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The Georgia Motorcycle Saety Program

Real Riding...Real SkillsThe Georgia Motorcycle Saety Program (GMSP) is a part o the Georgia

Department o Driver Services. In addition to oering rider educationprograms, the GMSP also promotes motorist awareness programs, sharethe road campaigns, and is ocused on highway saety issues aectingGeorgia motorcyclists. The GMSP directly operates 20 training sites andcerties 11 private sites.

For inormation about the Georgia Motorcycle Saety Program

visit www.dds.ga.gov/training

or call 1-866-754-3687 Outside Atlanta

(678) 413-8400 or Metro Atlanta

Training Sites

Acworth Albany+

Alpharetta* AmericusAugusta Braselton

Carrollton Cartersville*

Clarkesville Commerce

Conyers Dalton

Kingsland* Lawrenceville

Lilburn* Lithia Springs*

Macon Marietta*Martinez* Morrow*

Newnan* Perry

Rome Savannah

Swainsboro Thomasville

Titon+ Valdosta

Waycross

* Independent State-approved location

+ Both State & Independent location

Check www.dds.ga.gov or new training sites added ater publication.

Revised May 2009

TRAININGSITeS

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RIDINGINGeORGIA

The Georgia Department o Driver Services Motorcycle Saety Program

is providing this manual to current and uture motorcyclists so their ridingexperience will be enjoyable and sae.

Motorcycles are un to ride, easy to park, and inexpensive to operate.However, to operate a motorcycle saely in trac requires special skills andknowledge.

The Georgia Motorcycle Saety Program (GMSP) oers low cost,proessional training to assist riders in improving their skills:

Basic Course

The Basic Course highlights the sae operation o a motorcycle, withemphasis on the special skills and mental attitudes necessary or dealingwith trac.

Successul graduates receive a waiver o the DDS administered writtentest and on-cycle license test (customers must pass the vision test and payany applicable ees).

Experienced Course

The Experienced Course is designed to improve skills in braking, evasivemaneuvers and cornering. It provides the experienced motorcyclist with the

street strategies necessary or survival.Students ride their own motorcycles in the course and practice the

techniques o managing traction, stopping quickly, cornering and swerving.

Visit our website or more inormation on course oerings, locations, andschedules. You can register or training courses online by visiting:

www.dds.ga.gov/training

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cONTeNTS RIDINGINGeORGIA

Dear Georgia Riders,

Georgias beautiul and varied landscapes provide motorcyclists withtremendous opportunities or enjoyable riding. With over 320,000 properlyendorsed riders, the Department o Driver Services is committed topromoting rider education, motorcycle awareness, and licensing as the bestmeans or keeping everyone sae on the road.

I know you will nd this latest edition o the Georgia Motorcycle OperatorManual helpul when preparing to obtain your endorsement or as areresher o the skills and techniques or sae riding. I hope you will use

the manual not only to study, but as a tool to continually develop yourmotorcycle skills.

With more than 194,000 registered motorcycles on Georgias roads,obeying trac laws and practicing sae riding skills will go a long way oryour saety and the saety o others who share the road with us. Whilemotorcyclists have the same rights as other road users, sae driving iseveryones responsibility.

Because real riding takes real skills, I urge you to take both the Basic andExperienced Motorcycle Saety training courses, always wear protectivegear, respect the ride, and dont drink and ride.

Sincerely,Gregory C. DozierCommissioner

Department o Driver Services

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cONTeNTS

PREPARING TO RIDE

Wear the Right Gear ............................5

Helmet Use ..........................................5Helmet Selection ..................................5Eye and Face Protection .......................6Clothing ...............................................7

Know Your Motorcycle ........................7The Right Motorcycle or You ...............7Borrowing and Lending ........................8Get Familiar with the

Motorcycle Controls ........................8Check Your Motorcycle ........................9

Know Your Responsibilities ...............10

RIDE WITHIN YOUR ABILITIES

Basic Vehicle Control ..........................11Body Position .....................................11Shiting Gears ....................................11Braking ..............................................12Turning ..............................................12

Keeping Your Distance .......................13Lane Positions ....................................13Following Another Vehicle ..................14

Being Followed ..................................15Passing and Being Passed ...................15Lane Sharing ......................................17Merging Cars .....................................17Cars Alongside ...................................17

SEE .......................................................18

Intersections .......................................19Blind Intersections ..............................20Passing Parked Cars ...........................21Parking at the Roadside ......................21

Increasing Conspicuity .......................22Clothing .............................................22Headlight ...........................................22Signals ...............................................22Brake Light ..........................................23Using Your Mirrors .............................23Head Checks ......................................24Horn ..................................................24Riding at Night ...................................25

Crash Avoidance .................................25

Quick Stops ........................................25Swerving or Turning Quickly ...............26Cornering ..........................................27

Handling Dangerous Suraces ...........28

Uneven Suraces and Obstacles ..........28Slippery Suraces ................................29Railroad Tracks, Trolley Tracks

and Pavement Seams .....................30Grooves and Gratings ........................30

Mechanical Problems .........................31Tire Failure .........................................31Stuck Throttle ....................................31Wobble ..............................................31Chain Problems ..................................32Engine Seizure ...................................32

Animals ...............................................32

Flying Objects .....................................33

Getting O the Road .........................33

Carrying Passengersand Cargo .......................................33

Equipment .........................................33Instructing Passengers ........................34Riding With Passengers ......................34Carrying Loads ...................................34

Group Riding .......................................35Keep the Group Small ........................35Keep the Group Together ...................35

Keep Your Distance ............................35

BEING IN SHAPE TO RIDE

Why This Inormation IsImportant .......................................37

Alcohol and Other Drugs inMotorcycle Operation ....................37

Alcohol in the Body ............................38Blood Alcohol

Concentration ...............................38Alcohol and the Law ..........................39

Consequences oConviction .....................................39

Minimize the Risks .............................39

Step in to Protect Friends ..................40

Fatigue ................................................40

EARNING YOUR LICENSEKnowledge Test ..................................41Rider Skill Test ....................................43Requirements......................................52Signs, Signals, Markings......................56

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cONTeNTS

What you do beore you start a trip goes a long way toward determining

whether or not youll get where you want to go saely. Beore taking o on

any trip, a sae rider makes a point to:1. Wear the right gear.

2. Become amiliar with the motorcycle.

3. Check the motorcycle equipment.

4. Be a responsible rider.

PRePARINGTORIDe

Wear the right gear

When you ride, your gear is right

i it protects you. In any crash, you have

a ar better chance o avoiding serious

injury i you wear:

An approved helmet.

Face or eye protection.

Protective clothing.

Helmet Use

Crashes can occur particularlyamong untrained, beginning riders.

And one out o every ve motorcycle

crashes results in head or neck injuries.

Head injuries are just as severe as neck

injuries and ar more common. Crash

analyses show that head and neckinjuries account or a majority o serious

and atal injuries to motorcyclists.

