For information about driver licenses, call your localDriver License Office or Driver License Customer Serviceat 512/424-2600 or visit the Driver License web pagewww.txdps.state.tx.us/administration/dr iver_license_control .

For information about motorcycle operator trainingcourses, call the Motorcycle Safety Unit at 512/424-2021 ortoll free 1-800-292-5787, email the Motorcycle Safety Unit at motorcycle.safety@txdps.state.tx.us , or visit the MotorcycleSafety Unit’s web page, www.txdps.state.tx.us/msb .

NOTICE: The Texas Department of Public Safety doesnot discriminate because of race, color, religion, sex,national origin, age, or disability. Persons needing accom-modation under the provisions of the Americans WithDisabilities Act (ADA) should contact their local DriverLicense 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 Safety’s Motorcycle OperatorTraining Program was developed for all persons wishingto improve their riding skills.

Research shows that motorcycle operator training is equalto two years of riding experience. Experts provide profes-sional training that prepares one for “real world” traffic.

This inexpensive and valuable training program teachesand improves activities such as:

• Effective Turning• Braking Maneuvers• Protective Gear Selection• Street Strategies• Obstacle Avoidance

For the Basic or Advanced Motorcycle Operator TrainingCourse nearest you, contact the Motorcycle Safety Unit at:

TEXAS MO TORCYCLE SAFETY UNITTEXAS DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY

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

512/424-2021 or 1-800-292-5787Web Address: www.txdps.state.tx.us/msb

E-mail: motorcycle.safety@txdps.state.tx.us

This Motorcycle Operator’s Manual has been prepared in coopera-tion with the Motorcycle Safety Foundation. Within these pages arenumerous instructions, suggestions, and tips that, if followed, willprepare 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 ofmotorcyclists in motor vehicle traffic accidents. This handbook wasprepared to assist the beginning motorcyclist in passing therequired written examination. In addition, this manual serves torefresh and therefore, improve the experienced rider.

Although comprehensive, this handbook does not include all lawsregulating traffic on the streets and highways. The Department ofPublic Safety strongly recommends reference to the motor vehiclestatutes in order to gain an exact knowledge of motor vehicle laws.

A copy of the “Texas Motorcycle Laws” pamphlet is available fromthe Motorcycle Safety Unit. Refer to their contact information onthe inside of the back cover.

PREFACE

PREPARINGTO RIDE

WEAR THE RIGHT GEAR . . . . . . . .4Helmet Use . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4Helmet Selection . . . . . . . . . . . .4Eye and Face Protection . . . . . .5Clothing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5

KNOW YOUR MOTORCYCLE . . . . . .6The Right Motorcycle For You . .6Borrowing and Lending . . . . . . .7Know Your Motorcycle Controls 7Check Your Motorcycle . . . . . . . .8

RIDE WITHINYOUR ABILITIES

BASIC VEHICLE CONTROL . . . . . .10Body Position . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10Shifting Gears . . . . . . . . . . . . .10Braking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11Turning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11

KEEPING YOUR DISTANCE . . . . . .12Lane Positions . . . . . . . . . . . . .12Following Another Vehicle . . . .13Being Followed . . . . . . . . . . . . .14Passing and Being Passed . . . .14Lane Sharing . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16Merging Cars . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16Cars Alongside . . . . . . . . . . . . .16

SIPDE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17INTERSECTIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18

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

INCREASING CONSPICUITY . . . . . .21Clothing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21Headlight . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21Signals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21Brake Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22Using Your Mirrors . . . . . . . . .22Head Checks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23Horn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23Riding at Night . . . . . . . . . . . . .23

CRASH AVOIDANCE . . . . . . . . . . .24Quick Stops . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24Swerving or Turning Quickly .25Cornering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26

HANDLING DANGEROUS SURFACES .27Uneven Surfaces and Obstacles . .27Slippery Surfaces . . . . . . . . . . .28Tracks and Pavement Seams .29Grooves and Gratings . . . . . . .29

MECHANICAL PROBLEMS . . . . . . .30Tire Failure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .30Stuck Throttle . . . . . . . . . . . . . .30Wobble . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .30Chain Problems . . . . . . . . . . . .31Engine Seizure . . . . . . . . . . . . .31

ANIMALS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .31FLYING OBJECTS . . . . . . . . . . . . .32GETTING OFF THE ROAD . . . . . .32CARRYING PASSENGERS

AND CARGO . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .32Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .32Instructing Passengers . . . . . .33Riding With Passengers . . . . . .33Carrying Loads . . . . . . . . . . . . .33

GROUP RIDING . . . . . . . . . . . . . .34Keep the Group Small . . . . . . .34Keep the Group Together . . . . .34Keep Your Distance . . . . . . . . .34

BEING IN SHAPETO RIDE

WHY INFORMATION IS IMPORTANT . .36ALCOHOL AND OTHER DRUGS IN

MOTORCYCLE OPERATION . . . . . .36ALCOHOL IN THE BODY . . . . . . . .37

Blood Alcohol Concentration . .37ALCOHOL AND THE LAW . . . . . . .38

Consequences of a DWI Arrest .38Consequences of Conviction . . .38

MINIMIZE THE RISKS . . . . . . . . . .39STEP IN TO PROTECT FRIENDS . .39FATIGUE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .40

EARNINGYOUR LICENSE

Knowledge Test . . . . . . . . . . . . .41On-Cycle Skill Test . . . . . . . . . .42Frequently Asked Questions . .42

RIDING TEXAS HIGHWAYS . . . . . . . .43

CONTENTS A MESSAGE FROM THE DIRECTOR OF THETEXAS DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY

Motorcycling is an enjoyable driving experience. However, motorcyclists toooften suffer severe injury or even death as a result of a crash. Motorcyclingonly looks easy. In reality it is quite challenging, requiring special knowl-edge 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, nodoubt, yield years of enjoyment.

