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Motorcycle,Motorized Bicycle and

electric-assisted BicycleManual

Minnesota Department o Public SaetyDriver and Vehicle Services Divisionwww.mndriveino.org
http://www.mndriveinfo.org/http://www.mndriveinfo.org/

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The Minnesota Department o Public Saety Driver and Vehicle ServicesDivision prepared this manual. Visit the Department o Public Saety Web site

at www.mndriveino.org to access online versions o our drivers manuals.

PS30001-12 (2/11)

About this Manual

This manual is about operating

motorcycles, motorized bicycles andelectric-assisted bicycles on Minnesotastreets and highways.

The rst section concerns Minnesotalaws and requirements. For completestandards, consult Minnesota statestatutes and rules. This document isnot a proper legal authority to citein court.

The second section (OperationManual) contains inormation on saemotorcycling. The Operation Manual,provided by the Motorcycle SaetyFoundation, is not about Minnesotalaw it is about riding smart andstaying sae.

For more inormation on Minnesota

driving laws and rules or all drivers,reer to the Minnesota DriversManual.

This manual is printed by permissiono the Minnesota Department oPublic Saety.

This manual is prepared by theDivision o Driver and Vehicle Services

with permission o the MinnesotaDepartment o Public Saety.

This inormation can be madeavailable in alternative ormat toindividuals with disabilities. Forassistance, call 651-297-3298 orTTY 651-282-6555.

Mnnesoa Moocycle,

Moozed Bcycle andElecc-Asssed Bcycle

Manual

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contents

PreaceRider Training. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . I

MotorcyclesLicense Endorsement and Permit . . IIPermit Process . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . IISkills Test . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . IINew Resident Inormation . . . . . . . IIIEndorsement Renewal . . . . . . . . . . IIILicense Fees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . IIIMotorcycle Registration/Insurance . IIIEquipment Requirements . . . . . . . . IVOperating Rules . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . IVAlcohol and Motorcycles . . . . . . . . VRed Light, Green Light . . . . . . . . . . V

Motorized Bicycles and MopedMotorized Bicycle. . . . . . . . . . . . . .VIOperators Permit . . . . . . . . . . . . . .VI

Instruction Permit Process . . . . . . . VISkills Test . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . VIDuplicate Permits . . . . . . . . . . . . . VII

Vehicle Registration . . . . . . . . . . . VIIInsurance Requirements . . . . . . . . VIIEquipment Requirements . . . . . . . VIIOperating Rules . . . . . . . . . . . . . . VII

Electric-Assisted BicyclesD e n i t i o n . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . V I I IPermit and Registration . . . . . . . . VIIII n s u r a n c e . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . V I I IEquipment Requirements . . . . . . . VIII

Operating Rules . . . . . . . . . . . . . . VIII

Motorized Foot ScootersD e n i t i o n . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . V I I IOperating Rules . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . IXEquipment Requirements . . . . . . . . IX

Do you have all the inormation you need or your skills test?

Here is a checklist to help you prepare:o I have made a skills test appointment.

o I have my valid drivers license.

o I have my valid motorcycle instruction permit.

o I have my helmet and eye protection.

o I will provide a motorcycle on which to take the test.

Basicsafetyequipmentmustbeinworkingcondition(seeequipmentrequirements on page IV).

Vehicleregistrationmustbecurrent(licenseplatesandregistrationstickers)or the motorcycle must display a 21-day permit.

o I have valid proo o insurance (such as the original insurance identicationcard or policy) or the motorcycle I am taking the test on. Photocopies orcopies rom the Internet are not acceptable.

o I have brought money (check, money order, or cash) to pay the drivers licenseee and the retesting ee, i applicable. There is a $20 test ee or a third orsubsequent test (ater ailing rst two).

Creditanddebitcardsarenotaccepted.

I under 18 years o age:o I have my certicate o course completion rom an approved rider saety course.

Note: Riders under 18 will be required to have a parent or court-appointedguardian sign the application to add the motorcycle endorsement.

SKILLS TEST CHECKLIST

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Preface I

This manual is intended to help ridersprepare or the knowledge and skillstests required to obtain a permit and

endorsement. It includes rider inorma-tion that will help beginner and experi-enced riders alike. This manual includesMinnesota state requirements as wellas a guide to sae riding practices.

Skill and care are saety necessitiesor riders. Two-wheeled vehicles havethe disadvantage o being less stableand more vulnerable than other vehicles

on the road. In a crash, riders otensustain severe injuries because they lackthe protection provided to occupantso larger vehicles.

Over the last ten years, crash studiesshow motorcyclists are seven times morelikely to be injured and 34 times morelikely to die in a crash than passengersin any other type o vehicle.

Approximately 80 percent o motor-cycle crashes result in death or injury,compared with less than 30 percent oauto crashes. These numbers emphasizethe importance o knowing the ruleso motorcycle and moped operation.While cornering, steering and accelera-tion characteristics o motorcycles

can exceed other vehicles, their shortcomings with regard to saety shouldnot be ignored.

The hazards o riding a two-wheeledvehicle constantly test the skills o eventhe most experienced rider. For this

reason, Minnesota tests everyoneseeking permits and license endorse-ments to legally operate a motorcycleor moped in the state.

Rider Training

The Minnesota Department o PublicSaety recommends rider trainingcourses or both beginner and experi-

enced riders. Motorcyclists are encour-aged to update their riding skills asoten as possible. Studies have shownthat riders who have taken trainingcourses are better equipped to copewith riding emergencies and less likelyto be involved in a crash.

In 1982, the State o Minnesotaestablished a Motorcycle Saety Fund

to upgrade and improve trainingcourses, test procedures, publicawareness and motorcycle saety. TheMinnesota Motorcycle Saety Programadministers these unds and oersstate-approved rider training courses.

For more inormation on motorcyclerules, saety or training classes, contact

theMinnesotaMotorcycleSafetyCenterat 800-407-6677 or visitwww.motorcyclesaety.org
http://www.motorcyclesafety.org/http://www.motorcyclesafety.org/

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II motorcycle

Motorcycle LicenseEndorsement and Permit

Every person who operates a

motorcycle on public roads in Minne-sota must have a valid drivers licensewith the appropriate instruction permitor license endorsement. You must carrythese documents with you when ridinga motorcycle on public roadways.

Motorcycle Permit ProcessA valid Minnesota drivers license is

required to obtain a motorcycle instruc-tion permit. To obtain a motorcycleinstruction permit, you must rst passa knowledge (written) test at a driverexamination station. I you are under18 years old, you must also presenta certicate o completion o a state-approved motorcycle rider trainingcourse.

The knowledge test may be takenonly once per day. When you pass thetest and pay the $21 permit ee, youwill receive an instruction permit validor one year. You will then be entitledto practice riding your motorcycle onpublic roadways so you can becomeamiliar with it and its controls. I yourinstruction permit expires, you must

retake the knowledge test and paythe ee or a new permit.

While you are operating a motor-cycle with your instruction permit, theollowing restrictions apply:

You must wear a helmet and eyeprotection approved by the ederalDepartment o Transportation (DOT).

Youmaynotcarrypassengers.

Youmaynotrideonanyinterstatehighway.

Youmaynotrideatnight.Nightornighttimemeansthetimerom one-hal hour ater sunsetto one-hal hour beore sunrise.

Motorcycle EndorsementSkills Test

When you eel that you have

reached an acceptable skill level, youmay return to a driver examining stationand take the skills test on your motor-cycle. You can schedule your test inperson, by phone or online atwww.mndriveino.org. I you test ona three-wheeled motorcycle, you willbe restricted to operating three-wheelersonly. You can remove restrictions by

taking the skills test on the type omotorcycle you want to operate.

The skills test consists o our ridingexercises that measure your vehiclecontrol and hazard response skills.

The two-wheel motorcycle skills test isoutlined in this manual on pages 56-59.The three-wheel motorcycle skills test is

outlined on pages 60-63 in this manual.These tests are administered on the samecourse and will not be given i the sur-ace is wet, or i ice or snow is present.

For the skills test, you must bring:

Your current drivers license andmotorcycle permit.

A motorcycle, properly equipped,with proo o current registrationand insurance.

DOT-approvedhelmetandeyeprotection.

Ifyouareunder18yearsold,acerticate o course completionrom an approved motorcycle ridertraining program.

You will not be allowed to test i youdo not bring all o these items.

I you ail the skills test, you mayretake it ater you have had time toimprove your riding skills. You will beassigned practice time that must becompleted beore your next skills testis given.

