MOTORCYCLISTS’ HANDBOOK

NORTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Division of Motor Vehicles

Thirteenth Edition, September 2007 LICENSING AND REGISTRATION

The law in North Carolina requires the operator of any motor- cycle to have a motorcycle endorsement shown on their driver’s license. An endorsement may be obtained upon initial issuance of a driver’s license, or any time thereafter, by taking a knowledge test that includes questions on motorcycling, and an off-street motor- cycle skills test. The knowledge test will be waived on a renewal. A duplicate license may be issued to add an endorsement to your present license if the above testing requirements are satisfied.

If you are not prepared to take the skills portion of the test, you may apply for a motorcycle learner permit if you possess a full pro- visional, regular or commercial license. The knowledge, road sign identification and vision test are required.

When you register a motorcyle with the Division of Motor Vehicles, you will receive a license plate to be placed on the back of the motorcycle. Keep the plate clean and readable. CONTENTS

PREPARING HANDLING DANEROUS SURFACES ....29 Uneven Surfaces and Obstacles...29 TO RIDE Slippery Surfaces ...... 30 WEAR THE RIGHT GEAR ...... 6 Railroad Tracks, Trolley Tracks Helmet Use ...... 6 and Pavement Seams ...... 31 Helmet Selection...... 6 Grooves and Gratings ...... 31 Eye and Face Protection ...... 7 MECHANICAL PROBLEMS ...... 32 Clothing ...... 8 Tire Failure...... 32 KNOW YOUR MOTORCYCLE ...... 8 Stuck Throttle...... 32 The Right Motorcycle for You...... 8 Wobble ...... 32 Borrowing and Lending...... 9 Chain Problems...... 33 Get Familiar with the Engine Seizure ...... 33 Motorcycle Controls ...... 9 ANIMALS...... 33 Check Your Motorcycle...... 10 FLYING OBJECTS ...... 34 KNOW YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES...... 11 GETTING OFF THE ROAD ...... 34 CARRYING PASSENGERS RIDE WITHIN AND CARGO ...... 34 YOUR ABILITIES Equipment...... 34 BASIC VEHICLE CONTROL ...... 12 Instructing Passengers...... 35 Body Position...... 12 Riding With Passengers ...... 35 Shifting Gears ...... 12 Carrying Loads ...... 35 Braking...... 13 GROUP RIDING...... 36 Turning...... 13 Keep the Group Small ...... 36 KEEPING YOUR DISTANCE ...... 14 Keep the Group Together...... 36 Lane Positions...... 14 Keep Your Distance ...... 36 Following Another Vehicle...... 15 Being Followed...... 16 BEING IN SHAPE Passing and Being Passed...... 16 TO RIDE Lane Sharing...... 18 WHY THIS INFORMATION IS Merging Cars ...... 18 IMPORTANT...... 38 Cars Alongside...... 18 ALCOHOL AND OTHER DRUGS IN SEE...... 19 MOTORCYCLE OPERATION...... 38 INTERSECTIONS ...... 20 ALCOHOL IN THE BODY ...... 39 Blind Intersections ...... 21 Blood Alcohol Concentration ...... 39 Passing Parked Cars...... 22 ALCOHOL AND THE LAW...... 40 Parking at the Roadside ...... 22 Consequences of Conviction ...... 40 INCREASING CONSPICUITY...23 MINIMIZE THE RISKS ...... 40 Clothing ...... 23 Headlight...... 23 STEP IN TO PROTECT FRIENDS...... 41 Signals...... 23 FATIGUE...... 41 Brake Light ...... 24 Using Your Mirrors...... 24 Head Checks ...... 25 EARNING Horn ...... 25 YOUR LICENSE Riding at Night ...... 26 Knowledge Test ...... 42 CRASH AVOIDANCE...... 26 On-Cycle Skill Test...... 43 Quick Stops...... 26 Swerving or Turning Quickly...... 27 Cornering ...... 28 PREPARING TO RIDE What you do before you start a trip goes a long way toward determining whether or not you’ll get where you want to go safely. Before taking off on any trip, a safe rider makes a point to: 1. Wear the right gear. 2. Become familiar with the motorcycle. 3. Check the motorcycle equipment. 4. Be a responsible rider.

WEAR THE RIGHT GEAR by the manufacturer on the back of the helmet. It will also have permanently When you ride, your gear is attached label either sewn or glued “right” if it protects you. In any in the interior of the helmet that has crash, you have a far better chance of the manufacturer's name or identification. avoiding serious injury if you wear: It should have the precise model, size, and year of manufacture, type of shell • An approved helmet.

EAR and liner construction materials and • Face or eye protection. G an instruction label for cleaning and care • Protective clothing. of the helmet. The helmet must be properly secured with a retention strap. IGHT

R HELMET USE Here are some facts to consider: Crashes are not rare events — particularly among beginning riders. • An approved helmet lets you And one out of every five motorcycle see as far to the sides as neces- EAR THE crashes result in head or neck injuries. sary. A study of more than 900

W Head injuries are just as severe as motorcycle crashes, where 40% neck injuries — and far more com- of the riders wore helmets, did mon. Crash analyses show that head not find even one case in which and neck injuries account for a majori- a helmet kept a rider from spot- ty of serious and fatal injuries to ting danger. motorcyclists. Research also shows • Most crashes happen on short that, with few exceptions, head and trips (less than five miles long), neck injuries are reduced by the prop- just a few minutes after starting er wearing of an approved helmet. out. Some riders don’t wear helmets • Most riders are riding slower because they think helmets will limit than 30 mph when a crash their view to the sides. Others wear occurs. At these speeds, helmets helmets only on long trips or when can cut both the number and the riding at high speeds. North Carolina severity of head injuries by half. law requires the operator and all No matter what the speed, helmeted passengers to wear a helmet when riders are three times more likely to riding a motorcycle. The helmet must be survive head injuries than those not of a type that complies (effective January wearing helmets at the time of the 2008) with Federal Motor Vehicle crash. Safety Standard (FMVSS) 218. Compliant safety helmets will have the symbol "DOT" permanently installed

6 HELMET SELECTION There are two primary types of Whichever style you choose, you helmets, providing two different levels can get the most protection by making of coverage: three-quarter and full sure that the helmet: face.