Thomas A. Davis, DirectorDepartment of Public Safety

PREPARING TO RIDE

What you do before you start a trip goes a long way toward determiningwhether or not you’ll get where you want to go safely. Before taking off onany 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 events—par-ticularly among beginning riders.And one out of every five motorcy-cle crashes result in head or neckinjuries. Head injuries are just assevere as neck injuries—and farmore common. Crash analysesshow that head and neck injuriesaccount for a majority of seriousand fatal injuries to motorcyclists.Research also shows that, with fewexceptions, head and neck injuriesare reduced by the proper wearingof an approved helmet.

Some riders don’t wear helmetsbecause they think helmets willlimit their view to the sides.Others wear helmets only on longtrips or when riding at highspeeds. 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 whicha helmet kept a rider from spot-ting danger.

• Most crashes happen on shorttrips (less than five miles long),just a few minutes after start-ing out.

•Most riders are riding slowerthan 30 mph when a crashoccurs. At these speeds, helmetscan cut both the number andthe severity of head injuries byhalf.

No matter what the speed, helmet-ed riders are three times morelikely to survive head injuries thanthose not wearing helmets at thetime of the crash.

HELMET SELECTION

There are two primary types ofhelmets, providing two differentlevels of coverage: three-quarterand full face.

Whichever style you choose, youcan get the most protection bymaking sure that the helmet:

• Meets U.S . Department ofTransportation (DOT) and statestandards. Helmets with a labelfrom the Snell MemorialFoundation 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, ifyou are involved in a crash, it’slikely to fly off your head before itgets a chance to protect you.

EYE AND FACE PROTECTION

A plastic shatter-resistant faceshield can help protect your wholeface in a crash. It also protects youfrom wind, dust, dirt, rain, insects,and pebbles thrown up from carsahead. These problems are dis-tracting and can be painful. If youhave to deal with them, you can’tdevote your full attention to theroad.

Goggles protect your eyes, though

they won’t protect the rest of yourface like a face shield does. A wind-shield is not a substitute for a faceshield or goggles. Most windshieldswill not protect your eyes from thewind. Neither will eyeglasses orsunglasses. Glasses won’t keepyour eyes from watering, and theymight blow off when you turn yourhead while riding.

To be effective, eye or face shieldprotection 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, to

reduce fogging.• Permit enough room for eye-

glasses or sunglasses, if needed.

Tinted eye protection should not beworn at night or any other timewhen little light is available.

CLOTHING

The right clothing protects you ina collision. It also provides comfort,

HELMETS

76

KNOW YOURMOTORCYCLE

There are plenty of things on thehighway that can cause you trou-ble. Your motorcycle should not beone of them. To make sure thatyour motorcycle won’t let youdown:

• Read the owner’s manual first.• Start with the right motorcycle

for you.• Be familiar with the motorcycle

controls.• Check the motorcycle before

every ride.• Keep it in safe riding condition

between rides.• Avoid add-ons and modifications

that make your motorcycleharder to handle.

THE RIGHT MOTORCYCLE

FOR YOU

First, make sure your motorcycle isright 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 faceshield:

A. Is not necessary if you have awindshield.

B. Only protects your eyes.C. Helps protect your whole face .D. Does not protect your face as

well as goggles.Answer - page 46

as well as protection from heat,cold, debris, and hot and movingparts of the motorcycle.

• Jacket and pants should coverarms and legs completely. Theyshould fit snugly enough tokeep from flapping in the wind,yet loosely enough to movefreely. 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 yourankles and give them support.Soles should be made of hard,durable slip resistant material.Keep heels short so they do notcatch on rough surfaces. Tucklaces in so they won’t catch onyour motorcycle.

• Gloves allow a better grip andhelp protect your hands in acrash. Your gloves should bemade of leather or similardurable material.

In cold or wet weather, yourclothes should keep you warm anddry, as well as protect you frominjury. You cannot control a motor-cycle well if you are numb. Ridingfor 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 ridingresist 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 riders–especially 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 that’s 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 owner’s 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)

• Turn Signals– Turn on bothright and left turn signals.Make sure all lights are work-ing properly.

• Brake Light– Try both brakecontrols, and make sure eachone turns on the brake light.

Once you have mounted the motor-cycle, complete the followingchecks before starting out:

• Clutch and Throttle– Makesure they work smoothly. Thethrottle should snap back whenyou let go. The clutch shouldfeel tight and smooth.

• Mirrors– Clean and adjust bothmirrors before starting. It’s dif-ficult to ride with one handwhile you try to adjust a mirror.Adjust each mirror so you cansee the lane behind and asmuch as possible of the lanenext to you. When properlyadjusted, a mirror may showthe edge of your arm or shoul-der, but it’s the road behind andto the side that’s most impor-tant.

• Brakes– Try the front and rearbrake levers one at a time.Make sure each one feels firmand holds the motorcycle whenthe brake is fully applied.

• Horn– Try the horn. Make sureit works.

2 Test Yourself

More than half of all crashes:

A. Occur at speeds greater than 35mph.

B. Happen at night.C. Are caused by worn tires.D. Involve riders who have ridden

their 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-offswitch. Find and operate theseitems without having to look forthem.

• 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 extraroom for stopping.

CHECK YOUR MOTORCYCLE

A motorcycle needs more frequentattention than a car. A minor tech-nical failure in a car seldom leadsto anything more than an incon-venience for the driver.

If something is wrong with themotorcycle, you’ll want to find outabout it before you get in traffic.Make a complete check of yourmotorcycle before every ride.

Before mounting the motorcyclemake the following checks:

• Tires– Check the air pressure,general wear and tread.

