Professional Documents
Culture Documents
HANDBOOK
NORTH CAROLINA
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Division of Motor Vehicles
If you are not prepared to take the skills portion of the test, you
may apply for a motorcycle learner permit if you possess a full pro-
visional, regular or commercial license. The knowledge, road sign
identification and vision test are required.
HELMETS
HELMET USE
• Meets U.S. Department of Goggles protect your eyes,
Transportation (DOT) and state though they won’t protect the rest of
standards. Helmets with a label your face like a faceshield does. A
from the Snell Memorial windshield is not a substitute for a
7
CLOTHING
CLOTHING KNOW YOUR
The right clothing protects you in
MOTORCYCLE
a crash. It also provides comfort, as There are plenty of things on the
well as protection from heat, cold, highway that can cause you trouble.
debris and hot and moving parts of Your motorcycle should not be one of
the motorcycle. them. To make sure that your motor-
• Jacket and pants should cover cycle won’t let you down:
arms and legs completely. They • Read the owner’s manual first.
should fit snugly enough to keep • Start with the right motorcycle
from flapping in the wind, yet for you.
loosely enough to move freely. • Be familiar with the motorcycle
Leather offers the most protec- controls.
tion. Sturdy synthetic material • Check the motorcycle before
provides a lot of protection as every ride.
well. Wear a jacket even in • Keep it in safe riding condition
warm weather to prevent dehy-
THE RIGHT MOTORCYCLE
between rides.
dration. Many are designed to • Avoid add-ons and modifications
protect without getting you over- that make your motorcycle harder
heated, even on summer days. to handle.
• Boots or shoes should be high
and sturdy enough to cover your
ankles and give them support. THE RIGHT MOTORCYCLE
Soles should be made of hard, FOR YOU
durable, slip-resistant material.
Keep heels short so they do not First, make sure your motorcycle
catch on rough surfaces. Tuck is right for you. It should “fit” you.
laces in so they won’t catch on Your feet should reach the ground
your motorcycle. while you are seated on the motor-
• Gloves allow a better grip and cycle.
help protect your hands in a
crash. Your gloves should be
made of leather or similar durable
material.
In cold or wet weather, your 1 Test Yourself
clothes should keep you warm and
dry, as well as protect you from injury. A plastic shatter-resistant face
You cannot control a motorcycle well shield:
if you are numb. Riding for long peri- A. Is not necessary if you have a
ods in cold weather can cause severe windshield.
chill and fatigue. A winter jacket B. Only protects your eyes.
should resist wind and fit snugly at the C. Helps protect your whole face.
neck, wrists, and waist. Good-quality D. Does not protect your face as
rainsuits designed for motorcycle well as goggles.
riding resist tearing apart or balloon- Answer - page 42
ing up at high speeds.
8
At minimum, your street-legal are licensed and know how to ride
MOTORCYCLE CONTROLS
Light Switch (high/low) Engine Cut-Off
Choke (varies) Switch
Turn-Signal Electric
Switch Start
Button
Ignition Key
(varies)
9
• Make all the checks you would • Brake Light — Try both brake
11
RIDE WITHIN YOUR ABILITIES
This Manual cannot teach you how to control direction, speed, or balance.
That’s something you can learn only through practice. But control begins with
knowing your abilities and riding within them, along with knowing and obeying
the rules of the road.
RIGHT
pick up speed smoothly. Learning to
use the gears correctly when down-
shifting, turning or starting on hills is
important for safe motorcycle opera-
tion.
Shift down through the gears with
the clutch as you slow or stop.
WRONG Remain in first gear while you are
stopped so that you can move out
quickly if you need to.
12
Make certain you are riding slowly tion is available for stopping. A
BRAKING
enough when you shift into a lower skid can occur if you apply too
gear. If not, the motorcycle will lurch, much brake. Also, using the front
and the rear wheel may skid. When brake incorrectly on a slippery
riding downhill or shifting into first surface may be hazardous. Use
gear you may need to use the brakes caution and squeeze the brake
to slow enough before downshifting lever, never grab.
safely. Work toward a smooth, even • Some motorcycles have integrat-
clutch release, especially when down- ed braking systems that link the
shifting. front and rear brakes together by
applying the rear brake pedal.
It is best to change gears before (Consult the owner’s manual for a
entering a turn. However, sometimes detailed explanation on the opera-
shifting while in the turn is necessary. tion and effective use of these
If so, remember to do so smoothly. A systems.)
sudden change in power to the rear
wheel can cause a skid. TURNING
TURNING
Riders often try to take curves or
BRAKING turns too fast. When they can’t hold
Your motorcycle has two brakes: the turn, they end up crossing into
one each for the front and rear wheel. another lane of traffic or going off the
Use both of them at the same time. road. Or, they overreact and brake too
The front brake is more powerful and hard, causing a skid and loss of con-
can provide at least three-quarters of trol. Approach turns and curves with
your total stopping power. The front caution.
brake is safe to use if you use it prop- Use four steps for better control:
erly. • SLOW
Remember: • LOOK
• Use both brakes every time you • PRESS
slow or stop. Using both brakes • ROLL
for even “normal” stops will per-
• SLOW — Reduce speed before
mit you to develop the proper
the turn by closing the throttle and,
habit or skill of using both brakes
if necessary, applying both brakes.
properly in an emergency.
Squeeze the front brake and press • LOOK — Look through the turn
down on the rear. Grabbing at to where you want to go. Turn just
the front brake or jamming down your head, not your shoulders, and
on the rear can cause the brakes keep your eyes level with the hori-
to lock, resulting in control prob- zon.
lems. • PRESS — To turn, the motorcycle
• If you know the technique, must lean. To lean the motorcycle,
using both brakes in a turn is pos- press on the handgrip in the direc-
sible, although it should be done tion of the turn. Press left — lean
very carefully. When leaning the left — go left. Press right — lean
motorcycle some of the traction right — go right. Higher speeds
is used for cornering. Less trac and/or tighter turns require the
motorcycle to lean more.