Research also shows that, with ew

exceptions, head and neck injuriesare reduced by properly wearing an

approved helmet.

Some riders dont wear helmets

because they think helmets will limit

their view to the sides. Others wear

helmets only on long trips or when

riding at high speeds. Here are some

acts 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 ater starting out.

Most riders are riding slower than

30 mph when a crash occurs. Atthese speeds, helmets can cut boththe number and the severity o headinjuries by hal.

No matter what the speed, helmeted

riders are three times more likely to

survive head injuries than those notwearing helmets at the time o the

crash.

Helmet SelectionThere are two primary types o

helmets, providing two dierent levels

o coverage: three-quarter and ull ace.

Whichever style you choose, you can

get the most protection by making sure

that the helmet:

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PRePARINGTORIDe

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 deects such ascracks, loose padding or rayedstraps.

Whatever helmet you decide on, keep

it securely astened on your head whenyou ride. Otherwise, i you are involved

in a crash, its likely to fy o your head

beore it gets a chance to protect you.

Eye and Face ProtectionA plastic shatter-resistant aceshield

can help protect your whole ace in acrash. It also protects you rom wind,

dust, dirt, rain, insects and pebbles

thrown up rom cars ahead. These

problems are distracting and can be

painul. I you have to deal with them,

you cant devote your ull attention tothe road.

Goggles protect your eyes, though

they wont protect the rest o your ace

like a aceshield does. A windshield

is not a substitute or a aceshield or

goggles. Most windshields will not

protect your eyes rom the wind. Neither

will eyeglasses or sunglasses. Glasseswont keep your eyes rom watering,

and they might blow o when you turn

your head while riding.

To be eective, eye or aceshieldprotection must:

Be ree 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 be

worn at night or any other time when

little light is available.

HelmeTS

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Clothing

The right clothing protects you in

a collision. It also provides comort,as well as protection rom heat, cold,

debris and hot and moving parts o themotorcycle. It can also make you more

visible to others

Jacket and pants should coverarms and legs completely. They

should t snugly enough to keep

rom fapping in the wind, yetloosely enough to move reely.

Leather oers the most protection.

Sturdy synthetic material provides

a lot o protection as well. Wear

a jacket even in warm weather to

prevent dehydration. Many aredesigned to protect without getting

you overheated, even on summer

days.

Boots or shoes should be high

and sturdy enough to cover yourankles and give them support. Solesshould be made o hard, durable,

slip-resistant material. Keep heels

short so they do not catch on rough

suraces. Tuck in laces so they wont

catch on your motorcycle.

Gloves allow a better grip and helpprotect your hands in a crash. Your

gloves should be made o leather orsimilar durable material.

In cold or wet weather, your clothes

should keep you warm and dry, as

well as protect you rom injury. Youcannot control a motorcycle well i

you are numb. Riding or long periods

in cold weather can cause severe chill

and atigue. A winter jacket should

resist wind and t snugly at the neck,

wrists and waist. Good-quality rainsuitsdesigned or motorcycle riding resist

tearing apart or ballooning up at high

speeds.

KNOW YOUr

MOtOrCYCLe

There are plenty o things on thehighway that can cause you trouble.

Your motorcycle should not be one

o them. To make sure that your

motorcycle wont let you down:

Read the owners manual rst.

Start with the right motorcycle oryou.

Be amiliar with the motorcyclecontrols.

Check the motorcycle beore everyride.

Keep it in sae riding conditionbetween rides.

Avoid add-ons and modicationsthat make your motorcycle harderto handle.

The Right Motorcycle For You

First, make sure your motorcycle is

right or you. It should t you. Your

eet should reach the ground while

you 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 aceshield:

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 wellas goggles.

TeSTyOuRSelf 1

Answer - page 41

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10 PRePARINGTORIDe

At minimum, your street-legalmotorcycle should have:

Headlight, taillight andbrakelight.

Front and rear brakes.

Turn signals.

Horn.

Two mirrors.

Borrowing and Lending

Borrowers and lenders o motorcycles,beware. Crashes are airly common

among beginning riders especiallyin the rst months o riding. Riding

an unamiliar motorcycle adds to the

problem. 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 beore allowing them

out into trac.

No matter how experienced you

may be, ride extra careully on any

motorcycle thats new or unamiliar

to you. It takes time to adjust, so giveyoursel a greater margin or errors.

Get Familiar with theMotorcycle Controls

Make sure you are completely amiliar

with the motorcycle beore you takeit out on the street. Be sure to review

the owners manual. This is particularly

important i you are riding a borrowed

motorcycle.

I you are going to use an unamiliar

motorcycle:

mOTORcyclecONTROlSLight Switch (high/low)

Choke (varies)

Turn-SignalSwitch

Ignition Key(varies)

Engine Cut-OffSwitch

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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11

Make all the checks you would onyour own motorcycle.

Find out where everything is,particularly the turn signals, horn,

headlight switch, uel-supply valve

and engine cut-o switch. Find and

operate these items without havingto look or them.

Know the gear pattern. Work thethrottle, clutch and brakes a ew

times beore you start riding. All

controls react a little dierently.

Ride very cautiously and be awareo surroundings. Accelerate gently,

take turns more slowly and leave

extra room or stopping.

Check Your Motorcycle

A motorcycle needs more requentattention than a car. A minor technical

ailure in a car seldom leads to anything

more than an inconvenience or thedriver.

I somethings wrong with the

motorcycle, youll want to nd outabout it beore you get in trac. Make

a complete check o your motorcycle

beore every ride.

Beore mounting the motorcycle,make the ollowing checks:

Tires Check the air pressure,general wear and tread.

Fluids Oil and fuid levels. At aminimum, check hydraulic fuids

and coolants weekly. Look under

the motorcycle or signs o an oil or

gas leak.

Headlights and Taillight Checkthem both. Test your switch to

make sure both high and low

beams are working.

Turn Signals Turn on both rightand let turn signals. Make sure all

More than hal o all crashes:

A. Occur at speeds greater than 35mph.

B. Happen at night.

C. Are caused by worn tires.

D. Involve riders who have ridden theirmotorcycles less than six months.

TeSTyOuRSelf 2

Answer - page 41

lights are working properly.

Brake Light Try both brake

controls, and make sure each oneturns on the brake light.

Once you have mounted the

motorcycle, complete the ollowing

checks beore 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 beore starting. Its dicultto 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 shoulderbutits the road behind and to the side

thats most important. Brakes Try the ront and rear

brake 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 should

make beore every trip, check theollowing items at least once a week:

Wheels, cables, asteners and fuid

levels. Follow your owners manual to

get recommendations.

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12 PRePARINGTORIDe

KNOW YOUr

reSPONSiBiLitieS

Accident implies an unoreseenevent that occurs without anyones ault

or negligence. Most oten in trac, that

is not the case. In act, most people

involved in a crash can usually claimsome responsibility or what takes place.

