BASIC VEHICLECONTROL

BODY POSITIONTo control a motorcycle well:

• Posture— Sit so you can use yourarms to steer the motorcycle ratherthan to hold yourself up.

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

• Hands— Hold the handlegripsfirmly to keep your grip over roughsurfaces. Start with your right wristflat. This will help you keep fromaccidentally using too much

throttle. Also, adjust the handlebarsso your hands are even with orbelow your elbows. This permitsyou to use the proper muscles forprecision steering.

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

• Feet— Keep your feet firmly onthe footrests to maintain balance.Don’t drag your feet. If your footcatches on something, you can beinjured and it could affect yourcontrol of the motorcycle. Keepyour feet near the controls so youcan get to them fast if needed.Also, don’t let your toes pointdownward — they may get caughtbetween the road and the footrests.

SHIFTING GEARSThere is more to shifting gears

than simply getting the motorcycle topick up speed smoothly. Learning touse the gears when downshifting,turning, or starting on hills is impor-tant for safe motorcycle operation.

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

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

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

HOLDING HANDLEGRIPS

RIGHT

WRONG

BODYPOSITION

SHIFTINGGEARS

Make certain you are riding slow-ly enough when you shift into a lowergear. If not, the motorcycle will lurch,and the rear wheel may skid. Whenriding downhill or shifting into firstgear you may need to use the brakesto slow enough before downshiftingsafely. Work towards a smooth, evenclutch release, especially when down-shifting.

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

BRAKINGYour motorcycle has two brakes:

one each for the front and rear wheel.Use both of them at the same time.The front brake is more powerful andcan provide at least three-quartersof your total stopping power. Thefront brake is safe to use if you use itproperly.

Remember:• Use both brakes every time you

slow or stop. Using both brakes foreven “normal” stops will permityou to develop the proper habit orskill of using both brakes properlyin an emergency. Squeeze the frontbrake and press down on the rear.Grabbing at the front brake orjamming down on the rear cancause the brakes to lock, resultingin control problems.

• If you know the technique, usingboth brakes in a turn is possible,although it should be done verycarefully. When leaning themotorcycle some of the traction isused for cornering. Less traction isavailable for stopping. A skid can

occur if you apply too much brake.Also, using the front brakeincorrectly on a slippery surfacemay be hazardous. Use caution andsqueeze the brake lever, nevergrab.

• Some motorcycles have integratedbraking systems that activate thefront and rear brakes together byapplying the rear brake pedal.(Consult the owner’s manual for adetailed explanation on the opera-tion and effective use of these sys-tems.)

TURNINGRiders often try to take curves or

turns too fast. When they can’t holdthe turn, they end up crossing intoanother lane of traffic or going off theroad. Or, they overreact and brake toohard, causing a skid and loss of con-trol. Approach turns and curves withcaution.

Use four steps for better control:• SLOW• LOOK• PRESS• ROLL

SLOW— Reduce speed before theturn by closing the throttle and, ifnecessary, applying both brakes.

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

PRESS— To turn, the motorcyclemust lean. To lean the motorcy-cle, press on the handgrip in thedirection of the turn. Press left —lean left — go left. Press right —lean right — go right. Higher

11

BRAKING

TURNING

speeds and/or tighter turns requirethe motorcycle to lean more.

ROLL— Roll on the throttlethrough the turn to stabilize thesuspension. Maintain steadyspeed or accelerate graduallythrough the turn. This will helpkeep the motorcycle stable.

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

In slow tight turns, counterbalanceby leaning the motorcycle only andkeeping your body straight.

KEEPINGYOURDISTANCE

The best protection you can haveis distance — a “cushion of space” —all around your motorcycle. Ifsomeone else makes a mistake,distance permits you:• Time to react.• Space to maneuver.

LANE POSITIONSIn some ways the size of the

motorcycle can work to youradvantage. Each traffic lane gives amotorcycle three paths of travel, asindicated in the illustration.

Your lane position should:• Increase your ability to see and be

seen.• Avoid others’ blind spots.• Avoid surface hazards.• Protect your lane from other

drivers.• Communicate your intentions.• Avoid wind blast from other

vehicles.• Provide an escape route.

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NORMAL TURNS

SLOW, TIGHT TURNS

3 Test Yourself

When riding, you should:A. Turn your head and shoulders to

look through turns.B. Keep your arms straight.C. Keep your knees away from the

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

look where you are going.Answer — page 40

LANEPOSITIONS

Select the appropriate path tomaximize your space cushion andmake yourself more easily seen byothers on the road.

In general, there is no single bestposition for riders to be seen and tomaintain a space cushion around themotorcycle. No portion of the laneneed be avoided — including thecenter.

Position yourself in the portion ofthe lane where you are most likely tobe seen and you can maintain a spacecushion around you. Change positionas traffic situations change. Ride inpath 2 or 3 if vehicles and otherpotential problems are on your leftonly. Remain in path 1 or 2 if hazardsare on your right only. If vehicles arebeing operated on both sides of you,the center of the lane, path 2, isusually your best option.