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motorcycle III

Ater passing the skills test, you willneed to apply or a duplicate driverslicense and have your endorsement

added. Your receipt rom the duplicatelicense application will allow you to rideyour motorcycle without restrictionsuntil you receive your new license.

New ResidentsI you are a new Minnesota resident

and have a valid drivers license with amotorcycle endorsement rom anotherstate (or one that has been expired orless than one year) you will need to takea knowledge test to get a Minnesotadrivers license. You may take the motor-cycle knowledge test at the same timeyou take the drivers license knowledgetest. The motorcycle skills test will bewaived when you pass the knowledgetest. An endorsement ee o $21 willbe added to the cost o your Minnesotadrivers license.

Endorsement RenewalWhen your Minnesota drivers license

has a two-wheeled motorcycle endorse-ment, you will pay the license ee plusa $13 motorcycle endorsement eewhen you renew your license withyour endorsement.

License FeesFees are determined by law and are

subject to change.

Motorcycle Fees* Motorcycle instruction

permit/endorsement ee . . . . $21.00

** Motorcycle endorsement

renewal (2 wheel only) . . . . . $13.00Duplicate drivers license . . . . $13.50

Motorized Bicycle Operators Permit* Knowledge test and 30-day

instruction permit . . . . . . . . . . $6.75

* Skills test and 1-yearoperators permit. . . . . . . . . . . $6.75

Duplicate o 1-yearoperators permit. . . . . . . . . . . $3.75

Renewal o operators

permit to age 21 . . . . . . . . . . . $9.75Duplicate o operators permit. .$5.25

Renewal, age 21 or older. . . . $15.75

Retesting Fees* Third and subsequent

knowledge test(ater ailing rst two) . . . . . . $10.00

* Third and subsequentroad/skills test(ater ailing rst two) . . . . . . $20.00

* Available at driver exam stations only.

** Fee does not include the cost oa new license.

Motorcycle RegistrationAll motorcycles must be registered

with the state and display a license plateshowing that registration tax has beenpaid. The registration period is romMarch 1 through the last day o Febru-ary. Re-registration is required annuallyand expires at the end o February. Newresidents have 60 days ater becomingMinnesota residents to register theirmotorcycles. For more inormation,

contact your local deputy registrar orcall 651-297-2126.

Motorcycle InsuranceAll motorcycles registered in Minne-

sota must have liability insurance cover-age or property damage or injuryto another party. No-ault injury anduninsured motorist protections are

optional.Coveragefordamage,lossormotorcycle thet is also optional. TheCommissionerofPublicSafetymayrevoke the registration and suspend thelicense o any motorcycle operator whodoes not carry the required insurance.

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IV motorcycle

Motorcycle EquipmentRequirements

All motorcycles must have basic

saety equipment in working condition.In addition to a rearview mirror, hornand mufer, motorcycles must beequipped with the ollowing:

Atleastone,andnotmorethantwo, headlights with high- andlow-beam settings. (Headlightmodulators are legal in Minnesota.)

Oneredtaillight,includingbrakelight/stop lamp. A blue dot o upto one inch in diameter on the tail-light is legal.

Footrestsforapassengermustbe provided i the motorcycle isequipped with a seat designed orsuited or use by a passenger.

Atleastonebrake,frontorrear,which may be operated by handor oot.

All provisions o Minnesota Statutes,Chapter169,pertainingtoothermotor vehicle equipment also applyto motorcycles, except those whichby their nature have no application.

Protective Eyewear

Motorcyclists are required to wearprotective eyewear, such as glasses,goggles or a ace shield, even i themotorcycle is equipped with a wind-screen.Contactlensesdonotqualifyas protective eyewear.

HelmetsMotorcyclists and passengers under

18 years o age and those operatingon a motorcycle permit must wear aDOT-approved helmet. Helmet use isstrongly recommended by the Depart-ment o Public Saety or all motor-cyclists and passengers.

Motorcycle Operating RulesThere are a number o basic operating

rules that are unique to two-wheeled

vehicles.Theoperatormayrideonlyona

permanent, regular seat.

Apassengermayrideonlyonapermanent, regular passengersseat on the motorcycle or in asidecar attached to the vehicle.

Passengersmaynotrideona

motorcycle unless they can reachthe ootrests on each side o themotorcycle with both eet whileseated.

Operatorsandpassengersunder18 and those operating on amotorcycle permit must wearDOT-approved helmets.

Theoperatorandthepassengermust sit astride the motorcycle seat,acing orward, with one leg oneach side o the motorcycle (passen-gers in a sidecar are exempt).

Operatorsmaynotcarrypackagesor articles that interere withkeeping both hands on thehandlebars.

Operatorsmaynotrideamotor-cycle between lanes o moving orstationary vehicles headed in thesame direction.

Theoperatormusthavethehead-light on at all times when ridingin Minnesota.

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motorcycle V

Live to Ride.Alcohol andMotorcycles Dont Mix

Riding a motorcycle requires more

skills and dierent skills thandriving a car or truck. Because o this,alcohol use impairs a riders skills soonerand more severely than a drivers, evenat blood alcohol levels below the legallevel o .08.

Fact: drinking and riding kills otor-cyclists. State law requires that coroners

test the blood alcohol level o traccrash victims who die within our hourso a crash. About hal o the motor-cyclists tested since 1990 had alcoholin their systems.

Minnesota State Patrol ocers, localpolice and county sheris patrol Minne-sota highways every day to enorceDWI laws. From 2006 to 2008, they

made more than 116,000 DWI arrests.A DWI will aect all your drivingprivileges not only your privilegeto operate a motorcycle.

I you drink, dont ride, and iyou ride, dont drink. Do it or youramily and riends as well as or yourown saety. Set the example or otherriders, and dont be araid to step inwhen you see someone else about tomake a mistake. Do it or theiramiliesand theirriends.

For a summary o Minnesota lawson driving and riding under the infu-ence o alcohol and other drugs, andthe consequences o doing so, pleasereer to chapter 8 o the Minnesota

Drivers Manual, available online atwww.mndriveino.org.

Red Light, Green Light:Minnesota Law

In 2002, the Minnesota legislature

passed a law to address instances whentwo-wheeled vehicles are not detectedby control systems at trac lights, anda signal change does not occur.

The law gives motorcyclists andmoped riders the option to proceedthrough the intersection ater a reason-able amount o time, and provides an

armative legal deense to this action,based on ve conditions:

Themotorcycleormopedhasbeenbrought to a complete stop.

Thetrafc-controlsignalcontinuesto show a red light or an unreason-able time.

Thetrafc-controlsignalisappar-ently malunctioning or, i program-med to change to a green lightonly ater detecting the approacho a motor vehicle, the signal hasapparently ailed to detect themotorcycle.

Novehicleorpersonisapproachingon the roadway to be crossed orentered, or

Approachingvehiclesorpersonsareso ar away that they do not consti-tute an immediate hazard.

The armative deense applies onlyto an alleged violation or entering orcrossing an intersection controlled bya trac-control signal against a redlight. It does not provide a deense

to any other civil or criminal action.

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VI motorIzed bIcycle and moPed

Motorized BicycleMotorized bicycles are registered as

mopeds. A motorized bicycle must meet

the ollowing requirements:Electricmotororaliquid-fueled

engine with piston displacemento 50 cubic centimeters or less.

Maximumoftwobrakehorsepower.

Maximumspeedof30mphonafat surace.

Moped Operators PermitAny person who has a valid drivers

license may operate a moped withouttaking a moped test. Anyone withouta drivers license, regardless o age,must obtain a moped operators permitto legally operate a moped (see sectionbelow). You must carry your license orpermit with you when you ride.

Moped Instruction PermitProcess

To obtain a moped operators instruc-tion permit you must:Beatleast15yearsold.

Presentproperidentication.

Presentacerticateofcompletionissued by a state approved moped

saety course.

Passavisionscreening.

Passaknowledgetest.

I you are under 18 years old, you mustmeet these requirements and present acertied approval slip rom your parentor legal guardian beore taking theknowledge test and skills test. Approvalorms are available at license examstations.

To nd out about moped saety coursesnear you, contact your local driver examstation or call 800-407-6677. Findcourse inormation and exam stationlocations at www.mndriveino.org orcall 651-297-2005.

The knowledge test includes questionson driving laws and rules o the roadas well as inormation specic to two-

wheeled vehicles. In addition to thismanual, study the Minnesota DriversManual.

