Texas DPS Motorcycle Operators Manual

8/11/2019 Texas DPS Motorcycle Operators Manual

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For information about driver licenses, call your localDriver License Office or Driver License Customer Service

at 512/424-2600 or visit the Driver License web page

www.txdps.state.tx.us/administration/driver_license_control.

For information about motorcycle operator training

courses, call the Motorcycle Safety Unit at 512/424-2021 or

toll free 1-800-292-5787, email the Motorcycle Safety Unit at

[email protected] , or visit the Motorcycle

Safety Units web page, www.txdps.state.tx.us/msb.


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NOTICE: The Texas Department of Public Safety does

not discriminate because of race, color, religion, sex,

national origin, age, or disability. Persons needing accom-

modation under the provisions of the Americans With

Disabilities Act (ADA) should contact their local Driver

License Office. ADA Grievance Procedures are publishedin the Texas Administrative Code, Title 37, Section 1.41.

MOTORCYCLES MAKE SENSE

SO DOES PROFESSIONAL TRAINING

The Department of Public Safetys Motorcycle Operator

Training Program was developed for all persons wishing

to improve their riding skills.

Research shows that motorcycle operator training is equal

to two years of riding experience. Experts provide profes-

sional training that prepares one for real world traffic.

This inexpensive and valuable training program teaches

and improves activities such as:

Effective Turning

Braking Maneuvers

Protective Gear Selection

Street Strategies

Obstacle Avoidance

For the Basic or Advanced Motorcycle Operator Training

Course nearest you, contact the Motorcycle Safety Unit at:

TEXAS MOTORCYCLE SAFETY UNIT

TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY

5805 N. Lamar Blvd., Box 4087Austin, Texas 78773-0257

512/424-2021 or 1-800-292-5787

Web Address: www.txdps.state.tx.us/msb

E-mail: [email protected]


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This Motorcycle Operators Manual has been prepared in coopera-

tion with the Motorcycle Safety Foundation. Within these pages are

numerous instructions, suggestions, and tips that, if followed, will

prepare anyone for a lifetime of enjoyable motorcycling.

In recent years motorcycle safety has received a great deal of atten-

tion. This is the result of many serious injuries and deaths of

motorcyclists in motor vehicle traffic accidents. This handbook was

prepared to assist the beginning motorcyclist in passing the

required written examination. In addition, this manual serves to

refresh and therefore, improve the experienced rider.

Although comprehensive, this handbook does not include all laws

regulating traffic on the streets and highways. The Department of

Public Safety strongly recommends reference to the motor vehicle

statutes and local ordinances in order to gain an exact knowledgeof motor vehicle laws.

A copy of the Texas Motorcycle Laws pamphlet is available from

the Motorcycle Safety Unit. Refer to their contact information on

the inside of the back cover.

PREFACE


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PREPARING

TO RIDEWEAR THE RIGHT GEAR . . . . . . . .4

Helmet Use . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4

Helmet Selection . . . . . . . . . . . .4

Eye and Face Protection . . . . . .5

Clothing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5

KNOWYOUR MOTORCYCLE . . . . . .6

The Right Motorcycle For You .6

Borrowing and Lending . . . . . . .7

Know Your Motorcycle Controls 7

Check Your Motorcycle . . . . . . .8

RIDE WITHIN

YOUR ABILITIESBASICVEHICLE CONTROL . . . . . .10

Body Position . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10

Shifting Gears . . . . . . . . . . . . .10

Braking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11

Turning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11KEEPINGYOUR DISTANCE. . . . . .12

Lane Positions . . . . . . . . . . . . .12

Following Another Vehicle . . .13

Being Followed . . . . . . . . . . . . .14

Passing and Being Passed . . . .14

Lane Sharing . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16

Merging Cars . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16

Cars Alongside . . . . . . . . . . . . .16

SIPDE. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17

INTERSECTIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18

Blind Intersections . . . . . . . . . .19

Passing Parked Cars . . . . . . . .20

Parking at the Roadside . . . . .20INCREASING CONSPICUITY. . . . . .21

Clothing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21

Headlight . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21

Signals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21

Brake Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22

Using Your Mirrors . . . . . . . . .22

Head Checks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23

Horn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23

Riding at Night . . . . . . . . . . . . .23

CRASHAVOIDANCE . . . . . . . . . . .24

Quick Stops . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24

Swerving or Turning Quickly .25Cornering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26

HANDLINGDANGEROUSSURFACES .27

Uneven Surfaces and Obstacles . .27

Slippery Surfaces . . . . . . . . . . .28

Tracks and Pavement Seams .29

Grooves and Gratings . . . . . . .29

MECHANICAL PROBLEMS. . . . . . .30

Tire Failure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .30

Stuck Throttle . . . . . . . . . . . . .30Wobble . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .30

Chain Problems . . . . . . . . . . . .31

Engine Seizure . . . . . . . . . . . . .31

ANIMALS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .31

FLYING OBJECTS . . . . . . . . . . . . .32

GETTING OFF THE ROAD . . . . . .32

CARRYING PASSENGERS

AND CARGO . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .32

Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .32

Instructing Passengers . . . . . .33

Riding With Passengers . . . . . .33

Carrying Loads . . . . . . . . . . . . .33GROUP RIDING . . . . . . . . . . . . . .34

Keep the Group Small . . . . . . .34

Keep the Group Together . . . .34

Keep Your Distance . . . . . . . . .34

BEING IN SHAPE

TO RIDEWHY INFORMATION IS IMPORTANT . .36

ALCOHOL AND OTHER DRUGS IN

MOTORCYCLE OPERATION . . . . . .36

ALCOHOL IN THE BODY . . . . . . . .37

Blood Alcohol Concentration . .37

ALCOHOL AND THE LAW . . . . . . .38Consequences of a DWI Arrest.38Consequences of Conviction . . .38

MINIMIZE THE RISKS. . . . . . . . . .39

STEP IN TO PROTECT FRIENDS . .39

FATIGUE. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .40

RIDINGTEXAS HIGHWAYS . . . . . . . .41

EARNING

YOUR LICENSEKnowledge Test . . . . . . . . . . . .46

On-Cycle Skill Test . . . . . . . . .47Frequently Asked Questions . .47

CONTENTS A MESSAGE FROM THE DIRECTOR OF THE

TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY

Motorcycling is an enjoyable driving experience. However, motorcycliststoo often suffer severe injury or even death as a result of a crash.

Motorcycling only looks easy. In reality it is quite challenging, requiringspecial knowledge and skills beyond those needed to drive a car.

This handbook was prepared primarily for the beginning rider. I encourageyou to digest this information in preparation for your licensing examina-tion. I believe that you will be a safer motorcyclist if you follow the sugges-

tions outlined in this document. Experienced motorcyclists also benefitfrom a regular review of this document.

Establishing safe riding habits early in your motorcycling career will, no

doubt, yield years of enjoyment.

Stanley E. Clark, DirectorDepartment of Public Safety


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PREPARING TO RIDE

What you do before you start a trip goes a long way toward determiningwhether or not youll get where you want to go safely. Before taking off on

any trip, a safe rider makes a point to:

1. Wear the right gear.

2. Become familiar with the motorcycle.

3. Check the motorcycle equipment.

4. Be a responsible rider.

4 5

WEAR THE RIGHT GEAR

When you ride, your gear is right

if it protects you. In any crash, youhave a far better chance of avoid-

ing serious injury if you wear:

An approved helmet Face or eye protection

Protective clothing

HELMET USE

Crashes are not rare eventspar-ticularly among beginning riders.

And one out of every five motorcy-cle crashes result in head or neck

injuries. Head injuries are just assevere as neck injuriesand far

more common. Crash analysesshow that head and neck injuries

account for a majority of serious

and fatal injuries to motorcyclists.Research also shows that, with fewexceptions, head and neck injuries

are reduced by the proper wearingof an approved helmet.

Some riders dont wear helmets

because they think helmets willlimit their view to the sides.

Others wear helmets only on longtrips or when riding at high

speeds. Here are some facts to con-sider:

An approved helmet lets yousee as far to the sides as neces-

sary. A study of more than 900motorcycle crashes, where 40%

of the riders wore helmets, didnot find even one case in which

a helmet kept a rider from spot-ting danger.

Most crashes happen on short

trips (less than five miles long),just a few minutes after start-ing out.

Most riders are riding slowerthan 30 mph when a crash

occurs. At these speeds, helmetscan cut both the number and

the severity of head injuries byhalf.

No matter what the speed, helmet-

ed riders are three times morelikely to survive head injuries than

those not wearing helmets at thetime of the crash.

HELMET SELECTION

There are two primary types ofhelmets, providing two different

levels of coverage: three-quarterand full face.

Whichever style you choose, you

can get the most protection bymaking sure that the helmet:

Meets U.S. Department ofTransportation (DOT) and state

standards. Helmets with a labelfrom the Snell Memorial

Foundation gives you an addedassurance of quality.

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

cracks, loose padding or frayedstraps.

