msf motorcycle operators manual

8/8/2019 MSF Motorcycle Operators Manual

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PREFACE

Operating a motorcycle safely in

trafc requires special skills and knowledge. The Motorcycle SafetyFoundation (MSF) has made this manualavailable to help novice motorcyclistsreduce their risk of having a crash. Themanual conveys essential safe ridinginformation and has been designed for use in licensing programs. Whiledesigned for the novice, all motorcyclists

can benet from the information thismanual contains.

The original Motorcycle Operator Manual was developed by the NationalPublic Services Research Institute(NPSRI) under contract to the NationalHighway Trafc Safety Administration(NHTSA) and within the terms of acooperative agreement between NHTSAand the MSF. The manual and related tests were used in a multi-year study of improved motorcycle operator licensing

procedures, conducted by the CaliforniaDepartment of Motor Vehicles under contract to NHTSA.

The purpose of this manual is toeducate the reader to help avoid crasheswhile safely operating a motorcycle. For this edition, the MSF has updated and expanded the content of the originalmanual.

These revisions reect:

• The latest nding of motorcycle-safety research.

• Comments and guidance provided by the motorcycling, licensing and trafc safety communities.

• Expanded alcohol and druginformation.

In promoting improved licensing

programs, the MSF works closely withstate licensing agencies. The Foundationhas helped more than half the states inthe nation adopt the Motorcycle Operator

Manual for use in their licensingsystems.

Improved licensing, along withhigh-quality motorcycle rider educationand increased public awareness, has the

potential to reduce crashes. Staff at theFoundation are available to assist state,

private and governmental agencies inefforts to improve motorcycle safety.

Tim Buche President, Motorcycle Safety Foundation

®

2 Jenner Street, Suite 150Irvine, CA 92618-3806

www.msf-usa.org



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CONTENTS

PREPARINGTO RIDE

W EAR THE R IGHT G EAR ..................... 4Helmet Use ........................................ 4Helmet Selection ................................ 4Eye and Face Protection ..................... 5Clothing ............................................. 6

K NOW YOUR M OTORCYCLE ............... 6The Right Motorcycle for You ........... 6Borrowing and Lending ..................... 7Get Familiar with the

Motorcycle Controls ....................... 7

Check Your Motorcycle ..................... 8K NOW YOUR R ESPONSIBILITIES ......... 9

RIDE WITHINYOUR ABILITIES

BASIC VEHICLE C ONTROL ................ 10Body Position ................................... 10Shifting Gears .................................. 10Braking ............................................ 11Turning ............................................. 11

K EEPING YOUR D ISTANCE ................ 12Lane Positions .................................. 12Following Another Vehicle ............... 13Being Followed ................................ 14Passing and Being Passed ................ 14Lane Sharing .................................... 16Merging Cars ................................... 16Cars Alongside ................................. 16

SEE ..................................................... 17

INTERSECTIONS .................................. 18Blind Intersections ........................... 19Passing Parked Cars ......................... 20Parking at the Roadside ................... 20

INCREASING C ONSPICUITY ................ 21Clothing ........................................... 21Headlight .......................................... 21Signals .............................................. 21Brake Light ....................................... 22

Using Your Mirrors .......................... 22Head Checks .................................... 23Horn ................................................. 23Riding at Night ................................ 24

C RASH AVOIDANCE ........................... 24Quick Stops ...................................... 24Swerving or Turning Quickly .......... 25Cornering ......................................... 26

H ANDLING DANGEROUS SURFACES ...27Uneven Surfaces and Obstacles ........27Slippery Surfaces ..............................28Railroad Tracks, Trolley Tracks

and Pavement Seams .....................29Grooves and Gratings .......................29

M ECHANICAL P ROBLEMS ..................30Tire Failure .......................................30Stuck Throttle ...................................30Wobble ..............................................30Chain Problems .................................31Engine Seizure ..................................31

ANIMALS ..............................................31F LYING O BJECTS ................................32G ETTING O FF THE R OAD ...................32C ARRYING P ASSENGERS

AND C ARGO ......................................32Equipment .........................................32Instructing Passengers ......................33Riding With Passengers ....................33Carrying Loads .................................33

G ROUP R IDING ....................................34Keep the Group Small ......................34Keep the Group Together ..................34Keep Your Distance ...........................34

BEING IN SHAPETO RIDE

W HY T HIS INFORMATION IS IMPORTANT ......................................36

ALCOHOL AND O THER DRUGS IN M OTORCYCLE O PERATION .............36

ALCOHOL IN THE BODY .....................37Blood Alcohol

Concentration ................................37ALCOHOL AND THE L AW ...................38

Consequences of Conviction .....................................38

M INIMIZE THE R ISKS .........................38STEP IN TO P ROTECT F RIENDS ..........39F ATIGUE ..............................................39

EARNINGYOUR LICENSE

Knowledge Test .................................40On-Motorcycle Skill Test ..................41



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PREPARING TO RIDEWhat 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 When you ride, your gear is

“right” if it protects you. In anycrash, you have a far better chance of avoiding serious injury if you wear:

• An approved helmet.

• Face or eye protection.

• Protective clothing.

H ELMET USECrashes can occur —

particularly among untrained, beginning riders. And one out of every ve motorcycle crashes resultsin head or neck injuries. Head injuries are just as severe as neck injuries — and far more common.

Crash analyses show that head and neck injuries account for a majorityof serious and fatal injuries tomotorcyclists. Research also showsthat, with few exceptions, head and neck injuries are reduced by properlywearing an approved helmet.

Some riders don’t wear helmets

because they think helmets will limittheir view to the sides. Others wear helmets only on long trips or whenriding at high speeds. Here are somefacts to consider:

• An approved helmet lets you seeas far to the sides as necessary. Astudy of more than 900 motorcyclecrashes, where 40% of the riderswore helmets, did not nd evenone case in which a helmet kept arider from spotting danger.

• Most crashes happen on shorttrips (less than ve mileslong), just a few minutes after starting out.

• Most riders are riding slower than 30 mph when a crashoccurs. At these speeds, helmetscan cut both the number and theseverity of head injuries by half.

No matter what the speed,helmeted riders are three times morelikely to survive head injuries thanthose not wearing helmets at the timeof the crash.

H ELMET SELECTION

There are two primary types of helmets, providing two differentlevels of coverage: three-quarter and

full face.Whichever style you choose, you

can get the most protection bymaking sure that the helmet:

W E A R T H E R

I G H T G E A R



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• Meets U.S. Department of

Transportation (DOT) and statestandards. Helmets with a labelfrom the Snell MemorialFoundation give you an added assurance of quality.

• Fits snugly , all the way around.

• Has no obvious defects suchas cracks, loose padding or frayed straps.

Whatever helmet you decideon, keep it securely fastened on your head when you ride. Otherwise, if you are involved in a crash, it’s likelyto y off your head before it gets achance to protect you.

E YE AND F ACE P ROTECTION

A plastic shatter-resistantfaceshield can help protect your whole face in a crash. It also

protects you from wind, dust, dirt,rain, insects and pebbles thrown upfrom cars ahead. These problems

are distracting and can be painful.If you have to deal with them, youcan’t devote your full attention tothe road.

Goggles protect your eyes,

though they won’t protect the rest of your face like a faceshield does. Awindshield is not a substitute for afaceshield or goggles. Mostwindshields will not protect your eyes from the wind. Neither willeyeglasses or sunglasses. Glasseswon’t keep your eyes from watering,

and they might blow off when youturn your head while riding.

To be effective, eye or faceshield protection must:

• Be free of scratches.

• Be resistant to penetration.

• Give a clear view to either side.

• Fasten securely , so it does not blow off.

• Permit air to pass through, toreduce fogging.

• Permit enough room for eyeglasses or sunglasses, if needed.

Tinted eye protection should not be worn at night or any other time when little light is available.

HELMETS

E Y E A N D F A C E P R O T E C T I O N

HELMET

U S E



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C L O T H I N G C LOTHING

The right clothing protects youin a collision. It also providescomfort, as well as protection fromheat, cold, debris and hot and moving

parts of the motorcycle.• Jacket and pants should cover

arms and legs completely. Theyshould t snugly enough to keepfrom apping in the wind, yetloosely enough to move freely.Leather offers the most protection.Sturdy synthetic material provides

a lot of protection as well.Wear a jacket even in warmweather to prevent dehydration.Many are designed to protectwithout getting you overheated,even on summer days.

• Boots or shoes should be high and sturdy enough to cover your ankles

and give them support. Solesshould be made of hard, durable,slip-resistant material. Keep heelsshort so they do not catch on roughsurfaces. Tuck in laces so theywon’t catch on your motorcycle.

• Gloves allow a better grip and help protect your hands in a crash.

Your gloves should be made of leather or similar durable material.

In cold or wet weather, your clothes should keep you warm and dry, as well as protect you frominjury. You cannot control amotorcycle well if you are numb.Riding for long periods in cold weather can cause severe chill and fatigue. A winter jacket should resistwind and t snugly at the neck,wrists and waist. Good-qualityrainsuits designed for motorcycleriding resist tearing apart or

ballooning up at high speeds.

