north dakota motorcycle manual | north dakota motorcycle handbook

8/2/2019 North Dakota Motorcycle Manual | North Dakota Motorcycle Handbook

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Motorcycle Operator Manual

2013 - 2015

It is NDDOTs policy that all employees have the right to work in anenvironment free of harassment. An employee may discontinueservice to a customer if the customer subjects the employee to

conduct, communication, or sexually explicit paraphernalia which mayinterfere with the employees work performance or create a hostile,intimidating, or offensive work environment.

Under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, and its related statutesand regulations, no person or groups of persons shall, on the groundsof race, color, national origin, sex, age, disability/handicap, or incomestatus, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, orbe otherwise subjected to discrimination under any and all programs,services, or activities administered by the North Dakota Department ofTransportation.

Prepared by

NORTH DAKOTA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATIONBISMARCK, NORTH DAKOTA

www.dot.nd.gov

DIRECTORGrant Levi, P.E.

DRIVERS LICENSE DIVISIONGlenn E. Jackson

DL0813

Class M


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To the Motorcycle Operator:

This manual contains important information for those of you who wish to operate amotorcycle. You are urged to study this manual thoroughly.

As a motorcyclist, you should remember that you will be traveling on the streets andhighways with a variety of vehicles, most of which are larger than your motorcycle. Statisticsshow that the chances of a motorcyclist being injured in a motorcycle crash are far greater

than any other type of vehicular crash. And one out of every ve motorcycle crashes resultsin head or neck injuries.

As a motorcyclist in North Dakota, you are subject to the same rules of the road as othermotorists, as well as special laws for motorcycles, which are summarized in this manual.

Applicants who do not currently possess a North Dakota operators license should study thismanual along with the North Dakota Noncommercial Drivers License Manual , available at anyof the Drivers License of ces or online at www.dot.nd.gov.

Drivers License DivisionND Department of Transportation


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Table of ContentsNorth Dakota Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . iPreface . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . vTHE RIDER AND THE MOTORCYCLE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1PREPARING TO RIDE

Wear the Right Gear . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Know Your Motorcycle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Know Your Responsibilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4RIDE WITHIN YOUR ABILITIES Basic Vehicle Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Keeping Your Distance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 SEE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 Intersections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 Increasing Noticeability . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Crash Avoidance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 Handling Dangerous Surfaces . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 Mechanical Problems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 Animals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 Flying Objects. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 Getting Off the Road . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 Carrying Passengers and Cargo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 Group Riding . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24

BEING IN SHAPE TO RIDE Why This Information Is Important . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 Alcohol and Other Drugs in Motorcycle Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 Alcohol in the Body . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 Alcohol and the Law . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 Minimize the Risks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 Step in to Protect Friends . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 Fatigue . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29EARNING YOUR LICENSE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION FOR THREE-WHEEL MOTORCYCLES Know Your Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32 Basic Vehicle Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33 Carrying Passengers and Cargo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35HAND SIGNALS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36T-CLOCS PRE-RIDE CHECKLIST . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37


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North DakotaInformation

Any person other than a nonresident student, a tour-ist, or a member of the armed forces who has lived inthis state for 90 consecutive days, shall be deemed aresident of North Dakota for the purposes of driver li-censing. You may operate a vehicle with an operatorslicense from another state for a period of 60 days afteryou become a resident of North Dakota, then you mustobtain a North Dakota operators license.

When operating either a two- or three-wheeled mo-torcycle, North Dakota law requires that you have inyour possession a Class M permit or license. Drivingwithout the Class M permit or license will result in a$20 ne and a four point assessment on your drivingrecord.

Fourteen- and fteen-year-old motorcycle operatorsmay only operate motorcycles with a 250 cc engineor less.

Operators and passengers under the age of 18 mustwear a safety helmet that meets U.S. Department ofTransportation standards. If the operator is required towear a helmet, then any passenger, regardless of age,must also wear a helmet.

Applying for aClass M License or Permit

Applications for an operators license or permit aremade with the Drivers License of ce in your area.

PROOF OF IDENTIFICATION IS REQUIRED.

Original applicants who do not have a valid NorthDakota operators license must present proof of legalpresence, current name and date of birth. Out-of-statepermits, licenses, and ID cards will not be acceptedas proof of legal presence, name and date of birth.Proof of North Dakota residence address may also berequired. Acceptable forms of identi cation are:

> U.S. Birth Certi cate (state certi ed; Government-issued: includes U.S. territories).

> Valid U.S. Passport.

> U.S. Government-issued Consular Report of Birth

Abroad. Certi cate or FS 240 (seal required). > Valid Foreign Passport with an I-94 card or anI-551 stamp.

> U.S. Active Duty/Retiree/Reservist Military IDCard. (Dependent cards are not acceptable.)

> U.S. Court Order for adoption containing the legalname and date of birth (Court seal required). U.S.Court Order for name change, divorce decree ormarriage certi cate used for proof of current nameonly.

> North Dakota state issued permit, license, or IDcard.

> The following Immigration documents (unexpired):

I-551 Resident Alien or Permanent Resident Card

I-766 Employment Authorization Card

N560 Certi cate of Citizenship

N550 Certi cate of Naturalization

I-94 card stamped Refugee or Asylee

Only original documents and certi ed copies will beaccepted. No photo-copies. A court order or govern-ment issued marriage certi cate is required for a namechange. Several documents may be necessary in theevent there has been more than one name changesince birth.

You will not be allowed to test without properidenti cation.

Applicants born in North Dakota who do not have the

required birth certi cate may obtain a copy by send -ing $7 and general birth and identi cation informationto Vital Records, North Dakota Department of Health,Dept. 301, 600 East Boulevard Avenue, Bismarck,North Dakota 58505-0200. Visit www.ndhealth.gov/vital for details.

All applications for permit, license, or identi cationcard must contain the individuals social securitynumber (NDCC 39-06-07 and NDCC 39-06-03.1).

All applicants must pass a vision screening, testingyour ability to see as it applies to driving.

All applicants who do NOT present a valid Class A,B, C, or D North Dakota operators license will berequired to pass the Class D Noncommercial writ-ten test prior to the Class M written test. Children,backpacks, purses, and electronic devices such ascell phone, ipods, etc., will not be allowed in the test-ing area.

You may NOT operate a motorcycle until you receivethe Class M permit, then you must pass an on-cycleskill test prior to a Class M license being issued. Theon-cycle skill test may be waived upon successfulcompletion, within the last six years, of a motorcyclesafety course approved by the director. The actual

completion card must be presented. Anyone operating a motorcycle with a learners per-

mit may not drive after dark and shall not carry pas-sengers.

State statutes require a $5 fee for each written testand a $5 fee for each road/skill test.


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CITY PLACE DAYS TIMES

Beulah . . . . . . . Civic Center, 250 7th St NE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2nd & 4th Th . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9:40 AM-3:20 PMBismarck . . . . . NDDOT, 608 E Blvd Ave (east doors) . . . . . .M, Tu, W, Th, Fri . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7:30 AM-4:45 PMBottineau . . . . . Armory, 411 Main St . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1st & 3rd M . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9:00 AM-4:00 PMBowman. . . . . . City Hall, 100 1st St E . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1st Th . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9:40 AM-3:20 PMCarrington . . . . Courthouse, 1000 N Central Ave . . . . . . . . . .1st Th . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9:40 AM-3:20 PMCarson . . . . . . . Courthouse, 106 2nd Ave NE . . . . . . . . . . . . 1st M . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8:00 AM-3:20 PMCrosby . . . . . . . Courthouse, 302 2nd Ave N . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2nd Th . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9:40 AM-3:20 PMDevils Lake . . . WDAZ Bldg, 516 Hwy 2 E . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . M, Tu, W, & Fri, (closed Th) . . . . 8:00 AM-4:45 PMDickinson . . . . . T-Rex Plaza, 1173 3rd Ave W, Suite 37 . . . . . M, Tu, W, & Fri, (closed Th) . . . . 8:00 AM-4:45 PMFargo . . . . . . . . NDDOT, 503 38th St S. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Tu, W, Th, & Fri . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8:00 AM-4:45 PM. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .M . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8:00 AM-5:45 PMGrafton. . . . . . . 701 W 6th St (third oor) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Every Tu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9:20 AM-3:45 PMGrand Forks. . .NDDOT, 1951 N Washington St . . . . . . . . . .M, Tu, W, Th, Fri . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8:00 AM-4:45 PMHarvey . . . . . . . A rmory, 120 W 8th St . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3rd W . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9:00 AM-4:00 PMJamestown . . . 300 2nd Ave NE, Suite 139 . . . . . . . . . . . . . .M, Tu, W, Th, Fri . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8:00 AM-4:45 PM

