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T his booklet or materials in thisbooklet may not be reproduced, for
resale or otherwise, without theexpress written permission of theMotorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF).
The information in this publicationis offered for the benefit of those whohave an interest in motorcycles. The information has been compiledfrom publications, interviews andobservations of individuals and organizations familiar with the use ofmotorcycles and training. Becausethere are many differences in productdesign, riding styles, federal, state andlocal laws, there may be organizationsand individuals who hold differingopinions. Consult your local regulatory
agencies concerning the operation ofmotorcycles in your area.
The Motorcycle Safety Foundationis a national, not-for-profit organization promoting the safety of motorcycleswith programs in rider training, operator licensing and public informa-tion. The MSF is sponsored by theU.S. manufacturers and distributors of BMW, Ducati, Harley-Davidson,Honda, Kawasaki, Piaggio/Vespa,Suzuki, Victory and Yamaha motorcycles.
You and Your Motorcycle: Riding TipsYou and Your Motorcycle: Riding Tips
Table of contents
ForEword . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1
IntroductioN . . . . . . . . . . . .4
THE RIDER . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6What To Wear When You Ride
Helmet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7Eye Protection . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8Jacket . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9Pants . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10Gloves . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10Boots . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10Raingear . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10High-Visibility Gear . . . . . . . . .11
YOU AND YOUR LEGALRESPONSIBILITIES . . . . . . .12
Licensing Requirements . . . . . .13Insurance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13
KNOW YOUR MOTORCYCLE .14The Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15Shifting Gears . . . . . . . . . . . . .16Braking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16Turning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18Checking the Bike
Before the Ride . . . . . . . . .19Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20Troubleshooting . . . . . . . . . . . .22
THE HIGHWAY, BYWAY, STREETAND ALLEY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24
The SEE System . . . . . . . . . . . .25Increasing Your Visibility
to Others . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26Helping You to See Others . . .28Intersections . . . . . . . . . . . . . .30Passing Other Vehicles . . . . . .31Night Riding . . . . . . . . . . . . . .33
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HANDLING SPECIALSITUATIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .34
Emergency Braking . . . . . . . . .35Braking While Leaned
Into a Curve . . . . . . . . . . . .36Coping With a Skid . . . . . . . . .36Riding Across Poor
Road Surfaces . . . . . . . . . .38Steel Bridge Gratings
and Rain Grooves . . . . . . .40Rain . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .41Wind . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .42Animals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .42
EQUIPMENT FAILURES . . .44Blowouts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .44Stuck Throttle . . . . . . . . . . . . .45Broken Clutch Cable . . . . . . . .45
GROUP RIDING ANDPASSENGERS . . . . . . . . . .46
Riding in a Group . . . . . . . . . .46Carrying a Passenger . . . . . . .49
LOADING THEMOTORCYCLE . . . . . . . . . . . . .52
Drugs, DRINKINGAND RIDING . . . . . . . . . . . . . .55
CONCLUSION . . . . . . . . . . . . . .56
Motorcycle Skill TestPractice Guide . . . . . . . . . .57
INTRODUCTION
You and Your Motorcycle
Congratulations! You have gained admission to the wonderful world ofmotorcycling. You are going to have a marvelous time.
You also have some new responsibilities, which is what this little booklet is all about.
Motorcycling has grown more and more popular in recent years. We’re veryglad to see the increase in people who enjoy it. However, we’re also interested inkeeping this a safe sport.
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You and Your Motorcycle
A Few Tips for Keeping Your Relationship a Happy One
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INTR
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The way to do this is to tell the rider - whether novice or experienced - about operating a motorcycle safely. Your enjoy-ment, and your safety, depends on mastering not only the art ofmotorcycling but also the realities of the traffic around you.
The staff at the Motorcycle Safety Foundation has preparedthis booklet to provide you - the motorcycle rider - with important tips that can help you to ride safely. Read these pages carefully. Thirty minutes spent reading this informationcan be one of the most valuable half-hours of learning you haveever had.
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R iding a motorcycle properly is a skill you can learn. It’s not something you areborn with, like having red hair or blue eyes. It takes thinking and practice to
ride one well. Unfortunately many riders never learn the critical skills to ride safelyand enjoy the sport to its fullest.
The best thing you can do is take a RiderCourse®. Beginning riders can take theMotorcycle RiderCourse developed by the Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF).
People who have been riding for some time can also benefit from taking an MSFExperienced RiderCourse. You CAN teach an old dog new tricks.
effective turning techniques protective geartraffic strategies
special riding situationseffective braking techniquesevasive maneuvers
The courses cover topics such as:
The instruction is available. If you call the nationaltoll-free number, (800) 446-9227,
you will get the phone number of a training site near you.
The Rider - That’s you!The Rider - That’s you!
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HELMETAround the block or around the world,it makes sense to leave home with ahelmet on your head. IT’S ONE OFTHE BEST ITEMS OF PROTECTIONYOU CAN USE.
Helmets come in all sizes, fromextra small (XS) to extra large (XL).There are also helmets for children.When you buy a helmet, make sure itfits properly. Try it on; it should becomfortable to wear, neither too tightnor too loose. Remember, it is goingto spend a lot of time on your head.
Always fasten the helmet strap. Ifthe helmet is not secured, it is doingabout as much good as if it were onthe shelf at home.
Did you know that all adult-sizedmotorcycle helmets now sold in theUnited States must have a sticker indicating DOT (Department ofTransportation) approval, which meansthat the helmet meets certain basicimpact standards? Don’t buy a helmetwithout one; it may not meet stan-dards. Helmets vary greatly in priceand style. Buy one that suits you.
What To Wear When You RideProper gear is essential to safe riding. Wearing the right clothing always
makes the sport more enjoyable. And more comfortable, too.
The Rider
Wear it. Fasten it every time you throwa leg over the motorcycle.
A good helmet makes motorcyclinga lot more pleasurable because it cutsdown on the wind noise and greatlyreduces rider fatigue. The days ofheavy or cumbersome helmets aregone; they’re now made of light newmaterials with terrific designs and col-ors to choose from.
If you do drop your helmet onto ahard surface, or it receives a heavyblow, it is probably time to buy a newone. A motorcycle helmet is designedto absorb the impact of a blow, and ahelmet should only do that once. If indoubt, get a new one.
EYE PROTECTIONRiding with bare eyeballs is a gamble.Your eyes are precious, and it does nottake much to injure one.
A fairing on a motorcycle is not eyeprotection; a bit of sand or tiny pieceof glass can whip in behind it and getin your eye.
Proper eye protection means anapproved shield on your helmet, a pairof goggles, or shatterproof glasses.Settling for less just isn’t worth the risk.