When you have passed the knowledgetest and paid the $6.75 examinationee, you will receive a 30-day mopedinstruction permit. This instructionpermit allows you to practice ridinga moped only within a one-mile radius

o your residence.

For operators under the age o 16,during the instruction permit period,only a parent or guardian o the operatormay ride on the moped as a passenger.

Moped Operators PermitSkills Test

You must pass a skills test to obtaina moped operators permit.

When you take your skills test, youmust bring:Your30-daymopedoperators

instruction permit.

Currentproofofinsuranceforthe moped used or testing.

ADOT-approvedhelmetandeyeprotection.

You will not be allowed to test iyou do not have all o the above items.

A parental approval slip is requiredor persons under age 18. Approvalorms are available at license examstations.

The moped operators permit skillstest consists o:Starting

Tightcircles

Quickstop

Turns(rightandleft)

Lanechanging

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moPed VII

Stopsignsand/ortrafclights

Rightofway

This test is conducted on public streets,unlike the motorcycle skills test. Uponsuccessul completion o the skills testyou will need to apply or a mopedoperators permit which is valid or oneyear. Ater one year, you may apply or arenewal o the moped operators permit.

I your moped operators permit is lostor there is a change o name or address,

you may apply or a duplicate permit.

Moped Vehicle RegistrationMopeds must be registered, and

registrations must be renewed annually.The vehicle must display current regis-tration tabs. Registration and renewalcan be done at any Driver and VehicleServices deputy registrars oce.

MopedInsurance Requirements

All mopeds registered in Minnesotamust have liability insurance coverageor property damage or injury to anotherparty. No-ault injury and uninsuredmotoristprotectionsareoptional.Cover-age or damage, loss or moped thet

isalsooptional.TheCommissionerofPublic Saety may revoke the registrationand suspend the license o any mopedoperator who does not carry the requiredinsurance.

MopedEquipment Requirements

These rules apply to required equip-

ment and gear or moped riders:Amopedmustmeetthesame

lighting requirements as a motor-cycle, with a headlight, taillight andstop lamp. The headlight must be onduring operation. Mopeds manuac-tured beore 1987 are not normallyequipped with a headlight or taillight

and may be operated during daylighthours only.

Ahornandmirrorarerequired

saety equipment or a moped.

Mopedridersmustwearprotectiveeyewear.

Mopedridersunder18yearsoldmust wear a DOT-approved motor-cycle helmet.

TheDepartmentofPublicSafetyrecommends that moped operatorsobserve the same rules o saetyand wear the same protective equip-ment suggested or motorcycle riders.

Moped Operating Rules

These rules and restrictions apply tooperating mopeds:

Becauseoftherelativelylowspeedso mopeds, you should ride in thetrac lane as ar right on the road-way as possible unless you aremaking a let turn. Riding on side-walks is not permitted except whereit would be necessary or a shortdistance to get rom a driveway, alleyor building to an adjacent roadway.

Mopedsarenotallowedonlanes

or trails that have been set asideor bicycles and the exclusive useo non-motorized trac.

Mopedridersonaroadwayshallnotride more than two abreast and shallnot impede the normal and reason-able movement o trac.

Mopedsarenotallowedoninter-

state reeways.Amopedequippedwithaheadlight

and taillight that meet motorcyclelighting requirements may be oper-atedduringnighttimehours.Nightornighttimemeansthetimefromone-hal hour ater sunset to one-halhour beore sunrise.

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electrIc-assIsted bIcycle

VIII and motorIzed foot scooter

Electric-Assisted BicycleElectric-assisted bicycles are registered

as mopeds. An electric-assisted bicycle

may have two or three wheels and mustmeet the ollowing requirements:

Saddleandfullyoperablepedalsor human propulsion.

Electricmotorwithapoweroutputo 1,000 watts or less.

Motorincapableofpropellingthevehicle more than 20 mph.

Motorincapableofincreasingthespeed o the vehicle to more than20 mph when human power isused to propel the vehicle.

Motordisengagesorceasestounction when brakes are applied.

MeetsFederalmotorvehiclesafetystandards.

Electric-Assisted BicycleOperators Permit andRegistration

Any person who has a valid driverslicense may operate an electric-assistedbicycle without taking a test or havinga drivers license endorsement. Anyonewithout a drivers license, regardless o

age, must obtain a moped operatorspermit to legally operate an electric-assisted bicycle. You must carry thesedocuments with you when you ride.For details on obtaining a permit, reertotheMopedOperatorsPermitsection on page VI.

Electric-Assisted Bicycle

Insurance RequirementsNo-ault liability insurance is not

required or electric-assisted bicycleoperators.

Electric-Assisted BicycleEquipment RequirementsElectric-assistedbicycleriders

under 18 years old must wear amotorcycle helmet approved bythe Department o Transportationor a bicycle helmet approved bythe American National StandardsInstitute.

Protectiveeyewearisrecom-mended, but not required, orelectric-assisted bicycle operators.

Electric-Assisted BicycleOperating RulesElectric-assistedbicycleoperators

may ride on the shoulder o theroad going in the same directionas adjacent trac.

Electric-assistedbicycleoperators

may ride in a marked bicycle lane.Standardtrafclawsapplywith

regard to lane use, trac signsand signals.

Anelectric-assistedbicycleequip-ped with a headlight and taillightthat meet motorcycle lightingrequirements may be operatedduringnighttimehours.Night

ornighttimemeansthetimerom one-hal hour ater sunsetto one-hal hour beore sunrise.

Motorized Foot ScooterA motorized oot scooter is designed

to be stood or sat upon by the oper-ator. It has handlebars and is poweredby an engine or electric motor capable

o propelling the device with or withouthuman propulsion. A motorized ootscooter has these requirements: wheelsten inches in diameter or smaller, or anengine or motor capable o a maximumspeed o 15 mph on a fat surace.

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motorIzed foot scooter IX

Motorized Foot ScooterOperators Rights andResponsibilities

You must be 12 years old or olderto operate a motorized oot scooter.You do not need an operators permit,vehicle registration or insurance tooperate a motorized oot scooter.

Every person operating a motorizedoot scooter has the same rights andresponsibilities as the operator o a

bicycle, except in respect to provisionsrelated only to motorized oot scootersand in respect to provisions that cannotreasonably be applied to motorizedoot scooters.

Motorized Foot ScooterOperation Requirementsand Prohibitions

Apersonoperatingamotorizedoot scooter on a roadway shall ridenear the right-hand curb or edge othe roadway, except in the ollowingsituations:

When overtaking and passinganother vehicle proceeding inthe same direction.

When preparing or a let turn,in which case the operator shallstop and dismount at the right-hand curb or right edge o theroadway, and shall complete theturn by crossing the roadway onoot, subject to restrictions placedby law on pedestrians.

When necessary to avoid con-

ditions that make it unsae tocontinue along the right-handcurb or edge, including, but notlimited to, xed or movingobjects, vehicles, bicycles,pedestrians, animals, suracehazards, or narrow lanes.

Ridingamotorizedfootscooteron sidewalks is not permitted exceptwhere it would be necessary or

a short distance to get rom adriveway, alley or building to anadjacent roadway.

Motorizedfootscooteroperatorsmay not carry passengers.

Apersonmayoperateamotor-ized oot scooter on a bicycle path,bicycle lane, bicycle trail or bike-waythat is not reserved or the exclusive

use o non-motorized trac, unlessrestricted by local authorities.

Motorized Foot ScooterOperator EquipmentRequirementsRidersage12to17mustwear

either a motorcycle helmetapproved by the U.S. Department

o Transportation or a bicycle helmetapproved by the American NationalStandards Institute (ANSI).

Amotorizedfootscooterequippedwith a headlight and taillight maybe operated during nighttime hours.Nightornighttimemeansthe time rom one-hal hourater sunset to one-hal hourbeore sunrise.

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mInnesota rIder traInIng

X and educat

Basic Rider Course (BRC)The basic rider course is intended or

novice riders no experience is neces-

sary but experienced riders benetrom this course, as well. Trainingmotorcycles are provided. A rider 18years o age or older who has a validmotorcycle permit can earn a motor-cycle endorsement upon successulcompletion o the skills test at theend o the course (skills test waiver).Riders younger than 18 years o age

arerequiredtotaketheBRCbeforetaking the state motorcycle knowledge(permit) and skills tests.