The oily strip in the centerportion that collects drippings fromcars is usually no more than two feetwide. Unless the road is wet, theaverage center strip permits adequatetraction to ride on safely. You canoperate to the left or right of thegrease strip and still be within thecenter portion of the traffic lane.

Avoid riding on big buildups of oiland grease usually found at busyintersections or toll booths.

FOLLOWING ANOTHERVEHICLE

“Following too closely” could bea factor in crashes involvingmotorcyclists. In traffic, motorcyclesneed as much distance to stop as cars.Normally, a minimum of twoseconds distance should bemaintained behind the vehicle ahead.

To gauge your following distance:• Pick out a marker, such as a

pavement marking or lamppost, onor near the road ahead.

• When the rear bumper of thevehicle ahead passes the marker,count off the seconds: “one-thousand-one, one-thousand-two.”

• If you reach the marker beforeyou reach “two,” you are followingtoo closely.

A two-second following distanceleaves a minimum amount of space tostop or swerve if the driver aheadstops suddenly. It also permits abetter view of potholes and otherhazards in the road.

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LANE POSITIONSFOLLOWING

A larger cushion of space isneeded if your motorcycle will takelonger than normal to stop. If thepavement is slippery, if you cannotsee through the vehicle ahead, or iftraffic is heavy and someone maysqueeze in front of you, open up athree second or more followingdistance.

Keep well behind the vehicleahead even when you are stopped.This will make it easier to get out ofthe way if someone bears down onyou from behind. It will also give youa cushion of space if the vehicle aheadstarts to back up for some reason.

When behind a car, ride wherethe driver can see you in the rearviewmirror. Riding in the center portion ofthe lane should put your image in themiddle of the rearview mirror —where a driver is most likely to seeyou.

Riding at the far side of a lanemay permit a driver to see you in asideview mirror. But remember thatmost drivers don’t look at their side-view mirrors nearly as often as theycheck the rearview mirror. If the traf-fic situation allows, the center portion

of the lane is usually the best placefor you to be seen by the driversahead and to prevent lane sharing byothers.

BEING FOLLOWEDSpeeding up to lose someone fol-

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

A better way to handle tailgatersis to get them in front of you. Whensomeone is following too closely,change lanes and let them pass. Ifyou can’t do this, slow down andopen up extra space ahead of you toallow room for both you and the tail-gater to stop. This will also encour-age them to pass. If they don’t pass,you will have given yourself and thetailgater more time and space to reactin case an emergency does developahead.

PASSING AND BEING PASSEDPassing and being passed by

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

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FOLLOWINGBEINGFOLLOWED

PASSING1. Ride in the left portion of the

lane at a safe following distance toincrease your line of sight andmake you more visible. Signal andcheck for oncoming traffic. Useyour mirrors and turn your head tolook for traffic behind.

2. When safe, move into the leftlane and accelerate. Select a laneposition that doesn’t crowd the caryou are passing and providesspace to avoid hazards in yourlane.

3. Ride through the blind spot asquickly as possible.

4. Signal again, and complete mirrorand headchecks before returningto your original lane and then can-cel signal.Remember, passes must be com-

pleted within posted speed limits,and only where permitted. Knowyour signs and road markings!

BEING PASSEDWhen you are being passed from

behind or by an oncoming vehicle,

stay in the center portion of yourlane. Riding any closer to them couldput you in a hazardous situation.

Avoid being hit by:• The other vehicle— A slight mis-

take by you or the passing drivercould cause a sideswipe.

• Extended mirrors— Some driversforget that their mirrors hang outfarther than their fenders.

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

• Blasts of wind from larger vehi-cles— They can affect your con-trol. You have more room for errorif you are in the middle portionwhen hit by this blast than if youare on either side of the lane.Do not move into the portion of

the lane farthest from the passingvehicle. It might invite the other driv-er to cut back into your lane tooearly.

15

PASSING BEING PASSED

PASSIN

GBEINGPASSED

LANE SHARINGCars and motorcycles need a full

lane to operate safely. Lane sharing isusually prohibited.

Riding between rows of stoppedor moving cars in the same lane canleave you vulnerable to the unexpect-ed. A hand could come out of a win-dow; a door could open; a car couldturn suddenly. Discourage lane shar-ing by others. Keep a center-portionposition whenever drivers might betempted to squeeze by you. Driversare most tempted to do this:• In heavy, bumper-to-bumper traffic.• When they want to pass you.• When you are preparing to turn at

an intersection.• When you are moving into an exit

lane or leaving a highway.

MERGING CARSDrivers on an entrance ramp may

not see you on the highway. Givethem plenty of room. Change toanother lane if one is open. If there is

no room for a lane change, adjustspeed to open up space for the merg-ing driver.

