Delaware Motorcycle Updated

8/6/2019 Delaware Motorcycle Updated

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MOTORCYCLE

OPERATOR

MOTORCYCLE

OPERATOR MANUAL

STATE OF

DELAWARE

MANUAL

DIVISION OF MOTOR VEHICLES


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2

preface

Operating a motorcycle sa elyin tra c requires special skills andknowledge. The Motorcycle Sa etyFoundation (MSF) has made this manualavailable to help novice motorcyclistsreduce their risk o having a crash. Themanual conveys essential sa e ridingin ormation and has been designedor use in licensing programs. Whiledesigned or the novice, all motorcyclistscan bene t rom the in ormation thismanual contains.

The original Motorcycle OperatorManual was developed by the NationalPublic Services Research Institute (NPSRI)under contract to the National HighwayTra c Sa ety Administration (NHTSA)and within the terms o a cooperativeagreement between NHTSA and the

MSF. The manual and related testswere used in a multi-year study oimproved motorcycle operator licensingprocedures, conducted by the Cali orniaDepartment o Motor Vehicles undercontract to NHTSA.

The purpose o this manual is toeducate the reader to help avoid crasheswhile sa ely operating a motorcycle. Forthis edition, the MSF has updated andexpanded the content o the originalmanual.

These revisions refect:

The latest nding of motorcycle-sa ety research.

Comments and guidance providedby the motorcycling, licensing andtra c sa ety communities.

Expanded alcohol and drugin ormation.

In promoting improved licensing

programs, the MSF works closely withstate licensing agencies. The Foundationhas helped more than hal the statesin the nation adopt the MotorcycleOperator Manual or use in theirlicensing systems.

Improved licensing, along with high-quality motorcycle rider education andincreased public awareness, has thepotential to reduce crashes. Sta at theFoundation are available to assist state,private and governmental agencies ine orts to improve motorcycle sa ety.

Tim BuchePresident,Motorcycle Safety Foundation

2 Jenner, Suite 150Irvine, CA 92618-3806

www.ms -usa.org


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HOW TO OBTAIN A MOTORCYCLE ENDORSEMENT

ON A DELAWARE DRIVERS LICENSE

1. You must be a Delaware licensed driver before applying for this endorsement.2. You can apply at one of the following Motor Vehicle Facilities:

Wilmington at 2230 Hessler Blvd Dover at Rt. 113 - Bay Road Georgetown at S. Bedford St. Ext.

3. If you are under 18 years of age you must complete the state approved Motorcycle RiderEducation Course. Upon successful completion of the course, which includes a knowledge and skilltest, you receive a Student Completion Card.

Present this card at the Division of Motor Vehicles, pay a fee of $8.00, pass an eye test and amotorcycle endorsement will be issued indicating your eligibility to operate a motorcycle. StudentCompletion Cards are valid for a period of six (6) months from the date of issue. Parents signatureis required for M endorsement.4. If you are over 1 8 years of age:

You must pass a written test and an eye and road sign test. You will be issued a 60 day temporary motorcycle learners permit after passing the

preliminary tests and paying a fee of $8.00. A 60 day extension is available for$2.00.

You can take a state approved Motorcycle Rider Education course and be waived theknowledge and skill test and the 60 day learners permit upon successful completionof the course.

5. With a temporary motorcycle learners permit the law states: No passengers allowed on a motorcycle. Operating a motorcycle between sunset and sunrise is prohibited. A safety helmet and eye protection as approved by the Division must be worn when

operating a motorcycle. Operation of a motorcycle is not permitted on an Interstate Highway. You may take the motorcycle road test anytime after 10 days but within the 60 days

at the Lane where the permit was issued.Upon satisfactorily completing all of the above requirements, a new photo drivers license will beissued indicating your eligibility to operate a motorcycle.

RENEWAL - Renewal of a Drivers License with Motorcycle Endorsement is $ 8 .00 in addition toyour regular license fee.

INSURANCE - Liability Insurance coverage is compulsory for you, your passengers, and your

cycle because of possible damage you might cause to other motorcyclists, their cycles, othervehicles, or property. Minimum coverage in Delaware is $15,000, $30,000 and $10,000. Make surethat you are covered adequately both in terms of state law and in terms of the kind of riding youplan to undertake. Failure to have your motorcycle properly insured can lead to a fine and asuspension of your drivers license.

Students successfully completing the approved Motorcycle Rider Education Course are eligiblefor a 10% insurance liability premium reduction by presenting their Student Completion CourseCard to their insurance company.

Students successfully completing the Experienced Rider Course within 2 yrs., 6 mo. and 3 yrs.of the approved Motorcycle Rider Course are eligible for a 15% liability insurance premiumreduction by presenting their Student Completion Card to their insurance company.

MOTORCYCLE REGISTRATION FEE - The annual fee for a motorcycle registration (licenseplate) is $1 5 .00.

DELAWARE HELMET LAW - Every person operating or riding on a motorcycle shall have inhis possession a safety helmet approved by the Secretary of Public Safety and shall wear eyeprotection approved by said Secretary; provided, however, that every person operating or riding ona motorcycle up to 19 years of age shall wear a safety helmet and eye protection approved by theSecretary of Public Safety.

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CONTENTS

PREPARING TO RIDE

Wear the Right Gear 4Helmet Use 4Helmet Selection 4Eye and Face Protection 5Clothing 6

Know Your Motorcycle 6The Right Motorcycle for You 6Borrowing and Lending 7Getting Familiar with the

Motorcycle Controls 7Check Your Motorcycle 8

Know Your Responsibilities 9

RIDE WITHIN YOUR ABILITIES

Basic Vehicle Control 10Body Position 10Shifting Gears 10Braking 11Turing 11

Keeping Your Distance 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 Conspicuity 21Clothing 21Headlight 21Signals 21Brake Light 22Using Your Mirrors 22

Head Checks 23Horn 23Riding at Night 24

Crash Avoidance 24Quick Stops 24Swerving or Turning Quickly 25Cornering 26

Handling Dangerous Surfaces 27Uneven Surfaces and Obstacles 27Slippery Surfaces 28Railroad Tracks, Trolley tracks

And Pavement Seams 29Grooves and Gratings 29

Mechanical Problems 30Tire Failure 30Stuck Throttle 30Wobble 30Chain Problems 31Engine Seizure 31

Animals 31

Flying Objects 32

Getting Off the Road 32

Carrying Passengersand Cargo 32Equipment 32Instructing Passengers 33

Riding with Passengers 33Carrying Loads 33

Group Riding 34Keep the Group Small 34Keep Group Together 34Keep Your Distance 34

BEING IN SHAPE TO RIDE

Why This Information IsImportant 36

Alcohol in the Body 36Blood Alcohol

Concentration 37

Alcohol and the Law 38Consequences of

Conviction 38

Minimize the Risks 38

Step in to Protect Friends 39

Fatigue 39

EARNING YOUR LICENSEKnowledge Test 40On- Motorcycle Skill Test 41


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What you do be ore you start a trip goes a long way toward determiningwhether or not youll get where you want to go sa ely. Be ore taking o onany trip, a sa e rider makes a point to:

1 Wear the right gear

2 Become familiar with the motorcycle

3 Check the motorcycle equipment

4 Be a responsible rider

4 preparInG to rIDe

Wear the right gear

When you ride, your gear is righti it protects you. In any crash, you havea ar better chance o avoiding seriousinjury i you wear:

An approved helmet.

Face or eye protection.

Protective clothing.

Helmet UseCrashes can occur particularly

among untrained, beginning riders.And one out o every ve motorcyclecrashes results in head or neck injuries.Head injuries are just as severe as neckinjuries and ar more common. Crashanalyses show that head and neckinjuries account or a majority o seriousand atal injuries to motorcyclists.Research also shows that, with ewexceptions, head and neck injuriesare reduced by properly wearing anapproved helmet.

Some riders dont wear helmetsbecause they think helmets will limittheir view to the sides. Others wearhelmets only on long trips or when

riding at high speeds. Here are someacts to consider:

An approved helmet lets you see

as ar to the sides as necessary. Astudy o more than 900 motorcyclecrashes, where 40% o the riderswore helmets, did not nd even onecase in which a helmet kept a riderrom spotting danger.

Most crashes happen on shorttrips (less than ve miles long), justa ew minutes a ter starting out.

Most riders are riding slower than30 mph when a crash occurs. Atthese speeds, helmets can cut boththe number and the severity o headinjuries by hal .

No matter what the speed, helmetedriders are three times more likely tosurvive head injuries than those notwearing helmets at the time o the

crash.Helmet Selection

There are two primary types ohelmets, providing two di erent levelso coverage: three-quarter and ull ace.

Whichever style you choose, you canget the most protection by making surethat the helmet:


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5

Is designed to meet U.S. Department o Transportation(DOT) and state standards. Helmetswith a label rom the Snell MemorialFoundation give you an addedassurance o quality.

Fits snugly, all the way around. Has no obvious defects such as

cracks, loose padding or rayedstraps.