Whatever helmet you decide on,

keep it securely fastened on yourhead when you ride. Otherwise, if

you are involved in a crash, itslikely to fly off your head before it

gets a chance to protect you.

EYE AND FACE PROTECTION

A plastic shatter-resistant face

shield can help protect your wholeface in a crash. It also protects you

from wind, dust, dirt, rain, insects,and pebbles thrown up from cars

ahead. These problems are dis-tracting and can be painful. If you

have to deal with them, you cantdevote your full attention to the

road.

Goggles protect your eyes, though

they wont protect the rest of yourface like a face shield does. A

windshield is not a substitute for aface shield or goggles. Most wind-

shields will not protect your eyesfrom the wind. Neither will eye-

glasses or sunglasses. Glasseswont keep your eyes from water-

ing, and they might blow off whenyou turn your head while riding.

To be effective, eye or face shield

protection must:

Be free of scratches. Be resistant to penetration.

Give a clear view of either side. Fasten securely so it does not

blow off.

Permit air to pass through, toreduce fogging.

Permit enough room for eye-

glasses or sunglasses, if needed.

Tinted eye protection should not beworn at night or any other time

when little light is available.

CLOTHING

The right clothing protects you in

a collision. It also provides com-

HELMETS


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76

KNOW YOUR

MOTORCYCLE

There are plenty of things on thehighway that can cause you trou-

ble. Your motorcycle should not beone of them. To make sure that

your motorcycle wont let youdown:

Read the owners manual first.

Start with the right motorcyclefor you.

Be familiar with the motorcyclecontrols.

Check the motorcycle beforeevery ride.

Keep it in safe riding conditionbetween rides.

Avoid add-ons and modificationsthat make your motorcycle

harder to handle.

THE RIGHT MOTORCYCLE

FORYOU

First, make sure your motorcycleis right for you. It should fit you.

Your feet should reach the groundwhile you are seated on the motor-

cycle.

1 Test Yourself

A plastic shatter-resistant face

shield:

A. Is not necessary if you have a

windshield.

B. Only protects your eyes.

C. Helps protect your whole face.

D. Does not protect your face as

well as goggles.

Answer - page 46

fort, as well as protection fromheat, cold, debris, and hot and

moving parts of the motorcycle.

Jacket and pants should coverarms and legs completely. They

should fit snugly enough tokeep from flapping in the wind,

yet loosely enough to move

freely. Leather offers the mostprotection. Sturdy syntheticmaterial provides a lot of pro-

tection as well. Wear a jacketeven in warm weather to pre-

vent dehydration. Many aredesigned to protect without get-

ting you overheated, even onsummer days.

Boots or shoes should be highand sturdy enough to cover your

ankles and give them support.Soles should be made of hard,

durable slip resistant material.Keep heels short so they do not

catch on rough surfaces. Tucklaces in so they wont catch on

your motorcycle. Gloves allow a better grip and

help protect your hands in acrash. Your gloves should be

made of leather or similardurable material.

In cold or wet weather, your

clothes should keep you warm and

dry, as well as protect you frominjury. You cannot control a motor-cycle well if you are numb. Riding

for long periods in cold weathercan cause severe chill and fatigue.

A winter jacket should resist windand fit snugly at the neck, wrists,

and waist. Good quality rainsuitsdesigned for motorcycle riding

resist tearing apart or ballooningup at high speeds.

At minimum, your street-legalmotorcycle should have:

Headlight, taillight andbrakelight

Front and rear brakes Turn signals Horn Two mirrors

BORROWING AND LENDING

Borrowers and lenders of motorcy-cles, beware. Crashes are fairlycommon among beginning ridersespecially in the first months ofriding. Riding an unfamiliarmotorcycle adds to the problem. Ifyou borrow a motorcycle, get famil-iar with it in a controlled area.And if you lend your motorcycle tofriends, make sure they arelicensed and know how to ride

before allowing them out into traf-fic.

No matter how experienced youmay be, ride extra carefully on anymotorcycle thats new or unfamil-iar to you. More than half of allcrashes occur on motorcycles rid-den by the operator for less thansix months.

GET FAMILIAR WITH THEMOTORCYCLE CONTROLS

Make sure you are completelyfamiliar with the motorcycle beforeyou take it out on the street. Besure to review the owners manual.This is particularly important ifyou are riding a borrowed motorcy-cle. If you are going to use an unfa-miliar motorcycle:

MOTORCYCLE CONTROLS

Light Switch (high/low)

Choke (varies)

Turn-SignalSwitch

Engine Cut-OffSwitch

EngineStartButton

Ignition Key(varies)

Horn Button

Clutch LeverSpeedometer& Odometer

Fuel Supply Valve(if equipped)

Gear-Changer Lever

Throttle

Front Brake Lever

Tachometer(if equipped)

Rear Brake Pedal

Kick Starter(if equipped)


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Turn SignalsTurn on bothright and left turn signals.

Make sure all lights are work-ing properly.

Brake LightTry both brakecontrols, and make sure each

one turns on the brake light.

Once you have mounted the motor-

cycle, complete the followingchecks before starting out:

Clutch and ThrottleMakesure they work smoothly. The

throttle should snap back whenyou let go. The clutch should

feel tight and smooth. MirrorsClean and adjust both

mirrors before starting. Its dif-ficult to ride with one hand

while you try to adjust a mirror.Adjust each mirror so you can

see the lane behind and asmuch as possible of the lane

next to you. When properlyadjusted, a mirror may show

the edge of your arm or shoul-der, but its the road behind and

to the side thats most impor-tant.

BrakesTry the front and rearbrake levers one at a time.

Make sure each one feels firmand holds the motorcycle when

the brake is fully applied.

HornTry the horn. Make sureit works.

2 Test Yourself

More than half of all crashes:

A. Occur at speeds greater than 35

mph.

B. Happen at night.

C. Are caused by worn tires.

D. Involve riders who have riddentheir motorcycles less than sixmonths.

Answer - page 46

8 9

Make all the checks you wouldon your own motorcycle.

Find out where everything is,particularly the turn signals,

horn, headlight switch, fuel-con-trol valve, and engine cut-off

switch. Find and operate theseitems without having to look for

them.

Know the gear pattern. Workthe throttle, clutch, and brakesa few times before you start rid-

ing. All controls react a littledifferently.

Ride very cautiously and beaware of your surroundings.

Accelerate gently, take turnsmore slowly, and leave extra

room for stopping.

CHECKYOUR MOTORCYCLE

A motorcycle needs more frequentattention than a car. A minor tech-nical failure in a car seldom leads

to anything more than an incon-venience for the driver.

If something is wrong with the

motorcycle, youll want to find outabout it before you get in traffic.

Make a complete check of yourmotorcycle before every ride.

Before mounting the motorcycle

make the following checks:

TiresCheck the air pressure,general wear and tread.

FluidsOil and fluid levels. At aminimum, check hydraulic flu-

ids and coolants weekly. Lookunder the motorcycle for signs

of an oil or gas leak. Headlight and Taillight

Check them both. Test yourswitch to make sure both high

and low beams are working.

In addition to the checks youshould make before every trip,

check the following items at leastonce a week: Wheels, cables, fas-

teners, and fluid. Follow yourowners manual to get recommen-

dations.

KNOW YOUR

RESPONSIBILITIES

Accident implies an unforeseenevent that occurs without anyones

fault or negligence. Most often intraffic, that is not the case. In fact,

most people involved in a crashcan usually claim some responsi-

bility for what takes place.

Consider a situation where some-one decides to try to squeeze

through an intersection on a yel-

low light turning red. Your lightturns green. You pull into theintersection without checking for

possible latecomers. That is all ittakes for the two of you to tangle.

It was the drivers responsibility tostop. And it was your responsibility

to look before pulling out. Neitherof you held up your end of the deal.

Just because someone else is thefirst to start the chain of events

leading to a crash, doesnt leaveany of us free of responsibility.

As a rider, you cant be sure thatother operators will see you or

yield the right of way. To lessenyour chances of a crash occurring:

Be visibleWear proper cloth-

ing, use your headlight, ride inthe best lane position to see and

be seen.

Communicate your inten-tionsUse the proper signals,brake light, and lane position.

Maintain an adequate spacecushionWhen following, being

followed, lane sharing, passingand being passed.

Scan your path of travel 12seconds ahead.

Identify and separate multiplehazards.

Be prepared to actRemainalert and know how to carry out

proper crash-avoidance skills.

Blame doesnt matter when some-one is injured in a crash. There is

rarely a single cause of any crash.The ability to ride aware, make

critical decisions, and carry themout separates responsible drivers

from all the rest. Remember, it isup to you to keep from being the

cause of, or an unprepared partici-pant, in a crash.


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10 11

BASIC VEHICLE CONTROL

BODY POSITION

To control a motorcycle well:

PostureSit so you can use yourarms to steer the motorcyclerather than to hold yourself up.

SeatSit far enough forward sothat arms are slightly bent

when you hold the handlegrips.Bending your arms permits youto press on the handlebars with-out having to stretch.