CARS ALONGSIDEDo not ride next to cars or trucks

in other lanes if you do not have to.You might be in the blind spot of acar in the next lane, which couldswitch into your lane without warn-ing. Cars in the next lane also blockyour escape if you come upon dangerin your own lane. Speed up or dropback to find a place clear of traffic onboth sides.

16

MERGING

BLIND SPOTS

4 Test Yourself

Usually, a good way to handle tail-gaters is to:A. Change lanes and let them pass.B. Use your horn and make obscene

gestures.C. Speed up to put distance between

you and the tailgater.D. Ignore them.

Answer — page 40

LANESHARING

SEEGood experienced riders remain

aware of what is going on aroundthem. They improve their riding strat-egy by using SEE, a three-stepprocess used to make appropriatejudgments, and apply them correctlyin different traffic situations:• Search• Evaluate• Execute

Let’s examine each of these steps.

SEARCHSearch aggressively ahead, to the

sides and behind to avoid potentialhazards even before they arise. Howassertively you search, and how muchtime and space you have, can elimi-nate or reduce harm. Focus evenmore on finding potential escaperoutes in or around intersections,shopping areas, school and construc-tion zones.

Search for factors such as:• Oncoming traffic that may turn

left in front of you.• Traffic coming from the left and

right.• Traffic approaching from behind.• Hazardous road conditions.

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

EVALUATEThink about how hazards can

interact to create risks for you.Anticipate potential problems andhave a plan to reduce risks.

• Road and surface characteristics— Potholes, guardrails, bridges,telephone poles and trees won’tmove into your path but may influ-ence your riding strategy.

• Traffic control devices— Lookfor traffic signals, including regula-tory signs, warning signs, andpavement markings, to help youevaluate circumstances ahead.

• Vehicles and other traffic— Maymove into your path and increasethe likelihood of a crash.

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

EXECUTECarry out your decision.

To create more space andminimize harm from any hazard:• Communicate your presence with

lights and/or horn.• Adjust your speed by accelerating,

stopping or slowing.• Adjust your position and/or

direction.Apply the old adage “one step at

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

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SEE

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

INTERSECTIONSThe greatest potential for conflict

between you and other traffic is atintersections. An intersection can bein the middle of an urban area or at adriveway on a residential street —anywhere traffic may cross your pathof travel. Over one-half of motorcy-cle/car crashes are caused by driversentering a rider’s right-of-way. Carsthat turn left in front of you, includ-ing cars turning left from the lane toyour right, and cars on side streetsthat pull into your lane, are thebiggest dangers. Your use of SEE[p. 17] at intersections is critical.

There are no guarantees thatothers see you. Never count on “eyecontact” as a sign that a driver willyield. Too often, a driver looks rightat a motorcyclist and still fails to“see” him. The only eyes that youcan count on are your own. If a carcan enter your path, assume that itwill. Good riders are always “lookingfor trouble” — not to get into it, butto stay out of it.

Increase your chances of beingseen at intersections. Ride with yourheadlight on in a lane position thatprovides the best view of oncomingtraffic. Provide a space cushionaround the motorcycle that permitsyou to take evasive action.

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5 Test Yourself

To reduce your reaction time, youshould:A. Ride slower than the speed limit.B. Cover the clutch and the brakes.C. Shift into neutral when slowing.D. Pull in the clutch when turning.

Answer — page 40

SMALL INTERSECTIONS

INTERSECTIONS

As you approach the intersection,select a lane position to increase yourvisibility to the driver. Cover theclutch and both brakes to reducereaction time.

Reduce your speed as youapproach an intersection. After enter-ing the intersection, move away fromvehicles preparing to turn. Do notchange speed or position radically.The driver might think that you arepreparing to turn.

BLIND INTERSECTIONSIf you approach a blind intersec-

tion, move to the portion of the lanethat will bring you into another dri-ver’s field of vision at the earliestpossible moment. In this picture, therider has moved to the left portion ofthe lane — away from the parked car— so the driver on the cross streetcan see him as soon as possible.

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

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LARGE INTERSECTIONS

BLIND INTERSECTIONS

If you have a stop sign or stopline, stop there first. Then edge for-ward and stop again, just short ofwhere the cross-traffic lane meets yourlane. From that position, lean yourbody forward and look around build-ings, parked cars, or bushes to see ifanything is coming. Just make sureyour front wheel stays out of the crosslane of travel while you’re looking.

PASSING PARKED CARSWhen passing parked cars, stay

toward the left of your lane. You canavoid problems caused by doorsopening, drivers getting out of cars,or people stepping from betweencars. If oncoming traffic is present, itis usually best to remain in thecenter-lane position to maximize yourspace cushion.

A bigger problem can occur if thedriver pulls away from the curb with-out checking for traffic behind. Evenif he does look, he may fail to see you.