Consider a situation where someone

decides to try to squeeze through an

intersection on a yellow light turning

red. Your light turns green. You pull intothe intersection without checking orpossible latecomers. That is all it takes

or the two o you to tangle. It was the

drivers responsibility to stop. And it was

your responsibility to look beore pulling

out. Neither o you held up your end

o the deal. Just because someone elseis the rst to start the chain o events

leading to a crash, it doesnt leave any

o us ree o responsibility.

As a rider you cant be sure that other

operators will see you or yield the right

o way. To lessen your chances o acrash occurring:

Be visible wear proper clothing,use your headlight, ride in the best

lane position to see and be seen.

Communicate your intentions use the proper signals, brake

light and lane position.

Maintain an adequate spacecushion ollowing, beingollowed, lane sharing, passing and

being passed.

Search your path o travel 12

seconds ahead. Identiy and separate multiple

hazards.

Be prepared to act remain alertand know how to carry out proper

crash-avoidance skills.

Blame doesnt matter when someoneis injured in a crash. There is rarely a

single cause o any crash. The ability to

ride aware, make critical decisions andcarry them out separates responsible

riders rom all the rest. Remember, it is

up to you to keep rom being the cause

o, or an unprepared participant in, anycrash.

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13

This manual cannot teach you how to control direction, speed or balance.

Thats something you can learn only through practice, preerably in a ormal

course o instruction like a GMSP Motorcycle Saety Course. But control beginswith knowing your abilities and riding within them, along with knowing and

obeying the rules o the road.

BaSiC VehiCLe CONtrOL

Body Position

To control a motorcycle 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 when

you hold the handlegrips. Bending

your arms permits you to press on

the handlebars without having to

stretch.

Hands Hold the handgrips

rmly to keep your grip over roughsuraces. Start with your right

wrist fat. This will help you keep

rom accidentally using too much

throttle. Also, adjust the handlebars

so your hands are even with orbelow your elbows. This permits

you to use the proper muscles or

precision steering.

HOlDINGHANDGRIPS

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. Dont

drag your eet. I your oot catches

on something, you could be injured

and it could aect your control othe motorcycle. Keep your eet near

the controls so you can get to them

ast i needed. Also, dont let your

toes point downward they may

get caught between the road and

the ootrests.

Shiting Gears

There is more to shiting gears than

simply getting the motorcycle to pick

up speed smoothly. Learning to use the

gears when downshiting, turning or

starting on hills is important or saemotorcycle operation.

Shit down through the gears with

the clutch as you slow or stop. Remain

in rst gear while you are stopped so

that you can move out quickly i youneed to.

Make certain you are riding slowly

enough when you shit into a lower

gear. I not, the motorcycle will lurch,

and the rear wheel may skid. When

riding downhill or shiting into rst gear

you may need to use the brakes to slowenough beore downshiting saely.

Work toward a smooth, even clutchrelease, especially when downshiting.

RIDeWITHINyOuRABIlITIeS 11

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14 RIDeWITHINyOuRABIlITIeS

It is best to change gears beoreentering a turn. However, sometimes

shiting while in the turn is necessary.

I so, remember to do so smoothly. A

sudden change in power to the rear

wheel can cause a skid.

Braking

Your motorcycle has two brakes: one

each or the ront and rear wheel. Use

both o them at the same time. The

ront brake is more powerul and can

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

Remember:

Use both brakes every time youslow or stop. Using both brakes or

even normal stops will permityou to develop the proper habit or

skill o using both brakes properly

in an emergency. Squeeze theront brake and press down on the

rear. Grabbing at the ront brake

or jamming down on the rear can

cause the brakes to lock, resulting incontrol problems.

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

possible, although it should be done

very careully. When leaning the

motorcycle some o the traction isused or cornering. Less traction

is available or stopping. A skid

can occur i you apply too much

brake. Also, using the ront brake

incorrectly on a slippery surace

may be hazardous. Use cautionand squeeze the brake lever, nevergrab.

Some motorcycles have integratedbraking systems that activate the

ront and rear brakes together

when applying the rear brake

pedal. (Consult the owners manual

or a detailed explanation on the

operation and eective use o thesesystems.)

Turning

Riders oten try to take curves or turns

too ast. When they cant hold the turn,

they end up crossing into another laneo trac or going o the road. Or, theyoverreact and brake too hard, causing a

skid and loss o control. Approach turns

and curves with caution.

Use our steps or better control:

SLOW Reduce speed beore theturn by closing the throttle and, i

necessary, 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 the

horizon.

PRESS To turn, the motorcyclemust lean. To lean the motor-

cycle, press on the handgrip in

the direction o the turn. Press let

handgrip lean let go let.Press right handgrip lean right go right. The higher the speed in

a turn, the greater the lean angle.

ROLL Roll on the throttle tomaintain or slightly increase speed.

This helps stabilize the motorcycle.


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1

In normal turns, the rider and the

motorcycle should lean together at the

same angle.

SlOW,TIGHTTuRNS

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.

TeSTyOuRSelf 3

Answer - page 41

NORmAlTuRNS

KeePiNg YOUr DiStaNCe

The best protection you can have is

distance a cushion o space all

around your motorcycle. I someone else

makes a mistake, distance permits you:

Time to react.

Space to maneuver.

Lane Positions

In some ways the size o the

motorcycle can work to your advantage.

Each trac lane gives a motorcyclethree paths o travel, as indicated in the

illustration.

Your lane position should:

Increase your ability to see and be

seen. Avoid others blind spots.

Avoid surace hazards.

Protect your lane rom otherdrivers.

Communicate your intentions.

Avoid wind blast rom othervehicles.

Provide an escape route.Select the appropriate path to

maximize your space cushion and makeyoursel more easily seen by others on

the road.

In slow, tight turns, counterbalance by

leaning the motorcycle only and keeping

your body straight.


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In general, there is no single bestposition or riders to be seen and tomaintain a space cushion around the

motorcycle. 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 trac situations change. Ride in path2 or 3 i vehicles and other potentialproblems are on your let only. Remainin path 1 or 2 i hazards are on yourright only. I vehicles are being operated

on 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 tractionto ride on saely. You can operate tothe let or right o the grease strip andstill be within the center portion o the

trac lane. Avoid riding on big buildupso oil and grease usually ound at busyintersections or toll booths.

Following Another Vehicle

Following too closely could be aactor in crashes involving motorcyclists.

In trac, motorcycles need as muchdistance to stop as cars. Normally, aminimum o 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.

I you reach the marker beoreyou reach two, you are ollowingtoo closely.

A two-second ollowing distanceleaves a minimum amount o space tostop or swerve i the driver ahead stops

suddenly. 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

lANePOSITIONS


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1

than normal to stop. I the pavementis slippery, i you cannot see throughthe vehicle ahead, or i trac is heavyand someone may squeeze in ront oyou, 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 backup or some reason.

