texas dps motorcycle operators manual
TRANSCRIPT
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For information about driver licenses, call your localDriver License Office or Driver License Customer Service
at 512/424-2600 or visit the Driver License web page
www.txdps.state.tx.us/administration/driver_license_control.
For information about motorcycle operator training
courses, call the Motorcycle Safety Unit at 512/424-2021 or
toll free 1-800-292-5787, email the Motorcycle Safety Unit at
[email protected] , or visit the Motorcycle
Safety Units web page, www.txdps.state.tx.us/msb.
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NOTICE: The Texas Department of Public Safety does
not discriminate because of race, color, religion, sex,
national origin, age, or disability. Persons needing accom-
modation under the provisions of the Americans With
Disabilities Act (ADA) should contact their local Driver
License Office. ADA Grievance Procedures are publishedin the Texas Administrative Code, Title 37, Section 1.41.
MOTORCYCLES MAKE SENSE
SO DOES PROFESSIONAL TRAINING
The Department of Public Safetys Motorcycle Operator
Training Program was developed for all persons wishing
to improve their riding skills.
Research shows that motorcycle operator training is equal
to two years of riding experience. Experts provide profes-
sional training that prepares one for real world traffic.
This inexpensive and valuable training program teaches
and improves activities such as:
Effective Turning
Braking Maneuvers
Protective Gear Selection
Street Strategies
Obstacle Avoidance
For the Basic or Advanced Motorcycle Operator Training
Course nearest you, contact the Motorcycle Safety Unit at:
TEXAS MOTORCYCLE SAFETY UNIT
TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY
5805 N. Lamar Blvd., Box 4087Austin, Texas 78773-0257
512/424-2021 or 1-800-292-5787
Web Address: www.txdps.state.tx.us/msb
E-mail: [email protected]
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This Motorcycle Operators Manual has been prepared in coopera-
tion with the Motorcycle Safety Foundation. Within these pages are
numerous instructions, suggestions, and tips that, if followed, will
prepare anyone for a lifetime of enjoyable motorcycling.
In recent years motorcycle safety has received a great deal of atten-
tion. This is the result of many serious injuries and deaths of
motorcyclists in motor vehicle traffic accidents. This handbook was
prepared to assist the beginning motorcyclist in passing the
required written examination. In addition, this manual serves to
refresh and therefore, improve the experienced rider.
Although comprehensive, this handbook does not include all laws
regulating traffic on the streets and highways. The Department of
Public Safety strongly recommends reference to the motor vehicle
statutes and local ordinances in order to gain an exact knowledgeof motor vehicle laws.
A copy of the Texas Motorcycle Laws pamphlet is available from
the Motorcycle Safety Unit. Refer to their contact information on
the inside of the back cover.
PREFACE
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PREPARING
TO RIDEWEAR THE RIGHT GEAR . . . . . . . .4
Helmet Use . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4
Helmet Selection . . . . . . . . . . . .4
Eye and Face Protection . . . . . .5
Clothing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5
KNOWYOUR MOTORCYCLE . . . . . .6
The Right Motorcycle For You .6
Borrowing and Lending . . . . . . .7
Know Your Motorcycle Controls 7
Check Your Motorcycle . . . . . . .8
RIDE WITHIN
YOUR ABILITIESBASICVEHICLE CONTROL . . . . . .10
Body Position . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10
Shifting Gears . . . . . . . . . . . . .10
Braking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11
Turning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11KEEPINGYOUR DISTANCE. . . . . .12
Lane Positions . . . . . . . . . . . . .12
Following Another Vehicle . . .13
Being Followed . . . . . . . . . . . . .14
Passing and Being Passed . . . .14
Lane Sharing . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16
Merging Cars . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16
Cars Alongside . . . . . . . . . . . . .16
SIPDE. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17
INTERSECTIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18
Blind Intersections . . . . . . . . . .19
Passing Parked Cars . . . . . . . .20
Parking at the Roadside . . . . .20INCREASING CONSPICUITY. . . . . .21
Clothing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21
Headlight . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21
Signals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21
Brake Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22
Using Your Mirrors . . . . . . . . .22
Head Checks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23
Horn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23
Riding at Night . . . . . . . . . . . . .23
CRASHAVOIDANCE . . . . . . . . . . .24
Quick Stops . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24
Swerving or Turning Quickly .25Cornering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26
HANDLINGDANGEROUSSURFACES .27
Uneven Surfaces and Obstacles . .27
Slippery Surfaces . . . . . . . . . . .28
Tracks and Pavement Seams .29
Grooves and Gratings . . . . . . .29
MECHANICAL PROBLEMS. . . . . . .30
Tire Failure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .30
Stuck Throttle . . . . . . . . . . . . .30Wobble . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .30
Chain Problems . . . . . . . . . . . .31
Engine Seizure . . . . . . . . . . . . .31
ANIMALS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .31
FLYING OBJECTS . . . . . . . . . . . . .32
GETTING OFF THE ROAD . . . . . .32
CARRYING PASSENGERS
AND CARGO . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .32
Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .32
Instructing Passengers . . . . . .33
Riding With Passengers . . . . . .33
Carrying Loads . . . . . . . . . . . . .33GROUP RIDING . . . . . . . . . . . . . .34
Keep the Group Small . . . . . . .34
Keep the Group Together . . . .34
Keep Your Distance . . . . . . . . .34
BEING IN SHAPE
TO RIDEWHY INFORMATION IS IMPORTANT . .36
ALCOHOL AND OTHER DRUGS IN
MOTORCYCLE OPERATION . . . . . .36
ALCOHOL IN THE BODY . . . . . . . .37
Blood Alcohol Concentration . .37
ALCOHOL AND THE LAW . . . . . . .38Consequences of a DWI Arrest.38Consequences of Conviction . . .38
MINIMIZE THE RISKS. . . . . . . . . .39
STEP IN TO PROTECT FRIENDS . .39
FATIGUE. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .40
RIDINGTEXAS HIGHWAYS . . . . . . . .41
EARNING
YOUR LICENSEKnowledge Test . . . . . . . . . . . .46
On-Cycle Skill Test . . . . . . . . .47Frequently Asked Questions . .47
CONTENTS A MESSAGE FROM THE DIRECTOR OF THE
TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY
Motorcycling is an enjoyable driving experience. However, motorcycliststoo often suffer severe injury or even death as a result of a crash.
Motorcycling only looks easy. In reality it is quite challenging, requiringspecial knowledge and skills beyond those needed to drive a car.
This handbook was prepared primarily for the beginning rider. I encourageyou to digest this information in preparation for your licensing examina-tion. I believe that you will be a safer motorcyclist if you follow the sugges-
tions outlined in this document. Experienced motorcyclists also benefitfrom a regular review of this document.
Establishing safe riding habits early in your motorcycling career will, no
doubt, yield years of enjoyment.
Stanley E. Clark, DirectorDepartment of Public Safety
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PREPARING TO RIDE
What you do before you start a trip goes a long way toward determiningwhether or not youll 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.
4 5
WEAR THE RIGHT GEAR
When you ride, your gear is right
if it protects you. In any crash, youhave a far better chance of avoid-
ing serious injury if you wear:
An approved helmet Face or eye protection
Protective clothing
HELMET USE
Crashes are not rare eventspar-ticularly among beginning riders.
And one out of every five motorcy-cle crashes result in head or neck
injuries. Head injuries are just assevere as neck injuriesand far
more common. Crash analysesshow that head and neck injuries
account for a majority of serious
and fatal injuries to motorcyclists.Research also shows that, with fewexceptions, head and neck injuries
are reduced by the proper wearingof an approved helmet.
Some riders dont wear helmets
because they think helmets willlimit their view to the sides.
Others wear helmets only on longtrips or when riding at high
speeds. Here are some facts to con-sider:
An approved helmet lets yousee as far to the sides as neces-
sary. A study of more than 900motorcycle crashes, where 40%
of the riders wore helmets, didnot find even one case in which
a helmet kept a rider from spot-ting danger.
Most crashes happen on short
trips (less than five miles long),just a few minutes after start-ing out.
Most riders are riding slowerthan 30 mph when a crash
occurs. At these speeds, helmetscan cut both the number and
the severity of head injuries byhalf.
No matter what the speed, helmet-
ed riders are three times morelikely to survive head injuries than
those not wearing helmets at thetime of the crash.
HELMET SELECTION
There are two primary types ofhelmets, providing two different
levels of coverage: three-quarterand full face.
Whichever style you choose, you
can get the most protection bymaking sure that the helmet:
Meets U.S. Department ofTransportation (DOT) and state
standards. Helmets with a labelfrom the Snell Memorial
Foundation gives you an addedassurance of quality.
Fits snugly all the way around.Has no obvious defects such as
cracks, loose padding or frayedstraps.
Whatever helmet you decide on,
keep it securely fastened on yourhead when you ride. Otherwise, if
you are involved in a crash, itslikely to fly off your head before it
gets a chance to protect you.