HELMETS H ELMET U SE

• Meets U.S. Department of Goggles protect your eyes, Transportation (DOT) and state though they won’t protect the rest of standards. Helmets with a label your face like a faceshield does. A

from the Snell Memorial windshield is not a substitute for a E

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

7 CLOTHING KNOW YOUR The right clothing protects you in MOTORCYCLE

LOTHING a crash. It also provides comfort, as There are plenty of things on the C well as protection from heat, cold, highway that can cause you trouble. debris and hot and moving parts of Your motorcycle should not be one of the motorcycle. them. To make sure that your motor- • Jacket and pants should cover cycle won’t let you down: arms and legs completely. They • Read the owner’s manual first. should fit snugly enough to keep • Start with the right motorcycle from flapping in the wind, yet for you. loosely enough to move freely. • Be familiar with the motorcycle Leather offers the most protec- controls. tion. Sturdy synthetic material • Check the motorcycle before provides a lot of protection as every ride. well. Wear a jacket even in • Keep it in safe riding condition warm weather to prevent dehy- between rides. dration. Many are designed to • Avoid add-ons and modifications protect without getting you over- that make your motorcycle harder heated, even on summer days. to handle. • Boots or shoes should be high OTORCYCLE and sturdy enough to cover your M ankles and give them support. THE RIGHT MOTORCYCLE Soles should be made of hard, FOR YOU

IGHT durable, slip-resistant material.

R Keep heels short so they do not First, make sure your motorcycle catch on rough surfaces. Tuck is right for you. It should “fit” you. HE Your feet should reach the ground T laces in so they won’t catch on your motorcycle. while you are seated on the motor- • Gloves allow a better grip and cycle. help protect your hands in a crash. Your gloves should be made of leather or similar durable material. In cold or wet weather, your 1 Test Yourself clothes should keep you warm and dry, as well as protect you from injury. A plastic shatter-resistant face You cannot control a motorcycle well shield: if you are numb. Riding for long peri- A. Is not necessary if you have a ods in cold weather can cause severe windshield. chill and fatigue. A winter jacket B. Only protects your eyes. should resist wind and fit snugly at the C. Helps protect your whole face. neck, wrists, and waist. Good-quality D. Does not protect your face as rainsuits designed for motorcycle well as goggles. riding resist tearing apart or balloon- Answer - page 42 ing up at high speeds.

8 At minimum, your street-legal are licensed and know how to ride K motorcycle should have: before allowing them out into traffic. NOW • Headlight, taillight and No matter how experienced you Y

brakelight. may be, ride extra carefully on any OUR • Front and rear brakes. motorcycle that’s new or unfamiliar to • Turn signals. you. More than half of all crashes M • Horn. occur on motorcycles ridden by the OTORCYCLE • Two mirrors. operator for less than six months.

BORROWING AND LENDING GET FAMILIAR WITH THE Borrowers and lenders of MOTORCYCLE CONTROLS motorcycles, beware. Crashes are Make sure you are completely fairly common among beginning familiar with the motorcycle before riders — especially in the first you take it out on the street. Be sure months of riding. Riding an to review the owner’s manual. This is unfamiliar motorcycle adds to the particularly important if you are riding problem. If you borrow a motorcycle, a borrowed motorcycle. get familiar with it in a controlled If you are going to use an unfamil- area. And if you lend your iar motorcycle: motorcycle to friends, make sure they

MOTORCYCLE CONTROLS

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

Horn Button Throttle

Clutch Lever Front Brake Lever Speedometer & Odometer Tachometer (if equipped)

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

9 • Make all the checks you would • Brake Light — Try both brake on your own motorcycle. controls, and make sure each one • Find out where everything is, turns on the brake light. particularly the turn signals, horn, Once you have mounted the headlight switch, fuel-control motorcycle, complete the following

OTORCYCLE valve, and engine cut-off switch. checks before starting out:

M Find and operate these items • Clutch and Throttle — Make without having to look for them. sure they work smoothly. The

OUR • Know the gear pattern. Work throttle should snap back when

Y the throttle, clutch and brakes a few you let go. The clutch should times before you start riding. All feel tight and smooth. controls react a little differently. • Mirrors — Clean and adjust HECK • Ride very cautiously and be both mirrors before starting. It’s C aware of surroundings. difficult to ride with one hand Accelerate gently, take turns while you try to adjust a mirror. more slowly, and leave extra Adjust each mirror so you can room for stopping. see the lane behind and as much as possible of the lane next to you. When properly adjusted, a CHECK YOUR MOTORCYCLE mirror may show the edge of A motorcycle needs more frequent your arm or shoulder — but it’s attention than a car. A minor technical the road behind and to the side failure in a car seldom leads to any- that’s most important. thing more than an inconvenience for • Brakes — Try the front and rear the driver. brake levers one at a time. Make sure each one feels firm and If something’s wrong with the holds the motorcycle when the motorcycle, you’ll want to find out brake is fully applied. about it before you get in traffic. • Horn — Try the horn. Make Make a complete check of your sure it works. motorcycle before every ride. In addition to the checks you should Before mounting the motorcycle, make before every trip, check the fol- make the following checks: lowing items at least once a week: • Tires — Check the air pressure, Wheels, cables, fasteners and fluid general wear and tread. checks. Follow your owner’s manual • Fluids — Oil and fluid levels. to get recommendations. At a minimum, check hydraulic 2 Test Yourself fluids and coolants weekly. Look under the motorcycle for signs of More than half of all crashes: an oil or gas leak. A. Occur at speeds greater than • Headlights and Taillight — 35 mph. Check them both. Test your B. Happen at night. switch to make sure both high C. Are caused by worn tires. and low beams are working. D. Involve riders who have ridden • Turn Signals — Turn on both their motorcycles less than six right and left turn signals. Make months. sure all lights are working Answer - page 42 properly. 10 K

KNOW YOUR • Be visible — wear proper cloth- NOW RESPONSIBILITIES ing, use your headlight, ride in the best lane position to see and

