Idaho Motorcycle Rider Handbook
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MOTORCYCLE RIDER’S HANDBOOK IN- SERT PHO- TO HERE July 2021 The Idaho Motorcycle Rider’s Manual paraphrases the language of Idaho Statues. Courts go by the actual language of the statues, not this text. The Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) is committed to compliance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and all related regulations and directives. ITD assures that no person shall on the grounds of race, color, national origin, gender, age, or disability be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be otherwise subjected to discrimination under any ITD service, program, or activity. The department also assures that every effort will be made to prevent discrimination through the impacts of its Programs, policies, and activities on minority and low-income populations. In addition, the department will take reasonable steps to provide meaningful access to services for persons with limited English proficiency. 2 PREFACE Riding a motorcycle can be safe and fun when the rider be- comes more knowledgeable and skilled. This manual, even though designed mostly for the novice rider, can educate all motorcycle riders about safe riding habits and strategies to recognize and avoid or safely manage potential rid- ing hazards to avoid accidents. The Idaho Transportation Department used information provided by the Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF) and Idaho STAR to compile the Idaho Motorcycle Rider’s Manu- al, knowledge and skills tests. Enhanced licensing requirements along with quality motorcycle rider education and increased public awareness have the poten- tial to reduce the number and severity of motor- cycle crashes. 3 TABLE OF CONTENTS MOTORCYCLE ENDORSEMENT REQUIREMENT Definitions & Requirements ...................................................... 9 APPLYING FOR A MOTORCYCLE ENDORSEMENT Riding Requirements ................................................................ 16 Instruction Permit ..................................................................... 16 Knowledge Test........................................................................ 17 Skills Test ................................................................................. 17 Fees ......................................................................................... 17 PREPARING TO RIDE Riding Environment .................................................................. 18 Riding Gear .............................................................................. 19 Helmet Use ..................................................................... 19 Helmet Selection ............................................................ 20 Eye & Face Protection .................................................... 21 Clothing .......................................................................... 22 Exposed or Protected ..................................................... 23 Know the Motorcycle ................................................................ 24 The Right Motorcycle for You ......................................... 24 Required Equipment ....................................................... 24 Becoming Familiar with the Controls ............................... 27 Checking the Motorcycle ................................................ 27 Borrowing & Lending ...................................................... 29 Know Your Responsibilities ...................................................... 29 RIDER ABILITIES Basic Vehicle Control ............................................................... 31 Body Position ................................................................. 31 Getting Underway ........................................................... 32 Braking ........................................................................... 34 Stopping in a Curve ........................................................ 35 Linked & Integrated Braking Systems ............................. 36 Anti-Lock Braking Systems (ABS) .................................. 36 Turning ........................................................................... 36 Keeping Distance ..................................................................... 38 Lane Position .................................................................. 38 Following Another Vehicle .............................................. 40 4 Being Followed ............................................................... 41 Passing & Being Passed ................................................ 42 Passing Parked Vehicles ................................................ 43 Parking .......................................................................... 44 Lane Filtering/Splitting/Sharing ....................................... 45 Merging Vehicles ............................................................ 46 Vehicles Alongside ......................................................... 46 Mental Motorcycling (S.I.P.D.E). ..................................... 47 Scan ............................................................................... 47 Identify ............................................................................ 47 Predict ............................................................................ 48 Decide ............................................................................ 48 Execute .......................................................................... 49 Intersections ............................................................................. 50 Blind Intersections .......................................................... 50 Stop Signs & Signals ...................................................... 50 Traffic Control Signals .................................................... 51 See & Be Seen ......................................................................... 52 Clothing .......................................................................... 52 Headlight ........................................................................ 53 Signals ........................................................................... 53 Brake Light ..................................................................... 54 Mirrors ............................................................................ 54 Head Checks .................................................................. 55 Horn ............................................................................... 55 Riding at Night ................................................................ 56 Crash Avoidance ...................................................................... 56 Quick Stops .................................................................... 57 Front Wheel Skids .......................................................... 58 Rear Wheel Skids ........................................................... 58 Swerving or Turning Quickly ........................................... 58 Cornering & Curves ........................................................ 60 Hazardous Riding Conditions ................................................... 61 Obstacles on the Highway .............................................. 62 Slippery & Loose Surfaces ............................................. 63 Rippled & Uneven Pavement Edges ............................... 64 Wind ............................................................................... 64 Crowned Pavement ........................................................ 65 Animals .......................................................................... 65 Flying Objects ................................................................. 66 Railroad & Trolley Tracks ............................................... 66 Grooves & Bridge Gratings ............................................. 67 Mechanical Problems ............................................................... 67 Tire Failure ..................................................................... 67 5 Stuck Throttle .................................................................. 68 Wobble ........................................................................... 68 Drive Train Problems ...................................................... 69 Engine Seizure ................................................................ 69 Getting Off the Highway ............................................................ 69 Carrying Passengers & Cargo .................................................. 70 Required Equipment ....................................................... 70 Instructing Passengers .................................................... 71 Riding with Passengers ................................................... 72 Carrying Loads ................................................................ 72 Group Riding ............................................................................ 73 Keeping the Group Small ................................................ 73 Keeping the Group Together ........................................... 73 Keeping Adequate Distance Between Motorcycles ......... 74 RIDER RISKS & RESPONSIBILTIES……………………………76 Important .................................................................................. 76 Alcohol & Drugs While Riding ................................................... 76 Alcohol in the Body ................................................................... 77 Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) .......................................... 77 Alcohol & Idaho Law ................................................................