In either event, the driver mightcut into your path. Slow down orchange lanes to make room for some-one cutting in.

Cars making a sudden U-turn arethe most dangerous. They may cutyou off entirely, blocking the wholeroadway and leaving you with noplace to go. Since you can’t tell whata driver will do, slow down and getthe driver’s attention. Sound yourhorn and continue with caution.

PARKING AT THE ROADSIDEPark at a 90o angle to the curb

with your rear wheel touching thecurb.

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STOP SIGNS PARKED CARS

6 Test Yourself

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

yield.D. Guarantees that the other driver

will yield to you.Answer — page 40

PARKING AT CURBS

PARKEDCARS

INCREASINGCONSPICUITY

In crashes with motorcyclists,drivers often say that they never sawthe motorcycle. From ahead orbehind, a motorcycle’s outline ismuch smaller than a car’s. Also, it’shard to see something you are notlooking for, and most drivers are notlooking for motorcycles. More likely,they are looking through the skinny,two-wheeled silhouette in search ofcars that may pose a problem tothem.

Even if a driver does see youcoming, you aren’t necessarily safe.Smaller vehicles appear farther away,and seem to be traveling slower thanthey actually are. It is common fordrivers to pull out in front of motor-cyclists, thinking they have plenty oftime. Too often, they are wrong.

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

CLOTHINGMost crashes occur in broad

daylight. Wear bright colored clothingto increase your chances of beingseen. Remember, your body is half ofthe visible surface area of therider/motorcycle unit.

Bright orange, red, yellow orgreen jackets or vests are your bestbets for being seen. Your helmet cando more than protect you in a crash.Brightly colored helmets can alsohelp others see you.

Any bright color is better thandrab or dark colors. Reflective, brightcolored clothing (helmet and jacketor vest) is best.

Reflective material on a vest andon the sides of the helmet will helpdrivers coming from the side spotyou. Reflective material can also be abig help for drivers coming towardyou or from behind.

HEADLIGHTThe best way to help others see

your motorcycle is to keep theheadlight on — at all times(although motorcycles sold in theU.S. since 1978 automatically havethe headlights on when running.)Studies show that, during the day, amotorcycle with its light on is twiceas likely to be noticed. Use lowbeam at night and in fog.

SIGNALSThe signals on a motorcycle are

similar to those on a car. They tellothers what you plan to do.

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

21

SIGNALING

CLOTHING

LIGHTS

SIGNALS

plan to change lanes or turn. Usethem even when you think no oneelse is around. It’s the car you don’tsee that’s going to give you the mosttrouble. Your signal lights also makeyou easier to spot. That’s why it’s agood idea to use your turn signalseven when what you plan to do isobvious.

When you enter onto a freeway,drivers approaching from behind aremore likely to see your signalblinking and make room for you.

Turning your signal light onbefore each turn reduces confusionand frustration for the traffic aroundyou. Once you turn, make sure yoursignal is off or a driver may pulldirectly into your path, thinking youplan to turn again. Use your signals atevery turn so drivers can reactaccordingly. Don’t make them guesswhat you intend to do.

BRAKE LIGHTYour motorcycle’s brake light is

usually not as noticeable as the brakelights on a car — particularly whenyour taillight is on. (It goes on withthe headlight.) If the situation willpermit, help others notice you byflashing your brake light before youslow down. It is especially importantto flash your brake light before:

• You slow more quickly than othersmight expect (turning off a high-speed highway).

• You slow where others may notexpect it (in the middle of a blockor at an alley).

If you are being followed closely,it’s a good idea to flash your brakelight before you slow. The tailgatermay be watching you and not seesomething ahead that will make youslow down. This will hopefully dis-courage them from tailgating andwarn them of hazards ahead they maynot see.

USING YOUR MIRRORSWhile it’s most important to keep

track of what’s happening ahead, youcan’t afford to ignore situationsbehind. Traffic conditions changequickly. Knowing what’s going onbehind is essential for you to make asafe decision about how to handletrouble ahead.

Frequent mirror checks should bepart of your normal searching routine.Make a special point of using yourmirrors:

• When you are stopped at an inter-section. Watch cars coming up frombehind. If the driver isn’t payingattention, he could be on top of youbefore he sees you.

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

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

22

USINGYOURMIRRORS

Some motorcycles have rounded(convex) mirrors. These provide awider view of the road behind thando flat mirrors. They also make carsseem farther away than they reallyare. If you are not used to convexmirrors, get familiar with them.(While you are stopped, pick out aparked car in your mirror. Form amental image of how far away it is.Then, turn around and look at it tosee how close you came.) Practicewith your mirrors until you become agood judge of distance. Even then,allow extra distance before youchange lanes.

HEAD CHECKSChecking your mirrors is not

enough. Motorcycles have “blindspots” like cars. Before you changelanes, turn your head, and look to theside for other vehicles.