Langdon. . . . . . Courthouse, 901 3rd St . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2nd W . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9:20 AM-3:40 PMLinton . . . . . . . . Community Center, 101 1st St NE . . . . . . . . . 2nd M . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8:40 AM-4:30 PMLisbon . . . . . . . Armory, 504 Prospect St . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2nd W . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8:40 AM-4:20 PMMayville . . . . . . City Hall, 21 1st St NE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3rd W . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9:20 AM-3:45 PMMinot . . . . . . . . Arrowhead Shpg Ctr, 1600 2nd Ave SW . . . .M, Tu, W, Th, Fri . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8:00 AM-4:45 PMOakes . . . . . . . A rmory, 124 S 5th St . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1st W . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9:20 AM-3:40 PMRolla . . . . . . . . City Hall, 14 1st St SE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2nd & 4th M . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9:40 AM-3:00 PMRugby . . . . . . . Armory (east door), 1105 S Main . . . . . . . . . 1st Tu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8:40 AM-4:20 PMValley City . . . . Armory, 747 7th St SE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1st & 3rd Tu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8:20 AM-4:40 PMWahpeton . . . . Senior Ctr (north door), 530 3rd Ave S . . . . .1st, 2nd, 3rd, & 4th Th . . . . . . . . 8:20 AM-4:40 PMWatford City . . . Library, 112 2nd Ave NE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1st & 3rd Th . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9:40 AM-3:40 PMWilliston . . . . . . NDDOT, 537 Dakota Parkway W . . . . . . . . . . M, Tu, W, & Fri (closed Th) . . . . 8:00 AM-4:45 PMWishek . . . . . . . A rmory, 1208 1st Ave S . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4th W . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9:20 AM-3:30 PM

Drivers License Of ces

LUNCH HOUR SCHEDULEAll sites closed from 12-00-1:00 p.m. except Bismarck, Minot, Grand Forks, and Fargo.

HOLIDAY SCHEDULEOf ces are closed on the following holidays:

New Years Day, January 1 Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, the third Monday in JanuaryPresidents Day, third Monday in February Good Friday, the Friday preceding Easter Sunday

Memorial Day, the last Monday in May Independence Day, July 4Labor Day, the rst Monday in September Veterans Day, November 11

Thanksgiving Day, the fourth Thursday in NovemberChristmas Eve, December 24 (of ces close at noon) Christmas Day, December 25

If January 1st, July 4th, November 11th or December 25th falls on a Sunday, the following Monday shall be theholiday. If these holidays fall on a Saturday, the preceding Friday is the holiday.

Road tests: By appointment only.

Written tests: Arrive no later than one hour prior to noon if testing at an of ce that closes for lunch, and no laterthan one hour prior to closing. Allow yourself extra time if you will be taking more than one written test.

For services that can be done online, go to www.dot.nd.gov, click on Licensing & Registration.

North Dakota Drivers License LocationsNo appointment is needed for the written test. Arriveno later than one hour prior to noon, if testing at anof ce that closes for lunch, and no later than one hourprior to closing.

TTY users may call: Relay North Dakota at 711.

For skill test appointments and general license infor-mation, dial toll free at 1-855-633-6835. Skill testswill not be conducted during inclement weather.Call for cancellation information.


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CRASH REPORTSIf you are involved in a crash which results in the com-bined damage of $1,000 or more, or results in personalinjury or death, you must immediately report it to thelocal police, sheriffs of ce, or State Highway Patrol.

No person shall operate a motor vehicle in the stateof North Dakota without a valid policy of liability insur-ance in effect, the name of the insurance policy carrier,and the policy number must be furnished to a law en-forcement of cer upon request. The minimum ne foroperating an uninsured motor vehicle is $300 and mayresult in a license suspension.

In any crash involving injury or damage, the operatorsmust exchange the following information: operatorsname, address, and motor vehicle insurance company.

Any operator who hits an unattended vehicle mustimmediately locate and notify the owner. If the ownercannot be found, the operator must leave a note ata conspicuous place on the unattended vehicle. Thenote must list the operators name, address, and mo-tor vehicle insurance company.

NORTH DAKOTA CRASH DATAVisit www.dot.nd.gov and click on Crash Data and Re-ports for the most current information on motorcyclecrashes in North Dakota.

EXAMINATIONS

Cooperation With the Examiner The applicant must at all times cooperate with the

examiners by following their instructions.

License applicants must furnish their own vehicle forthe on-motorcycle test.

License applicants must submit their motorcycle toan equipment inspection at the time of the on-mo-torcycle test.

Applicants who successfully pass the on-motorcycleskill test with a motorcycle that has an automatictransmission, will be restricted to operating a ClassM vehicle so equipped.

Applicants successfully completing the on-motorcy-

cle test on a three-wheeled motorcycle will receive aClass M operators license restricted to the operationof a three-wheeled motorcycle.

If you fail any of the tests, you will not be allowed toretake the examination the same day.

Additional Requirement for applicants 14or 15 Years of Age To receive a Class M learners permit, the 14- or

15-year-old applicant must be enrolled in or have

completed an approved motorcycle safety course.

When applying for a learners permit, 14- or 15-year-old applicants must present to the examiner an en -rollment certi cate or a Motorcycle Safety Comple -tion Certi cate.

These applicants must operate on the initial learnerspermit for at least two months prior to completing theon-motorcycle skill test for a Class M operators li-

cense. A Motorcycle Safety Completion Certi cate must be

presented at the time of the on-motorcycle skill test.If the applicant has held the initial learners permit forat least two months, the on-motorcycle skill test maybe waived upon successful completion of a motor-cycle safety course approved by the director.

MOTORIZED BICYCLE A motorized bicycle is a two- or three-wheeled vehicle,no more than 32 inches wide. It must also have:

Maximum piston or rotor displacement of 49.98 (3.05cubic inches) enabling a speed not to exceed 30mph on a level surface.

Foot pedals or footrests.

An automatic drive system not requiring the use ofa clutch.

Motorized bicycles must display an assigned regis-tration plate when operated upon a public highway.

LICENSE REQUIREMENTSThe operator of a motorized bicycle must be at least

14 years of age or older. You must have a valid operators license, operator

permit, a temporary permit, instruction permit, mo-torcycle permit, or motorized bicycle permit in yourimmediate possession when operating a motorizedbicycle upon a public street or highway within thestate of North Dakota.

Operators under the age of 18 must wear a safetyhelmet that meets U.S. Department of Transporta-tion standards.

APPLYING FOR A MOTORIZED BICYCLEPERMIT

Application for a motorized bicycle permit is made withthe Drivers License of ce in your area.

All applicants applying for an original motorized bi-cycle permit must present proof of legal presence,current name and date of birth. Out-of-state permits,licenses, and ID cards will not be accepted as proofof legal presence, name and date of birth. Accept-able forms of identi cation are:


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> U.S. Birth Certi cate (state certi ed; Government-issued: includes U.S. territories).

> Valid U.S. Passport.

> U.S. Government-issued Consular Report of Birth Abroad. Certi cate or FS 240 (seal required).

> Valid Foreign Passport with an I-94 card or an I-551stamp.

> U.S. Active Duty/Retiree/Reservist Military ID Card.(Dependent cards are not acceptable.)

> U.S. Court Order for Adoption containing the legalname and date of birth (Court seal required). U.S.Court Order for name change, divorce decree ormarriage certi cate used for proof of current nameonly.

> North Dakota state issued permit, license, or IDcard.

> The following Immigration documents (unexpired):

I-551 Resident Alien or Permanent Resident CardI-766 Employment Authorization Card

N560 Certi cate of Citizenship

N550 Certi cate of Naturalization

I-94 card stamped Refugee or Asylee

Only original documents and certi ed copies will be ac -cepted. No photocopies. A court order or government is-sued marriage certi cate is required for a name change.Several documents may be necessary in the event there

has been more than one name change since birth. You will not be allowed to test without properidenti cation.

Motorized bicycle applications must contain the indi-viduals social security number (NDCC 39-06-07).

Pass the Class D Noncommercial written test.

Pass a vision screening, testing your ability to see as itapplies to operating a motorized bicycle.

NO on-cycle skill test is required for a motorized bi-cycle permit.

There is a $5 written test fee required.