13
• ROLL — Roll on the throttle 3 Test Yourself
through the turn to stabilize sus-
pension. Maintain steady speed or When riding, you should:
accelerate gradually through the A. Turn your head and shoulders to
turn. This will help keep the look through turns.
motorcycle stable. B. Keep your arms straight.
In normal turns, the rider and the C. Keep your knees away from the
motorcycle should lean together at the gas tank.
same angle. D. Turn just your head and eyes to
look where you are going.
NORMAL TURNING Answer - page 42
KEEPING YOUR
DISTANCE
The best protection you can have
LANE POSITIONS
LANE POSITIONS
In some ways the size of the
In slow tight turns, counterbalance
motorcycle can work to your advan-
by leaning the motorcycle only and
tage. Each traffic lane gives a motor-
keeping your body straight.
cycle three paths of travel, as indicat-
ed in the illustration.
SLOW TURNING Your lane position should:
• Increase your ability to see and
be seen.
• Avoid other’s blind spots.
• Avoid surface hazards.
• Protect your lane from other
drivers.
• Communicate your intentions.
• Avoid wind blast from other
vehicles.
• Provide an escape route.
Select the appropriate path to maxi-
mize your space cushion and make
yourself more easily seen by others
on the road.
14
LANE POSITIONS
FOLLOWING
motorcycle. No portion of the lane a factor in crashes involving motorcy-
need be avoided — including the clists. In traffic, motorcycles need as
center. much distance to stop as cars.
Position yourself in the portion of Normally, a minimum of two
the lane where you are most likely to seconds distance should be main-
be seen and you can maintain a space tained behind the vehicle ahead.
cushion around you. Change position To gauge your following
as traffic situations change. Ride in distance:
path 2 or 3 if vehicles and other • Pick out a marker, such as a
potential problems are on your left pavement marking or lamppost,
only. Remain in path 1 or 2 if hazards on or near the road ahead.
are on your right only. If vehicles are
• When the rear bumper of the
being operated on both sides of you,
vehicle ahead passes the marker,
the center of the lane, path 2, is
count off the seconds: “one-
usually your best option.
thousand-one, one-thousand-two.”
The oily strip in the center portion • If you reach the marker before
that collects drippings from cars is you reach “two,” you are follow-
usually no more than two feet wide. ing too closely.
Unless the road is wet, the average
center strip permits adequate traction A two-second following distance
to ride on safely. You can operate to leaves a minimum amount of space to
the left or right of the grease strip and stop or swerve if the driver ahead
still be within the center portion of the stops suddenly. It also permits a
traffic lane. Avoid riding on big better view of potholes and other haz-
buildups of oil and grease usually ards in the road.
found at busy intersections or toll A larger cushion of space is need-
booths. ed if your motorcycle will take longer
than normal to stop. If the pavement
15
FOLLOWING
and someone may squeeze in front of following too closely only ends up
you, open up a three-second or more with someone tailgating you at a
following distance. higher speed.
Keep well behind the vehicle A better way to handle tailgaters
ahead even when you are stopped. is to get them in front of you. When
This will make it easier to get out of someone is following too closely,
the way if someone bears down on change lanes and let them pass. If
you from behind. It will also give you you can’t do this, slow down and
a cushion of space if the vehicle ahead open up extra space ahead of you to
starts to back up for some reason. allow room for both you and the
When behind a car, ride where the tailgater to stop. This will also
driver can see you in the rearview encourage them to pass. If they don’t
mirror. Riding in the center portion of pass, you will have given yourself and
the lane should put your image in the the tailgater more time and space to
middle of the rearview mirror — react in case an emergency does
where a driver is most likely to see develop ahead.
you.
Riding at the far side of a lane PASSING AND BEING PASSED
may permit a driver to see you in a
sideview mirror. But remember that Passing and being passed by
most drivers don’t look at their side- another vehicle is not much different
view mirrors nearly as often as they than with a car. However, visibility is
check the rearview mirror. If the more critical. Be sure other drivers
traffic situation allows, the center por- see you, and that you see potential
tion of the lane is usually the best hazards.
place for you to be seen by the drivers
ahead and to prevent lane sharing by
others.
16
PASSING stay in the center portion of your lane.
PASSING
Riding any closer to them could put
1. Ride in the left portion of the
you in a hazardous situation.
lane at a safe following distance
to increase your line of sight and Avoid being hit by:
make you more visible. Signal • The other vehicle — A slight
and check for oncoming traffic. mistake by you or the passing
Use your mirrors and turn your driver could cause a sideswipe.
head to look for traffic behind. • Extended mirrors — Some driv-
2. When safe, move into the left ers forget that their mirrors hang
lane and accelerate. Select a lane out farther than their fenders.
position that doesn’t crowd the • Objects thrown from windows
car you are passing and provides — Even if the driver knows
space to avoid hazards in your you’re there, a passenger may not
lane. see you and might toss something
3. Ride through the blind spot as on you or the road ahead of you.
quickly as possible. • Blasts of wind from larger
BEING PASSED
4. Signal again, and complete vehicles — They can affect your
mirror and headchecks before control. You have more room for
returning to your original lane error if you are in the middle por-
and then cancel the signal. tion when hit by this blast than if
Remember, passes must be com- you are on either side of the lane.
pleted within posted speed limits, Do not move into the portion of the
and only where permitted. Know lane farthest from the passing vehicle.
your signs and road markings! It might invite the other driver to cut
back into your lane too early.