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

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

too much throttle. Also, adjust BASIC VEHICLE the handlebars so your hands are CONTROL even with or below your elbows. This permits you to use the prop- er muscles for precision steering. BODY POSITION • Knees — Keep your knees To control a motorcycle well: against the gas tank to help you keep your balance as the motor- • Posture — Sit so you can use cycle turns. your arms to steer the motorcycle • Feet — Keep your feet firmly on rather than to hold yourself up. the footpegs to maintain balance. • Seat — Sit far enough forward so Don’t drag your feet. If your OSITION that arms are slightly bent when P foot catches on something, you you hold the handlegrips. could be injured and it could Bending your arms permits you

ODY affect your control of the motor-

B to press on the handlebars with- cycle. Keep your feet near the out having to stretch. controls so you can get to them • Hands — Hold the handlegrips fast if needed. Also, don’t let firmly to keep your grip over your toes point downward — rough surfaces. Start with your they may get caught between the right wrist flat. This will help road and the footpegs. you keep from accidentally using

HOLDING HANDLEGRIPS SHIFTING GEARS There is more to shifting gears than simply getting the motorcycle to RIGHT pick up speed smoothly. Learning to EARS use the gears correctly when down- G shifting, turning or starting on hills is important for safe motorcycle opera- tion.

HIFTING Shift down through the gears with S the clutch as you slow or stop. WRONG Remain in first gear while you are stopped so that you can move out quickly if you need to.

12 tion is available for stopping. A B

Make certain you are riding slowly RAKING enough when you shift into a lower skid can occur if you apply too gear. If not, the motorcycle will lurch, much brake. Also, using the front and the rear wheel may skid. When brake incorrectly on a slippery riding downhill or shifting into first surface may be hazardous. Use gear you may need to use the brakes caution and squeeze the brake to slow enough before downshifting lever, never grab. safely. Work toward a smooth, even • Some motorcycles have integrat- clutch release, especially when down- ed braking systems that link the shifting. front and rear brakes together by applying the rear brake pedal. It is best to change gears before (Consult the owner’s manual for a entering a turn. However, sometimes detailed explanation on the opera- shifting while in the turn is necessary. tion and effective use of these If so, remember to do so smoothly. A systems.) sudden change in power to the rear wheel can cause a skid. TURNING T Riders often try to take curves or URNING BRAKING turns too fast. When they can’t hold Your motorcycle has two brakes: the turn, they end up crossing into one each for the front and rear wheel. another lane of traffic or going off the Use both of them at the same time. road. Or, they overreact and brake too The front brake is more powerful and hard, causing a skid and loss of con- can provide at least three-quarters of trol. Approach turns and curves with your total stopping power. The front caution. brake is safe to use if you use it prop- Use four steps for better control: erly. • SLOW Remember: • LOOK • Use both brakes every time you • PRESS slow or stop. Using both brakes • ROLL for even “normal” stops will per- • SLOW — Reduce speed before mit you to develop the proper the turn by closing the throttle and, habit or skill of using both brakes if necessary, applying both brakes. properly in an emergency. Squeeze the front brake and press • LOOK — Look through the turn down on the rear. Grabbing at to where you want to go. Turn just the front brake or jamming down your head, not your shoulders, and on the rear can cause the brakes keep your eyes level with the hori- to lock, resulting in control prob- zon. lems. • PRESS — To turn, the motorcycle • If you know the technique, must lean. To lean the motorcycle, using both brakes in a turn is pos- press on the handgrip in the direc- sible, although it should be done tion of the turn. Press left — lean very carefully. When leaning the left — go left. Press right — lean motorcycle some of the traction right — go right. Higher speeds is used for cornering. Less trac and/or tighter turns require the motorcycle to lean more. 13 • ROLL — Roll on the throttle 3 Test Yourself through the turn to stabilize sus- pension. Maintain steady speed or When riding, you should: accelerate gradually through the A. Turn your head and shoulders to turn. This will help keep the look through turns. motorcycle stable. B. Keep your arms straight. In normal turns, the rider and the C. Keep your knees away from the motorcycle should lean together at the gas tank. same angle. D. Turn just your head and eyes to look where you are going. NORMAL TURNING Answer - page 42

KEEPING YOUR DISTANCE The best protection you can have is distance — a “cushion of space” — all around your motorcycle. If some- one else makes a mistake, distance OSITIONS

P permits you: • Time to react.

ANE • Space to maneuver. L

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

14 LANE POSITIONS

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

15 FOLLOWING

is slippery, if you cannot see through BEING FOLLOWED the vehicle ahead, or if traffic is heavy Speeding up to lose someone and someone may squeeze in front of following too closely only ends up you, open up a three-second or more with someone tailgating you at a following distance. higher speed.

OLLOWED Keep well behind the vehicle

F A better way to handle tailgaters ahead even when you are stopped. is to get them in front of you. When This will make it easier to get out of someone is following too closely, EING the way if someone bears down on change lanes and let them pass. If B you from behind. It will also give you you can’t do this, slow down and a cushion of space if the vehicle ahead open up extra space ahead of you to starts to back up for some reason. allow room for both you and the When behind a car, ride where the tailgater to stop. This will also driver can see you in the rearview encourage them to pass. If they don’t mirror. Riding in the center portion of pass, you will have given yourself and the lane should put your image in the the tailgater more time and space to middle of the rearview mirror — react in case an emergency does where a driver is most likely to see develop ahead. you.

Riding at the far side of a lane PASSING AND BEING PASSED may permit a driver to see you in a sideview mirror. But remember that Passing and being passed by most drivers don’t look at their side- another vehicle is not much different view mirrors nearly as often as they than with a car. However, visibility is check the rearview mirror. If the more critical. Be sure other drivers traffic situation allows, the center por- see you, and that you see potential tion of the lane is usually the best hazards. place for you to be seen by the drivers ahead and to prevent lane sharing by others.

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

• Blasts of wind from larger B

4. Signal again, and complete vehicles — They can affect your EING mirror and headchecks before control. You have more room for returning to your original lane

error if you are in the middle por- P

and then cancel the signal. tion when hit by this blast than if ASSED Remember, passes must be com- you are on either side of the lane. pleted within posted speed limits, Do not move into the portion of the and only where permitted. Know lane farthest from the passing vehicle. your signs and road markings! It might invite the other driver to cut back into your lane too early. BEING PASSED When you are being passed from behind or by an oncoming vehicle, PASSING BEING PASSED

17 LANE SHARING another lane if one is open. If there is no room for a lane change, adjust Cars and motorcycles need a full speed to open up space for the lane to operate safely. Lane sharing is

HARING merging driver.