When behind a car, ride where thedriver 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 sideviewmirror. But remember that most driversdont look at their sideview mirrorsnearly as oten as they check the

rearview mirror. I the trac 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 Followed

Speeding up to lose someoneollowing too closely only ends up with

someone 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 Passed

Passing and being passed by anothervehicle is not much dierent than with acar. However, visibility is more critical. Besure other drivers see you, and that yousee potential hazards.

fOllOWING


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Passing

1. Ride in the let portion o the

lane at a sae ollowing distanceto increase your line o sight andmake you more visible. Signaland check or oncoming trac.Use your mirrors and turn yourhead to look or trac behind.

2. When sae, move into the letlane 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 beorereturning to your original laneand then cancel the signal.

Remember, passes must becompleted within posted speed

limits, and only where permitted.Know your signs and road markings!

Being Passed

When 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 rom windows Even i the driver knows yourethere, a passenger may not see youand might toss something on you orthe road ahead o you.

Blasts o wind rom largervehicles They can aect yourcontrol. You have more room or

error i you are in the middle portionwhen hit by this blast than i youare on either side othe lane.

Do not move into the portion o thelane arthest rom the passing vehicle. Itmight invite the other driver to cut back

into your lane too early.

PASSING BeINGPASSeD


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1

Lane Sharing

Cars and motorcycles need a ull lane

to operate saely. Lane sharing is usuallyprohibited.

Riding between rows o stopped ormoving cars in the same lane can leave

you vulnerable to the unexpected. A

hand could come out o a window;

a door could open; a car could turn

suddenly. Discourage lane sharing by

others. Keep a center-portion positionwhenever drivers might be tempted

to squeeze by you. Drivers are most

tempted to do this:

In heavy, bumper-to-bumpertrac.

When they want to pass you.

When you are preparing to turn atan intersection.

When you are moving into an exit

lane or leaving a highway.

Merging Cars

Drivers 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 a

lane 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. You

might be in the blind spot o a car in the

next lane, which could switch into your

lane without warning. Cars in the next

lane also block your escape i you come

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

meRGING

BlINDSPOTS

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.

TeSTyOuRSelf 4

Answer - page 41


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See

Good experienced riders remain

aware 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 in

dierent trac situations:

Search

Evaluate

Execute

Lets examine each o these steps.

Search

Search aggressively ahead, to the

sides and behind to avoid potential

hazards even beore they arise. How

assertively you search, and how much

time and space you have, can eliminate

or reduce harm. Focus even more on

nding potential escape routes in oraround intersections, shopping areas

and school and construction zones.

Search or actors such as:

Oncoming trafc that may turnlet in ront o you.

Trafc coming rom the let andright.

Trafc approaching rom behind. Hazardous road conditions.

Be especially alert in areas with limited

visibility. Visually busy surroundingscould hide you and your motorcycle

rom others.

Evaluate

Think about how hazards can interact

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

reduce risks.

Road and surace characteristics Potholes, guardrails, bridges,

telephone poles and trees wont

move into your path but may

infuence your riding strategy.

Trafc control devices Look ortrac signals, including regulatorysigns, warning signs, and pavement

markings, to help you evaluate

circumstances ahead.

Vehicles and other trafc Maymove into your path and increase

the likelihood o a crash.

Think about your time and space

requirements in order to maintain

a margin o saety. You must leave

yoursel time to react i an emergency

arises.

Execute

Carry out your decision.

To create more space and minimize

harm rom 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 hazards

to separate. Then deal with them one

at a time as single hazards. Decision-

making becomes more complex with

three or more hazards. Evaluate the

consequences o each and give equaldistance to the hazards.


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21

iNterSeCtiONS

The greatest potential or confict

between you and other trac is atintersections. An intersection can bein the middle o an urban area or at a

driveway on a residential street

anywhere trac may cross your path o

travel. Over one-hal o motorcycle/car

crashes are caused by drivers entering a

riders right-o-way. Cars that turn let inront o you, including cars turning let

rom the lane to your right, and cars on

side streets that pull into your lane, arethe biggest dangers. Your use o SEE

[p. 17] at intersections is critical.

There are no guarantees thatothers see you. Never count on eye

contact as a sign that a driver will

yield. Too oten, a driver looks right at a

motorcyclist and still ails to see him

or her. The only eyes that you can count

on are your own. I a car can enter yourpath, assume that it will. Good riders

are always looking or trouble not

to get into it, but to stay out o it.

Increase your chances o being

seen at intersections. Ride with your

headlight on and in a lane position thatprovides the best view o oncoming

trac. Provide a space cushion around

the motorcycle that permits you to take

evasive action.

To reduce your reaction time, youshould:

A. Ride slower than the speedlimit.

B. Cover the clutch and the brakes.

C. Shit into neutral when slowing.

D. Pull in the clutch when turning.

In potential high-risk areas, such asintersections, shopping areas and school

and construction zones, cover the clutch

and both brakes to reduce the time you

need to react.

TeSTyOuRSelf

SmAllINTeRSecTIONS

Answer - page 41


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As you approach the intersection, select

a lane position that increases your visibility

to the driver. Cover the clutch lever and

both brakes to reduce reaction time.

Reduce your speed as you approach

an intersection. Ater entering the

intersection, move away rom vehiclespreparing to turn. Do not change speed

or position radically. The driver might

think that you are preparing to turn.

Blind Intersections

I you approach a blind intersection,move to the portion o the lane that will

bring you into another drivers eld o

vision at the earliest possible moment.

In this picture, the rider has moved tothe let portion o the lane away

rom the parked car so the driver onthe cross street can see him as soon as

possible.

Remember, the key is to see as much

as possible and remain visible to others

while protecting your space.

BlINDINTeRSecTIONS

lARGeINTeRSecTIONS


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23

I you have a stop sign or stop line,

stop there rst. Then edge orward

and stop again, just short o where the

cross-trac lane meets your lane. From

that position, lean your body orwardand look around buildings, parked cars

or bushes to see i anything is coming.

Just make sure your ront wheel stays

out o the cross lane o travel while

youre looking.

Passing Parked Cars

When passing parked cars, stay

toward the let o your lane. You

can avoid problems caused by doors

opening, drivers getting out o cars

or people stepping rom between

cars. I oncoming trac is present, itis usually best to remain in the center-

lane position to maximize your spacecushion.

A bigger problem can occur i the

driver pulls away rom the curb without

checking or trac behind. Even i he

does look, he may ail to see you.

In either event, the driver might cut

into your path. Slow down or change

lanes to make room or someone

cutting in.

Cars making a sudden U-turn are

the most dangerous. They may cut

you o entirely, blocking the wholeroadway and leaving you with no

place to go. Since you cant tell what a

driver will do, slow down and get the

drivers attention. Sound your horn and

continue with caution.

Parking at the Roadside

Park at a 90 angle to the curb with

your rear wheel touching the curb.