• Fluids– Oil and fluid levels. At aminimum, check hydraulic flu-ids and coolants weekly. Lookunder the motorcycle for signsof an oil or gas leak.

• Headlight and Taillight–Check them both. Test yourswitch to make sure both highand 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 yourowner’s manual to get recommen-dations.

KNOW YOURRESPONSIBILITIES

“Accident” implies an unforeseenevent that occurs without anyone’sfault 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 squeezethrough an intersection on a yel-low light turning red. Your lightturns green. You pull into theintersection without checking forpossible latecomers. That is all ittakes for the two of you to tangle.It was the driver’s responsibility tostop. And it was your responsibilityto look before pulling out. Neitherof you held up your end of the deal.Just because someone else is thefirst to start the chain of eventsleading to a crash, doesn’t leaveany of us free of responsibility.

As a rider, you can’t be sure thatother operators will see you oryield the right of way. To lessenyour chances of a crash occurring:

• Be visible– Wear proper cloth-ing, use your headlight, ride inthe best lane position to see andbe seen.

• Communicate your inten -tions– Use the proper signals,brake light, and lane position.

• Maintain an adequate spacecushion– When following, beingfollowed, lane sharing, passingand being passed.

• Scan your path of travel 12seconds ahead.

• Identify and separate multiplehazards.

• Be prepared to act– Remainalert and know how to carry outproper crash-avoidance skills.

Blame doesn’t matter when some-one is injured in a crash. There israrely a single cause of any crash.The ability to ride aware, makecritical decisions, and carry themout separates responsible driversfrom all the rest. Remember, it isup to you to keep from being thecause of, or an unprepared partici-pant, in a crash.

10 11

BASIC VEHICLE CONTROL

BODY POSITION

To control a motorcycle well:

• Posture– Sit so you can use yourarms to steer the motorcyclerather than to hold yourself up.

• Seat– Sit far enough forward sothat arms are slightly bentwhen you hold the handlegrips.Bending your arms permits youto press on the handlebars with-out having to stretch.

• Hands– Hold 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.

• Knees– Keep your knees againstthe gas tank to help you keepyour balance as the motorcycleturns.

• Feet– Keep your feet firmly onthe footpegs to maintain bal-ance. Don’t 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, don’t letyour toes point downward–theymay 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.That’s something you can learn only through practice. But control beginswith 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 whendownshifting.

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 rearwheel. 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 timeyouslow or stop. Using both brakesfor even “normal” stops will per-mit you to develop the properhabit or skill of using bothbrakes 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 forstopping. 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 andsqueezethe brake lever, nevergrab.

• Some motorcycles have inte-grated braking systems thatlink the front and rear brakestogether by applying the rearbrake pedal. (Consult theowner’s 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 can’thold the turn, they end up crossinginto another lane of traffic or goingoff the road. Or, they overreact andbrake too hard, causing a skid andloss of control. Approach turns andcurves with caution.

Use four steps for better con -trol:

• SLOW• LOOK• LEAN• ROLL

SLOW–Reduce speed before theturn by closing the throttle and,if necessary, applying bothbrakes.

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

LEAN–To turn, the motorcyclemust lean. To lean the motorcy-cle, press on the handgrip in thedirection of the turn. Pressleft–lean left–go left. Pressright–lean right–go right.Higher speeds and/or tighterturns require the motorcycle tolean more.

RIGHT

WRONG

LANE POSITIONS3 Test Yourself

When riding , you should:

A.Turn your head and shoulders tolook through turns.

B. Keep your arms straight.C. Keep your knees away from the

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

look where you are going.Answer - page 46

12 13

ROLL– Roll 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 DISTANCE

The best protection you can have isdistance–a “cushion of space”–allaround 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 illustration.

Your lane position should:

• Increase your ability to see andbe 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 avoided–including the center.

Position yourself in the portion ofthe 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. Youcan operate to the left or right ofthe grease strip and still be withinthe center portion of the trafficlane. Avoid riding on big buildupsof oil and grease usually found atbusy intersections or toll booths.

FOLLOWING ANOTHER VEHICLE

“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 bemaintained 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 longerthan normal to stop. If the pave-

NORMAL TURNING

SLOW TURNING

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 portionof the lane should put your imagein the middle of the rearview mir-ror–where a driver is most likelyto see you.

Riding at the far side of a lanemay permit a driver to see you in asideview mirror. But rememberthat most drivers don’t 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 foryou 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 can’t 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. Ifthey don’t 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 leftlane and accelerate. Select a laneposition that doesn’t 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 situa-tion.

Avoid being hit by:

• The other vehicle– A slightmistake by you or the passing driv-er could cause a sideswipe.• Extended mirrors– Some driv-ers forget that their mirrors hangout farther than their fenders.•Objects thrown from win -dows– Even if the driver knowsyou’re there, a passenger may notsee you and might toss somethingon you or the road ahead of you.• Blasts of wind from largervehicles– They can affect your con-trol. You have more room for errorif you are in the middle portionwhen hit by this blast than if youare on either side of the lane.

Do not move into the portion ofthe lane farthest from the passingvehicle. It might invite the otherdriver to cut back into your lanetoo early.

PASSING BEING PASSED

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 squeeze byyou. Drivers are most tempted todo 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 exit

lane 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.

CARS ALONGSIDE

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 withoutwarning. Cars in the next lane alsoblock your escape if you come upondanger in your own lane. Speed upor drop back to find a place clear oftraffic 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

Let’s examine each of these steps.

SCAN

Search aggressively ahead, to thesides and behind to avoid potentialhazards 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 mayturn left in front of you.

• Traffic oncoming from the leftand right.

• Traffic approaching frombehind.

• Hazardous road conditions.

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

IDENTIFY

Locate hazards and potential con-flicts.