HandsHold the handgrips firm-ly to keep your grip over roughsurfaces. Start with your rightwrist flat. This will help youkeep from accidentally using toomuch throttle. Also, adjust the

handlebars so your hands areeven with or below your elbows.This permits you to use theproper muscles for precisionsteering.

KneesKeep your knees againstthe gas tank to help you keepyour balance as the motorcycleturns.

FeetKeep your feet firmly on

the footpegs to maintain bal-ance. Dont drag your feet. Ifyour foot catches on something,you can be injured and it couldaffect your control of the motor-cycle. Keep your feet near thecontrols so you can get to themfast if needed. Also, dont letyour toes point downwardtheymay get caught between theroad and the footpegs.

SHIFTING GEARS

There is more to shifting gearsthan simply getting the motorcycleto pick up speed smoothly.Learning to use the gears whendownshifting, turning, or startingon hills is important for safemotorcycle 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.

RIDE WITHIN YOUR ABILITIES

This manual cannot teach you how to control direction, speed, or balance.Thats something you can learn only through practice. But control begins

with knowing your abilities and riding within them, along with knowingand obeying the rules of the road.

HOLDING HANDGRIPS

Make certain you are riding slowenough when you shift into a lowergear. If not, the motorcycle willlurch, and the rear wheel mayskid. When riding downhill orshifting into first gear you mayneed to use the brakes to slowenough before downshifting safely.Work towards a smooth, evenclutch release, especially when

downshifting.

It is best to change gears beforeentering a turn. However, some-times shifting while in the turn isnecessary. If so, remember to do sosmoothly. A sudden change inpower to the rear wheel can causea skid.

BRAKING

Your motorcycle has two brakes:one each for the front and rear

wheel. Use both of them at thesame time. The front brake is morepowerful and can provide at leastthree-quarters of your total stop-ping power. The front brake is safeto use if you use it properly.

Remember:

Use both brakes every time youslow or stop. Using both brakesfor even normal stops will per-mit you to develop the properhabit or skill of using both

brakes properly in an emer-gency. Squeeze the front brakeand press down on the rear.Grabbing at the front brake orjamming down on the rear cancause the brakes to lock, result-ing in control problems.

If you know the technique,using both brakes in a turn ispossible, although it should bedone very carefully. When lean-ing the motorcycle some of thetraction is used for cornering.Less traction is available for

stopping. A skid can occur if you

apply too much brake. Also,using the front brake incorrect-ly on a slippery surface may behazardous. Use caution andsqueeze the brake lever, nevergrab.

Some motorcycles have inte-grated braking systems thatlink the front and rear brakestogether by applying the rear

brake pedal. (Consult theowners manual for a detailedexplanation on the operationand effective use of these sys-tems.)

TURNING

Riders often try to take curves orturns too fast. When they canthold the turn, they end up crossinginto another lane of traffic or goingoff the road. Or, they overreact andbrake too hard, causing a skid and

loss of control. Approach turns andcurves with caution.

Use four steps for better con-

trol:

SLOW LOOK LEAN ROLL

SLOWReduce speed before theturn by closing the throttle and,if necessary, applying bothbrakes.

LOOKLook through the turn towhere you want to go. Turn justyour head, not your shoulders,and keep your eyes level withthe horizon.

LEANTo turn, the motorcyclemust lean. To lean the motorcy-cle, press on the handgrip in thedirection of the turn. Pressleftlean leftgo left. Pressrightlean rightgo right.Higher speeds and/or tighterturns require the motorcycle to

lean more.

RIGHT

WRONG


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LANE POSITIONS3 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 thegas tank.

D. Turn just your head and eyes to

look where you are going.Answer - page 46

12 13

ROLLRoll on the throttlethrough the turn to stabilizesuspension. 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.

KEEPING YOUR DIS-TANCE

The best protection you can have isdistancea cushion of spaceallaround your motorcycle. If some-one else makes a mistake, distancepermits you:

Time to react

Space to maneuver

LANE POSITIONS

In some ways the size of themotorcycle can work to youradvantage. Each traffic lane givesa motorcycle three paths of travel,as indicated in the i llustration.

Your lane position should:

Increase your ability to see and

be seen. Avoid others blind spot. Avoid surface hazards. Protect your lane from other

drivers. Communicate your intentions. Avoid wind blast from other

vehicles. Provide an escape route.

Select the appropriate path 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 andto maintain a space cushionaround the motorcycle. No portionof the lane need be avoidedincluding the center.

Position yourself in the portion of

the lane where you are most likelyto be seen and you can maintain aspace cushion around you. Changeposition as traffic situationschange. Ride in path 2 or 3 if vehi-cles and other potential problemsare on your left only. Remain inpath 1 or 2 if hazards are on yourright only. If vehicles are beingoperated on both sides of you, thecenter of the lane, path 2, is usual-ly your best option.

The oily strip in the center portionthat collects drippings from cars isusually no more than two feetwide. Unless the road is wet, theaverage center strip permits ade-quate traction to ride on safely.You can operate to the left or rightof the grease strip and still bewithin the center portion of thetraffic lane. Avoid riding on bigbuildups of oil and grease usuallyfound at busy intersections or tollbooths.

FOLLOWINGANOTHERVEHICLE

Following too closely is a majorfactor in crashes involving motor-cyclists. In traffic, motorcyclesneed as much distance to stop ascars. Normally, a minimum of twoseconds of distance should be

maintained behind the vehicleahead.

To gauge your following distance:

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

When the rear bumper of thevehicle ahead passes the mark-er, count off the seconds: one-thousand-one, one-thousand-two.

If you reach the markerbefore you reach two, you arefollowing too closely.

A two-second following distanceleaves a minimum amount of spaceto stop or swerve if the driverahead stops suddenly. It also per-mits a better view of potholes andother hazards in the road.

A larger cushion of space is neededif your motorcycle will take longer

than normal to stop. If the pave-

NORMAL TURNING

SLOW TURNING


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14 15

ment is slippery, if you cannot seethrough the vehicle ahead, or iftraffic is heavy and someone maysqueeze in front of you, open up athree second or more following dis-tance.

Keep well behind the vehicleahead even when you are stopped.This will make it easier to get outof the way if someone bears downon you from behind. It will alsogive you a cushion of space if thevehicle ahead starts to back up forsome reason.

When behind a car, ride where thedriver can see you in the rearviewmirror. Riding in the center por-tion of the lane should put yourimage in the middle of therearview mirrorwhere a driver ismost likely to see you.

Riding at the far side of a lanemay permit a driver to see you in asideview mirror. But rememberthat most drivers dont look attheir sideview mirrors nearly asoften as they check the rearviewmirror. If the traffic situationallows, the center portion of thelane is usually the best place for

you to be seen by the drivers

ahead and to prevent lane sharingby others.

BEING FOLLOWED

Speeding up to lose someone fol-

lowing too closely only ends upwith someone tailgating you at ahigher speed.

A better way to handle tailgatersis to get them in front of you.When someone is following tooclosely, change lanes and let thempass. If you cant do this, slowdown and open up extra spaceahead of you to allow room for bothyou and the tailgater to stop. Thiswill also encourage them to pass.If they dont pass, you will havegiven yourself and the tailgatermore time and space to react incase an emergency does developahead.

PASSING AND BEING PASSED

Passing and being passed byanother vehicle is not much differ-ent than with a car. However, visi-bility is more critical. Be sureother drivers see you, and that yousee potential hazards.

FOLLOWING PASSING

1. Ride in the left portion of thelane 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 left

lane and accelerate. Select a laneposition that doesnt crowd the caryou are passing and provides spaceto avoid hazards in your lane.3. Ride through the blind spotas quickly as possible.4. Signal again, and completemirror and headchecks beforereturning to your original lane andthen cancel signal.

Remember, passes must becompleted within posted speedlimits, and only where permit-

ted. Know your signs and roadmarkings!

BEING PASSED

When you are being passed frombehind or by an oncoming vehicle,

stay in the center portion of yourlane. Riding any closer to themcould put you in a hazardous situ-ation.

Avoid being hit by:

The other vehicleA slightmistake by you or the passingdriver could cause a sideswipe.

Extended mirrorsSome driv-ers forget that their mirrors hangout farther than their fenders.Objects thrown from win-dowsEven if the driver knowsyoure there, a passenger may notsee you and might toss somethingon you or the road ahead of you. Blasts of wind from largervehiclesThey 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 ofthe lane farthest from the passingvehicle. It might invite the otherdriver to cut back into your lanetoo early.

PASSING BEING PASSED


11/27

16 17

LANE SHARING

Cars and motorcycles need a fulllane to operate safely. Lane shar-ing is usually prohibited.

Riding between rows of stopped ormoving cars in the same lane canleave you vulnerable to the unex-

pected. A hand could come out of awindow; a door could open; or a carcould turn suddenly. Discouragelane sharing by others. Keep a cen-ter-portion position whenever driv-ers might be tempted to squeezeby you. Drivers are most temptedto do this:

In heavy, bumper-to-bumpertraffic.