BEING PASSED
When you are being passed from
behind or by an oncoming vehicle,
PASSING BEING PASSED
17
LANE SHARING another lane if one is open. If there
LANE SHARING
is no room for a lane change, adjust
Cars and motorcycles need a full speed to open up space for the
lane to operate safely. Lane sharing is merging driver.
usually prohibited.
Riding between rows of stopped
or moving cars in the same lane can CARS ALONGSIDE
leave you vulnerable to the unexpect- Do not ride next to cars or trucks
ed. A hand could come out of a win- in other lanes if you do not have to.
dow; a door could open; a car could You might be in the blind spot of a car
turn suddenly. Discourage lane shar- in the next lane, which could switch
ing by others. Keep a center-portion into your lane without warning. Cars
position whenever drivers might be in the next lane also block your escape
tempted to squeeze by you. Drivers if you come upon danger in your own
are most tempted to do this: lane. Speed up or drop back to find a
• In heavy, bumper-to-bumper place clear of traffic on both sides.
traffic.
BLIND SPOTS
• When they want to pass you.
• When you are preparing to turn
at an intersection.
• When you are getting in an exit
lane, or leaving a highway.
MERGING CARS
Drivers on an entrance ramp may
not see you on the highway. Give
them plenty of room. Change to
MERGING
4 Test Yourself
Usually, a good way to handle
tailgaters is to:
A. Change lanes and let them pass.
B. Use your horn amd make
obscense gestures.
C. Speed up to put distance
between you and the tailgater.
D. Ignore them.
Answer - page 42
18
SEE • Road and surface characteristis
SEE
— Potholes, guardrails, bridges,
Good experienced riders remain telephone poles and trees won’t
aware of what is going on around move into your path but may
them. They improve their riding strat- influence your riding strategy.
egy by using SEE, a three-step
process used to make appropriate • Traffic control devices — Look
judgments, and apply them correctly for traffic signals, including
in different traffic situations: regulatory signs, warning signs,
and pavement markings, to help
• Search you evaluate circumstances
• Evaluate ahead.
• Execute • Vehicles and other traffic —
Let’s examine each of these steps. May move into your path and
increase the likelihood of a crash.
SEARCH Think about your time and space
requirements in order to maintain a
Search aggressively ahead, to the
margin of safety. You must leave
sides and behind to avoid potential
yourself time to react if an emergency
hazards even before they arise. How
arises.
assertively you search, and how much
time and space you have, can elimi-
nate or reduce harm. Focus even more
on finding potential escape routes in
EXECUTE
or around intersections, shopping Carry out your decision
areas, school and construction zones. To create more space and mini-
Search for factors such as: mize harm from any hazard:
19
In potential high-risk areas, such INTERSECTIONS
INTERSECTIONS
as intersections, shopping areas and The greatest potential for conflict
school and construction zones, cover between you and other traffic is at
the clutch and both brakes to reduce intersections. An intersection can be
the time you need to react. in the middle of an urban area or at a
driveway on a residential street —
anywhere traffic may cross your path
of travel. Over one-half of motor-
cycle/car crashes are caused by drivers
5 Test Yourself
entering a rider’s right-of-way. Cars
To reduce your reaction time, you that turn left in front of you, including
should: cars turning left from the lane to your
A. Ride slower than the speed limit. right, and cars on side streets that pull
B. Cover the clutch and brakes. into your lane, are the biggest dangers.
C. Shift into neutral when slowing. Your use of SEE [p. 19] at intersec-
tions is critical.
D. Pull in the clutch when turning.
Answer - page 42 There are no guarantees that
others see you. Never count on “eye
contact” as a sign that a driver will
yield. Too often, a driver looks right
at a motorcyclist and still fails to
“see” him. The only eyes that you can
count on are your own. If a car can
enter your path, assume that it will.
Good riders are always “looking for
trouble” — not to get into it, but to
stay out of it.
Increase your chances of being
seen at intersections. Ride with your
headlight on in a lane position that
provides the best view of oncoming
traffic. Provide a space cushion
around the motorcycle that permits
you to take evasive action.
SMALL INTERSECTIONS
20
LARGE INTERSECTIONS
As you approach the intersection, — so the driver on the cross street can
select a lane position to increase your see him as soon as possible.
visibility to the driver. Cover the
clutch and both brakes to reduce BLIND INTERSECTIONS
reaction time.
Reduce your speed as you
approach an intersection. After
entering the intersection, move away
from vehicles preparing to turn. Do
not change speed or position radically.
The driver might think that you are
preparing to turn.
BLIND INTERSECTIONS
If you approach a blind intersec-
tion, move to the portion of the lane
that will bring you into another
driver’s field of vision at the earliest Remember, the key is to see as
possible moment. In this picture, the much as possible and remain visible
rider has moved to the left portion of to others while protecting your space.
the lane — away from the parked car
21
STOP SIGNS PARKED CARS
PARKED CARS
22
INCREASING Reflective material on a vest and
CLOTHING
CONSPICUITY on the sides of the helmet will help
drivers coming from the side to spot
In crashes with motorcyclists,
you. Reflective material can also be a
drivers often say that they never saw
big help for drivers coming toward
the motorcycle. From ahead or
you or from behind.
behind, a motorcycle’s outline is much
smaller than a car’s. Also, it’s hard to
see something you are not looking for,
HEADLIGHT
and most drivers are not looking for The best way to help others see
motorcycles. More likely, they are your motorcycle is to keep the
looking through the skinny, two- headlight on — at all times (although
wheeled silhouette in search of cars motorcycles sold in the USA since
that may pose a problem to them. 1978 automatically have the head-
lights on when running). Studies
Even if a driver does see you
show that, during the day, a motorcy-
coming, you aren’t necessarily safe.
cle with its light on is twice as likely
Smaller vehicles appear farther away
LIGHTS
to be noticed. Use of the high beam
and seem to be traveling slower than
during the day increases the likelihood
they actually are. It is common for
that oncoming drivers will see you.
drivers to pull out in front of motorcy-
Use low beam at night and in cloudy
clists, thinking they have plenty of
weather.
time. Too often, they are wrong.