Whatever helmet you decide on, keepit securely astened on your head whenyou ride. Otherwise, i you are involvedin a crash, its likely to fy o your head

be ore it gets a chance to protect you.Eye and Face Protection

A plastic shatter-resistant aceshieldcan help protect your whole ace in acrash. It also protects you rom wind,dust, dirt, rain, insects and pebblesthrown up rom cars ahead. Theseproblems are distracting and can be

pain ul. I you have to deal with them,you cant devote your ull attention tothe road.

Goggles protect your eyes, thoughthey wont protect the rest o your acelike a aceshield does. A windshieldis not a substitute or a aceshield orgoggles. Most windshields will notprotect your eyes rom the wind. Neitherwill eyeglasses or sunglasses. Glasseswont keep your eyes rom watering,and they might blow o when you turnyour head while riding.

To be e ective, eye or aceshield protection ust:

Be free o scratches.

Be resistant to penetration.

Give a clear view to either side.

Fasten securely, so it does notblow o .

Permit air to pass through, toreduce ogging.

Permit enough room oreyeglasses or sunglasses, i needed.

Tinted eye protection should not beworn at night or any other time whenlittle light is available.

HelMets


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6 preparInG to rIDe

ClothingThe right clothing protects you in

a collision. It also provides com ort,as well as protection rom heat, cold,debris and hot and moving parts o themotorcycle. It can also make you morevisible to others

J acket and pants should coverarms and legs completely. Theyshould t snugly enough to keeprom fapping in the wind, yet

loosely enough to move reely.Leather o ers the most protection.Sturdy synthetic material providesa lot o protection as well. Weara jacket even in warm weather toprevent dehydration. Many aredesigned to protect without gettingyou overheated, even on summerdays.

Boots or shoes should be highand sturdy enough to cover yourankles and give them support. Solesshould be made o hard, durable,slip-resistant material. Keep heelsshort so they do not catch on roughsur aces. Tuck in laces so they wontcatch on your motorcycle.

Gloves allow a better grip and helpprotect your hands in a crash. Yourgloves should be made o leather orsimilar durable material.

In cold or wet weather, your clothesshould keep you warm and dry, aswell as protect you rom injury. Youcannot control a motorcycle well iyou are numb. Riding or long periods

in cold weather can cause severe chilland atigue. A winter jacket shouldresist wind and t snugly at the neck,wrists and waist. Good-quality rainsuitsdesigned or motorcycle riding resisttearing apart or ballooning up at highspeeds.

KNOW YOUr

MOtOrCYCLe

There are plenty o things on thehighway that can cause you trouble.Your motorcycle should not be oneo them. To make sure that yourmotorcycle wont let you down:

Read the owners manual rst.

Start with the right motorcycle oryou.

Be familiar with the motorcyclecontrols.

Check the motorcycle be ore everyride.

Keep it in sa e riding conditionbetween rides.

Avoid add-ons and modi cationsthat make your motorcycle harder

to handle.The Right Motorcycle For You

First, make sure your motorcycle isright or you. It should t you. Youreet should reach the ground whileyou are seated on the motorcycle, andthe controls should be easy to operate.Smaller motorcycles are usually easier

or beginners to operate.

A plastic shatter-resistant ace shield:

A. Is not necessary i you have awindshield.B. Only protects your eyes.C. Helps protect your whole ace.D. Does not protect your ace as well

as goggles.

test yourself 1

Answer - page 41


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At ini u , your street-legal otorcycle should have:

Headlight, taillight and

brakelight Front and rear brakes.

Turn signals.

Horn.

Two mirrors.

Borrowing and Lending

Borrowers and lenders o motorcycles,beware. Crashes are airly commonamong beginning riders especiallyin the rst months o riding. Ridingan un amiliar motorcycle adds to theproblem. I you borrow a motorcycle,get amiliar with it in a controlled area.And i you lend your motorcycle to

riends, make sure they are licensed andknow how to ride be ore allowing themout into tra c.

No matter how experienced youmay be, ride extra care ully on anymotorcycle thats new or un amiliarto you. It takes time to adjust, so giveyoursel a greater margin or errors.

Get Familiar with theMotorcycle Controls

Make sure you are completely amiliarwith the motorcycle be ore you takeit out on the street. Be sure to reviewthe owners manual. This is particularlyimportant i you are riding a borrowedmotorcycle.

I you are going to use an un amiliarmotorcycle:

Motorcycle controls

Light Switch (high/low)

Choke (varies)

Turn-SignalSwitch

Ignition Key(varies)

Engine Cut-Off Switch

Horn Button

Clutch LeverSpeedometer& Odometer

Fuel Supply Valve(if equipped)

Gear-Change Lever

Throttle

Front Brake Lever

Tachometer(if equipped)

Rear Brake Pedal

Kick Starter(if equipped)

ElectricStartButton


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8 preparInG to rIDe

Make all the checks you would onyour own motorcycle.

Find out where everything is,

particularly the turn signals, horn,headlight switch, uel-supply valveand engine cut-o switch. Find andoperate these items without havingto look or them.

Know the gear pattern. Work thethrottle, clutch and brakes a ewtimes be ore you start riding. Allcontrols react a little di erently.

Ride very cautiously and be awareo surroundings. Accelerate gently,take turns more slowly and leaveextra room or stopping.

Check Your MotorcycleA motorcycle needs more requent

attention than a car. A minor technical

ailure in a car seldom leads to anythingmore than an inconvenience or thedriver.

I somethings wrong with themotorcycle, youll want to nd outabout it be ore you get in tra c. Makea complete check o your motorcyclebe ore every ride.

Be ore ounting the otorcycle,ake the ollowing checks:

Tires Check the air pressure,general wear and tread.

Fluids Oil and fuid levels. At aminimum, check hydraulic fuidsand coolants weekly. Look underthe motorcycle or signs o an oil orgas leak.

Headlights and Taillight Checkthem both. Test your switch tomake sure both high and lowbeams are working.

Turn Signals Turn on both rightand le t turn signals. Make sure all

More than hal o all crashes:A. Occur at speeds greater than 35

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

motorcycles less than six months.

test yourself 2

Answer - page 41

lights are working properly.

Brake Light Try both brakecontrols, and make sure each one

turns on the brake light.Once you have mounted the

motorcycle, complete the ollowingchecks be ore starting out:

Clutch and Throttle Make surethey work smoothly. The throttleshould snap back when you let go.The clutch should eel tight andsmooth.

Mirrors Clean and adjust bothmirrors be ore starting. Its di cultto ride with one hand while youtry to adjust a mirror. Adjust eachmirror so you can see the lanebehind and as much as possible othe lane next to you. When properlyadjusted, a mirror may show theedge o your arm or shoulderbut

its the road behind and to the sidethats most important.

Brakes Try the ront and rearbrake levers one at a time. Makesure each one eels rm and holdsthe motorcycle when the brake isully applied.

Horn Try the horn. Make sure itworks.

In addition to the checks you shouldmake be ore every trip, check theollowing items at least once a week:Wheels, cables, asteners and fuidlevels. Follow your owners manual toget recommendations.


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9

KNOW YOUr

reSPONSiBiLitieS

Accident implies an un oreseenevent that occurs without anyones aultor negligence. Most o ten in tra c, thatis not the case. In act, most peopleinvolved in a crash can usually claimsome responsibility or what takes place.

Consider a situation where someonedecides to try to squeeze through anintersection on a yellow light turning

red. Your light turns green. You pull intothe intersection without checking orpossible latecomers. That is all it takesor the two o you to tangle. It was thedrivers responsibility to stop. And it wasyour responsibility to look be ore pullingout. Neither o you held up your endo the deal. Just because someone elseis the rst to start the chain o events

leading to a crash, it doesnt leave anyo us ree o responsibility.

As a rider you cant be sure that otheroperators will see you or yield the righto way. To lessen your chances o acrash occurring:

Be visible wear proper clothing,use your headlight, ride in the bestlane position to see and be seen.

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

Maintain an adequate spacecushion ollowing, beingollowed, lane sharing, passing andbeing passed.

Search your path o travel 12

seconds ahead. Identify and separate multiple

hazards.

Be prepared to act remain alertand know how to carry out propercrash-avoidance skills.

Blame doesnt matter when someoneis injured in a crash. There is rarely asingle cause o any crash. The ability toride aware, make critical decisions andcarry them out separates responsibleriders rom all the rest. Remember, it isup to you to keep rom being the causeo , or an unprepared participant in, anycrash.


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10 rIDe wItHIn your abIlItIes

This manual cannot teach you how to control direction, speed or balance.Thats something you can learn only through practice, pre erably in a ormalcourse o instruction like an MSF RiderCourse. But control begins with knowing

your abilities and riding within them, along with knowing and obeying the ruleso the road.

BaSiC VehiCLe CONtrOL

Body PositionTo control a otorcycle well:

Posture Sit so you can use your

arms to steer the motorcycle ratherthan to hold yoursel up.