• Vehicles and other motorcy -cles– may move into your pathand increase the likelihood of acrash.

• Pedestrians and animals– areunpredictable, and make short,quick moves.

• Stationary objects– potholes,guard rails, bridges, roadwaysigns, hedges, or trees won’tmove into your path but mayinfluence your riding strategy.

PREDICT

Consider speed, distance, anddirection of hazards to anticipatehow they may affect you. Carsmoving 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 constantlychanging traffic situations.

MERGING

BLIND SPOTS

4 Test Yourself

Usuall y, a good w ay to handletailgaters is to:

A. Change lanes and let them pass.B. Use your horn and make obscene

gestures.C. Speed up to put distance be-

tween you and the tailgater.D. Ignore them.

Answer - page 46

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 atime” 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.

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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 residentialstreet–anywhere traffic may crossyour path of travel. Over one-halfof motorcycle/car crashes arecaused by drivers entering a rider’sright-of-way. Cars that turn left infront of you, including cars turningleft from the lane to your right,and cars on side streets that pullinto your lane, are the biggest dan-gers. Your use of SIPDE (p. 17) atintersections 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 stillfails 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 trouble”–not 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 motorcyclethat permits you to take evasiveaction.

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SMALL INTERSECTIONS

5 Test Yourself

To reduce your reaction 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 mightthink 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 driver’s field of vision at the ear-liest possible moment. In this pic-ture, the rider has moved to theleft portion of the lane–away fromthe parked car–so the driver onthe cross street can see him assoon as possible.

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

LARGE INTERSECTIONS

BLIND INTERSECTIONS

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 bushes tosee if anything is coming. Justmake sure your front wheel staysout of the cross lane of travel whileyou’re 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 thedriver 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 arethe most dangerous. They may cutyou off entirely, blocking the wholeroadway and leaving you with noplace to go. Since you can’t tellwhat a driver will do, slow downand get the driver’s attention.Sound your horn and continuewith caution.

PARKING AT THE ROADSIDE

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

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INCREASINGCONSPICUITY

In crashes with motorcyclists, driv-ers often say that they never sawthe motorcycle. From ahead orbehind, a motorcycle’s outline ismuch smaller than a car’s. Also, it’shard to see something you are notlooking for, and most drivers arenot looking for motorcycles. Morelikely, they are looking through theskinny, two-wheeled silhouette insearch of cars that may pose aproblem to them.

Even if a driver does see you com-ing, you aren’t 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, thinkingthey have plenty of time. Too often,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 halfof 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 andjacket 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 also bea big help for drivers comingtoward you or from behind.

HEADLIGHT

The best way to help others seeyour motorcycle is to keep theheadlight on—at all times(although motorcycles sold in theU.S. since 1978 automatically havethe headlights on when running.)Studies show that, during the day,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 e ye contact with otherdr ivers:

A. Is a good sign they see you.B. Is not worth the effort it takes.C. Doesn’t mean that the driver

will yield.D. Guarantees that the other driver

will yield to you.Answer - page 46

SIGNALING

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However, due to a rider’s addedvulnerability, signals are evenmore important. Use them anytimeyou plan to change lanes or turn.Use them even when you think noone else is around. It’s the car youdon’t see that’s going to give youthe most trouble. Your signal lightsalso make you easier to spot.That’s why it’s a good idea to useyour turn signals even when whatyou 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 maypull directly into your path, think-ing you plan to turn again. Useyour signals at every turn so driv-ers can react accordingly. Don’tmake them guess what you intendto do.

BRAKE LIGHT

Your motorcycle’s brake light isusually not as noticeable as thebrake lights on a car—particularlywhen your taillight is on. (It goeson 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 may notexpect it (in the middle of ablock or at an alley).

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

USING YOUR MIRRORS

While it’s most important to keeptrack of what’s happening ahead,you can’t afford to ignore situa-tions behind. Traffic conditionschange quickly. Knowing what’sgoing 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 driverisn’t 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. Thedriver 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.

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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 beyour 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 getsomeone’s 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 to pass.

• A parked car has someone inthe driver’s 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 motorcycle’shorn isn’t as loud as a car’s, there-fore, use it, but don’t 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 Speed– Ride evenslower than you would duringthe day–particularly on roadsyou don’t know well. This willincrease your chances of avoid-ing a hazard.

USING MIRRORS

24

Increase Distance– Distances 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 Ahead– The 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 Beam– Get 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. Yourchances 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. Don’t be shyabout using the front brake, butdon’t “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 rear brake. Ifyou accidentally lock the rearbrake on a good traction surface,keep it locked until you have com-pletely stopped. Even with a lockedrear wheel, you can control themotorcycle on a straightaway if itis upright and going in a straightline.

Always use both brakes at thesame time to stop. The front brakecan provide 70% or more of thepotential 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 morebrake pressure until the motorcy-cle is straight and maximum brakepressure is possible. You should“straighten” the handlebars in thelast few feet of stopping, themotorcycle should then be straightup and in balance.

SWERVING OR TURNINGQUICKL Y

Sometimes you may not haveenough room to stop, even if youuse both brakes properly. An objectmight appear suddenly in yourpath. 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

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 after–neverwhile 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 alert towhether a curve remains constant,gradually widens, gets tighter, orinvolves 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 the

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DECREASING CURVES (TIGHTER TURNS) WIDENING CURVES

CONSTANT CURVES MULTIPLE CURVES

curve, and as you pass the center,move to the outside to exit.

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

• Railroad tracks• Grooves and gratings

UNEVEN SURFACES ANDOBSTACLES

Watch for uneven surfaces such asbumps, broken pavement, potholes,or small pieces of highway trash.

Try to avoid obstacles by slowingdown or going around them. If youmust go over the obstacle, first,determine if it is possible.Approach it at as close to a 90°angle as possible. Look where youwant to go to control your path oftravel. If you have to ride over theobstacle, you should:

• Slow down as much as possiblebefore contact.