When they want to pass you. When you are preparing to turn

at an intersection.

When you are getting in an exitlane or leaving a highway.

MERGING CARS

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

them plenty of room. Change toanother lane if one is open. If thereis no room for a lane change,adjust speed to open up space forthe merging driver.

CARSALONGSIDE

Do not ride next to cars or trucksin other lanes if you do not haveto. You might be in the blind spotof a car in the next lane, whichcould switch into your lane with-out warning. Cars in the next lanealso block your escape if you comeupon danger in your own lane.Speed up or drop back to find aplace clear of traffic on both sides.

SIPDE

Good experienced riders remainaware of what is going on aroundthem. They improve their ridingstrategy by using SIPDE, a 5-stepprocess used to make appropriatejudgments, and apply them cor-rectly in different traffic situa-

tions:

Scan Identify Predict Decide Execute

Lets examine each of these steps.

SCAN

Search aggressively ahead, to thesides and behind to avoid potential

hazards even before they arise.How assertively you search, andhow much time and space youhave, can eliminate or reduceharm. Focus even more on findingpotential escape routes in oraround intersections, shoppingareas, schools and constructionzones.

Search for:

Oncoming traffic that may

turn left in front of you. Traffic oncoming from the left

and right. Traffic approaching from

behind. Hazardous road conditions.

Be especially alert in areas withlimited visibility. Visually busysurroundings could hide you andyour motorcycle from others.

IDENTIFY

Locate hazards and potential con-flicts.

Vehicles and other motorcy-clesmay move into your pathand increase the likelihood of acrash.

Pedestrians and animalsareunpredictable, and make short,quick moves.

Stationary objectspotholes,guard rails, bridges, roadwaysigns, hedges, or trees wontmove into your path but mayinfluence your riding strategy.

PREDICT

Consider speed, distance, anddirection of hazards to anticipatehow they may affect you. Cars

moving into your path are morecritical than those moving away orremaining stationary.

Predict where a collision mayoccur. Completing this what if...?phrase to estimate results of con-tacting or attempting to avoid ahazard depends on your knowledgeand experience.

DECIDE

Determine what you need to dobased on your prediction.

The mental process of determiningyour course of action depends onhow aggressively you searched.The result is your action andknowing which strategy is best forthe situation. You want to elimi-nate or reduce the potential haz-ard. You must decide when, whereand how to take action. Your con-stant decision making tasks muststay sharp to cope with constantly

changing traffic situations.

MERGING

BLIND SPOTS

4 Test Yourself

Usually a good way to handle

tailgaters is to:

A. Change lanes and let them pass.

B. Use your horn and make obscenegestures.

C. Speed up to put distance be-tween you and the tailgater.

D. Ignore them.

Answer - page 46


12/27

The decisions you make can begrouped by the types of hazardsyou encounter.

Single hazard Two hazards Multiple hazards

EXECUTE

Carry out your decision.

To create more space and minimizeharm from any hazard:

Communicate your presencewith lights and/or horn.

Adjust your speed by acceler-ating, stopping or slowing.

Adjust your position and/ordirection.

Apply the old adage one step at a

time to handle two or more haz-ards. Adjust speed to permit twohazards to separate. Then dealwith them one at a time as singlehazards. Decision making becomesmore complex with three or morehazards. Weigh consequences ofeach and give equal distance to thehazards.

In potential high risk areas, suchas intersections, shopping areas,and school and construction zones,

cover the clutch and both brakes toreduce the time you need to react.

18

INTERSECTIONS

The greatest potential for conflictbetween you and other traffic is atintersections. An intersection canbe in the middle of an urban areaor at a driveway on a residentialstreetanywhere traffic may crossyour path of travel. Over one-halfof motorcycle/car crashes are

caused by drivers entering ariders right-of-way. Cars that turnleft in front of you, including carsturning left from the lane to yourright, and cars on side streets thatpull into your lane, are the biggestdangers. Your use of SIPDE (p. 17)at intersections is critical.

There are no guarantees that oth-ers see you. Never count on eyecontact as a sign that a driver willyield. Too often, a driver looksright at a motorcyclist and still

fails to see him. The only eyesthat you can count on are yourown. If a car can enter your path,assume that it will. Good ridersare always looking for troublenot to get into it, but to stay out ofit.

Increase your chances of beingseen at intersections. Ride withyour headlight on in a lane posi-tion that provides the best view ofoncoming traffic. Provide a spacecushion around the motorcycle

that permits you to take evasiveaction.

19

SMALL INTERSECTIONS

5 Test Yourself

To reduce your rea ction time

you should:

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 46

As you approach the intersection,select a lane position to increaseyour visibility to the driver. Coverthe clutch and both brakes toreduce reaction time.

Reduce your speed as youapproach an intersection. Afterentering the intersection, moveaway from vehicles preparing toturn. Do not change speed or posi-tion radically. The driver might

think that you are preparing toturn.

BLIND INTERSECTIONS

If you approach a blind intersec-tion, move to the portion of thelane that will bring you into anoth-er drivers field of vision at theearliest possible moment. In thispicture, the rider has moved to theleft portion of the laneaway fromthe parked carso the driver onthe cross street can see him as

soon as possible.

Remember, the key is to see asmuch as possible and remain visi-ble to others while protecting yourspace.

LARGE INTERSECTIONS

BLIND INTERSECTIONS


13/27

If you have a stop sign or stop line,stop there first. Then edge forwardand stop again, just short of wherethe cross-traffic lane meets yourlane. From that position, lean yourbody forward and look aroundbuildings, parked cars, or bushesto see if anything is coming. Justmake sure your front wheel staysout of the cross lane of travel while

youre looking.

PASSING PARKED CARS

When passing parked cars, staytoward the left of your lane. Youcan avoid problems caused bydoors opening, drivers getting outof cars, or people stepping frombetween cars. If oncoming traffic ispresent, it is usually best toremain in the center-lane positionto maximize your space cushion.

A bigger problem can occur if the

driver pulls away from the curbwithout checking for traffic behind.Even if he does look, he may fail to

20

see you. In either event, the drivermight cut into your path. Slowdown or change lanes to makeroom for someone cutting in.

Cars making a sudden U-turn are

the most dangerous. They may cutyou off entirely, blocking the wholeroadway and leaving you with noplace to go. Since you cant tellwhat a driver will do, slow downand get the drivers attention.Sound your horn and continuewith caution.

PARKING AT THE ROADSIDE

Park at a 90 angle to the curbwith your rear wheel touching thecurb.

21

INCREASINGCONSPICUITY

In crashes with motorcyclists, driv-ers often say that they never sawthe motorcycle. From ahead orbehind, a motorcycles outline ismuch smaller than a cars. Also,its hard to see something you arenot looking for, and most driversare not looking for motorcycles.More likely, they are lookingthrough the skinny, two-wheeledsilhouette in search of cars thatmay pose a problem to them.

Even if a driver does see you com-ing, you arent necessarily safe.Smaller vehicles appear fartheraway, and seem to be travelingslower than they actually are. It iscommon for drivers to pull out infront of motorcyclists, thinking

they have plenty of time. Toooften, they are wrong.

However, you can do many thingsto make it easier for others to rec-ognize you and your cycle.

CLOTHING

Most crashes occur in broad day-light. Wear bright colored clothingto increase your chances of beingseen. Remember, your body is half

of the visible surface area of therider/motorcycle unit.

Bright orange, red, yellow or greenjackets or vests are your best betsfor being seen. Your helmet can domore than protect you in a crash.Brightly colored helmets can alsohelp others see you.

Any bright color is better thandrab or dark colors. Reflective,bright colored clothing (helmet and

jacket or vest) is best.

Reflective material on a vest andon the sides of the helmet will helpdrivers coming from the side spotyou. Reflective material can alsobe a big help for drivers comingtoward you or from behind.

HEADLIGHT

The best way to help others seeyour motorcycle is to keep theheadlight onat all times(although motorcycles sold in theU.S. since 1978 automatically havethe headlights on when running.)Studies show that, during the day,a motorcycle with its light on istwice as likely to be noticed. Use ofthe high beam during the dayincreases the likelihood thatoncoming drivers will see you. Uselow beam at night and in cloudyweather.

SIGNALS

The signals on a motorcycle aresimilar to those on a car. They tellothers what you plan to do.

STOP SIGNS PARKED CARS

PARKING AT CURBS

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. Doesnt mean that the driverwill yield.

D. Guarantees that the other driverwill yield to you.

Answer - page 46

SIGNALING


14/27

22

However, due to a riders addedvulnerability, signals are evenmore important. Use them any-time you plan to change lanes orturn. Use them even when youthink no one else is around. Itsthe car you dont see thats goingto give you the most trouble. Yoursignal lights also make you easierto spot. Thats why its a good ideato use your turn signals even whenwhat you plan to do is obvious.

