. If a rider falls
behind, everyone should slow

34
cushion. The leader rides in the left open up room for the next rider.
side of the lane, while the second Some people suggest that the
rider stays one second behind in leader should move to the right side
the right side of the lane.
after passing a vehicle. This is not a
A third rider maintains in the left good idea. It encourages the second
position, two seconds behind the first rider to pass and cut back in before
rider. The fourth rider would keep a there is a large enough space cushion
two-second distance behind the in front of the passed vehicle. It’s
second rider. This formation keeps simpler and safer to wait until there
the group close and permits each is enough room ahead of the passed
rider a safe distance from others vehicle to allow each rider to move
ahead, behind and to the sides. into the same position held before
• Passing in Formation — Riders the pass.
in a staggered formation should Single-File Formation — It is best
pass one at a time. to move into a single-file formation
• First, the lead rider should pull when riding curves, turning,
out and pass when it is safe. After entering or leaving a highway.
passing, the leader should return to
the left position and continue 13 Test Yourself
riding at passing speed to open
When riding in a group,
room for the next rider.
inexperienced riders should
• After the first rider passes safely, position themselves:
the second rider should move up to A. Just behind the leader.
the left position and watch for a B. In front of the group.
safe chance to pass. After passing, C. At the tail end of the group.
this rider should return to the right D. Beside the leader.
Answer - page 40
position and

35
BEING IN SHAPE TO RIDE
BEING IN SHAPE TO RIDE
Riding a motorcycle is a demanding and complex task. Skilled riders pay
attention to the riding environment and to operating the motorcycle, identifying
potential hazards, making good judgments and executing decisions quickly and
skillfully. Your ability to perform and respond to changing road and traffic
conditions is influenced by how fit and alert you are. Alcohol and other drugs,
more than any other factor, degrade your ability to think clearly and to ride
safely. As little as one drink can have a significant effect on your performance.
Let’s look at the risks involved in riding after drinking or using drugs.
What to do to protect yourself and your fellow riders is also examined.

WHY THIS INFORMATION substance abuse don’t mix. Take


IS IMPORTANT positive steps to protect yourself and
prevent others from injuring
Alcohol is a major contributor to themselves.
motorcycle crashes, particularly fatal
ALCOHOL AND DRUGS

crashes. Studies show that 40% to ALCOHOL AND OTHER


45% of all riders killed in motorcycle DRUGS IN MOTORCYCLE
crashes had been drinking. Only one-
third of those riders had a blood OPERATION
alcohol concentration above legal No one is immune to the effects
limits. The rest had only a few drinks of alcohol or drugs. Friends may brag
in their systems — enough to impair about their ability to hold their liquor
riding skills. In the past, drug levels or perform better on drugs, but
have been harder to distinguish or alcohol or drugs make them less able
have not been separated from to think clearly and perform physical
drinking violations for the traffic tasks skillfully. Judgment and the
records. But riding “under the decision-making processes needed
influence” of either alcohol or drugs for vehicle operation are affected long
poses physical and legal hazards for before legal limitations are reached.
every rider. Many over-the-counter,
Drinking and drug use is as big a prescription and illegal drugs have
problem among motorcyclists as it is side effects that increase the risk of
among automobile drivers. riding. It is difficult to accurately
Motorcyclists, however, are more measure the involvement of
likely to be killed or severely injured particular drugs in motorcycle
in a crash. Injuries occur in 90% of crashes. But we do know what effects
motorcycle crashes and 33% of various drugs have on the process
automobile crashes that involve abuse involved in riding a motorcycle. We
of substances. On a yearly basis, also know that the combined effects
2,100 motorcyclists are killed and of alcohol and other drugs are more
about 50,000 seriously injured in this dangerous than either is alone.
same type of crash. These statistics
are too overwhelming to ignore.
ALCOHOL IN THE BODY
By becoming knowledgeable
about the effects of alcohol and other Alcohol enters the bloodstream
drugs you will see that riding and quickly. Unlike most foods and