Making eye contact with otherdrivers:

A. Is a good sign they see you.

B. Is not worth the eort it takes.

C. Doesnt mean that the driver will yield.

D. Guarantees that the other driver willyield to you.

TeSTyOuRSelf

STOPSIGNS PARkeDcARS

PARkINGATcuRBS

Answer - page 41


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iNCreaSiNg

CONSPiCUitY

In crashes with motorcyclists, driversoten say that they never saw the

motorcycle. From ahead or behind, a

motorcycles outline is much smaller

than a cars. Also, its hard to seesomething you are not looking or,

and most drivers are not looking or

motorcycles. More likely, they are

looking through the skinny, two-

wheeled silhouette in search o cars that

may pose a problem to them.

Even i a driver does see you coming,

you arent necessarily sae. Smaller

vehicles appear arther away and seem

to be traveling slower than they actually

are. It is common or drivers to pull out

in ront o motorcyclists, thinking theyhave plenty o time. Too oten, they are

wrong.

However, you can do many things to

make it easier or others to recognize

you and your motorcycle.

Clothing

Most crashes occur in broad daylight.

Wear bright-colored clothing to increase

your chances o being seen. Remember,

your body is hal o the visible surace

area o the rider/motorcycle unit.Bright orange, red, yellow or green

jackets or vests are your best bets or

being seen. Your helmet can do more

than protect you in a crash. Brightly

colored helmets can also help others see

you.

Any bright color is better than drabor dark colors. Refective, bright-colored

clothing (helmet and jacket or vest) isbest.

Refective material on a vest and on

the sides o the helmet will help drivers

coming rom the side to spot you.Refective material can also be a big help

or 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 automatically

have 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.

Signals

The signals on a motorcycle are similar

to those on a car. They tell others what

you plan to do.

SIGNAlING


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2

However, due to a riders addedvulnerability, signals are even more

important. Use them anytime you plan

to change lanes or turn. Use them even

when you think no one else is around.

Its the car you dont see thats going to

give you the most trouble. Your signallights also make you easier to spot.

Thats why its a good idea to use your

turn signals even when what you plan

to do is obvious.

When you enter a reeway, drivers

approaching rom behind are more likelyto see your signal blinking and make

room or you.

Turning your signal light on beore

each turn reduces conusion and

rustration or the trac around you.

Once you turn, make sure your signal iso or a driver may pull directly into your

path, thinking you plan to turn again.

Use your signals at every turn so driverscan react accordingly. Dont make them

guess what you intend to do.

Brake Light

Your motorcycles brake light is usually

not as noticeable as the brake lights on

a car particularly when your taillight

is on. (It goes on with the headlight.)

I the situation will permit, help others

notice you by fashing your brake lightbeore you slow down. It is especially

important to fash your brake light

beore:

You slow more quickly thanothers might expect (turning o a

high-speed highway).

You slow where others may notexpect it (in the middle o a block or

at an alley).

I you are being ollowed closely, its

a good idea to fash your brake light

beore you slow. The tailgater may be

watching you and not see somethingahead that will make you slow down.

This will hopeully discourage them rom

tailgating and warn them o hazards

ahead they may not see.

Using Your MirrorsWhile its most important to keep

track o whats happening ahead, you

cant aord to ignore situations behind.

Trac conditions change quickly.

Knowing whats going on behind is

essential or you to make a sae decision

about how to handle trouble ahead.

Frequent mirror checks should be part

o your normal searching routine. Makea special point o using your mirrors:

When you are stopped at anintersection. Watch cars coming up

rom behind. I the drivers arentpaying attention, they could be on

top o you beore they see you.

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

Beore you slow down. The driverbehind may not expect you to slow,

or may be unsure about where you

will slow. For example, you signal a

turn and the driver thinks you plan

to turn at a distant intersection,

rather than at a nearer driveway.


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Some motorcycles have rounded(convex) mirrors. These provide a widerview o the road behind than do fat

mirrors. They also make cars seem

arther away than they really are. I

you are not used to convex mirrors,

get amiliar with them. (While you arestopped, pick out a parked car in yourmirror. Form a mental image o howar away it is. Then, turn around andlook at it to see how close you came.)Practice with your mirrors until you

become a good judge o distance. Even

then, allow extra distance beore you

change lanes.

uSINGmIRRORSHead Checks

Checking your mirrors is not enough.

Motorcycles have blind spots likecars. Beore you change lanes, turn your

head, and look to the side or othervehicles.

On a road with several lanes, check

the ar lane and the one next to you. A

driver in the distant lane may head or

the same space you plan to take.

Frequent head checks should be

your normal scanning routine, also.Only by knowing what is happening

all around you are you ully preparedto deal with it.

Horn

Be ready to use your horn to get

someones attention quickly.

It is a good idea to give a quick beep

beore passing anyone that may moveinto your lane.

Here are some situations:

A driver in the lane next to youis driving too closely to the vehicle

ahead and may want to pass.

A parked car has someone in thedrivers seat.

Someone is in the street, riding abicycle or walking.

In an emergency, press the horn

button loud and long. Be ready to stop

or swerve away rom the danger.

Keep in mind that a motorcycles horn

isnt as loud as a cars thereore, useit, but dont rely on it. Other strategies,

like having time and space to maneuver,

may be appropriate along with the

horn.


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2

Riding at Night

At night it is harder or you to see

and be seen. Picking your headlightor taillight out o the car lights around

you is not easy or other drivers. To

compensate, you should:

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

Increase Distance Distances

are 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 articial lights at night.Open up a three-second ollowingdistance 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 careul you are, there

will be times when you nd yoursel in atight spot. Your chances o getting out

saely depend on your ability to reactquickly and properly. Oten, a crash

occurs because a rider is not prepared or

skilled in crash-avoidance maneuvers.

Know when and how to stop or

swerve, two skills critical in avoiding

a crash. It is not always desirable orpossible to stop quickly to avoid an

obstacle. Riders must also be able toswerve around an obstacle. Deter-

mining which skill is necessary or the

situation is important as well.

Studies show that most 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 inormation oers

some good advice.

Quick Stops

To stop quickly, apply both brakes

at the same time. Dont be shy aboutusing the ront brake, but dont grab

it, either. Squeeze the brake leverrmly and progressively. I the ront

wheel locks, release the ront brake

immediately then reapply it rmly. At

the same time, press down on therear brake. I you accidentally lock the

rear brake on a good traction surace,

you can keep it locked until you have

completely stopped; but, even with a

locked rear wheel, you can control the

motorcycle 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

TeSTyOuRSelf

Answer - page 41


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Always use both brakes at the sametime to stop. The ront brake can

provide 70% or more o the potentialstopping power.

I you must stop quickly while turning

or riding a curve, the best technique is

to straighten the bike upright rst and

then brake. However, it may not always

be possible to straighten the motorcycleand then stop. I you must brake while

leaning, apply light brakes and reducethe throttle. As you slow, you can

reduce your lean angle and apply more

brake pressure until the motorcycle is

straight and maximum brake pressure

is possible. You should straightenthe handlebars in the last ew eet o

stopping. The motorcycle should thenbe straight up and in balance.