EYE AND FACE PROTECTION
A plastic shatter-resistant face
shield can help protect your wholeface in a crash. It also protects you
from wind, dust, dirt, rain, insects,and pebbles thrown up from cars
ahead. These problems are dis-tracting and can be painful. If you
have to deal with them, you cantdevote your full attention to the
road.
Goggles protect your eyes, though
they wont protect the rest of yourface like a face shield does. A
windshield is not a substitute for aface shield or goggles. Most wind-
shields will not protect your eyesfrom the wind. Neither will eye-
glasses or sunglasses. Glasseswont keep your eyes from water-
ing, and they might blow off whenyou turn your head while riding.
To be effective, eye or face shield
protection must:
Be free of scratches. Be resistant to penetration.
Give a clear view of either side. Fasten securely so it does not
blow off.
Permit air to pass through, toreduce fogging.
Permit enough room for eye-
glasses or sunglasses, if needed.
Tinted eye protection should not beworn at night or any other time
when little light is available.
CLOTHING
The right clothing protects you in
a collision. It also provides com-
HELMETS
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KNOW YOUR
MOTORCYCLE
There are plenty of things on thehighway that can cause you trou-
ble. Your motorcycle should not beone of them. To make sure that
your motorcycle wont let youdown:
Read the owners manual first.
Start with the right motorcyclefor you.
Be familiar with the motorcyclecontrols.
Check the motorcycle beforeevery ride.
Keep it in safe riding conditionbetween rides.
Avoid add-ons and modificationsthat make your motorcycle
harder to handle.
THE RIGHT MOTORCYCLE
FORYOU
First, make sure your motorcycleis right for you. It should fit you.
Your feet should reach the groundwhile you are seated on the motor-
cycle.
1 Test Yourself
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 46
fort, as well as protection fromheat, cold, debris, and hot and
moving parts of the motorcycle.
Jacket and pants should coverarms and legs completely. They
should fit snugly enough tokeep from flapping in the wind,
yet loosely enough to move
freely. Leather offers the mostprotection. Sturdy syntheticmaterial provides a lot of pro-
tection as well. Wear a jacketeven in warm weather to pre-
vent dehydration. Many aredesigned to protect without get-
ting you overheated, even onsummer days.
Boots or shoes should be highand sturdy enough to cover your
ankles and give them support.Soles should be made of hard,
durable slip resistant material.Keep heels short so they do not
catch on rough surfaces. Tucklaces in so they wont catch on
your motorcycle. Gloves allow a better grip and
help protect your hands in acrash. Your gloves should be
made of leather or similardurable material.
In cold or wet weather, your
clothes should keep you warm and
dry, as well as protect you frominjury. You cannot control a motor-cycle well if you are numb. Riding
for long periods in cold weathercan cause severe chill and fatigue.
A winter jacket should resist windand fit snugly at the neck, wrists,
and waist. Good quality rainsuitsdesigned for motorcycle riding
resist tearing apart or ballooningup at high speeds.
At minimum, your street-legalmotorcycle should have:
Headlight, taillight andbrakelight
Front and rear brakes Turn signals Horn Two mirrors
BORROWING AND LENDING
Borrowers and lenders of motorcy-cles, beware. Crashes are fairlycommon among beginning ridersespecially in the first months ofriding. Riding an unfamiliarmotorcycle adds to the problem. Ifyou borrow a motorcycle, get famil-iar with it in a controlled area.And if you lend your motorcycle tofriends, make sure they arelicensed and know how to ride
before allowing them out into traf-fic.
No matter how experienced youmay be, ride extra carefully on anymotorcycle thats new or unfamil-iar to you. More than half of allcrashes occur on motorcycles rid-den by the operator for less thansix months.
GET FAMILIAR WITH THEMOTORCYCLE CONTROLS
Make sure you are completelyfamiliar with the motorcycle beforeyou take it out on the street. Besure to review the owners manual.This is particularly important ifyou are riding a borrowed motorcy-cle. If you are going to use an unfa-miliar motorcycle:
MOTORCYCLE CONTROLS
Light Switch (high/low)
Choke (varies)
Turn-SignalSwitch
Engine Cut-OffSwitch
EngineStartButton
Ignition Key(varies)
Horn Button
Clutch LeverSpeedometer& Odometer
Fuel Supply Valve(if equipped)
Gear-Changer Lever
Throttle
Front Brake Lever
Tachometer(if equipped)
Rear Brake Pedal
Kick Starter(if equipped)
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Turn SignalsTurn on bothright and left turn signals.
Make sure all lights are work-ing properly.
Brake LightTry both brakecontrols, and make sure each
one turns on the brake light.
Once you have mounted the motor-
cycle, complete the followingchecks before starting out:
Clutch and ThrottleMakesure they work smoothly. The
throttle should snap back whenyou let go. The clutch should
feel tight and smooth. MirrorsClean and adjust both
mirrors before starting. Its dif-ficult to ride with one hand
while you try to adjust a mirror.Adjust each mirror so you can
see the lane behind and asmuch as possible of the lane
next to you. When properlyadjusted, a mirror may show
the edge of your arm or shoul-der, but its the road behind and
to the side thats most impor-tant.
BrakesTry the front and rearbrake levers one at a time.
Make sure each one feels firmand holds the motorcycle when
the brake is fully applied.
HornTry the horn. Make sureit works.
2 Test Yourself
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 riddentheir motorcycles less than sixmonths.
Answer - page 46
8 9
Make all the checks you wouldon your own motorcycle.
Find out where everything is,particularly the turn signals,
horn, headlight switch, fuel-con-trol valve, and engine cut-off
switch. Find and operate theseitems without having to look for
them.
Know the gear pattern. Workthe throttle, clutch, and brakesa few times before you start rid-
ing. All controls react a littledifferently.
Ride very cautiously and beaware of your surroundings.
Accelerate gently, take turnsmore slowly, and leave extra
room for stopping.
CHECKYOUR MOTORCYCLE
A motorcycle needs more frequentattention than a car. A minor tech-nical failure in a car seldom leads
to anything more than an incon-venience for the driver.
If something is wrong with the
motorcycle, youll want to find outabout it before you get in traffic.
Make a complete check of yourmotorcycle before every ride.
Before mounting the motorcycle
make the following checks:
TiresCheck the air pressure,general wear and tread.
FluidsOil and fluid levels. At aminimum, check hydraulic flu-
ids and coolants weekly. Lookunder the motorcycle for signs
of an oil or gas leak. Headlight and Taillight
Check them both. Test yourswitch to make sure both high
and low beams are working.
In addition to the checks youshould make before every trip,
check the following items at leastonce a week: Wheels, cables, fas-
teners, and fluid. Follow yourowners manual to get recommen-
dations.
KNOW YOUR
RESPONSIBILITIES
Accident implies an unforeseenevent that occurs without anyones
fault or negligence. Most often intraffic, that is not the case. In fact,
most people involved in a crashcan usually claim some responsi-
bility for what takes place.
Consider a situation where some-one decides to try to squeeze
through an intersection on a yel-
low light turning red. Your lightturns green. You pull into theintersection without checking for
possible latecomers. That is all ittakes for the two of you to tangle.
It was the drivers responsibility tostop. And it was your responsibility
to look before pulling out. Neitherof you held up your end of the deal.
Just because someone else is thefirst to start the chain of events
leading to a crash, doesnt leaveany of us free of responsibility.
As a rider, you cant be sure thatother operators will see you or
yield the right of way. To lessenyour chances of a crash occurring:
Be visibleWear proper cloth-
ing, use your headlight, ride inthe best lane position to see and
be seen.
Communicate your inten-tionsUse the proper signals,brake light, and lane position.
Maintain an adequate spacecushionWhen following, being
followed, lane sharing, passingand being passed.
Scan your path of travel 12seconds ahead.
Identify and separate multiplehazards.
Be prepared to actRemainalert and know how to carry out
proper crash-avoidance skills.
Blame doesnt matter when some-one is injured in a crash. There is
rarely a single cause of any crash.The ability to ride aware, make
critical decisions, and carry themout separates responsible drivers
from all the rest. Remember, it isup to you to keep from being the
cause of, or an unprepared partici-pant, in a crash.
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BASIC VEHICLE CONTROL
BODY POSITION
To control a motorcycle well:
PostureSit so you can use yourarms to steer the motorcyclerather than to hold yourself up.
SeatSit far enough forward sothat arms are slightly bent
when you hold the handlegrips.Bending your arms permits youto press on the handlebars with-out having to stretch.
HandsHold the handgrips firm-ly to keep your grip over roughsurfaces. Start with your rightwrist flat. This will help youkeep from accidentally using toomuch throttle. Also, adjust the
handlebars so your hands areeven with or below your elbows.This permits you to use theproper muscles for precisionsteering.
KneesKeep your knees againstthe gas tank to help you keepyour balance as the motorcycleturns.