S usually prohibited. Riding between rows of stopped ANE or moving cars in the same lane can CARS ALONGSIDE L leave you vulnerable to the unexpect- Do not ride next to cars or trucks ed. A hand could come out of a win- in other lanes if you do not have to. dow; a door could open; a car could You might be in the blind spot of a car turn suddenly. Discourage lane shar- in the next lane, which could switch ing by others. Keep a center-portion into your lane without warning. Cars position whenever drivers might be in the next lane also block your escape tempted to squeeze by you. Drivers if you come upon danger in your own are most tempted to do this: lane. Speed up or drop back to find a • In heavy, bumper-to-bumper place clear of traffic on both sides. traffic. BLIND SPOTS • When they want to pass you. • When you are preparing to turn at an intersection. • When you are getting in an exit lane, or leaving a highway.

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

MERGING

4 Test Yourself Usually, a good way to handle tailgaters is to: A. Change lanes and let them pass. B. Use your horn amd make obscense gestures. C. Speed up to put distance between you and the tailgater. D. Ignore them. Answer - page 42

18 S

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

19 In potential high-risk areas, such INTERSECTIONS as intersections, shopping areas and The greatest potential for conflict school and construction zones, cover between you and other traffic is at the clutch and both brakes to reduce intersections. An intersection can be the time you need to react. in the middle of an urban area or at a driveway on a residential street —

NTERSECTIONS anywhere traffic may cross your path I of travel. Over one-half of motor- cycle/car crashes are caused by drivers 5 Test Yourself entering a rider’s right-of-way. Cars To reduce your reaction time, you that turn left in front of you, including should: cars turning left from the lane to your A. Ride slower than the speed limit. right, and cars on side streets that pull B. Cover the clutch and brakes. into your lane, are the biggest dangers. C. Shift into neutral when slowing. Your use of SEE [p. 19] at intersec- tions is critical. D. Pull in the clutch when turning. Answer - page 42 There are no guarantees that others see you. Never count on “eye contact” as a sign that a driver will yield. Too often, a driver looks right at a motorcyclist and still fails to “see” him. The only eyes that you can count on are your own. If a car can enter your path, assume that it will. Good riders are always “looking for trouble” — not to get into it, but to stay out of it. Increase your chances of being seen at intersections. Ride with your headlight on in a lane position that provides the best view of oncoming traffic. Provide a space cushion around the motorcycle that permits you to take evasive action. SMALL INTERSECTIONS

20 LARGE INTERSECTIONS

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

BLIND INTERSECTIONS If you approach a blind intersec- tion, move to the portion of the lane that will bring you into another driver’s field of vision at the earliest Remember, the key is to see as possible moment. In this picture, the much as possible and remain visible rider has moved to the left portion of to others while protecting your space. the lane — away from the parked car 21 STOP SIGNS PARKED CARS ARS C ARKED P

If you have a stop sign or stop line, stop there first. Then edge forward and stop again, just short of where the cross-traffic lane meets your lane. In either event, the driver might From that position, lean your body for- cut into your path. Slow down or ward and look around buildings, change lanes to make room for some- parked cars, or bushes to see if any- one cutting in. thing is coming. Just make sure your Cars making a sudden U-turn are front wheel stays out of the cross lane the most dangerous. They may cut of travel while you’re looking. you off entirely, blocking the whole roadway and leaving you with no PASSING PARKED CARS place to go. Since you can’t tell what When passing parked cars, stay a driver will do, slow down and get toward the left of your lane. You can the driver’s attention. Sound your avoid problems caused by doors open- horn and continue with caution. ing, drivers getting out of cars, or people stepping from between cars. If PARKING AT THE ROADSIDE oncoming traffic is present, it is Park at a 90o angle to the curb usually best to remain in the center- with your rear wheel touching the lane position to maximize your space curb. cushion. A bigger problem can occur if the PARKING AT CURBS driver pulls away from the curb with- out checking for traffic behind. Even if he does look, he may fail to see you. 6 Test Yourself

Making eye contact with other drivers: A. Is a good sign they see you. B. Is not worth the effort it takes. C. Doesn’t mean that the driver will yield. D. Guarantees that the other driver will yield to you. Answer - page 42

22 C

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

cle with its light on is twice as likely L Smaller vehicles appear farther away to be noticed. Use of the high beam IGHTS and seem to be traveling slower than during the day increases the likelihood they actually are. It is common for that oncoming drivers will see you. drivers to pull out in front of motorcy- Use low beam at night and in cloudy clists, thinking they have plenty of weather. time. Too often, they are wrong. However, you can do many things to SIGNALS make it easier for others to recognize you and your cycle. The signals on a motorcycle are similar to those on a car. They tell others what you plan to do. CLOTHING Most crashes occur in broad SIGNALING daylight. Wear bright-colored clothing to increase your chances of being seen. Remember, your body is half of the visible surface area of the S rider/motorcycle unit. IGNALS Bright orange, red, yellow or green jackets or vests are your best bets for being seen. Your helmet can do more than protect you in a crash. Brightly colored helmets can also help others see you. Any bright color is better than drab or dark colors. Reflective, bright-colored clothing (helmet and jacket or vest) is best.

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

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

24 USING MIRRORS HEAD CHECKS H EAD Checking your mirrors is not

enough. Motorcycles have “blind C

spots” like cars. Before you change HECKS lanes, turn your head, and look to the side for other vehicles. On a road with several lanes, check the far lane and the one next to you. A driver in the distant lane may head for the same space you plan to take. Frequent head checks should be your normal scanning routine, also. Only by knowing what is happening all around you are you fully prepared

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

25 RIDING AT NIGHT CRASH AVOIDANCE At night it is harder for you to see No matter how careful you are,

IDING and be seen. Picking your headlight there will be times when you find R or taillight out of the car lights around yourself in a tight spot. Your chances you is not easy for other drivers. To of getting out safely depend on your compensate, you should:

IGHT ability to react quickly and properly. • Reduce Your Speed — Ride N Often, a crash occurs because a rider even slower than you would dur- ing the day — particularly on is not prepared or skilled in crash- roads you don’t know well. This avoidance maneuvers. will increase your chances of Know when and how to stop or avoiding a hazard. swerve, two skills critical to avoiding • Increase Distance — Distances a crash. It is not always desirable or are harder to judge at night than possible to stop quickly to avoid an during the day. Your eyes rely obstacle. Riders must also be able to upon shadows and light contrasts swerve around an obstacle. to determine how far away an Determining the skill necessary for the object is and how fast it is com- situation is important as well. ing. These contrasts are missing or distorted under artificial lights Studies show that most crash- at night. Open up a three-second involved riders: following distance or more. And • Underbrake the front tire and VOIDANCE allow more distance to pass and overbrake the rear. A be passed. • Do not separate braking from • Use the Car Ahead — The swerving or did not choose swerv-

RASH headlights of the car ahead can ing when it was appropriate.