KNOW YOUR MOTORCYCLE

There are plenty of things on thehighway that can cause you trouble.Your motorcycle should not be one of

them. To make sure that your motorcycle won’t let you down:

• Read the owner’s manual rst.

• Start with the right motorcycle for you.

• Be familiar with the motorcyclecontrols.

• Check the motorcycle beforeevery ride.

• Keep it in safe riding condition between rides.

• Avoid add-ons and modicationsthat make your motorcycleharder to handle.

T HE R IGHT M OTORCYCLE F OR YOU

First, make sure your motorcycleis right for you. It should “t” you.Your feet should reach the ground while you are seated on themotorcycle.

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 40

T H E R I G H T M O T O R C Y C L E



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At minimum, your street-legal motorcycle should have:

• Headlight, taillight andbrakelight.

• Front and rear brakes.

• Turn signals.• Horn.

• Two mirrors.

BORROWING AND L ENDING

Borrowers and lenders of motorcycles, beware. Crashes are

fairly common among beginningriders — especially in the rstmonths of riding. Riding anunfamiliar motorcycle adds to the

problem. If you borrow a motorcycle,get familiar with it in a controlled area. And if you lend your motorcycle to friends, make sure they

are licensed and know how to ride before allowing them out into trafc.

No matter how experienced youmay be, ride extra carefully on anymotorcycle that’s new or unfamiliar to you. More than half of all crashesoccur on motorcycles ridden by theoperator for less than six months.

G ET F AMILIAR WITH THE M OTORCYCLE C ONTROLS

Make sure you are completelyfamiliar with the motorcycle before

you take it out on the street. Be sureto review the owner’s manual. This is

particularly important if you areriding a borrowed motorcycle.

If you are going to use anunfamiliar motorcycle:

MOTORCYCLE CONTROLS

Rear Brake Pedal

Throttle

Kick Starter(if equipped)

Gear-Change Lever

Fuel Supply Valve(if equipped)

Clutch Lever Speedometer& Odometer

Horn Button

Choke (varies)

Turn-Signal Switch

Tachometer

(if equipped)

Front Brake Lever

Engine Cut-Off Switch ElectricStart

Button

Light Switch (high/low)

Ignition Key(varies)

K N O W Y

O URM

OT

OR

CY

CLE



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C H E C K Y O U R M O T O R C Y C L E

• Make all the checks you would on your own motorcycle.

• Find out where everything is , particularly the turn signals, horn,headlight switch, fuel-supplyvalve and engine cut-off switch.Find and operate these itemswithout having to look for them.

• Know the gear pattern . Work thethrottle, clutch and brakes a fewtimes before you start riding. Allcontrols react a little differently.

• Ride very cautiously and beaware of surroundings. Accelerate

gently, take turns more slowly and leave extra room for stopping.

C HECK YOUR M OTORCYCLE

A motorcycle needs morefrequent attention than a car. A minor technical failure in a car seldom leadsto anything more than an

inconvenience for the driver.If something’s wrong with the

motorcycle, you’ll want to nd outabout it before you get in trafc.Make a complete check of your motorcycle before every ride.

Before mounting the motorcycle,make the following checks:

• Tires — Check the air pressure,general wear and tread.

• Fluids — Oil and uid levels. At aminimum, check hydraulic uidsand coolants weekly. Look under the motorcycle for signs of an oilor gas leak.

• Headlights and Taillight —

Check them both. Test your switchto make sure both high and low

beams are working.• Turn Signals — Turn on both

right and left turn signals. Makesure all lights are working

properly.

• Brake Light — Try both brakecontrols, and make sure each oneturns on the brake light.

Once you have mounted themotorcycle, complete the followingchecks before starting out:

• Clutch and Throttle — Makesure they work smoothly. Thethrottle should snap back whenyou let go. The clutch should feeltight and smooth.

• Mirrors — Clean and adjust bothmirrors before starting. It’sdifcult to ride with one hand

while you try to adjust a mirror.Adjust each mirror so you can seethe lane behind and as much as

possible of the lane next to you.When properly adjusted, a mirror may show the edge of your arm or shoulder—but it’s the road behind and to the side that’s mostimportant.

• Brakes — Try the front and rear brake levers one at a time. Makesure each one feels rm and holdsthe motorcycle when the brake isfully applied.

• Horn — Try the horn. Make sureit works.

In addition to the checks you

should make before every trip, check the following items at least once aweek: Wheels, cables, fasteners and uid levels. Follow your owner’smanual to get recommendations.

2 Test Yourself More than half of all crashes:

A. Occur at speeds greater than35 mph.

B. Happen at night.C. Are caused by worn tires.D. Involve riders who have ridden

their motorcycles less than sixmonths.

Answer - page 40



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KNOW YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES

“Accident” implies anunforeseen event that occurs withoutanyone’s fault or negligence. Most

often in trafc, that is not the case. Infact, most people involved in a crashcan usually claim some responsibilityfor what takes place.

Consider a situation wheresomeone decides to try to squeezethrough an intersection on a yellowlight turning red. Your light turns

green. You pull into the intersectionwithout checking for possiblelatecomers. That is all it takes for thetwo of you to tangle. It was thedriver’s responsibility to stop. And itwas your responsibility to look

before pulling out. Neither of youheld up your end of the deal. Just

because someone else is the rst tostart the chain of events leading to acrash, it doesn’t leave any of us freeof responsibility.

As a rider you can’t be sure thatother operators will see you or yield the right of way. To lessen your chances of a crash occurring:

• Be visible — wear proper clothing, use your headlight, ridein the best lane position to see and

be seen.

• Communicate your intentions — use the proper signals, brake lightand lane position.

• Maintain an adequate spacecushion — following, beingfollowed, lane sharing, passingand being passed.

• Scan your path of travel 12seconds ahead.

• Identify and separate multiplehazards.

• Be prepared to act — remainalert and know how to carry out

proper crash-avoidance skills.Blame doesn’t matter when

someone is injured in a crash. Thereis rarely a single cause of any crash.The ability to ride aware, makecritical decisions and carry them outseparates responsible riders from allthe rest. Remember, it is up to you tokeep from being the cause of, or anunprepared participant in, any crash.

K N O W Y

O URRE

S P O N S I BI LI TI E

S



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RIDE WITHIN YOUR ABILITIESThis manual cannot teach you how to control direction, speed or balance.

That’s something you can learn only through practice. But control begins withknowing your abilities and riding within them, along with knowing and obeying the rules of the road.

BASIC VEHICLECONTROL

BODY P OSITION

To control a motorcycle well:

• Posture — Sit so you can use your arms to steer the motorcycle rather than to hold yourself up.

• Seat — Sit far enough forward sothat arms are slightly bent whenyou hold the handlegrips. Bendingyour arms permits you to press onthe handlebars without having tostretch.

• Hands — Hold the handlegripsrmly to keep your grip over rough surfaces. Start with your right wrist at. This will help youkeep from accidentally using

too much throttle. Also, adjust thehandlebars so your hands are evenwith or below your elbows. This

permits you to use the proper musclesfor precision steering.

• Knees — Keep your knees againstthe gas tank to help you keep your

balance as the motorcycle turns.

• Feet — Keep your feet rmly onthe footrests to maintain balance.Don’t drag your feet. If your footcatches on something, you could

be injured and it could affect your control of the motorcycle. Keepyour feet near the controls so youcan get to them fast if needed.Also, don’t let your toes pointdownward — they may get caught

between the road and the footrests.

SHIFTING G EARS

There is more to shifting gearsthan simply getting the motorcycle to

pick up speed smoothly. Learning touse the gears when downshifting,turning or starting on hills isimportant for safe motorcycleoperation.

Shift down through the gearswith the clutch as you slow or stop.Remain in rst gear while you arestopped so that you can move outquickly if you need to.

HOLDING HANDLEGRIPS

RIGHT

WRONG

B O D Y

P O S I T I O N

S H I F T I N G G E A R S



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Make certain you are ridingslowly enough when you shift into alower gear. If not, the motorcycle willlurch, and the rear wheel may skid.When riding downhill or shifting intorst gear you may need to use the

brakes to slow enough beforedownshifting safely. Work toward asmooth, even clutch release,especially when downshifting.

It is best to change gears beforeentering a turn. However, sometimesshifting while in the turn is necessary.If so, remember to do so smoothly. Asudden change in power to the rear wheel can cause a skid.

BRAKING

Your motorcycle has two brakes:one each for the front and rear wheel.Use both of them at the same time.The front brake is more powerful and can provide at least three-quartersof your total stopping power. Thefront brake is safe to use if you useit properly.

Remember:

• Use both brakes every time youslow or stop. Using both brakes for even “normal” stops will permityou to develop the proper habit or skill of using both brakes properlyin an emergency. Squeeze the front

brake and press down on the rear.Grabbing at the front brake or

jamming down on the rear cancause the brakes to lock, resultingin control problems.