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Welcome to the Sixteenth Edition of the MSF Motorcycle Operator Manual (MOM). Operatinga motorcycle safely in traf c requires special skills and knowledge. The Motorcycle SafetyFoundation (MSF) has made this manual available to help novice motorcyclists reduce theirrisk of having a crash. The manual conveys essential safe riding information and has beendesigned for use in licensing programs. While designed for the novice, all motorcyclists can

bene t from the information this manual contains.The original Motorcycle Operator Manual was developed by the National Public ServicesResearch Institute (NPSRI) under contract to the National Highway Traf c Safety

Administration (NHTSA) and within the terms of a cooperative agreement between NHTSAand the MSF. The manual and related tests were used in a multi-year study of improvedmotorcycle operator licensing procedures, conducted by the California Department of MotorVehicles under contract to NHTSA.

The purpose of this manual is to educate riders and to help them avoid crashes while safelyoperating either a standard two-wheel motorcycle or a three-wheel motorcycle.

This latest edition has undergone signi cant improvements, and contains new, more in-depthinformation, designed to:

Guide riders in preparing to ride safely.

Develop effective street strategies.

Give riders more comprehensive understanding of safe group riding practices.

Describe in detail best practices for carrying passengers and cargo.

In promoting improved licensing programs, the MSF works closely with state licensingagencies. The Foundation has helped more than half the states in the nation adopt theMotorcycle Operator Manual for use in their licensing systems.

Improved licensing, along with high quality motorcycle rider education and increased publicawareness, has the potential to reduce crashes. Staff at the Foundation are available toassist state, private and governmental agencies in efforts to improve motorcycle safety.

Tim BuchePresident,Motorcycle Safety Foundation

Preface


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Motorcycle Operator Manual Revised 2013

THE RIDER AND THEMOTORCYCLE

Motorcycling is a unique experience. Compared to acar, you dont sit in a motorcycle, you become part ofit. Not as a passive driver, but as an active rider arcinginto a string of smooth corners, playing along with therhythm of the road; shifting, accelerating, and brakingwith precision. Whether you ride to and from work orprefer the camaraderie of a group ride on the week-end, motorcycling engages all your senses and cre-ates an invigorating sense of freedom.

Along with that freedom comes responsibility. Allstates require some form of license endorsement dem-onstrating you possess a minimum level of skill andknowledge. This booklet and other motorcycle publica-tions can help prepare you to be successful. You mightalso consider taking a formal hands-on training course,even if your state doesnt require that you complete one.Youll learn how to improve your riding skills and men-

tal strategies, so you can be a safer, more alert rider.

The diagram above illustrates the complex environ -ment that awaits you, and supports the concept that,as the Motorcycle Safety Foundation says, Safe rid-ing is as much a skill of the eyes and mind as it is ofthe hands and feet.

Successfully piloting a motorcycle is a much more in-volved task than driving a car. Motorcycling requiresa ne sense of balance and a heightened sense ofawareness and position amidst other roadway users. Amotorcycle responds more quickly to rider inputs thana car, but is also more sensitive to outside forces, likeirregular road surfaces or crosswinds. A motorcycle isalso less visible than a car due to its narrower pro le,and offers far less protection by exposing its rider toother traf c and the elements. All these risks can bemanaged through study, training, and practice.

RIDING ENVIRONMENT

PREPARING TO RIDE

What you do before you start a trip goes a longway toward determining whether or not youll getwhere you want to go safely. Before taking off onany 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 GEARWhen you ride, your gear is right if it protects you. Inany crash, you have a far better chance of avoidingserious injury if you wear:

A DOT compliant helmet.

Face or eye protection.

Protective clothing.

Helmet UseCrashes can occur particularly among untrained,beginning riders. And one out of every ve motorcyclecrashes results in head or neck injuries. Head injuriesare just as severe as neck injuries and far morecommon. Crash analyses show that head and neckinjuries account for a majority of serious and fatal in-

juries to motorcyclists. Research also shows that, withfew exceptions, head and neck injuries are reduced byproperly wearing a quality helmet.

Some riders dont wear helmets because they thinkhelmets will limit their view to the sides. Others wearhelmets only on long trips or when riding at highspeeds. But, here are some facts to consider:

A DOT-compliant helmet lets you see as far to thesides as necessary. A study of more than 900 mo-torcycle crashes, where 40% of the riders wore hel-mets, did not nd even one case in which a helmetkept a rider from spotting danger.

Most crashes happen on short trips (less than vemiles long), just a few minutes after starting out.

Most riders are riding slower than 30 mph when acrash occurs. At these speeds, helmets can cut boththe number and the severity of head injuries by half.

No matter what the speed, helmeted riders are threetimes more likely to survive head injuries than thosenot wearing helmets at the time of the crash. The sin-gle most important thing you can do to improve yourchances of surviving a crash is to wear a securely-fastened, quality helmet.


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Helmet SelectionThere are two primary types of helmets, providing twodifferent levels of coverage: three-quarter and full face.

Whichever style you choose, you can get the mostprotection by making sure that the helmet:

Is designed to meet U.S. Department of Transporta-tion (DOT) and state standards. Helmets with a label

from the Snell Memorial Foundation also give you anassurance of quality.

Fits snugly , all the way around.

Has no obvious defects such as cracks, loose pad-ding or frayed straps.

Whatever helmet you decide on, keep it securely fas-tened on your head when you ride. Otherwise, if youare involved in a crash, its likely to y off your headbefore it gets a chance to protect you.

Eye and Face Protection

A plastic shatter-resistant faceshield can help protectyour whole face in a crash. It also protects you fromwind, dust, dirt, rain, insects and pebbles thrown upfrom cars ahead. These problems are distracting andcan be painful. If you have to deal with them, you cantdevote your full attention to the road.

Goggles protect your eyes, though they wont protectthe rest of your face like a faceshield does. A wind-shield is not a substitute for a faceshield or goggles.

Most windshields will not protect your eyes from thewind. Neither will eyeglasses or sunglasses. Glasseswont keep your eyes from watering, and they mightblow off when you turn your head while riding.

To be effective, eye or faceshield protection must: Be free of scratches. Be resistant to penetration. Give a clear view to either side. Fasten securely , so it does not blow off. Permit air to pass through, to reduce fogging.

HELMETS

Permit enough room for eyeglasses or sunglasses,if needed.

Tinted eye protection should not be worn when littlelight is available.

ClothingThe right clothing protects you in a collision. It alsoprovides comfort, as well as protection from heat, cold,debris and hot and moving parts of the motorcycle. Itcan also make you more visible to others.

Jacket and pants should cover arms and legs com-pletely. They should t snugly enough to keep fromapping in the wind, yet loosely enough to movefreely. Leather offers the most protection. Sturdysynthetic material provides a lot of protection as well.Wear a jacket even in warm weather to prevent de-hydration. Many are designed to protect without get-ting you overheated, even on summer days. Someriders choose jackets and pants with rigid body ar-mor inserts in critical areas for additional protection.

Boots or shoes should be high and sturdy enoughto cover your ankles and give them support. Solesshould be made of hard, durable, slip-resistant mate-rial. Keep heels short so they do not catch on roughsurfaces. Tuck in laces so they wont catch on yourmotorcycle.

Gloves allow a better grip and help protect yourhands in a crash. Your gloves should be made ofleather or similar durable material.

Hearing protection reduces noise while allowingyou to hear important sounds such as car horns or

sirens. Long term exposure to engine and wind noisecan cause permanent hearing damage even if youwear a full face helmet. Whether you choose dispos-able foam plugs or reusable custom molded devices,be sure you adhere to state laws regarding hearingprotection.

In cold or wet weather, your clothes should keepyou warm and dry,as well as protectyou from injury. Youcannot control amotorcycle well ifyou are numb. Rid-ing for long periodsin cold weather cancause severe chilland fatigue. A winter

jacket should resistwind and t snugly atthe neck, wrists andwaist. Good-qualityrainsuits designed formotorcycle riding resist tearing apart or ballooning upat high speeds.

CLOTHING


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TEST YOURSELF 1

A plastic shatter-resistant face shield:

A. Is not necessary if you have a windshield.

B. Only protects your eyes.

C. Helps protect your whole face.

D. Does not protect your face as well as goggles. Answer - page 31

KNOW YOUR MOTORCYCLEThere are plenty of things on the highway that cancause you trouble. Your motorcycle should not be oneof them. To make sure that your motorcycle wont letyou down:

Start with the right motorcycle for you.

Read the owners manual.

Be familiar with the motorcycle controls.

Check the motorcycle before every ride.

Keep it in safe riding condition between rides.

Avoid add-ons and modi cations that make yourmotorcycle harder to handle.