On a road with several lanes,check the far lane and the one next toyou. A driver in the distant lane mayhead for the same space you plan totake.

Frequent head checks should beyour normal scanning routine, also.Only by knowing what is happeningall around you, are you fully pre-pared to deal with it.

HORNBe ready to use your horn to get

someone’s attention quickly.It is a good idea to give a quick

beep before passing anyone that maymove into your lane.

Here are some situations:• A driver in the lane next to you is

driving too closely to the vehicleahead and may want to pass.

• A parked car has someone in thedriver’s seat.

• Someone is in the street, riding abicycle or walking.

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

Keep in mind that a motorcycle’shorn isn’t as loud as a car’s, there-fore, use it, but don’t rely on it. Otherstrategies may be appropriate alongwith the horn.

23

USING MIRRORS HEADCHECKS

HORN

RIDING AT NIGHTAt night it is harder for you to see

and be seen. Picking your headlightor taillight out of the car lightsaround you is not easy for otherdrivers. To compensate, you should:• Reduce Your Speed— Ride even

slower than you would during theday — particularly on roads youdon’t know well. This willincrease your chances of avoidinga hazard.

• Increase Distance— Distances areharder to judge at night thanduring the day. Your eyes relyupon shadows and light contraststo determine how far away anobject is and how fast it iscoming. These contrasts aremissing or distorted underartificial lights at night. Open upa three-second following distanceor more. And allow more distanceto pass and be passed.

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

• Use Your High Beam— Get allthe light you can. Use your highbeam whenever you are notfollowing or meeting a car. Bevisible, wear reflective materialswhen riding at night.

• Be flexible about lane position.Change to whatever portion of

the lane is best able to help yousee, be seen, and keep an ade-quate space cushion.

CRASH AVOIDANCENo matter how careful you are,

there will be times when you findyourself in a tight spot. Your chancesof getting out safely depend on yourability to react quickly and properly.Often, a crash occurs because a rideris not prepared or skilled in crash-avoidance maneuvers.

Know when and how to stop orswerve, two skills critical to avoidinga crash. It is not always desirable orpossible to stop quickly to avoid anobstacle. Riders must also be able toswerve around an obstacle.Determining which skill is necessaryfor the situation is important as well.

Studies show that most crash-involved riders:• Underbrake the front tire and

overbrake the rear.• Did not separate braking from

swerving or did not choose swerv-ing when it was appropriate.

The following information offerssome good advice.

QUICK STOPSTo stop quickly, apply both brakes

at the same time. Don’t be shy aboutusing the front brake, but don’t “grab”it, either. Squeeze the brake lever firm-ly and progressively. If the front wheellocks, release the front brake immedi-ately then reapply it firmly. At thesame time, press down on the rearbrake. If you accidentally lock the rearbrake on a good traction surface, youcan keep it locked until you have com-pletely stopped. Even with a lockedrear wheel, you can control the motor-

7 Test Yourself

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

Answer — page 40

NIGHTRIDING

CRASHAVOIDANCE

QUICKSTOPS

24

cycle on a straightaway if it is uprightand going in a straight line.

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

If you must stop quickly whileturning or riding a curve, the besttechnique is to straighten the bikeupright first and then brake.However, it may not always be possi-ble to straighten the motorcycle andthen stop. If you must brake whileleaning, apply light brakes and reducethe throttle. As you slow, you canreduce your lean angle and applymore brake pressure until the motor-cycle is straight and maximum brake

pressure is possible. You should“straighten” the handlebars in the lastfew feet of stopping, the motorcycleshould then be straight up and in bal-ance.

SWERVING OR TURNINGQUICKLY

Sometimes you may not haveenough room to stop, even if you useboth brakes properly. An object mightappear suddenly in your path. Or thecar ahead might squeal to a stop. Theonly way to avoid a crash may be toturn quickly, or swerve around it.

A swerve is any sudden change indirection. It can be two quick turns,or a rapid shift to the side. Apply asmall amount of hand pressure to thehandgrip located on the side of yourintended direction of escape. Thiswill cause the motorcycle to leanquickly. The sharper the turn(s), themore the motorcycle must lean.

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

25

STOPPING DISTANCE

SWERVE, THEN BRAKE BRAKE, THEN SWERVE

REAR

FRONT

BOTH

SWERVING

feet solidly on the footrests. Let themotorcycle move underneath you.Make your escape route the target ofyour vision. Press on the oppositehandgrip once you clear the obstacleto return you to your original direc-tion of travel. To swerve to the left,press the left handgrip, then press theright to recover. To swerve to theright, press right, then left.

IF BRAKING IS REQUIRED,SEPARATE IT FROM SWERVING.

Brake before or after — neverwhile swerving.

CORNERINGA primary cause of single-vehicle

crashes is motorcyclists running widein a curve or turn and colliding withthe roadway or a fixed object.

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

Ride within your skill level andposted speed limits.