Special Evening Hours orState Riding Test

The Minnesota Department o

Public Saety Oce o Driver andVehicle Services has a convenientevening testing program just ormotorcycle riders. Several exam stationsare open rom 5 to 7 p.m. one nightper week throughout the summer ormotorcycle endorsement skills testing.Visit www.motorcyclesaety.org or800-407-6677 or more inormation.
http://www.motorcyclesafety.org/http://www.motorcyclesafety.org/

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2

Preface

Welcome to the Sixteenth Edition othe MSF Motorcycle Operator Manual(MOM). Operating a motorcycle saely

in trac requires special skills andknowledge. The Motorcycle SaetyFoundation (MSF) has made this manualavailable to help novice motorcyclistsreduce their risk o having a crash. Themanual conveys essential sae ridinginormation and has been designedor use in licensing programs. Whiledesigned or the novice, all motorcyclists

can benet rom the inormation thismanual contains.

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

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

The purpose o this manual is toeducate riders and to help them avoidcrashes while saely operating eithera standard two-wheel motorcycle or athree-wheel motorcycle.

This latest edition has undergonesignicant improvements, and containsnew, more in-depth inormation,

designed to: Guideridersinpreparingtoride

saely

Developeffectivestreetstrategies

Giveridersmorecomprehensiveunderstanding o sae group ridingpractices

Describeindetailbestpracticesfor

carrying passengers and cargo

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

Improved licensing, along with highquality motorcycle rider education andincreased public awareness, has thepotential to reduce crashes. Sta at theFoundation are available to assist state,private and governmental agencies ineorts to improve motorcycle saety.

Tim BuchePresident,Motorcycle Safety Foundation

2 Jenner, Suite 150Irvine,CA92619-3806

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contents 3

contents

THE RIDER ANDTHE MOTORCYCLE ...........................4

PREPARING TO RIDEWear the Right Gear ............................5

Know Your Motorcycle ........................7

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

RIDE WITHIN YOUR ABILITIES

Basic Vehicle Control ..........................11

Keeping Your Distance .......................15

SEE .......................................................20

Intersections .......................................21

Increasing Conspicuity .......................24

Crash Avoidance .................................27

Handling Dangerous Suraces ...........30

Mechanical Problems .........................33

Animals ...............................................34

Flying Objects .....................................34

Getting O the Road .........................34

Carrying Passengersand Cargo .......................................35

Group Riding .......................................38

BEING IN SHAPE TO RIDE

Why This Inormation IsImportant .......................................42

Alcohol and Other Drugs inMotorcycle Operation ....................42

Alcohol in the Body ............................42

Alcohol and the Law ..........................44

Minimize the Risks .............................44

Step in to Protect Friends ..................45

Fatigue ................................................45

EARNING YOUR LICENSE ..............46

THREE-WHEEL SUPPLEMENT

Supplementary Inormationor Three-Wheel Motorcycles .........48

Know Your Vehicle ..............................48

Basic Vehicle Control ...........................50

Carrying Passengers and Cargo ..........53

HAND SIGNALS .......................... 54

T-CLOCS PRE-RIDE CHECKLIST ....64

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4 PreParIng to rIde

4 the rIder and the motorcycle

Motorcycling is aunique experience.Comparedtoacar,

you dont sit in amotorcycle, youbecome part o it.Not as a passivedriver, but as anactive rider arcinginto a string osmooth corners,playing along with

the rhythm o theroad; shiting,accelerating,and brakingwith precision.Whether youride to and romwork or preerthe camaraderie o a group ride on the

weekend, motorcycling engages all yoursenses and creates an invigorating senseo reedom.

Along with that reedom comesresponsibility. All states requiresome orm o license endorsementdemonstrating you possess a minimumlevel o skill and knowledge. Thisbooklet and other motorcycle

publications can help prepare you tobe successul. You might also considertaking a ormal hands-on trainingcourse, even i your state doesnt requirethat you complete one. Youll learn howto improve your riding skills and mentalstrategies, so you can be a saer, morealert rider.

The diagram above illustrates thecomplex environment that awaits you,

and supports the concept that, as theMotorcycle Saety Foundation says,

Saferidingisasmuchaskilloftheeyes and mind as it is o the hands andfeet.

Successully piloting a motorcycle is amuch more involved task than driving acar. Motorcycling requires a ne senseo balance and a heightened sense oawareness and position amidst otherroadway users. A motorcycle responds

more quickly to rider inputs than a car,but is also more sensitive to outsideorces, like irregular road suraces orcrosswinds. A motorcycle is also lessvisible than a car due to its narrowerprole, and oers ar less protection byexposing its rider to other trac andthe elements. All these risks can bemanaged through study, training, and

practice.

rIdIng enVIronment

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PreParIng to rIde 5

What you do beore you start a trip goes a long way toward determiningwhether or not youll get where you want to go saely. Beore taking o on anytrip, a sae rider makes a point to:

1. Wear the right gear.

2. Become amiliar with the motorcycle.

3. Check the motorcycle equipment.

4. Be a responsible rider.

WEAr thE right gEAr

Whenyouride,yourgearisright

i it protects you. In any crash, you havea ar better chance o avoiding seriousinjury i you wear:

ADOTcomplianthelmet.

Faceoreyeprotection.

Protectiveclothing.

Helmet Use

Crashescanoccurparticularlyamong untrained, beginning riders.And one out o every ve motorcyclecrashes results in head or neck injuries.Head injuries are just as severe as neckinjuriesandfarmorecommon.Crashanalyses show that head and neckinjuries account or a majority o seriousand atal injuries to motorcyclists.

Research also shows that, with ewexceptions, head and neck injuries arereduced by properly wearing a qualityhelmet.

Some riders dont wear helmetsbecause they think helmets will limittheir view to the sides. Others wearhelmets only on long trips or whenriding at high speeds. But, here aresome acts to consider:

ADOT-complianthelmet letsyou see as ar to the sides asnecessary. A study o more than900 motorcycle crashes, where40% o the riders wore helmets,did not nd even one case in which

a helmet kept a rider rom spottingdanger.

Mostcrasheshappen on shorttrips (less than ve miles long), justa ew minutes ater starting out.

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

No matter what the speed, helmeted

riders are three times more likely tosurvive head injuries than those notwearing helmets at the time o thecrash. The single most important thingyou can do to improve your chances osurviving a crash is to wear a securely-astened, quality helmet.

Helmet Selection

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

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

IsdesignedtomeetU.S.Department o Transportation(DOT) and state standards. Helmetswith a label rom the Snell MemorialFoundation also give you anassurance o quality.

Fitssnugly, all the way around.

Hasnoobviousdefectssuch ascracks, loose padding or rayedstraps.

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6 PreParIng to rIde

Whatever helmet youdecide on, keep it securelyastened on your head

when you ride. Otherwise,i you are involved in acrash, its likely to fy oyour head beore it gets achance to protect you.

Eye and FaceProtection

A plastic shatter-resistant

aceshield can help protectyour whole ace in acrash. It also protects yourom wind, dust, dirt, rain, insects andpebbles thrown up rom cars ahead.These problems are distracting andcan be painul. I you have to dealwith them, you cant devote your ullattention to the road.

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

your head while riding.

To be eective, eye or aceshieldprotection ust:

Befree o scratches.

Beresistant to penetration.

Giveaclearview to either side.

Fastensecurely, so it does not

blow o.Permitair to pass through, to

reduce ogging.

Permitenoughroom oreyeglasses or sunglasses, i needed.

Tinted eye protection should not beworn when little light is available.

Clothing

The right clothing protects you ina collision. It also provides comort,as well as protection rom heat, cold,debris and hot and moving parts o themotorcycle. It can also make you more

visible to others.Jacket and pants should cover

arms and legs completely. Theyshould t snugly enough to keeprom fapping in the wind, yetloosely enough to move reely.Leather oers the most protection.Sturdy synthetic material providesa lot o protection as well. Wear

a jacket even in warm weather toprevent dehydration. Many aredesigned to protect without gettingyou overheated, even on summerdays. Some riders choose jacketsandpantswithrigidbodyarmorinserts in critical areas or additionalprotection.

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

helmets

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

similar durable material.Hearingprotectionreduces

noise while allowing you to hearimportant sounds such as car hornsor sirens. Long term exposure toengine and wind noise can causepermanent hearing damage eveni you wear a ull ace helmet.Whether you choose disposable

oam plugs or reusable custommolded devices, be sure you adhereto state laws regarding hearingprotection.