However, you can do many things to
make it easier for others to recognize
SIGNALS
you and your cycle. The signals on a motorcycle are
similar to those on a car. They tell
others what you plan to do.
CLOTHING
Most crashes occur in broad SIGNALING
daylight. Wear bright-colored
clothing to increase your chances of
being seen. Remember, your body is
half of the visible surface area of the
rider/motorcycle unit.
SIGNALS
Bright orange, red, yellow or
green jackets or vests are your best
bets for being seen. Your helmet can
do more than protect you in a crash.
Brightly colored helmets can also help
others see you.
Any bright color is better than
drab or dark colors. Reflective,
bright-colored clothing (helmet and
jacket or vest) is best.
23
However, due to a rider’s added • You slow where others may not
vulnerability, signals are even more expect it (in the middle of a block
important. Use them anytime you or at an alley). If you are being
plan to change lanes or turn. Use followed closely, it’s a good idea
them even when you think no one else to flash your brake light before
is around. It’s the car you don’t see you slow. The tailgater may be
that’s going to give you the most trou- watching you and not see some-
ble. Your signal lights also make you thing ahead that will make you
easier to spot. That’s why it’s a good slow down. This will hopefully
idea to use your turn signals even discourage them from tailgating
when what you plan to do is obvious. and warn them of hazards ahead
they may not see.
When you enter onto a freeway,
drivers approaching from behind are
more likely to see your signal blinking USING YOUR MIRRORS
USING YOUR MIRRORS
24
USING MIRRORS HEAD CHECKS
HEAD CHECKS
Checking your mirrors is not
enough. Motorcycles have “blind
spots” like cars. Before you change
lanes, turn your head, and look to the
side for other vehicles.
On a road with several lanes,
check the far lane and the one next to
you. A driver in the distant lane may
head for 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 fully prepared
to deal with it.
HORN
Some motorcycles have rounded
HORN
(convex) mirrors. These provide a Be ready to use your horn to get
wider view of the road behind than do someone’s attention quickly.
flat mirrors. They also make cars It is a good idea to give a quick
seem farther away than they really beep before passing anyone that may
are. If you are not used to convex move into your lane.
mirrors, get familiar with them. Here are some situations:
(While you are stopped, pick out a
• A driver in the lane next to you
parked car in your mirror. Form a
is driving too close to the vehicle
mental image of how far away it is.
ahead and may want to pass.
Then, turn around and look at it to see
how close you came.) Practice with • A parked car has someone in the
your mirrors until you become a good driver’s seat.
judge of distance. Even then, allow • Someone is in the street, riding
extra distance before you change a bicycle or walking.
lanes. In an emergency, press the horn
button loud and long. Be ready to stop
or swerve away from the danger.
Keep in mind that a motorcycle’s
horn isn’t as loud as a car’s —
therefore, use it, but don’t rely on it.
Other strategies may be appropriate
along with the horn.
25
RIDING AT NIGHT CRASH AVOIDANCE
NIGHT RIDING
At night it is harder for you to see No matter how careful you are,
and be seen. Picking your headlight there will be times when you find
or taillight out of the car lights around yourself in a tight spot. Your chances
you is not easy for other drivers. To
of getting out safely depend on your
compensate, you should:
ability to react quickly and properly.
• Reduce Your Speed — Ride
Often, a crash occurs because a rider
even slower than you would dur-
ing the day — particularly on is not prepared or skilled in crash-
roads you don’t know well. This avoidance maneuvers.
will increase your chances of Know when and how to stop or
avoiding a hazard. swerve, two skills critical to avoiding
• Increase Distance — Distances a crash. It is not always desirable or
are harder to judge at night than possible to stop quickly to avoid an
during the day. Your eyes rely obstacle. Riders must also be able to
upon shadows and light contrasts swerve around an obstacle.
to determine how far away an Determining the skill necessary for the
object is and how fast it is com-
situation is important as well.
CRASH AVOIDANCE
26
STOPPING DISTANCE few feet of stopping. The motorcycle
SWERVING
should then be straight up and in bal-
ance.
SWERVING OR TURNING
QUICKLY
Sometimes you may not have
enough room to stop, even if you use
both brakes properly. An object might
appear suddenly in your path. Or the
car ahead might squeal to a stop. The
Always use both brakes at the only way to avoid a crash may be to
same time to stop. The front brake turn quickly or swerve around it.
can provide 70% or more of the A swerve is any sudden change in
potential stopping power. direction. It can be two quick turns, or
If you must stop quickly while a rapid shift to the side. Apply a small
turning or riding a curve, the best amount of hand pressure to the han
technique is to straighten the bike dlegrip located on the side of your
upright first and then brake. intended direction of escape. This will
However, it may not always be possi- cause the motorcycle to lean quickly.
ble to straighten the motorcycle and The sharper the turn(s), the more the
then stop. If you must brake while motorcycle must lean.
leaning, apply light brakes and reduce Keep your body upright and allow
the throttle. As you slow, you can the motorcycle to lean in the direction
reduce your lean angle and apply of the turn while keeping your knees
more brake pressure until the motor- against the tank and your feet solidly
cycle is straight and maximum brake on the pegs. Let the motorcycle move
pressure is possible. You should underneath you. Make your escape
“straighten” the handlebars in the last route the target of your vision. Press
27
on the opposite handlegrip once you CORNERING
CORNERING
clear the obstacle to return you to your
original direction of travel. To swerve A primary cause of single-vehicle
to the left, press the left handlegrip, crashes is motorcyclists running wide
then press the right to recover. To in a curve or turn and colliding with
swerve to the right, press right, then the roadway or a fixed object.
left. Every curve is different. Be alert
IF BRAKING IS REQUIRED, to whether a curve remains constant,
SEPARATE IT FROM SWERVING. gradually widens, gets tighter, or
Brake before or after — never while involves multiple turns.
swerving. Ride within your skill level and
posted speed limits.