Seat Sit ar enough orward sothat arms are slightly bent whenyou hold the handlegrips. Bendingyour arms permits you to press onthe handlebars without having tostretch.

Hands Hold the handgripsrmly to keep your grip over roughsur aces. Start with your rightwrist fat. This will help you keeprom accidentally using too muchthrottle. Also, adjust the handlebarsso your hands are even with orbelow your elbows. This permitsyou to use the proper muscles orprecision steering.

HolDInG HanDGrIps

right

WrONg

Knees Keep your knees againstthe gas tank to help you keep yourbalance as the motorcycle turns.

Feet Keep your eet rmly on theootrests to maintain balance. Dontdrag your eet. I your oot catcheson something, you could be injuredand it could a ect your control othe motorcycle. Keep your eet nearthe controls so you can get to themast i needed. Also, dont let yourtoes point downward they mayget caught between the road andthe ootrests.

Shifting GearsThere is more to shi ting gears than

simply getting the motorcycle to pickup speed smoothly. Learning to use thegears when downshi ting, turning orstarting on hills is important or sa emotorcycle operation.

Shi t down through the gears with

the clutch as you slow or stop. Remainin rst gear while you are stopped sothat you can move out quickly i youneed to.

Make certain you are riding slowlyenough when you shi t into a lowergear. I not, the motorcycle will lurch,and the rear wheel may skid. Whenriding downhill or shi ting into rst gearyou may need to use the brakes to slowenough be ore downshi ting sa ely.Work toward a smooth, even clutchrelease, especially when downshi ting.


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It is best to change gears be oreentering a turn. However, sometimesshi ting while in the turn is necessary.

I so, remember to do so smoothly. Asudden change in power to the rearwheel can cause a skid.

BrakingYour motorcycle has two brakes: one

each or the ront and rear wheel. Useboth o them at the same time. Theront brake is more power ul and can

provide at least three-quarters o yourtotal stopping power. The ront brake issa e to use i you use it properly.

Re e ber:

Use both brakes every time youslow or stop. Using both brakes oreven normal stops will permityou to develop the proper habit orskill o using both brakes properlyin an emergency. Squeeze theront brake and press down on therear. Grabbing at the ront brakeor jamming down on the rear cancause the brakes to lock, resulting incontrol problems.

If you know the technique, using both brakes in a turn is

possible, although it should be donevery care ully. When leaning themotorcycle some o the traction isused or cornering. Less tractionis available or stopping. A skidcan occur i you apply too muchbrake. Also, using the ront brakeincorrectly on a slippery sur acemay be hazardous. Use caution

and squeeze the brake lever, nevergrab.

Some motorcycles have integratedbraking systems that activate theront and rear brakes together

when applying the rear brakepedal. (Consult the owners manualor a detailed explanation on theoperation and e ective use o thesesystems.)

TurningRiders o ten try to take curves or turns

too ast. When they cant hold the turn,

they end up crossing into another laneo tra c or going o the road. Or, theyoverreact and brake too hard, causing askid and loss o control. Approach turnsand curves with caution.

Use our steps or better control:

SLOW Reduce speed be ore theturn by closing the throttle and, inecessary, applying both brakes.

LOOK Look through the turnto where you want to go. Turn

just your head, not your shoulders,and keep your eyes level with thehorizon.

PRESS To turn, the motorcyclemust lean. To lean the motor-cycle, press on the handgrip inthe direction o the turn. Press le thandgrip lean le t go le t.Press right handgrip lean right go right. The higher the speed in aturn, the greater the lean angle.

ROLL Roll on the throttle tomaintain or slightly increase speed.This helps stabilize the motorcycle.


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In normal turns, the rider and themotorcycle should lean together at thesame angle.

slow, tIGHt turns

When riding, you should:

A. Turn your head and shouldersto look through turns.

B. Keep your arms straight.

C. Keep your knees away romthe gas tank.

D. Turn just your head and eyesto look where you are going.

test yourself 3

Answer - page 41

norMal turns

KeePiNg YOUr DiStaNCe

The best protection you can have isdistance a cushion o space allaround your motorcycle. I someone elsemakes a mistake, distance permits you:

Time to react.

Space to maneuver.Lane Positions

In some ways the size of themotorcycle can work to your advantage.Each traf c lane gives a motorcyclethree paths o travel, as indicated in theillustration.

Your lane position should:

Increase your ability to see and beseen.

Avoid others blind spots.

Avoid surface hazards.

Protect your lane rom otherdrivers.

Communicate your intentions.

Avoid wind blast rom othervehicles.

Provide an escape route.

Select the appropriate path tomaximize your space cushion and makeyoursel more easily seen by others onthe road.

In slow, tight turns, counterbalance byleaning the motorcycle only and keepingyour body straight.


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In general, there is no single bestposition or riders to be seen and tomaintain a space cushion around themotorcycle. No portion o the lane needbe avoided including the center.

Position yoursel in the portion othe lane where you are most likely tobe seen and you can maintain a spacecushion around you. Change positionas tra c situations change. Ride in path2 or 3 i vehicles and other potentialproblems are on your le t only. Remainin path 1 or 2 if hazards are on yourright only. I vehicles are being operatedon both sides o you, the center o thelane, path 2, is usually your best option.

The oily strip in the center portionthat collects drippings rom cars isusually no more than two eet wide.Unless the road is wet, the averagecenter strip permits adequate traction

to ride on sa ely. You can operate tothe le t or right o the grease strip andstill be within the center portion o thetra c lane. Avoid riding on big buildupso oil and grease usually ound at busyintersections or toll booths.

Following Another VehicleFollowing too closely could be a

actor in crashes involving motorcyclists.In tra c, motorcycles need as muchdistance to stop as cars. Normally, aminimum of two seconds distanceshould be maintained behind the vehicleahead.

To gauge your ollowing distance:

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

When the rear bumper o thevehicle ahead passes the marker,count o the seconds: one-thousand-one, one-thousand-two.

If you reach the marker be oreyou reach two, you are ollowingtoo closely.

A two-second ollowing distanceleaves a minimum amount o space tostop or swerve i the driver ahead stopssuddenly. It also permits a better view opotholes and other hazards in the road.

A larger cushion o space is neededi your motorcycle will take longer

lane posItIons


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than normal to stop. I the pavementis slippery, i you cannot see throughthe vehicle ahead, or i tra c is heavyand someone may squeeze in front ofyou, open up a three-second or moreollowing distance.

Keep well behind the vehicle aheadeven when you are stopped. This willmake it easier to get out o the wayi someone bears down on you rombehind. It will also give you a cushion ospace i the vehicle ahead starts to back

up or some reason.When behind a car, ride where the

driver can see you in the rearview mirror.Riding in the center portion o the laneshould put your image in the middle othe rearview mirror where a driver ismost likely to see you.

Riding at the ar side o a lane maypermit a driver to see you in a sideview

mirror. But remember that most driversdont look at their sideview mirrorsnearly as o ten as they check therearview mirror. I the tra c situationallows, the center portion o the lane isusually the best place or you to be seenby the drivers ahead and to prevent lanesharing by others.

Being FollowedSpeeding up to lose someone

ollowing too closely only ends up withsomeone tailgating you at a higherspeed.

A better way to handle tailgatersis to get them in ront o you. Whensomeone is ollowing too closely,change lanes and let them pass. I youcant do this, slow down and open upextra space ahead o you to allow roomor both you and the tailgater to stop.This will also encourage them to pass.I they dont pass, you will have givenyoursel and the tailgater more time andspace to react in case an emergencydoes develop ahead.

Passing and Being PassedPassing and being passed by another

vehicle is not much di erent than with a

car. However, visibility is more critical. Besure other drivers see you, and that yousee potential hazards.

followInG


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Passing1 Ride in the left portion o the

lane at a sa e ollowing distance

to increase your line o sight andmake you more visible. Signaland check or oncoming tra c.Use your mirrors and turn yourhead to look or tra c behind.

2. When safe, move into the le tlane and accelerate. Select a laneposition that doesnt crowd thecar you are passing and providesspace to avoid hazards in yourlane.

3 Ride through the blind spot asquickly as possible.

4. Signal again, and completemirror and headchecks be orereturning to your original laneand then cancel the signal.

Remember, passes must be

completed within posted speedlimits, and only where permitted.Know your signs and road markings!

Being PassedWhen you are being passed rom

behind or by an oncoming vehicle,

stay in the center portion o your lane.Riding any closer to them could put youin a hazardous situation.

Avoid being hit by:

The other vehicle A slightmistake by you or the passing drivercould cause a sideswipe.

Extended mirrors Some driversorget that their mirrors hang outarther than their enders.

Objects thrown from windows Even if the driver knows yourethere, a passenger may not see youand might toss something on you orthe road ahead o you.

Blasts of wind from largervehicles They can a ect yourcontrol. You have more room orerror i you are in the middle portionwhen hit by this blast than i youare on either side o the lane.