In cold or wet weather, your clothesshould keep you warm and dry, aswell as protect you rom injury. Youcannot control a motorcycle well iyou are numb. Riding or long periodsin cold weather can cause severe chilland atigue. A winter jacket shouldresist wind and t snugly at the neck,wrists and waist. Good-quality rainsuitsdesigned or motorcycle riding resisttearing apart or ballooning up at highspeeds.

KNOW YOUrMOtOrCYCLE

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

Start with the right motorcycleor you.

Read the owners manual.

Befamiliar with the motorcyclecontrols.

Check the motorcycle beoreevery ride.

Keep it in sae riding conditionbetween rides.

Avoid add-ons and modicationsthat make your motorcycle harder

to handle.

The Right Motorcycle For You

First, make sure your motorcycle isrightforyou.Itshouldtyou.Youreet should reach the ground whileyou are seated on the motorcycle, andthe controls should be easy to operate.Smaller motorcycles are usually easier

or beginners to operate.

At a iniu, your street-legalotorcycle should have:

Headlight,taillightandbrakelight.

clothIng

A plastic shatter-resistant ace

shield:A. Is not necessary i you have a

windshield.

B. Only protects your eyes.

C. Helpsprotectyourwholeface.

D. Does not protect your ace as wellas goggles.

test yourself 1

Answer - page 47

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8 PreParIng to rIde

Frontandrearbrakes.

Turnsignals.

Horn.

Twomirrors.

Borrowing and Lending

Borrowers and lenders o motorcycles,beware.Crashesarefairlycommonamong beginning riders especiallyin the rst months o riding. Ridingan unamiliar motorcycle adds to the

problem. I you borrow a motorcycle,get amiliar with it in a controlled area.And i you lend your motorcycle toriends, make sure they are licensed andknow how to ride beore allowing themout into trac.

No matter how experienced youmay be, ride extra careully on anymotorcycle thats new or unamiliar

to you. More than hal o all crashes

involve riders with less than ve monthso experience on their motorcycle.

Get Familiar with the

Motorcycle Controls

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

I you are going to use an unamiliar

motorcycle:

Make all the checks you would onyour own motorcycle.

Findoutwhereeverythingis,particularly the turn signals, horn,headlight switch, uel-supply valveand engine cut-o switch. Find andoperate these items without having

to look or them.

motorcycle controls

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Knowthecontrols.Work thethrottle, clutch, brakes, and shiter aew times beore you start riding.

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

Check Your Motorcycle

A motorcycle needs more requentattention than a car. A minor technicalailure on a car is seldom more than an

inconvenience or the driver. The sameailure on a motorcycle may result in acrash or having to leave your motorcycleparked on the side o the road. Ianythings wrong with your motorcycle,youll want to nd out about it beoreyou get in trac.

The primary source o inormationabout how a motorcycle should beinspected and maintained is its ownersmanual. Be sure to absorb all o itsimportant inormation. A motorcycle willcontinue to ride like new i it is properlymaintained and routine inspectionsbecome part o its maintenance cycle.

A pre-ride inspection only takesa ew minutes and should be done

beore every ride to prevent problems.Its quick and easy to check the criticalcomponents and should be as routineand automatic as checking the weatherorecast beore heading out or the day.A convenient reminder developed byMSFisT-CLOCSSM.ThereisaT-CLOCStear-outsheetatthebackofthismanual or you to keep with you when

youride.AT-CLOCSinspectionshouldbe conducted beore every ride, andincludes checks o:

T Tires and Wheels

Checktireinationpressure,treadwear and general condition osidewalls and tread surace.

Trythefrontandrearbrakeleversone at a time. Make sure each eelsrm and holds the motorcycle when

ully applied.C Controls

Makesuretheclutchandthrottleoperate smoothly. The throttleshould snap back to ully closedwhen released. The clutch shouldeel tight and should operatesmoothly.

Trythehorn.Makesureitworks.Cleanandadjustyourmirrors

beore starting. Its dicult to ridewith one hand while you try toadjust a mirror. Adjust each mirrorso you can see the lane behind andas much as possible o the lane nextto you. When properly adjusted, amirror may show the edge o your

arm or shoulder but its the roadbehind you and to the side that aremost important.

L Lights and Electrics

Checkbothheadlightandtaillight.Test your switch to make sure bothhigh and low beams work.

Turnonbothrightandlefthand

turn signals. Make sure all lights areworking properly.

Trybothbrakesandmakesureeachone turns on the brake light.

O Oil and Other Fluids

Checkengineoilandtransmissionfuid levels.

Checkthebrakehydraulicuidand

coolant level weekly.

Besureyourfuelvalveisopenbeore starting out. With the uelvalve closed, your motorcycle maystart with only the uel that is still inthe lines, but will stall once the linesare empty.

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10 PreParIng to rIde

Lookunderneaththemotorcycleforsigns o an oil or uel leak.

C Chassis

Checkthefrontsuspension.Ensurethere is no binding. The rear shocksand springs should move smoothly.

Besurethechainisadjustedaccording to the manuacturersspecications and that the sprocketsare not worn or damaged.

S Stands

Ensurethesidestandoperatessmoothly and that the spring holdsit tightly in the up position. Iequipped, the center stand shouldalso be held rmly against the ramewhenever the motorcycle is moving.

Additionally, regular maintenancesuch as tune-ups and oil changes are as

important or a motorcycle as routinecheckups by your doctor are or you.Wear and tear is normal with use;routine maintenance will help preventcostly breakdowns. The schedule orregular upkeep or motorcycle partsand controls is contained in yourmotorcycles owners manual.

KNOW YOUrrESPONSiBiLitiES

Accidentimpliesanunforeseenevent that occurs without ault ornegligence. In trac, that is not thecase. In act, most people involved in acrash can claim some responsibility orwhat takes place.

Considerasituationwheresomeonedecides to drive through an intersectionon a yellow light turning red. Yourlight turns green. You pull into theintersection without checking orpossible trac. That is all it takes or thetwo o you to crash. It was the driversresponsibility to stop, and it was your

responsibility to look beore pulling out.Both o you are at ault. Someone elsemight be the rst to start the chain o

events leading to a crash, but it doesntleave any o us ree o responsibility.

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

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

Communicateyourintentionsuse the proper signals, brake lightand lane position.

Maintainanadequatespacecushion when ollowing, beingollowed, lane sharing, passing andbeing passed.

Searchyourpath o travel 12seconds ahead.

Identifyandseparate hazards.

Bepreparedtoact remain alertand know how to carry out propercrash-avoidance skills.

Blame doesnt matter when someoneis injured in a crash. The ability to ride

aware, make critical decisions and carrythem out separates responsible ridersrom the rest. Remember, it is up to youto keep rom being the cause o, or anunprepared participant in, any crash.

More than hal o all crashes:

A. Occur at speeds greater than35mph.

B. Happen at night.

C. Arecausedbyworntires.

D. Involve riders who have less thanve months o experience on theirmotorcycles.

test yourself 2

Answer - page 47

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rIde wIthIn your abIlItIes 11

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

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

BASiC VEhiCLE CONtrOL

Body Position

To control a otorcycle well:

Posture Position yoursel

comortably so you are able tooperate all the controls and can useyour arms to steer the motorcycle,rather than to hold yoursel up.This helps you bond with yourmotorcycle and allows you to reactquickly to hazards.

Seat Sit ar enough orward sothat arms are slightly bent when

you hold the handgrips. Bendingyour arms permits you to press onthe handlebars without having tostretch.

Hands Hold the handgripsrmly to keep your grip over roughsuraces. Start with your rightwrist fat. This will help you keeprom accidentally using too much

holdIng handgrIPs

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

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

Feet Keep your eet rmly on theootrests to maintain balance. Dontdrag your eet. I your oot catcheson something, you could be injuredand it could aect your control othe motorcycle. Keep your eet near

the controls so you can get to themast i needed. Also, dont let yourtoes point downward they mayget caught between the road andthe ootrests.

Shiting Gears

There is more to shiting gears thansimply getting the motorcycle to pick

up speed smoothly. Learning to use thegears when downshiting, turning orstarting on hills is equally important orsae motorcycle operation.

The gearshit lever is located in ronto the let ootrest and is operated bytheleftfoot.Toshiftuptoahighergear, position your oot under theshit lever and lit. To downshit, press

the shit lever down. The shit leverchanges one gear each time it is litedor pressed down. Whenever the leveris released, spring loading returns it tocenter, where the mechanism resetsor the next shit up or down. A typicalgear pattern is 1-N-2-3-4-5. The N is

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12 rIde wIthIn your abIlItIes


or neutral, which is selected by eitherahalfliftfrom1stgearorahalfpressfrom2ndgear.Mostmotorcycles

have ve gears, but some have our orsix gears.