The Right Motorcycle For YouFirst, make sure your motorcycle is right for you. Itshould t you. Your feet should reach the groundwhile you are seated on the motorcycle, and the con-

trols should be easy to operate. Smaller motorcyclesare usually easier for beginners to operate.

At a minimum, your street-legal motorcycle shouldhave:

Headlight, taillight and brakelight.

Front and rear brakes

Turn signals.

Horn.

Two mirrors.

Borrowing and LendingBorrowers and lenders of motorcycles, beware.Crashes are fairly common among beginning riders especially in the rst months of riding. Riding an unfa -miliar motorcycle adds to the problem. If you borrowa motorcycle, get familiar with it in a controlled area.

And if you lend your motorcycle to friends, make surethey are licensed and know how to ride before allow-ing them out into traf c.No matter how experienced you may be, ride extracarefully on any motorcycle thats new or unfamiliar toyou. More than half of all crashes involve riders withless than ve months of experience on their motorcycle.

Get Familiar with the Motorcycle ControlsMake sure you are completely familiar with the motor-cycle before you take it out on the street. Be sure toreview the owners manual. This is particularly impor-tant if you are riding a borrowed motorcycle.

MOTORCYCLE CONTROLS


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If you are going to use an unfamiliar motorcycle:

Make all the checks you would on your own motor-cycle.

Find out where everything is , particularly the turnsignals, horn, headlight switch, fuel-supply valve andengine cut-off switch. Find and operate these itemswithout having to look for them.

Know the controls . Work the throttle, clutch, brakes,and shifter a few times before you start riding.

Ride very cautiously and be aware of surround-ings. Accelerate gently, take turns more slowly andleave extra room for stopping.

Check Your Motorcycle A motorcycle needs more frequent attention than acar. A minor technical failure on a car is seldom morethan an inconvenience for the driver. The same fail-ure on a motorcycle may result in a crash or having toleave your motorcycle parked on the side of the road.

If anythings wrong with your motorcycle, youll want tond out about it before you get in traf c.

The primary source of information about how a mo-torcycle should be inspected and maintained is itsowners manual. Be sure to absorb all of its importantinformation. A motorcycle will continue to ride like newif it is properly maintained and routine inspections be-come part of its maintenance cycle.

A pre-ride inspection only takes a few minutes andshould be done before every ride to prevent problems.Its quick and easy to check the critical componentsand should be as routine and automatic as checkingthe weather forecast before heading out for the day. Aconvenient reminder developed by MSF is T-CLOC-SSM. There is a T-CLOCS tear-out sheet at the backof this manual for you to keep with you when you ride.

A T-CLOCS inspection should be conducted beforeevery ride, and includes checks of:

T Tires and Wheels

Check tire in ation pressure, treadwear and generalcondition of sidewalls and tread surface.

Try the front and rear brake levers one at a time.Make sure each feels rm and holds the motorcyclewhen fully applied.

C Controls

Make sure the clutch and throttle operate smoothly.The throttle should snap back to fully closed whenreleased. The clutch should feel tight and should op-erate smoothly.

Try the horn. Make sure it works.

Clean and adjust your mirrors before starting. Its dif-cult to ride with one hand while you try to adjust a

mirror. Adjust each mirror so you can see the lanebehind and as much as possible of the lane next toyou. When properly adjusted, a mirror may show theedge of your arm or shoulder but its the road be-hind you and to the side that are most important.

L Lights and Electrics

Check both headlight and taillight. Test your switch

to make sure both high and low beams work. Turn on both right and left hand turn signals. Make

sure all lights are working properly.

Try both brakes and make sure each one turns onthe brake light.

O Oil and Other Fluids

Check engine oil and transmission uid levels.

Check the brake hydraulic uid and coolant levelweekly.

Be sure your fuel valve is open before starting out.

With the fuel valve closed, your motorcycle may startwith only the fuel that is still in the lines, but will stallonce the lines are empty.

Look underneath the motorcycle for signs of an oilor fuel leak.

C Chassis

Check the front suspension. Ensure there is nobinding. The rear shocks and springs should movesmoothly.

Be sure the chain is adjusted according to the manu-facturers speci cations and that the sprockets arenot worn or damaged.

S Stands

Ensure the side stand operates smoothly and that thespring holds it tightly in the up position. If equipped,the center stand should also be held rmly againstthe frame whenever the motorcycle is moving.

Additionally, regular maintenance such as tune-upsand oil changes are as important for a motorcycle asroutine checkups by your doctor are for you. Wear andtear is normal with use; routine maintenance will helpprevent costly breakdowns. The schedule for regularupkeep for motorcycle parts and controls is containedin your motorcycles owners manual.

KNOW YOUR RESPONSIBILITIESAccident implies an unforeseen event that occurswithout fault or negligence. In traf c, that is not thecase. In fact, most people involved in a crash canclaim some responsibility for what takes place.

Consider a situation where someone decides to drivethrough an intersection on a yellow light turning red.


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Your light turns green. You pull into the intersectionwithout checking for possible traf c. That is all it takesfor the two of you to crash. It was the drivers respon-sibility to stop, and it was your responsibility to lookbefore pulling out. Both of you are at fault. Someoneelse might be the rst to start the chain of events lead -ing to a crash, but it doesnt leave any of us free ofresponsibility.

As a rider you cant be sure that other operatorswill see you or yield the right of way. To lessen yourchances of a crash occurring:

Be visible . Wear proper clothing, use your headlight,ride in the best lane position to see and be seen.

Communicate your intentions. Use the proper sig-nals, brake light and lane position.

Maintain an adequate space cushion when follow-ing, being followed, lane sharing, passing and beingpassed.

Search your path of travel 12 seconds ahead.

Identify and separate hazards.

Be prepared to act . Remain alert and know how tocarry out proper crash-avoidance skills.

Blame doesnt matter when someone is injured in acrash. The ability to ride aware, make critical decisionsand carry them out separates responsible riders fromthe rest. Remember, it is up to you to keep from be-ing the cause of, or an unprepared participant in, anycrash.

TEST YOURSELF 2

More than half of all crashes:

A. Occur at speeds greater than 35 mph.

B. Happen at night.

C. Are caused by worn tires.

D. Involve riders who have less than ve monthsof experience on their motorcycles.

Answer - page 31

RIDE WITHIN YOUR ABILITIES

This manual cannot teach you how to control di-rection, speed or balance. Thats something youcan learn only through practice, preferably in aformal course of instruction like an MSF Rider-

Course. But control begins with knowing yourabilities and riding within them, along with know-ing and obeying the rules of the road.

BASIC VEHICLE CONTROL

Body PositionTo control a motorcycle well:

Posture . Position yourself comfortably so you areable to operate all the controls and can use yourarms to steer the motorcycle, rather than to hold

yourself up. This helps you bond with your motor-cycle and allows you to react quickly to hazards.

Seat . Sit far enough forward so that arms are slightlybent when you hold the handgrips. Bending yourarms permits you to press on the handlebars withouthaving to stretch.

Hands. Hold the handgrips rmly to keep your gripover rough surfaces. Start with your right wrist at.This will help you keep from accidentally using toomuch throttle. Also, adjust the handlebars so yourhands are even with or below your elbows. Thispermits you to use the proper muscles for precision

steering.

Knees . Keep your knees against the gas tank tohelp you keep your balance as the motorcycle turns.

HOLDING HANDGRIPS


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Feet . Keep your feet rmly on the footrests to main -tain balance. Dont drag your feet. If your foot catcheson something, you could be injured and it could affectyour control of the motorcycle. Keep your feet nearthe controls so you can get to them fast if needed.

Also, dont let your toes point downward they mayget caught between the road and the footrests.

Shifting GearsThere is more to shifting gears than simply getting themotorcycle to pick up speed smoothly. Learning to usethe gears when downshifting, turning or starting onhills is equally important for safe motorcycle operation.

The gearshift lever is located in front of the left foot-rest and is operated by the left foot. To shift up toa higher gear, position your foot under the shift leverand lift. To downshift, press the shift lever down. Theshift lever changes one gear each time it is lifted orpressed down. Whenever the lever is released, springloading returns it to center, where the mechanism re-

sets for the next shift up or down. A typical gear patternis 1-N-2-3-4-5. The N is for neutral, which is selectedby either a half lift from 1st gear or a half press from2nd gear. Most motorcycles have ve gears, but somehave four or six gears.

As your motorcycle increases speed, you will need toshift up to a higher gear. Shift up well before the engineRPM reaches its maximum recommended speed. Asa general rule, shift up soon enough to avoid over-

revving the engine, but not so soon to cause the en-gine to lug.