36
beverages, it does not need to be Your sex, physical condition and food

BLOOD ALCOHOL CONCENTRATION


digested. Within minutes after being intake are just a few that may cause
consumed, it reaches the brain and your BAC level to be even higher.
begins to affect the drinker. The But the full effects of these are not
major effect alcohol has is to slow completely known. Alcohol may still
down and impair bodily functions — accumulate in your body even if
both mental and physical. Whatever you are drinking at a rate of one
you do, you do less well after drink per hour. Abilities and
consuming alcohol. judgment can be affected by that
one drink.
BLOOD ALCOHOL A 12-ounce can of beer, a mixed
CONCENTRATION drink with one shot of liquor and a 5-
Blood Alcohol Concentration or ounce glass of wine all contain the
BAC is the amount of alcohol in same amount of alcohol.
relation to blood in the body.
The faster you drink, the more
Generally, alcohol can be eliminated
alcohol accumulates in your body. If
in the body at the rate of almost one
you drink two drinks in an hour, at
drink per hour. But a variety of other
the end of that hour, at least one drink
factors may also influence the level of
will remain in your bloodstream.
alcohol retained. The more alcohol in
your blood, the greater the degree of Without taking into account any
impairment. other factors, these examples
illustrate why time is a critical factor
Three factors play a major part
when a rider decides to drink.
in determining BAC:
A person drinking:
• The amount of alcohol you
consume. – Seven drinks over the span of three
hours would have at least four (7 – 3
• How fast you drink. = 4) drinks remaining in their system
• Your body weight. at the end of the three hours. They
Other factors also contribute to would need at least another four
the way alcohol affects your system. hours to eliminate the four remaining
drinks before they consider riding.

ALCOHOL CONCENTRATION

37
ALCOHOL AND THE LAW – Four drinks over the span of two that judges must impose them.
hours would have at least two (4 – 2 If you are convicted of riding
= 2) drinks remaining in their system under the influence of alcohol or
at the end of the two hours. They drugs, you may receive any of the
would need at least another two hours
following penalties:
to eliminate the two remaining drinks
before they consider riding. • License Suspension —
Mandatory suspension for
There are times when a larger
conviction, arrest or refusal to
person may not accumulate as high a
submit to a breath test.
concentration of alcohol for each drink
consumed. They have more blood • Fines — Severe fines are another
and other bodily fluids. But because aspect of a conviction, usually
of individual differences it is better levied with a license suspension.
not to take the chance that abilities • Community Service — Performing
and judgment have not been affected. tasks such as picking up litter
Whether or not you are legally along the highway, washing cars in
intoxicated is not the real issue. the motor-vehicle pool or working
Impairment of judgment and skills at an emergency ward.
MINIMIZE RISKS

begins well below the legal limit. • Costs — Additional lawyer’s fees
to pay, lost work time spent in
ALCOHOL AND THE LAW court or alcohol-education
In most states, a person with a programs, public transportation
BAC of .08% or above is considered costs (while your license is
intoxicated; in others the legal limit is suspended) and the added
.10%. It doesn’t matter how sober psychological costs of being
you may look or act. The breath or tagged a “drunk driver.”
urine test is what usually determines
whether you are riding legally or MINIMIZE THE RISKS
illegally. Your ability to judge how well
Your chances of being stopped you are riding is affected first.
for riding under the influence of Although you may be performing
alcohol are increasing. Law more and more poorly, you think you
enforcement is being stepped up are doing better and better. The result
across the country in response to the is that you ride confidently, taking
senseless deaths and injuries caused greater and greater risks. Minimize
by drinking drivers and riders. the risks of drinking and riding by
taking steps before you drink.
CONSEQUENCES OF Control your drinking or control
CONVICTION your riding.
Years ago, first offenders had a
good chance of getting off with a DON’T DRINK
small fine and participation in
Don’t Drink — Once you start,
alcohol-abuse classes. Today the laws
your resistance becomes weaker.
of most states impose stiff penalties
on drinking operators. And those Setting a limit or pacing yourself
penalties are mandatory, meaning are poor alternatives at best. Your
ability to exercise good judgment is