Make sure your eye protection isclean and unscratched. If you use atinted lens or shield for riding in thebright sunlight, take a clear one alongas well, in case you are riding afterdark.
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JACKETMotorcycle jackets are made in manysturdy materials: denim, nylon in itsvarious guises, corduroy, and leather.The hide of a cow, or any other com-monly used leather, offers you themost protection when it comes toabrasion. You can buy leather jacketswith zippered vents, which are com-fortable to wear even in hot weather asthey allow a breeze to flow through.
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PANTSThese should be made of a thick material, such as leather. They resistabrasion and provide protection fromthe elements. A pair of loose, light cotton pants that flap in the wind isnot very good riding gear. A numberof companies sell leather ridingpants, and you can get pants andjacket combinations that zip together.
GLOVESAlways wear gloves. Even on a hotday. The car in front of you may throwup a stone that hits your fingers.Ouch! Also, bare hands are notdesigned to withstand abrasion oraccidental contact with a hot motorcy-cle part.
BOOTSOver-the-ankle boots, please.Preferably made of strong leather. Your ankles are very complicated; protect them.
A boot with a slippery sole couldcause embarrassment when you putyour foot down at a greasy gas station.Rubber soles, with a good tread design,offer better gripping possibilities.
RAINGEARIt rains everywhere in this country,
some places more than others.Inevitably you will be caught out in therain. Why not have a good motorcyclerainsuit along, with rain-covers for bootsand gloves as well? It’s a lot more funriding in the rain when you’re dry.
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HIGH-VISIBILITY GEARThe better people see you, the less likely they are to runinto you. Brightly colored clothing is preferable todrab, dark clothing.
You can buy specialvests which are designedto make it easier for othersto see you. Some militarybases feel strongly aboutthis feature and require allmotorcyclists to wear them.
For nighttime, you canbuy clothing that reflectslight, and put reflectivestrips on your helmetand the backs of yourboots. Every little bithelps.
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Legal responsibilities
Don’t forget, driving is a privilege,not a right. You have to prove
your competence before your licenseis issued. If you ignore the laws ofyour state, your license may be taken from you.
Laws are intended to protect you,not to harass you. You may be thebest and safest rider in the country,but these laws are to keep incompetent, dangerous drivers off the streets.
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You and Your Legal ResponsibilitiesYou and Your Legal Responsibilities
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Just think of the chaos if we didn’thave these laws. Respect them.
Licensing RequirementsThese vary from state to state. Moststates require a separate license inorder to operate a motorcycle. Go andget one. Drop by your local depart-ment of motor vehicles and ask forlicensing information. You put your-self, your wallet, and your insurance atrisk if you choose to violate the law.
If your state requests it, take thewritten test. And the riding test. Getyour motorcycle operator’s license.Become a full-fledged member of themotorcycling fraternity.
InsuranceThe registration is easy; pay yourmoney, and you get a license plate tobolt onto the back of the bike.
Insurance is harder, but most statesrequire liability insurance. (Check yourstate’s laws.) Shop around for it.Some companies give a discount ifyou’ve taken an MSF RiderCourse.
You can also get other coverage onyou and your bike: comprehensive,collision, medical payments, uninsureddriver (the other guy), et cetera. Askyour insurance agent what each typeof coverage can do for you, and howmuch it will cost.
The better your driving record, the lesscostly the insurance. It pays to be safe.
Know your M
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T o be a safe rider, get to know yourmotorcycle extremely well. It’s very
different from a car and makes moredemands on the operator. The motorcy-cle goes and turns and stops smoothlyaccording to your degree of skill and knowledge.
Get to know your owner’s manual; notall motorcycles are exactly alike. Typesrange from street machines (large touringbikes, cruisers, sport, and traditional) tooff-road and dual-purpose bikes. The manual gives you many specifics you willfind helpful in understanding and maintaining the bike you’ve chosen.
A close relative to the motorcycle-thescooter-is different from most motorcy-
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cles and you’ll need to find out its particular features. Some have automatic transmissions, as well asstarter interlocks. As with other small-displacement machines, certain models may not be allowed on high-speed, limited-access highways.
It takes a long time to become prop-erly familiar with a motorcycle, so it isbest not to lend it or borrow one.Think of your motorcycle as being aspersonal as a toothbrush.
The ControlsOver the years, the basic controls onmotorcycles have been standardized.
Put the bike on the centerstand andsit on it. Become familiar with thecontrols and how to use them. Workthe levers and pedals. If something
isn’t within easy reach of fingers ortoes, maybe it can be adjusted to suityou. Check your owner’s manual.
Practice with the turn signals. Findthe horn button, so you won’t have tolook for it when somebody starts backing out in front of you. Figure outhow the dimmer switch works before itgets dark.
Do become familiar with theRESERVE fuel valve, if there is one on your machine. When you are running along the highway and yourengine burbles, indicating it is runningout of fuel, you want to be able to turnthat reserve on without a second’sthought. It is not fun or safe to befumbling around when you are in gearand moving.
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Shifting GearsStarting off and changing gearsrequires coordination of the clutch andthrottle and gearshift lever. If you don’tdo things right, the amount of controlyou have over the bike is lessened.
To start off, pull in the clutch, shiftinto first gear, roll on the throttle a little,and ease out the clutch. You willbecome familiar with the friction zone(that’s where the clutch begins to takehold and move the bike), and you add abit more throttle. You don’t want to stallthe engine, nor do you want to overrevit. There’s a sweet spot in there; find it.
Shift while traveling in a straight line.Shifting in a curve is not good prac-tice, and something to be avoided.
Become familiar with the sound
of your engine, so you can tell whenyou should shift without looking atyour instruments.
When you downshift to a lower gear,you should (in one swift, smooth move-ment) be able to squeeze the clutch, revthe engine a little to let it catch thelower gear smoothly, and shift down.
When you come to a stop in traffic,leave the bike in first gear with theclutch disengaged (just in case youwant to accelerate out of there in ahurry). Who knows what may be com-ing up behind you.
BrakingDon’t ever forget: The front brake onyour motorcycle can supply as muchas 70 percent or more of your stoppingpower. The single most important
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thing you can learnabout braking is touse that front brakeevery single time youwant to slow down.
Always apply boththe front and the rearbrakes at the sametime. If necessary,apply them hard, butnot so hard that youlock up either wheel.A locked wheel, aswell as causing thebike to skid, results indownright inefficientbraking.
The time to take your left foot offthe peg and put it on the ground is justas the bike comes to a complete stop.
When you have the opportunity,practice your braking. You can alwaysget better at it.