Swerving or Turning Quickly

Sometimes you may not have enough

room to stop, even i you use bothbrakes properly. An object might appear

suddenly in your path. Or the car ahead

might squeal to a stop. The only way to

avoid a crash may be to turn quickly, or

swerve around it.

A swerve is any sudden change indirection. It can be two quick turns, or

a rapid shit to the side. Apply a small

amount o pressure to the handgrip

located on the side o your intended

direction o escape. This will cause the

motorcycle to lean quickly. The sharperthe turn(s), the more the motorcycle

must lean.Keep your body upright and allow

the motorcycle to lean in the direction

o the turn while keeping your knees

STOPPINGDISTANce

SWeRve,THeNBRAke BRAke,THeNSWeRve


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2

against the tank and your eet solidly onthe ootrests. Let the motorcycle move

underneath you. Make your escape

route the target o your vision. Press

on the opposite handgrip once you

clear the obstacle to return you to your

original direction o travel. To swerve tothe let, press the let handgrip, then

press the right to recover. To swerve to

the right, press right, then let.

IF BRAKING IS REQUIRED, SEPARATE

IT FROM SWERVING. Brake beore or

ater never while swerving.

Cornering

A primary cause o single-vehicle

crashes is motorcyclists running wide ina curve or turn and colliding with the

roadway or a xed object.

Every curve is dierent. Be alert to

whether a curve remains constant,

gradually widens, gets tighter or

involves multiple turns.

Ride within your skill level and posted

speed limits.

Your best path may not always ollow

the curve o the road.

cONSTANTcuRveS

DecReASINGcuRveS(TIGHTeRTuRNS)

mulTIPlecuRveS

WIDeNINGcuRveS


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Change lane position depending ontrac, road conditions and curve o

the road. I no trac is present, start at

the outside o a curve to increase your

line o sight and the eective radius o

the turn. As you turn, move toward the

inside o the curve, and as you pass thecenter, move to the outside to exit.

Another alternative is to move to the

center o your lane beore entering a

curve and stay there until you exit.

This permits you to spot approaching

trac as soon as possible. You can alsoadjust or trac crowding the center

line, or debris blocking part o your lane.

haNDLiNg DaNgerOUS

SUrFaCeS

Your chance o alling or beinginvolved in a crash increases whenever

you ride across:

Uneven suraces or obstacles.

Slippery suraces.

Railroad tracks.

Grooves and gratings.

Uneven Suraces andObstacles

Watch or uneven suraces such as

bumps, broken pavement, potholes orsmall pieces o highway trash.

Try to avoid obstacles by slowing or

going around them. I you must go

over the obstacle, rst determine i it is

possible. Approach it at as close to a 90

angle as possible. Look where you wantto go to control your path o travel. I

you have to ride over the obstacle, you

should:

Slow down as much as possiblebeore 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 rontbrake.

D. Use both brakes at the same time.

TeSTyOuRSelf

Answer - page 41


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31

Rise slightly o the seat with yourweight on the ootrests to absorbthe shock with your knees and

elbows, and avoid being thrown othe motorcycle.

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

I you ride over an object on the

street, pull o the road and check your

tires and rims or damage beore riding

any arther.

Slippery Suraces

Motorcycles handle better when

ridden on suraces that permit good

traction. Suraces that provide poor

traction include:

Wet pavement, particularly justater it starts to rain and beoresurace oil washes to the side o theroad.

Gravel roads, or where sand andgravel collect.

Mud, snow, and ice.

Lane markings (painted lines),steel plates and manhole covers,especially when wet.

To ride saely on slippery suraces:

Reduce Speed Slow downbeore you get to a slipperysurace to lessen your chances oskidding. Your motorcycle needsmore distance to stop. And it isparticularly important to reducespeed beore entering wet curves.

Avoid Sudden Moves Anysudden change in speed or directioncan cause a skid. Be as smooth aspossible when you speed up, shitgears, turn or brake.

Use Both Brakes The rontbrake is still eective, even on aslippery surace. Squeeze the brake

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

The center o a lane can behazardous when wet. When it startsto rain, ride in the tire tracks let bycars. Oten, the let tire track willbe the best position, depending ontrac and other road conditions aswell.

Watch or 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 asteron some sections o a road thanon others. Patches o ice tend todevelop in low or shaded areas andon bridges and overpasses. Wetsuraces 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 surace, keep your

motorcycle straight up and proceed

asslowlyas possible. I you encountera large surace so slippery that you

must coast, or travel at a walking pace,

consider letting your eet skim along

the surace. I the motorcycle starts toall, you can catch yoursel. Be sure to

keep o the brakes. I possible, squeeze

the clutch and coast. Attempting this

maneuver at anything other thanthe slowest o speeds could prove

hazardous.


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Railroad Tracks, Trolley Tracksand Pavement Seams

Usually it is saer to ride straight within

your lane to cross tracks. Turning to taketracks head-on (at a 90 angle) can be

more dangerous your path may carry

you into another lane o trac.

cROSSTRAckSRIGHT

cROSSTRAckSWRONG

PARAllelTRAckSRIGHT

GRATecROSSINGSRIGHT

PARAllelTRAckSWRONG

GRATecROSSINGSWRONG

For track and road seams that runparallel to your course, move ar enoughaway rom tracks, ruts, or pavement

seams 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 isar more hazardous than the wanderingeeling.

When it starts to rain it is usuallybest to:

A. Ride in the center o the lane.

B. Pull o to the side until the rainstops.

C. Ride in the tire tracks let by cars.

D. Increase your speed.

TeSTyOuRSelf

Answer - page 41


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33

MeChaNiCaL PrOBLeMS

You can nd yoursel in an emergency

the moment something goes wrongwith your motorcycle. In dealing withany mechanical problem, take into

account the road and trac conditions

you ace. Here are some guidelines

that can help you handle mechanical

problems saely.

Tire Failure

You will seldom hear a tire go fat.

I the motorcycle starts handlingdierently, it may be a tire ailure. This

can be dangerous. You must be able to

tell rom the way the motorcycle reacts.I one o your tires suddenly loses air,

react quickly to keep your balance. Pull

o and check the tires.

I the ront tire goes fat, the steering

will eel heavy. A ront-wheel fat is

particularly hazardous because it aectsyour steering. You have to steer well tokeep your balance.

I the rear tire goes fat, the back o

the motorcycle may jerk or sway rom

side to side.

I either tire goes fat while riding:

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

I braking is required, however,gradually apply the brake o the tire

that isnt fat, i you are sure which

one it is.

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

squeeze the clutch and stop.

Stuck Throttle

Twist the throttle back and orth

several times. I the throttle cable isstuck, this may ree it. I the throttle

stays stuck, immediately operate theengine cut-o switch and pull in the

clutch at the same time. This will remove

power rom the rear wheel, though

engine sound may not immediately

decline. Once the motorcycle is under

control, pull o and stop.