• If you know the technique , using both brakes in a turn is possible,although it should be done verycarefully. When leaning themotorcycle some of the traction isused for cornering. Less traction isavailable for stopping. A skid canoccur if you apply too much brake.

Also, using the front brakeincorrectly on a slippery surfacemay be hazardous. Use cautionand squeeze the brake lever, never grab.

• Some motorcycles have integrated braking systems that activate thefront and rear brakes together when applying the rear brake

pedal. (Consult the owner’smanual for a detailed explanationon the operation and effective useof these systems.)

T URNING

Riders often try to take curves or turns too fast. When they can’t hold the turn, they end up crossing intoanother lane of trafc or going off theroad. Or, they overreact and brake toohard, causing a skid and loss of control. Approach turns and curveswith caution.

Use four steps for better control:

• SLOW

• LOOK

• PRESS

• ROLL

• SLOW — Reduce speed before

the turn by closing the throttle and,if necessary, applying both brakes.

• LOOK — Look through the turnto where you want to go. Turn justyour head, not your shoulders, and keep your eyes level with thehorizon.

• PRESS — To turn, the motorcycle

must lean. To lean the motor-cycle, press on the handlegrip inthe direction of the turn. Pressleft — lean left — go left. Pressright — lean right — go right.Higher speeds and/or tighter turns require the motorcycle tolean more.

BRAKI N

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12

• ROLL — Roll on the throttlethrough the turn to stabilize thesuspension. Maintain steady speed or accelerate gradually through theturn. This will help keep themotorcycle stable.

In normal turns, the rider and themotorcycle should lean together atthe same angle.

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

KEEPING YOUR DISTANCE

The best protection you can have

is distance — a “cushion of space” — all around your motorcycle. If someone else makes a mistake,distance permits you:

• Time to react.

• Space to maneuver.

L ANE P OSITIONS

In some ways the size of themotorcycle can work to your advantage. Each trafc lane gives amotorcycle three paths of travel, asindicated in the illustration.

Your lane position should:

• Increase your ability to see and be

seen.• Avoid others’ blind spots.

• Avoid surface hazards.

• Protect your lane from other drivers.

• Communicate your intentions.

• Avoid wind blast from other vehicles.

• Provide an escape route.Select the appropriate path to

maximize your space cushion and make yourself more easily seen byothers on the road.

TURNS

SLOW, TIGHT TURNS

3. 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 the

gas tank.D. Turn just your head and eyes to

look where you are going. Answer - page 40

L A N E P O S I T I O N S



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In general, there is no single best position for riders to be seenand to maintain a space cushionaround the motorcycle. No portionof the lane need be avoided — including the center.

Position yourself in the portionof the lane where you are most likelyto be seen and you can maintain aspace cushion around you. Change

position as trafc situations change.Ride in path 2 or 3 if vehicles and other potential problems are on your left only. Remain in path 1 or 2 if hazards are on your right only. If vehicles are being operated on both

sides of you, the center of the lane, path 2, is usually your best option.

The oily strip in the center portion that collects drippings fromcars is usually no more than two feetwide. Unless the road is wet, theaverage center strip permits adequatetraction to ride on safely. You can

operate to the left or right of thegrease strip and still be within thecenter portion of the trafc lane.Avoid riding on big buildups of oiland grease usually found at busyintersections or toll booths.

F OLLOWING ANOTHER VEHICLE

“Following too closely” could be a factor in crashes involvingmotorcyclists. In trafc, motorcyclesneed as much distance to stop ascars. Normally, a minimum of two

seconds distance should bemaintained behind the vehicle ahead.

To gauge your following distance:

• Pick out a marker , such as a pavement marking or lamppost, onor near the road ahead.

• When the rear bumper of the

vehicle ahead passes the marker,count off the seconds: “one-thousand-one, one-thousand-two.”

• If you reach the marker beforeyou reach “two,” you arefollowing too closely.

A two-second following distanceleaves a minimum amount of space tostop or swerve if the driver ahead stops suddenly. It also permits a

better view of potholes and other hazards in the road.

A larger cushion of space isneeded if your motorcycle will takelonger than normal to stop. If the

LANE POSITIONS/

F OLL

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pavement is slippery, if you cannotsee through the vehicle ahead, or if trafc is heavy and someone maysqueeze in front of you, open up athree-second or more followingdistance.

Keep well behind the vehicleahead even when you are stopped.This will make it easier to get outof the way if someone bears down onyou from behind. It will also give youa cushion of space if the vehicleahead starts to back up for somereason.

When behind a car, ride wherethe driver can see you in the rearviewmirror. Riding in the center portionof the lane should put your imagein the middle of the rearview mirror

— where a driver is most likely tosee you.

Riding at the far side of a lanemay permit a driver to see you in asideview mirror. But remember thatmost drivers don’t look at their sideview mirrors nearly as often asthey check the rearview mirror. If thetrafc situation allows, the center

portion of the lane is usually the best place for you to be seen by the

drivers ahead and to prevent lanesharing by others.

BEING F OLLOWED

Speeding up to lose someonefollowing too closely only ends upwith someone tailgating you at ahigher speed.

A better way to handle tailgatersis to get them in front of you. Whensomeone is following too closely,change lanes and let them pass. If you can’t do this, slow down and open up extra space ahead of you toallow room for both you and thetailgater to stop. This will alsoencourage them to pass. If they don’t

pass, you will have given yourself and the tailgater more time and spaceto react in case an emergency doesdevelop ahead.

P ASSING AND BEING P ASSED

Passing and being passed by

another vehicle is not much differentthan with a car. However, visibility ismore critical. Be sure other driverssee you, and that you see potentialhazards.

FOLLOWING/

B E I N G

F O L L O W E D



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P ASSING

1. Ride in the left portion of thelane at a safe following distanceto increase your line of sight and make you more visible. Signaland check for oncoming trafc.Use your mirrors and turn your head to look for trafc behind.

2. When safe , move into the left laneand accelerate. Select a lane

position that doesn’t crowd thecar you are passing and pro-vides space to avoid hazards inyour lane.

3. Ride through the blind spot asquickly as possible.4. Signal again , and complete mirror

and headchecks before returningto your original lane and thencancel the signal. Remember, passes must be

completed within posted speed limits,and only where permitted. Know yoursigns and road markings!

BEING P ASSED

When you are being passed from behind or by an oncoming vehicle,

stay in the center portion of your lane. Riding any closer to them could

put you in a hazardous situation.

Avoid being hit by:

• The other vehicle — A slight

mistake by you or the passingdriver could cause a sideswipe.• Extended mirrors — Some

drivers forget that their mirrorshang out farther than their fenders.

• Objects thrown from windows — Even if the driver knows you’rethere, a passenger may not see youand might toss something on youor the road ahead of you.

• Blasts of wind from largervehicles — They can affect your control. You have more room for error if you are in the middle

portion when hit by this blastthan if you are on either side of the lane.

Do not move into the portionof the lane farthest from the passing vehicle. It might invite theother driver to cut back into your lanetoo early.

PASSING/

BEING PASSED/

P A

S S I N

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BEI N

G P A

S S ED

PASSING BEING PASSED



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L ANE SHARINGCars and motorcycles need a full

lane to operate safely. Lane sharing isusually prohibited.

Riding between rows of stopped

or moving cars in the same lane canleave you vulnerable to theunexpected. A hand could come outof a window; a door could open; a car could turn suddenly. Discourage lanesharing by others. Keep a center-

portion position whenever driversmight be tempted to squeeze by you.

Drivers are most tempted to do this:• In heavy , bumper-to-bumper

trafc.• When they want to pass you.

• When you are preparing to turn atan intersection.

• When you are moving into an exitlane or leaving a highway.

M ERGING C ARS

Drivers on an entrance ramp maynot see you on the highway. Givethem plenty of room. Change to

another lane if one is open. If there isno room for a lane change, adjustspeed to open up space for themerging driver.

C ARS ALONGSIDEDo not ride next to cars or trucks

in other lanes if you do not have to.You might be in the blind spot of acar in the next lane, which could switch into your lane withoutwarning. Cars in the next lane also

block your escape if you come upon

danger in your own lane. Speed up or drop back to nd a place clear of trafc on both sides.

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 obscene

gestures.C. Speed up to put distance between

you and the tailgater.D. Ignore them.

Answer - page 40

L A N E S H A R I N G



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SEEGood experienced riders remain

aware of what is going on around them. They improve their ridingstrategy by using SEE, a three-step

process used to make appropriate judgments, and apply them correctlyin different trafc situations:

• Search

• E valuate

• E xecute

Let’s examine each of these steps.

SEARCH

Search aggressively ahead, to thesides and behind to avoid potentialhazards even before they arise. Howassertively you search, and howmuch time and space you have, caneliminate or reduce harm. Focus even

more on nding potential escaperoutes in or around intersections,shopping areas and school and construction zones.

Search for factors such as:

• Oncoming trafc that may turnleft in front of you.

• Trafc coming from the left and right.

• Trafc approaching from behind.

• Hazardous road conditions.

Be especially alert in areas withlimited visibility. Visually “busy”surroundings could hide you and your motorcycle from others.