Your best path may not alwaysfollow the curve of the road. Changelane position depending on traffic,road conditions and curve of the road.

26

CONSTANT CURVES MULTIPLE CURVES

DECREASING CURVES WIDENING CURVES

CORNERING

If no traffic is present, start at theoutside of a curve to increase yourline of sight and the effective radiusof the turn. As you turn, movetoward the inside of the curve, and asyou pass the center, move to theoutside to exit.

Another alternative is to move tothe center of your lane beforeentering a curve — and stay thereuntil you exit. This permits you tospot approaching traffic as soon aspossible. You can also adjust fortraffic “crowding” the center line, ordebris blocking part of your lane.

HANDLING DANGEROUSSURFACES

Your chance of falling or beinginvolved in a crash increaseswhenever you ride across:• Uneven surfaces or obstacles.• Slippery surfaces.• Railroad tracks.• Grooves and gratings.

UNEVEN SURFACES ANDOBSTACLES

Watch for uneven surfaces suchas bumps, broken pavement,potholes, or small pieces of highwaytrash.

Try to avoid obstacles by slowingor going around them. If you must goover the obstacle, first, determine if itis possible. Approach it at as close toa 90° angle as possible. Look whereyou want to go to control your pathof travel. If you have to ride over theobstacle, you should:• Slow down as much as possible

before contact.• Make sure the motorcycle is

straight.

27

8 Test Yourself

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

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

Answer — page 40

OBSTACLES

DANGEROUSSURFACES

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

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

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

SLIPPERY SURFACESMotorcycles handle better when

ridden on surfaces that permit goodtraction. Surfaces that provide poortraction include:• Wet pavement, particularly just

after it starts to rain and beforesurface oil washes to the side of 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 safely on slippery surfaces:• Reduce Speed— Slow down

before you get to a slippery surfaceto lessen your chances of skidding.Your motorcycle needs moredistance to stop. And, it isparticularly important to reducespeed before entering wet curves.

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

• Use Both Brakes— The frontbrake is still effective, even on aslippery surface. Squeeze the brakelever gradually to avoid locking the

front wheel. Remember, gentlepressure on the rear brake.

• The center of a lane can behazardous when wet. When it startsto rain, ride in the tire tracks left bycars. Often, the left tire track willbe the best position, depending ontraffic and other road conditions aswell.

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

• Dirt and gravel collect along thesides of the road — especially oncurves and ramps leading to andfrom highways. Be aware of what’son the edge of the road, particularlywhen making sharp turns andgetting on or off freeways at highspeeds.

• Rain dries and snow melts fasteron some sections of a road than onothers. Patches of ice tend todevelop in low or shaded areas andon bridges and overpasses. Wetsurfaces or wet leaves are just asslippery. Ride on the least slipperyportion of the lane and reducespeed.

Cautious riders steer clear ofroads covered with ice or snow. Ifyou can’t avoid a slippery surface,keep your motorcycle straight up andproceed as slowly as possible. If youencounter a large surface so slipperythat you must coast, or travel at awalking pace, consider letting yourfeet skim along the surface. If themotorcycle starts to fall, you cancatch yourself. Be sure to keep offthe brakes. If possible, squeeze theclutch and coast. Attempting thismaneuver at anything other than theslowest of speeds could provehazardous.

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RAILROAD TRACKS, TROLLEYTRACKS AND PAVEMENTSEAMS

Usually it is safer to ride straightwithin your lane to cross tracks.Turning to take tracks head-on (at a90° angle) can be more dangerous —your path may carry you into anotherlane of traffic.

For track and road seams that runparallel to your course, move farenough away from tracks, ruts, or

pavement seams to cross at an angleof at least 45°. Then, make a quick,sharp turn. Edging across couldcatch your tires and throw you offbalance.

GROOVES AND GRATINGSRiding over rain grooves or

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

CROSSTRACKS—RIGHT

CROSSTRACKS—WRONG

PARALLEL TRACKS—RIGHT

PARALLEL TRACKS—WRONG

GRATE CROSSINGS—RIGHT

GRATE CROSSINGS—WRONG

9 Test Yourself

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

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

Answer — page 40

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TRACKSANDGRATINGS

MECHANICALPROBLEMSYou can find yourself in an

emergency the moment somethinggoes wrong with your motorcycle. Indealing with any mechanicalproblem, take into account the roadand traffic conditions you face. Hereare some guidelines that can help youhandle mechanical problems safely.

TIRE FAILUREYou will seldom hear a tire go

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

If the front tire goes flat, thesteering will feel “heavy.” A front-wheel flat is particularly hazardousbecause it affects your steering. Youhave to steer well to keep yourbalance.

If the rear tire goes flat, the backof the motorcycle may jerk or swayfrom side to side.

If either tire goes flat whileriding:• Hold handlegrips firmly, ease off

the throttle, and keep a straightcourse.