Do not move into the portion o thelane arthest rom the passing vehicle. Itmight invite the other driver to cut backinto your lane too early.

passInG beInG passeD


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Lane SharingCars and motorcycles need a ull lane

to operate sa ely. Lane sharing is usuallyprohibited.

Riding between rows o stopped ormoving cars in the same lane can leaveyou vulnerable to the unexpected. Ahand could come out o a window;a door could open; a car could turnsuddenly. Discourage lane sharing byothers. Keep a center-portion position

whenever drivers might be temptedto squeeze by you. Drivers are mosttempted to do this:

In heavy, bumper-to-bumpertra c.

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.

Merging CarsDrivers on an entrance ramp may

not see you on the highway. Give them

plenty o room. Change to another lanei one is open. I there is no room or alane change, adjust speed to open up

space or the merging driver.Cars Alongside

Do not ride next to cars or trucks inother lanes i you do not have to. Youmight be in the blind spot o a car in thenext lane, which could switch into yourlane without warning. Cars in the nextlane also block your escape i you come

upon danger in your own lane. Speedup or drop back to nd a place clear otra c on both sides.

MerGInG

blInD spots

Usually, a good way to handletailgaters is to:

A. Change lanes and let them pass.

B. Use your horn and makeobscene gestures.

C. Speed up to put distancebetween you and the tailgater.

D. Ignore them.

test yourself 4

Answer - page 41


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17

See

Good experienced riders remainaware o what is going on around them.They improve their riding strategy byusing MSFs SEESM strategy, a three-step process used to make appropriate

judgments, and apply them correctly indi erent tra c situations:

S earch

E valuate

E xecute

Lets examine each o these steps.

SearchSearch aggressively ahead, to the

sides and behind to avoid potentialhazards even before they arise. Howassertively you search, and how muchtime and space you have, can eliminate

or reduce harm. Focus even more onnding potential escape routes in oraround intersections, shopping areasand school and construction zones.

Search or actors such as:

Oncoming traf c that may turnle t in ront o you.

Traf c coming rom the le t and

right. Traf c approaching rom behind.

Hazardous road conditions.

Be especially alert in areas with limitedvisibility. Visually busy surroundingscould hide you and your motorcyclerom others.

EvaluateThink about how hazards can interact

to create risks or you. Anticipatepotential problems and have a plan toreduce risks.

Road and surface characteristics Potholes, guardrails, bridges,telephone poles and trees wont

move into your path but mayinfuence your riding strategy.

Traf c control devices Look ortra c signals, including regulatorysigns, warning signs, and pavementmarkings, to help you evaluatecircumstances ahead.

Vehicles and other traf c Maymove into your path and increasethe likelihood o a crash.

Think about your time and spacerequirements in order to maintaina margin o sa ety. You must leaveyoursel time to react i an emergencyarises.

Execute

Carry out your decision.To create more space and minimize

harm from any hazard:

Communicate your presence withlights and/or horn.

Adjust your speed by accelerating,stopping or slowing.

Adjust your position and/ordirection.

Apply the old adage one step at atime to handle two or more hazards.Adjust speed to permit two hazardsto separate. Then deal with them oneat a time as single hazards. Decision-making becomes more complex withthree or more hazards. Evaluate the

consequences o each and give equaldistance to the hazards.


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iNterSeCtiONS

The greatest potential or confictbetween you and other tra c is atintersections. An intersection can bein the middle o an urban area or ata driveway on a residential street anywhere tra c may cross your path otravel. Over one-hal o motorcycle/carcrashes are caused by drivers entering ariders right-o -way. Cars that turn le t inront o you, including cars turning le trom the lane to your right, and cars onside streets that pull into your lane, arethe biggest dangers. Your use of SEE [p. 17] at intersections is critical.

There are no guarantees thatothers see you. Never count on eyecontact as a sign that a driver willyield. Too o ten, a driver looks right at amotorcyclist and still ails to see him

or her. The only eyes that you can counton are your own. I a car can enter yourpath, assume that it will. Good ridersare always looking or trouble notto get into it, but to stay out o it.

Increase your chances o beingseen at intersections. Ride with yourheadlight on and in a lane position thatprovides the best view o oncoming

tra c. Provide a space cushion aroundthe motorcycle that permits you to takeevasive action.

To reduce your reaction time, you should:

A. Ride slower than the speedlimit.

B. Cover the clutch and the brakes.C. Shi t into neutral when slowing.

D. Pull in the clutch when turning.

In potential high-risk areas, such asintersections, shopping areas and schooland construction zones, cover the clutch

and both brakes to reduce the time youneed to react.

test yourself 5

sMall IntersectIons

Answer - page 41


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19

As you approach the intersec tion, selecta lane position that increases your visibilityto the driver. Cover the clutch lever andboth brakes to reduce reaction time.

Reduce your speed as you approachan intersection. A ter entering theintersection, move away rom vehiclespreparing to turn. Do not change speedor position radically. The driver mightthink that you are preparing to turn.

Blind IntersectionsI you approach a blind intersection,

move to the portion o the lane that willbring you into another drivers eld ovision at the earliest possible moment.In this picture, the rider has moved tothe le t portion o the lane awayrom the parked car so the driver onthe cross street can see him as soon aspossible.

Remember, the key is to see as muchas possible and remain visible to otherswhile protecting your space.

blInD IntersectIons

larGe IntersectIons


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I you have a stop sign or stop line,stop there rst. Then edge orwardand stop again, just short o where thecross-tra c lane meets your lane. Fromthat position, lean your body orwardand look around buildings, parked carsor bushes to see i anything is coming.Just make sure your ront wheel stays

out o the cross lane o travel whileyoure looking.

Passing Parked CarsWhen passing parked cars, stay

toward the le t o your lane. Youcan avoid problems caused by doorsopening, drivers getting out o carsor people stepping rom between

cars. I oncoming tra c is present, itis usually best to remain in the center-lane position to maximize your spacecushion.

A bigger problem can occur i thedriver pulls away rom the curb without

checking for traf c behind. Even if hedoes look, he may ail to see you.

In either event, the driver might cutinto your path. Slow down or changelanes to make room or someonecutting in.

Cars making a sudden U-turn are

the most dangerous. They may cutyou o entirely, blocking the wholeroadway and leaving you with noplace to go. Since you cant tell what adriver will do, slow down and get thedrivers attention. Sound your horn andcontinue with caution.

Parking at the Roadside

Park at a 90 angle to the curb withyour rear wheel touching the curb.

Making eye contact with other drivers:A. Is a good sign they see you.B. Is not worth the e ort it takes.C. Doesnt mean that the driver will yield.D. Guarantees that the other driver will

yield to you.

test yourself 6

stop sIGns parkeD cars

parkInG at curbs

Answer - page 41


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21

iNCreaSiNg

CONSPiCUitY

In crashes with motorcyclists, driverso ten say that they never saw themotorcycle. From ahead or behind, amotorcycles outline is much smallerthan a cars. Also, its hard to seesomething you are not looking or,and most drivers are not looking ormotorcycles. More likely, they arelooking through the skinny, two-wheeled silhouette in search o cars thatmay pose a problem to them.

Even if a driver does see you coming,you arent necessarily sa e. Smallervehicles appear arther away and seemto be traveling slower than they actuallyare. It is common or drivers to pull outin ront o motorcyclists, thinking theyhave plenty o time. Too o ten, they are

wrong.However, you can do many things to

make it easier for others to recognizeyou and your motorcycle.

ClothingMost crashes occur in broad daylight.

Wear bright-colored clothing to increaseyour chances o being seen. Remember,your body is hal o the visible sur acearea o the rider/motorcycle unit.

Bright orange, red, yellow or green jackets or vests are your best bets orbeing seen. Your helmet can do morethan protect you in a crash. Brightlycolored helmets can also help others seeyou.

Any bright color is better than drabor dark colors. Refective, bright-coloredclothing (helmet and jacket or vest) isbest.

Refective material on a vest and onthe sides o the helmet will help drivers

coming rom the side to spot you.Refective material can also be a big helpor drivers coming toward you or rom

behind.Headlight

The best way to help others see yourmotorcycle is to keep the headlight on at all times (new motorcycles soldin the USA since 1978 automaticallyhave the headlights on when running).Studies show that, during the day, a

motorcycle with its light on is twice aslikely to be noticed. Use low beam atnight and in og.

SignalsThe signals on a motorcycle are similar

to those on a car. They tell others whatyou plan to do.

sIGnalInG


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However, due to a riders addedvulnerability, signals are even moreimportant. Use them anytime you plan

to change lanes or turn. Use them evenwhen you think no one else is around.Its the car you dont see thats going togive you the most trouble. Your signallights also make you easier to spot.Thats why its a good idea to use yourturn signals even when what you planto do is obvious.

When you enter a reeway, drivers

approaching rom behind are more likelyto see your signal blinking and makeroom or you.

Turning your signal light on be oreeach turn reduces con usion andrustration or the tra c around you.Once you turn, make sure your signal iso or a driver may pull directly into yourpath, thinking you plan to turn again.Use your signals at every turn so driverscan react accordingly. Dont make themguess what you intend to do.