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TurningWhen you are riding along the road,you lean a motorcycle into a turn.Learning to lean is an essential part ofriding a motorcycle. It is a normalfunction of the bike when you arechanging its path of travel - and quite,quite different from turning the steer-ing wheel of your car.
To get the motorcycle to lean in anormal turn, press the handlebar in thedirection of the turn and maintainslight pressure on that handlebar totake you smoothly through that partic-ular turn. In other words: press right togo right; press left to go left. Yourinstincts to keep the motorcycle on asmooth path while keeping it fromfalling over usually take care of thiswithout you even noticing it.
(Demonstrate to yourself how a motorcycle moves by pressing a handlebar slightly while traveling in astraight line. The motorcycle will move in the direction of the handlebar you pushed.)
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Slow down before you enter the turn; look as far ahead as possible through the turn.
Keep your feet on the pegs, andgrip the gas tank with your knees.
Lean with the motorcycle; don’ttry to sit perpendicular to the road while the motorcycle isleaning over.
Keep an even throttle through theturn, or even accelerate a little bit.
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Checking The Bike Before The Ride
Who knows when Murphy’s Law maystrike or what nail your tire might havepicked up just before you pulled in theother evening. It’s not fun to havethings go wrong on a motorcycle, butif you spend a minute before you gooff on a ride, you can increase thechances that nothing will.
Any information you’ll need, such ascorrect tire pressures or chain adjust-ment, you’ll find in your owner’s man-ual. As soon as you finish this book-let, read the manual thoroughly. Youwill be much more acquainted with allthe specifics of your motorcycle, sinceit might be slightly different from someother make or model.
#1 Check the tires. They are the mostimportant parts of your bike. If yourengine quits, you roll to a stop. If a tirequits - trouble! Make the effort tocheck the surface of the tires, lookingfor cuts in the rubber or foreign objects- like a nail. Check the tire pressureswith a good gauge. If a tire is lowevery time you check it, even thoughyou have added the proper amount ofair each time, you have a slow leak.Fix it before it becomes a fast leak.
#2 Check the controls. Cables arequite strong and rarely break, but lookfor kinking or stiffness or anythingunusual in their operation.
#3 Check your lights, including brakelight, headlights, and turn signals tomake sure everything works. Alsocheck your horn and adjust the mirrors.
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#4 Check the oil and fuel and, if thebike is liquid-cooled, the coolant levels.
#5 If your motorcycle has chain-driveto the rear wheel, make sure that thechain is properly tensioned and ingood shape. Chains do need an occa-sional cleaning and dose of lubrication.
#6 Make sure the sidestand and cen-terstand fold up properly, and stay up.If one of the retraction springs is weakor broken or missing, replace it.
#7 As you roll off, check your brakes. Just to make sure they haven’tgone away.
Now, go enjoy yourself.
MaintenanceThere’s not much to maintain on aday-to-day basis on most modernmotorcycles, but do what you can do,including your pre-ride checks.
Your bike has a regular serviceschedule, listed in the owner’s manual. Unless you are an accom-plished mechanic, we recommend thatthese services be done by an authorized dealer.
Keeping your bike clean is a goodidea. It’s astounding how dirt cancover up something that is about to go wrong.
Check your battery every month.Make sure the fluid level is where itshould be. If it is low, top it up withdistilled water.
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Always take yourtool kit along when yougo for a ride. Younever can tell when itwill come in handy.Use the tools to goover the bike occasion-ally and make sure noscrews or bolts areloose.
You should alwayshave your owner’smanual with the bike.It tells you where thefuse box is, in theunlikely chance a fuseblows. It tells you howto get a wheel off,should you have themisfortune of a flat tire.
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Flat tires are pretty rare occur-rences on motorcycles, but they canhappen. In this case, you can eitherget on the phone to the dealer, or fixit yourself. If you want to know howto do it, we recommend you practiceat home, rather than have your firstshot at fixing a flat alongside adeserted road in the middle of thenight.
TroubleshootingLittle things may happen to the bikethat are cause for concern. Don’t panic until you check out the obvious.
#1 If the engine doesn’t start:
Is the key on?
Is there gas?
Is the battery too weak?
Or a battery lead loose?
Have spark plug wires fallen off?
Is the ignition cut-off switch in the OFF position?
Do you have the choke in the appro-priate position?
#2 If the engine stops when youdon’t want it to:
Did you accidently hit the cut-off switch?
Did you run out of gas?
Did a fuse burn out?
#3 If the bike begins to feel funny asyou go down the road, especially in acurve, stop as soon as it is safe to pull over and check your tires. Youmay have a flat. Check your
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suspension. You may have it adjustedincorrectly. Your owner’s manual is the best reference for proper settingsand adjustments.
#4 If you detect any problems with the motorcycle - doesn’t feel right,doesn’t handle right, doesn’t sound
right - that you can’t figure out yourself, take it to your dealer. Thinkabout the problem a little, so you candescribe it to the service manager.Remember, an ounce of prevention is worth about a ton of cure. Pushing a motorcycle can get old very fast.
T his is what it all comes down to: you and the road. There are millions and millions of miles of roads in this country, from one-lane dirt to 12-lane highway.
When you ride, the surface conditions, traffic, and the weather can be changing.You have to be constantly aware of a lot of things. Daydreaming when you’re riding a motorcycle isn’t a good idea. Things happen fast out there on the road,and you have to be prepared for them.
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Highway, Byway, Street and AlleyHighway, Byway, Street and Alley
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The SEE SystemHere is a good reminder for riding safely in traffic.
This SEE is a mental system for safe motorcycling. Use it effectively and you’llcover many safer, happy miles on your motorcycle.
Increasing YourVisibility to OthersWhat’s the most usual explanation from the automo-bile driver who just turned infront of a motorcyclist? “Gee,officer, I didn’t see him.”
It’s a sad truth. We’re notas big as a Mack truck, butwe are visible. However, toooften motorists don’t see usbecause they aren’t lookingfor motorcycles.
You have to attract theirattention.
All motorcycle headlampsin recent years are hard-wired, which means that the
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engine goes on. If you have an earliermodel, turn that headlight on everytime you go out. It helps - even on abright, sunny day!
We’ve said it before, we’ll say itagain: wear bright clothing and utilizeretroreflective material (it shines whena beam of light hits it) whenever appropriate. The biggest thing that afollowing driver usually sees is yourback. Make it stand out.
Always signal your intentions.Change lanes or make a turn usingyour turn signals. You want to be surethat the people around you know whatyou are about to do.
And it helps to assist your turn sig-nals with hand signals at times.
Remember to cancel your signalswhen you’ve completed your maneu-ver, otherwise drivers are getting falseinformation from you...and you couldcause yourself trouble.