When upshifting, use a 3-step process: 1) Roll offthe throttle as you squeeze the clutch lever, 2) lift theshift lever rmly as far as it will go, 3) smoothly easeout the clutch and adjust the throttle. Once the shift iscompleted, release the shift lever to permit it to resetfor the next shift.

You should shift down through the gears with theclutch as you slow or stop, and can also shift downwhen you need more power to accelerate.

SHIFTING GEARS

Make certain you are riding slowly enough when youshift into a lower gear. If not, the motorcycle will lurch,and the rear wheel may skid. When riding downhill orshifting into rst gear you may need to use the brakesto slow enough before downshifting safely.

When downshifting, use a 3-step process: 1) Rolloff the throttle as you squeeze the clutch lever, 2) pressthe shift lever down rmly, 3) ease out the clutch lever

as you roll on the throttle. Once the shift is completed,release the shift lever to permit it to reset for the nextshift. Rolling on the throttle slightly while smoothlyeasing out the clutch can help the engine come up tospeed more quickly and make the downshift smoother.Shifting to a lower gear causes an effect similar to us-ing the brakes. This is known as engine braking. Touse engine braking, shift down one gear at a time andease out the clutch through the friction zone betweeneach downshift. Keep the clutch in the friction zone un-til the engine speed stabilizes. Then ease out the leverfully until ready for the next downshift. Usually you shiftgears one at a time, but it is possible to shift throughmore than one gear while the clutch is squeezed.

Remain in rst gear while you are stopped so that youcan move out quickly if you need to.

Work toward a smooth, even clutch release, espe-cially when downshifting. It is best to change gearsbefore entering a turn. However, sometimes shiftingwhile in the turn is necessary. If so, remember to do sosmoothly. A sudden change in power to the rear wheelcan cause a skid.

Braking

Improper braking technique remains a signi cant con -tributing factor in many motorcycle crashes. Your mo-torcycle has two brake controls: one for the front wheeland one for the rear wheel. Always use both brakesevery time you slow or stop. The front brake is morepowerful and can provide at least 70% of your totalstopping power. The front brake is safe to use if youuse it properly.

Maximum straight-line braking is accomplished byfully applying both front and rear brakes without lock-ing either wheel.

To do this:

Squeeze the front brake smoothly, rmly and withprogressively more force. Do not grab the brake le-ver or use abrupt pressure.

As the motorcycles weight transfers forward,more traction becomes available at the front wheel,so the front brake can be applied harder after brak-ing begins.

Keep your knees against the tank and your eyesup, looking well ahead. This helps you stop the mo-torcycle in a straight line.


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Apply light-to-lighter pressure to the rear brakepedal to prevent a rear wheel skid. As weight trans-fers forward less traction is available at the rear. Useless rear brake pressure.

Using both brakes for even normal stops will permityou to develop the proper habit or skill of using bothbrakes properly in an emergency. Squeeze the frontbrake and press down on the rear. Grabbing at the

front brake or jamming down on the rear can cause thebrakes to lock, resulting in control problems.

Braking in a Corner Any time a motorcycle is leaned over, the amount oftraction available for braking is reduced. The greaterthe lean angle, the more the possibility of the tires los-ing traction.

To stop as quickly and as safely as possible in a curve,and depending on road and traf c conditions, try toget the motorcycle as perpendicular to the road aspossible, then brake. If conditions do not allow, brakesmoothly and gradually, but do not apply as much brak-ing force as you would if the motorcycle were straightup. As you slow, you can reduce your lean angle, andas more traction becomes available for braking, youcan more rmly apply the brakes, so that by the timethe motorcycle is stopped, the motorcycle is straightup, and the handlebars are squared.

Linked and Integrated Braking SystemsSome motorcycles have linked braking which con-nects the front and rear brakes on the motorcycle andapplies braking pressure to both brakes when either

the front lever or rear pedal is applied. An integratedbraking system is a variation of the linked system inwhich partial front braking is applied whenever therear brake is activated. Consult your owners manualfor a detailed explanation on the operation and effec -tive use of these systems.

Anti-Lock Braking Systems (ABS) ABS is designed to prevent wheel lock-up and avoidskids when stopping in straight-line, panic situations.

ABS operates when maximum pressure on both thefront and rear brake controls is applied. If electronicsensors detect the possibility of a wheel lock, brakehydraulic pressure, is released then reapplied to main-tain maximum braking effectiveness.

The system is capable of releasing and reapplyingpressure more than 15 times per second.

Turning Approach turns and curves with caution. Riders oftentry to take curves or turns too fast. When they canthold the turn, they end up crossing into another laneof traf c or going off the road. Or, they overreact and

brake too hard, causing a skid and loss of control.

Use four steps for better control:

SLOW . Reduce speed before the turn by closing thethrottle and, if necessary, applying both brakes.

LOOK. Look through the turn to where you wantto go. Turn just your head, not your shoulders, andkeep your eyes level with the horizon.

PRESS. To turn, the motorcycle must lean. To leanthe motor-cycle, press on the handgrip in the direc-tion of the turn. Press left handgrip lean left goleft. Press right handgrip lean right go right.The higher the speed in a turn, the greater the leanangle.

ROLL. Roll on the throttle to maintain or slightly in-crease speed. This helps stabilize the motorcycle.

In normal turns, the rider and the motorcycle shouldlean together at the same angle.

In slow, tight turns, counterbalance by leaning themotorcycle only and keeping your body straight.

TEST YOURSELF 3

When riding, you should: A. Turn your head and shoulders to look through

turns.

B. Keep your arms straight.

C. Keep your knees away from the gas tank.

D. Turn just your head and eyes to look whereyou are going.

Answer - page 31

NORMAL TURNS SLOW, TIGHT TURNS


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KEEPING YOUR DISTANCEThe best protection you can have is distance acushion of space separating yourself from othervehicles on the roadway. This will provide you witha clear view of emerging traf c situations, so that ifsomeone else makes a mistake, you will have:

More time to respond.

More space to maneuver, including an escape routeif necessary.

Lane PositionsSuccessful motorcyclists know that they are saferwhen clearly seen. In some ways the size of the mo-torcycle can work to your advantage. Each traf c lanegives a motorcycle three paths of travel, as indicatedin the illustration.

Your lane position should help you:

Increase your ability to see and be seen.

Avoid others blind spots. Avoid surface hazards.

Protect your lane from other drivers.

Communicate your intentions.

Avoid windblast from other vehicles.

Provide an escape route.

Set up for turns.

Many motorcyclists consider the left third of the lanethe left tire track of automobiles to be their defaultlane position. You should then consider varying yourlane position as conditions warrant, keeping mind thatno portion of the lane need be avoided includingthe center.

You should position yourself in the portion of the lanewhere you are most likely to be seen and you canmaintain a space cushion around you. Change posi-tion as traf c situations change. Ride in path 2 or 3

FOLLOWING

LANE POSITIONS

if vehicles and other potential problems are on yourleft only. Remain in path 1 or 2 if hazards are on yourright only. If vehicles are being operated on both sidesof you, the center of the lane, path 2, is usually yourbest option.

Remember, the center third of the lane is the placewhere debris and oil drippings from cars collect andwhere hazards such as manhole covers are located.

Unless the road is wet, the average center strip per-mits adequate traction to ride on safely. You can oper-ate to the left or right of the grease strip and still bewithin the center third of the traf c lane. Avoid ridingon big buildups of oil and grease usually found at busyintersections or tollbooths.

Experienced riders rely on their own best judgmentand instincts. One absolute, however, is to avoid rid-ing in another vehicles blind spot.

Following Another VehicleFollowing too closely is a factor in crashes involv-ing motorcyclists. In traf c, motorcycles need as muchdistance to stop as cars. Normally, a minimum ofthree seconds distance should be maintained behindthe vehicle ahead.

To gauge your following distance:

Pick out a marker, such as a pavement marking orlamppost, on or near the road ahead.

When the rear bumper of the vehicle ahead passes

the marker, count off the seconds: one-thousand-one, one-thousand-two, one-thousand-three.

If you reach the marker before you reach three,you are following too closely.

A three-second following distance leaves a minimumamount of space to stop or swerve if the driver aheadstops suddenly. It also permits a better view of pot-holes and other hazards in the road.

A larger cushion of space is needed if your motorcyclewill take longer than normal to stop. If the pavement is


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slippery, if you cannot see through the vehicle ahead,or if traf c is heavy and someone may squeeze infront of you, open up a four second or more followingdistance.

Keep well behind the vehicle ahead even when youare stopped. This will make it easier to get out of theway if someone bears down on you from behind. It willalso give you a cushion of space if the vehicle ahead

starts to back up for some reason.When behind a car, ride where the driver can see youin the rearview mirror. Riding in the center portion of thelane should put your image in the middle of the rearviewmirror where a driver is most likely to see you.