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

Turning your signal light on beforeeach turn reduces confusion andfrustration for the traffic aroundyou. Once you turn, make sureyour signal is off or a driver may

pull directly into your path, think-ing you plan to turn again. Useyour signals at every turn so driv-ers can react accordingly. Dontmake them guess what you intendto do.

BRAKE LIGHT

Your motorcycles brake light isusually not as noticeable as thebrake lights on a carparticularlywhen your taillight is on. (It goes

on with the headlights.) If the situ-ation will permit, help othersnotice you by flashing your brakelight before you slow down. It isespecially important to flash yourbrake light before:

You slow more quickly thanothers might expect (turning offa high-speed highway).

You slow where others maynot expect it (in the middle of ablock or at an alley).

If you are being followed closely,its a good idea to flash your brakelight before you slow. The tailgatermay be watching you and not seesomething ahead that will makeyou slow down. This will hopefullydiscourage them from tailgatingand warn them of hazards aheadthey may not see.

USINGYOUR MIRRORS

While its most important to keeptrack of whats happening ahead,you cant afford to ignore situa-tions behind. Traffic conditionschange quickly. Knowing whatsgoing on behind is essential for youto make a safe decision about howto handle trouble ahead.

Frequent mirror checks should bepart of your normal scanning rou-

tine. Make a special point of usingyour mirrors:

When you are stopped at anintersection. Watch cars comingup from behind. If the driverisnt paying attention, he couldbe on top of you before he seesyou.

Before you change lanes.Make sure no one is about topass you.

Before you slow down. The

driver behind may not expectyou to slow, or may be unsureabout where you will slow. Forexample, you signal a turn andthe driver thinks you plan toturn at a distant intersection,rather than at a nearer drive-way.

23

Some motorcycles have rounded(convex) mirrors. These provide awider view of the road behind thando flat mirrors. They also makecars seem farther away than theyreally are. If you are not used toconvex mirrors, get familiar withthem. (While you are stopped, pickout a parked car in your mirror.Form a mental image of how faraway it is. Then, turn around andlook at it to see how close youcame.) Practice with your mirrorsuntil you become a good judge ofdistance. Even then, allow extradistance before you change lanes.

HEAD CHECKS

Checking your mirrors is notenough. Motorcycles have blindspots like cars. Before you changelanes, turn your head, and look tothe side for other vehicles.

On a road with several lanes,check the far lane and the one nextto you. A driver in the distant lanemay head for the same space youplan to take.

Frequent head checks should be

your normal scanning routine,

also. Only by knowing what is hap-pening all around you, are youfully prepared to deal with it.

HORN

Be ready to use your horn to getsomeones attention quickly.

It is a good idea to give a quickbeep before passing anyone thatmay move into your lane.

Here are some situations:

A driver in the lane next to youis driving too closely to the vehi-cle ahead and may want topass.

A parked car has someone inthe drivers seat.

Someone is in the street, rid-ing a bicycle or walking.

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

Keep in mind that a motorcycleshorn isnt as loud as a cars, there-fore, use it, but dont rely on it.Other strategies may be appropri-ate along with the horn.

RIDING AT NIGHT

At night it is harder for you to seeand be seen. Picking your head-light or taillight out of the carlights around you is not easy forother drivers. To compensate, youshould:

Reduce Your SpeedRide evenslower than you would duringthe dayparticularly on roadsyou dont know well. This willincrease your chances of avoid-

ing a hazard.

USING MIRRORS


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24

Increase DistanceDistances areharder to judge at night thanduring the day. Your eyes relyupon shadows and light con-trasts to determine how faraway an object is and how fastit is coming. These contrasts aremissing or distorted under arti-ficial lights at night. Open up athree-second following distanceor more. And allow more dis-tance to pass and be passed.

Use the Car AheadThe head-lights of the car ahead can giveyou a better view of the roadthan even your high beam can.Taillights bouncing up anddown can alert you to bumps orrough pavement.

Use Your High BeamGet all thelight you can. Use your highbeam whenever you are not fol-lowing or meeting a car. Be visi-

ble, wear reflective materialswhen riding at night.

Be flexible about lane position.Change to whatever portion ofthe lane is best able to help yousee, be seen, and keep an ade-quate space cushion.

CRASH AVOIDANCE

No matter how careful you are,there will be times when you findyourself in a tight spot. Your

chances of getting out safelydepends on your ability to reactquickly and properly. Often, acrash occurs because a rider is not

prepared or skilled in crash-avoid-ance maneuvers.

Know when and how to stop orswerve, two skills critical to avoid-ing a crash. It is not always desir-able or possible to stop quickly toavoid an obstacle. Riders must alsobe able to swerve around an obsta-cle. Determining the skill neces-sary for the situation is importantas well.

Studies show that most crashesinvolved riders who:

Underbrake the front tire andoverbrake the rear.

Did not separate braking fromswerving or did not chooseswerving when it was appropri-ate.

The following information offerssome good advice.

QUICK STOPS

To stop quickly, apply both brakesat the same time. Dont be shyabout using the front brake, butdont grab it, either. Squeeze thebrake lever firmly and progressive-ly. If the front wheel locks, releasethe front brake immediately thenreapply it firmly. At the same

time, press down on the rearbrake. If you accidentally lock therear brake on a good traction sur-face, keep it locked until you havecompletely stopped. Even with alocked rear wheel, you can controlthe motorcycle on a straightawayif it is upright and going in astraight line.

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

potential stopping power.

25

If you must stop quickly, whileturning or riding a curve, the besttechnique is to straighten themotorcycle upright first and thenbrake. However, it may not alwaysbe possible to straighten themotorcycle and then stop. If youmust brake while leaning, applylight brakes and reduce the throt-tle. As you slow, you can reduceyour lean angle and apply more

brake pressure until the motorcy-cle is straight and maximum brakepressure is possible. You shouldstraighten the handlebars in thelast few feet of stopping, themotorcycle should then be straightup and in balance.

SWERVING OR TURNINGQUICKLY

Sometimes you may not haveenough room to stop, even if youuse both brakes properly. Anobject might appear suddenly inyour path. Or the car ahead mightsqueal to a stop. The only way toavoid a crash may be to turnquickly, or swerve around it.

A swerve is any sudden change indirection. It can be two quickturns, or a rapid shift to the side.Apply a small amount of handpressure to the handgrip locatedon the side of your intended direc-tion of escape. This will cause themotorcycle to lean quickly. Thesharper the turn(s), the more themotorcycle must lean.

Keep your body upright and allowthe motorcycle to lean in the direc-tion of the turn while keeping yourknees against the tank and yourfeet solidly on the pegs. Let themotorcycle move underneath you.Make your escape route the targetof your vision. Press on the oppo-site handgrip once you clear theobstacle to return you to your orig-

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 46

STOPPING DISTANCE

SWERVE, THEN BRAKE BRAKE, THEN SWERVE

REAR

FRONT

BOTH


16/27

26

inal direction of travel. To swerveto the left, press the left handgrip,then press the right to recover. Toswerve to the right, press right,then left.

IF BRAKING IS REQUIRED,SEPARATE IT FROM SWERV-ING. Brake before or afterneverwhile swerving.

CORNERING

A primary cause of single-vehiclecrashes is motorcyclists runningwide in a curve or turn and collid-ing with the roadway or a fixedobject.

Every curve is different. Be alertto whether a curve remains con-stant, gradually widens, getstighter, or involves multiple turns.

Ride within your skill level andposted speed limits.

Your best path may not always fol-low the curve of the road.

Change lane position depending ontraffic, road conditions and curveof the road. If no traffic is present,start at the outside of a curve toincrease your line of sight and theeffective radius of the turn. As youturn, move toward the inside of

27

DECREASING CURVES(TIGHTER TURNS) WIDENING CURVES

CONSTANT CURVES MULTIPLE CURVES

the curve, and as you pass the cen-ter, move to the outside to exit.

Another alternative is to move tothe center of your lane beforeentering a curveand stay thereuntil you exit. This permits you tospot approaching traffic as soon aspossible. You can also adjust fortraffic crowding the center line,or debris blocking part of yourlane.

Railroad tracks

Grooves and gratings

UNEVEN SURFACES ANDOBSTACLES

Watch for uneven surfaces such as

bumps, broken pavement, potholes,

or small pieces of highway trash.

Try to avoid obstacles by slowing

down or going around them. If you

must go over the obstacle, first,

determine if it is possible.

Approach it at as close to a 90

angle as possible. Look where you

want to go to control your path of

travel. If you have to ride over the

obstacle, you should:

Slow down as much as possible

before contact.

Make sure the motorcycle isstraight.

Rise slightly off the seat with

your weight on the footpegs to

absorb the shock with your

knees and elbows, and avoid

being thrown off the motorcycle.

Just before contact, roll on the

throttle slightly to lighten the

front end.

OBSTACLES

8 Test Yourself

The bes t way to s top 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 46

HANDLING DANGEROUSSURFACES

Your chance of falling or being

involved in a crash increases

whenever you ride across:

Uneven surfaces or obstacles

Slippery surfaces


17/27

28

If you ride over an object on the

street, pull off the road and check

your tires and rims for damage

before riding any further.