E VALUATE

Think about how hazards caninteract to create risks for you.Anticipate potential problems and have a plan to reduce risks.

• Road and surface characteristics — Potholes, guardrails, bridges,telephone poles and trees won’tmove into your path but may

infuence your riding strategy.• Trafc control devices — Look

for trafc signals, includingregulatory signs, warning signs,and pavement markings, to helpyou evaluate circumstancesahead.

• Vehicles and other trafc — May move into your path and increase the likelihood of a crash.

Think about your time and spacerequirements in order to maintain amargin of safety. You must leaveyourself time to react if anemergency arises.

E XECUTE

Carry out your decision.

To create more space and minimize harm from any hazard:

• Communicate your presence withlights and/or horn.

• Adjust your speed byaccelerating, stopping or slowing.

• Adjust your position and/or direction.

Apply the old adage “one stepat a time” to handle two or morehazards. Adjust speed to permit twohazards to separate. Then deal withthem one at a time as single hazards.Decision-making becomes morecomplex with three or more hazards.Weigh the consequences of each and give equal distance to the hazards.

S EE



18

In potential high-risk areas, suchas intersections, shopping areas and school and construction zones, cover the clutch and both brakes to reducethe time you need to react.

INTERSECTIONSThe greatest potential for

conict between you and other trafcis at intersections. An intersectioncan be in the middle of an urban areaor at a driveway on a residentialstreet — anywhere trafc may crossyour path of travel. Over one-half of motorcycle/car crashes are caused bydrivers entering a rider’s right-of-way. Cars that turn left in front of you, including cars turning left fromthe lane to your right, and cars onside streets that pull into your lane,

are the biggest dangers. Yo u r useof SEE [p. 17] at intersectionsis critical.

There are no guarantees thatothers see you. Never count on “eyecontact” as a sign that a driver willyield. Too often, a driver looks rightat a motorcyclist and still fails to

“see” him or her. The only eyes thatyou can count on are your own. If acar can enter your path, assume that itwill. Good riders are always “lookingfor trouble” — not to get into it, butto stay out of it.

Increase your chances of beingseen at intersections. Ride with your headlight on in a lane position that

provides the best view of oncomingtrafc. Provide a space cushionaround the motorcycle that permitsyou to take evasive action.

5 Test Yourself To reduce your reaction time, you

should:A. Ride slower than the speed limit.B. Cover the clutch and the brakes.C. Shift into neutral when slowing.D. Pull in the clutch when turning.

Answer - page 40

SMALL INTERSECTIONS

I N T E R S E C T I O N S



19

As you approach the intersec-tion, select a lane position thatincreases your visibility to the driver.Cover the clutch and both brakes toreduce reaction time.

Reduce your speed as youapproach an intersection. After

entering the intersection, move awayfrom vehicles preparing to turn. Donot change speed or positionradically. The driver might think thatyou are preparing to turn.

BLIND INTERSECTIONS

If you approach a blind intersection, move to the portion of

the lane that will bring you intoanother driver’s eld of vision at theearliest possible moment. In this

picture, the rider has moved to theleft portion of the lane — away fromthe parked car — so the driver on the

cross street can see him as soon as possible.

Remember, the key is to see asmuch as possible and remain visibleto others while protecting your space.

LARGE INTERSECTIONS

BLIND INTERSECTIONS



20

If you have a stop sign or stop

line, stop there rst. Then edgeforward and stop again, just short of where the cross-trafc lane meetsyour lane. From that position, leanyour body forward and look around

buildings, parked cars or bushes tosee if anything is coming. Just makesure your front wheel stays out of thecross lane of travel while you’re

looking.P ASSING P ARKED C ARS

When passing parked cars, staytoward the left of your lane. You canavoid problems caused by doorsopening, drivers getting out of cars or

people stepping from between cars. If oncoming trafc is present, it is

usually best to remain in the center-lane position to maximize your spacecushion.

A bigger problem can occur if the driver pulls away from the curbwithout checking for trafc behind.Even if he does look, he may fail tosee you.

In either event, the driver mightcut into your path. Slow down or change lanes to make room for someone cutting in.

Cars making a sudden U-turn arethe most dangerous. They may cut

you off entirely, blocking the wholeroadway and leaving you with no place to go. Since you can’t tell whata driver will do, slow down and getthe driver’s attention. Sound your horn and continue with caution.

P ARKING AT THE R OADSIDEPark at a 90˚ angle to the curb with

your rear wheel touching the curb.

STOP SIGNS

6 Test Yourself Making eye contact with other drivers:A. Is a good sign they see you.B. Is not worth the effort it takes.C. Doesn’t mean that the driver will

yield.D. Guarantees that the other driver will

yield to you. Answer - page 40

PARKED CARS

PARKING AT CURBS

P A R

K E D C A R S



21

INCREASINGCONSPICUITY

In crashes with motorcyclists,drivers often say that they never sawthe motorcycle. From ahead or

behind, a motorcycle’s outline ismuch smaller than a car’s. Also, it’shard to see something you are notlooking for, and most drivers are notlooking for motorcycles. More likely,they are looking through the skinny,two-wheeled silhouette in search of cars that may pose a problem to

them.Even if a driver does see you

coming, you aren’t necessarily safe.Smaller vehicles appear farther awayand seem to be traveling slower thanthey actually are. It is common for drivers to pull out in front of motorcyclists, thinking they have

plenty of time. Too often, theyare wrong.

However, you can do manythings to make it easier for others torecognize you and your motorcycle.

C LOTHING

Most crashes occur in broad

daylight. Wear bright-colored clothing to increase your chances of

being seen. Remember, your body ishalf of the visible surface area of therider/motorcycle unit.

Bright orange, red, yellow or green jackets or vests are your best

bets for being seen. Your helmet can

do more than protect you in a crash.Brightly colored helmets can alsohelp others see you.

Any bright color is better thandrab or dark colors. Reective,

bright-colored clothing (helmet and jacket or vest) is best.

Reective material on a vest and on the sides of the helmet will helpdrivers coming from the side to spotyou. Reective material can also be a

big help for drivers coming toward you or from behind.

H EADLIGHT

The best way to help others seeyour motorcycle is to keep theheadlight on — at all times (although motorcycles sold in theUSA since 1978 automatically havethe headlights on when running).Studies show that, during the day, amotorcycle with its light on is twiceas likely to be noticed. Use low beamat night and in fog.

SIGNALS

The signals on a motorcycle aresimilar to those on a car. They tellothers what you plan to do.

SIGNALING

CL

OTHI N

G

LI GHT

S

S I G NAL

S



22

However, due to a rider’s added vulnerability, signals are even moreimportant. Use them anytime you

plan to change lanes or turn. Usethem even when you think no oneelse is around. It’s the car you don’tsee that’s going to give you themost trouble. Your signal lights alsomake you easier to spot. That’s whyit’s a good idea to use your turnsignals even when what you plan todo is obvious.

When you enter onto afreeway, drivers approachingfrom behind are more likely to seeyour signal blinking and make roomfor you.

Turning your signal light on before each turn reduces confusionand frustration for the trafc around you. Once you turn, make sure your signal is off or a driver may pulldirectly into your path, thinking you

plan to turn again. Use your signalsat every turn so drivers can reactaccordingly. Don’t make themguess what you intend to do.

BRAKE L IGHT

Your motorcycle’s brake light isusually not as noticeable as the brakelights on a car — particularly whenyour taillight is on. (It goes on withthe headlight.) If the situation will

permit, help others notice you byashing your brake light before youslow down. It is especially importantto ash your brake light before:

• You slow more quickly thanothers might expect (turning off ahigh-speed highway).

• You slow where others may notexpect it (in the middle of a

block or at an alley).If you are being followed

closely, it’s a good idea to ash your brake light before you slow. Thetailgater may be watching you and not see something ahead that willmake you slow down. This willhopefully discourage them fromtailgating and warn them of hazardsahead they may not see.

USING YOUR M IRRORS

While it’s most important tokeep track of what’s happeningahead, you can’t afford to ignoresituations behind. Trafc conditionschange quickly. Knowing what’sgoing on behind is essential for youto make a safe decision about how tohandle trouble ahead.

Frequent mirror checks should be part of your normal searchingroutine. Make a special point of usingyour mirrors:

• When you are stopped at anintersection. Watch cars coming upfrom behind. If the drivers aren’t

paying attention, they could be ontop of you before they see you.

• Before you change lanes . Makesure no one is about to pass you.

• Before you slow down . The driver behind may not expect you toslow, or may be unsure aboutwhere you will slow. For example,

you signal a turn and the driver thinks you plan to turn at a distantintersection, rather than at a nearer driveway.

U S I N G Y O U R M I R R O R S



23

Some motorcycles have rounded (convex) mirrors. These provide awider view of the road behind thando at mirrors. They also make carsseem farther away than they reallyare. If you are not used to convexmirrors, get familiar with them.(While you are stopped, pick out a

parked car in your mirror. Form amental image of how far away it is.Then, turn around and look at it to

see how close you came.) Practice

with your mirrors until you become agood judge of distance. Even then,allow extra distance before youchange lanes.