Brake LightYour motorcycles brake light is usually

not as noticeable as the brake lights ona car particularly when your taillightis on. (It goes on with the headlight.)I the situation will permit, help othersnotice you by fashing your brake lightbe ore you slow down. It is especiallyimportant to fash your brake lightbe ore:

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

You slow where others may notexpect it (in the middle o a block orat an alley).

I you are being ollowed closely, itsa good idea to fash your brake lightbe ore you slow. The tailgater may bewatching you and not see somethingahead that will make you slow down.This will hope ully discourage them romtailgating and warn them of hazardsahead they may not see.

Using Your MirrorsWhile its most important to keep

track o whats happening ahead, youcant a ord to ignore situations behind.Tra c conditions change quickly.Knowing whats going on behind isessential or you to make a sa e decisionabout how to handle trouble ahead.

Frequent mirror checks should be parto your normal searching routine. Makea special point o using your mirrors:

When you are stopped at anintersection. Watch cars coming uprom behind. I the drivers arentpaying attention, they could be ontop o you be ore they see you.

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

Before you slow down. The driverbehind may not expect you to slow,or may be unsure about where youwill slow. For example, you signal aturn and the driver thinks you planto turn at a distant intersection,rather than at a nearer driveway.


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23

Some motorcycles have rounded(convex) mirrors. These provide a widerview o the road behind than do fatmirrors. They also make cars seemarther away than they really are. Iyou are not used to convex mirrors,get amiliar with them. (While you are

stopped, pick out a parked car in your

irror. For a ental i age o how ar away it is. Then, turn around and look at it to see how close you ca e.) Practice with your mirrors until youbecome a good judge of distance. Eventhen, allow extra distance be ore youchange lanes.

usInG MIrrors Head ChecksChecking your mirrors is not enough.

Motorcycles have blind spots likecars. Be ore you change lanes, turn yourhead, and look to the side or othervehicles.

On a road with several lanes, checkthe ar lane and the one next to you. Adriver in the distant lane may head orthe same space you plan to take.

Frequent head checks should be

your normal scanning routine, also.Only by knowing what is happeningall around you are you ully preparedto deal with it.

HornBe ready to use your horn to get

someones attention quickly.

It is a good idea to give a quick beepbe ore passing anyone that may moveinto your lane.

Here are so e situations:

A driver in the lane next to youis driving too closely to the vehicleahead and may want to pass.

A parked car has someone in the

drivers seat. Someone is in the street, riding a

bicycle or walking.

In an emergency, press the hornbutton loud and long. Be ready to stopor swerve away rom the danger.

Keep in mind that a motorcycles hornisnt as loud as a cars there ore, use

it, but dont rely on it. Other strategies,like having time and space to maneuver,may be appropriate along with thehorn.


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Riding at NightAt night it is harder or you to see

and be seen. Picking your headlight

or taillight out o the car lights aroundyou is not easy or other drivers. Tocompensate, you should:

Reduce Your Speed Ride evenslower than you would during theday particularly on roads youdont know well. This will increaseyour chances of avoiding a hazard.

Increase Distance Distancesare harder to judge at night thanduring the day. Your eyes rely uponshadows and light contrasts todetermine how ar away an objectis and how ast it is coming. Thesecontrasts are missing or distortedunder arti cial lights at night.Open up a three-second ol lowingdistance or more. And allow moredistance to pass and be passed.

Use the Car Ahead Theheadlights o the car ahead can giveyou a better view o the road thaneven your high beam can. Taillightsbouncing up and down can alertyou to bumps or rough pavement.

Use Your High Beam Get all thelight you can. Use your high beamwhenever you are not ollowingor meeting a car. Be visible: Wearrefective materials when riding atnight.

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

CraSh aVOiDaNCe

No matter how care ul you are, therewill be times when you nd yoursel in a

tight spot. Your chances o getting outsa ely depend on your ability to reactquickly and properly. O ten, a crashoccurs because a rider is not prepared orskilled in crash-avoidance maneuvers.

Know when and how to stop orswerve, two skills critical in avoidinga crash. It is not always desirable orpossible to stop quickly to avoid anobstacle. Riders must also be able toswerve around an obstacle. Deter-mining which skill is necessary or thesituation is important as well.

Studies show that ost crash-involved riders:

Underbrake the ront tire andoverbrake the rear.

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

The ollowing in ormation o erssome good advice.

Quick StopsTo stop quickly, apply both brakes

at the same time. Dont be shy aboutusing the ront brake, but dont grabit, either. Squeeze the brake leverrmly and progressively. I the rontwheel locks, release the ront brakeimmediately then reapply it rmly. Atthe same time, press down on therear brake. I you accidentally lock therear brake on a good traction sur ace,you can keep it locked until you havecompletely stopped; but, even with alocked rear wheel, you can control themotorcycle on a straightaway i it isupright and going in a straight line.

Refective clothing should:A. Be worn at night.B. Be worn during the day.C. Not be worn.D. Be worn day and night

test yourself 7

Answer - page 41


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25

Always use both brakes at the sametime to stop. The ront brake canprovide 70% or more o the potentialstopping power.

I you must stop quickly while turningor riding a curve, the best technique isto straighten the bike upright rst andthen brake. However, it may not alwaysbe possible to straighten the motorcycle

and then stop. I you must brake whileleaning, apply light brakes and reducethe throttle. As you slow, you canreduce your lean angle and apply morebrake pressure until the motorcycle is

straight and maximum brake pressureis possible. You should straightenthe handlebars in the last ew eet ostopping. The motorcycle should thenbe straight up and in balance.

Swerving or Turning QuicklySometimes you may not have enough

room to stop, even i you use bothbrakes properly. An object might appearsuddenly in your path. Or the car aheadmight squeal to a stop. The only way toavoid a crash may be to turn quickly, orswerve around it.

A swerve is any sudden change indirection. It can be two quick turns, ora rapid shi t to the side. Apply a smallamount o pressure to the handgriplocated on the side o your intendeddirection o escape. This will cause themotorcycle to lean quickly. The sharper

the turn(s), the more the motorcyclemust lean.

Keep your body upright and allowthe motorcycle to lean in the directiono the turn while keeping your knees

stoppInG DIstance

swerve, tHen brake brake, tHen swerve


28/48


against the tank and your eet solidly onthe ootrests. Let the motorcycle moveunderneath you. Make your escape

route the target o your vision. Presson the opposite handgrip once youclear the obstacle to return you to youroriginal direction o travel. To swerve tothe le t, press the le t handgrip, thenpress the right to recover. To swerve tothe right, press right, then le t.

IF BRAKING IS REQUIRED, SEPARATEIT FROM SWERVING. Brake before or

a ter never while swerving.

CorneringA primary cause o single-vehicle

crashes is motorcyclists running wide ina curve or turn and colliding with theroadway or a xed object.

Every curve is different. Be alert towhether a curve remains constant,gradually widens, gets tighter orinvolves multiple turns.

Ride within your skill level and postedspeed limits.

Your best path may not always ollowthe curve o the road.

constant curves

DecreasInG curves(tIGHter turns)

MultIple curves

wIDenInG curves


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27

Change lane position depending ontra c, road conditions and curve othe road. I no tra c is present, start at

the outside o a curve to increase yourline o sight and the e ective radius othe turn. As you turn, move toward theinside o the curve, and as you pass thecenter, move to the outside to exit.

Another alternative is to move to thecenter o your lane be ore entering acurve and stay there until you exit.This permits you to spot approaching

tra c as soon as possible. You can alsoadjust or tra c crowding the centerline, or debris blocking part o your lane.

haNDLiNg DaNgerOUS

SUrFaCeS

Your chance o alling or beinginvolved in a crash increases wheneveryou ride across:

Uneven surfaces or obstacles.

Slippery surfaces.

Railroad tracks.

Grooves and gratings.

Uneven Surfaces andObstacles

Watch or uneven sur aces such asbumps, broken pavement, potholes orsmall pieces o highway trash.

Try to avoid obstacles by slowing orgoing around them. I you must goover the obstacle, rst determine i it ispossible. Approach it at as close to a 90angle as possible. Look where you wantto go to control your path o travel. Iyou have to ride over the obstacle, youshould:

Slow down as much as possiblebe ore contact.

Make sure the motorcycle isstraight.

obstacles

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

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

test yourself 8

Answer - page 41


30/48


Rise slightly o the seat with yourweight on the ootrests to absorbthe shock with your knees andelbows, and avoid being thrown othe motorcycle.

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

I you ride over an object on thestreet, pull o the road and check yourtires and rims or damage be ore ridingany arther.

Slippery SurfacesMotorcycles handle better when

ridden on sur aces that permit goodtraction. Sur aces that provide poortraction include:

Wet pavement, particularly justa ter it starts to rain and be oresur ace oil washes to the side o 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 sa ely on slippery sur aces:

Reduce Speed Slow downbe ore you get to a slipperysur ace to lessen your chances oskidding. Your motorcycle needsmore distance to stop. And it isparticularly important to reducespeed be ore entering wet curves.