SLIPPERY SURFACES

Motorcycles handle better when

ridden on surfaces that permit

good traction. Surfaces that pro-vide poor traction include:

Wet pavement, particularly

just after it starts to rain and

before surface oil washes to the

side of the road.

Gravel roads, or where sand

and gravel collect.

Mud, snow, and ice.

Lane markings, steel plates

and manhole covers, especially

when wet.

To ride safely on slippery surfaces:

Reduce SpeedSlow down

before you get to a slippery sur-

face to lessen your chances of

skidding. Your motorcycle needs

more distance to stop. And, it is

particularly important to reduce

speed before entering wet

curves.

Avoid Sudden MovesAny

sudden change in speed or

direction can cause a skid. Be

as smooth as possible when you

speed up, shift gears, turn or

brake.

Use Both BrakesThe front

brake is still effective, even on a

slippery surface. Squeeze the

brake lever gradually to avoid

locking the front wheel.

Remember, gentle pressure on

the rear brake.

The center of a lane can be

hazardous when wet. When it

starts to rain, ride in the tire

tracks left by cars. Often, the

left tire track will be the best

position, depending on traffic

and other road conditions as

well.

Watch for oil spots when you

put your foot down to stop orpark. You may slip and fall.

Dirt and gravel collect along

the sides of the roadespecially

on curves and ramps leading to

and from highways. Be aware of

whats on the edge of the road,

particularly when making sharp

turns and getting on or off free-

ways at high speeds.

Rain dries and snow melts

faster on some sections of a

road than on others. Patches of

ice tend to crop up in low orshaded areas and on bridges

and overpasses. Wet surfaces or

wet leaves are just as slippery.

Ride on the least slippery por-

tion of the lane and reduce

speed.

Cautious riders steer clear of roads

covered with ice or snow. If you

cant avoid a slippery surface, keep

your motorcycle straight up and

proceed as slowly as possible. If

you encounter a larger surface so

slippery that you must coast, or

travel at a walking pace, consider

letting your feet skim along the

surface. If the motorcycle starts to

fall, you can catch yourself. Be

sure to keep off the brakes. If pos-

sible, squeeze the clutch and coast.

Attempting this maneuver at any-

thing other than the slowest of

speeds could prove hazardous.

29

RAILROAD TRACKS, TROLLEYTRACKS AND PAVEMENT SEAMS

Usually it is safer to ride straight

within your lane to cross tracks.

Turning to take tracks head-on (ata 90 angle) can be more danger-

ousyour path may carry you into

another lane of traffic.

For track and road seams that run

parallel to your course, move far

enough away from tracks, ruts, or

pavement seams to cross at an

angle of at least 45. Then, make a

quick, sharp turn. Edging across

could catch your tires and throw

you off balance.

GROOVES AND GRATINGS

Riding over rain grooves or bridge

grating may cause a motorcycle toweave. The uneasy, wandering

feeling is generally not hazardous.

Relax, maintain a steady speed

and ride straight across. Crossing

at an angle forces riders to zigzag

to stay in the lane. The zigzag is

far more hazardous than the wan-

dering feeling.

99 Test YourselfWhen it starts to rain it is usu-

ally 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 46

CROSS TRACKS-RIGHT

CROSS TRACKS-WRONG

PARALLEL TRACKS-WRONG

PARALLEL TRACKS-RIGHT

GRATE CROSSINGS-WRONG

GRATE CROSSINGS-RIGHT


18/27

30

MECHANICAL PROBLEMS

You can find yourself in an emer-

gency the moment something goes

wrong with your motorcycle. In

dealing with any mechanical prob-

lem, take into account the road

and traffic conditions you face.

Here are some guidelines that can

help you handle mechanical prob-lems safely.

TIRE FAILURE

You seldom hear a tire go flat. If

the motorcycle starts handling dif-

ferently, it may be a tire failure.

This can be dangerous. You must

be able to tell from the way the

motorcycle reacts. If one of your

tires suddenly loses air, react

quickly to keep your balance. Pull

off and check the tires.

If the front tire goes flat, the steer-

ing will feel heavy. A front-wheel

flat is particularly hazardous

because it affects your steering.

You have to steer well to keep your

balance.

If the rear tire goes flat, the back

of the motorcycle may jerk or sway

from side to side.

If either tire goes flat while riding:

Hold handgrips firmly, ease off

the throttle, and keep a straight

course.

If braking is required, howev-

er, gradually apply the brake of

the tire that isnt flat, if you are

sure which one it is.

When the motorcycle slows,

edge to the side of the road,

squeeze clutch and stop.

STUCK THROTTLE

Twist the throttle back and forth

several times. If the throttle cable

is stuck, this may free it. If the

throttle stays stuck, immediately

operate the engine cut-off switch

and pull in the clutch at the same

time. This will remove power from

the rear wheel, though enginenoise may not immediately decline.

Once the motorcycle is under con-

trol, pull off and stop.

After you have stopped, check the

throttle cable carefully to find the

source of the trouble. Make certain

the throttle works freely before

you start to ride again.

WOBBLE

A wobble occurs when the frontwheel and handlebars suddenly

start to shake from side to side at

any speed. Most wobbles can be

traced to improper loading, unsuit-

able accessories, or incorrect tire

pressure. If you are carrying a

heavy load, lighten it. If you cant,

shift it. Center the weight lower

and farther forward on the motor-

cycle. Make sure tire pressure,

spring pre-load, air shocks, and

dampers are at the settings recom-mended for that much weight.

Make sure windshields and fair-

ings are mounted properly.

Check for poorly adjusted steering;worn steering parts; a front wheelthat is bent, misaligned, or out ofbalance; loose wheel bearings orspokes; and swingarm bearings. Ifnone of these are determined to bethe cause, have the motorcyclechecked out thoroughly by a quali-fied professional.

31

910 Test YourselfIf your motorcycle starts to wobble

A. Accelerate out of the wobble.

B. Use the brake gradually.

C. Grip the handlebars firmly and

close the throttle gradually.

D. Downshift. Answer - page 46

Trying to accelerate out of a wob-

ble will only make the motorcycle

more unstable. Instead:

Grip the handlebars firmly,

but dont fight the wobble.

Close the throttle gradually

to slow down. Do not apply the

brakes; braking could make the

wobble worse. Move your weight as far for-

ward and down as possible.

Pull off the road as soon as

you can to fix the problem.

CHAIN PROBLEMS

A chain that slips or breaks while

youre riding could lock the rear

wheel and cause your cycle to skid.

Chain slippage or breakage can be

avoided by proper maintenance.

SlippageIf the chain slips when

you try to speed up quickly or

ride uphill, pull off the road.

Check the chain and sprockets.

Tightening the chain may help.

If the problem is a worn or

stretched chain or worn or bent

sprockets, replace the chain, the

sprockets, or both before riding

again.

BreakageYoull notice an instant

loss of power to the rear wheel.

Close the throttle and brake to

a stop.

ENGINE SEIZURE

When the engine locks orfreezes it is usually low on oil.The engines moving parts cantmove smoothly against each other,and the engine overheats. The firstsign may be a loss of engine poweror a change in the engines sound.Squeeze the clutch lever to disen-

gage the engine from the rearwheel. Pull off the road and stop.Check the oil. If needed, oil shouldbe added as soon as possible or theengine will seize. When this hap-pens, the effect is the same as alocked rear wheel. Let the enginecool before restarting.

ANIMALS

Naturally, you should do every-thing you safely can to avoid hit-ting an animal. If you are in traf-fic; however, remain in your lane.Hitting something small is lessdangerous to you than hittingsomething biglike a car.

Motorcycles seem to attract dogs.If you are chased, downshift andapproach the animal slowly. Asyou approach it, accelerate awayand leave the animal behind. Dontkick at an animal. Keep control ofyour motorcycle, and look to whereyou want to go.

For larger animals (deer, elk, cat-tle) brake and prepare to stop,they are unpredictable.

911 Test YourselfIf 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 46


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32

FLYING OBJECTS

From time to time riders are

struck by insects, cigarettes

thrown from cars, or pebbles

kicked up by the tires of the vehi-

cle ahead. If you are wearing face

protection, it might get smeared or

cracked, making it difficult to see.

Without face protection, an objectcould hit you in the eye, face, or

mouth. Whatever happens, keep

your eyes on the road and your

hands on the handlebars. When

safe, pull off the road and repair

the damage.

GETTING OFF THE ROAD

If you need to leave the road to

check the motorcycle (or just to

rest for a while), be sure you:

Check the roadsideMake sure

the surface of the roadside is

firm enough to ride on. If it is

soft grass, loose sand, or if

youre just not sure about it,

slow way down before you turn

onto it.

SignalDrivers behind might

not expect you to slow down.

Give a clear signal that you will

be slowing down and changing

direction. Check your mirrorand make a head check before

you take any action.