• Make sure the motorcycle isstraight.

• Rise slightly off the seat withyour weight on the footpegs toabsorb the shock with yourknees and elbows, and avoidbeing thrown off the motorcycle.

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

OBSTACLES

8 Test Yourself

The best w ay to stop quickly is to:

A. Use the front brake only.B. Use the rear brake first.C. Throttle down and use the front

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

Answer - page 46

HANDLING DANGEROUSSURFACES

Your chance of falling or beinginvolved in a crash increaseswhenever you ride across:

• Uneven surfaces or obstacles• Slippery surfaces

28

front end.

If you ride over an object on thestreet, pull off the road and checkyour tires and rims for damagebefore riding any further.

SLIPPERY SURFACES

Motorcycles handle better whenridden on surfaces that permitgood traction. Surfaces that pro-vide poor traction include:

• Wet pavement, particularly justafter it starts to rain and beforesurface oil washes to the side ofthe road.

• Gravel roads, or where sandand gravel collect.

• Mud, snow , and ice.• Lane markings, steel plates

and manhole covers, especiallywhen wet.

To ride safely on slippery surfaces:

• Reduce Speed– Slow downbefore you get to a slippery sur-face to lessen your chances ofskidding. Your motorcycle needsmore distance to stop. And, it isparticularly important to reducespeed before entering wetcurves.

• Avoid Sudden Moves– Any sud-den change in speed or directioncan cause a skid. Be as smoothas possible when you speed up,shift gears, turn or brake.

• Use Both Brakes– The frontbrake is still effective, even on aslippery surface. Squeeze thebrake lever gradually to avoidlocking the front wheel.Remember, gentle pressure onthe rear brake.

• The center of a lane can be

hazardous when wet. When itstarts to rain, ride in the tiretracks left by cars. Often, theleft tire track will be the bestposition, depending on trafficand other road conditions aswell.

• Watch for oil spots when youput your foot down to stop orpark. You may slip and fall.

• Dirt and gravel collect alongthe sides of the road–especiallyon curves and ramps leading toand from highways. Be aware ofwhat’s on the edge of the road,particularly when making sharpturns and getting on or off free-ways at high speeds.

• Rain dries and snow meltsfaster on some sections of aroad than on others. Patches ofice tend to crop up in low orshaded areas and on bridgesand overpasses. Wet surfaces orwet leaves are just as slippery.Ride on the least slippery por-tion of the lane and reducespeed.

Cautious riders steer clear of roadscovered with ice or snow. If youcan’t avoid a slippery surface, keepyour motorcycle straight up andproceed as slowly as possible. Ifyou encounter a larger surface soslippery that you must coast, ortravel at a walking pace, considerletting your feet skim along thesurface. If the motorcycle starts tofall, you can catch yourself. Be sureto keep off the brakes. If possible,squeeze the clutch and coast.Attempting this maneuver at any-thing other than the slowest ofspeeds could prove hazardous.

29

RAILROAD TRACKS , TROLLEYTRACKS AND PAVEMENT SEAMS

Usually it is safer to ride straightwithin your lane to cross tracks.Turning to take tracks head-on (ata 90° angle) can be more danger-ous–your path may carry you intoanother lane of traffic.

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

pavement seams to cross at anangle of at least 45°.Then, make aquick, sharp turn. Edging acrosscould catch your tires and throwyou off balance.

GROOVES AND GRATINGS

Riding over rain grooves or bridgegrating may cause a motorcycle toweave. The uneasy, wandering feel-ing is generally not hazardous.Relax, maintain a steady speedand ride straight across. Crossingat an angle forces riders to zigzagto stay in the lane. The zigzag isfar more hazardous than the wan-dering feeling.

99 Test Yourself

When 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

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MECHANICAL PROBLEMS

You can find yourself in an emer-gency the moment something goeswrong with your motorcycle. Indealing with any mechanical prob-lem, take into account the roadand traffic conditions you face.Here are some guidelines that canhelp you handle mechanical prob-lems safely.

TIRE FAILURE

You seldom hear a tire go flat. Ifthe motorcycle starts handling dif-ferently, it may be a tire failure.This can be dangerous. You mustbe able to tell from the way themotorcycle reacts. If one of yourtires suddenly loses air, reactquickly to keep your balance. Pulloff and check the tires.

If the front tire goes flat, the steer-ing will feel “heavy.” A front-wheelflat is particularly hazardousbecause it affects your steering.You have to steer well to keep yourbalance.

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

If either tire goes flat while riding:

• Hold handgrips firmly, ease offthe throttle, and keep a straightcourse.

• If braking is required, howev-er, gradually apply the brake ofthe tire that isn’t flat, if you aresure 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 forthseveral times. If the throttle cableis stuck, this may free it. If thethrottle stays stuck, immediatelyoperate the engine cut-off switchand pull in the clutch at the sametime. This will remove power fromthe rear wheel, though enginenoise may not immediately decline.Once the motorcycle is “under con-trol,” pull off and stop.

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

WOBBLE

A “wobble” occurs when the frontwheel and handlebars suddenlystart to shake from side to side atany speed. Most wobbles can betraced to improper loading, unsuit-able accessories, or incorrect tirepressure. If you are carrying aheavy load, lighten it. If you can’t,shift it. Center the weight lowerand farther forward on the motor-cycle. Make sure tire pressure,spring pre-load, air shocks, anddampers 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.

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910 Test Yourself

If 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 motorcyclemore unstable. Instead:

• Grip the handlebars firmly ,but don’t fight the wobble.

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

• Move your weight as far for-ward and down as possible.

• Pull off the road as soon asyou can to fix the problem.