Avoid Sudden Moves Anysudden change in speed or direction

can cause a skid. Be as smooth aspossible when you speed up, shi tgears, turn or brake.

Use Both Brakes The rontbrake is still e ective, even on aslippery surface. Squeeze the brake

lever gradually to avoid locking theront wheel. Remember, gentlepressure on the rear brake.

The center of a lane can behazardous when wet. When it startsto rain, ride in the tire tracks le t bycars. O ten, the le t tire track willbe the best position, depending ontra c and other road conditions aswell.

Watch for oil spots when you putyour oot down to stop or park. Youmay slip and all.

Dirt and gravel collect along thesides o the road especially oncurves and ramps leading to androm highways. Be aware o whatson the edge o the road, particularlywhen making sharp turns andgetting on or o reeways at highspeeds.

Rain dries and snow melts faster on some sections o a road thanon others. Patches o ice tend todevelop in low or shaded areas andon bridges and overpasses. Wetsur aces or wet leaves are just asslippery. Ride on the least slipperyportion o the lane and reducespeed.

Cautious riders steer clear o roads

covered with ice or snow. I you cantavoid a slippery sur ace, keep yourmotorcycle straight up and proceedas slowly as possible. I you encountera large sur ace so slippery that youmust coast, or travel at a walking pace,consider letting your eet skim alongthe sur ace. I the motorcycle starts toall, you can catch yoursel . Be sure to

keep off the brakes. If possible, squeezethe clutch and coast. Attempting thismaneuver at anything other thanthe slowest o speeds could provehazardous.


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29

Railroad Tracks, Trolley Tracksand Pavement Seams

Usually it is sa er to ride straight withinyour lane to cross tracks. Turning to taketracks head-on (at a 90 angle) can bemore dangerous your path may carryyou into another lane o tra c.

crosstracksrIGHt

crosstrackswronG

parallel tracksrIGHt

Grate crossInGsrIGHt

parallel trackswronG

Grate crossInGswronG

For track and road seams that runparallel to your course, move ar enoughaway rom tracks, ruts, or pavementseams to cross at an angle o at least45. Then, make a deliberate turn.Edging across could catch your tires andthrow you o balance.

Grooves and GratingsRiding over rain grooves or bridge

gratings may cause a motorcycle toweave. The uneasy, wandering eeling isgenerally not hazardous. Relax, maintaina steady speed and ride straight across.Crossing at an angle orces riders tozigzag to stay in the lane. The zigzag isfar more hazardous than the wanderingeeling.

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

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

test yourself 9

Answer - page 41


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MeChaNiCaL PrOBLeMS

You can nd yoursel in an emergencythe moment something goes wrongwith your motorcycle. In dealing withany mechanical problem, take intoaccount the road and tra c conditionsyou ace. Here are some guidelinesthat can help you handle mechanicalproblems sa ely.

Tire FailureYou will seldom hear a tire go fat.

I the motorcycle starts handlingdi erently, it may be a tire ailure. Thiscan be dangerous. You must be able totell rom the way the motorcycle reacts.I one o your tires suddenly loses air,react quickly to keep your balance. Pullo and check the tires.

I the ront tire goes fat, the steering

will eel heavy. A ront-wheel fat isparticularly hazardous because it affectsyour steering. You have to steer well tokeep your balance.

I the rear tire goes fat, the back othe motorcycle may jerk or sway romside to side.

I either tire goes fat while riding:

Hold handgrips rmly, ease o thethrottle, and keep a straight course.

If braking is required, however,gradually apply the brake o the tirethat isnt fat, i you are sure whichone it is.

When the motorcycle slows, edge to the side o the road,

squeeze the clutch and stop.

Stuck ThrottleTwist the throttle back and orth

several times. I the throttle cable isstuck, this may ree it. I the throttlestays stuck, immediately operate theengine cut-o switch and pull in theclutch at the same time. This will removepower rom the rear wheel, thoughengine sound may not immediatelydecline. Once the motorcycle is undercontrol, pull o and stop.

A ter you have stopped, check thethrottle cable care ully to nd the sourceo the trouble. Make certain the throttleworks reely be ore you start to rideagain.

WobbleA wobble occurs when the ront

wheel and handlebars suddenly start

to shake rom side to side at anyspeed. Most wobbles can be traced toimproper loading, unsuitable accessoriesor incorrect tire pressure. I you arecarrying a heavy load, lighten it. I youcant, shi t it. Center the weight lowerand arther orward on the motorcycle.Make sure tire pressure, spring pre-load, air shocks and dampers are at the

settings recommended or that muchweight. Make sure windshields andairings are mounted properly.

Check or poorly adjusted steering;worn steering parts; a ront wheel thatis bent, misaligned, or out o balance;loose wheel bearings or spokes; andworn swingarm bearings. I none othese is determined to be the cause,

have the motorcycle checked outthoroughly by a quali ed pro essional.


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31

Trying to accelerate out o awobble will only make the motorcyclemore unstable. Instead:

Grip the handlebars rmly, butdont ght the wobble.

Close the throttle gradually to slow down. Do not apply thebrakes; braking could make thewobble worse.

Move your weight as ar orwardand down as possible.

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

I your motorcycle starts to wobble:A. Accelerate out o the wobble.B. Use the brakes gradually.C. Grip the handlebars rmly and close

the throttle gradually.D. Downshi t.

test yourself 10

Drive Train ProblemsThe drive train or a motorcycle uses

either a chain, belt, or drive sha t totrans er power rom the engine tothe rear wheel. Routine inspection,adjustment, and maintenance makesailure a rare occurrence. A chain or beltthat slips or breaks while youre ridingcould lock the rear wheel and causeyour motorcycle to skid.

I the chain or belt breaks, youllnotice an instant loss o power to therear wheel. Close the throttle and brake

to a stop in a sa e area.On models with a drive sha t, loss o oilin the rear di erential can cause the rearwheel to lock, and you may not be ableto prevent a skid.

Engine SeizureWhen the engine locks or

freezes it is usually low on oil. Theengines moving parts cant movesmoothly against each other, and theengine overheats. The rst sign may bea loss o engine power or a change inthe engines sound. Squeeze the clutchlever to disengage the engine rom therear wheel. Pull o the road and stop.Check the oil. I needed, oil should beadded as soon as possible or the enginewill seize. When this happens, the effectis the same as a locked rear wheel. Letthe engine cool be ore restarting.

aNiMaLS

Naturally, you should do everythingyou sa ely can to avoid hitting ananimal. I you are in tra c, however,remain in your lane. Hitting somethingsmall is less dangerous to you thanhitting something big like a car.

Motorcycles seem to attract dogs. Iyou are chased, downshi t and approachthe animal slowly. As you approach it,accelerate away and leave the animalbehind. Dont kick at an animal. Keepcontrol o your motorcycle and look to

where you want to go.For larger animals (deer, elk, cattle)

brake and prepare to stop they areunpredictable.

Answer - page 41

I 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.

test yourself 11

Answer - page 41


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FLYiNg OBJeCtS

From time to time riders are struckby insects, cigarettes thrown rom carsor pebbles kicked up by the tires othe vehicle ahead. I you are wearingace protection, it might get smearedor cracked, making it di cult to see.Without ace protection, an objectcould hit you in the eye, ace or mouth.Whatever happens, keep your eyeson the road and your hands on thehandlebars. When sa e, pull o the roadand repair the damage.

gettiNg OFF the rOaD

I you need to leave the road to checkthe motorcycle (or just to rest or awhile), be sure you:

Check the roadside Make surethe sur ace o the roadside is rmenough to ride on. I it is so t grass,loose sand or i youre just not sureabout it, slow way down be ore youturn onto it.

Signal Drivers behind might notexpect you to slow down. Give aclear signal that you will be slowingdown and changing direction.Check your mirror and make a headcheck be ore you take any action.

Pull off the road Get as ar othe road as you can. It can be veryhard to spot a motorcycle by theside o the road. You dont wantsomeone else pulling o at thesame place you are.

Park carefully Loose and slopedshoulders can make setting the sideor center stand di cult.

CarrYiNg PaSSeNgerS

aND CargO

Only experienced riders should carrypassengers or large loads. The extraweight changes the way the motorcyclehandles, balances, speeds up and slowsdown. Be ore taking a passenger or aheavy load on the street, practice awayrom tra c.

EquipmentTo carry passengers sa ely:

Equip and adjust your motorcycleto carry passengers.

Instruct the passenger be ore youstart.

Adjust your riding technique orthe added weight.

Equip ent should include:

A proper seat large enough tohold both o you without crowding.You should not sit any artherorward than you usually do.

Footrests or the passenger.Firm ooting prevents yourpassenger rom alling o andpulling you o , too.

Protective equipment the same

protective gear recommended oroperators.

Adjust the suspension to handle theadditional weight. You will probablyneed to add a ew pounds o pressureto the tires i you carry a passenger.(Check your owners manual orappropriate settings.) While yourpassenger sits on the seat with you,adjust the mirrors and headlightaccording to the change in themotorcycles angle.