FeetKeep your feet firmly on
the footpegs to maintain bal-ance. Dont drag your feet. Ifyour foot catches on something,you can be injured and it couldaffect your control of the motor-cycle. Keep your feet near thecontrols so you can get to themfast if needed. Also, dont letyour toes point downwardtheymay get caught between theroad and the footpegs.
SHIFTING GEARS
There is more to shifting gearsthan simply getting the motorcycleto pick up speed smoothly.Learning to use the gears whendownshifting, turning, or startingon hills is important for safemotorcycle operation.
Shift down through the gears withthe clutch as you slow or stop.Remain in first gear while you arestopped so that you can move outquickly if you need to.
RIDE WITHIN YOUR ABILITIES
This manual cannot teach you how to control direction, speed, or balance.Thats something you can learn only through practice. But control begins
with knowing your abilities and riding within them, along with knowingand obeying the rules of the road.
HOLDING HANDGRIPS
Make certain you are riding slowenough when you shift into a lowergear. If not, the motorcycle willlurch, and the rear wheel mayskid. When riding downhill orshifting into first gear you mayneed to use the brakes to slowenough before downshifting safely.Work towards a smooth, evenclutch release, especially when
downshifting.
It is best to change gears beforeentering a turn. However, some-times shifting while in the turn isnecessary. If so, remember to do sosmoothly. A sudden change inpower to the rear wheel can causea skid.
BRAKING
Your motorcycle has two brakes:one each for the front and rear
wheel. Use both of them at thesame time. The front brake is morepowerful and can provide at leastthree-quarters of your total stop-ping power. The front brake is safeto use if you use it properly.
Remember:
Use both brakes every time youslow or stop. Using both brakesfor even normal stops will per-mit you to develop the properhabit or skill of using both
brakes properly in an emer-gency. Squeeze the front brakeand press down on the rear.Grabbing at the front brake orjamming down on the rear cancause the brakes to lock, result-ing in control problems.
If you know the technique,using both brakes in a turn ispossible, although it should bedone very carefully. When lean-ing the motorcycle some of thetraction is used for cornering.Less traction is available for
stopping. A skid can occur if you
apply too much brake. Also,using the front brake incorrect-ly on a slippery surface may behazardous. Use caution andsqueeze the brake lever, nevergrab.
Some motorcycles have inte-grated braking systems thatlink the front and rear brakestogether by applying the rear
brake pedal. (Consult theowners manual for a detailedexplanation on the operationand effective use of these sys-tems.)
TURNING
Riders often try to take curves orturns too fast. When they canthold the turn, they end up crossinginto another lane of traffic or goingoff the road. Or, they overreact andbrake too hard, causing a skid and
loss of control. Approach turns andcurves with caution.
Use four steps for better con-
trol:
SLOW LOOK LEAN ROLL
SLOWReduce speed before theturn by closing the throttle and,if necessary, applying bothbrakes.
LOOKLook through the turn towhere you want to go. Turn justyour head, not your shoulders,and keep your eyes level withthe horizon.
LEANTo turn, the motorcyclemust lean. To lean the motorcy-cle, press on the handgrip in thedirection of the turn. Pressleftlean leftgo left. Pressrightlean rightgo right.Higher speeds and/or tighterturns require the motorcycle to
lean more.
RIGHT
WRONG
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LANE POSITIONS3 Test Yourself
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 thegas tank.
D. Turn just your head and eyes to
look where you are going.Answer - page 46
12 13
ROLLRoll on the throttlethrough the turn to stabilizesuspension. Maintain steadyspeed or accelerate graduallythrough the turn. This will helpkeep the motorcycle stable.
In normal turns, the rider and themotorcycle should lean together atthe same angle.
In slow tight turns, counterbalanceby leaning the motorcycle only andkeeping your body straight.
KEEPING YOUR DIS-TANCE
The best protection you can have isdistancea cushion of spaceallaround your motorcycle. If some-one else makes a mistake, distancepermits you:
Time to react
Space to maneuver
LANE POSITIONS
In some ways the size of themotorcycle can work to youradvantage. Each traffic lane givesa motorcycle three paths of travel,as indicated in the i llustration.
Your lane position should:
Increase your ability to see and
be seen. Avoid others blind spot. 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 tomaximize your space cushion andmake yourself more easily seen byothers on the road.
In general, there is no single bestposition for riders to be seen andto maintain a space cushionaround the motorcycle. No portionof the lane need be avoidedincluding the center.
Position yourself in the portion of
the lane where you are most likelyto be seen and you can maintain aspace cushion around you. Changeposition as traffic situationschange. Ride in path 2 or 3 if vehi-cles and other potential problemsare on your left only. Remain inpath 1 or 2 if hazards are on yourright only. If vehicles are beingoperated on both sides of you, thecenter of the lane, path 2, is usual-ly your best option.
The oily strip in the center portionthat collects drippings from cars isusually no more than two feetwide. Unless the road is wet, theaverage center strip permits ade-quate traction to ride on safely.You can operate to the left or rightof the grease strip and still bewithin the center portion of thetraffic lane. Avoid riding on bigbuildups of oil and grease usuallyfound at busy intersections or tollbooths.
FOLLOWINGANOTHERVEHICLE
Following too closely is a majorfactor in crashes involving motor-cyclists. In traffic, motorcyclesneed as much distance to stop ascars. Normally, a minimum of twoseconds of distance should be
maintained behind the vehicleahead.
To gauge your following distance:
Pick out a marker, such as apavement marking or lamppost,on or near the road ahead.
When the rear bumper of thevehicle ahead passes the mark-er, count off the seconds: one-thousand-one, one-thousand-two.
If you reach the markerbefore you reach two, you arefollowing too closely.
A two-second following distanceleaves a minimum amount of spaceto stop or swerve if the driverahead stops suddenly. It also per-mits a better view of potholes andother hazards in the road.
A larger cushion of space is neededif your motorcycle will take longer
than normal to stop. If the pave-
NORMAL TURNING
SLOW TURNING
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ment is slippery, if you cannot seethrough the vehicle ahead, or iftraffic is heavy and someone maysqueeze in front of you, open up athree second or more following dis-tance.
Keep well behind the vehicleahead even when you are stopped.This will make it easier to get outof the way if someone bears downon you from behind. It will alsogive you a cushion of space if thevehicle ahead starts to back up forsome reason.
When behind a car, ride where thedriver can see you in the rearviewmirror. Riding in the center por-tion of the lane should put yourimage in the middle of therearview mirrorwhere a driver ismost likely to see you.
Riding at the far side of a lanemay permit a driver to see you in asideview mirror. But rememberthat most drivers dont look attheir sideview mirrors nearly asoften as they check the rearviewmirror. If the traffic situationallows, the center portion of thelane is usually the best place for
you to be seen by the drivers
ahead and to prevent lane sharingby others.
BEING FOLLOWED
Speeding up to lose someone fol-
lowing too closely only ends upwith someone tailgating you at ahigher speed.
A better way to handle tailgatersis to get them in front of you.When someone is following tooclosely, change lanes and let thempass. If you cant do this, slowdown and open up extra spaceahead of you to allow room for bothyou and the tailgater to stop. Thiswill also encourage them to pass.If they dont pass, you will havegiven yourself and the tailgatermore time and space to react incase an emergency does developahead.
PASSING AND BEING PASSED
Passing and being passed byanother vehicle is not much differ-ent than with a car. However, visi-bility is more critical. Be sureother drivers see you, and that yousee potential hazards.
FOLLOWING PASSING
1. Ride in the left portion of thelane at a safe following distance toincrease your line of sight andmake you more visible. Signal andcheck for oncoming traffic. Useyour mirrors and turn your head tolook for traffic behind.2. When safe, move into the left
lane and accelerate. Select a laneposition that doesnt crowd the caryou are passing and provides spaceto avoid hazards in your lane.3. Ride through the blind spotas quickly as possible.4. Signal again, and completemirror and headchecks beforereturning to your original lane andthen cancel signal.
Remember, passes must becompleted within posted speedlimits, and only where permit-
ted. Know your signs and roadmarkings!
BEING PASSED
When you are being passed frombehind or by an oncoming vehicle,
stay in the center portion of yourlane. Riding any closer to themcould put you in a hazardous situ-ation.
Avoid being hit by:
The other vehicleA slightmistake by you or the passingdriver could cause a sideswipe.
Extended mirrorsSome driv-ers forget that their mirrors hangout farther than their fenders.Objects thrown from win-dowsEven if the driver knowsyoure there, a passenger may notsee you and might toss somethingon you or the road ahead of you. Blasts of wind from largervehiclesThey can affect your con-trol. You have more room for errorif you are in the middle portionwhen hit by this blast than if youare on either side of the lane.
Do not move into the portion ofthe lane farthest from the passingvehicle. It might invite the otherdriver to cut back into your lanetoo early.
PASSING BEING PASSED
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LANE SHARING
Cars and motorcycles need a fulllane to operate safely. Lane shar-ing is usually prohibited.