Don’t be shy about using your hornin some situations. If drivers are doz-ing, or about to pull an unthinkingmaneuver, give them a BEEP. Youwant to make them aware of what theyare doing. And of your presence.
Position your motorcycle where itcan be seen. Don’t put yourselfbehind a large truck or ride in the blindspot of a vehicle near you. Get outthere, take up a whole lane, makeyourself seen.
Highway, Byw
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Helping You to See Others
The other half of the visibility battle isbeing alert and seeing everythingaround you. Useyour eyes effective-ly. Keep them moving. Don’t getfascinated by that‘53 Corvette off toyour right. Or gorubber-necking atan accident scene.If your eyes arelocked on onething, you may beignoring some sit-uation that couldaffect your ride.
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High
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in your mirrors. Look over your shoulders. Keep looking! Anticipatethe oncoming, left-turning driver, thereckless fool coming up behind you,the car poking its nose out of thedriveway, the guy beside and a littlebehind you who’s moving across thelane divider.
Never let your eyes fix on an objectfor more than two seconds. Keeplooking around.
It’s one thing to see, another tohave the time to react. No tailgating.
When you’re riding in town, atspeeds under 40 mph, always keep atwo-second gap between you and thecar in front. For example, when hegoes by a phone pole, count “one-
thousand-one, one-thousand-two” andthen you should pass that pole.
Out on the open road, with higherspeeds, you should adjust your gap tothree or four seconds or more,depending on your speed. Use thesame reference-point technique todetermine how many seconds behindyou are.
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IntersectionsIt probably surprises no one to knowthat the majority of accidents involving collisions between a motorcycle and a car happen at inter-sections - the most frequent situationbeing that of a vehicle turning left infront of a motorcycle.
Any intersection is potentially hazardous, whether it has stoplights,or stop signs, or is unmarked.
Always check for traffic comingfrom the side, left and/or right.
Check for traffic behind you, tomake sure no one is about to run upyour tailpipe.
Passing OtherVehicles
The technique forpassing another vehi-cle is the samewhether you are rid-ing a motorcycle ordriving a car.
First, before pass-ing, you should betwo (or more) seconds behind thevehicle you want topass, and havepositioned yourself inthe left-hand side ofyour lane.
From this position, you have tocheck oncoming traffic and the road to
make sure you have enough distanceto pass safely. Don’t even think aboutovertaking if a corner is coming up.
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If you have room ahead to make thepass, look in your mirrors, turn the sig-nal on, and always look over yourshoulder. That head check is essential;somebody in a hot rod might have justpulled into your blind spot, intent onovertaking you. Always remember thehead check.
Everything clear? Move into the leftlane and pass the car/truck/buggy/whatever. Do not crowd close to thevehicle you are passing; you should bemore or less in the center of the laneyou are passing in. Get by this vehicleas quickly as possible, without exceeding the speed limit. If it is aslow-moving truck in front, you mightwant to shift down a gear so you canaccelerate more rapidly as you goaround it.
Before returning to your originallane, signal your intention and do ahead check to make sure that there isenough room between you and thevehicle you just passed. Ever havesomeone speed up just after you’veovertaken them? Hmmmmm!
Return to your lane, cancel yoursignal, and proceed merrily along...with care.
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Quite often you’ll have to ride at night. After all, it is dark 50 percent ofthe time.
Dusk is really the worst time, whenpeople’s eyes are adjusting from daylight to headlights. Be especiallycareful just after sunset.
Usually it is advisable to slow downa little when riding at night, especiallyon any sort of winding road.
Use your own headlight and thoseof other traffic to keep an eye on theroad surface. It is more difficult atnight to see the patch of sand orsomething that fell out of a pickup.
The distance between you and thevehicle in front becomes even more
important at night. Give yourself roomto react.
Wear a clear faceshield withoutscratches. A scratched shield can cre-ate light refraction that might confuseyou; two headlights can look like four,and you don’t know who is comingfrom where. One of your biggesthazards at night may be a “who” coming from a few hours of drinking.Be especially alert for drivers and vehicles doing odd things, like weav-ing in and out of traffic, and give themlots of room.
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HANDLING SPECIAL SITUATIONS
I n the best of all worlds the temperature would always be 78
degrees, the wind would be at ourbacks, and no emergencies would
arise. Since it is a slightly imperfectworld we live in, we should be prepared for whatever happens.
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Handling Special SituationsHandling Special Situations
HAND
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ONSEmergency Braking
Sometimes you have to stop as quicklyas possible. Here are some tips onhow to get you and your motorcyclehalted pronto:
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Apply both brakes to their maximum,just short of locking them up.Practice in an open, good-surfacedplace, such as a clean parking lot.
Keep the motorcycle upright andtraveling in a straight line; and lookwhere you’re going, not whereyou’ve just been.
You don’t want to lock the frontbrake. If the wheel does chirp,release the brake for a split second,then immediately reapply withoutlocking it up.
If your rear wheel locks up, do notrelease the brake. If your handlebarsare straight, you will skid in astraight line, which is all right. Youhave a more important priority andthat is to get stopped! Read on andwe will talk more about “skids.”
HANDLING SPECIAL SITUATIONS
Braking While LeanedInto a Curve
You should try to avoid this, but some-times it might be necessary.
You can brake (with both brakes)while leaned over, but you must do itgradually and with less force than ifthe bike is standing up straight.
For maximum braking effi-ciency in an emergency (whentraffic and roadway conditions permit), stand the bike upstraight; brake hard.
Coping With a SkidA skid - that’s when your heartleaps up to your throat because yourwheels have lost traction! Youmight hit a patch of sand on a
36
HAND
LING
SPE
CIAL
SIT
UATI
ONSmountain curve, or a puddle of oil as
you’re slowing for a stoplight. It’s afrightening experience on a motorcy-cle, but you can handle it.
In a highway-speed, sand-in-the-corner skid, steer slightly in the direc-tion of the skid. (If you’re leaned tothe left and skidding to the right, turnthose handlebars a bit towards theright.) Chances are you will clear thepatch of sand, the tires will grip thepavement again, the bike will stand up,and you’ll continue on your way.
Should you hit a slippery bit whileyou’re braking for a stop sign, and oneor both wheels lock up, you want toget those wheels rolling right away.Release the brakes for an instant, thenreapply a little more gently. You wantthose tires to have traction.
At higher speeds, when traction isgood and the rear wheel skids whenbraking hard, do not release the rearbrake.
If your back end is skidding side-ways because the tire is on a slick spotand simply spinning, ease off on thethrottle. A spinning wheel provides nomore control than a locked wheel.
You might be in one of those two-mile-per-hour parking lot scenarios, amild, low-speed skid when your frontwheel starts to go out from under you.A foot on the ground may keep thebike upright and the rubber side down.This is not an easy thing to do, andshould only be done if all else fails.