Riding at the far side of a lane may permit a driver tosee you in a sideview mirror. But remember that mostdrivers dont look at their sideview mirrors nearly asoften as they check the rearview mirror. If the traf csituation allows, the center portion of the lane is usu-ally the best place for you to be seen by the driversahead and to prevent lane sharing by others.

Being FollowedSpeeding up to lose someone following too closelyonly ends up with someone tailgating you at a higherspeed.

A better way to handle tailgaters is to get them in frontof you. When someone is following too closely, changelanes and let them pass. If you cant do this, slow downand open up extra space ahead of you to allow roomfor both you and the tailgater to stop. This will also en-courage them to pass. If they dont pass, you will havegiven yourself and the tailgater more time and spaceto react in case an emergency does develop ahead.

Passing and Being PassedPassing and being passed by another vehicle is notmuch different than with a car. However, visibility ismore critical. Be sure other drivers see you, and thatyou see potential hazards.

Passing1. Ride in the left portion of the lane at a safe follow-

ing distance to increase your line of sight and makeyou more visible. Signal and check for oncomingtraf c. Use your mirrors and turn your head to lookfor traf c behind.

2. When safe, move into the left lane and accelerate.Select a lane position that doesnt crowd the carand provides space to avoid hazards in your lane.

3. Ride through the blind spot as quickly as possible.

4. Signal again, and complete mirror and headchecksbefore returning to your original lane and then can-cel the signal.

Remember, passes must be completed withinposted speed limits, and only where permitted.Know your signs and road markings!

Being Passed

When you are being passed from behind, stay in thecenter portion of your lane. Riding close to the passingvehicle could put you in a hazardous situation.

Avoid being hit by:

The other vehicle. A slight mistake by you or thepassing driver could cause a sideswipe.

Extended mirrors. Some drivers forget that theirmirrors hang out farther than their fenders.

Objects thrown from windows. Even if the driverknows youre there, a passenger may not see youand might toss something on you or the road aheadof you.

Blasts of wind from larger vehicles . They can af-fect your control. You have more room for error if youare in the middle portion when hit by this blast than ifyou are on either side of the lane.

Do not move into the portion of the lane farthest fromthe passing vehicle. It might invite the other driver tocut back into your lane too early.

PASSING


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Lane SharingCars and motorcycles need a full lane to operatesafely. Lane sharing is usually prohibited.

Riding between rows of stopped or moving cars inthe same lane can leave you vulnerable to the unex -pected. A hand could come out of a window; a doorcould open; a car could turn suddenly. Discouragelane sharing by others. Keep a center-portion posi-tion whenever drivers might be tempted to squeeze byyou. Drivers are most tempted to do this:

In heavy, bumper-to-bumper traf c.

When they want to pass you.

When you are preparing to turn at an intersection.

When you are moving into an exit lane or leaving ahighway.

BEING PASSED

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 andthe tailgater.

D. Ignore them.

Answer - page 31

TEST YOURSELF 4

Merging CarsDrivers on an entrance ramp may not see you on thehighway. Give them plenty of room. Change to an-other lane if one is open. If there is no room for a lanechange, adjust speed to open up space for the merg-ing driver.

Cars AlongsideDo not ride next to cars or trucks in other lanes if youdo not have to. You might be in the blind spot of acar in the next lane, which could switch into your lane

without warning. Cars in the next lane also block yourescape if you come upon danger in your own lane.Speed up or drop back to nd a place clear of traf con both sides.

MERGING

BLIND SPOT


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SEEGood, experienced riders are always aware of what isgoing on around them. They reduce their risk by usingMSFs three-step SEE strategy:

S earch

Evaluate

E xecute

SEE will help you assess what is going on in traf c soyou can plan and implement the safest course of ac-tion as traf c situations change. Lets look at each ofthese steps.

SearchHow assertively you search, and how much time andspace you have, can eliminate or minimize risk. Asyou search, focus on nding potential escape routes,especially in or around intersections, shopping areasand school and construction zones.

One way to search is to use your RiderRadar toaggressively scan the environment ahead of you, tothe sides, and behind you to avoid potential hazardseven before they arise. There are three lead timesexperienced riders consider. First, be alert and scanfor hazards that are about 2 seconds ahead of you, orwithin your following distance. Scanning your 4-sec-ond immediate path can allow you time for a quick re-

sponse if something should go wrong. Anything that iswithin 4 seconds of your path is considered immediatebecause 4 seconds is considered enough time andspace to swerve and/or brake for xed hazards or forsomeone or something entering your path of travel.

Finally, experienced riders search for hazards thatare further out, looking ahead to an area it would takeabout 12 seconds to reach. This provides time to pre-

pare for a situation before it becomes immediate.Using the SEE strategy will help you to search for avariety of factors such as:

Oncoming traf c that may turn left in front of you.

Traf c coming from the left and from the right.

Traf c approaching from behind.

Hazardous road conditions that require you to bealert, especially in areas with limited visibility. Visu-ally busy surroundings could hide you and yourmotorcycle from others.

EvaluateEvaluate means to think about how hazards can in-teract to create risks for you. Anticipate potentialproblems and have a plan to reduce risks, particularlywhen faced with:

Road and surface characteristics such as pot-holes, guardrails, bridges, telephone poles and treesthat wont move into your path, but may in uenceyour riding strategy.

Traf c control devices including traf c signals,warning signs, and pavement markings, which willrequire you to carefully evaluate circumstancesahead.

Vehicles and other traf c that may move into yourpath and increase the likelihood of a crash. Thinkabout your time and space requirements in order tomaintain a margin of safety, and give yourself time toreact if an emergency arises.

RIDER RADAR

To reduce your reaction time, you should:

A. Ride slower than the speed limit.

B. Cover the clutch and the brakes.

C. Shift into neutral when slowing.

D. Pull in the clutch when turning.

Answer - page 31

TEST YOURSELF 5


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ExecuteFinally, execute your decision. To create more spaceand minimize harm from any hazard:

Communicate your presence with lights and/orhorn.

Adjust your speed by accelerating, stopping orslowing.

Adjust your position and/or direction by swerving,changing lanes, or moving to another position withinyour lane.

Apply the old adage one step at a time to handle twoor more hazards.

Adjust speed to permit two hazards to separate.Then deal with them one at a time as single hazards.Decision-making becomes more complex with threeor more hazards. Evaluate the consequences of eachand give equal distance to the hazards.

In potential high-risk areas, such as intersections,shopping areas and school and construction zones,cover the clutch and both brakes to reduce the timeyou need to react.

INTERSECTIONSThe greatest potential for con ict between youand other traf c is at intersections. An intersec -tion can be in the middle of an urban area or at adriveway on a residential street anywhere traf-c may cross your path of travel. Over one-half ofmotorcycle/car crashes are caused by drivers en-tering a riders right-of-way. Cars that turn left infront of you, including cars turning left from the laneon your right, and cars on side streets that pull intoyour lane, are the biggest dangers. Your use of SEEat intersections is critical.

LARGE INTERSECTIONS

There are no guarantees that others see you. Nevercount on eye contact as a sign that a driver will yield.Too often, a driver looks right at a motorcyclist and stillfails to see him or her. The only eyes that you cancount on are your own. If a car can enter your path,assume that it will. Good riders are always looking fortrouble not to get into it, but to stay out of it.

Increase your chances of being seen at intersections.Ride with your headlight on and in a lane position thatprovides the best view of oncoming traf c. Provide aspace cushion around the motorcycle that permits youto take evasive action. When approaching an intersec-tion where a vehicle driver is preparing to cross yourpath, slow down and select a lane position to increaseyour visibility to that driver. Cover the clutch lever andboth brakes to reduce reaction time. As you enterthe intersection, move away from the vehicle. Do notchange speed or position radically, as drivers mightthink you are preparing to turn. Be prepared to brakehard and hold your position if an oncoming vehicleturns in front of you, especially if there is other traf caround you. This strategy should also be used when-ever a vehicle in the oncoming lane of traf c is signal -ing for a left turn, whether at an intersection or not.

SMALL INTERSECTIONS

Making eye contact with other drivers:

A. Is a good sign they see you.

B. Is not worth the effort it takes.

C. Doesnt mean that the driver will yield.

D. Guarantees that the other driver will yield toyou.

Answer - page 31

TEST YOURSELF 6


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Blind IntersectionsIf you approach a blind intersection, move to the por-tion of the lane that will bring you into another driverseld of vision at the earliest possible moment. In thispicture, the rider has moved to the left portion of thelane away from the parked car so the driver onthe cross street can see him as soon as possible.