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33

Instructing PassengersEven if your passenger is a motorcycle

rider, provide complete instructions

be ore you start. Tell your passenger to: Get on the motorcycle only a ter

you have started the engine.

Sit as far forward as possiblewithout crowding you.

Hold rmly to your waist, hips,belt, or to the bikes passengerhandholds.

Keep both feet on the ootrests,even when stopped.

Keep legs away rom themu fer(s), chains or moving parts.

Stay directly behind you, leaningas you lean.

Avoid unnecessary talk or motion.

Also, tell your passenger to tighten his

or her hold when you: Approach sur ace problems.

Are about to start rom a stop.

Warn that you will make a suddenmove.

Riding With PassengersYour motorcycle will respond more

slowly with a passenger on board. Theheavier your passenger, the longer itmay take to slow down and speed up especially on a light motorcycle.

Passengers should:A. Lean as you lean.B. Hold on to the motorcycle seat.C. Sit as ar back as possible.D. Never hold onto you.

test yourself 12

Answer - page 41

Ride a little slower, especiallywhen taking curves, corners orbumps.

Start slowing earlier as youapproach a stop.

Open up a larger cushion ospace ahead and to the sides.

Wait for larger gaps to cross,enter or merge in tra c.

Warn your passenger o specialconditions when you will pull out,stop quickly, turn sharply or ride over abump. Turn your head slightly to makeyoursel understood, but keep your eyeson the road ahead.

Carrying LoadsMost motorcycles are not designed

to carry much cargo. Small loads can becarried sa ely i positioned and astenedproperly.

Keep the Load Low Fastenloads securely, or put them insaddlebags. Piling loads against asissybar or rame on the back o theseat raises the motorcycles centero gravity and disturbs its balance.

Keep the Load Forward Placethe load over, or in ront o , the rearaxle. Tankbags keep loads orward,but use caution when loading hardor sharp objects. Make sure thetankbag does not inter ere withhandlebars or controls. Mountingloads behind the rear axle can a ecthow the motorcycle turns andbrakes. It can also cause a wobble.

Distribute the Load Evenly Load saddlebags with about thesame weight. An uneven load cancause the motorcycle to dri t to oneside.


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Secure the Load Fasten the loadsecurely with elastic cords (bungeecords or nets). Elastic cords withmore than one attachment pointper side are more secure. A tightload wont catch in the wheel orchain, causing it to lock up and skid.Rope tends to stretch and knotscome loose, permitting the load toshi t or all.

Check the Load Stop and checkthe load every so o ten to makesure it has not worked loose or

moved.grOUP riDiNg

I you ride with others, do it in away that promotes sa ety and doesntinter ere with the fow o tra c.

Keep the Group SmallSmall groups make it easier and sa er

or car drivers who need to get aroundthem. A small number isnt separatedas easily by tra c or red lights. Riderswont always be hurrying to catch up.I your group is larger than our or veriders, divide it up into two or moresmaller groups.

Keep the Group Together Plan The leader should look

ahead or changes and signal earlyso the word gets back in plentyo time. Start lane changes early topermit everyone to complete thechange.

Put Beginners Up Front Placeinexperienced riders just behindthe leader. That way the moreexperienced riders can watch themrom the back.

Follow Those Behind Letthe tailender set the pace. Useyour mirrors to keep an eye onthe person behind. I a rider allsbehind, everyone should slow downa little to stay with the tailender.

Know the Route Make sureeveryone knows the route. Then, isomeone is separated they wonthave to hurry to keep rom gettinglost or taking a wrong turn. Planrequent stops on long rides.

Keep Your DistanceMaintain close ranks but at the same

time keep a sa e distance to allow eachrider in the group time and space toreact to hazards. A close group takesup less space on the highway, is easierto see and is less likely to be separated.However, it must be done properly.

Dont Pair Up Never operatedirectly alongside another rider. There isno place to go i you have to avoid a caror something on the road. To talk, waituntil you are both stopped.

Staggered Formation This isthe best way to keep ranks close yetmaintain an adequate space cushion. Theleader rides in the le t side o the lane,while the second rider stays one secondbehind in the right side o the lane.

staGGereD forMatIon


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35

A third rider maintains in the le tposition, two seconds behind the rstrider. The ourth rider would keep atwo-second distance behind the secondrider. This ormation keeps the groupclose and permits each rider a sa edistance rom others ahead, behind andto the sides.

Passing in Formation Riders ina staggered ormation should passone at a time.

First, the lead rider should pullout and pass when it is sa e. A terpassing, the leader should return tothe le t position and continue ridingat passing speed to open room orthe next rider.

After the rst rider passes safely, the second rider should move upto the le t position and watch or asa e chance to pass. A ter passing,this rider should return to the right

position and open up room or thenext rider.

Group passInG (staGe 1) Group passInG ( staGe 2)

Some people suggest that the leadershould move to the right side a terpassing a vehicle. This is not a goodidea. It encourages the second riderto pass and cut back in be ore thereis a large enough space cushion inront o the passed vehicle. Its simplerand sa er to wait until there is enoughroom ahead o the passed vehicle toallow each rider to move into the sameposition held be ore the pass.

Single-File Formation It is bestto move into a single- le ormation

when riding curves, turning, entering orleaving a highway.

When riding in a group,inexperienced riders should positionthemselves:A. Just behind the leader.B. In ront o the group.

C. At the tail end o the group.D. Beside the leader.

test yourself 13

Answer - page 41


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36 beInG In sHape to rIDe

Riding a motorcycle is a demanding and complex task. Skilled riderspay attention to the riding environment and to operating the motorcycle,identifying potential hazards, making good judgments and executing decisions

quickly and skill ully. Your ability to per orm and respond to changing roadand tra c conditions is infuenced by how t and alert you are. Alcohol andother drugs, more than any other actor, degrade your ability to think clearlyand to ride sa ely. As little as one drink can have a signi cant e ect on yourper ormance.

Lets look at the risks involved in riding a ter drinking or using drugs. What todo to protect yoursel and your ellow riders is also examined.

WhY thiS iNFOrMatiON

iS iMPOrtaNtAlcohol is a major contributor to

motorcycle crashes, particularly atalcrashes. Studies show that 40% to45% o all riders killed in motorcyclecrashes had been drinking. Only one-third o those riders had a blood alcoholconcentration above legal limits. Therest had only a ew drinks in their

systems enough to impair ridingskills. In the past, drug levels have beenharder to distinguish or have not beenseparated rom drinking violations orthe tra c records. But riding underthe infuence o either alcohol or drugsposes physical and legal hazards forevery rider.

Drinking and drug use is as biga problem among motorcyclistsas it is among automobile drivers.Motorcyclists, however, are more likelyto be killed or severely injured in a crash.Injuries occur in 90% o motorcyclecrashes and 33% o automobile crashesthat involve abuse o substances. Ona yearly basis, 2,100 motorcyclistsare killed and about 50,000 seriouslyinjured in this same type o crash. Thesestatistics are too overwhelming toignore.

By becoming knowledgeable aboutthe e ects o alcohol and other drugsyou will see that riding and substanceabuse dont mix. Take positive steps toprotect yoursel and prevent others rominjuring themselves.

aLCOhOL aND Other

DrUgS iN MOtOrCYCLeOPeratiON

No one is immune to the e ects oalcohol or drugs. Friends may bragabout their ability to hold their liquoror per orm better on drugs, but alcoholor drugs make them less able to thinkclearly and per orm physical tasksskill ully. Judgment and the decision-making processes needed or vehicleoperation are a ected long be ore legallimitations are reached.

Many over-the-counter, prescriptionand illegal drugs have side e ects thatincrease the risk o riding. It is di cult toaccurately measure the involvement oparticular drugs in motorcycle crashes.But we do know what e ects various

drugs have on the processes involved inriding a motorcycle. We also know thatthe combined e ects o alcohol andother drugs are more dangerous thaneither is alone.

aLCOhOL iN the BODY

Alcohol enters the bloodstreamquickly. Unlike most oods andbeverages, it does not need to bedigested. Within minutes a ter beingconsumed, it reaches the brain andbegins to a ect the drinker. The majore ect alcohol has is to slow down andimpair bodily unctions both mentaland physical. Whatever you do, you doless well a ter consuming alcohol.


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38 beInG In sHape to rIDe

Four drinks over the span o twohours would have at least two (4 2 =2) drinks remaining in their system at

the end o the two hours. They wouldneed at least another two hours toeliminate the two remaining drinksbe ore they consider riding.

There are times when a largerperson may not accumulate as higha concentration o alcohol or eachdrink consumed. They have moreblood and other bodily fuids. But

because o individual di erences itis better not to take the chance thatabilities and judgment have not beena ected. Whether or not you arelegally intoxicated is not the real issue.Impairment o judgment and skillsbegins well below the legal limit.

aLCOhOL aND the LaW

In all states, an adult with a BACo 0.08% or above is consideredintoxicated. For operators under the ageo 21, lower BAC limits (0.00 to 0.02%,depending on state) apply. It doesntmatter how sober you may look or act.The breath or urine test is what usuallydetermines whether you are ridinglegally or illegally.