Pull off the roadGet as far off

the road as you can. It can be

very hard to spot a motorcycle

by the side of the road. You

dont want someone else pulling

off at the same place you are.

Park carefullyLoose and

sloped shoulders can make set-

ting the side or center stand dif-

ficult.

CARRYING PASSENGERSAND CARGO

Only experienced riders should

carry passengers or large loads.

The extra weight changes the way

the motorcycle handles, balances,

turns, speeds up, and slows down.

Before taking a passenger or heavy

load on the street, practice awayfrom traffic.

EQUIPMENT

To carry passengers safely:

Equip and adjust your motor-

cycle to carry passengers.

Instruct the passenger before

you start.

Adjust your riding technique

for the added weight.

Equipment should include:

A proper seatlarge enough to

hold both of you without crowd-

ing. You should not sit any far-

ther forward than you usually

do.

Footpegsfor the passenger.

Firm footing prevents your pas-

senger from falling off and

pulling you off, too.

Protective equipmentthe

same protective gear recom-mended for operators.

Adjust the suspension to handle

the additional weight. You will

probably need to add a few pounds

of pressure to the tires if you carry

a passenger. (Check your owners

manual for appropriate settings.)

While your passenger sits on the

seat with you, adjust the mirror

and headlight according to the

change in the motorcycles angle.

33

INSTRUCTING PASSENGERS

Even if your passenger is a motor-

cycle rider, provide complete

instructions before you start. Tell

your passenger to:

Get on the motorcycle only after

you have started the engine.

Sit as far forward as possiblewithout crowding you.

Hold firmly to your waist, hips,

or belt.

Keep both feet on the pegs,

even when stopped.

Keep legs away from the muf-

fler(s), chains or moving parts.

Stay directly behind you,

leaning as you lean.

Avoid unnecessary talk or

motion.

Also, tell your passenger to tightenhis or her hold when you:

Approach surface problems.

Are about to start from a stop.

Warn that you will make a sud-

den move.

RIDINGWITH PASSENGERS

Your motorcycle will respond more

slowly with a passenger on board.

The heavier your passenger, thelonger it will take to slow down,

speed up, or turnespecially on a

light motorcycle.

Ride a little slower, especially

when taking curves, corners, or

bumps.

Start slowing earlier as you

approach a stop.

Open up a larger cushion of

space ahead and to the sides.

Wait for larger gaps to cross,

enter, or merge in traffic.

Warn your passenger of special

conditionswhen you will pull out,

stop quickly, turn sharply, or ride

over a bump. Turn your head

slightly to make yourself under-

stood, but keep your eyes on the

road ahead.

CARRYING LOADS

Most motorcycles are not designed

to carry much cargo. Small loads

can be carried safely if positionedand fastened properly.

Keep the Load LowFasten

loads securely, or put them in

saddle bags. Piling loads

against a sissybar or frame on

the back of the seat raises the

motorcycles center of gravity

and disturbs its balance.

Keep the Load ForwardPlace

the load over, or in front of, the

rear axle. Tank bags keep loads

forward, but use caution when

loading hard or sharp objects.

Make sure tank bag does not

interfere with handlebars or

controls. Mounting loads behind

the rear axle can affect how the

motorcycle turns and brakes. It

can also cause a wobble.

Distribute the Load Evenly

Load saddlebags with about the

same weight. An uneven load

can cause the motorcycle to

drift to one side.

912 Test YourselfPassengers 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 46


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34

Secure the LoadFasten theload securely with elastic cords(bungee cords or nets). Elasticcords with more than oneattachment point per side aremore secure. A tight load wontcatch in the wheel or chain,causing it to lock up and skid.Rope tends to stretch and knotscome loose, permitting the loadto shift or fall.

Check the LoadStop andcheck the load every so often tomake sure it has not workedloose or moved.

GROUP RIDING

If you ride with others, do it in away that promotes safety anddoesnt interfere with the flow oftraffic.

KEEP THE GROUP SMALL

Small groups make it easier andsafer for car drivers who need toget around them. A small numberisnt separated as easily by trafficor red lights. Riders wont alwaysbe hurrying to catch up. If yourgroup is larger than four or fiveriders, divide it up into two ormore smaller groups.

KEEP THE GROUP TOGETHER

PlanThe leader should lookahead for changes and signalearly so the word gets back in

plenty of time. Start lanechanges early to permit every-one to complete the change.

Put Beginners Up FrontPlace inexperienced riders justbehind the leader. That way themore experienced riders canwatch them from the back.

Follow Those BehindLet thetailender set the pace. Use yourmirrors to keep an eye on theperson behind. If a rider fallsbehind, everyone should slowdown a little to stay with thetailender.

Know the RouteMake sureeveryone knows the route.Then, if someone is separatedthey wont have to hurry tokeep from getting lost or takinga wrong turn. Plan frequentstops on long rides.

KEEPYOUR DISTANCE

Maintain close ranks, but at thesame time keep a safe distance toallow each rider in the group timeand space to react to hazards. Aclose group takes up less space onthe highway, is easier to see and isless likely to be separated.However, it must be done properly.

Dont Pair UpNever operatedirectly alongside another rider.There is no place to go if youhave to avoid a car or some-thing on the road. To talk, wait

until you are both stopped. Staggered FormationThis isthe best way to keep ranks closeyet maintain an adequate spacecushion. The leader rides in theleft side of the lane, while the

35

STAGGERED FORMATION

second rider stays one secondbehind in the right side of thelane.

A third rider maintains in the leftposition, two seconds behind thefirst rider. The fourth rider wouldkeep a two-second distance behindthe second rider. This formationkeeps the group close and permitseach rider a safe distance from theothers ahead, behind and to thesides.

Passing in FormationRidersin a staggered formation shouldpass one at a time.

First, the lead rider shouldpull out and pass when it issafe. After passing, the leadershould return to the left posi-tion and continue riding atpassing speed to open room forthe next rider.

After the first rider passes

safely, the second rider shouldmove up to the left position andwatch for a safe chance to pass.After passing, this rider shouldreturn to the right position andopen up room for the next rider.

Some people suggest that theleader should move to the rightside after passing a vehicle. This isnot a good idea. It encourages thesecond rider to pass and cut backin before there is a large enoughspace cushion in front of thepassed vehicle. Its simpler andsafer to wait until there is enoughroom ahead of the passed vehicleto allow each rider to move intothe same position held before thepass.

Single File-FormationIt isbest to move into a single-fileformation when riding curves,turning, entering or leaving ahighway.

GROUP PASSING (STAGE 1) GROUP PASSING (STAGE 2)

913 Test YourselfWhen riding in a group

inexperienced riders 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 46


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36

WHY THIS INFORMATIONIS IMPORTANT

Alcohol is a major contributor tomotorcycle crashes, particularlyfatal crashes. Studies show that40% to 45% of all riders killed inmotorcycle crashes had been drink-ing. Only one-third of those riders

had a blood alcohol concentrationabove legal limits. The rest hadonly a few drinks in their system-enough to impair riding skills. Inthe past, drug levels have beenharder to distinguish or have notbeen separated from drinking vio-lations for the traffic records. Butriding under the influence ofeither alcohol or drugs poses physi-cal and legal hazards for everyrider.

Drinking and drug use is as big a

problem among motorcyclists as itis among automobile drivers.Motorcyclists; however, are morelikely to be killed or severelyinjured in a crash. Injuries occurin 90% of motorcycle crashes and33% of automobile crashes thatinvolve abuse of substances. On ayearly basis, 2,100 motorcyclistsare killed and about 50,000 seri-ously injured in this same type ofcrash. These statistics are toooverwhelming to ignore.

By becoming knowledgeable aboutthe effects of alcohol and otherdrugs you will see that riding andsubstance abuse dont mix. Takepositive steps to protect yourselfand to prevent others from injur-ing themselves.

ALCOHOL AND OTHER

DRUGS IN MOTORCYCLEOPERATION

No one is immune to the effects ofalcohol or drugs. Friends may bragabout their ability to hold theirliquor or perform better on drugs,but alcohol or drugs make themless able to think clearly and per-form physical tasks skillfully.Judgment and the decision-makingprocess needed for vehicle opera-tion are affected long before legallimitations are reached.

Many over-the-counter, prescrip-tions, and illegal drugs have sideeffects that increase the risk of rid-ing. It is difficult to accuratelymeasure the involvement of partic-ular drugs in motorcycle crashes.But we do know what effects vari-ous drugs have on the processinvolved in riding a motorcycle. Wealso know that the combinedeffects of alcohol and other drugsare more dangerous than either is

alone.

37

ALCOHOL IN THE BODY

Alcohol enters the bloodstreamquickly. Unlike most foods andbeverages, it does not need to bedigested. Within minutes afterbeing consumed, it reaches thebrain and begins to affect thedrinker. The major effect alcoholhas is to slow down and impair

bodily functionsboth mental andphysical. Whatever you do, you doless well after consuming alcohol.