37
HANDLING SPECIAL SITUATIONS
Riding Across Poor Road SurfacesHere are a few simple rules you should follow when you anticipate coping withsand, mud, water or any loose surface or obstruction in the road:
38
39
Downshift and slow before you reachthe problem area.
If there is traffic in the area, makesure that the drivers are aware youare slowing.
Try to cross the bad surface in astraight line, or at least do notchange direction or speed abruptly.
Stay ready to maintain the balanceof the motorcycle.
If you are moving along and have togo over an obstruction that is lyingacross the road, like a 2x4 piece ofwood, rise up on the footpegs andshift your weight toward the back ofthe saddle as your front wheelcomes up to the obstacle. This willmake it easier for the front wheel tobounce up and over. Then moveyour weight forward to help yourrear wheel get over.
Do not accelerate until your bike iscompletely over the obstacle.
HAND
LING
SPE
CIAL
SIT
UATI
ONS
40
Steel Bridge Gratingsand Rain Grooves
Steel-mesh bridges can be extremelyunnerving. Keep an even throttle andkeep the bike straight. Don’t grip thehandlebars too hard. If there is avibration in the handlebars, do notfight it. This is a natural feedback fromyour tires going over these thousandsof little squares.
Some parts of the country have raingrooves in the highways. They’re notvery popular among motorcyclists.This is when the road surface, usually
concrete, has several dozen groovesrunning lengthwise down each lane.The purpose of the grooves is to prevent cars and trucks from losingtraction when it rains.
The reaction of the bike to thesegrooves often has to do with the treadpattern on the tires. Sometimes itfeels as though the motorcycle is getting a flat tire, with a squishy back-and-forth sideways motion. Don’tworry, just keep going straight. Don’tfight the handlebars. There is nothingdangerous about these rain grooves -it just feels funny to ride on them.
HANDLING SPECIAL SITUATIONS
RainHaul out the raingear you’ve stowed in ahandy spot. Make sure your rain glovesand rain boots fit properly. Poorly fittedones can lessen your ability to brake and shift.
Be most cautious when it first startsto rain. That is when the water goes intoall the dimples in the road, and the oilresidue from passing vehicles floats tothe top. That gets slippery! A wisemotorcyclist will stop for a cup of coffeewhen it starts to rain; who knows, itcould all be over in 15 minutes, and youwon’t even have to put on the rainsuit.
After a while the oil will be washedoff to the side of the road. However,traction on a wet surface may not beas good as on a dry road. Be careful.
HAND
LING
SPE
CIAL
SIT
UATI
ONS
41
HANDLING SPECIAL SITUATIONS
WindStrong winds can create problems fora motorcyclist. A constant 25-mphwind from the side can make for less-than-happy riding. Gusty wind is theworst. You might have to lean a bitinto the wind to maintain your posi-tion. Keep the motorcycle on the sideof the lane that the wind is comingfrom. This is in case a big blast movesyou over a bit. Expect it and be readyto react.
AnimalsThe biggest problem is with domesticanimals: i.e. dogs. Most seem to havean urge to chase motorcycles. Thosethat don’t chase often are known toblunder into the path of moving vehi-cles. Don’t let one distract you andcause a spill.
Here are three rules:
If a deer jumps out in front of youon a country road, but is far enoughahead not to be worried about - watch out for its mate. They tend totravel in pairs. Hitting a deer with amotorcycle is a tough way to put venison on the table.
42
#1 Slow down well before youreach the animal.
#2 Do not - repeat - do not kick atthe animal.
#3 If the animal looks like he’sgoing to intercept you, speed upjust as you are about to reach him.It will throw his timing off.
HAND
LING
SPE
CIAL
SIT
UATI
ONS
43
Equipment Failures
I f your motorcycle is properly main-tained, you greatly reduce the possi-
bility of any equipment failure.However, just in case ...
BlowoutsIf you run tires of good quality, keepthem at the proper pressure, andchange them when the tread is worn,the chances of having a blowout are small.
However, should it happen to eitherof your tires, you must act quickly and properly.
44
Equipment FailuresEquipment Failures#1 Do not use the brakes; brakinghard will only make things worse. Ifyou must use some brake, applygradual pressure to the brake on thegood tire and ease over to a safespot to stop.
#2 Ease off on the throttle and slowdown gradually; rapid decelerationcould throw the bike out of control.
#3 Hold those handlebars firmly; agreat shuddering may take place asthe out-of-round tire flops againstthe pavement, but you are con-cerned only with keeping that frontwheel pointed ahead until you stop.
Equi
pmen
t Fa
ilur
esStuck ThrottleMost riders have had bad dreamsabout this, but few have experiencedthe problem.
That is why all contemporary motor-cycles have a cut-off switch by theright thumb. Just in case. Practiceflipping the cut-off switch. Chancesare you will never have a throttle stick,but if you do, you’ll know how to dealwith it.
As you hit the cut-off switch, pull inthe clutch (you will probably be ingear); then look for a safe place tocoast to a stop.
Broken Clutch CableImagine you are cruising along in fifthgear; you want to shift down; you pullin the clutch lever - and there is noreturn action. It just lies up against the handgrip.
No fun, but not dangerous. You canshift the bike without a clutch. This isnot advisable unless necessary, but itcan be done. Back off on the throttleand shift down a gear.
If you have a sensitive foot, you canprobably find neutral before coming toa complete stop. If not, get set for ajerky halt.
45
Group Riding & Passengers
A s we said earlier, motorcycling is asociable sport, so chances are very
good you’ll soon be riding with friendson their motorcycles, and have otherswho want to be passengers.
As with any sport, it’s nice if theparticipants all have a general idea ofwhat to do.
Riding in a GroupIt is useful if, before taking off on agroup ride, you get two or three handsignals organized amongst the participants: “let’s stop; need gas; I’m hungry.”
A few rules for the group:
46
Group Riding & PassengersGroup Riding & Passengers
Grou
p Ri
ding
& P
asse
nger
s
47
Riding in a group of more than fourmotorcycles can become confusingboth for the group and other trafficaround you. If there are too manypeople, break it up into smaller groups.
Ride in a staggered formation, with
first bike on the left side of the lane,second on the right side, etc., butnot side by side.
Always keep at least a two-secondfollowing distance from the motorcycle directly in front of you.
Group Riding & Passengers
48
At a stoplight or stop sign, wait in pairs.
Pass other vehicles individually,when safe - not in pairs or groups.
Grou
p Ri
ding
& P
asse
nger
sCarryinga Passenger
Company is always nice. Somecompany weighs 100 pounds,other company weighs 200pounds.