C give you a better view of the road The following information offers than even your high beam can. some good advice. Taillights bouncing up and down can alert you to bumps or rough pavement. QUICK STOPS • Use Your High Beam — Get all To stop quickly, apply both brakes the light you can. Use your high at the same time. Don’t be shy about beam whenever you are not fol- using the front brake, but don’t “grab” lowing or meeting a car. Be visi- it, either. Squeeze the brake lever ble: Wear reflective materials when riding at night. firmly and progressively. If the front TOPS wheel locks, release the front brake S • Be Flexible About Lane Position. Change to whatever portion of immediately then reapply it firmly. At the lane is best able to help you the same time, press down on the rear UICK see, be seen, and keep an ade- brake. If you accidentally lock the Q quate space cushion. rear brake on a good traction surface, 7 Test Yourself keep it locked until you have com- pletely stopped. Even with a locked Reflective clothing should: rear wheel, you can control the motor- A. Be worn at night. cycle on a straightaway if it is upright B. Be worn during the day. and going in a straight line. C. Not be worn. D. Be worn day and night.

Answer - page 42

26 S

STOPPING DISTANCE few feet of stopping. The motorcycle WERVING should then be straight up and in bal- ance.

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

27 on the opposite handlegrip once you CORNERING clear the obstacle to return you to your original direction of travel. To swerve A primary cause of single-vehicle to the left, press the left handlegrip, crashes is motorcyclists running wide then press the right to recover. To in a curve or turn and colliding with ORNERING the roadway or a fixed object.

C swerve to the right, press right, then left. Every curve is different. Be alert IF BRAKING IS REQUIRED, to whether a curve remains constant, SEPARATE IT FROM SWERVING. gradually widens, gets tighter, or Brake before or after — never while involves multiple turns. swerving. Ride within your skill level and posted speed limits. Your best path may not always fol- low the curve of the road.

28 Change lane position depending on HANDLING DANGEROUS D traffic, road conditions and curve of ANGEROUS the road. If no traffic is present, start SURFACES at the outside of a curve to increase Your chance of falling or being your line of sight and the effective involved in a crash increases radius of the turn. As you turn, move whenever you ride across: toward the inside of the curve, and as • Uneven surfaces or obstacles. S URFACES you pass the center, move to the out- • Slippery surfaces. side to exit. • Railroad tracks. Another alternative is to move to • Grooves and gratings. the center of your lane before entering a curve — and stay there until you exit. This permits you to spot UNEVEN SURFACES AND approaching traffic as soon as possi- OBSTACLES ble. You can also adjust for traffic Watch for uneven surfaces such as “crowding” the center line, or debris bumps, broken pavement, potholes, or blocking part of your lane. small pieces of highway trash. Try to avoid obstacles by slowing or going around them If you must go 8 Test Yourself over the obstacle, first determine if it is possible. Approach it at as close to The best way to stop quickly is to: a 90° angle as possible. Look where A. Use the front brake only. you want to go to control your path of B. Use the rear brake first. travel. If you have to ride over the C. Throttle down and use the front obstacle, you should: brake. • Slow down as much as possible D. Use both brakes at the same before contact. time. • Make sure the motorcycle is Answer - page 42 straight up.

OBSTACLES

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

30 CROSSTRACKS-RIGHT enough away from tracks, ruts, or T RACKING 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. G RATINGS GROOVES AND GRATINGS CROSSTRACKS-WRONG Riding over rain grooves or bridge gratings may cause a motorcycle to weave. The uneasy, wandering feel- ing 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 haz- ardous than the wandering feeling. RAILROAD TRACKS, TROLLEY GRATE CROSSINGS-RIGHT TRACKS AND PAVEMENT SEAMS Usually it is safer to ride straight within your lane to cross tracks. Turning to take tracks head-on (at a 90° angle) can be more dangerous — your path may carry you into another lane of traffic. For track and road seams that run GRATE CROSSINGS-WRONG parallel to your course, move far PARALLEL TRACKS-RIGHT

9 Test Yourself When it starts to rain it is usually best PARALLEL TRACKS-WRONG 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 42

31 MECHANICAL STUCK THROTTLE PROBLEMS Twist the throttle back and forth You can find yourself in an several times. If the throttle cable is stuck, this may free it. If the throttle

ROBLEMS emergency the moment something

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

32 Trying to “accelerate out of a ENGINE SEIZURE wobble” will only make the When the engine “locks” or motorcycle more unstable. Instead: “freezes” it is usually low on oil. The • Grip the handlebars firmly, but engine’s moving parts can’t move don’t fight the wobble. smoothly against each other, and the • Close the throttle gradually to engine overheats. The first sign may slow down. Do not apply the be a loss of engine power or a change brakes; braking could make the in the engine’s sound. Squeeze the wobble worse. clutch lever to disengage the engine • Move your weight as far forward from the rear wheel. Pull off the road and down as possible. and stop. Check the oil. If needed, • Pull off the road as soon as you oil should be added as soon as possi- can to fix the problem. ble or the engine will seize. When this happens, the effect is the same as a 10 Test Yourself locked rear wheel. Let the engine If your motorcycle starts to wobble: cool before restarting. A. Accelerate out of the wobble. B. Use the brakes gradually. ANIMALS C. Grip the handlebars firmly and Naturally, you should do every- close the throttle gradually. thing you safely can to avoid hitting D. Downshift. an animal. If you are in traffic, Answer - page 42 however, remain in your lane. Hitting something small is less dangerous to you than hitting something big — CHAIN PROBLEMS like a car. A chain that slips or breaks while Motorcycles seem to attract dogs. you’re riding could lock the rear If you are chased, downshift and wheel and cause your cycle to skid. approach the animal slowly. As you Chain slippage or breakage can be approach it, accelerate away and leave avoided by proper maintenance. the animal behind. Don’t kick at an • Slippage — If the chain slips animal. Keep control of your motor- when you try to speed up quickly cycle, and look to where you want to or ride uphill, pull off the road. go. Check the chain and sprockets. For larger animals (deer, elk, Tightening the chain may help. cattle) brake and prepare to stop — If the problem is a worn or they are unpredictable. stretched chain or worn or bent 11 Test Yourself sprockets, replace the chain, the sprockets, or both before riding If you are chased by a dog: again. A. Kick it away. • Breakage — You’ll notice an B. Stop until the animal loses instant loss of power to the rear interest. wheel. Close the throttle and C. Swerve around the animal. brake to a stop. D. Approach the animal slowly, then speed up.