BLOODALCOHOLCONCENTRATION

Blood Alcohol Concentration orBAC is the amount of alcohol inrelation to blood in the body.Generally, alcohol can be eliminat-ed in the body at the rate of almostone drink per hour. But a varietyof other factors may also influencethe level of alcohol retained. Themore alcohol in your blood, thegreater the degree of impairment.

Three factors play a major part indetermining BAC:

The amount of alcohol you con-sume.

How fast you drink. Your body weight.

Other factors also contribute to theway alcohol affects your system.Your sex, physical condition andfood intake are just a few that maycause your BAC level to be evenhigher. But the full effects of theseare not completely known.

Alcohol may still accumulatein your body even if you aredrinking at a rate of one drink

per hour.Abilities and judgmentcan be affected by that one drink.

A 12-ounce can of beer, a mixeddrink with one shot of liquor and a5-ounce glass of wine all containthe same amount of alcohol.

The faster you drink, the morealcohol accumulates in your body.If you drink two drinks in an hour,at the end of that hour, at leastone drink will remain in yourbloodstream.

Without taking into account any ofthe other factors, the formulabelow illustrates the LEASTamount of drinks remaining in thebloodstream.

Total # hours drinks

drinks LESS since last EQUALS left

consumed drink in body

- =

BEING IN SHAPE TO RIDE

Riding a motorcycle is a demanding and complex task. Skilled riders payattention to the riding environment and to operating the motorcycle, iden-tifying potential hazards, making good judgments, and executing decisionsquickly and skillfully. Your ability to perform and respond to changingroad and traffic conditions is influenced by how fit and alert you are.Alcohol and other drugs, more than any other factor, degrade your abilityto think clearly and to ride safely. As little as one drink can have a signifi-cant effect on your performance.

Lets look at the risks involved in riding after drinking or using drugs.What to do to protect yourself and your fellow riders is also examined.

ALCOHOL CONCENTRATION


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A person drinking:

8 drinks in 4 hours would haveat least 4 drinks remaining inhis/her system.

7 drinks in 3 hours would haveat least 4 drinks remaining inhis/her system.

There are times when larger per-

sons may not accumulate as high aconcentration of alcohol for eachdrink consumed. They have moreblood and other bodily fluids. Butbecause of individual differences itis better not to take the chancethat abilities and judgment havenot been affected. Whether or notyou are legally intoxicated is notthe real issue. Impairment of judg-ment and skills begins well belowthe legal limit.

ALCOHOL AND THE LAW

It is against the law to operate amotor vehicle while intoxicated. InTexas, a person with a BloodAlcohol Concentration (BAC) of .08percent or more is legally intoxi-cated. Texas Zero Tolerance forMinors law make it illegal for per-sons under 21 to operate a motorvehicle (motorcycle) withANYdetectable amount of alcohol in hisor her system in a public place.

Doing so constitutes a criminaloffense of (Driving Under theInfluence of Alcohol by a Minor).

CONSEQUENCES OF ADWIARREST

A few years ago, DWI offendershad a good chance of getting offwith a small fine and participationin a DWI class. Today, Texas has atough stand against the drinkingdriver and a person arrested for

DWI could expect the following on

a first offense.

Being videotaped as you performdifferent tests at the police sta-tion.

Spending the night in jail withdrunks, thieves, drug addicts,and the like.

Posting a cash bond of $500 ormore or paying a bonding fee to

get out. Paying a towing fee to a wrecker

for towing your motorcycle fromthe arrest scene.

Having a wrecker driver strapyour motorcycle to his wreckerand carry it away.

Explaining what happened toyour family and employer.

Paying a legal fee to an attorney. Interrupting your life and your

work to have to appear in court. Having your fingerprints taken.

Undergoing an alcohol or drugdependency evaluation.

CONSEQUENCES OF CONVICTION

Have your driver license sus-pended for up to 180 days underthe Administrative LicenseRevocation Program.

Pay a fine up to $2,000 for thefirst DWI conviction.Subsequent convictions can costup to $10,000.

Pay court costs from $70 up. Receive a jail sentence from 72

hours to 10 years. You may beeligible for probation on a firstoffense of DWI.

Visit your probation officerweekly while on probation.

May be required to do volunteerservice in your community.

May be required to attend a DWIrehabilitation program.

May have to pay increased insur-ance rates.

May have to pay a lawyer for

39

legal defense. Will have an entry on your crim-

inal history that can follow youthe rest of your life.

MINIMIZE THE RISKS

Your ability to judge how well youare riding is affected first.Although you may be performing

more and more poorly, you thinkyou are doing better and better.The result is that you ride confi-dently, taking greater and greaterrisks. Minimize the risks of drink-ing and riding by taking stepsbefore you drink. Control yourdrinking or control your riding.

DONT DRINK

Dont DrinkOnce you start, yourresistance becomes weaker.

Setting a limit or pacing yourselfare poor alternatives at best. Yourability to exercise good judgment isone of the first things affected byalcohol. Even if you have tried todrink in moderation, you may notrealize to what extent your skillshave suffered from alcohols fatigu-ing effects.

Dont RideIf you havent con-trolled your drinking, you mustcontrol your riding.

Leave the motorcycle homeSo you wont be tempted to ride.Arrange another way to gethome.

WaitIf you exceed your limit,wait until your system elimi-nates the alcohol and its fatigu-ing effects.

STEP IN TO PROTECTFRIENDS

People who have had too much to

drink are unable to make a respon-sible decision. It is up to others tostep in and keep them from takingtoo great a risk. No one wants todo thisits uncomfortable, embar-rassing, and thankless. You arerarely thanked for your efforts atthe time. But the alternatives areoften worse.

There are several ways to keepfriends from hurting themselves:

Arrange a safe rideProvidealternative ways for them to gethome.

Slow the pace of drinkingInvolve them in other activities.

Keep them thereUse anyexcuse to keep them from get-ting on their motorcycle. Servethem food and coffee to pass thetime. Explain your concerns for

their risks of getting arrested orhurt, or hurting someone else.

Get friends involvedUse peerpressure from a group of friendsto intervene.

It helps to enlist support from oth-ers when you decide to step in. Themore people on your side, the easi-er it is to be firm and the harder itis for the rider to resist. While youmay not be thanked at the time,you will never have to say, If only

I had...

914 Test YourselfIf you wait an hour for eac h

drink before riding:

A. You cannot be arrested for drink-ing and riding.

B.Your riding skills will not be affected.

C. Side effects from the drinking maystill remain.

D.You will be okay as long as youride slowly.

Answer - page 46


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40

FATIGUE

Riding a motorcycle is more tiring

than driving a car. On a long trip,

youll tire sooner than you would

in a car. Avoid riding when tired.

Fatigue can affect your control of

the motorcycle.

Protect yourselffrom the ele-mentsWind, cold, and rain

make you tire quickly. Dress

warmly. A windshield is worth

its cost if you plan to ride long

distances.

Limit your distance

Experienced riders seldom try

to ride more than about six

hours a day.

Take frequent rest breaks

Stop, and get off the motorcycle

at least every two hours.

Dont drink or use drugsArtificial stimulants often

result in extreme fatigue or

depression when they start to

wear off. Riders are unable to

concentrate on the task at hand.

41

Motorcycling is very popular in

Texas. Before you take to the road,

you should know the Texas laws

governing motorcycles, and the

common sense safety rules.

If you have never ridden a

motorcycle, you should know thata motorcycle only looks easy toride. Motorcycles are different

from other vehiclesonly twowheels place more demand on the

operator for balance and coordina-tion. The motorcycles smaller size

makes it harder for others to see itin traffic and the rider more vul-

nerable to injury in a crash. Ridinga motorcycle requires special skills

and knowledge beyond thoserequired for driving a car.

On todays highways, there arelarge numbers of motorcycle riders

and an even larger number ofautomobile drivers who do not

understand how to safely mix intraffic. This lack of knowledge has

resulted in an increase in motorcy-cle-related crashes. The key to

safety is understanding and learn-ing how to share the roadway.

Knowing all you can about the

motorcycle you ride, or intend to

ride, is good preparation for safeand enjoyable riding. Learning toride off the street in The Course

for Motorcycle Riders is goodinsurance. When you take to the

road, you will be able to concen-trate on the traffic because control

of the motorcycle becomes secondnature with the proper instruction.

There are plenty of things on thehighway that can cause you trou-

ble. Your motorcycle should not beone of them. Three ways to be sure

your motorcycle wont let you down

are:

Make sure you have the rightequipment to begin with.

Keep your motorcycle in safe rid-ing condition.

Avoid adding accessories or mak-ing modifications that make

your motorcycle harder to han-dle.

EQUIPMENT

Texas law requires the following

equipment on Motorcycles and

Motor-Driven Cycles:

Wheel Assembly Exhaust System

Tail Lamp (1) Stop Lamp (1)

License Plate Lamp Rear Red Reflector

Head Lamp (1) Motorcycle,

Texas DPS Motorcycle Operators Manual

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Transcript of Texas DPS Motorcycle Operators Manual