Putting extra weight on themotorcycle will affect the han-dling. Adjust your suspensionand tire pressures to compensatefor the amount of company you’vebrought along. (Check yourowner’s manual.)
Also realize that your brakingcapabilities have changed; takethat into account. The moreweight you have on the motorcy-cle, the longer it takes to stop.
49
Group Riding & Passengers
Passengers should be instructed toalways mount from the same side, and to warn you before they climb on. This goes a long way to preventing a muddled heap lying onthe ground.
Passengers need the same protec-tion that you do - proper clothes andhelmet. Ten-foot scarves flapping inthe wind may look dashing, but not ona motorcycle. You don’t want shoelaces or loose pants legs catching onrear wheel or chain parts.
Never carry anyone sidesaddle.Passengers should always straddlethe bike with their feet securelyplanted on the footrests. Tell passengers not to put a foot downwhen you come to a stop.
Show them where the hot things are- like header pipes and mufflers.Caution passengers against coming incontact with the hot parts to preventany injuries. Also, rubber soles canmelt and leave a mess.
Instruct passengers to hold ontoyou at your waist or hips. Ask them to lean forward slightly when youleave from a stop or accelerate alongthe highway.
Also, when you brake, passengersshould be firmly braced against your waist and should lean back slightly. You don’t want their weight toshift forward.
Advise passengers not to leanunless you do. You do not want theperson behind hanging off the bike at
50
Grou
p Ri
ding
& P
asse
nger
s30 degrees; that will do funny thingsto the steering. However, when youlean going around a corner, passengers should definitely lean aswell. So have them look over yourshoulder in the direction of the turnwhen you go through a corner; thatwill put the weight where you want it.
51
Loading the Motorcycle
Whether it is a carton of milk fromthe convenience store, or camp-
ing gear for a three-week trip, you willend up carrying more than people onyour motorcycle.
All loads should be tied to themachine. Do not balance a bag of gro-ceries between your legs for a shortride home. Strap it to the back seatwith bungee cords or an elasticizedcargo net.
A great carrying device is the tankbag. It puts the weight where it shouldbe - near the bike’s center of gravity.Make sure it is properly secured andremember never to carry anything onthe gas tank or inside the fairing that
might interfere with the steering of thebike. Just imagine what happens if thebars won’t turn far enough - big trouble.
52
Loading the MotorcycleLoading the Motorcycle
Load
ing
the
Mot
orcy
cleThere are appropriate places to
carry loads on a motorcycle, but theydo not include your front forks or fend-ers. If your machine comes with sad-dlebags a travel trunk, you’re set. Ifyou have none of this, you can alwaysbuy a luggage rack or throw-overbags; they are very useful items.
When you load saddlebags, keepequal weight on both sides. This iseven more important when you areusing soft throw-over bags, as animbalance can cause one side to dropdown and rest on the muffler. A blaz-ing saddlebag is no joke.
Keep the weight relatively light inyour travel trunk or on your luggagerack. Being aft of the rear axle, this isthe worst place on the motorcycle tocarry much weight. It can turn a well-
53
Loading the Motorcycle
handling motorcycle into a poor-han-dling terror. Sleeping bags go greatback there; a 50-pound sack of dogfood does not.
Check the security of the load frequently, and make sure nothing isdangling. It is one thing to lose part ofyour luggage, quite another to get ittangled up in a wheel.
Above all, DO NOT EXCEED THEGVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating)of your motorcycle! You might findthat figure on the plate attached to thesteering head; sometimes it is foundon the frame; but the best place to lookis in the owner’s manual. It is writtenin pounds, and it includes the weightof the motorcycle, all gasoline, oil andcoolant, the rider(s), and the luggage.
54
Drug
s, Dr
inki
ng &
Dri
ving
W e kid you not. Mixingalcohol and drugs and
motorcycles is like puttingnitro with glycerine: there’s adangerous reaction.
Alcohol is a depressant. The firstthing to go is your judgment - andgood judgment is essential. Bad judg-ment gets you into trouble. Drinkingriders tend to run off the road moreoften, have a high percentage of ridererror, and use excessive speed forconditions around them. Those are thestatistics - and that spells trouble.
It takes a long time for the effects ofalcohol to be cleared from your body,roughly one hour for each bottle ofbeer, glass of wine, or shot of liquor.
Nothing but time will shed thatalcohol - not showers, coffee,or other so-called remedies.
Have a couple of beers if you wish,but have them at home. Then youdon’t have to go anywhere afterward.If you are going to drink, don’t eventhink about riding.
Alcohol is not the only drug thataffects your ability to ride safely.Whether it is an over-the-counter, pre-scription, or illegal drug, it may haveside-effects that increase the risks ofriding. Even common cold medicinescould make you drowsy - too drowsyto ride - and mixing alcohol and drugsis even more dangerous than usingeither alone.
55
IN A WORD:
DON’T
Drugs, Drinking & RidingDrugs, Drinking & Riding
56
Y ou’ll never know all thereis to know about riding.
But a year from now, you’llknow a lot more than youknow now — and 10 yearsfrom now; 50 years fromnow. If Methuselah had beena motorcylist, he’d havelearned quite a bit in his 969years - but not everything.
Go forth, have a goodtime, don’t do anything foolish, and we’ll see you onthe road. It’s going to be agreat ride!
Conclusion
ConclusionConclusionThere is no conclusion.
Motorcycling is a constant learning experience.
INTRODUCTION
This booklet describes several exercises which you can practice by
yourself or with a friend. The exerciseswill help you develop the skills youneed to pass the motorcycle skill testand receive your license.* The properexecution of these exercises will alsohelp prepare you for various traffic situ-ations. Do not attempt these exercisesunless you can already perform basicskills such as using the clutch andthrottle correctly, shifting, and ridingin a straight line. If you do not havethese basic skills, be sure to seekinstruction before practicing the skillsin this guide. Of course, the best placeto learn to ride is in a quality rider edu-cation program.
58
INTRODUCTIONINTRODUCTION
* Contact your local licensing agency for exact layout of the skill test in your area.
INTR
ODUC
TION
59
The instruction is available. If you call the nationaltoll-free number, (800) 446-9227,
you will get the phone number of a training site near you.
Keep practicing until you can do each exercise without a problem. Do notpractice for more than one or two hours at a time. When you get tired, youcannot practice effectively.
Take the guide with you for reference when you practice.
Read the entire guide before you practice.
INTRODUCTION
Choosing a Practice AreaA well-marked parking lot is the bestpractice area. Be aware, however, ofoil left by parked cars. Look for parkinglots that are not used all the time atshopping centers, schools, churches orcommunity centers. For instance, youmight use a school lot in the eveninghours, or a shopping center early inthe morning.