Your best path may not always fol-
low the curve of the road.
28
Change lane position depending on HANDLING DANGEROUS
DANGEROUS SURFACES
traffic, road conditions and curve of
the road. If no traffic is present, start
SURFACES
at the outside of a curve to increase Your chance of falling or being
your line of sight and the effective involved in a crash increases
radius of the turn. As you turn, move whenever you ride across:
toward the inside of the curve, and as • Uneven surfaces or obstacles.
you pass the center, move to the out- • Slippery surfaces.
side to exit.
• Railroad tracks.
Another alternative is to move to
• Grooves and gratings.
the center of your lane before entering
a curve — and stay there until you
exit. This permits you to spot UNEVEN SURFACES AND
approaching traffic as soon as possi- OBSTACLES
ble. You can also adjust for traffic
Watch for uneven surfaces such as
“crowding” the center line, or debris
bumps, broken pavement, potholes, or
blocking part of your lane.
small pieces of highway trash.
Try to avoid obstacles by slowing
or going around them If you must go
8 Test Yourself over the obstacle, first determine if it
is possible. Approach it at as close to
The best way to stop quickly is to:
a 90° angle as possible. Look where
A. Use the front brake only.
you want to go to control your path of
B. Use the rear brake first. travel. If you have to ride over the
C. Throttle down and use the front obstacle, you should:
brake. • Slow down as much as possible
D. Use both brakes at the same before contact.
time.
• Make sure the motorcycle is
Answer - page 42
straight up.
OBSTACLES
29
• Rise slightly off the seat with brake lever gradually to avoid
your weight on the footpegs to locking the front wheel.
absorb the shock with your Remember, gentle pressure on the
knees and elbows, and avoid rear brake.
being thrown off the motorcycle. • The center of a lane can be
• Just before contact, roll on the hazardous when wet. When it
throttle slightly to lighten the starts to rain, ride in the tire
front end. tracks left by cars. Often, the
If you ride over an object on the left tire track will be the best
street, pull off the road and check your position, depending on traffic and
tires and rims for damage before other road conditions as well.
riding any farther. • Watch for oil spots when you
put your foot down to stop or
SLIPPERY SURFACES park. You may slip and fall.
Motorcycles handle better when • Dirt and gravel collect along the
ridden on surfaces that permit good sides of the road — especially on
traction. Surfaces that provide poor curves and ramps leading to and
traction include: from highways. Be aware of
• Wet pavement, particularly just what’s on the edge of the road,
after it starts to rain and before particularly when making sharp
surface oil washes to the side of turns and getting on or off free-
the road. ways at high speeds.
• Gravel roads, or where sand and • Rain dries and snow melts
gravel collect. faster on some sections of a road
than on others. Patches of ice
• Mud, snow, and ice.
tend to crop up in low or shaded
• Lane markings, steel plates and areas and on bridges and over-
manhole covers, especially when passes. Wet surfaces or wet
wet. leaves are just as slippery. Ride
To ride safely on slippery sur- on the least slippery portion of
faces: the lane and reduce speed.
• Reduce Speed — Slow down Cautious riders steer clear of roads
before you get to a slippery sur- covered with ice or snow. If you can’t
face to lessen your chances of avoid a slippery surface, keep your
skidding. Your motorcycle needs motorcycle straight up and proceed as
more distance to stop. And it is slowly as possible. If you encounter a
particularly important to reduce large surface so slippery that you must
speed before entering wet curves. coast, or travel at a walking pace,
• Avoid Sudden Moves — Any consider letting your feet skim along
sudden change in speed or the surface. If the motorcycle starts to
direction can cause a skid. Be as fall, you can catch yourself. Be sure
smooth as possible when you to keep off the brakes. If possible,
speed up, shift gears, turn or squeeze the clutch and coast.
brake. Attempting this maneuver at anything
• Use Both Brakes — The front other than the slowest of speeds could
brake is still effective even on a prove hazardous.
slippery surface. Squeeze the
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CROSSTRACKS-RIGHT enough away from tracks, ruts, or
TRACKING GRATINGS
pavement seams to cross at an angle
of at least 45°. Then, make a quick,
sharp turn. Edging across could catch
your tires and throw you off balance.
PARALLEL TRACKS-RIGHT
9 Test Yourself
When it starts to rain it is usually best
PARALLEL TRACKS-WRONG to:
A. Ride in the center of the lane.
B. Pull off to the side until the rain
stops.
C. Ride in the tire tracks left by
cars.
D. Increase your speed.
Answer - page 42
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MECHANICAL STUCK THROTTLE
MECHANICAL PROBLEMS
PROBLEMS Twist the throttle back and forth
You can find yourself in an several times. If the throttle cable is
emergency the moment something stuck, this may free it. If the throttle
goes wrong with your motorcycle. In stays stuck immediately operate the
dealing with any mechanical problem, engine cut-off switch and pull in the
take into account the road and traffic clutch at the same time. This will
conditions you face. Here are some remove power from the rear wheel,
guidelines that can help you handle though engine noise may not immedi-
mechanical problems safely. ately decline. Once the motorcycle is
“under control,” pull off and stop.