Ater you have stopped, check the

throttle cable careully to nd the source

o the trouble. Make certain the throttle

works reely beore you start to ride

again.

Wobble

A wobble occurs when the ront

wheel and handlebars suddenly start

to shake rom side to side at any

speed. Most wobbles can be traced toimproper loading, unsuitable accessories

or incorrect tire pressure. I you arecarrying a heavy load, lighten it. I you

cant, shit it. Center the weight lower

and 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 and

airings are mounted properly.

Check or poorly adjusted steering;

worn steering parts; a ront wheel that

is bent, misaligned, or out o balance;

loose wheel bearings or spokes; andworn swingarm bearings. I none o

these is determined to be the cause,

have the motorcycle checked out

thoroughly by a qualied proessional.


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Trying to accelerate out o awobble will only make the motorcycle

more unstable. Instead:

Grip the handlebars frmly, butdont ght the wobble.

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

Move your weight as ar orwardand down as possible.

Pull o 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 closethe throttle gradually.

D. Downshit.

TeSTyOuRSelf 10

Drive Train Problems

The drive train or a motorcycle uses

either a chain, belt, or drive shat to

transer power rom the engine to

the rear wheel. Routine inspection,

adjustment, and maintenance makes

ailure a rare occurrence. A chain or beltthat slips or breaks while youre riding

could lock the rear wheel and cause

your motorcycle to skid.

I the chain or belt breaks, youll

notice an instant loss o power to the

rear wheel. Close the throttle and braketo a stop in a sae area.

On models with a drive shat, loss o oil

in the rear dierential can cause the rear

wheel to lock, and you may not be able

to prevent a skid.

Engine Seizure

When the engine locks or

reezes it is usually low on oil. Theengines moving parts cant move

smoothly against each other, and theengine overheats. The rst sign may be

a loss o engine power or a change in

the engines sound. Squeeze the clutch

lever to disengage the engine rom the

rear wheel. Pull o the road and stop.

Check the oil. I needed, oil should beadded as soon as possible or the engine

will seize. When this happens, the eectis the same as a locked rear wheel. Let

the engine cool beore restarting.

aNiMaLS

Naturally, you should do everything

you saely can to avoid hitting an

animal. I you are in trac, however,

remain in your lane. Hitting somethingsmall is less dangerous to you than

hitting something big like a car.

Motorcycles seem to attract dogs. I

you are chased, downshit and approach

the animal slowly. As you approach it,

accelerate away and leave the animalbehind. Dont kick at an animal. Keep

control o your motorcycle and look to

where you want to go.

For larger animals (deer, elk, cattle)

brake and prepare to stop they are

unpredictable.

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, thenspeed up.

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Answer - page 41


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3

FLYiNg OBJeCtS

From time to time riders are struck

by insects, cigarettes thrown rom carsor pebbles kicked up by the tires othe vehicle ahead. I you are wearing

ace protection, it might get smeared

or cracked, making it dicult to see.

Without ace protection, an object

could hit you in the eye, ace or mouth.

Whatever happens, keep your eyeson the road and your hands on the

handlebars. When sae, pull o the road

and repair the damage.

gettiNg OFF the rOaD

I you need to leave the road to check

the motorcycle (or just to rest or a

while), be sure you:

Check the roadside Make surethe surace o the roadside is rmenough to ride on. I it is sot grass,

loose sand or i youre just not sureabout it, slow way down beore 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 beore you take any action.

Pull o the road Get as ar o

the 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 careully Loose and slopedshoulders can make setting the sideor center stand dicult.

CarrYiNg PaSSeNgerS

aND CargO

Only experienced riders should carrypassengers or large loads. The extra

weight changes the way the motorcycle

handles, balances, speeds up and slows

down. Beore taking a passenger or aheavy load on the street, practice away

rom trac.

Equipment

To carry passengers saely:

Equip and adjust your motorcycleto carry passengers.

Instruct the passenger beore youstart.

Adjust your riding technique orthe added weight.

Equipment should include:

A proper seat large enough to

hold 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 sameprotective gear recommended oroperators.

Adjust the suspension to handle theadditional weight. You will probably

need to add a ew pounds o pressure

to the tires i you carry a passenger.

(Check your owners manual or

appropriate settings.) While your

passenger sits on the seat with you,

adjust the mirrors and headlightaccording to the change in the

motorcycles angle.


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Instructing Passengers

Even i your passenger is a motorcycle

rider, provide complete instructionsbeore you start. Tell your passenger to:

Get on the motorcycle only ateryou have started the engine.

Sit as ar orward as possiblewithout crowding you.

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

Keep both eet on the ootrests,even when stopped.

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

Stay directly behind you, leaningas you lean.

Avoid unnecessary talk or motion.

Also, tell your passenger to tighten hisor her hold when you:

Approach surace problems.

Are about to start rom a stop.

Warn that you will make a suddenmove.

Riding With Passengers

Your motorcycle will respond more

slowly with a passenger on board. The

heavier your passenger, the longer it

may 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.

TeSTyOuRSelf 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 or larger gaps to cross,enter or merge in trac.

Warn your passenger o special

conditions when you will pull out,

stop quickly, turn sharply or ride over a

bump. Turn your head slightly to make

yoursel understood, but keep your eyes

on the road ahead.

Carrying Loads

Most motorcycles are not designed

to carry much cargo. Small loads can be

carried saely i positioned and astened

properly.

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 hard

or sharp objects. Make sure thetankbag does not interere withhandlebars or controls. Mountingloads behind the rear axle can aecthow 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 drit to oneside.


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Secure the Load Fasten the loadsecurely with elastic cords (bungeecords or nets). Elastic cords with

more 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 toshit or all.

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

moved.

grOUP riDiNg

I you ride with others, do it in away that promotes saety and doesntinterere with the fow o trac.

Keep the Group Small

Small groups make it easier and saeror car drivers who need to get around

them. A small number isnt separatedas easily by trac 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 lookahead or changes and signal earlyso the word gets back in plenty

o 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. Use

your 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 wont

have 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 sae 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 let side o the lane,

while the second rider stays one secondbehind in the right side o the lane.

STAGGeReDfORmATION


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A third rider maintains in the letposition, two seconds behind the rstrider. The ourth rider would keep a

two-second distance behind the secondrider. This ormation keeps the groupclose and permits each rider a saedistance 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 sae. Ater

passing, the leader should return tothe let position and continue ridingat passing speed to open room orthe next rider.

Ater the frst rider passes saely,the second rider should move upto the let position and watch or asae chance to pass. Ater passing,this rider should return to the rightposition and open up room or the

next rider.

GROuPPASSING(STAGe1) GROuPPASSING(STAGe2)

Some people suggest that the leadershould move to the right side aterpassing a vehicle. This is not a good

idea. It encourages the second riderto pass and cut back in beore thereis a large enough space cushion inront o the passed vehicle. Its simplerand saer to wait until there is enoughroom ahead o the passed vehicle toallow each rider to move into the sameposition held beore 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.