Answer - page 42

33 FLYING OBJECTS CARRYING PASSENGERS From time to time riders are struck AND CARGO by insects, cigarettes thrown from

BJECTS Only experienced riders should cars, or pebbles kicked up by the tires O carry passengers or large loads. The of the vehicle ahead. If you are wear- extra weight changes the way the ing face protection, it might get motorcycle handles, balances, speeds

LYING smeared or cracked, making it difficult up, and slows down. Before taking a F to see. Without face protection, an passenger or heavy load on the street, object could hit you in the eye, face, practice away from traffic. or mouth. Whatever happens, keep your eyes on the road and your hands EQUIPMENT on the handlebars. When safe, pull off the road and repair the damage. To carry passengers safely: • Equip and adjust your motor- cycle to carry passengers. GETTING OFF THE ROAD • Instruct the passenger before If you need to leave the road to you start. check the motorcycle (or just to rest OAD • Adjust your riding technique for

R for a while), be sure you: the added weight. • Check the roadside — Make sure the surface of the roadside is Equipment should include: firm enough to ride on. If it is • A proper seat — large enough soft grass, loose sand, or if you’re to hold both of you without just not sure about it, slow way crowding. You should not sit down before you turn onto it. any farther forward than you • Signal — Drivers behind might usually do. ETTING OFF THE • Footpegs — for the passenger. A

G not expect you to slow down. Give a clear signal that you will firm footing prevents your be slowing down and changing passenger from falling off and direction. Check your mirror and pulling you off, too. make a head check before you • Protective equipment — the take any action. same protective gear • Pull off the road — Get as far recommended for operators. off the road as you can. It can be Adjust the suspension to handle OADS

L very hard to spot a motorcycle by the additional weight. You will the side of the road. You don’t probably need to add a few pounds of want someone else pulling off at pressure to the tires if you carry a the same place you are. passenger. (Check your owner’s manual for appropriate settings.)

ARRYING • Park carefully — Loose and

C sloped shoulders can make While your passenger sits on the seat setting the side or center stand with you, adjust the mirror and difficult. headlight according to the change in the motorcycle’s angle.

34 INSTRUCTING PASSENGERS • Ride a little slower, especially C when taking curves, corners, or ARRYING Even if your passenger is a bumps. motorcycle rider, provide complete • Start slowing earlier as you instructions before you start. Tell approach a stop. your passenger to: • Open up a larger cushion of P • Get on the motorcycle only after ASSENGERS space ahead and to the sides. you have started the engine. • Wait for larger gaps to cross, • Sit as far forward as possible enter, or merge in traffic. without crowding you. Warn your passenger of special • Hold firmly to your waist, hips, conditions — when you will pull out, or belt. stop quickly, turn sharply or ride over • Keep both feet on the pegs, even a bump. Turn your head slightly to when stopped. make yourself understood, but keep • Keep legs away from the muf- your eyes on the road ahead. fler(s), chains or moving parts. • Stay directly behind you, leaning as you lean. CARRYING LOADS • Avoid unnecessary talk or Most motorcycles are not designed motion. to carry much cargo. Small loads can be carried safely if positioned and Also, tell your passenger to fastened properly. tighten his or her hold when you • Keep the Load Low — Fasten • Approach surface problems, loads securely, or put them in • Are about to start from a stop, saddlebags. Piling loads against • Warn that you will make a sud- a sissybar or frame on the back of den move. the seat raises the motorcycle’s center of gravity and disturbs its RIDING WITH PASSENGERS balance. • Keep the Load Forward — Your motorcycle will respond Place the load over, or in front of, more slowly with a passenger on the rear axle. Tankbags keep board. The heavier your passenger, loads forward, but use caution the longer it will take to slow down when loading hard or sharp and speed up — especially on a light objects. Make sure the tankbag motorcycle. does not interfere with handle- bars or controls. Mounting loads 12 Test Yourself behind the rear axle can affect Passengers should: how the motorcycle turns and A. Lean as you lean. brakes. It can also cause a wobble. B. Hold on to the motorcycle seat. • Distribute the Load Evenly — C. Sit as far back as possible. Load saddlebags with about the D. Never hold onto you. same weight. An uneven load Answer - page 42 can cause the motorcycle to drift to one side.

35 • Secure the Load — Fasten the • down a little to stay with the load securely with elastic cords tailender. (bungee cords or nets). Elastic