Remember, the key is to see as much as possible andremain visible to others while protecting your space.

If you have a stop sign or stop line, stop there rst.Then edge forward and stop again, just short of wherethe cross-traf c lane meets your lane. From that posi -tion, lean your body forward and look around buildings,parked cars or bushes to see if anything is coming.Just make sure your front wheel stays out of the crosslane of travel while youre looking.

Passing Parked CarsWhen passing parked cars, stay toward the left of yourlane. You can avoid problems caused by doors open-ing, drivers getting out of cars or people stepping frombetween cars. If oncoming traf c is present, it is usu -ally best to remain in the center- lane position to maxi -mize your space cushion.

A bigger problem can occur if the driver pulls awayfrom the curb without checking for traf c behind. Evenif he does look, he may fail to see you.

In either event, the driver might cut into your path.Slow down or change lanes to make room for some-one cutting in.

Cars making a sudden U-turn are the most danger-ous. They may cut you off entirely, blocking the wholeroadway and leaving you with no place to go. Sinceyou cant tell what a driver will do, slow down and getthe drivers attention. Sound your horn and continuewith caution.

BLIND INTERSECTIONS

STOP SIGNS

PARKING CARS

PARKING AT CURBS


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Parking at the RoadsideIf parking in a parallel parking space next to a curb,position the motorcycle at an angle with the rear wheelto the curb. (Note: Some cities have ordinances thatrequire motorcycles to park parallel to the curb.)

INCREASING NOTICEABILITY

In crashes with motorcyclists, drivers often say thatthey never saw the motorcycle. From ahead or behind,a motorcycles outline is much smaller than a cars.

Also, its hard to see something you are not lookingfor, and most drivers are not looking for motorcycles.More likely, they are looking through the skinny, two-wheeled silhouette in search of cars that may pose aproblem to them.

Even if a driver does see you coming, you arent nec-essarily safe. Smaller vehicles appear farther awayand seem to be traveling slower than they actually are.It is common for drivers to pull out in front of motorcy-clists, thinking they have plenty of time. Too often, theyare wrong.

However, you can do many things to make it easier forothers to recognize you and your motorcycle.

ClothingMost crashes occur in broad daylight. Wear bright-col-ored clothing to increase your chances of being seen.Remember, your body is half of the visible surfacearea of the rider/motorcycle unit.

Bright orange, red, yellow or green jackets/vests areyour best bets for being seen. Your helmet can do

more than protect you in a crash. Brightly colored hel-mets can also help others see you.

Any bright color is better than drab or dark colors.Re ective, bright-colored clothing (helmet and jacket/vest) is best.

Re ective material on a vest and on the sides of thehelmet will help drivers coming from the side to spotyou. Re ective material can also be a big help for driv -ers coming toward you or from behind.

HeadlightThe best way to help others see your motorcycle isto keep the headlight on at all times (new motor -cycles sold in the USA since 1978 automatically havethe headlights on when running). Studies show that,during the day, a motorcycle with its light on is twice aslikely to be noticed. Use low beam at night and in fog.

SignalsThe signals on a motorcycle are similar to those on acar. They tell others what you plan to do.

However, due to a riders added vulnerability, signals

are even more important. Use them anytime you planto change lanes or turn. Use them even when youthink no one else is around. Its the car you dont seethats going to give you the most trouble. Your signallights also make you easier to spot. Thats why its agood idea to use your turn signals even when whatyou plan to do is obvious.

When you enter a freeway, drivers approaching frombehind are more likely to see your signal blinking andmake room for you.

Turning your signal light on before each turn reducesconfusion and frustration for the traf c around you.Once you turn, make sure your signal is off or a drivermay pull directly into your path, thinking you plan toturn again. Use your signals at every turn so driverscan react accordingly. Dont make them guess whatyou intend to do.

Brake LightYour motorcycles brake light is usually not as notice-able as the brake lights on a car particularly when

your taillight is on. (It goes on with the headlight.) If thesituation will permit, help others notice you by ashingyour brake light before you slow down. It is especiallyimportant to ash your brake light before:

You slow more quickly than others might expect(turning off a high-speed highway).

You slow where others may not expect it (in themiddle of a block or at an alley).

If you are being followed closely, its a good idea toash your brake light before you slow. The tailgater

SIGNALING


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may be watching you and not see something aheadthat will make you slow down. This will hopefully dis-courage them from tailgating and warn them of haz-ards ahead they may not see.

Using Your MirrorsWhile its most important to keep track of whats hap-pening ahead, you cant afford to ignore situations

behind. Traf c conditions change quickly. Knowingwhats going on behind is essential for you to make asafe decision about how to handle trouble ahead.

Frequent mirror checks should be part of your normalsearching routine. Make a special point of using yourmirrors:

When you are stopped at an intersection watchcars coming up from behind. If the drivers arent pay-ing attention, they could be on top of you before theysee you.

Before you change lanes make sure no one isabout to pass you.

Before you slow down. The driver behind may notexpect you to slow, or may be unsure about whereyou will slow. For example, you signal a turn and thedriver thinks you plan to turn at a distant intersection,rather than at a nearer driveway.

Most motorcycles have rounded (convex) mirrors.These provide a wider view of the road behind than doat mirrors. They also make cars seem farther awaythan they really are. If you are not used to convex mir -

USING MIRRORS

rors, get familiar with them. (While you are stopped,pick out a parked car in your mirror. Form a mental im-age of how far away it is. Then, turn around and look atit to see how close you came.) Practice with your mir-rors until you become a good judge of distance. Eventhen, allow extra distance before you change lanes.

Head Checks

Checking your mirrors is not enough. Motorcycleshave 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 andthe one next to you. A driver in the distant lane mayhead for the same space you plan to take.

Frequent head checks should be your normal scan-ning routine, also. Only by knowing what is happeningall around you are you fully prepared to deal with it.

HornBe ready to use your horn to get someones attentionquickly.

It is a good idea to give a quick beep before passinganyone that may move into your lane.

Here are some situations:

A driver in the lane next to you is driving too closelyto the vehicle ahead and may want to pass.

A parked car has someone in the drivers seat.

Someone is in the street, riding a bicycle or walking.

In an emergency, sound your horn loud and long. Beready to stop or swerve away from the danger.

Keep in mind that a motorcycles horn isnt as loud asa cars therefore, use it, but dont rely on it. Otherstrategies, like having time and space to maneuver,may be appropriate along with the horn.

Riding at Night At night it is harder for you to see and be seen. Pickingyour headlight or taillight out of the car lights aroundyou is not easy for other drivers. To compensate, you

Refective clothing should:

A. Be worn at night.

B. Be worn during the day.

C. Not be worn.

D. Be worn day and night.

Answer - page 31

TEST YOURSELF 7


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should:

Reduce Your Speed. Ride even slower than youwould during the day particularly on roads youdont know well. This will increase your chances ofavoiding a hazard.

Increase Distance . Distances are harder to judge atnight than during the day. Your eyes rely upon shad-ows and light contrasts to determine how far away anobject is and how fast it is coming. These contrastsare missing or distorted under arti cial lights at night.Open up a three-second fol lowing distance or more.

And allow more distance to pass and be passed.

Use the Car Ahead . The headlights of the car aheadcan give you a better view of the road than even yourhigh beam can. Taillights bouncing up and down canalert you to bumps or rough pavement.

Use Your High Beam . Get all the light you can. Useyour high beam whenever you are not following ormeeting a car. Be visible: Wear re ective materials

when riding at night. Be Flexible About Lane Position. Change to what-

ever portion of the lane is best able to help you see,be seen and keep an adequate space cushion.

CRASH AVOIDANCENo matter how careful you are, there will be timeswhen you nd yourself in a tight spot. Your chancesof getting out safely depend on your ability to reactquickly and properly. Often, a crash occurs becausea rider is not prepared or skilled in crash-avoidancemaneuvers.

Know when and how to stop or swerve, two skills criti-cal in avoiding a crash. It is not always desirable orpossible to stop quickly to avoid an obstacle. Ridersmust also be able to swerve, lean quickly in the di-rection of the turn, around an obstacle. Determiningwhich skill is necessary for the situation is importantas well.

Studies show that most crash- involved riders:

Underbrake the front tire and overbrake the rear.

Other crash-involved riders:

Did not separate braking from swerving or did notchoose swerving when it was appropriate.

The following information offers some good advice.