Riding between rows of stopped ormoving cars in the same lane canleave you vulnerable to the unex-
pected. A hand could come out of awindow; a door could open; or a carcould turn suddenly. Discouragelane sharing by others. Keep a cen-ter-portion position whenever driv-ers might be tempted to squeezeby you. Drivers are most temptedto do this:
In heavy, bumper-to-bumpertraffic.
When they want to pass you. When you are preparing to turn
at an intersection.
When you are getting in an exitlane or leaving a highway.
MERGING CARS
Drivers on an entrance ramp maynot see you on the highway. Give
them plenty of room. Change toanother lane if one is open. If thereis no room for a lane change,adjust speed to open up space forthe merging driver.
CARSALONGSIDE
Do not ride next to cars or trucksin other lanes if you do not haveto. You might be in the blind spotof a car in the next lane, whichcould switch into your lane with-out warning. Cars in the next lanealso block your escape if you comeupon danger in your own lane.Speed up or drop back to find aplace clear of traffic on both sides.
SIPDE
Good experienced riders remainaware of what is going on aroundthem. They improve their ridingstrategy by using SIPDE, a 5-stepprocess used to make appropriatejudgments, and apply them cor-rectly in different traffic situa-
tions:
Scan Identify Predict Decide Execute
Lets examine each of these steps.
SCAN
Search aggressively ahead, to thesides and behind to avoid potential
hazards even before they arise.How assertively you search, andhow much time and space youhave, can eliminate or reduceharm. Focus even more on findingpotential escape routes in oraround intersections, shoppingareas, schools and constructionzones.
Search for:
Oncoming traffic that may
turn left in front of you. Traffic oncoming from the left
and right. Traffic approaching from
behind. Hazardous road conditions.
Be especially alert in areas withlimited visibility. Visually busysurroundings could hide you andyour motorcycle from others.
IDENTIFY
Locate hazards and potential con-flicts.
Vehicles and other motorcy-clesmay move into your pathand increase the likelihood of acrash.
Pedestrians and animalsareunpredictable, and make short,quick moves.
Stationary objectspotholes,guard rails, bridges, roadwaysigns, hedges, or trees wontmove into your path but mayinfluence your riding strategy.
PREDICT
Consider speed, distance, anddirection of hazards to anticipatehow they may affect you. Cars
moving into your path are morecritical than those moving away orremaining stationary.
Predict where a collision mayoccur. Completing this what if...?phrase to estimate results of con-tacting or attempting to avoid ahazard depends on your knowledgeand experience.
DECIDE
Determine what you need to dobased on your prediction.
The mental process of determiningyour course of action depends onhow aggressively you searched.The result is your action andknowing which strategy is best forthe situation. You want to elimi-nate or reduce the potential haz-ard. You must decide when, whereand how to take action. Your con-stant decision making tasks muststay sharp to cope with constantly
changing traffic situations.
MERGING
BLIND SPOTS
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 obscenegestures.
C. Speed up to put distance be-tween you and the tailgater.
D. Ignore them.
Answer - page 46
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The decisions you make can begrouped by the types of hazardsyou encounter.
Single hazard Two hazards Multiple hazards
EXECUTE
Carry out your decision.
To create more space and minimizeharm from any hazard:
Communicate your presencewith lights and/or horn.
Adjust your speed by acceler-ating, stopping or slowing.
Adjust your position and/ordirection.
Apply the old adage one step at a
time to handle two or more haz-ards. Adjust speed to permit twohazards to separate. Then dealwith them one at a time as singlehazards. Decision making becomesmore complex with three or morehazards. Weigh consequences ofeach and give equal distance to thehazards.
In potential high risk areas, suchas intersections, shopping areas,and school and construction zones,
cover the clutch and both brakes toreduce the time you need to react.
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INTERSECTIONS
The greatest potential for conflictbetween you and other traffic is atintersections. An intersection canbe in the middle of an urban areaor at a driveway on a residentialstreetanywhere traffic may crossyour path of travel. Over one-halfof motorcycle/car crashes are
caused by drivers entering ariders right-of-way. Cars that turnleft in front of you, including carsturning left from the lane to yourright, and cars on side streets thatpull into your lane, are the biggestdangers. Your use of SIPDE (p. 17)at intersections is critical.
There are no guarantees that oth-ers see you. Never count on eyecontact as a sign that a driver willyield. Too often, a driver looksright at a motorcyclist and still
fails to see him. The only eyesthat you can count on are yourown. If a car can enter your path,assume that it will. Good ridersare always looking for troublenot to get into it, but to stay out ofit.
Increase your chances of beingseen at intersections. Ride withyour headlight on in a lane posi-tion that provides the best view ofoncoming traffic. Provide a spacecushion around the motorcycle
that permits you to take evasiveaction.
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SMALL INTERSECTIONS
5 Test Yourself
To reduce your rea ction 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 46
As you approach the intersection,select a lane position to increaseyour visibility to the driver. Coverthe clutch and both brakes toreduce reaction time.
Reduce your speed as youapproach an intersection. Afterentering the intersection, moveaway from vehicles preparing toturn. Do not change speed or posi-tion radically. The driver might
think that you are preparing toturn.
BLIND INTERSECTIONS
If you approach a blind intersec-tion, move to the portion of thelane that will bring you into anoth-er drivers field of vision at theearliest possible moment. In thispicture, the rider has moved to theleft portion of the laneaway fromthe parked carso the driver onthe cross street can see him as
soon as possible.
Remember, the key is to see asmuch as possible and remain visi-ble to others while protecting yourspace.
LARGE INTERSECTIONS
BLIND INTERSECTIONS
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If you have a stop sign or stop line,stop there first. Then edge forwardand stop again, just short of wherethe cross-traffic lane meets yourlane. From that position, lean yourbody forward and look aroundbuildings, parked cars, or bushesto see if anything is coming. Justmake sure your front wheel staysout of the cross lane of travel while
youre looking.
PASSING PARKED CARS
When passing parked cars, staytoward the left of your lane. Youcan avoid problems caused bydoors opening, drivers getting outof cars, or people stepping frombetween cars. If oncoming traffic ispresent, it is usually best toremain in the center-lane positionto maximize your space cushion.
A bigger problem can occur if the
driver pulls away from the curbwithout checking for traffic behind.Even if he does look, he may fail to
20
see you. In either event, the drivermight cut into your path. Slowdown or change lanes to makeroom for someone cutting in.
Cars making a sudden U-turn are
the most dangerous. They may cutyou off entirely, blocking the wholeroadway and leaving you with noplace to go. Since you cant tellwhat a driver will do, slow downand get the drivers attention.Sound your horn and continuewith caution.
PARKING AT THE ROADSIDE
Park at a 90 angle to the curbwith your rear wheel touching thecurb.
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INCREASINGCONSPICUITY
In crashes with motorcyclists, driv-ers often say that they never sawthe motorcycle. From ahead orbehind, a motorcycles outline ismuch smaller than a cars. Also,its hard to see something you arenot looking for, and most driversare not looking for motorcycles.More likely, they are lookingthrough the skinny, two-wheeledsilhouette in search of cars thatmay pose a problem to them.
Even if a driver does see you com-ing, you arent necessarily safe.Smaller vehicles appear fartheraway, and seem to be travelingslower than they actually are. It iscommon for drivers to pull out infront of motorcyclists, thinking
they have plenty of time. Toooften, they are wrong.
However, you can do many thingsto make it easier for others to rec-ognize you and your cycle.
CLOTHING
Most crashes occur in broad day-light. Wear bright colored clothingto increase your chances of beingseen. Remember, your body is half
of the visible surface area of therider/motorcycle unit.
Bright orange, red, yellow or greenjackets or vests are your best betsfor being seen. Your helmet can domore than protect you in a crash.Brightly colored helmets can alsohelp others see you.
Any bright color is better thandrab or dark colors. Reflective,bright colored clothing (helmet and
jacket or vest) is best.
Reflective material on a vest andon the sides of the helmet will helpdrivers coming from the side spotyou. Reflective material can alsobe a big help for drivers comingtoward you or from behind.
HEADLIGHT
The best way to help others seeyour motorcycle is to keep theheadlight onat all times(although motorcycles sold in theU.S. since 1978 automatically havethe headlights on when running.)Studies show that, during the day,a motorcycle with its light on istwice as likely to be noticed. Use ofthe high beam during the dayincreases the likelihood thatoncoming drivers will see you. Uselow beam at night and in cloudyweather.
SIGNALS
The signals on a motorcycle aresimilar to those on a car. They tellothers what you plan to do.
STOP SIGNS PARKED CARS
PARKING AT CURBS
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. Doesnt mean that the driverwill yield.
D. Guarantees that the other driverwill yield to you.
Answer - page 46
SIGNALING
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However, due to a riders addedvulnerability, signals are evenmore important. Use them any-time you plan to change lanes orturn. Use them even when youthink no one else is around. Itsthe car you dont see thats goingto give you the most trouble. Yoursignal lights also make you easierto spot. Thats why its a good ideato use your turn signals even whenwhat you plan to do is obvious.