CHAIN PROBLEMS

A chain that slips or breaks whileyou’re riding could lock the rearwheel and cause your cycle to skid.Chain slippage or breakage can beavoided by proper maintenance.

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

Breakage– You’ll notice an instantloss of power to the rear wheel.Close the throttle and brake toa stop.

ENGINE SEIZURE

When the engine “locks” or“freezes” it is usually low on oil.The engine’s moving parts can’tmove smoothly against each other,and the engine overheats. The firstsign may be a loss of engine poweror a change in the engine’s 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 big–like a car.

Motorcycles seem to attract dogs. Ifyou are chased, downshift andapproach the animal slowly. As youapproach it, accelerate away andleave the animal behind. Don’tkick 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, theyare unpredictable.

911 Test Yourself

If you are chased by a dog:

A. Kick it away.B. Stop until the animal loses interest.C. Swerve around the animal.D. Approach the animal slowly, then

speed up.Answer - page 46

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FLYING OBJECTS

From time to time riders arestruck by insects, cigarettesthrown from cars, or pebbleskicked up by the tires of the vehi-cle ahead. If you are wearing faceprotection, it might get smeared orcracked, making it difficult to see.Without face protection, an objectcould hit you in the eye, face, ormouth. Whatever happens, keepyour eyes on the road and yourhands on the handlebars. Whensafe, pull off the road and repairthe damage.

GETTING OFF THE ROAD

If you need to leave the road tocheck the motorcycle (or just torest for a while), be sure you:

• Check the roadside– Make surethe surface of the roadside isfirm enough to ride on. If it issoft grass, loose sand, or ifyou’re just not sure about it,slow way down before you turnonto it.

• Signal– Drivers behind mightnot expect you to slow down.Give a clear signal that you willbe slowing down and changingdirection. Check your mirrorand make a head check beforeyou take any action.

• Pull off the road– Get as far offthe road as you can. It can bevery hard to spot a motorcycleby the side of the road. Youdon’t want someone else pullingoff at the same place you are.

• Park carefully– Loose andsloped shoulders can make set-ting the side or center stand dif-ficult.

CARRYING PASSENGERSAND CARGO

Only experienced riders shouldcarry passengers or large loads.The extra weight changes the waythe motorcycle handles, balances,turns, speeds up, and slows down.Before taking a passenger or heavyload on the street, practice awayfrom traffic.

EQUIPMENT

To carry passengers safely:

• Equip and adjust your motor-cycle to carry passengers.

• Instruct the passenger beforeyou start.

• Adjust your riding techniquefor the added weight.

Equipment should include:

• A proper seat– large enough tohold both of you without crowd-ing. You should not sit any far-ther forward than you usuallydo.

• Footpegs– for the passenger.Firm footing prevents your pas-senger from falling off andpulling you off, too.

• Protective equipment– thesame protective gear recom-mended for operators.

Adjust the suspension to handlethe additional weight. You willprobably need to add a few poundsof pressure to the tires if you carrya passenger. (Check your owner’smanual for appropriate settings.)While your passenger sits on theseat with you, adjust the mirrorand headlight according to thechange in the motorcycle’s angle.

33

INSTRUCTING PASSENGERS

Even if your passenger is a motor-cycle rider, provide completeinstructions before you start. Tellyour passenger to:

• Get on the motorcycle only afteryou 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 ormotion.

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.

RIDING WITH PASSENGERS

Your motorcycle will respond moreslowly with a passenger on board.The heavier your passenger, thelonger it will take to slow down,speed up, or turn–especially on alight motorcycle.

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

• Start slowing earlier as youapproach a stop.

• Open up a larger cushion ofspace ahead and to the sides.

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

Warn your passenger of specialconditions–when you will pull out,stop quickly, turn sharply, or rideover a bump. Turn your headslightly to make yourself under-stood, but keep your eyes on theroad ahead.

CARRYING LOADS

Most motorcycles are not designedto carry much cargo. Small loadscan be carried safely if positionedand fastened properly.

• Keep the Load Low– Fastenloads securely, or put them insaddle bags. Piling loadsagainst a sissybar or frame onthe back of the seat raises themotorcycle’s center of gravityand disturbs its balance.

• Keep the Load Forward– Placethe load over, or in front of, therear axle. Tank bags keep loadsforward, but use caution whenloading hard or sharp objects.Make sure tank bag does notinterfere with handlebars orcontrols. Mounting loads behindthe rear axle can affect how themotorcycle turns and brakes. Itcan also cause a wobble.

• Distribute the Load Evenly–Load saddlebags with about thesame weight. An uneven loadcan cause the motorcycle to driftto one side.

912 Test Yourself

Passengers should:

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

Answer - page 46

34

• Secure the Load– Fasten theload securely with elastic cords(bungee cords or nets). Elasticcords with more than oneattachment point per side aremore secure. A tight load won’tcatch 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 Load– Stop 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 anddoesn’t 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 numberisn’t separated as easily by trafficor red lights. Riders won’t 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

• Plan– The leader should lookahead for changes and signalearly so “the word gets back” inplenty of time. Start lanechanges early to permit every-one to complete the change.

• Put Beginners Up Front–Place inexperienced riders justbehind the leader. That way themore experienced riders canwatch them from the back.

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

• Know the Route– Make sureeveryone knows the route. Then,if someone is separated theywon’t have to hurry to keepfrom getting lost or taking awrong turn. Plan frequent stopson long rides.

KEEP YOUR 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.

• Don’t Pair Up– Never operatedirectly alongside another rider.There is no place to go if youhave to avoid a car or some-thing on the road. To talk, waituntil you are both stopped.