H EAD C HECKS

Checking your mirrors is notenough. Motorcycles have “blind spots” like cars. Before you changelanes, turn your head, and look to the

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 you

plan to take.

Frequent head checks should be your normal scanning routine,

also. Only by knowing what ishappening all around you are youfully prepared to deal with it.

H ORN

Be ready to use your horn toget someone’s attention quickly.

It is a good idea to give a quick beep before passing anyone thatmay move into your lane.

Here are some situations:

• A driver in the lane next to you isdriving too closely to the vehicleahead and may want to pass.

• A parked car has someone in the

driver’s seat.• Someone is in the street , riding a

bicycle or walking.

In an emergency, press the horn button loud and long. Be ready tostop or swerve away from the danger.

Keep in mind that a motorcycle’shorn isn’t as loud as a car’s — therefore, use it, but don’t rely on it.Other strategies may be appropriatealong with the horn.

USING MIRRORS HEAD

CHE CK S

H OR N



24

R IDING AT NIGHT

At night it is harder for you tosee and be seen. Picking your headlight or taillight out of the car lights around you is not easy for other drivers. To compensate, you should:• Reduce Your Speed — Ride even

slower than you would during theday — particularly on roads youdon’t know well. This will increase your chances of avoiding a hazard.

• Increase Distance — Distancesare harder to judge at night thanduring the day. Your eyes rely

upon shadows and light contraststo determine how far away anobject is and how fast it is coming.These contrasts are missing or dis-torted under articial lights atnight. Open up a three-second fol-lowing distance or more. And allow more distance to pass and

be passed.

• Use the Car Ahead — Theheadlights of the car ahead cangive you a better view of the road than even your high beam can.Taillights bouncing up and downcan alert you to bumps or rough

pavement.• Use Your High Beam — Get all

the light you can. Use your high beam whenever you are notfollowing or meeting a car. Bevisible: Wear reective materialswhen riding at night.

• Be Flexible About Lane Position .Change to whatever portion of thelane is best able to help you see, beseen and keep an adequate spacecushion.

CRASH AVOIDANCE No matter how careful you are,

there will be times when you nd yourself in a tight spot. Your chancesof getting out safely depend on your

ability to react quickly and properly.Often, a crash occurs because a rider is not prepared or skilled in crash-avoidance maneuvers.

Know when and how to stop or swerve, two skills critical in avoidinga crash. It is not always desirable or

possible to stop quickly to avoid an

obstacle. Riders must also be able toswerve around an obstacle. Deter-mining which skill is necessary for the situation is important as well.

Studies show that most crash-involved riders:

• Underbrake the front tire and overbrake the rear.

• Did not separate braking fromswerving or did not chooseswerving when it was appropriate.

The following information offerssome good advice.

Q UICK STOPS

To stop quickly, apply both brakes at the same time. Don’t be shyabout using the front brake, but don't“grab” it, either. Squeeze the brakelever rmly and progressively. If thefront wheel locks, release the front

brake immediately then reapply itrmly. At the same time, press downon the rear brake. If you accidentallylock the rear brake on a good tractionsurface, you can keep it locked untilyou have completely stopped; but,even with a locked rear wheel, youcan control the motorcycle on astraightaway if it is upright and going in a straight line.

7 Test Yourself Reective 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 40

N I G H T R I D I N G

Q U I C K S T O P S

C R A S H A V O I D A N C E



25

.

Always use both brakes at thesame time to stop. The front brakecan provide 70% or more of the

potential stopping power.If you must stop quickly while

turning or riding a curve , the besttechnique is to straighten the bikeupright rst and then brake.However, it may not always be

possible to straighten the motorcycleand then stop. If you must brakewhile leaning, apply light brakes and reduce the throttle. As you slow, youcan reduce your lean angle and applymore brake pressure until themotorcycle is straight and maximum

brake pressure is possible. Youshould “straighten” the handlebars

in the last few feet of stopping. Themotorcycle should then be straight upand in balance.

SWERVING OR T URNING

QUICKLY

Sometimes you may not haveenough room to stop, even if you use

both brakes properly. An objectmight appear suddenly in your path.Or the car ahead might squeal to astop. The only way to avoid a crashmay be to turn quickly, or swerve

around it.A swerve is any sudden change

in direction. It can be two quick turns, or a rapid shift to the side.Apply a small amount of hand

pressure to the handlegrip located onthe side of your intended direction of escape. This will cause the

motorcycle to lean quickly. Thesharper the turn(s), the more themotorcycle must lean.

Keep your body upright and allow the motorcycle to lean in thedirection of the turn while keepingyour knees against the tank and your

STOPPING DISTANCE

SWERVE, THEN BRAKE BRAKE, THEN SWERVE

S WER VI N G



26

feet solidly on the footrests. Let themotorcycle move underneath you.Make your escape route the target of your vision. Press on the oppositehandlegrip once you clear theobstacle to return you to your originaldirection of travel. To swerve to theleft, press the left handlegrip, then

press the right to recover. To swerveto the right, press right, then left.

IF BRAKING IS REQUIRED,SEPARATE IT FROM SWERVING.Brake before or after — never whileswerving.

CONSTANT CURVES

C ORNERING

A primary cause of single-vehicle crashes is motorcyclistsrunning wide in a curve or turn and colliding with the roadway or a xed

object.Every curve is different. Be alert

to whether a curve remains constant,gradually widens, gets tighter or involves multiple turns.

Ride within your skill level and posted speed limits.

Your best path may not alwaysfollow the curve of the road.

C O R N E R I N G



27

Change lane position depending ontrafc, road conditions and curve of the road. If no trafc is present, startat the outside of a curve to increaseyour line of sight and the effectiveradius of the turn. As you turn, movetoward the inside of the curve, and asyou pass the center, move to theoutside to exit.

Another alternative is to move tothe center of your lane beforeentering a curve — and stay thereuntil you exit. This permits you tospot approaching trafc as soon as

possible. You can also adjust for trafc “crowding” the center line, or debris blocking part of your lane.

HANDLING DANGEROUSSURFACES

Your chance of falling or beinginvolved in a crash increaseswhenever you ride across:

• Uneven surfaces or obstacles.• Slippery surfaces.• Railroad tracks.• Grooves and gratings.

UNEVEN SURFACES AND O BSTACLES

Watch for uneven surfaces suchas bumps, broken pavement, potholesor small pieces of highway trash.

Try to avoid obstacles byslowing or going around them. If youmust go over the obstacle, rstdetermine if it is possible. Approachit at as close to a 90˚ angle as

possible. Look where you want to goto control your path of travel. If youhave to ride over the obstacle, youshould:

• Slow down as much as possible before contact.

• Make sure the motorcycle isstraight.

8 Test Yourself The best way to stop quickly is to:A. Use the front brake only.B. Use the rear brake rst.C. Throttle down and use the front

brake.D. Use both brakes at the same time.

Answer - page 40

OBSTACLES

DA N GER O U S S URF A CE S



28

• Rise slightly off the seat with your weight on the footrests to absorbthe shock with your knees and elbows, and avoid being thrown off the motorcycle.

• Just before contact , roll on thethrottle slightly to lighten the frontend.

If you ride over an object on thestreet, pull off the road and check your tires and rims for damage beforeriding any farther.

SLIPPERY SURFACES

Motorcycles handle better whenridden on surfaces that permit good traction. Surfaces that provide poor traction include:

• Wet pavement , particularly justafter it starts to rain and beforesurface oil washes to the side of the road.

• Gravel roads , or where sand and gravel collect.

• Mud, snow, and ice.• Lane markings (painted lines),

steel plates and manhole covers,especially when wet.To ride safely on slippery

surfaces:

• Reduce Speed — Slow down before you get to a slipperysurface to lessen your chances of skidding. Your motorcycle needsmore distance to stop. And it is

particularly important to reducespeed before entering wet curves.

• Avoid Sudden Moves — Anysudden change in speed or direction can cause a skid. Be assmooth as possible when youspeed up, shift gears, turn or brake.

• Use Both Brakes — The front brake is still effective, even on aslippery surface. Squeeze the

brake lever gradually to avoid locking the front wheel.Remember, gentle pressure on therear brake.

• The center of a lane can behazardous when wet. When itstarts to rain, ride in the tire tracksleft by cars. Often, the left tiretrack will be the best position,depending on trafc and other road conditions as well.

• Watch for oil spots when you putyour foot down to stop or park.You may slip and fall.

• Dirt and gravel collect along thesides of the road — especially oncurves and ramps leading to and from highways. Be aware of what’son the edge of the road,

particularly when making sharpturns and getting on or off freeways at high speeds.

• Rain dries and snow melts faster

on some sections of a road thanon others. Patches of ice tend todevelop in low or shaded areasand on bridges and overpasses.Wet surfaces or wet leaves are justas slippery. Ride on the leastslippery portion of the lane and reduce speed.