Once you’ve selected a suitable location, it’s important to gain permis-sion from the owner.
Keep this basic parking lot diagramin mind when setting up the exercises.
If the parking lot you choose doesn’t have lines, use the dimensions diagrammed here. Mark them using atape measure and chalk.
Traffic is your greatest concern. Make sure you check to the front,sides and rear before doing an exer-cise. Also, make sure you watch outfor children and animals and be con-siderate of others in the area.
60
INTR
ODUC
TIONSAFETY PRECAUTIONS
The practice exercises are not dan-gerous. However, a few safety precautions should be followed:
Wear proper protective cloth-ing that includes: helmet, eyeprotection, gloves, boots orshoes that cover the ankles,long pants, and long-sleevedshirt or jacket.
Inspect the motorcycle fordefects before you start. If youare not familiar with theinspection procedures for yourmotorcycle, check the owner’smanual.
Check the practice area forloose gravel, glass, oil left byparked cars, or other thingsthat could be a problem.
If possible, take a friend along to:
A. Watch out for traffic.
B. Help you if anything goeswrong.
WHAT TO BRINGBring 6 small objects that you canuse as markers. Milk cartons or plastic bottles with a little water orsand in the bottom work well. Donot leave them at the practice areawhen you leave. If you cannot findany small objects, bring some chalkto draw markers on the pavement.
61
EXERCISE1 Directions
Accelerate straight ahead across theparking lot between 15-20 mph (shiftto second gear). Begin to slow downand downshift at the first marker. Try to come to a smooth nonskiddingstop with your front tire next to thelast marker.
Coaching TipsKeep head and eyes up.
Keep the motorcycle on a straightcourse.
Gradually apply both brakes andsqueeze the clutch, downshiftingto first gear at the same time.Keep the clutch squeezed in.
Do not release the front and backbrakes until you come to a com-plete stop.
When stopped, the left footshould come to the ground first.
62
Normal Stop in a Straight LineNormal Stop in a Straight LinePracticing this exercise will help you stop smoothly,
such as for stoplights and stop signs.
63
Common Problems1. Rear tire skids.
2. Overshooting marker.
3. Unstable during stop.
Basic Corrections1. Apply less pressure on the rear brake.
2. Begin slowing and braking sooner, or tryslightly more pressure on the brakes.
3. Keep head and eyes up during stop.Delay braking until necessary.
EXER
CISE
1
Exercise 2 DirectionsApproach marker 1, upshifting to sec-ond gear. As your front tire passesmarker 1, downshift and begin braking.Try to stop before marker 2. Practicethis at 10 mph, then 15 mph, then 20mph. Do not exceed 20 mph.
Coaching TipsKeep head and eyes up.
When stopping, apply bothbrakes and squeeze the clutch,downshifting to first gear. Keepthe clutch squeezed in.
Keep handlebars straight.Squeeze front brake – don’t grab.
Do not release brakes until fullystopped.
When stopped, the left footshould touch the ground first.
64
Quick Stop in a Straight LineQuick Stop in a Straight LinePracticing this exercise will help you stop quickly when
something suddenly appears in your path.
Exer
cise
2
Common Problems1. Overshooting the final marker.
2. Motorcycle slides sideways, or leans toone side.
3. Engine overrevs when using the frontbrake.
Basic Corrections1. Apply more pressure to brakes; howev-
er, avoid locking front brake by squeez-ing, not grabbing, the lever.
2. Sit straight on seat and do not turn handlebars, look straight ahead. NOTE:If the rear wheel inadvertently locks,keep steering the motorcycle straight.
3. Close the throttle before braking.Squeeze the front brake with all four fingers. Avoid pulling back on the throttle when applying pressure to thefront brake.
65
Exercise 3 Directions Drill 1 – 30-foot Weave – Begin at one
end of the parking lot lines or markers. Go to the right of the firstmarker, left of the second, right ofthe third, and so on. Practice this at 15 mph.
Drill 2 – 20-foot Weave – Proceed thesame as you did in the 30-footweave. Practice this at 15 mph.
Coaching TipsKeep head and eyes up andknees in.
Weave by pressing on the han-dlebars in the direction you wantto go. (Press right to lean right;press left to lean left.)
Maintain a steady speed.
Do not brake while performingweave.
66
WeavesWeavesPracticing these exercises will help you in making lane changes
in traffic or changes in direction.
Exer
cise
3
67
Common Problems1. Swinging too wide away from markers.
2. Hitting markers.
3. Too much handlebar movement.
Basic Corrections1. Keep eyes up, looking forward, decrease
lean angle; press less on the handlebars.
2. Keep eyes up, looking forward, increaselean angle slightly; press more on thehandlebars.
3. Maintain a steady, stable speed. Don’tslow down or brake.
Exercise 4 DirectionsRide around the oval indicated bymarkers 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6. Adjust yourspeed on the straightaways by brakingas necessary before the turn. Hold asteady throttle around the markers atthe ends of the oval. Repeat the exer-cise in the other direction.
Coaching TipsBeginning speed of 10-15 mph.
Slow down before the turn. Brakeif necessary.
Look through the turn to whereyou want to go. Lean with themotorcycle.
Hold a steady speed or roll onthe throttle gently through theturn.
68
Practicing this exercise will help you with turning such as in curves on highways and winding roads.
Basic TurnsBasic Turns
Exer
cise
4
69
Common Problems1. Swinging wide of the turn.
2. Cutting corner too close or turning toosharply.
3. Exiting wide out of the turn, making theoval into a circle.
Basic Corrections1. Look to the exit point. Apply more pres-
sure on the inside handlebar to lean more.
2. Look to the exit point. Do not lookdown. Apply less pressure to the insidehandlebar. Keep a steady throttle.
3. Slow more before the turn. Look whereyou want to go. Apply more pressure onthe inside handlebar to lean more.
Exercise 5 Directions Start, facing marker 1 at a distance sufficient enough to increase speed to15-20 mph. At point “A,” reduce speed,using both brakes. As you start yourturn at marker 1, look to the exit pointand gently roll on the throttle through-out the turn. Roll on past marker 3 andstop beyond marker 4. Practice turningin both directions.
Coaching TipsSlow down before the turn usingboth brakes. (Before marker 1.)
Look through the turn to the exit.
Lean with the motorcycle.
Gradually increase speedthroughout the turn. (Past marker 3.)
70
Normal TurnsNormal TurnsPracticing this exercise will help you further refine your turning skills.
Exer
cise
5
71
Common Problems1. Swinging wide of the turn.