• Staggered Formation– This 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 Formation– Ridersin 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 passessafely , 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. It’s 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-Formation– It 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 Yourself

When riding in a g roup ,inexperienced riders shouldposition 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

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 ridershad 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 aproblem among motorcyclists as itis among automobile drivers.Motorcyclists; however, are morelikely to be killed or severelyinjured in a crash. Injuries occur in90% of motorcycle crashes and 33%of automobile crashes that involveabuse of substances. On a yearlybasis, 2,100 motorcyclists arekilled and about 50,000 seriouslyinjured in this same type of crash.These statistics are too overwhelm-ing to ignore.

By becoming knowledgeable aboutthe effects of alcohol and otherdrugs you will see that riding andsubstance abuse don’t mix. Takepositive steps to protect yourselfand to prevent others from injur-ing themselves.

ALCOHOL AND OTHERDRUGS IN MO TORCYCLEOPERATION

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 isalone.

37

ALCOHOL IN THE BODY

Alcohol enters the bloodstreamquickly. Unlike most foods and bev-erages, 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 impairbodily functions–both mental andphysical. Whatever you do, you doless well after consuming alcohol.

BLOOD ALCOHOLCONCENTRATION

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. Alcoholmay still accumulate in yourbody even if you are drinkingat a rate of one drink per hour .Abilities and judgment can beaffected 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 least onedrink will remain in your blood-stream.

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

Total # hours drinksdrinks LESS since last EQUALS leftconsumed 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 changing roadand traffic conditions is influenced by how fit and alert you are. Alcoholand other drugs, more than any other factor, degrade your ability to thinkclearly and to ride safely. As little as one drink can have a significant effecton your performance.

Let’s 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

38

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 LA W

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) with ANYdetectable 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 A DWIARREST

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 forDWI 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 toget out.

• Paying a towing fee to a wreckerfor 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 drug

dependency 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 officer week-ly 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 performingmore 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.

DON’T DRINK

Don’t Drink– Once 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 alcohol’s fatigu-ing effects.

Don’t Ride– If you haven’t con-trolled your drinking, you mustcontrol your riding.

• Leave the motorcycle home–So you won’t be tempted to ride.Arrange another way to gethome.

• Wait–If 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 this–it’s 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 ride– Providealternative ways for them to gethome.

• Slow the pace of drinking–Involve them in other activities.

• Keep them there– Use anyexcuse to keep them from get-ting on their motorcycle. Servethem food and coffee to pass thetime. Explain your concerns fortheir risks of getting arrested orhurt, or hurting someone else.

• Get friends involved– Use 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 onlyI had...”

914 Test Yourself

If you wait an hour for eac hdrink 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 may

still remain.D. You will be okay as long as you

ride slowly.Answer - page 46

40

FATIGUE

Riding a motorcycle is more tiringthan driving a car. On a long trip,you’ll tire sooner than you wouldin a car. Avoid riding when tired.Fatigue can affect your control ofthe motorcycle.

• Protect yourself from the ele-ments–Wind, cold, and rainmake you tire quickly. Dresswarmly. A windshield is worthits cost if you plan to ride longdistances.

• Limit your distance–Experienced riders seldom tryto ride more than about sixhours a day.

• Take frequent rest breaks–Stop, and get off the motorcycleat least every two hours.

• Don’t drink or use drugs–Artificial stimulants oftenresult in extreme fatigue ordepression when they start towear off. Riders are unable toconcentrate on the task at hand.

41

Motorcycling is very popular inTexas. Before you take to the road,you should know the Texas lawsgoverning motorcycles, and thecommon sense safety rules.

If you have never ridden amotorcycle, you should know that amotorcycle only looks easy to ride.Motorcycles are different fromother vehicles–only two wheelsplace more demand on the opera-tor for balance and coordination.The motorcycle’s smaller sizemakes it harder for others to see itin traffic and the rider more vul-nerable to injury in a crash. Ridinga motorcycle requires special skillsand knowledge beyond thoserequired for driving a car.

On today’s highways, there arelarge numbers of motorcycle ridersand an even larger number ofautomobile drivers who do notunderstand how to safely mix intraffic. This lack of knowledge hasresulted in an increase in motorcy-cle-related crashes. The key tosafety is understanding and learn-ing how to share the roadway.

Knowing all you can about themotorcycle you ride, or intend toride, is good preparation for safeand enjoyable riding. Learning toride off the street in “The Coursefor Motorcycle Riders” is goodinsurance. When you take to theroad, you will be able to concen-trate on the traffic because controlof 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 won’t let you downare:

• 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 makeyour motorcycle harder to han-dle.

EQUIPMENT

Texas law requires the followingequipment on Motorcycles andMotor-Driven Cycles:

• Wheel Assembly• Exhaust System• Tail Lamp (1)• Stop Lamp (1)• License Plate Lamp• Rear Red Reflector• Head Lamp (1)• Motorcycle, Serial, or, Vehicle

Identification Number• Horn• Mirror• Steering• Brakes• Tires

Texas law requires the followingequipment on Mopeds:

• Brake• Reflector• Head Lamp• Rear Lamp

These are just minimum require-ments. To survive in traffic, youshould have a mirror on each side.It is also a good idea to have addi-tional reflectors on the motorcycle.

RIDING TEXAS HIGHW AYS

42 43

Motorcycles manufactured after1975 must be ridden with theheadlight on.

Helmet and Passengers–Helmets meeting Federal MotorVehicle Safety Standard #218(FMVSS-218) are required formotorcycle operators and passen-gers. This requirement applies toall motorcycles, motor scooters, andmopeds regardless of size or num-ber of wheels.

Persons at least 21 years old areexempt from wearing a helmet ifthey have completed aDepartment-approved MotorcycleOperator Training Course or theyare covered with at least $10,000in medical insurance. (Proof ofmedical insurance must be a cardor certificate that contains thename of the insurer, the insurancepolicy number, and the policy peri-od).