Quick StopsTo stop quickly, apply both brakes at the same time.Dont be shy about using the front brake, but dontgrab it, either. Squeeze the brake lever rmly andprogressively. If the front wheel locks, release the frontbrake immediately then reapply it rmly. At the sametime, press down on the rear brake. If you accidentally

lock the rear brake on a good traction surface, youcan keep it locked until you have completely stopped;but, even with a locked rear wheel, you can control themotorcycle on a straightaway if it is upright and goingin a straight line.

Stopping Quickly in a CurveIf you know the technique, using both brakes in a turn

is possible, although it should be done very carefully.When leaning the motorcycle some of the traction isused for cornering. Less traction is available for stop-ping. A skid can occur if you apply too much brake.

Also, using the front brake incorrectly on a slipperysurface may be hazardous. Use caution and squeezethe brake lever, never grab.

If you must stop quickly while turning in a curve, rststraighten and square the handlebars, then stop. If yound yourself in a situation that does not allow straight -

SWERVE, THEN BRAKE

BRAKE, THEN SWERVE


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ening rst, such as when there is a danger of runningoff the road in a left-hand curve, or when facing on-coming traf c in a right-hand curve, apply the brakessmoothly and gradually. As you slow, you can reduceyour lean angle and apply more brake pressure untilthe motorcycle is straight and maximum brake pres -sure can be applied. Always straighten the handlebarsin the last few feet of stopping to maintain your bal-ance and remain upright.

Maximum Straight-Line BrakingMaximum straight-line braking is accomplished byfully applying front and rear brakes without locking ei-ther wheel. Keep your body centered over the motor-cycle and look well ahead, not down. This will help youkeep the motorcycle in as straight a line as possible,minimizing lean angle and the likelihood of the wheelslosing traction.

STOPPING DISTANCE

CONSTANT CURVES

MULTIPLE CURVES

WIDENING CURVES

(TIGHTER TURNS)DECREASING CURVES


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Front-Wheel SkidsIf the front wheel locks, release the front brake imme-diately and completely.

Reapply the brake smoothly. Front-wheel skids resultin immediate loss of steering control and balance. Fail-ure to fully release the brake lever immediately will re-sult in a crash.

Rear-Wheel Skids A skidding rear tire is a dangerous condition that canresult in a violent crash and serious injury or death. Toomuch rear brake pressure causes rear-wheel lockup.

As soon as the rear wheel locks, your ability to changedirection is lost. To regain control the brake must bereleased. However, if the rear wheel is out of align-ment with the front, there is a risk of a high-side crash.This occurs when the wheels are out of alignment anda locked rear wheel is released. The motorcycle canabruptly snap upright and tumble, throwing the riderinto the air ahead of the motorcycles path. Even slightmisalignment can result in a high-side crash.

Cornering A primary cause of single-vehicle crashes is motorcy-clists running wide in a curve or turn and colliding withthe roadway or a xed object.

Every curve is different. Be alert to whether a curveremains constant, gradually widens, gets tighter or in-volves multiple turns. Ride within you skill level andposted speed limits.

Your best path may not always follow the curve of the

road. Change lane position depending on traf c, roadconditions and curve of the road. If no traf c is pres -ent, start at the outside of a curve to increase yourline of sight and the effective radius of the turn. As youturn, move toward the inside of the curve, and as youpass the center, move to the outside to exit.

Another alternative is to move to the center of yourlane before entering a curve and stay there untilyou exit. This permits you to spot approaching traf -c as soon as possible. You can also adjust for traf ccrowding the center line, or debris blocking part ofyour lane.

HANDLING DANGEROUS SURFACESYour chance of falling or being involved in a crash in-creases whenever you ride across:

Uneven surfaces or obstacles.

Slippery surfaces.

Railroad tracks.

Grooves and gratings.

Uneven Surfaces and ObstaclesWatch for uneven surfaces such as bumps, brokenpavement, potholes or small pieces of highway trash.

Try to avoid obstacles by slowing or going aroundthem. If you must go over the obstacle, rst determineif it is possible. Approach it at as close to a 90 angleas possible. Look where you want to go to control your

path of travel. If you have to ride over the obstacle,you should:

Slow down as much as possible before contact.

Make sure the motorcycle is straight.

Rise slightly off the seat with your weight on thefootrests to absorb the shock with your knees andelbows, and avoid being thrown of the motorcycle.

Just before contact, roll on the throttle slightly tolighten the front end.

If you ride over an object on the street, pull off the roadand check your tires and rims for damage before ridingany farther.

Slippery SurfacesMotorcycles handle better when ridden on surfacesthat permit good traction. Surfaces that provide poortraction include:

Wet pavement, particularly just after it starts to rainand before surface oil washes to the side of the road.

Gravel roads, or where sand and gravel collect.

Sand on road after the winter thaw.

Mud, leaves, snow, and ice. Lane markings (painted lines), steel plates and

manhole covers, especially when wet.

To ride safely on slippery surfaces:

Reduce Speed Slow down before you get to aslippery surface to lessen your chances of skidding.Your motorcycle needs more distance to stop. And it isparticularly important to reduce speed before enteringwet curves.

Avoid Sudden Moves Any sudden change inspeed or direction can cause a skid. Be as smooth

as possible when you speed up, shift gears, turn orbrake.

Use Both Brakes The front brake is still effective,even on a slippery surface. Squeeze the brake levergradually to avoid locking the front wheel. Remem-ber, gentle pressure on the rear brake.

The center of a lane can be hazardous when wet.When it starts to rain, ride in the tire tracks left bycars. Often, the left tire track will be the best position,depending on traf c and other road conditions.


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pavement seams to cross at an angle of at least 45.Then, make a deliberate turn. Edging across couldcatch your tires and throw you off balance.

Grooves and GratingsRiding over rain grooves or bridge gratings may causea motorcycle to weave. The uneasy, wandering feelingis generally not hazardous. Relax, maintain a steady

speed and ride straight across. Crossing at an angleforces riders to zigzag to stay in the lane. The zigzag isfar more hazardous than the wandering feeling.

GRATE CROSSINGS - RIGHT

GRATE CROSSINGS - WRONG

TEST YOURSELF 9

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 31

MECHANICAL PROBLEMSYou can nd yourself in an emergency the momentsomething goes wrong with your motorcycle. In deal-ing with any mechanical problem, take into accountthe road and traf c conditions you face. Here aresome guidelines that can help you handle mechanicalproblems safely.

Tire FailureYou will seldom hear a tire go at. If the motorcyclestarts handling differently, it may be a tire failure. Thiscan be dangerous. You must be able to tell from theway the motorcycle reacts. If one of your tires sud-denly loses air, react quickly to keep your balance.Pull off and check the tires.

If the front tire goes at, the steering will feel heavy. A front-wheel at is particularly hazardous because itaffects your steering. You have to steer well to keepyour balance.

If the rear tire goes at, the back of the motorcyclemay jerk or sway from side to side.

If either tire goes at while riding:

Hold handgrips rmly, ease off the throttle, andkeep a straight course.

If braking is required, gradually apply the brake ofthe tire that isnt at, if you are sure which one it is.

When the motorcycle slows, edge to the side ofthe road, squeeze the clutch and stop.

Stuck Throttle

Twist the throttle back and forth several times. If thethrottle cable is stuck, this may free it. If the throttlestays stuck, immediately operate the engine cut-offswitch and pull in the clutch at the same time. Thiswill remove power from the rear wheel, though enginesound may not immediately decline. Once the motor-cycle is under control, pull off and stop.

After you have stopped, check the throttle cable care-fully to nd the source of the trouble. Make certain thethrottle works freely before you start to ride again.

Wobble

A wobble occurs when the front wheel and handle-bars suddenly start to shake from side to side at anyspeed. Most wobbles can be traced to improper load-ing, unsuitable accessories or incorrect tire pressure.If you are carrying a heavy load, lighten it. If you cant,shift it. Center the weight lower and farther forwardon the motorcycle. Make sure tire pressure, springpre-load, air shocks and dampers are at the settingsrecommended for that much weight. Make sure wind-shields and fairings are mounted properly.


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Check for poorly adjusted steering; worn steeringparts; a front wheel that is bent, misaligned, or out ofbalance; loose wheel bearings or spokes; and wornswingarm bearings. If none of these is determined tobe the cause, have the motorcycle checked out thor-oughly by a quali ed professional.

Trying to accelerate out of a wobble will only makethe motorcycle more unstable. Instead:

Grip the handlebars rmly, but dont ght the wob -ble.

Close the throttle gradually to slow down. Do notapply the brakes; braking could make the wobbleworse.

Move your weight a

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