2. Cutting corner too close or turning toosharply.
3. Slowing and motorcycle tends tostraighten up.
Basic Corrections1. Slow down more before entering the
turn, look to the exit point, press moreon the inside handlebar.
2. Keep head and eyes up. Do not lookdown. Look to the exit point. Press lesson inside handlebar.
3. Keep a smooth, steady throttle or slightlyincrease throttle to stabilize motorcycle.
Exercise 6A Directions
Begin riding straight across the parkinglot, increasing speed to approximately10 mph. Just before reaching the“Begin Turning” markers, slow downand use both brakes to adjust yourspeed. Then release the brakes, turnthe handlebars, lean the motorcycleslightly in the direction of the turn andturn your head, looking through theintended path of travel. Use controlledclutch release and throttle as you makethe sharp turn. Practice finishing yourturn inside line “A,” without touching it.
Coaching TipsUse both brakes to reduce speedbefore the turn.
Keep head and eyes up; lookthrough the turn.
Turn the handlebars and lean themotorcycle in the direction of theturn.
Use smooth clutch release andthrottle as you exit.
72
Sharp Turns Without StoppingSharp Turns Without StoppingPracticing this exercise will help you to make sharp turns such as
pulling out of parking spaces or driveways, and turning into a drivewayor onto a narrow street.
Exer
cise
6A
Common Problems1. Turning too short or too long.
2. Motorcycle stalls.
3. Motorcycle begins to fall into the turn.
4. Traveling too fast to make turn.
Basic Corrections1. Keep head and eyes up and look
through the turn.
2. Use clutch and throttle smoothly tomaintain necessary power to rear wheel.
3. Keep eyes up and look through the turn,keep just enough momentum after brak-ing to carry you through the turn.
4. Slow adequately with both brakesbefore turning.
73
Exercise 6B Directions
Start at “Begin Turning” markers withthe motorcycle straight. Turn the han-dlebars, lean the motorcycle slightly inthe direction you are turning, and turnyour head to look through the intend-ed path of travel. Use controlled clutchrelease and throttle as you make thesharp turn.
Finish your turn as close to line “A” asyou can without touching it.
Coaching TipsKeep head and eyes up; lookthrough the turn.
Turn the handlebars and lean themotorcycle in the direction of the turn.
Use smooth clutch release and throttle as you exit.
74
Sharp Turns from a StopSharp Turns from a StopPracticing this exercise properly will help you make sharp turns from a
stop such as exiting a parking lot or turning into a narrow street.
Exer
cise
6B
Common Problems1. Turning too short or too long.
2. Motorcycle stalls or begins to fall intothe turn.
Basic Corrections1. Keep head and eyes up and look
through the turn.
2. Concentrate on maintaining steadyspeed or slight acceleration and smoothclutch release. Look through the turn.
75
76
Directions With about 100' lead-in, approach thefirst pair of markers. As you reach the markers you should be going 10-15 mph. As your front tire passesthe first pair of markers, make aswerve (right or left) avoiding theimaginary barrier or obstacle. Makesure you’ve decided on which direc-tion you intend to go before startingthe exercise. Do not stop or applybrakes while performing the swerve.
Coaching TipsTo swerve right, press right untilyou have cleared the markers,then press left to resume straightahead.
Keep head and eyes up andknees in against the tank.
Press on the handlebar in the direction you want to go. (Press right to go right; press leftto left.)
Do not brake and swerve at thesame time.
Obstacle SwerveObstacle SwervePracticing this exercise will help you swerve to avoid a potential hazard.
Exercise 7
Exer
cise
7
77
Common Problem1. Unable to properly complete the
swerve.
Basic Correction1. Keep a steady speed. Maintain
pressure on the handlebar until youhave cleared the marker, then press onopposite handgrip to straighten into thenew path.
Exercise 8 Directions Ride to the outside of line “A,” upshift-ing to second gear. As you reach mark-er 1, turn in the curved path indicatedby markers 2, 3, and 4. Once you enterthe curved path, gradually apply bothbrakes and downshift. Do not releasethe clutch. Try to come to a smoothstop with your front tire next to marker3. Practice this at 10 mph, then at 15 mph.
Coaching TipsKeep head and eyes up; focus onwhere you want to go.
Straighten up the motorcycle andsquare the handlebars before youstop completely.
Use both brakes smoothly tostop.
Keep feet on pegs until almoststopped.
When stopped, the left footshould touch the ground first,and you should be in first gear.
Do not grab the front brake orskid either tire.
78
Normal Stop on a CurveNormal Stop on a CurvePracticing this exercise will help you stop smoothly in a curve.
Exer
cise
8
Common Problems 1. Overshooting the final marker.
2. Motorcycle nearly falls over.
3. Rear wheel skids.
Basic Corrections1. Gradually apply more pressure to the
brakes as motorcycle straightens more.
2. Just before stopping be sure the handle-bars are square with the motorcycle.Keep eyes up. Don’t grab front brake.
3. Apply less pressure on the rear brakeand make sure the motorcycle isstraight up as you stop.
79
Exercise 9 DirectionsRide to the outside of line “A.” Start,facing marker 1 at a distance sufficientenough to increase speed to 10-15mph in first gear. As you reach marker1, turn in the curved path indicated bymarkers 2, 3, and 4. When your fronttire passes marker 2, first straightenthe motorcycle, then begin braking.You should be stopped before marker3. Practice this at 10 mph, then 15mph. Do not exceed 15 mph.
Coaching TipsKeep head and eyes up; focus onwhere you want to go.
Straighten motorcycle, thenapply both brakes, stopping asquickly as possible.
Keep feet on pegs until almoststopped.
When stopped, the left footshould touch the ground first.
Do not grab the front brake orskid either tire.
80
Quick Stop on a CurveQuick Stop on a CurvePracticing this exercise will help you stop quickly
when something suddenly appears in your path on a curve.
Exer
cise
9
81
Common Problems1. Overshooting the final marker.
2. Motorcycle nearly falls over.
3. Rear wheel skids.
Basic Corrections1. Apply maximum pressure to the brakes
once motorcycle is straightened fromthe lean angle.
2. Straighten up the motorcycle first, thenapply the brakes. Be sure the handle-bars are square with the motorcycle.Keep eyes up. Don’t grab front brake.
3. Apply less pressure on the rear brakeand make sure the motorcycle isstraight up as you stop.
Finish
Start
First Edition Published: June 1988Sixth Printing: September 2001
Illustrations: George Toomer
For more information contact:Motorcycle Safety Foundation
2 Jenner Street, Suite 150 • Irvine, California 92618-3806 (949) 727-3227 • www.msf-usa.org
For the rider training location nearest you call: (800) 446-9227© Motorcycle Safety Foundation