• If braking is required, however,gradually apply the brake of the tirethat isn’t flat, if you are sure whichone it is.

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

STUCK THROTTLETwist the throttle back and forth

several times. If the throttle cable isstuck, this may free it. If the throttlestays stuck immediately operate theengine cut-off switch and pull in theclutch at the same time. This willremove power from the rear wheel,though engine noise may notimmediately decline. Once themotorcycle is “under control,” pulloff and stop.

After you have stopped, check thethrottle cable carefully to find thesource of the trouble. Make certainthe throttle works freely before youstart to ride again.

WOBBLEA “wobble” occurs when the

front wheel and handlebars suddenlystart to shake from side to side at anyspeed. Most wobbles can be traced toimproper loading, unsuitableaccessories, or incorrect tire pressure.If you are carrying a heavy load,lighten it. If you can’t, shift it. Centerthe weight lower and farther forwardon the motorcycle. Make sure tirepressure, spring pre-load, air shocks,and dampers are at the settingsrecommended for that much weight.Make sure windshields and fairingsare mounted properly.

Check for poorly adjustedsteering; worn steering parts; a frontwheel that is bent, misaligned, or outof balance; loose wheel bearings orspokes; and worn swingarm bearings.If none of these are determined to bethe cause, have the motorcyclechecked out thoroughly by a qualifiedprofessional.

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

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MECHANICALPROBLEMS

• Grip the handlebars firmly, butdon’t fight the wobble.

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

• Move your weight as far forwardand down as possible.

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

CHAIN PROBLEMSA chain that slips or breaks while

you’re riding could lock the rearwheel and cause your cycle to skid.Chain slippage or breakage can beavoided by proper maintenance.• Slippage— If the chain slips when

you try to speed up quickly orride uphill, pull off the road.Check the chain and sprockets.Tightening the chain may help. Ifthe problem is a worn orstretched chain or worn or bentsprockets, replace the chain, thesprockets, or both before ridingagain.

• Breakage— You’ll notice aninstant loss of power to the rearwheel. Close the throttle andbrake to a stop.

ENGINE SEIZUREWhen the engine “locks” or

“freezes” it is usually low on oil. Theengine’s moving parts can’t movesmoothly against each other, and theengine overheats. The first sign maybe a loss of engine power or a changein the engine’s sound. Squeeze theclutch lever to disengage the enginefrom the rear wheel. Pull off the roadand stop. Check the oil. If needed, oilshould be added as soon as possibleor the engine will seize. When thishappens, the effect is the same as alocked rear wheel. Let the enginecool before restarting.

ANIMALSNaturally, you should do

everything you safely can to avoidhitting an animal. If you are in traffic,however, remain in your lane. Hittingsomething small is less dangerous toyou than hitting something big —like a car.

Motorcycles seem to attract dogs.If you are chased, downshift andapproach the animal slowly. As youapproach it, accelerate away andleave the animal behind. Don’t kickat an animal. Keep control of yourmotorcycle, and look to where youwant to go.

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

10 Test Yourself

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

close the throttle gradually.D. Downshift.

Answer — page 40

11 Test Yourself

If you are chased by a dog:A. Kick it away.B. Stop until the animal loses interest.C. Swerve around the animal.D. Approach the animal slowly, then

speed up.Answer — page 40

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FLYING OBJECTSFrom time to time riders are

struck by insects, cigarettes thrownfrom cars, or pebbles kicked up bythe tires of the vehicle ahead. If youare wearing face protection, it mightget smeared or cracked, making itdifficult to see. Without faceprotection, an object could hit you inthe eye, face, or mouth. Whateverhappens, keep your eyes on the roadand your hands on the handlebars.When safe, pull off the road andrepair the damage.

GETTING OFF THEROAD

If you need to leave the road tocheck the motorcycle (or just to restfor a while), be sure you:• Check the roadside— Make sure

the surface of the roadside is firmenough to ride on. If it is softgrass, loose sand, or if you’re justnot sure about it, slow way downbefore you turn onto it.

• Signal— Drivers behind might notexpect you to slow down. Give aclear signal that you will beslowing down and changingdirection. Check your mirror andmake a head check before youtake any action.

• Pull off the road— Get as far offthe road as you can. It can bevery hard to spot a motorcycle bythe side of the road. You don’twant someone else pulling off atthe same place you are.

• Park carefully— Loose andsloped shoulders can make settingthe side or center stand difficult.

CARRYING PASSENGERSAND CARGO

Only experienced riders shouldcarry passengers or large loads. Theextra weight changes the way themotorcycle handles, balances, speedsup, and slows down. Before taking apassenger or heavy load on the street,practice away from traffic.

EQUIPMENTTo carry passengers safely:

• Equip and adjust your motorcycleto carry passengers.

• Instruct the passenger before youstart.

• Adjust your riding technique forthe added weight.

Equipment should include:• A proper seat— large enough to

hold both of you withoutcrowding. You should not sit anyfarther forward than you usuallydo.