IDING • Know the Route — Make sure

R cords with more than one attach- everyone knows the route. Then, ment point per side are more if someone is separated they secure. A tight load won’t catch won’t have to hurry to keep from ROUP in the wheel or chain, causing it getting lost or taking a wrong G to lock up and skid. Rope tends turn. Plan frequent stops on long to stretch and knots come loose, rides. permitting the load to shift or fall. • Check the Load — Stop and KEEP YOUR DISTANCE check the load every so often to Maintain close ranks but at the make sure it has not worked same time keep a safe distance to loose or moved. allow each rider in the group time and space to react to hazards. A close GROUP RIDING group takes up less space on the high- If you ride with others, do it in a way, is easier to see and is less likely way that promotes safety and doesn’t to be separated. However, it must be interfere with the flow of traffic. done properly. Don’t Pair Up — Never operate KEEP THE GROUP SMALL directly alongside another rider. Small groups make it easier and There is no place to go if you have safer for car drivers who need to get to avoid a car or something on the around them. A small number isn’t road. To talk, wait until you are separated as easily by traffic or red both stopped. lights. Riders won’t always be hurry- Staggered Formation — This is the ing to catch up. If your group is best way to keep ranks close yet larger than four or five riders, divide it maintain an adequate space up into two or more smaller groups. STAGGERED FORMATION KEEP THE GROUP TOGETHER • Plan — The leader should look ahead for changes and signal early so “the word gets back” in plenty of time. Start lane changes early to permit everyone to complete the change. • Put Beginners Up Front — Place inexperienced riders just behind the leader, that way the more experienced riders can watch them from the back. • Follow Those Behind — Let the tailender set the pace. Use your mirrors to keep an eye on the per- son behind. If a rider falls behind, everyone should slow 36 cushion. The leader rides in the left Some people suggest that the side of the lane, while the second leader should move to the right side rider stays one second behind in the after passing a vehicle. This is not a right side of the lane. good idea. It encourages the second A third rider maintains in the left rider to pass and cut back in before position, two seconds behind the first there is a large enough space cushion rider. The fourth rider would keep a in front of the passed vehicle. It’s two-second distance behind the simpler and safer to wait until there second rider. This formation keeps is enough room ahead of the passed the group close and permits each rider vehicle to allow each rider to move a safe distance from others ahead, into the same position held before behind and to the sides. the pass. • Passing in Formation — Riders Single-File Formation — It is best in a staggered formation should to move into a single-file formation pass one at a time. when riding curves, turning, enter- ing or leaving a highway. • First, the lead rider should pull out and pass when it is safe. After passing, the leader should 13 Test Yourself return to the left position and When riding in a group, inexperienced continue riding at passing speed riders should position themselves: to open room for the next rider. A. Just behind the leader. • After the first rider passes B. In front of the group. safely, the second rider should move up to the left position and C. At the tail end of the group. watch for a safe chance to pass. D. Beside the leader. After passing, this rider should Answer - page 42 return to the right position and open up room for the next rider. GROUP PASSING (STAGE 1) GROUP PASSING (STAGE 2)

37 BEING IN SHAPE TO RIDE

IDE Riding a motorcycle is a demanding and complex task. Skilled riders pay R attention to the riding environment and to operating the motorcycle, identifying potential hazards, making good judgments, and executing decisions quickly and skillfully. Your ability to perform and respond to changing road and traffic con- ditions is influenced by how fit and alert you are. Alcohol and other drugs, more HAPE TO than any other factor, degrade your ability to think clearly and to ride safely. As S little as one drink can have a significant effect on your performance. Let’s look at the risks involved in riding after drinking or using drugs. What to do to protect yourself and your fellow riders is also examined. EING IN B WHY THIS INFORMA- By becoming knowledgeable about the effects of alcohol and other TION IS IMPORTANT drugs you will see that riding and sub- Alcohol is a major contributor to stance abuse don’t mix. Take positive motorcycle crashes, particularly fatal steps to protect yourself and prevent crashes. Studies show that 40% to others from injuring themselves. 45% of all riders killed in motorcycle

RUGS crashes had been drinking. Only one- D third of those riders had a blood ALCOHOL AND OTHER alcohol concentration above legal DRUGS IN MOTORCYCLE limits. The rest had only a few drinks OPERATION in their systems — enough to impair No one is immune to the effects riding skills. In the past, drug levels of alcohol or drugs. Friends may brag have been harder to distinguish or

LCOHOL AND about their ability to hold their liquor have not been separated from drinking A or perform better on drugs, but violations for the traffic records. But alcohol or drugs make them less able riding “under the influence” of either to think clearly and perform physical alcohol or drugs poses physical and tasks skillfully. Judgment and the legal hazards for every rider. decision-making processes needed Drinking and drug use is as big a for vehicle operation are affected problem among motorcyclists as it is long before legal limitations are among automobile drivers. reached. Motorcyclists, however, are more Many over-the-counter, likely to be killed or severely injured prescription, and illegal drugs have in a crash. Injuries occur in 90% of side effects that increase the risk of motorcycle crashes and 33% of auto- riding. It is difficult to accurately mobile crashes that involve abuse of measure the involvement of particular substances. On a yearly basis, 2,100 drugs in motorcycle crashes. But we motorcyclists are killed and about do know what effects various drugs 50,000 seriously injured in this same have on the process involved in riding type of crash. These statistics are too a motorcycle. We also know that the overwhelming to ignore. combined effects of alcohol and other drugs are more dangerous than either is alone.

38 Other factors also contribute to B ALCOHOL IN THE BODY LOOD the way alcohol affects your system. Alcohol enters the bloodstream Your sex, physical condition and quickly. Unlike most foods and food intake are just a few that may A beverages, it does not need to be cause your BAC level to be even LCOHOL digested. Within minutes after being higher. But the full effects of these consumed, it reaches the brain and are not completely known. Alcohol begins to affect the drinker. The may still accumulate in your body major effect alcohol has is to slow C even if you are drinking at a rate of ONCENTRATION down and impair bodily functions — one drink per hour. Abilities and both mental and physical. Whatever judgment can be affected by that one you do, you do less well after drink. consuming alcohol. A 12-ounce can of beer, a mixed drink with one shot of liquor and a 5- BLOOD ALCOHOL ounce glass of wine all contain the CONCENTRATION same amount of alcohol. Blood Alcohol Concentration or The faster you drink, the more BAC is the amount of alcohol in alcohol accumulates in your body. If relation to blood in the body. you drink two drinks in an hour, at the Generally, alcohol can be eliminated end of that hour, at least one drink in the body at the rate of almost one will remain in your bloodstream. drink per hour. But a variety of other Without taking into account any of factors may also influence the level of the other factors, the formula below alcohol retained. The more alcohol in illustrates the LEAST amount of your blood, the greater the degree of drinks remaining in the bloodstream: impairment. Three factors play a major part Total # hours drinks drinks LESS since last EQUALS left in determining BAC: consumed drink in body • The amount of alcohol you con- -= ______sume. • How fast you drink. • Your body weight. ALCOHOL CONCENTRATION