TIRE FAILURE After you have stopped, check the
throttle cable carefully to find the
You will seldom hear a tire go flat.
source of the trouble. Make certain
If the motorcycle starts handling
the throttle works freely before you
differently, it may be a tire failure.
start to ride again.
This can be dangerous. You must be
able to tell from the way the motor-
cycle reacts. If one of your tires sud- WOBBLE
denly loses air, react quickly to keep A “wobble” occurs when the
your balance. Pull off and check the front wheel and handlebars suddenly
tires. start to shake from side to side at any
If the front tire goes flat, the steer- speed. Most wobbles can be traced to
ing will feel “heavy.” A front-wheel improper loading, unsuitable
flat is particularly hazardous because accessories, or incorrect tire pressure.
it affects your steering. You have to If you are carrying a heavy load,
steer well to keep your balance. lighten it. If you can’t, shift it.
Center the weight lower and farther
If the rear tire goes flat, the back
forward on the motorcycle. Make
of the motorcycle may jerk from side
sure tire pressure, spring pre-load,
to side.
air shocks, and dampers are at the
If either tire goes flat while settings recommended for that much
riding: weight. Make sure windshields and
• Hold handlegrips firmly, ease fairings are mounted properly.
off the throttle, and keep a Check for poorly adjusted
straight course. steering; worn steering parts; a front
• If braking is required, however, wheel that is bent, misaligned, or out
gradually apply the brake of the of balance; loose wheel bearings or
tire that isn’t flat, if you are sure spokes; and swingarm bearings. If
which one it is. none of these are determined to be
• When the motorcycle slows, the cause, have the motorcycle
edge to the side of the road, checked out thoroughly by a
squeeze the clutch and stop. qualified professional.
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Trying to “accelerate out of a ENGINE SEIZURE
wobble” will only make the
When the engine “locks” or
motorcycle more unstable. Instead:
“freezes” it is usually low on oil. The
• Grip the handlebars firmly, but engine’s moving parts can’t move
don’t fight the wobble. smoothly against each other, and the
• Close the throttle gradually to engine overheats. The first sign may
slow down. Do not apply the be a loss of engine power or a change
brakes; braking could make the in the engine’s sound. Squeeze the
wobble worse. clutch lever to disengage the engine
• Move your weight as far forward from the rear wheel. Pull off the road
and down as possible. and stop. Check the oil. If needed,
• Pull off the road as soon as you oil should be added as soon as possi-
can to fix the problem. ble or the engine will seize. When this
happens, the effect is the same as a
10 Test Yourself
locked rear wheel. Let the engine
If your motorcycle starts to wobble: cool before restarting.
A. Accelerate out of the wobble.
B. Use the brakes gradually. ANIMALS
C. Grip the handlebars firmly and
Naturally, you should do every-
close the throttle gradually.
thing you safely can to avoid hitting
D. Downshift. an animal. If you are in traffic,
Answer - page 42 however, remain in your lane. Hitting
something small is less dangerous to
you than hitting something big —
CHAIN PROBLEMS like a car.
A chain that slips or breaks while Motorcycles seem to attract dogs.
you’re riding could lock the rear If you are chased, downshift and
wheel and cause your cycle to skid. approach the animal slowly. As you
Chain slippage or breakage can be approach it, accelerate away and leave
avoided by proper maintenance. the animal behind. Don’t kick at an
• Slippage — If the chain slips animal. Keep control of your motor-
when you try to speed up quickly cycle, and look to where you want to
or ride uphill, pull off the road. go.
Check the chain and sprockets. For larger animals (deer, elk,
Tightening the chain may help. cattle) brake and prepare to stop —
If the problem is a worn or they are unpredictable.
stretched chain or worn or bent
11 Test Yourself
sprockets, replace the chain, the
sprockets, or both before riding If you are chased by a dog:
again. A. Kick it away.
• Breakage — You’ll notice an B. Stop until the animal loses
instant loss of power to the rear interest.
wheel. Close the throttle and C. Swerve around the animal.
brake to a stop. D. Approach the animal slowly,
then speed up.
Answer - page 42
33
FLYING OBJECTS CARRYING PASSENGERS
FLYING OBJECTS
From time to time riders are struck AND CARGO
by insects, cigarettes thrown from Only experienced riders should
cars, or pebbles kicked up by the tires carry passengers or large loads. The
of the vehicle ahead. If you are wear- extra weight changes the way the
ing face protection, it might get motorcycle handles, balances, speeds
smeared or cracked, making it difficult up, and slows down. Before taking a
to see. Without face protection, an passenger or heavy load on the street,
object could hit you in the eye, face, practice away from traffic.
or mouth. Whatever happens, keep
your eyes on the road and your hands
on the handlebars. When safe, pull off
EQUIPMENT
the road and repair the damage. To carry passengers safely:
• Equip and adjust your motor-
cycle to carry passengers.
GETTING OFF THE ROAD • Instruct the passenger before
If you need to leave the road to you start.
GETTING OFF THE ROAD
check the motorcycle (or just to rest • Adjust your riding technique for
for a while), be sure you: the added weight.
• Check the roadside — Make
sure the surface of the roadside is Equipment should include:
firm enough to ride on. If it is • A proper seat — large enough
soft grass, loose sand, or if you’re to hold both of you without
just not sure about it, slow way crowding. You should not sit
down before you turn onto it. any farther forward than you
• Signal — Drivers behind might usually do.
not expect you to slow down. • Footpegs — for the passenger. A
Give a clear signal that you will firm footing prevents your
be slowing down and changing passenger from falling off and
direction. Check your mirror and pulling you off, too.
make a head check before you • Protective equipment — the
take any action. same protective gear
recommended for operators.