• Footrests— for the passenger.Firm footing prevents yourpassenger from falling off andpulling you off, too.

• Protective equipment— the sameprotective gear recommended foroperators.Adjust the suspension to handle

the additional weight. You willprobably need to add a few pounds ofpressure to the tires if you carry apassenger. (Check your owner’smanual for appropriate settings.)While your passenger sits on the seatwith you, adjust the mirror andheadlight according to the change inthe motorcycle’s angle.

32

FLYINGOBJECTS

GETTINGOFFTHEROAD

CARRYINGLOADS

INSTRUCTING PASSENGERSEven if your passenger is a

motorcycle rider, provide completeinstructions before you start. Tellyour passenger to:• Get on the motorcycle only after

you have started the engine.• Sit as far forward as possible

without crowding you.• Hold firmly to your waist, hips, or

belt, or to the bike’s passengerhandholds.

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

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

• Stay directly behind you, leaningas you lean.

• Avoid unnecessary talk or motion.Also, tell your passenger to

tighten his or her hold when you:• Approach surface problems.• Are about to start from a stop.• Warn that you will make a sudden

move.

RIDING WITH PASSENGERSYour motorcycle will respond

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

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

• Start slowing earlier as youapproach a stop.

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

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

Warn your passenger of specialconditions — when you will pull out,stop quickly, turn sharply, or rideover a bump. Turn your head slightlyto make yourself understood, butkeep your eyes on the road ahead.

CARRYING LOADSMost motorcycles are not

designed to carry much cargo. Smallloads can be carried safely ifpositioned and fastened properly.• Keep the Load Low— Fasten

loads securely, or put them insaddle bags. Piling loads against asissybar or frame on the back of theseat raises the motorcycle’s centerof gravity and disturbs its balance.

• Keep the Load Forward— Placethe load over, or in front of, therear axle. Tank bags keep loadsforward, but use caution whenloading hard or sharp objects. Makesure tank bag does not interferewith handlebars or controls.Mounting loads behind the rearaxle can affect how the motorcycleturns and brakes. It can also cause awobble.

• Distribute the Load Evenly—Load saddlebags with about thesame weight. An uneven load cancause the motorcycle to drift to oneside.

33

12 Test Yourself

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

Answer — page 40

CARRYINGPASSENGERS

• Secure the Load— Fasten theload securely with elastic cords(bungee cords or nets). Elasticcords with more than oneattachment point per side are moresecure. A tight load won’t catch inthe wheel or chain, causing it tolock up and skid. Rope tends tostretch and knots come loose,permitting the load to shift or fall.

• Check the Load— Stop and checkthe load every so often to makesure it has not worked loose ormoved.

GROUP RIDINGIf you ride with others, do it in a

way that promotes safety and doesn’tinterfere with the flow of traffic.

KEEP THE GROUP SMALLSmall groups make it easier and

safer for car drivers who need to getaround them. A small number isn’tseparated as easily by traffic or redlights. Riders won’t always behurrying to catch up. If your group islarger than four or five riders, divideit up into two or more smaller groups.

KEEP THE GROUP TOGETHER• Plan— The leader should look

ahead for changes and signal earlyso “the word gets back” in plentyof time. Start lane changes early topermit everyone to complete thechange.

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

• Follow Those Behind— Let thetailender set the pace. Use yourmirrors to keep an eye on theperson behind. If a rider fallsbehind, everyone should slow downa little to stay with the tailender.

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

KEEP YOUR DISTANCEMaintain close ranks but at the

same time keep a safe distance toallow each rider in the group timeand space to react to hazards. A closegroup takes up less space on thehighway, is easier to see and is lesslikely to be separated. However, itmust be done properly.Don’t Pair Up— Never operate

directly alongside another rider.There is no place to go if youhave to avoid a car or somethingon the road. To talk, wait untilyou are both stopped.

Staggered Formation— This is thebest way to keep ranks close yetmaintain an adequate spacecushion. The leader rides in theleft side of the lane, while thesecond rider stays one second

34

STAGGERED FORMATION

GROUPRIDING

behind in the right side of thelane.A third rider maintains in the left

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

a staggered formation should passone at a time.

• First, the lead rider should pullout and pass when it is safe. Afterpassing, the leader should return tothe left position and continue ridingat passing speed to open room forthe next rider.

• After the first rider passes safely,the second rider should move up tothe left position and watch for asafe chance to pass. After passing,this rider should return to the rightposition and open up room for thenext rider.

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

to move into a single-file forma-tion when riding curves, turning,entering or leaving a highway.

35

GROUP PASSING (Stage 1) GROUP PASSING (Stage 2)

13 Test Yourself

When riding in a group, inexperiencedriders should position themselves:A. Just behind the leader.B. In front of the group.C. At the tail end of the group.D. Beside the leader.

Answer — page 40