As your motorcycle increasesspeed, you will need to shit up to a

higher gear. Shit up well beore theengine RPM reaches its maximumrecommended speed. As a general rule,shit up soon enough to avoid over-revving the engine, but not so soon tocause the engine to lug.

When upshiting, use a 3-stepprocess: 1) Roll o the throttle as yousqueeze the clutch lever, 2) lit theshit lever rmly as ar as it will go, 3)smoothly ease out the clutch and adjustthe throttle. Once the shit is completed,release the shit lever to permit it toreset or the next shit.

You should shit down through thegears with the clutch as you slow orstop, and can also shit down when you

need more power to accelerate.Make certain you are riding slowly

enough when you shit into a lowergear. I not, the motorcycle will lurch,and the rear wheel may skid. Whenriding downhill or shiting into rst gearyou may need to use the brakes to slow

enough beore downshiting saely.

When downshiting, use a 3-stepprocess: 1) Roll o the throttle as you

squeeze the clutch lever, 2) press theshit lever down rmly, 3) ease out theclutch lever as you roll on the throttle.Once the shit is completed, releasethe shit lever to permit it to reset orthe next shit. Rolling on the throttleslightly while smoothly easing out theclutch can help the engine come upto speed more quickly and make the

downshit smoother. Shiting to a lowergear causes an eect similar to usingthe brakes. This is known as enginebraking. To use engine braking, shitdown one gear at a time and ease outthe clutch through the riction zonebetween each downshit. Keep theclutch in the riction zone until theengine speed stabilizes. Then ease out

the lever ully until ready or the nextdownshit. Usually you shit gears one ata time, but it is possible to shit throughmore than one gear while the clutch issqueezed.

Remain in rst gear while you arestopped so that you can move outquickly i you need to.

Work toward a smooth, even clutchrelease, especially when downshiting. Itis best to change gears beore enteringa turn. However, sometimes shitingwhile in the turn is necessary. I so,remember to do so smoothly. A suddenchange in power to the rear wheel cancause a skid.

Braking

Improper braking technique remainsa signicant contributing actor in manymotorcycle crashes. Your motorcyclehas two brake controls: one or theront wheel and one or the rear wheel.Always use both brakes every time you

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slow or stop. The ront brake is morepowerul and can provide at least 70%o your total stopping power. The ront

brake is sae to use i you use it properly.Maximum straight-line braking is

accomplished by ully applying bothront and rear brakes without lockingeither wheel.

To do this:

Squeezethefrontbrakesmoothly, rmly and with

progressively more orce. Do notgrab the brake lever or use abruptpressure.

Asthemotorcyclesweighttransers orward, more tractionbecomes available at the rontwheel, so the ront brake can beapplied harder ater braking begins.

Keepyourkneesagainstthe

tank and your eyes up, lookingwell ahead. This helps you stop themotorcycle in a straight line.

Applylight-to-lighterpressureto the rear brake pedal to prevent arear wheel skid. As weight transersorward less traction is availableat the rear. Use less rear brake

pressure.Usingbothbrakesforevennormal

stops will permit you to develop theproper habit or skill o using both brakesproperly in an emergency. Squeeze theront brake and press down on the rear.Grabbing at the ront brake or jammingdown on the rear can cause the brakesto lock, resulting in control problems.

Braking in a Corner

Any time a motorcycle is leaned over,the amount o traction available orbraking is reduced. The greater the leanangle, the more the possibility o thetires losing traction.

To stop as quickly and as saely aspossible in a curve, and depending onroad and trac conditions, try to get the

motorcycle as perpendicular to the roadas possible, then brake. I conditions donot allow, brake smoothly and gradually,but do not apply as much braking orceas you would i the motorcycle werestraight up. As you slow, you can reduceyour lean angle, and as more tractionbecomes available or braking, you canmore rmly apply the brakes, so that

by the time the motorcycle is stopped,the motorcycle is straight up, and thehandlebars are squared.

Linked and IntegratedBraking Systems

Some motorcycles have linked brakingwhich connects the ront and rearbrakes on the motorcycle and applies

braking pressure to both brakes wheneither the ront lever or rear pedal isapplied. An integrated braking systemis a variation o the linked system inwhich partial ront braking is appliedwhenever the rear brake is activated.Consultyourownersmanualforadetailed explanation on the operationand eective use o these systems.

Anti-Lock Braking Systems(ABS)

ABS is designed to prevent wheellock-up and avoid skids when stoppingin straight-line, panic situations. ABSoperates when maximum pressure onboth the ront and rear brake controlsis applied. I electronic sensors detect

the possibility o a wheel lock, brakehydraulic pressure, is released thenreapplied to maintain maximum brakingeectiveness.

The system is capable o releasing andreapplying pressure more than 15 timesper second.

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Turning

Approach turns and curves withcaution. Riders oten try to take curves

or turns too ast. When they cant holdthe turn, they end up crossing intoanother lane o trac or going o theroad. Or, they overreact and brake toohard, causing a skid and loss o control.

Use our steps or better control:

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

necessary, applying both brakes.LOOK Look through the turn

to where you want to go. Turnjust your head, not your shoulders,and keep your eyes level with thehorizon.

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

cycle, press on the handgrip inthe direction o the turn. Press lethandgrip lean let go let.Press right handgrip lean right go right. The higher the speed in aturn, the greater the lean angle.

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

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

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

slow, tIght turns

normal turns

When riding, you should:

A. Turn your head and shouldersto look through turns.

B. Keep your arms straight.

C.Keepyourkneesawayfromthe gas tank.

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

test yourself 3

Answer - page 47

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15

KEEPiNg YOUr DiStANCEThe best protection you can have is

distanceacushionofspace

separating yoursel rom other vehicleson the roadway. This will provide youwith a clear view o emerging tracsituations, so that i someone elsemakes a mistake, you will have:

Moretimetorespond.

Morespacetomaneuver,includingan escape route i necessary.

Lane PositionsSuccessul motorcyclists know that

they are saer when clearly seen. Insome ways the size o the motorcyclecan work to your advantage. Each traclane gives a motorcycle three paths otravel, as indicated in the illustration.

Your lane position should help you:

Increaseyourabilitytoseeandbeseen.

Avoidothersblindspots.

Avoidsurfacehazards.

Protectyourlanefromotherdrivers.

Communicateyourintentions.

Avoidwindblastfromothervehicles.

Provideanescaperoute.

Setupforturns.

Many motorcyclists consider the letthird o the lane the let tire track oautomobiles to be their deault laneposition. You should then considervarying your lane position as conditionswarrant, keeping mind that no portiono the lane need be avoided including the center.

You should position yoursel in theportion o the lane where you are mostlikely to be seen and you can maintainaspacecushionaroundyou.Changeposition as trac situations change.Ride in path 2 or 3 i vehicles and otherpotential problems are on your letonly. Remain in path 1 or 2 i hazardsare on your right only. I vehicles are

being operated on both sides o you,the center o the lane, path 2, is usuallyyour best option.

Remember, the center third o thelane is the place where debris and oildrippings rom cars collect and wherehazards such as manhole covers arelocated. Unless the road is wet, the

lane PosItIons

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When behind a car, ride where thedriver can see you in the rearview mirror.Riding in the center portion o the laneshould put your image in the middle o

the rearview mirror where a driver ismost likely to see you.

Riding at the ar side o a lane maypermit a driver to see you in a sideviewmirror. But remember that most driversdont look at their sideview mirrorsnearly as oten as they check therearview mirror. I the trac situationallows, the center portion o the lane is

usually the best place or you to be seenby the drivers ahead and to prevent lanesharing by others.

Being Followed

Speeding up to lose someone ollowingtoo closely only ends up with someonetailgating you at a higher speed.

A better way to handle tailgaters

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

does develop ahead.Passing and Being Passed

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

Passing

1. Ride in the let portion o thelane at a sae ollowing distance

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

2. When sae, move into the letlane and accelerate. Select a laneposition that doesnt crowd thecar and provides space to avoidhazards in your lane.

3. Ride through the blind spot asquickly as possible.

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

Remember, passes must becompleted within posted speed

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

PassIng

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Being Passed

When you are being passed rombehind, stay in the center portion o

your lane. Riding close to the passingvehicle could put you in a hazardoussituation.

Avoid being hit by:

Theothervehicle A slightmistake by you or the passing drivercould cause a sideswipe.