When you enter onto a freeway,drivers approaching from behindare more likely to see your signalblinking and make room for you.
Turning your signal light on beforeeach turn reduces confusion andfrustration for the traffic aroundyou. Once you turn, make sureyour signal is off or a driver may
pull directly into your path, think-ing you plan to turn again. Useyour signals at every turn so driv-ers can react accordingly. Dontmake them guess what you intendto do.
BRAKE LIGHT
Your motorcycles brake light isusually not as noticeable as thebrake lights on a carparticularlywhen your taillight is on. (It goes
on with the headlights.) If the situ-ation will permit, help othersnotice you by flashing your brakelight before you slow down. It isespecially important to flash yourbrake light before:
You slow more quickly thanothers might expect (turning offa high-speed highway).
You slow where others maynot expect it (in the middle of ablock or at an alley).
If you are being followed closely,its a good idea to flash your brakelight before you slow. The tailgatermay be watching you and not seesomething ahead that will makeyou slow down. This will hopefullydiscourage them from tailgatingand warn them of hazards aheadthey may not see.
USINGYOUR MIRRORS
While its most important to keeptrack of whats happening ahead,you cant afford to ignore situa-tions behind. Traffic conditionschange quickly. Knowing whatsgoing on behind is essential for youto make a safe decision about howto handle trouble ahead.
Frequent mirror checks should bepart of your normal scanning rou-
tine. Make a special point of usingyour mirrors:
When you are stopped at anintersection. Watch cars comingup from behind. If the driverisnt paying attention, he couldbe on top of you before he seesyou.
Before you change lanes.Make sure no one is about topass you.
Before you slow down. The
driver behind may not expectyou to slow, or may be unsureabout where you will slow. Forexample, you signal a turn andthe driver thinks you plan toturn at a distant intersection,rather than at a nearer drive-way.
23
Some motorcycles have rounded(convex) mirrors. These provide awider view of the road behind thando flat mirrors. They also makecars seem farther away than theyreally are. If you are not used toconvex mirrors, get familiar withthem. (While you are stopped, pickout a parked car in your mirror.Form a mental image of how faraway it is. Then, turn around andlook at it to see how close youcame.) Practice with your mirrorsuntil you become a good judge ofdistance. Even then, allow extradistance before you change lanes.
HEAD CHECKS
Checking your mirrors is notenough. Motorcycles have blindspots like cars. Before you changelanes, turn your head, and look tothe side for other vehicles.
On a road with several lanes,check the far lane and the one nextto you. A driver in the distant lanemay head for the same space youplan to take.
Frequent head checks should be
your normal scanning routine,
also. Only by knowing what is hap-pening all around you, are youfully prepared to deal with it.
HORN
Be ready to use your horn to getsomeones attention quickly.
It is a good idea to give a quickbeep before passing anyone thatmay move into your lane.
Here are some situations:
A driver in the lane next to youis driving too closely to the vehi-cle ahead and may want topass.
A parked car has someone inthe drivers seat.
Someone is in the street, rid-ing a bicycle or walking.
In an emergency, press the hornbutton loud and long. Be ready tostop or swerve away from the dan-ger.
Keep in mind that a motorcycleshorn isnt as loud as a cars, there-fore, use it, but dont rely on it.Other strategies may be appropri-ate along with the horn.
RIDING AT NIGHT
At night it is harder for you to seeand be seen. Picking your head-light or taillight out of the carlights around you is not easy forother drivers. To compensate, youshould:
Reduce Your SpeedRide evenslower than you would duringthe dayparticularly on roadsyou dont know well. This willincrease your chances of avoid-
ing a hazard.
USING MIRRORS
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Increase DistanceDistances areharder to judge at night thanduring the day. Your eyes relyupon shadows and light con-trasts to determine how faraway an object is and how fastit is coming. These contrasts aremissing or distorted under arti-ficial lights at night. Open up athree-second following distanceor more. And allow more dis-tance to pass and be passed.
Use the Car AheadThe head-lights of the car ahead can giveyou a better view of the roadthan even your high beam can.Taillights bouncing up anddown can alert you to bumps orrough pavement.
Use Your High BeamGet all thelight you can. Use your highbeam whenever you are not fol-lowing or meeting a car. Be visi-
ble, wear reflective materialswhen riding at night.
Be flexible about lane position.Change to whatever portion ofthe lane is best able to help yousee, be seen, and keep an ade-quate space cushion.
CRASH AVOIDANCE
No matter how careful you are,there will be times when you findyourself in a tight spot. Your
chances of getting out safelydepends on your ability to reactquickly and properly. Often, acrash occurs because a rider is not
prepared or skilled in crash-avoid-ance maneuvers.
Know when and how to stop orswerve, two skills critical to avoid-ing a crash. It is not always desir-able or possible to stop quickly toavoid an obstacle. Riders must alsobe able to swerve around an obsta-cle. Determining the skill neces-sary for the situation is importantas well.
Studies show that most crashesinvolved riders who:
Underbrake the front tire andoverbrake the rear.
Did not separate braking fromswerving or did not chooseswerving when it was appropri-ate.
The following information offerssome good advice.
QUICK STOPS
To stop quickly, apply both brakesat the same time. Dont be shyabout using the front brake, butdont grab it, either. Squeeze thebrake lever firmly and progressive-ly. If the front wheel locks, releasethe front brake immediately thenreapply it firmly. At the same
time, press down on the rearbrake. If you accidentally lock therear brake on a good traction sur-face, keep it locked until you havecompletely stopped. Even with alocked rear wheel, you can controlthe motorcycle on a straightawayif it is upright and going in astraight line.
Always use both brakes at thesame time to stop. The front brakecan provide 70% or more of the
potential stopping power.
25
If you must stop quickly, whileturning or riding a curve, the besttechnique is to straighten themotorcycle upright first and thenbrake. However, it may not alwaysbe possible to straighten themotorcycle and then stop. If youmust brake while leaning, applylight brakes and reduce the throt-tle. As you slow, you can reduceyour lean angle and apply more
brake pressure until the motorcy-cle is straight and maximum brakepressure is possible. You shouldstraighten the handlebars in thelast few feet of stopping, themotorcycle should then be straightup and in balance.
SWERVING OR TURNINGQUICKLY
Sometimes you may not haveenough room to stop, even if youuse both brakes properly. Anobject might appear suddenly inyour path. Or the car ahead mightsqueal to a stop. The only way toavoid a crash may be to turnquickly, or swerve around it.
A swerve is any sudden change indirection. It can be two quickturns, or a rapid shift to the side.Apply a small amount of handpressure to the handgrip locatedon the side of your intended direc-tion of escape. This will cause themotorcycle to lean quickly. Thesharper the turn(s), the more themotorcycle must lean.
Keep your body upright and allowthe motorcycle to lean in the direc-tion of the turn while keeping yourknees against the tank and yourfeet solidly on the pegs. Let themotorcycle move underneath you.Make your escape route the targetof your vision. Press on the oppo-site handgrip once you clear theobstacle to return you to your orig-
7 Test Yourself
Reflective 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 46
STOPPING DISTANCE
SWERVE, THEN BRAKE BRAKE, THEN SWERVE
REAR
FRONT
BOTH
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inal direction of travel. To swerveto the left, press the left handgrip,then press the right to recover. Toswerve to the right, press right,then left.
IF BRAKING IS REQUIRED,SEPARATE IT FROM SWERV-ING. Brake before or afterneverwhile swerving.
CORNERING
A primary cause of single-vehiclecrashes is motorcyclists runningwide in a curve or turn and collid-ing with the roadway or a fixedobject.
Every curve is different. Be alertto whether a curve remains con-stant, gradually widens, getstighter, or involves multiple turns.
Ride within your skill level andposted speed limits.
Your best path may not always fol-low the curve of the road.
Change lane position depending ontraffic, road conditions and curveof the road. If no traffic is present,start at the outside of a curve toincrease your line of sight and theeffective radius of the turn. As youturn, move toward the inside of
27
DECREASING CURVES(TIGHTER TURNS) WIDENING CURVES
CONSTANT CURVES MULTIPLE CURVES
the curve, and as you pass the cen-ter, move to the outside to exit.
Another alternative is to move tothe center of your lane beforeentering a curveand stay thereuntil you exit. This permits you tospot approaching traffic as soon aspossible. You can also adjust fortraffic crowding the center line,or debris blocking part of yourlane.
Railroad tracks
Grooves and gratings
UNEVEN SURFACES ANDOBSTACLES
Watch for uneven surfaces such as
bumps, broken pavement, potholes,
or small pieces of highway trash.
Try to avoid obstacles by slowing
down 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 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 isstraight.
Rise slightly off the seat with
your weight on the footpegs to
absorb the shock with your
knees and elbows, and avoid
being thrown off the motorcycle.
Just before contact, roll on the
throttle slightly to lighten the
front end.