Cautious riders steer clear of roads covered with ice or snow. If youcan’t avoid a slippery surface, keepyour motorcycle straight up and

proceed as slowly as possible. If youencounter a large surface so slipperythat you must coast, or travel at awalking pace, consider letting your feet skim along the surface. If the

motorcycle starts to fall, you cancatch yourself. Be sure to keep off the

brakes. If possible, squeeze the clutchand coast. Attempting this maneuver at anything other than the slowest of speeds could prove hazardous.



29

R AILROAD T RACKS , T ROLLEY T RACKS AND P AVEMENT SEAMS

Usually it is safer to ride straightwithin 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 trafc.

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 angleof at least 45˚. Then, make a quick,sharp turn. Edging across could catchyour tires and throw you off balance.

G ROOVES AND G RATINGS Riding over rain grooves or

bridge gratings may cause amotorcycle to weave. The uneasy,wandering feeling is generally nothazardous. Relax, maintain a steadyspeed and ride straight across.Crossing at an angle forces riders tozigzag to stay in the lane. The zigzagis far more hazardous than thewandering feeling.

CROSSTRACKS-RIGHT

CROSSTRACKS-WRONG

PARALLEL TRACKS-RIGHT

PARALLEL TRACKS-WRONG

GRATE CROSSINGS-RIGHT

GRATE CROSSINGS-WRONG

9 Test Yourself

When it starts to rain it is usually best to:A. Ride in the center of the lane.B. Pull off to the side until the rain

stops.C. Ride in the tire tracks left by cars.D. Increase your speed.

Answer - page 40

TRA CKI N G

GRATI N G S



30

MECHANICALPROBLEMS

You can nd yourself in anemergency the moment somethinggoes wrong with your motorcycle. In

dealing with any mechanical problem, take into account the road and trafc conditions you face. Hereare some guidelines that can help youhandle mechanical problems safely.

T IRE F AILURE

You will seldom hear a tire goat. If the motorcycle starts handlingdifferently, it may be a tire failure.This can be dangerous. You must beable to tell from the way themotorcycle reacts. If one of your tiressuddenly loses air, react quickly tokeep your balance. Pull off and check the tires.

If the front tire goes at, thesteering will feel “heavy.” Afront-wheel at is particularlyhazardous because it affects your steering. You have to steer well tokeep your balance.

If the rear tire goes at, the back of the motorcycle may jerk or swayfrom side to side.

If either tire goes at while riding:

• Hold handlegrips rmly, ease off the throttle, and keep a straightcourse.

• If braking is required, however,

gradually apply the brake of thetire that isn’t at, if you are surewhich one it is.

• When the motorcycle slows, edgeto the side of the road, squeeze theclutch and stop.

STUCK T HROTTLE

Twist the throttle back and forthseveral times. If the throttle cable isstuck, this may free it. If the throttlestays stuck, immediately operate the

engine cut-off switch and pull in theclutch at the same time. This willremove power from the rear wheel,though engine sound may notimmediately decline. Once themotorcycle is “under control,” pulloff and stop.

After you have stopped, check

the throttle cable carefully to nd thesource of the trouble. Make certainthe throttle works freely before youstart to ride again.

W OBBLE

A “wobble” occurs when thefront wheel and handlebars suddenly

start to shake from side to side at anyspeed. Most wobbles can be traced toimproper loading, unsuitableaccessories or incorrect tire pressure.If you are carrying a heavy load,lighten it. If you can’t, shift it. Center the weight lower and farther forward on the motorcycle. Make sure tire

pressure, spring pre-load, air shocksand dampers are at the settingsrecommended for that much weight.Make sure windshields and fairingsare mounted properly.

Check for poorly adjusted steering; worn steering parts; a frontwheel that is bent, misaligned, or out

of balance; loose wheel bearings or spokes; and worn swingarm bearings.If none of these is determined to bethe cause, have the motorcyclechecked out thoroughly by a qualied

professional.

M E C H A N I C A L

P R O B L E M S



31

Trying to “accelerate out of awobble” will only make themotorcycle more unstable. Instead:

• Grip the handlebars rmly, butdon’t ght the wobble.

• Close the throttle gradually toslow down. Do not apply the brakes; braking could make thewobble worse.

• Move your weight as far forward and down as possible.

• Pull off the road as soon as youcan to x the problem.

C HAIN P ROBLEMS

A chain that slips or breaks whileyou’re riding could lock the rear wheel and cause your cycle to skid.Chain slippage or breakage can beavoided by proper maintenance.

• Slippage — If the chain slipswhen you try to speed up quicklyor 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.

• Breakage — You’ll notice aninstant loss of power to the rear wheel. Close the throttle and braketo a stop.

E NGINE SEIZURE

When the engine “locks” or “freezes” it is usually low on oil. Theengine’s moving parts can’t movesmoothly against each other, and the

engine overheats. The rst sign may be a loss of engine power or a changein the engine’s sound. Squeeze theclutch lever to disengage the enginefrom the rear wheel. Pull off the road and stop. Check the oil. If needed, oilshould be added as soon as possibleor the engine will seize. When thishappens, the effect is the same as alocked rear wheel. Let the enginecool before restarting.

ANIMALS Naturally, you should do

everything you safely can to avoid hitting an animal. If you are in trafc,

however, remain in your lane. Hittingsomething small is less dangerous toyou than hitting something big — like a car.

Motorcycles seem to attractdogs. If you are chased, downshiftand approach the animal slowly. Asyou approach it, accelerate away and

leave the animal behind. Don’t kick at an animal. Keep control of your motorcycle and look to where youwant to go.

For larger animals (deer, elk,cattle) brake and prepare to stop — they are unpredictable.

10 Test Yourself If your motorcycle starts to wobble:A. Accelerate out of the wobble.B. Use the brakes gradually.C. Grip the handlebars rmly and

close the throttle gradually.D. Downshift.

Answer - page 40

11 Test Yourself If 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 40



32

FLYING OBJECTSFrom time to time riders are

struck by insects, cigarettes thrownfrom cars or pebbles kicked up by thetires of the vehicle ahead. If you are

wearing face protection, it might getsmeared or cracked, making itdifcult to see. Without face

protection, an object could hit you inthe 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 ROADIf you need to leave the road to

check the motorcycle (or just to restfor a while), be sure you:

• Check the roadside — Make surethe surface of the roadside is rmenough to ride on. If it is softgrass, loose sand or if you’re justnot sure about it, slow way down

before you turn onto it.

• Signal — Drivers behind mightnot expect you to slow down. Givea clear signal that you will beslowing down and changingdirection. Check your mirror and make a head check before you takeany action.

• Pull off the road — Get as far off the road as you can. It can be veryhard to spot a motorcycle by theside of the road. You don’t wantsomeone else pulling off at thesame place you are.

• Park carefully — Loose and sloped shoulders can make settingthe side or center stand difcult.

CARRYING PASSENGERSAND CARGO

Only experienced riders should carry passengers or large loads. Theextra weight changes the way the

motorcycle handles, balances, speedsup and slows down. Before taking a

passenger or a heavy load on thestreet, practice away from trafc.

E QUIPMENT

To carry passengers safely:

• Equip and adjust your motorcycle to carry passengers.

• Instruct the passenger before youstart.

• Adjust your riding technique for the added weight.

Equipment should include:

• A proper seat — large enoughto hold both of you withoutcrowding. You should not sitany farther forward than youusually do.

• Footrests — for the passenger.Firm footing prevents your

passenger from falling off and pulling you off, too.

• Protective equipment — thesame protective gear recommended for operators.

Adjust the suspension to handlethe additional weight. You will

probably need to add a few pounds of pressure to the tires if you carry a passenger. (Check your owner’smanual for appropriate settings.)While your passenger sits on the seatwith you, adjust the mirror and headlight according to the change inthe motorcycle’s angle.

F L Y I N

G O B J E C T S

G E T T I N G O F F T H E R O A D

C A R R Y I N G L O A D S



33

INSTRUCTING P ASSENGERS

Even if your passenger is amotorcycle rider, provide completeinstructions before you start. Tellyour passenger to:

• Get on the motorcycle only after you have started the engine.

• Sit as far forward as possiblewithout crowding you.

• Hold rmly to your waist, hips, belts or to the bike’s passenger handholds.

• Keep both feet on the footrests,even when stopped.

• Keep legs away from themufer(s), chains or moving parts.

• Stay directly behind you , leaningas you lean.

• Avoid unnecessary talk or motion.

Also, tell your passenger totighten his or her hold when you:

• Approach surface problems.

• Are about to start from a stop.

• Warn that you will make asudden move.

R IDING W ITH P ASSENGERSYour motorcycle will respond

more slowly with a passenger on board. The heavier your passenger,the longer it will take to slow downand speed up — especially on a lightmotorcycle.

• Ride a little slower , especiallywhen taking curves, corners or

bumps.

• Start slowing earlier as youapproach a stop.

• Open up a larger cushion of space ahead and to the sides.

• Wait for larger gaps to cross,enter or merge in trafc.

Warn your passenger of specialconditions — when you will pull out,stop quickly, turn sharply or ride over a bump. Turn your head slightly to

make yourself understood, but keepyour eyes on the road ahead.