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

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

Blastsofwindfromlargervehicles They can aect yourcontrol. You have more room orerror i you are in the middle portionwhen hit by this blast than i youare on either side o the lane.

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

Lane Sharing

Carsandmotorcyclesneedafulllaneto operate saely. Lane sharing is usuallyprohibited.

Riding between rows o stopped ormoving cars in the same lane can leaveyou vulnerable to the unexpected. A

hand could come out o a window;a door could open; a car could turnsuddenly. Discourage lane sharing byothers. Keep a center-portion positionwhenever drivers might be temptedto squeeze by you. Drivers are mosttempted to do this:

Inheavy, bumper-to-bumpertrac.

Whenthey want to pass you.

Whenyou are preparing to turn atan intersection.

Whenyou are moving into an exitlane or leaving a highway.

Usually, a good way to handletailgaters is to:

A.Changelanesandletthempass.

B. Use your horn and makeobscene gestures.

C.Speeduptoputdistancebetween you and the tailgater.

D. Ignore them.

test yourself 4

Answer - page 47

beIng Passed

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19

mergIng blInd sPots

Merging Cars

Drivers on an entrance ramp maynot see you on the highway. Give them

plentyofroom.Changetoanotherlanei one is open. I there is no room or alane change, adjust speed to open upspace or the merging driver.

Cars Alongside

Do not ride next to cars or trucks inother lanes i you do not have to. You

might be in the blind spot o a car in thenext lane, which could switch into yourlanewithoutwarning.Carsinthenextlane also block your escape i you comeupon danger in your own lane. Speedup or drop back to nd a place clear otrac on both sides.

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21

To reduce your reaction time, youshould:

A. Ride slower than the speedlimit.

B. Covertheclutchandthebrakes.C.Shiftintoneutralwhenslowing.

D. Pull in the clutch when turning.

test yourself 5

Answer - page 47

Hazardous road conditions thatrequire you to be alert, especially inareas with limited visibility. Visually

busysurroundingscouldhideyouand your motorcycle rom others.

Evaluate

Evaluate means to think about howhazards can interact to create risks oryou. Anticipate potential problems andhave a plan to reduce risks, particularlywhen aced with:

Roadandsurfacecharacteristicssuch as potholes, guardrails,bridges, telephone poles and treesthat wont move into your path, butmay infuence your riding strategy.

Trafccontroldevicesincludingtrac signals, warning signs, andpavement markings, which willrequire you to careully evaluatecircumstances ahead.

Vehiclesandothertrafc thatmay move into your path andincrease the likelihood o a crash.Think about your time and spacerequirements in order to maintain amargin o saety, and give yourseltime to react i an emergency arises.

Execute

Finally, Execute your decision. Tocreate more space and minimize harmrom any hazard:

Communicate your presence withlights and/or horn.

Adjustyourspeed by accelerating,

stopping or slowing.Adjustyourposition and/or

direction by swerving, changinglanes, or moving to another positionwithin your lane.

Applytheoldadageonestepatatimetohandletwoormorehazards.Adjust speed to permit two hazards

to separate. Then deal with them oneat a time as single hazards. Decision-making becomes more complex withthree or more hazards. Evaluate theconsequences o each and give equaldistance to the hazards.

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

and both brakes to reduce the time youneed to react.

iNtErSECtiONS

The greatest potential or confictbetween you and other trac is atintersections. An intersection can bein the middle o an urban area or ata driveway on a residential street

anywhere trac may cross your path otravel. Over one-hal o motorcycle/carcrashes are caused by drivers entering aridersright-of-way.Carsthatturnleftinront o you, including cars turning letrom the lane on your right, and cars onside streets that pull into your lane, arethe biggest dangers. Your use o SEEat intersections is critical.

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23

stoP sIgns

Parked cars

the intersection, move away rom thevehicle. Do not change speed or positionradically, as drivers might think you

are preparing to turn. Be prepared tobrake hard and hold your position i anoncoming vehicle turns in ront o you,especially i there is other trac aroundyou. This strategy should also be usedwhenever a vehicle in the oncominglane o trac is signaling or a let turn,whether at an intersection or not.

Blind Intersections

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

possible.Remember, the key is to see as much

as possible and remain visible to otherswhile protecting your space.

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

Passing Parked Cars

When passing parked cars, staytoward the let o your lane. Youcan avoid problems caused by doorsopening, drivers getting out o carsor people stepping rom betweencars. I oncoming trac is present, itis usually best to remain in the center-lane position to maximize your spacecushion.

blInd IntersectIons

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A bigger problem can occur i thedriver pulls away rom the curb withoutchecking or trac behind. Even i he

does look, he may ail to see you.In either event, the driver might cut

into your path. Slow down or changelanes to make room or someonecutting in.

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

Parking at the Roadside

I parking in a parallel parking spacenext to a curb, position the motorcycleat an angle with the rear wheel to thecurb. (Note: Some cities have ordinancesthat require motorcycles to park parallelto the curb.)

Increasing Conspicuity

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

Even i a driver does see you coming,

you arent necessarily sae. Smallervehicles appear arther away andseem to be traveling slower than theyactually are. It is common or driversto pull out in ront o motorcyclists,thinking they have plenty o time. Toooten, they are wrong.

However, you can do many things tomake it easier or others to recognizeyou and your motorcycle.

Clothing

Most crashes occur in broad daylight.

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

Bright orange, red, yellow or greenjackets/vests are your best bets or beingseen. Your helmet can do more thanprotect you in a crash. Brightly coloredhelmets can also help others see you.

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

Refective material on a vest and onthe sides o the helmet will help driverscoming rom the side to spot you.Refective material can also be a bighelp or drivers coming toward you or

rom behind.

Headlight

The best way to help others see yourmotorcycle is to keep the headlight on at all times (new motorcycles soldin the USA since 1978 automatically

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25

have the headlights on when running).Studies show that, during the day, amotorcycle with its light on is twice aslikely to be noticed. Use low beam at

night and in og.

Signals

The signals on a motorcycle are similarto those on a car. They tell others whatyou plan to do.

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

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

When you enter a reeway, driversapproaching rom behind are more likelyto see your signal blinking and makeroom or you.

Turning your signal light on beoreeach turn reduces conusion andrustration or the trac around you.

Once you turn, make sure your signal iso or a driver may pull directly into yourpath, thinking you plan to turn again.

Use your signals at every turn so driverscan react accordingly. Dont make themguess what you intend to do.

Brake Light

Your motorcycles brake light is usuallynot as noticeable as the brake lights ona car particularly when your taillightis on. (It goes on with the headlight.)

I the situation will permit, help othersnotice you by fashing your brake lightbeore you slow down. It is especiallyimportant to fash your brake lightbeore:

Youslowmorequickly thanothers might expect (turning o ahigh-speed highway).

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

I you are being ollowed closely, itsa good idea to fash your brake lightbeore you slow. The tailgater may bewatching you and not see somethingahead that will make you slow down.This will hopeully discourage them rom

tailgating and warn them o hazardsahead they may not see.

Using Your Mirrors

While its most important to keeptrack o whats happening ahead, youcant aord to ignore situations behind.Trac conditions change quickly.Knowing whats going on behind is

essential or you to make a sae decisionabout how to handle trouble ahead.

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

Whenyouarestopped at anintersection. Watch cars coming up

sIgnalIng

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rom behind. I the drivers arentpaying attention, they could be ontop o you beore they see you.

Beforeyouchangelanes. Makesure no one is about to pass you.

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

Most motorcycles have rounded(convex) mirrors. These provide awider view o the road behind thando fat mirrors. They also make carsseem arther away than they really are.I you are not used to convex mirrors,get amiliar with them. (While youare stopped, pick out a parked car in

your irror. For a ental iage ohow ar away it is. Then, turn aroundand look at it to see how close youcae.) Practice with your mirrors untilyou become a good judge o distance.Even then, allow extra distance beoreyou change lanes.

Head Checks

Checkingyourmirrorsisnotenough.Motorcycleshaveblindspotslikecars.Beore you change lanes, turn your head,and look to the side or other vehicles.

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

Frequent head checks should be

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

Horn

Be ready to use your horn to getsomeones attention quickly.

It is a good idea to give a quick beep

beore passing anyone that may moveinto your lane.

Here are soe situations:

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

Aparkedcar has someone in thedrivers seat.

Someoneisinthestreet, riding abicycle or walking.