OBSTACLES
8 Test Yourself
The bes t way to s top quickly is to
A. Use the front brake only.
B. Use the rear brake first.
C. Throttle down and use the front
brake.
D. Use both brakes at the same time.
Answer - page 46
HANDLING DANGEROUSSURFACES
Your chance of falling or being
involved in a crash increases
whenever you ride across:
Uneven surfaces or obstacles
Slippery surfaces
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If you ride over an object on the
street, pull off the road and check
your tires and rims for damage
before riding any further.
SLIPPERY SURFACES
Motorcycles handle better when
ridden on surfaces that permit
good traction. Surfaces that pro-vide poor traction include:
Wet pavement, particularly
just after it starts to rain and
before surface oil washes to the
side of the road.
Gravel roads, or where sand
and gravel collect.
Mud, snow, and ice.
Lane markings, steel plates
and manhole covers, especially
when wet.
To ride safely on slippery surfaces:
Reduce SpeedSlow down
before you get to a slippery sur-
face to lessen your chances of
skidding. Your motorcycle needs
more distance to stop. And, it is
particularly important to reduce
speed before entering wet
curves.
Avoid Sudden MovesAny
sudden change in speed or
direction can cause a skid. Be
as smooth as possible when you
speed up, shift gears, turn or
brake.
Use Both BrakesThe front
brake is still effective, even on a
slippery surface. Squeeze the
brake lever gradually to avoid
locking the front wheel.
Remember, 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 by cars. Often, the
left tire track will be the best
position, depending on traffic
and other road conditions as
well.
Watch for oil spots when you
put your foot down to stop orpark. You may slip and fall.
Dirt and gravel collect along
the sides of the roadespecially
on curves and ramps leading to
and from highways. Be aware of
whats on the edge of the road,
particularly when making sharp
turns and getting on or off free-
ways at high speeds.
Rain dries and snow melts
faster on some sections of a
road than on others. Patches of
ice tend to crop up in low orshaded areas and on bridges
and overpasses. Wet surfaces or
wet leaves are just as slippery.
Ride on the least slippery por-
tion of the lane and reduce
speed.
Cautious riders steer clear of roads
covered with ice or snow. If you
cant avoid a slippery surface, keep
your motorcycle straight up and
proceed as slowly as possible. If
you encounter a larger surface so
slippery that you must coast, or
travel at a walking pace, consider
letting your feet skim along the
surface. If the motorcycle starts to
fall, you can catch yourself. Be
sure to keep off the brakes. If pos-
sible, squeeze the clutch and coast.
Attempting this maneuver at any-
thing other than the slowest of
speeds could prove hazardous.
29
RAILROAD TRACKS, TROLLEYTRACKS AND PAVEMENT SEAMS
Usually it is safer to ride straight
within your lane to cross tracks.
Turning to take tracks head-on (ata 90 angle) can be more danger-
ousyour path may carry you into
another lane of traffic.
For track and road seams that run
parallel to your course, move far
enough away from tracks, ruts, or
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 bridge
grating may cause a motorcycle toweave. 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 wan-
dering feeling.
99 Test YourselfWhen it starts to rain it is usu-
ally 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 46
CROSS TRACKS-RIGHT
CROSS TRACKS-WRONG
PARALLEL TRACKS-WRONG
PARALLEL TRACKS-RIGHT
GRATE CROSSINGS-WRONG
GRATE CROSSINGS-RIGHT
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MECHANICAL PROBLEMS
You can find yourself in an emer-
gency the moment something goes
wrong with your motorcycle. In
dealing with any mechanical prob-
lem, take into account the road
and traffic conditions you face.
Here are some guidelines that can
help you handle mechanical prob-lems safely.
TIRE FAILURE
You seldom hear a tire go flat. If
the motorcycle starts handling dif-
ferently, it may be a tire failure.
This can be dangerous. You must
be able to tell from the way the
motorcycle reacts. If one of your
tires suddenly loses air, react
quickly to keep your balance. Pull
off and check the tires.
If the front tire goes flat, the steer-
ing will feel heavy. A front-wheel
flat is particularly hazardous
because it affects your steering.
You have to steer well to keep your
balance.
If the rear tire goes flat, the back
of the motorcycle may jerk or sway
from side to side.
If either tire goes flat while riding:
Hold handgrips firmly, ease off
the throttle, and keep a straight
course.
If braking is required, howev-
er, gradually apply the brake of
the tire that isnt flat, if you are
sure which one it is.
When the motorcycle slows,
edge to the side of the road,
squeeze clutch and stop.
STUCK THROTTLE
Twist the throttle back and forth
several times. If the throttle cable
is stuck, this may free it. If the
throttle stays stuck, immediately
operate the engine cut-off switch
and pull in the clutch at the same
time. This will remove power from
the rear wheel, though enginenoise may not immediately decline.
Once the motorcycle is under con-
trol, pull off and stop.
After you have stopped, check the
throttle cable carefully to find the
source of the trouble. Make certain
the throttle works freely before
you start to ride again.
WOBBLE
A wobble occurs when the frontwheel and handlebars suddenly
start to shake from side to side at
any speed. Most wobbles can be
traced to improper loading, unsuit-
able 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 forward on the motor-
cycle. Make sure tire pressure,
spring pre-load, air shocks, and
dampers are at the settings recom-mended for that much weight.
Make sure windshields and fair-
ings are mounted properly.
Check for poorly adjusted steering;worn steering parts; a front wheelthat is bent, misaligned, or out ofbalance; loose wheel bearings orspokes; and swingarm bearings. Ifnone of these are determined to bethe cause, have the motorcyclechecked out thoroughly by a quali-fied professional.
31
910 Test YourselfIf your motorcycle starts to wobble
A. Accelerate out of the wobble.
B. Use the brake gradually.
C. Grip the handlebars firmly and
close the throttle gradually.
D. Downshift. Answer - page 46
Trying to accelerate out of a wob-
ble will only make the motorcycle
more unstable. Instead:
Grip the handlebars firmly,
but dont fight the wobble.
Close the throttle gradually
to slow down. Do not apply the
brakes; braking could make the
wobble worse. Move your weight as far for-
ward and down as possible.
Pull off the road as soon as
you can to fix the problem.
CHAIN PROBLEMS
A chain that slips or breaks while
youre riding could lock the rear
wheel and cause your cycle to skid.
Chain slippage or breakage can be
avoided by proper maintenance.
SlippageIf the chain slips when
you try to speed up quickly or
ride uphill, pull off the road.
Check the chain and sprockets.
Tightening the chain may help.
If the problem is a worn or
stretched chain or worn or bent
sprockets, replace the chain, the
sprockets, or both before riding
again.
BreakageYoull notice an instant
loss of power to the rear wheel.
Close the throttle and brake to
a stop.
ENGINE SEIZURE
When the engine locks orfreezes it is usually low on oil.The engines moving parts cantmove smoothly against each other,and the engine overheats. The firstsign may be a loss of engine poweror a change in the engines sound.Squeeze the clutch lever to disen-
gage the engine from the rearwheel. Pull off the road and stop.Check the oil. If needed, oil shouldbe added as soon as possible or theengine will seize. When this hap-pens, the effect is the same as alocked rear wheel. Let the enginecool before restarting.
ANIMALS
Naturally, you should do every-thing you safely can to avoid hit-ting an animal. If you are in traf-fic; however, remain in your lane.Hitting something small is lessdangerous to you than hittingsomething biglike a car.
Motorcycles seem to attract dogs.If you are chased, downshift andapproach the animal slowly. Asyou approach it, accelerate awayand leave the animal behind. Dontkick at an animal. Keep control ofyour motorcycle, and look to whereyou want to go.
For larger animals (deer, elk, cat-tle) brake and prepare to stop,they are unpredictable.
911 Test YourselfIf you are chased by a dog:
A. Kick it away.
B. Stop until the animal loses interest.
C. Swerve around the animal.D.Approach the animal slowly, then
speed up.
Answer - page 46
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FLYING OBJECTS
From time to time riders are
struck by insects, cigarettes
thrown from cars, or pebbles
kicked up by the tires of the vehi-
cle ahead. If you are wearing face
protection, it might get smeared or
cracked, making it difficult to see.
Without face protection, an objectcould hit you in the eye, face, or
mouth. Whatever happens, keep
your eyes on the road and your
hands on the handlebars. When
safe, pull off the road and repair
the damage.
GETTING OFF THE ROAD
If you need to leave the road to
check the motorcycle (or just to
rest for a while), be sure you:
Check the roadsideMake sure
the surface of the roadside is
firm enough to ride on. If it is
soft grass, loose sand, or if
youre just not sure about it,
slow way down before you turn
onto it.
SignalDrivers behind might
not expect you to slow down.
Give a clear signal that you will
be slowing down and changing
direction. Check your mirrorand make a head check before
you take any action.
Pull off the roadGet as far off
the road as you can. It can be
very hard to spot a motorcycle
by the side of the road. You
dont want someone else pulling
off at the same place you are.