CARRYING LOADS
34
INSTRUCTING PASSENGERS • Ride a little slower, especially
CARRYING PASSENGERS
when taking curves, corners, or
Even if your passenger is a bumps.
motorcycle rider, provide complete
• Start slowing earlier as you
instructions before you start. Tell
approach a stop.
your passenger to:
• Open up a larger cushion of
• Get on the motorcycle only after
space ahead and to the sides.
you have started the engine.
• Wait for larger gaps to cross,
• Sit as far forward as possible
enter, or merge in traffic.
without crowding you.
Warn your passenger of special
• Hold firmly to your waist, hips,
conditions — when you will pull out,
or belt.
stop quickly, turn sharply or ride over
• Keep both feet on the pegs, even a bump. Turn your head slightly to
when stopped. make yourself understood, but keep
• Keep legs away from the muf- your eyes on the road ahead.
fler(s), chains or moving parts.
• Stay directly behind you,
leaning as you lean. CARRYING LOADS
• Avoid unnecessary talk or Most motorcycles are not designed
motion. to carry much cargo. Small loads can
be carried safely if positioned and
Also, tell your passenger to
fastened properly.
tighten his or her hold when you
• Keep the Load Low — Fasten
• Approach surface problems,
loads securely, or put them in
• Are about to start from a stop, saddlebags. Piling loads against
• Warn that you will make a sud- a sissybar or frame on the back of
den move. the seat raises the motorcycle’s
center of gravity and disturbs its
RIDING WITH PASSENGERS balance.
• Keep the Load Forward —
Your motorcycle will respond Place the load over, or in front of,
more slowly with a passenger on the rear axle. Tankbags keep
board. The heavier your passenger, loads forward, but use caution
the longer it will take to slow down when loading hard or sharp
and speed up — especially on a light objects. Make sure the tankbag
motorcycle. does not interfere with handle-
bars or controls. Mounting loads
12 Test Yourself behind the rear axle can affect
Passengers should: how the motorcycle turns and
A. Lean as you lean. brakes. It can also cause a
wobble.
B. Hold on to the motorcycle seat.
• Distribute the Load Evenly —
C. Sit as far back as possible. Load saddlebags with about the
D. Never hold onto you. same weight. An uneven load
Answer - page 42 can cause the motorcycle to drift
to one side.
35
• Secure the Load — Fasten the • down a little to stay with the
GROUP RIDING
load securely with elastic cords tailender.
(bungee cords or nets). Elastic • Know the Route — Make sure
cords with more than one attach- everyone knows the route. Then,
ment point per side are more if someone is separated they
secure. A tight load won’t catch won’t have to hurry to keep from
in the wheel or chain, causing it getting lost or taking a wrong
to lock up and skid. Rope tends turn. Plan frequent stops on long
to stretch and knots come loose, rides.
permitting the load to shift or fall.
• Check the Load — Stop and KEEP YOUR DISTANCE
check the load every so often to
Maintain close ranks but at the
make sure it has not worked
same time keep a safe distance to
loose or moved.
allow each rider in the group time and
space to react to hazards. A close
GROUP RIDING group takes up less space on the high-
If you ride with others, do it in a way, is easier to see and is less likely
way that promotes safety and doesn’t to be separated. However, it must be
interfere with the flow of traffic. done properly.
Don’t Pair Up — Never operate
KEEP THE GROUP SMALL directly alongside another rider.
Small groups make it easier and There is no place to go if you have
safer for car drivers who need to get to avoid a car or something on the
around them. A small number isn’t road. To talk, wait until you are
separated as easily by traffic or red both stopped.
lights. Riders won’t always be hurry- Staggered Formation — This is the
ing to catch up. If your group is best way to keep ranks close yet
larger than four or five riders, divide it maintain an adequate space
up into two or more smaller groups.
STAGGERED FORMATION
KEEP THE GROUP TOGETHER
• Plan — The leader should look
ahead for changes and signal
early so “the word gets back” in
plenty of time. Start lane
changes early to permit everyone
to complete the change.
• Put Beginners Up Front —
Place inexperienced riders just
behind the leader, that way the
more experienced riders can
watch them from the back.
• Follow Those Behind — Let the
tailender set the pace. Use your
mirrors to keep an eye on the per-
son behind. If a rider falls
behind, everyone should slow
36
cushion. The leader rides in the left Some people suggest that the
side of the lane, while the second leader should move to the right side
rider stays one second behind in the after passing a vehicle. This is not a
right side of the lane. good idea. It encourages the second
A third rider maintains in the left rider to pass and cut back in before
position, two seconds behind the first there is a large enough space cushion
rider. The fourth rider would keep a in front of the passed vehicle. It’s
two-second distance behind the simpler and safer to wait until there
second rider. This formation keeps is enough room ahead of the passed
the group close and permits each rider vehicle to allow each rider to move
a safe distance from others ahead, into the same position held before
behind and to the sides. the pass.
• Passing in Formation — Riders Single-File Formation — It is best
in a staggered formation should to move into a single-file formation
pass one at a time. when riding curves, turning, enter-
ing or leaving a highway.
• First, the lead rider should pull
out and pass when it is safe.
After passing, the leader should 13 Test Yourself
return to the left position and When riding in a group, inexperienced
continue riding at passing speed riders should position themselves:
to open room for the next rider.
A. Just behind the leader.
• After the first rider passes
B. In front of the group.
safely, the second rider should
move up to the left position and C. At the tail end of the group.
watch for a safe chance to pass. D. Beside the leader.