38
one of the first things affected by It helps to enlist support from

FATIGUE
alcohol. Even if you have tried to others when you decide to step in.
drink in moderation, you may not The more people on your side, the
realize to what extent your skills have easier it is to be firm and the harder
suffered from alcohol’s fatiguing it is for the rider to resist. While
effects. you may not be thanked at the
Or Don’t Ride — If you haven’t time, you will never have to say,
controlled your drinking, you must “If only I had ...”
control your riding.
• Leave the motorcycle — FATIGUE
so you won’t be tempted to ride. Riding a motorcycle is more
Arrange another way to get home. tiring than driving a car. On a long
• Wait — If you exceed your trip, you’ll tire sooner than you would
limit, wait until your system in a car. Avoid riding when tired.
eliminates the alcohol and its Fatigue can affect your control of the
fatiguing effects. motorcycle.
STEP IN TO • Protect yourself from the
PROTECT FRIENDS elements — Wind, cold, and rain
make you tire quickly. Dress
People who have had too much to
warmly. A windshield is worth its
drink are unable to make a responsible cost if you plan to ride long
decision. It is up to others to step in distances.
and keep them from taking too great a
• Limit your distance — Experi-
risk. No one wants to do this — it’s enced riders seldom try to ride
uncomfortable, embarrassing and more than about six hours a day.
thankless. You are rarely thanked for
• Take frequent rest breaks —
your efforts at the time. But the Stop and get off the motorcycle at
alternatives are often worse. least every two hours.
There are several ways to keep • Don’t drink or use drugs —
friends from hurting themselves: Artificial stimulants often result in
• Arrange a safe ride — Provide extreme fatigue or depression
alternative ways for them to when they start to wear off. Riders
get home. are unable to concentrate on the
• Slow the pace of drinking — task at hand.
Involve them in other activities. 14 Test Yourself
• Keep them there — Use any If you wait one hour per drink for the
excuse to keep them from getting alcohol to be eliminated from your
on their motorcycle. Serve them body before riding:
food and coffee to pass the time. A. You cannot be arrested for drinking
Explain your concerns for their and riding.
risks of getting arrested or hurt B. Your riding skills will not be
or hurting someone else. Take their affected.
key, if you can. C. Side effects from the drinking may
still remain.
• Get friends involved — Use peer D. You will be okay as long as you ride
pressure from a group of friends slowly.
Answer - page 40
to intervene.

39
EARNING YOUR LICENSE
EARNING YOUR LICENSE
Safe riding requires knowledge and skill. Licensing tests are the best
measurement of the skills necessary to operate safely in traffic. Assessing your
own skills is not enough. People often overestimate their own abilities. It’s even
harder for friends and relatives to be totally honest about your skills. Licensing
exams are designed to be scored more objectively.
To earn your license, you must pass a knowledge test and an on-cycle skill
test. Knowledge test questions are based on information, practices and ideas
from this manual. They require that you know and understand road rules and
safe riding practices. An on-cycle skill test will either be conducted in an actual
traffic environment or in a controlled, off-street area.

KNOWLEDGE TEST 4. If a tire goes flat while riding and


(Sample Questions) you must stop, it is usually best to:
KNOWLEDGE TEST

1. It is MOST important to flash A. Relax on the handlegrips.


your brake light when: B. Shift your weight toward the good
tire.
A. Someone is following too closely. C. Brake on the good tire and steer to
B. You will be slowing suddenly. the side of the road.
C. There is a stop sign ahead. D. Use both brakes and stop quickly.
D. Your signals are not working.
5. The car below is waiting to enter
2. The FRONT brake supplies how the intersection. It is best to:
much of the potential stopping
power? A. Make eye contact with the driver.
B. Reduce speed and be ready to
A. About one-quarter. react.
B. About one-half. C. Maintain speed and position.
C. About three-quarters. D. Maintain speed and move right.
D. All of the stopping power. .