C ARRYING L OADS

Most motorcycles are notdesigned to carry much cargo. Smallloads can be carried safely if

positioned and fastened properly.

• Keep the Load Low — Fastenloads securely, or put them insaddlebags. Piling loads against asissybar or frame on the back of the seat raises the motorcycle’scenter of gravity and disturbs its

balance.• Keep the Load Forward — Place

the load over, or in front of, therear axle. Tankbags keep loadsforward, but use caution whenloading hard or sharp objects.Make sure the tankbag does notinterfere with handlebars or controls. Mounting loads behind the rear axle can affect how the

motorcycle turns and brakes. It canalso cause a wobble.• Distribute the Load Evenly —

Load saddlebags with about thesame weight. An uneven load cancause the motorcycle to drift toone side.

12 Test Yourself Passengers 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 40

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• Secure the Load — Fasten theload securely with elastic cords(bungee cords or nets). Elasticcords with more than oneattachment point per side are moresecure. A tight load won’t catch in

the wheel or chain, causing it tolock up and skid. Rope tends tostretch and knots come loose,

permitting the load to shift or fall.• Check the Load — Stop and

check the load every so often tomake sure it has not worked looseor moved.

GROUP RIDINGIf you ride with others, do it in a

way that promotes safety and doesn’tinterfere with the ow of trafc.

K EEP THE G ROUP SMALL

Small groups make it easier and safer for car drivers who need to getaround them. A small number isn’tseparated as easily by trafc or red lights. Riders won’t always behurrying to catch up. If your group islarger than four or ve riders, divideit up into two or more smaller groups.

K EEP THE G ROUP T OGETHER

• Plan — The leader should look ahead for changes and signal earlyso “the word gets back” in plentyof time. Start lane changes early to

permit everyone to complete thechange.

• Put Beginners Up Front — Placeinexperienced riders just behind the leader. That way the moreexperienced riders can watch themfrom the back.

• Follow Those Behind — Let thetailender set the pace. Use your mirrors to keep an eye on the

person behind. If a rider falls behind, everyone should slow

down a little to stay with thetailender.

• Know the Route — Make sureeveryone knows the route. Then, if someone is separated they won’thave to hurry to keep from gettinglost or taking a wrong turn. Planfrequent stops on long rides.

K EEP YOUR D ISTANCE

Maintain close ranks but at thesame time keep a safe distance toallow each rider in the group timeand space to react to hazards. A close

group takes up less space on thehighway, is easier to see and is lesslikely to be separated. However, itmust be done properly.Don’t Pair Up — Never operate

directly alongside another rider.There is no place to go if you haveto avoid a car or something on theroad. To talk, wait until you are bothstopped.

Staggered Formation — This is the best way to keep ranks close yetmaintain an adequate space

STAGGERED FORMATION

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cushion. The leader rides in the leftside of the lane, while the second rider stays one second behind inthe right side of the lane.

A third rider maintains in the left position, two seconds behind the rstrider. The fourth rider would keep atwo-second distance behind thesecond rider. This formation keepsthe group close and permits eachrider a safe distance from othersahead, behind and to the sides.• Passing in Formation — Riders

in a staggered formation should

pass one at a time.• First, the lead rider should pull

out and pass when it is safe. After passing, the leader should return tothe left position and continueriding at passing speed to openroom for the next rider.

• After the rst rider passes safely ,the second rider should move up tothe left position and watch for asafe chance to pass. After passing,this rider should return to the right

position and

open up room for the next rider.

Some people suggest that theleader should move to the right sideafter passing a vehicle. This is not agood idea. It encourages the second rider to pass and cut back in beforethere is a large enough space cushionin front of the passed vehicle. It’ssimpler and safer to wait until thereis enough room ahead of the passed vehicle to allow each rider to moveinto the same position held beforethe pass.Single-File Formation — It is best

to move into a single-le formationwhen riding curves, turning,entering or leaving a highway.

13 Test Yourself When 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 40



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BEING IN SHAPE TO RIDERiding a motorcycle is a demanding and complex task. Skilled riders pay

attention to the riding environment and to operating the motorcycle, identifying potential hazards, making good judgments and executing decisions quickly and skillfully. Your ability to perform and respond to changing road and trafcconditions is inuenced by how t and alert you are. Alcohol and other drugs,more than any other factor, degrade your ability to think clearly and to ridesafely. As little as one drink can have a signicant effect on your performance.

Let’s look at the risks involved in riding after drinking or using drugs.What to do to protect yourself and your fellow riders is also examined.

WHY THIS INFORMATION

IS IMPORTANTAlcohol is a major contributor to

motorcycle crashes, particularly fatalcrashes. Studies show that 40% to45% of all riders killed in motorcyclecrashes had been drinking. Only one-third of those riders had a blood alcohol concentration above legallimits. The rest had only a few drinksin their systems — enough to impair riding skills. In the past, drug levelshave been harder to distinguish or have not been separated fromdrinking violations for the trafcrecords. But riding “under theinuence” of either alcohol or drugs

poses physical and legal hazards for every rider.

Drinking and drug use is as big a problem among motorcyclists as it isamong automobile drivers.Motorcyclists, however, are morelikely to be killed or severely injured in a crash. Injuries occur in 90% of motorcycle crashes and 33% of automobile crashes that involve abuse

of substances. On a yearly basis,2,100 motorcyclists are killed and about 50,000 seriously injured in thissame type of crash. These statisticsare too overwhelming to ignore.

By becoming knowledgeableabout the effects of alcohol and other drugs you will see that riding and

substance abuse don’t mix. Take positive steps to protect yourself and prevent others from injuringthemselves.

ALCOHOL AND OTHER DRUGS IN MOTORCYCLEOPERATION

No one is immune to the effectsof alcohol or drugs. Friends may bragabout their ability to hold their liquor or perform better on drugs, butalcohol or drugs make them less ableto think clearly and perform physicaltasks skillfully. Judgment and thedecision-making processes needed for vehicle operation are affected long

before legal limitations are reached.

Many over-the-counter, prescription and illegal drugs haveside effects that increase the risk of riding. It is difcult to accuratelymeasure the involvement of

particular drugs in motorcyclecrashes. But we do know what effectsvarious drugs have on the processinvolved in riding a motorcycle. We

also know that the combined effectsof alcohol and other drugs are moredangerous than either is alone.

ALCOHOL IN THE BODYAlcohol enters the bloodstream

quickly. Unlike most foods and

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37

beverages, it does not need to bedigested. Within minutes after beingconsumed, it reaches the brain and

begins to affect the drinker. Themajor effect alcohol has is to slowdown and impair bodily functions —

both mental and physical. Whatever you do, you do less well after consuming alcohol.

BLOOD ALCOHOL C ONCENTRATION

Blood Alcohol Concentration or BAC is the amount of alcohol in

relation to blood in the body.Generally, alcohol can be eliminated in the body at the rate of almost onedrink per hour. But a variety of other factors may also inuence the level of alcohol retained. The more alcohol inyour blood, the greater the degree of impairment.

Three factors play a major part in determining BAC:

• The amount of alcohol youconsume.

• How fast you drink.

• Your body weight.

Other factors also contribute tothe way alcohol affects your system.

Your sex, physical condition and food intake are just a few that may causeyour BAC level to be even higher.But the full effects of these are notcompletely known. Alcohol may stillaccumulate in your body even if you are drinking at a rate of onedrink per hour . Abilities and

judgment can be affected by thatone drink.

A 12-ounce can of beer, a mixed drink with one shot of liquor and a 5-ounce glass of wine all contain thesame amount of alcohol.

The faster you drink, the morealcohol accumulates in your body. If you drink two drinks in an hour, atthe end of that hour, at least one drink will remain in your bloodstream.

Without taking into account anyother factors, these examplesillustrate why time is a critical factor when a rider decides to drink.

A person drinking: – Seven drinks over the span of threehours would have at least four (7 – 3= 4) drinks remaining in their systemat the end of the three hours. Theywould need at least another four hours to eliminate the four remaining

drinks before they consider riding.

ALCOHOL CONCENTRATION

B L

O ODAL

C OH OL

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– Four drinks over the span of twohours would have at least two (4 – 2= 2) drinks remaining in their systemat the end of the two hours. Theywould need at least another two hoursto eliminate the two remaining drinks

before they consider riding.There are times when a larger

person may not accumulate as high aconcentration of alcohol for each drink consumed. They have more blood and other bodily uids. But becauseof individual differences it is better not to take the chance that abilitiesand judgment have not been affected.Whether or not you are legallyintoxicated is not the real issue.Impairment of judgment and skills

begins well below the legal limit.

ALCOHOL AND THE LAWIn most states, a person with a

BAC of .08% or above is considered

intoxicated; in others the legal limit is.10%. It doesn’t matter how sober you may look or act. The breath or urine test is what usually determineswhether you are riding legally or illegally.

Your chances of being stopped for riding under the inuence of alcohol are increasing. Lawenforcement is being stepped upacross the country in response to thesenseless deaths and injuries caused

by drinking drivers and riders.