39 A person drinking small fine and participation in alcohol- AW • 8 drinks in 4 hours would have abuse classes. Today the laws of most L at least 4 drinks remaining in states impose stiff penalties on drink- their system. ing operators. And those penalties are • 7 drinks in 3 hours would have mandatory, meaning that judges must at least 4 drinks remaining in impose them. their system. If you are convicted of riding There are times when a larger under the influence of alcohol or person may not accumulate as high a drugs, you may receive any of the concentration of alcohol for each following penalties: LCOHOL AND THE drink consumed. They have more • License Suspension — A blood and other bodily fluids. But Mandatory suspension for because of individual differences it is conviction, arrest or refusal to better not to take the chance that submit to a breath test. abilities and judgment have not been • Fines — Severe fines are another affected. Whether or not you are aspect of a conviction usually legally intoxicated is not the real levied with a license suspension. issue. Impairment of judgment and • Community Service — skills begins well below the legal ISKS Performing tasks such as picking

R limit. up litter along the highway, washing cars in the motor-vehicle ALCOHOL AND THE LAW pool, or working at an emergency In most states, a person with a ward. INIMIZE BAC of .10% or above is considered • Costs — Additional lawyer’s fees

M intoxicated; in others the legal limit is to pay; lost work time spent in .08% or .05%. It doesn’t matter how court or alcohol-education sober you may look or act. The breath programs; public transportation or urine test is what usually deter- costs (while your license is mines whether you are riding legally suspended); and the added or illegally. In North Carolina, if psychological costs of being your intoxication test shows an tagged a “drunk driver.” alcohol concentration of 0.08 percent or more (0.04 or more, if you are driving a commercial motor vehicle), MINIMIZE THE RISKS your driving privilege will be revoked Your ability to judge how well you immediately for a minimum of 30 are riding is affected first. Although days. you may be performing more and more poorly, you think you are doing Your chances of being stopped for better and better. The result is that riding under the influence of alcohol you ride confidently, taking greater are increasing. Law enforcement is and greater risks. Minimize the risks being stepped up across the country in of drinking and riding by taking steps response to the senseless deaths and before you drink. Control your drink- injuries caused by drinking drivers ing or control your riding. and riders.

CONSEQUENCES OF DON’T DRINK CONVICTION DON’T DRINK — Once you Years ago, first offenders had a start, your resistance becomes weaker. good chance of getting off with a 40 Setting a limit or pacing yourself It helps to enlist support from F are poor alternatives at best. Your others when you decide to step in. ATIGUE ability to exercise good judgment is The more people on your side, the one of the first things affected by easier it is to be firm and the harder it alcohol. Even if you have tried to is for the rider to resist. While you drink in moderation, you may not may not be thanked at the time, you realize to what extent your skills have will never have to say, “If only I suffered from alcohol’s fatiguing had...” effects. Or Don’t Ride — If you haven’t FATIGUE controlled your drinking, you must Riding a motorcycle is more control your riding. tiring than driving a car. On a long • Leave the motorcycle — so you trip, you’ll tire sooner than you would won’t be tempted to ride. in a car. Avoid riding when tired. Arrange another way to get Fatigue can affect your control of the home. motorcycle. • Wait — If you exceed your limit, • Protect yourself from the wait until your system eliminates elements — Wind, cold, and rain the alcohol and its fatiguing make you tire quickly. Dress effects. warmly. A windshield is worth its cost if you plan to ride long STEP IN TO distances. PROTECT FRIENDS • Limit your distance — People who have had too much to Experienced riders seldom try to drink are unable to make a responsible ride more than about six hours decision. It is up to others to step in a day. and keep them from taking too great a • Take frequent rest breaks — risk. No one wants to do this — it’s Stop, and get off the motorcycle uncomfortable, embarrassing and at least every two hours. thankless. You are rarely thanked for • Don’t drink or use drugs — your efforts at the time. But the Artificial stimulants often result alternatives are often worse. in extreme fatigue or depression There are several ways to keep when they start to wear off. friends from hurting themselves: Riders are unable to concentrate • Arrange a safe ride — Provide on the task at hand. alternative ways for them to get 14 Test Yourself home. • Slow the pace of drinking — If you wait an hour for each drink Involve them in other activities. before riding: • Keep them there — Use any A. You cannot be arrested for excuse to keep them from getting drinking and riding. on their motorcycle. Serve them B. Your riding skills will not be food and coffee to pass the time. affected. Explain your concerns for their C. Side effects from the drinking risks of getting arrested or hurt, may still remain. or hurting someone else. D. You will be okay as long as you • Get friends involved — Use ride slowly. peer pressure from a group of Answer - page 42 friends to intervene. 41 EARNING YOUR LICENSE

Safe riding requires knowledge and skill. Licensing tests are the best measurement of

ICENSE the skills necessary to operate safely in traffic. Assessing your own skills is not enough.

L People often overestimate their own abilities. It’s even harder for friends and relatives to be totally honest about your skills. Licensing exams are designed to be scored more objec- tively. OUR

Y To earn your license, you must pass a knowledge test and an on-cycle skill test. Knowledge test questions are based on information, practices, and ideas from this manu- al. They require that you know and understand road rules and safe riding practices. An on-cycle skill test will either be conducted in an actual traffic environment or in a con- trolled, off-street area. ARNING E KNOWLEDGE TEST 4. If a tire goes flat while riding, (Sample Questions) it is usually best to: 1. It is MOST important to flash your A. Relax on the handlegrips. brake light when: B. shift your weight toward the A. Someone is following too closely. good tire. C. brake on the good tire and steer to

EST B. You will be slowing suddenly. the side of the road. T C. There is a stop sign ahead. D. Use both brakes and stop quickly. D. Your signals are not working. 5. The car below is waiting to enter the 2. The FRONT brake supplies how intersection. It is best to: much of the potential stopping A. Make eye contact with the driver.

NOWLEDGE power? B. Reduce speed and be ready to

K A. About one-quarter. react. B. About one-half. C. Maintain speed and position. C. About three-quarters. D. Maintain speed and move right. D. All of the stopping power.

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

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

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

CONTENT MATERIAL COURTESY OF

MOTORCYCLE SAFETY FOUNDATION 2 Jenner Street, Suite 150 Irvine, California 92718-3812

40,000 copies of this document were printed at a cost of $.55 per copy

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