Park carefullyLoose and
sloped shoulders can make set-
ting the side or center stand dif-
ficult.
CARRYING PASSENGERSAND CARGO
Only experienced riders should
carry passengers or large loads.
The extra weight changes the way
the motorcycle handles, balances,
turns, speeds up, and slows down.
Before taking a passenger or heavy
load on the street, practice awayfrom traffic.
EQUIPMENT
To carry passengers safely:
Equip and adjust your motor-
cycle to carry passengers.
Instruct the passenger before
you start.
Adjust your riding technique
for the added weight.
Equipment should include:
A proper seatlarge enough to
hold both of you without crowd-
ing. You should not sit any far-
ther forward than you usually
do.
Footpegsfor the passenger.
Firm footing prevents your pas-
senger from falling off and
pulling you off, too.
Protective equipmentthe
same protective gear recom-mended for operators.
Adjust the suspension to handle
the additional weight. You will
probably need to add a few pounds
of pressure to the tires if you carry
a passenger. (Check your owners
manual for appropriate settings.)
While your passenger sits on the
seat with you, adjust the mirror
and headlight according to the
change in the motorcycles angle.
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INSTRUCTING PASSENGERS
Even if your passenger is a motor-
cycle rider, provide complete
instructions before you start. Tell
your passenger to:
Get on the motorcycle only after
you have started the engine.
Sit as far forward as possiblewithout crowding you.
Hold firmly to your waist, hips,
or belt.
Keep both feet on the pegs,
even when stopped.
Keep legs away from the muf-
fler(s), chains or moving parts.
Stay directly behind you,
leaning as you lean.
Avoid unnecessary talk or
motion.
Also, tell your passenger to tightenhis or her hold when you:
Approach surface problems.
Are about to start from a stop.
Warn that you will make a sud-
den move.
RIDINGWITH PASSENGERS
Your motorcycle will respond more
slowly with a passenger on board.
The heavier your passenger, thelonger it will take to slow down,
speed up, or turnespecially on a
light motorcycle.
Ride a little slower, especially
when taking curves, corners, or
bumps.
Start slowing earlier as you
approach a stop.
Open up a larger cushion of
space ahead and to the sides.
Wait for larger gaps to cross,
enter, or merge in traffic.
Warn your passenger of special
conditionswhen you will pull out,
stop quickly, turn sharply, or ride
over a bump. Turn your head
slightly to make yourself under-
stood, but keep your eyes on the
road ahead.
CARRYING LOADS
Most motorcycles are not designed
to carry much cargo. Small loads
can be carried safely if positionedand fastened properly.
Keep the Load LowFasten
loads securely, or put them in
saddle bags. Piling loads
against a sissybar or frame on
the back of the seat raises the
motorcycles center of gravity
and disturbs its balance.
Keep the Load ForwardPlace
the load over, or in front of, the
rear axle. Tank bags keep loads
forward, but use caution when
loading hard or sharp objects.
Make sure tank bag does not
interfere with handlebars or
controls. Mounting loads behind
the rear axle can affect how the
motorcycle turns and brakes. It
can also cause a wobble.
Distribute the Load Evenly
Load saddlebags with about the
same weight. An uneven load
can cause the motorcycle to
drift to one side.
912 Test YourselfPassengers should:
A. Lean as you lean.
B. Hold on to the motorcycle seat.
C. Sit as far back as possible.
D. Never hold onto you.
Answer - page 46
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Secure the LoadFasten theload securely with elastic cords(bungee cords or nets). Elasticcords with more than oneattachment point per side aremore secure. A tight load wontcatch in the wheel or chain,causing it to lock up and skid.Rope tends to stretch and knotscome loose, permitting the loadto shift or fall.
Check the LoadStop andcheck the load every so often tomake sure it has not workedloose or moved.
GROUP RIDING
If you ride with others, do it in away that promotes safety anddoesnt interfere with the flow oftraffic.
KEEP THE GROUP SMALL
Small groups make it easier andsafer for car drivers who need toget around them. A small numberisnt separated as easily by trafficor red lights. Riders wont alwaysbe hurrying to catch up. If yourgroup is larger than four or fiveriders, divide it up into two ormore smaller groups.
KEEP THE GROUP TOGETHER
PlanThe leader should lookahead for changes and signalearly so the word gets back in
plenty of time. Start lanechanges early to permit every-one to complete the change.
Put Beginners Up FrontPlace inexperienced riders justbehind the leader. That way themore experienced riders canwatch them from the back.
Follow Those BehindLet thetailender set the pace. Use yourmirrors to keep an eye on theperson behind. If a rider fallsbehind, everyone should slowdown a little to stay with thetailender.
Know the RouteMake sureeveryone knows the route.Then, if someone is separatedthey wont have to hurry tokeep from getting lost or takinga wrong turn. Plan frequentstops on long rides.
KEEPYOUR DISTANCE
Maintain close ranks, but at thesame time keep a safe distance toallow each rider in the group timeand space to react to hazards. Aclose group takes up less space onthe highway, is easier to see and isless likely to be separated.However, it must be done properly.
Dont Pair UpNever operatedirectly alongside another rider.There is no place to go if youhave to avoid a car or some-thing on the road. To talk, wait
until you are both stopped. Staggered FormationThis isthe best way to keep ranks closeyet maintain an adequate spacecushion. The leader rides in theleft side of the lane, while the
35
STAGGERED FORMATION
second rider stays one secondbehind in the right side of thelane.
A third rider maintains in the leftposition, two seconds behind thefirst rider. The fourth rider wouldkeep a two-second distance behindthe second rider. This formationkeeps the group close and permitseach rider a safe distance from theothers ahead, behind and to thesides.
Passing in FormationRidersin a staggered formation shouldpass one at a time.
First, the lead rider shouldpull out and pass when it issafe. After passing, the leadershould return to the left posi-tion and continue riding atpassing speed to open room forthe next rider.
After the first rider passes
safely, the second rider shouldmove up to the left position andwatch for a safe chance to pass.After passing, this rider shouldreturn to the right position andopen up room for the next rider.
Some people suggest that theleader should move to the rightside after passing a vehicle. This isnot a good idea. It encourages thesecond rider to pass and cut backin before there is a large enoughspace cushion in front of thepassed vehicle. Its simpler andsafer to wait until there is enoughroom ahead of the passed vehicleto allow each rider to move intothe same position held before thepass.
Single File-FormationIt isbest to move into a single-fileformation when riding curves,turning, entering or leaving ahighway.
GROUP PASSING (STAGE 1) GROUP PASSING (STAGE 2)
913 Test YourselfWhen riding in a group
inexperienced riders should
position themselves:
A. Just behind the leader.B. In front of the group.
C.At the tail end of the group.
D. Beside the leader.
Answer - page 46
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WHY THIS INFORMATIONIS IMPORTANT
Alcohol is a major contributor tomotorcycle crashes, particularlyfatal crashes. Studies show that40% to 45% of all riders killed inmotorcycle crashes had been drink-ing. Only one-third of those riders
had a blood alcohol concentrationabove legal limits. The rest hadonly a few drinks in their system-enough to impair riding skills. Inthe past, drug levels have beenharder to distinguish or have notbeen separated from drinking vio-lations for the traffic records. Butriding under the influence ofeither alcohol or drugs poses physi-cal and legal hazards for everyrider.
Drinking and drug use is as big a
problem among motorcyclists as itis among automobile drivers.Motorcyclists; however, are morelikely to be killed or severelyinjured in a crash. Injuries occurin 90% of motorcycle crashes and33% of automobile crashes thatinvolve abuse of substances. On ayearly basis, 2,100 motorcyclistsare killed and about 50,000 seri-ously injured in this same type ofcrash. These statistics are toooverwhelming to ignore.
By becoming knowledgeable aboutthe effects of alcohol and otherdrugs you will see that riding andsubstance abuse dont mix. Takepositive steps to protect yourselfand to prevent others from injur-ing themselves.
ALCOHOL AND OTHER
DRUGS IN MOTORCYCLEOPERATION
No one is immune to the effects ofalcohol or drugs. Friends may bragabout their ability to hold theirliquor or perform better on drugs,but alcohol or drugs make themless able to think clearly and per-form physical tasks skillfully.Judgment and the decision-makingprocess needed for vehicle opera-tion are affected long before legallimitations are reached.
Many over-the-counter, prescrip-tions, and illegal drugs have sideeffects that increase the risk of rid-ing. It is difficult to accuratelymeasure the involvement of partic-ular drugs in motorcycle crashes.But we do know what effects vari-ous drugs have on the processinvolved in riding a motorcycle. Wealso know that the combinedeffects of alcohol and other drugsare more dangerous than either is
alone.
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ALCOHOL IN THE BODY
Alcohol enters the bloodstreamquickly. Unlike most foods andbeverages, it does not need to bedigested. Within minutes afterbeing consumed, it reaches thebrain and begins to affect thedrinker. The major effect alcoholhas is to slow down and impair
bodily functionsboth mental andphysical. Whatever you do, you doless well after consuming alcohol.