Your chances o being stopped orriding under the infuence o alcohol areincreasing. Law en orcement is beingstepped up across the country in responseto the senseless deaths and injuriescaused by drinking drivers and riders.

Consequences of Conviction

Years ago, rst o enders had a goodchance o getting o with a small neand participation in alcohol-abuseclasses. Today the laws o most statesimpose sti penalties on drinkingoperators. And those penalties aremandatory, meaning that judges mustimpose them.

I you are convicted o riding underthe infuence o alcohol or drugs,you may receive any o the ollowing

penalties: License Suspension Mandatory

suspension or conviction, arrest orre usal to submit to a breath test.

Fines Severe nes are anotheraspect o a conviction, usually leviedwith a license suspension.

Community Service Per ormingtasks such as picking up litter alongthe highway, washing cars in themotor-vehicle pool or working at anemergency ward.

Costs Additional lawyers ees topay, lost work time spent in court oralcohol-education programs, publictransportation costs (while yourlicense is suspended) and the addedpsychological costs o being tagged

a drunk driver.MiNiMiZe the riSKS

Your ability to judge how well youare riding is a ected rst. Althoughyou may be per orming more and morepoorly, you think you are doing betterand better. The result is that you ridecon dently, taking greater and greater

risks. Minimize the risks of drinking andriding by taking steps be ore you drink.Control your drinking or control yourriding.

Make an Intelligent ChoiceDont Drink Once you start, your

resistance becomes weaker.

Setting a limit or pacing yoursel arepoor alternatives at best. Your ability toexercise good judgment is one o therst things affected by alcohol. Even ifyou have tried to drink in moderation,you may not realize to what extentyour skills have su ered rom alcoholsatiguing e ects.


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39

Or Dont Ride I you haventcontrolled your drinking, you mustcontrol your riding.

Leave the motorcycle so youwont be tempted to ride. Arrangeanother way to get home.

Wait I you exceed your limit,wait until your system eliminates thealcohol and its atiguing e ects.

SteP iN tO PrOteCt

FrieNDS

People who have had too much todrink are unable to make a responsibledecision. It is up to others to step inand keep them rom taking too greata risk. No one wants to do this itsuncom ortable, embarrassing andthankless. You are rarely thankedor your e orts at the time. But thealternatives are o ten worse.

There are several ways to keep riendsrom hurting themselves:

Arrange a safe ride Providealternative ways or them to gethome.

Slow the pace of drinking Involve them in other activities.

Keep them there Use anyexcuse to keep them rom gettingon their motorcycle. Serve themood and co ee to pass the time.Explain your concerns for theirrisks o getting arrested or hurt orhurting someone else. Take theirkey, i you can.

Get friends involved Use peerpressure rom a group o riends to

intervene.It helps to enlist support rom others

when you decide to step in. The morepeople on your side, the easier it is to be

rm and the harder it is or the rider toresist. While you may not be thanked atthe time, you will never have to say, I

only I had ...FatigUe

Riding a motorcycle is more tiringthan driving a car. On a long trip, youlltire sooner than you would in a car.Avoid riding when tired. Fatigue cana ect your control o the motorcycle.

Protect yourself rom the elements

Wind, cold, and rain makeyou tire quickly. Dress warmly. Awindshield is worth its cost i youplan to ride long distances.

Limit your distance Experi-enced riders seldom try to ride morethan about six hours a day.

Take frequent rest breaks Stopand get o the motorcycle at leastevery two hours.

Dont drink or use drugs Arti cial stimulants o ten result inextreme atigue or depression whenthey start to wear o . Riders areunable to concentrate on the task athand.

I you wait one hour per drink or the alcohol to be eliminated rom

your body be ore riding:A. You cannot be arrested or drinking

and riding.B. Your riding skills will not be a ected.C. Side e ects rom the drinking may

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

slowly.

test yourself 14

Answer - page 41


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40 earnInG your lIcense

Sa e riding requires knowledge and skill. Licensing tests are the bestmeasurement o the skills necessary to operate sa ely in tra c. Assessing yourown skills is not enough. People o ten overestimate their own abilities. Its evenharder or riends 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 in ormation, practices and ideasrom this manual. They require that you know and understand road rules andsa e riding practices. An on-cycle skill test will either be conducted in an actualtra c environment or in a controlled, o -street area.

Knowledge Test(Sa ple Questions)

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

A. Someone is ollowing 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 o the potential stopping

power?

A. About one-quarter.

B. About one-hal .

C. About three-quarters.

D. All o the stopping power.

3. To swerve correctly:

A. Shi t your weight quickly.

B. Turn the handlebars quickly.

C. Press the handlegrip in thedirection o the turn.

D. Press the handlegrip in theopposite direction o the turn.

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

A. Relax on the handlegrips.

B. Shi t your weight toward thegood tire.

C. Brake on the good tire and steerto the side o 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 toreact.

C. Maintain speed and position.

D. Maintain speed and move right.


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41

Answers to Test Yoursel (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

Answers to Knowledge Test (le t):

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

On-Motorcycle Skill TestBasic vehicle control and crash-

avoidance skills are included in on-motorcycle tests to determine yourability to handle normal and hazardoustra c situations.

You ay be tested or your ability to:

Know your motorcycle and yourriding limits.

Accelerate, brake and turnsafely

See, be seen and communicatewith others.

Adjust speed and position to thetra c situation.

Stop, turn and swerve quickly.

Make critical decisions and carrythem out.

Exa iners ay score on actorsrelated to sa ety such as:

Selecting sa e speeds to per ormmaneuvers.

Choosing the correct path andstaying within boundaries.

Completing normal and quickstops.

Completing normal and quickturns or swerves.

To receive a motorcycle license with full privileges, moststates require that maneuvers be performed as designed

for single-track, two-wheeled motorcycles.On-motorcycle skill tests are not designed or sidecars or three-wheeled

vehicles. Those vehicles maneuver di erently than a two-wheeled motorcycle.Depending on the state, an examiner may ollow you on a car test-route.Restrictions (sidecar, three-wheeled vehicle) may be added until completion o atwo-wheeled motorcycle test.

Diagrams and drawings used in thismanual are or re erence only and arenot to correct scale or size o vehiclesand distances.


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NOTES

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MOTORCYCLE TRAINING OPERTUNITIES INDELAWARE

THE BEGINNER RIDING COURSEThis course is a 15-hour course (5 hours classroom, 10 hours riding, lunch

and breaks). Training motorcycles (500 cc or less) and textbooks areprovided to all students. Helmets are available for those who do not havetheir own.

Statewide, approximately 85% of students successfully complete thecourse their first time.

EXPERIENCED RIDER COURSE

This course is designed to teach the more experienced motorcyclist skillsthat will enable the rider to respond with precision and accuracy tounexpected road and traffic situations.

This course is an 8-hour course (2 hours classroom, 4 hours riding, lunchand breaks). Students must have a motorcycle endorsement or permit andprovide their own motorcycle. Students are required to providedocumentation to show the motorcycle is properly insured and legallyregistered in their name. Required documentation will be checked prior to

the start of class, students not providing all required documentation will notbe allowed to attend the course. The motorcycle will also be required to passan instructor's pre-ride check.

Statewide, approximately 98% of students successfully complete thecourse their first time.

These courses have a group learning format that limits the ability of instructors to provide individual instruction to students. The courses are alsomentally and physically demanding. Weather conditions can increase thestress on students. The courses are held rain or shine.

RECEIVING COURSE INFORMATIONYou can receive course information in the following ways:Go to www.dmv.de.gov/motorcycle . Select the type of course youd like

to take. Print out the registration form and completely fill it out indicatingyour first, second and third choices for classes, and mail to the RegistrationOffice with a check or money order made payable to the Division of MotorVehicles.

Or e-mail your name and address, city, state, zip [email protected] and a brochure and course registration formwill be mailed to you. You may call (302) 744-2658 in Kent County, (302)853-1030 in Sussex County or (302) 326-5030 in New Castle County. Leavethe requested information on the voice mail recorder, speaking clearly andslowly. You will be sent a brochure and course registration form.

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Motorcycles Make sense so Does professIonal traInInG

Motorcycles are inexpensive to operate, un to ride and easy to park.Un ortunately, many riders never learn critical skills needed to ride sa ely.

Pro essional training or beginning and experienced riders prepares them orreal-world tra c situations. Motorcycle Sa ety Foundation RiderCoursesSm teach andimprove such skills as:

Effective turning Braking maneuvers Protective apparel selection

Obstacle avoidance Traf c strategies Maintenance

The Motorcycle Sa ety Foundations (MSF) purpose is to improve the sa etyo motorcyclists on the nations streets and highways. In an attempt to reducemotorcycle crashes and inju

Documents

Delaware Motorcycle Updated