After passing, this rider should Answer - page 42
return to the right position and
open up room for the next rider.
GROUP PASSING (STAGE 1) GROUP PASSING (STAGE 2)
37
BEING IN SHAPE TO RIDE
38
ALCOHOL IN THE BODY Other factors also contribute to
ALCOHOL CONCENTRATION
39
A person drinking small fine and participation in alcohol-
• Community Service —
skills begins well below the legal Performing tasks such as picking
limit. up litter along the highway,
washing cars in the motor-vehicle
ALCOHOL AND THE LAW pool, or working at an emergency
In most states, a person with a ward.
BAC of .10% or above is considered • Costs — Additional lawyer’s fees
intoxicated; in others the legal limit is to pay; lost work time spent in
.08% or .05%. It doesn’t matter how court or alcohol-education
sober you may look or act. The breath programs; public transportation
or urine test is what usually deter- costs (while your license is
mines whether you are riding legally suspended); and the added
or illegally. In North Carolina, if psychological costs of being
your intoxication test shows an tagged a “drunk driver.”
alcohol concentration of 0.08 percent
or more (0.04 or more, if you are
driving a commercial motor vehicle),
MINIMIZE THE RISKS
your driving privilege will be revoked Your ability to judge how well you
immediately for a minimum of 30 are riding is affected first. Although
days. you may be performing more and
more poorly, you think you are doing
Your chances of being stopped for
better and better. The result is that
riding under the influence of alcohol
you ride confidently, taking greater
are increasing. Law enforcement is
and greater risks. Minimize the risks
being stepped up across the country in
of drinking and riding by taking steps
response to the senseless deaths and
before you drink. Control your drink-
injuries caused by drinking drivers
ing or control your riding.
and riders.
FATIGUE
are poor alternatives at best. Your others when you decide to step in.
ability to exercise good judgment is The more people on your side, the
one of the first things affected by easier it is to be firm and the harder it
alcohol. Even if you have tried to is for the rider to resist. While you
drink in moderation, you may not may not be thanked at the time, you
realize to what extent your skills have will never have to say, “If only I
suffered from alcohol’s fatiguing had...”
effects.
Or Don’t Ride — If you haven’t FATIGUE
controlled your drinking, you must Riding a motorcycle is more
control your riding. tiring than driving a car. On a long
• Leave the motorcycle — so you trip, you’ll tire sooner than you would
won’t be tempted to ride. in a car. Avoid riding when tired.
Arrange another way to get Fatigue can affect your control of the
home. motorcycle.
• Wait — If you exceed your limit, • Protect yourself from the
wait until your system eliminates elements — Wind, cold, and rain
the alcohol and its fatiguing make you tire quickly. Dress
effects. warmly. A windshield is worth
its cost if you plan to ride long
STEP IN TO distances.
PROTECT FRIENDS • Limit your distance —
People who have had too much to Experienced riders seldom try to
drink are unable to make a responsible ride more than about six hours
decision. It is up to others to step in a day.
and keep them from taking too great a • Take frequent rest breaks —
risk. No one wants to do this — it’s Stop, and get off the motorcycle
uncomfortable, embarrassing and at least every two hours.
thankless. You are rarely thanked for • Don’t drink or use drugs —
your efforts at the time. But the Artificial stimulants often result
alternatives are often worse. in extreme fatigue or depression
There are several ways to keep when they start to wear off.
friends from hurting themselves: Riders are unable to concentrate
• Arrange a safe ride — Provide on the task at hand.
alternative ways for them to get 14 Test Yourself
home.
• Slow the pace of drinking — If you wait an hour for each drink
Involve them in other activities. before riding:
• Keep them there — Use any A. You cannot be arrested for
excuse to keep them from getting drinking and riding.
on their motorcycle. Serve them B. Your riding skills will not be
food and coffee to pass the time. affected.
Explain your concerns for their C. Side effects from the drinking
risks of getting arrested or hurt, may still remain.
or hurting someone else. D. You will be okay as long as you
• Get friends involved — Use ride slowly.
peer pressure from a group of Answer - page 42
friends to intervene.
41
EARNING YOUR LICENSE
B. You will be slowing suddenly. C. brake on the good tire and steer to
the side of the road.
C. There is a stop sign ahead.
D. Use both brakes and stop quickly.
D. Your signals are not working.
5. The car below is waiting to enter the
2. The FRONT brake supplies how intersection. It is best to:
much of the potential stopping A. Make eye contact with the driver.
power? B. Reduce speed and be ready to
A. About one-quarter. react.
B. About one-half. C. Maintain speed and position.
C. About three-quarters. D. Maintain speed and move right.
D. All of the stopping power.
3. To swerve correctly:
A. Shift your weight quickly.
B. Turn the handlebars quickly.
C. Press the handlegrip in the direc
tion of the turn.
D. Press the handlegrip in the
opposite direction of the turn.
42
ON-CYCLE SKILL TEST • Stop, turn and swerve quickly.
• Make critical decisions and carry
Basic vehicle control and collision- them out.
avoidance skills are included in on-cycle
tests to determine your ability to handle Examiners may score on factors related to
safety such as:
normal and hazardous traffic situations.
• Selecting safe speeds to perform
You may be tested for your ability to:
maneuvers.
• Know your motorcycle and your • Choosing the correct path and staying
riding limits. within boundaries.
• Accelerate, brake, and turn safely. • Completing normal and quick stops.
• See, be seen and communicate with • Completing normal and quick turns,
others. or swerves.
• Adjust speed and position to the traf-
fic situation.
40,000 copies of this document were printed at a cost of $.55 per copy
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