BLOODALCOHOLCONCENTRATION
Blood Alcohol Concentration orBAC is the amount of alcohol inrelation to blood in the body.Generally, alcohol can be eliminat-ed in the body at the rate of almostone drink per hour. But a varietyof other factors may also influencethe level of alcohol retained. Themore alcohol in your blood, thegreater the degree of impairment.
Three factors play a major part indetermining BAC:
The amount of alcohol you con-sume.
How fast you drink. Your body weight.
Other factors also contribute to theway alcohol affects your system.Your sex, physical condition andfood intake are just a few that maycause your BAC level to be evenhigher. But the full effects of theseare not completely known.
Alcohol may still accumulatein your body even if you aredrinking at a rate of one drink
per hour.Abilities and judgmentcan be affected by that one drink.
A 12-ounce can of beer, a mixeddrink with one shot of liquor and a5-ounce glass of wine all containthe same amount of alcohol.
The faster you drink, the morealcohol accumulates in your body.If you drink two drinks in an hour,at the end of that hour, at leastone drink will remain in yourbloodstream.
Without taking into account any ofthe other factors, the formulabelow illustrates the LEASTamount of drinks remaining in thebloodstream.
Total # hours drinks
drinks LESS since last EQUALS left
consumed drink in body
- =
BEING IN SHAPE TO RIDE
Riding a motorcycle is a demanding and complex task. Skilled riders payattention to the riding environment and to operating the motorcycle, iden-tifying potential hazards, making good judgments, and executing decisionsquickly and skillfully. Your ability to perform and respond to changingroad and traffic conditions is influenced by how fit and alert you are.Alcohol and other drugs, more than any other factor, degrade your abilityto think clearly and to ride safely. As little as one drink can have a signifi-cant effect on your performance.
Lets 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.
ALCOHOL CONCENTRATION
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A person drinking:
8 drinks in 4 hours would haveat least 4 drinks remaining inhis/her system.
7 drinks in 3 hours would haveat least 4 drinks remaining inhis/her system.
There are times when larger per-
sons may not accumulate as high aconcentration of alcohol for eachdrink consumed. They have moreblood and other bodily fluids. Butbecause of individual differences itis better not to take the chancethat abilities and judgment havenot been affected. Whether or notyou are legally intoxicated is notthe real issue. Impairment of judg-ment and skills begins well belowthe legal limit.
ALCOHOL AND THE LAW
It is against the law to operate amotor vehicle while intoxicated. InTexas, a person with a BloodAlcohol Concentration (BAC) of .08percent or more is legally intoxi-cated. Texas Zero Tolerance forMinors law make it illegal for per-sons under 21 to operate a motorvehicle (motorcycle) withANYdetectable amount of alcohol in hisor her system in a public place.
Doing so constitutes a criminaloffense of (Driving Under theInfluence of Alcohol by a Minor).
CONSEQUENCES OF ADWIARREST
A few years ago, DWI offendershad a good chance of getting offwith a small fine and participationin a DWI class. Today, Texas has atough stand against the drinkingdriver and a person arrested for
DWI could expect the following on
a first offense.
Being videotaped as you performdifferent tests at the police sta-tion.
Spending the night in jail withdrunks, thieves, drug addicts,and the like.
Posting a cash bond of $500 ormore or paying a bonding fee to
get out. Paying a towing fee to a wrecker
for towing your motorcycle fromthe arrest scene.
Having a wrecker driver strapyour motorcycle to his wreckerand carry it away.
Explaining what happened toyour family and employer.
Paying a legal fee to an attorney. Interrupting your life and your
work to have to appear in court. Having your fingerprints taken.
Undergoing an alcohol or drugdependency evaluation.
CONSEQUENCES OF CONVICTION
Have your driver license sus-pended for up to 180 days underthe Administrative LicenseRevocation Program.
Pay a fine up to $2,000 for thefirst DWI conviction.Subsequent convictions can costup to $10,000.
Pay court costs from $70 up. Receive a jail sentence from 72
hours to 10 years. You may beeligible for probation on a firstoffense of DWI.
Visit your probation officerweekly while on probation.
May be required to do volunteerservice in your community.
May be required to attend a DWIrehabilitation program.
May have to pay increased insur-ance rates.
May have to pay a lawyer for
39
legal defense. Will have an entry on your crim-
inal history that can follow youthe rest of your life.
MINIMIZE THE RISKS
Your ability to judge how well youare riding is affected first.Although you may be performing
more and more poorly, you thinkyou are doing better and better.The result is that you ride confi-dently, taking greater and greaterrisks. Minimize the risks of drink-ing and riding by taking stepsbefore you drink. Control yourdrinking or control your riding.
DONT DRINK
Dont DrinkOnce you start, yourresistance becomes weaker.
Setting a limit or pacing yourselfare poor alternatives at best. Yourability to exercise good judgment isone of the first things affected byalcohol. Even if you have tried todrink in moderation, you may notrealize to what extent your skillshave suffered from alcohols fatigu-ing effects.
Dont RideIf you havent con-trolled your drinking, you mustcontrol your riding.
Leave the motorcycle homeSo you wont be tempted to ride.Arrange another way to gethome.
WaitIf you exceed your limit,wait until your system elimi-nates the alcohol and its fatigu-ing effects.
STEP IN TO PROTECTFRIENDS
People who have had too much to
drink are unable to make a respon-sible decision. It is up to others tostep in and keep them from takingtoo great a risk. No one wants todo thisits uncomfortable, embar-rassing, and thankless. You arerarely thanked for your efforts atthe time. But the alternatives areoften worse.
There are several ways to keepfriends from hurting themselves:
Arrange a safe rideProvidealternative ways for them to gethome.
Slow the pace of drinkingInvolve them in other activities.
Keep them thereUse anyexcuse to keep them from get-ting on their motorcycle. Servethem food and coffee to pass thetime. Explain your concerns for
their risks of getting arrested orhurt, or hurting someone else.
Get friends involvedUse peerpressure from a group of friendsto intervene.
It helps to enlist support from oth-ers when you decide to step in. Themore people on your side, the easi-er it is to be firm and the harder itis for the rider to resist. While youmay not be thanked at the time,you will never have to say, If only
I had...
914 Test YourselfIf you wait an hour for eac h
drink before riding:
A. You cannot be arrested for drink-ing and riding.
B.Your riding skills will not be affected.
C. Side effects from the drinking maystill remain.
D.You will be okay as long as youride slowly.
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FATIGUE
Riding a motorcycle is more tiring
than driving a car. On a long trip,
youll tire sooner than you would
in a car. Avoid riding when tired.
Fatigue can affect your control of
the motorcycle.
Protect yourselffrom the ele-mentsWind, cold, and rain
make you tire quickly. Dress
warmly. A windshield is worth
its cost if you plan to ride long
distances.
Limit your distance
Experienced riders seldom try
to ride more than about six
hours a day.
Take frequent rest breaks
Stop, and get off the motorcycle
at least every two hours.
Dont drink or use drugsArtificial stimulants often
result in extreme fatigue or
depression when they start to
wear off. Riders are unable to
concentrate on the task at hand.
41
Motorcycling is very popular in
Texas. Before you take to the road,
you should know the Texas laws
governing motorcycles, and the
common sense safety rules.
If you have never ridden a
motorcycle, you should know thata motorcycle only looks easy toride. Motorcycles are different
from other vehiclesonly twowheels place more demand on the
operator for balance and coordina-tion. The motorcycles smaller size
makes it harder for others to see itin traffic and the rider more vul-
nerable to injury in a crash. Ridinga motorcycle requires special skills
and knowledge beyond thoserequired for driving a car.
On todays highways, there arelarge numbers of motorcycle riders
and an even larger number ofautomobile drivers who do not
understand how to safely mix intraffic. This lack of knowledge has
resulted in an increase in motorcy-cle-related crashes. The key to
safety is understanding and learn-ing how to share the roadway.
Knowing all you can about the
motorcycle you ride, or intend to
ride, is good preparation for safeand enjoyable riding. Learning toride off the street in The Course
for Motorcycle Riders is goodinsurance. When you take to the
road, you will be able to concen-trate on the traffic because control
of the motorcycle becomes secondnature with the proper instruction.
There are plenty of things on thehighway that can cause you trou-
ble. Your motorcycle should not beone of them. Three ways to be sure
your motorcycle wont let you down
are:
Make sure you have the rightequipment to begin with.
Keep your motorcycle in safe rid-ing condition.
Avoid adding accessories or mak-ing modifications that make
your motorcycle harder to han-dle.
EQUIPMENT
Texas law requires the following
equipment on Motorcycles and
Motor-Driven Cycles:
Wheel Assembly Exhaust System
Tail Lamp (1) Stop Lamp (1)
License Plate Lamp Rear Red Reflector
Head Lamp (1) Motorcycle,