In an emergency, sound your hornloud and long. Be ready to stop orswerve away rom the danger.

Refective clothing should:

A. Be worn at night.

B. Be worn during the day.

C. Notbeworn.

D. Be worn day and night

test yourself 7

Answer - page 47

usIng mIrrors

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27

Keep in mind that a motorcycles hornisnt as loud as a cars thereore, use it,but dont rely on it. Other strategies, like

having time and space to maneuver, maybe appropriate along with the horn.

Riding at Night

At night it is harder or you to seeand be seen. Picking your headlightor taillight out o the car lights aroundyou is not easy or other drivers. Tocompensate, you should:

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

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

UsetheCarAhead Theheadlights o the car ahead can giveyou a better view o the road than

even your high beam can. Taillightsbouncing up and down can alertyou to bumps or rough pavement.

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

BeFlexibleAboutLanePosition.Changetowhateverportionofthelane is best able to help you see, beseen and keep an adequate spacecushion.

CrASh AVOiDANCE

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

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

Know when and how to stop orswerve, two skills critical in avoidinga crash. It is not always desirable or

possible to stop quickly to avoid anobstacle. Riders must also be able toswerve around an obstacle. Deter-mining which skill is necessary or thesituation is important as well.

Studies show that ost crash-involved riders:

Underbrake the ront tire andoverbrake the rear.

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

The ollowing inormation oerssome good advice.

Quick Stops

To stop quickly, apply both brakes

at the same time. Dont be shy aboutusingthefrontbrake,butdontgrabit, either. Squeeze the brake leverrmly and progressively. I the rontwheel locks, release the ront brakeimmediately then reapply it rmly. Atthe same time, press down on therear brake. I you accidentally lock therear brake on a good traction surace,

you can keep it locked until you havecompletely stopped; but, even with alocked rear wheel, you can control themotorcycle on a straightaway i it isupright and going in a straight line.

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Stopping Quicklyin a Curve

I you know the

technique, using bothbrakes in a turn is possible,although it should be donevery careully. When leaningthe motorcycle some othe traction is used orcornering. Less traction isavailable or stopping. Askid can occur i you applytoo much brake. Also, usingthe ront brake incorrectly on a slipperysurace may be hazardous. Use cautionand squeeze the brake lever, never grab.

I you must stop quickly while turningin a curve, rst straighten and squarethe handlebars, then stop. I you ndyoursel in a situation that does not

allow straightening rst, such as whenthere is a danger o running o theroad in a let-hand curve, or whenacing oncoming trac in a right-hand curve, apply the brakes smoothlyand gradually. As you slow, you canreduce your lean angle and apply morebrake pressure until the motorcycle isstraight and maximum brake pressure

can be applied. Always straightenthe handlebars in the last ew eet ostopping to maintain your balance andremain upright.

MaximumStraight-LineBraking

Maximum straight-line braking is

accomplished by ully applying rontand rear brakes without locking eitherwheel. Keep your body centered overthe motorcycle and look well ahead,not down. This will help you keepthe motorcycle in as straight a line aspossible, minimizing lean angle and thelikelihood o the wheels losing traction.

swerVe, then brake brake, then swerVe

stoPPIng dIstance

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29

Front-Wheel Skids

I the ront wheel locks, release theront brake immediately and completely.

Reapply the brake smoothly. Front-wheel skids result in immediate loss osteering control and balance. Failure toully release the brake lever immediatelywill result in a crash.

Rear-Wheel Skids

A skidding rear tire is a dangerous

condition that can result in a violentcrash and serious injury or death. Toomuch rear brake pressure causes rear-wheel lockup. As soon as the rear wheel

locks, your ability to change direction islost. To regain control the brake mustbe released. However, i the rear wheel

is out o alignment with the ront, thereis a risk o a high-side crash. This occurswhen the wheels are out o alignmentand a locked rear wheel is released. Themotorcycle can abruptly snap uprightand tumble, throwing the rider into theair ahead o the motorcycles path. Evenslight misalignment can result in a high-side crash.

CorneringA primary cause o single-vehicle

crashes is motorcyclists running wide in

constant curVes

decreasIng curVes(tIghter turns)

multIPle curVes

wIdenIng curVes

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a curve or turn and colliding with theroadway or a xed object.

Every curve is dierent. Be alert to

whether a curve remains constant,gradually widens, gets tighter orinvolves multiple turns. Ride within yourskill level and posted speed limits.

Your best path may not always ollowthecurveoftheroad.Changelaneposition depending on trac, roadconditions and curve o the road. I notrac is present, start at the outsideo a curve to increase your line o sightand the eective radius o the turn. Asyou turn, move toward the inside o thecurve, and as you pass the center, moveto the outside to exit.

Another alternative is to move to thecenter o your lane beore entering acurve and stay there until you exit.

This permits you to spot approachingtrac as soon as possible. You can alsoadjustfortrafccrowdingthecenterline, or debris blocking part o your lane.

hANDLiNg DANgErOUSSUrFACES

Your chance o alling or beinginvolved in a crash increases whenever

you ride across:

Uneven suraces or obstacles.

Slipperysurfaces.

Railroadtracks.

Groovesandgratings.

Uneven Suracesand Obstacles

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

Try to avoid obstacles by slowing orgoing around them. I you must goover the obstacle, rst determine i it is

possible. Approach it at as close to a 90angle as possible. Look where you wantto go to control your path o travel. I you

have to ride over the obstacle, you should:Slowdown as much as possible

beore contact.

Makesure the motorcycle isstraight.

Riseslightly o the seat with yourweight on the ootrests to absorbthe shock with your knees andelbows, and avoid being thrown o

the motorcycle.Justbeforecontact, roll on the

throttle slightly to lighten the rontend.

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

Slippery SuracesMotorcycles handle better when

ridden on suraces that permit goodtraction. Suraces that provide poortraction include:

Wetpavement, particularly just aterit starts to rain and beore surace oilwashes to the side o the road.

Gravelroads, or where sand andgravel collect.

Mud,leaves,snow,andice.

Lanemarkings(paintedlines),steel plates and manhole covers,especially when wet.

To ride saely on slippery suraces:

ReduceSpeed Slow down

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

AvoidSuddenMoves Anysudden change in speed or direction

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31

The best way to stop quickly is to:

A. Use the ront brake only.

B. Use the rear brake rst.

C. Throttledownandusethefrontbrake.

D. Use both brakes at the same time.

test yourself 8

Answer - page 47

obstacles

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

UseBothBrakes The rontbrake is still eective, even on aslippery surace. Squeeze the brakelever gradually to avoid locking theront wheel. Remember, gentlepressure on the rear brake.

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

Watchforoilspotswhen you putyour oot down to stop or park. Youmay slip and all.

Dirtandgravel collect along thesides o the road especially oncurves and ramps leading to and romhighways. Be aware o whats on theedge o the road, particularly whenmaking sharp turns and getting on oro reeways at high speeds.

Raindriesandsnowmeltsfasteron some sections o a road than onothers. Patches o ice tend to developin low or shaded areas and on bridges

and overpasses. Wet suraces or wetleaves are just as slippery. Ride on theleast slippery portion o the lane andreduce speed.

Cautiousriderssteerclearofroadscovered with ice or snow. I you cantavoid a slippery surace, keep yourmotorcycle straight up and proceedasslowlyas possible. I you encountera large surace so slippery that youmust coast, or travel at a walking pace,consider letting your eet skim along

the surace. I the motorcycle starts toall, you can catch yoursel. Be sure tokeep o the brakes. I possible, squeezethe clutch and coast. Attempting thismaneuver at anything other than theslowest o speeds could prove hazardous.

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Railroad Tracks, Trolley Tracksand Pavement Seams

Usually it is saer to ride straight within

your lane to cross tracks. Turning to taketracks head-on (at a 90 angle) can bemore dangerous your path may carryyou into another lane o trac.

crosstracksrIght

crosstrackswrong

Parallel tracksrIght

grate crossIngsrIght

Parallel trackswrong

grate crossIngswrong

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

Grooves and GratingsRiding over rain grooves or bridge

gratings may cause a motorcycle toweave. The uneasy, wandering eeling isgenerally not hazardous. Relax, maintaina steady speed and ride straight across.

Crossingatanangleforcesriderstozigzag to stay in the lane. The zigzag isar more hazardous than the wanderingeeling.

When it starts to rain it is usuallybest to:

A. Ride in the center o the lane.

B. Pull o to the side until the rainstops.

C. Rideinthetiretracksleftbycars.

D.

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