3. To swerve correctly:
A. Shift your weight quickly.
B. Turn the handlebars quickly.
C. Press the handlegrip in the
direction of the turn.
D. Press the handlegrip in the
opposite direction of the turn.

_____________________________________
Answers to Test Yourself (previous pages)
1-C, 2-D, 3-D, 4-A, 5-B, _____________________________________
6-C, 7-D 8-D, 9-C, 10-C, Answers to above Knowledge Test:
11-D, 12-A, 13-A, 14-C 1-B, 2-C, 3-C, 4-C, 5-B

40
ON-MOTORCYCLE SKILL • Adjust speed and position to the
TEST traffic situation.
Basic vehicle control and • Stop, turn and swerve quickly.
crash-avoidance skills are included in • Make critical decisions and carry
on-motorcycle tests to determine them out.
your ability to handle normal and Examiners may score on
hazardous traffic situations. factors related to safety such as:
You may be tested for your • Selecting safe speeds to perform
ability to: maneuvers.
• Know your motorcycle and your • Choosing the correct path and
riding limits. staying within boundaries.
• Accelerate, brake and turn • Completing normal and quick
safely. stops.
• See, be seen and communicate • Completing normal and quick
with others. turns or swerves.

To receive a motorcycle license with full privileges, most


states require that maneuvers be performed as designed.
On-motorcycle skill tests are not designed for sidecars or three-wheeled
vehicles. Those vehicles maneuver differently than a two-wheeled
motorcycle. Depending on the state, an examiner may follow you on a car
test-route. Restrictions (sidecar, three-wheeled vehicle) may be added
until completion of a two-wheeled motorcycle test.

Diagrams and drawings used in this manual are for reference only
and are not to correct scale for size of vehicles and distances.

41
MOTORCYCLES MAKE SENSE –
SO DOES PROFESSIONAL TRAINING
Motorcycles are inexpensive to operate, fun to ride and easy to park.
Unfortunately, many riders never learn critical skills needed to ride safely.
Professional training for beginning and experienced riders prepares them for
real-world traffic situations. Motorcycle Safety Foundation RiderCoursesSM teach
and improve such skills as:
• Effective turning • Braking maneuvers • Protective apparel selection
• Obstacle avoidance • Traffic strategies • Maintenance

For the basic or experienced


RiderCourse nearest you,
call toll free: 800.446.9227

The Motorcycle motorcycles. The infor-


Safety Foundation’s mation has been com-
(MSF) purpose is to piled from publications,
®
improve the safety of interviews and observa-
motorcyclists on the tions of individuals and
nation’s streets and highways. In an organizations familiar with the use of
attempt to reduce motorcycle crashes motorcycles, accessories, and training.
and injuries, the Foundation has pro- Because there are many differences in
grams in rider education, licensing product design, riding styles, federal,
improvement, public information and state and local laws, there may be orga-
statistics. These programs are designed nizations and individuals who hold dif-
for both motorcyclists and motorists. A fering opinions. Consult your local
national not-for-profit organization, the regulatory agencies for information
MSF is sponsored by BMW, Ducati, concerning the operation of motor-
Harley-Davidson, Honda, Kawasaki, cycles in your area. Although the MSF
KTM, Piaggio/Vespa, Suzuki, Ven- will continue to research, field test and
geance, Victory and Yamaha. publish responsible viewpoints on the
The information contained in this subject, it disclaims any liability for
publication is offered for the benefit of the views expressed herein.
those who have an interest in riding

Printing and distribution courtesy of


Motorcycle Safety Foundation
2 Jenner Street, Suite 150, Irvine, CA 92618-3806
www.msf-usa.org

Second Revision....................December 1978 Seventh Revision ..................September 1992


Third Revision........................ February 1981 Eighth Revision ...................... .January 1999
Fourth Revision....................... .January 1983 Ninth Revision ............................ March 2000
Fifth Revision........................... October 1987 Tenth Revision ......................... January 2002
Sixth Revision ...............................April 1991 Eleventh Revision ........................... July 2002
....................................................................... Twelfth Revision ............................ May 2004
Printed in USA 000254

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