C ONSEQUENCES OF C ONVICTION

Years ago, rst offenders had a

good chance of getting off with asmall ne and participation inalcohol-abuse classes. Today the lawsof most states impose stiff penaltieson drinking operators. And those

penalties are mandatory, meaning

that judges must impose them.

If you are convicted of ridingunder the inuence of alcohol or drugs, you may receive any of thefollowing penalties:

• License Suspension — Mandatory suspension for conviction, arrest or refusal tosubmit to a breath test.

• Fines — Severe nes are another aspect of a conviction, usuallylevied with a license suspension.

• Community Service — Performing tasks such as picking up litter along the highway, washing cars inthe motor-vehicle pool or workingat an emergency ward.

• Costs — Additional lawyer’s feesto pay, lost work time spent incourt or alcohol-education

programs, public transportationcosts (while your license issuspended) and the added

psychological costs of beingtagged a “drunk driver.”

MINIMIZE THE RISKSYour ability to judge how well

you are riding is affected rst.Although you may be performingmore and more poorly, you think youare doing better and better. The resultis that you ride condently, takinggreater and greater risks. Minimizethe risks of drinking and riding bytaking steps before you drink.Control your drinking or controlyour riding.

DON ’T DRINK Don’t Drink — Once you start,

your resistance becomes weaker.Setting a limit or pacing yourself

are poor alternatives at best. Your ability to exercise good judgment is

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39

one of the rst things affected byalcohol. Even if you have tried todrink in moderation, you may notrealize to what extent your skills havesuffered from alcohol’s fatiguingeffects.

Or Don’t Ride — If you haven’tcontrolled your drinking, you mustcontrol your riding.

• Leave the motorcycle — so you won’t be tempted to ride.Arrange another way to get home.

• Wait — If you exceed your limit, wait until your systemeliminates the alcohol and itsfatiguing effects.

STEP IN TOPROTECT FRIENDS

People who have had too much todrink are unable to make a responsibledecision. It is up to others to step in

and keep them from taking too great arisk. No one wants to do this — it’suncomfortable, embarrassing and thankless. You are rarely thanked for your efforts at the time. But thealternatives are often worse.

There are several ways to keep friends from hurting themselves:

• Arrange a safe ride — Providealternative ways for them toget home.

• Slow the pace of drinking — Involve them in other activities.

• Keep them there — Use anyexcuse to keep them from gettingon their motorcycle. Serve themfood and coffee to pass the time.Explain your concerns for their risks of getting arrested or hurtor hurting someone else. Take their key, if you can.

• Get friends involved — Use peer pressure from a group of friendsto intervene.

It helps to enlist support fromothers when you decide to step in.The more people on your side, theeasier it is to be rm and the harder it is for the rider to resist. Whileyou may not be thanked at thetime, you will never have to say,“If only I had ...”

FATIGUERiding a motorcycle is more

tiring than driving a car. On a longtrip, you’ll tire sooner than you would in a car. Avoid riding when tired.Fatigue can affect your control of themotorcycle.

• Protect yourself from theelements — Wind, cold, and rainmake you tire quickly. Dresswarmly. A windshield is worth itscost if you plan to ride longdistances.

• Limit your distance — Experi-enced riders seldom try to ridemore than about six hours a day.

• Take frequent rest breaks — Stop and get off the motorcycle atleast every two hours.

• Don’t drink or use drugs — Articial stimulants often result in

extreme fatigue or depressionwhen they start to wear off. Ridersare unable to concentrate on thetask at hand.

14 Test Yourself If you wait one hour per drink for the alcohol to be eliminated from your body before riding:

A. You cannot be arrested for drinkingand riding.B. Your riding skills will not be

affected.C. Side effects from the drinking may

still remain.D. You will be okay as long as you ride

slowly. Answer - page 40

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40

EARNING YOUR LICENSESafe riding requires knowledge and skill. Licensing tests are the best

measurement of the skills necessary to operate safely in trafc. Assessing your own skills is not enough. People often overestimate their own abilities. It’s evenharder for friends and relatives to be totally honest about your skills. Licensingexams are designed to be scored more objectively.

To earn your license, you must pass a knowledge test and an on-cycle skilltest. Knowledge test questions are based on information, practices and ideasfrom this manual. They require that you know and understand road rules and safe riding practices. An on-cycle skill test will either be conducted in an actualtrafc environment or in a controlled, off-street area.

K NOWLEDGE T EST

(Sample Questions)

1. It is MOST important to ash your brake light when:

A. Someone is following too closely.B. You will be slowing suddenly.C. There is a stop sign ahead.D. Your signals are not working.

2. The FRONT brake supplies how much of the potential stopping power?

A. About one-quarter.B. About one-half.C. About three-quarters.

D. All of the stopping power. 3. To swerve correctly:

A. Shift your weight quickly.B. Turn the handlebars quickly.C. Press the handlegrip in the

direction of the turn.D. Press the handlegrip in the

opposite direction of the turn.

_____________________________________ Answers to Test Yourself (previous pages)

1-C, 2-D, 3-D, 4-A, 5-B,6-C, 7-D 8-D, 9-C, 10-C,11-D, 12-A, 13-A, 14-C

4. If a tire goes at while riding and you must stop, it is usually best to:

A. Relax on the handlegrips.B. Shift your weight toward the good

tire.C. Brake on the good tire and steer to

the side of the road.

D. Use both brakes and stop quickly. 5. The car below is waiting to enter the intersection. It is best to:

A. Make eye contact with the driver.B. Reduce speed and be ready to

react.C. Maintain speed and position.D. Maintain speed and move right..

_____________________________________ Answers to above Knowledge Test:

1-B, 2-C, 3-C, 4-C, 5-B

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O N-M OTORCYCLE SKILL T EST

Basic vehicle control and crash-avoidance skills are included inon-motorcycle tests to determine

your ability to handle normal and hazardous trafc situations.

You may be tested for yourability to:

• Know your motorcycle and your riding limits.

• Accelerate, brake and turnsafely.

• See, be seen and communicatewith others.

• Adjust speed and position to thetrafc situation.

• Stop, turn and swerve quickly.

• Make critical decisions and carrythem out.

Examiners may score on factors related to safety such as:

• Selecting safe speeds to performmaneuvers.

• Choosing the correct path and staying within boundaries.

• Completing normal and quick

stops.• Completing normal and quick

turns or swerves.

To receive a motorcycle license with full privileges, moststates require that maneuvers be performed as designed.On-motorcycle skill tests are not designed for sidecars or three-wheeled vehicles. Those vehicles maneuver differently than a two-wheeled motorcycle. Depending on the state, an examiner may follow you on a car

test-route. Restrictions (sidecar, three-wheeled vehicle) may be added until completion of a two-wheeled motorcycle test.

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



42



MOTORCYCLES MAKE SENSE – SO DOES PROFESSIONAL TRAINING

Motorcycles are inexpensive to operate, fun to ride and easy to park.Unfortunately, many riders never learn critical skills needed to ride safely.

Professional training for beginning and experienced riders prepares them for real-world trafc situations. Motorcycle Safety Foundation RiderCourses SM teachand improve such skills as:

• Effective turning • Braking maneuvers • Protective apparel selection• Obstacle avoidance • Trafc strategies • Maintenance

For the basic or experienced RiderCourse nearest you,

call toll free: 800.446.9227

The MotorcycleSafety Foundation’s(MSF) purpose is toimprove the safety of motorcyclists on thenation’s streets and highways. In anattempt to reduce motorcycle crashesand injuries, the Foundation has pro-grams in rider education, licensingimprovement, public information and statistics. These programs are designed for both motorcyclists and motorists. Anational not-for-prot organization, theMSF is sponsored by BMW, Ducati,

Harley-Davidson, Honda, Kawasaki,KTM, Piaggio/Vespa, Suzuki, Ven-geance, Victory and Yamaha.

The information contained in this publication is offered for the benet of those who have an interest in riding

motorcycles. The infor-mation has been com-

piled from publications,interviews and observa-tions of individuals and

organizations familiar with the use of motorcycles, accessories, and training.Because there are many differences in

product design, riding styles, federal,state and local laws, there may be orga-nizations and individuals who hold dif-fering opinions. Consult your localregulatory agencies for informationconcerning the operation of motor-

cycles in your area. Although the MSFwill continue to research, eld test and publish responsible viewpoints on thesubject, it disclaims any liability for the views expressed herein.

Printing and distribution courtesy of Motorcycle Safety Foundation2 Jenner Street, Suite 150, Irvine, CA 92618-3806

www.msf-usa.org

Second Revision.... .. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..December 1978 Seventh Revision ... .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .September 1992Third Revision... .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .February 1981 Eighth Revision ... .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. . .January 1999

Fourth Revision........................January 1983 Ninth Revision............................March 2000 Fifth Revision... .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..October 1987 Tenth Revision.... .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. . January 2002Sixth Revision...............................April 1991 Eleventh Revision...........................July 2002....................................................................... Twelfth Revision............................ May 2004

Printed in USA 000254

®

msf motorcycle operators manual

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