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Answer - page 41


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3

Riding a motorcycle is a demanding and complex task. Skilled riderspay attention to the riding environment and to operating the motorcycle,

identiying potential hazards, making good judgments and executing decisionsquickly and skillully. Your ability to perorm and respond to changing roadand trac 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 saely. As little as one drink can have a signicant eect on yourperormance.

Lets look at the risks involved in riding ater 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% to 45%o all riders killed in motorcycle crasheshad been drinking. Only one- thirdo those riders had a blood alcoholconcentration above legal limits. Therest had only a ew drinks in theirsystems enough to impair riding

skills. In the past, drug levels have beenharder to distinguish or have not beenseparated rom drinking violations orthe trac records. But riding underthe infuence o either alcohol or drugsposes physical and legal hazards orevery 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 about

the eects 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 eects oalcohol or drugs. Friends may bragabout their ability to hold their liquoror perorm better on drugs, but alcoholor drugs make them less able to thinkclearly and perorm physical tasksskillully. Judgment and the decision-making processes needed or vehicle

operation are aected long beore legallimitations are reached.

Many over-the-counter, prescriptionand illegal drugs have side eects thatincrease the risk o riding. It is dicult toaccurately measure the involvement oparticular drugs in motorcycle crashes.But we do know what eects variousdrugs have on the processes involved inriding a motorcycle. We also know that

the combined eects 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 ater beingconsumed, it reaches the brain andbegins to aect the drinker. The majoreect alcohol has is to slow down andimpair bodily unctions both mentaland physical. Whatever you do, you doless well ater consuming alcohol.

BeINGINSHAPeTORIDe 3

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40 BeINGINSHAPeTORIDe

Blood Alcohol Concentration

Blood Alcohol Concentration or BAC

is the amount o alcohol in relation toblood in the body. Generally, alcohol canbe eliminated in the body at the rate oalmost one drink per hour. But a varietyo other actors may also infuencethe level o alcohol retained. The morealcohol in your blood, the greater thedegree o impairment.

Three actors play a major part indetermining BAC:

The amount o alcohol youconsume.

How ast you drink.

Your body weight.

Other actors also contribute to theway alcohol aects your system.

Your sex, physical condition andood intake are just a ew that maycause your BAC level to be even higher.

But the ull eects o these are notcompletely known. Alcohol may stillaccumulate in your body even i youare drinking at a rate o one drinkper hour. Abilities and judgment can beaected by that one drink.

A 12-ounce can o beer, a mixeddrink with one shot o liquor, and a 5-ounce glass o wine all contain the same

amount o alcohol.

The aster you drink, the more alcoholaccumulates in your body. I you drinktwo drinks in an hour, at the end o thathour, at least one drink will remain inyour bloodstream.

Without taking into account anyother actors, these examples illustratewhy time is a critical actor when a riderdecides to drink.

A person drinking:

Seven drinks over the span o threehours would have at least our (7 3= 4) drinks remaining in their systemat the end o the three hours. Theywould need at least another our hoursto eliminate the our remaining drinksbeore they consider riding.

AlcOHOlcONTeNT


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41

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 would

need at least another two hours to

eliminate the two remaining drinks

beore they consider riding.

There are times when a larger

person may not accumulate as high

a concentration o alcohol or each

drink consumed. They have more

blood and other bodily fuids. But

because o individual dierences itis better not to take the chance that

abilities and judgment have not been

aected. Whether or not you are

legally intoxicated is not the real issue.

Impairment o judgment and skills

begins well below the legal limit.

aLCOhOL aND the LaW

In all states, an adult with a BAC

o 0.08% or above is consideredintoxicated. For operators under the age

o 21, lower BAC limits (0.00 to 0.02%,

depending on state) apply. It doesnt

matter how sober you may look or act.

The breath or urine test is what usually

determines whether you are ridinglegally or illegally.

Your chances o being stopped or

riding under the infuence o alcohol areincreasing. Law enorcement is being

stepped up across the country in response

to the senseless deaths and injuriescaused by drinking drivers and riders.

Consequences o Conviction

Years ago, rst oenders had a good

chance o getting o with a small ne

and participation in alcohol-abuse

classes. Today the laws o most statesimpose sti penalties on drinking

operators. And those penalties are

mandatory, meaning that judges must

impose them.

I you are convicted o riding underthe infuence o alcohol or drugs,

you may receive any o the ollowing

penalties:

License Suspension Mandatorysuspension or conviction, arrest orreusal to submit to a breath test.

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

Community Service Perormingtasks such as picking up litter along

the 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 taggeda drunk driver.

MiNiMiZe the riSKS

Your ability to judge how well you

are riding is aected rst. Although

you may be perorming more and more

poorly, you think you are doing better

and better. The result is that you ridecondently, taking greater and greater

risks. Minimize the risks o drinking and

riding by taking steps beore you drink.

Control your drinking or control yourriding.

Make an Intelligent Choice

Dont Drink Once you start, yourresistance becomes weaker.

Setting a limit or pacing yoursel are

poor alternatives at best. Your ability to

exercise good judgment is one o the

rst things aected by alcohol. Even iyou have tried to drink in moderation,

you may not realize to what extent

your skills have suered rom alcohols

atiguing eects.

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Or Dont Ride I you haventcontrolled your drinking, you must

control 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 eects.

SteP iN tO PrOteCt

FrieNDS

People who have had too much todrink are unable to make a responsible

decision. It is up to others to step

in and keep them rom taking toogreat a risk. No one wants to do this

its uncomortable, embarrassing

and thankless. You are rarely thanked

or your eorts at the time. But the

alternatives are oten worse.

There are several ways to keep riendsrom hurting themselves:

Arrange a sae ride Providealternative ways or them to gethome.

Slow the pace o drinking Involve them in other activities.

Keep them there Use anyexcuse to keep them rom getting

on their motorcycle. Serve themood and coee to pass the time.Explain your concerns or theirrisks o getting arrested or hurt orhurting someone else. Take theirkey, i you can.

Get riends involved Use peerpressure rom a group o riends tointervene.

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 at

the time, you will never have to say, I

only I had ...

FatigUe

Riding a motorcycle is more tiring

than driving a car. On a long trip, youll

tire sooner than you would in a car.

Avoid riding when tired. Fatigue can

aect your control o the motorcycle.

Protect yoursel 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 requent rest breaks Stopand get o the motorcycle at leastevery two hours.

Dont drink or use drugs Articial stimulants oten 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 romyour body beore riding:

A. You cannot be arrested or drinkingand riding.

B. Your riding skills will not be aected.

C. Side eects rom the drinking maystill remain.

D. You will be okay as long as you rideslowly.

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43

Sae riding requires knowledge and skill. Licensing tests are th

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Georgia 2011