Upon application and payment of a$5 fee, the Department’sMotorcycle Safety Unit will issue ahelmet exemption sticker to allpersons meeting the motorcycletraining or the medical insurancerequirements. The exemption stick-er should be placed on the bottomcenter point of the motorcyclelicense plate or on the license platebracket.The sticker may not betransferred from one motorcycle toanother and is only applicable tothe registered owner of the motor-cycle. Persons operating or ridingupon a motorcycle with a helmetexemption sticker displayed arepresumed to meet the helmetexemption requirements.

An operator who uses someone

else’s motorcycle to take the roadtest portion of the driver licenseexamination must wear a helmetunless he or she is at least 21years old and meets the course orinsurance requirements describedabove.

Helmets should also:

• Fit snugly• Be securely fastened when riding• Be free of defects such as cracks,

loose padding, frayed straps, orexposed metal.

A motorcycle operator cannot carrya passenger unless the motorcycleis equipped with a permanent pas-senger seat.

LICENSING ANDOPERATION

ADULT MOTORCYCLE OPERA TOR

LICENSING

The operator of a motorcycle on apublic highway must hold a validmotorcycle license (Class M driverlicense). This requirement alsoapplies to operators of motor-driv-en cycles and mopeds.

To receive a license to operate amotorcycle, applicants must pass awritten test covering traffic lawspertaining to motorcycles and aroad test. The road test may bewaived.

ROAD TEST AND WAIVER

INFORMATION

In order to take a road test, appli-cants must have their own motor-cycle and provide a passenger vehi-cle and a licensed driver to drive

the examiner during the road test.The vehicle owners must showproof of liability insurance for bothvehicles and must pass an on-sitesafety inspection. This test will besimilar to that described for pas-senger cars in the Texas DriversHandbook.

An applicant (must be age 16 orolder) who has passed aDepartment of Public Safetyapproved Basic MotorcycleOperator Training Course, and hasan unrestricted (not an instruc-tional permit) Class A, B, or Clicense, can present an MSB-8completion certificate or a comple-tion card from a course meetingMotorcycle Safety Foundation cur-riculum standards and receive awaiver of the road test.

Texas law requires that theapproach for a right turn and theright turn shall be made as closeas practicable to the right-handcurb or edge of the roadway. Thisdoes not conflict with the materialpresented elsewhere in this manu-al. A motorcycle positioned to theright of center of its lane is com-plying with the law while still pro-tecting its lane position.

REQUIREMENTS FOR LICENSINGMINORS

Texas law requires that minors,ages 15 through 17, pass a BasicMotorcycle Operator TrainingCourse approved by theDepartment of Public Safety beforeapplying for a motorcycle license.Before taking the course, minorsmust have successfully completedthe classroom phase of a drivereducation course. A minor mustpresent the MSB-8 before testing

for a motorcycle license.Minors over the age of 16 whoalready have an unrestricted ClassA, B, or C driver license are eligi-ble for a road test waiver. Minorsunder the age of 16 can only belicensed to ride a motorcycle withno more than 250cc piston dis-placement. This restriction is indi-cated by the restriction code “I” onthe driver license. After the personreaches the age of 16, the 250ccrestriction may be removed.

Mopeds– The operator of a mopedmust hold a valid license as amoped operator (Class M driverlicense with a restriction code of“K”). A moped is defined as amotor-driven cycle that cannotexceed 30 mph, does not have anengine larger than 50cc, and doesnot have manual gear shifting.Applicants for a moped operator’slicense must be at least 15 yearsold.The licensing requirementsinvolve a written examination ontraffic laws that apply to the oper-ation of mopeds. No road testinvolving the operation of a mopedis required.

Registration– Every owner of amotor vehicle, including motorcy-cles, motor scooters, and mopedsthat will be ridden on public road-ways, must register their vehiclethrough the County Tax Assessor-Collector in their county of resi-dence. A license plate must beattached to the rear of the vehicleand must include a sticker show-ing current registration.

Inspection– All motor vehiclesregistered in Texas (includingmotorcycles, motor scooters, andmopeds) must be inspected eachyear at an Official Motor Vehicle

44 45

Inspection Station. When themotorcycle passes inspection, anapproved certificate must beplaced near the rear license plate.These certificates are good for oneyear from the month of inspection.

Insurance– All motor vehicle oper-ators must show proof of liabilityinsurance when the vehicle is reg-istered or inspected, or whenobtaining an original Texas DriverLicense.

BE ROAD READY

Studies indicate that in crashes,motorcycle riders and passengersare more likely to be seriouslyinjured or killed than automobileoperators or passengers. Yourchance of reaching your destina-tion safely is directly related to thepreparation you do before the ride.You need to mentally prepare bybeing alert, free of stress, sober,and ready for riding.

Head Protection– A helmet pro-tects you against head injury,windblast, cold, sunburn, flyingobjects, and hearing loss. Headinjuries account for the majority ofmotorcycle fatalities. Without ahelmet, you are five times morelikely to sustain a critical headinjury in a crash.

Eye Protection– Eyeglasses withshatterproof lenses protect theeyes but most styles do not sealout the wind that makes your eyeswater. Goggles provide eye protec-tion and most models protect youreyes from the wind. A motorcyclewindshield or fairing alone is notadequate for eye protection. Eyeprotection should:

• Be shatterproof• Be securely fastened• Be optically clear• Resist impact and penetration• Not block peripheral vision

Protection Clothing– The clothesyou wear when riding a motorcycleshould protect you from sunburn,windburn, rain, dehydration, cold,and parts of the motorcycle, andprovide visibility and comfort. Incase of a crash, quality ridingclothes may prevent or reduce theseverity of cuts, abrasions, andbodily injury. Quality ridingclothes consist of:

• Low-heeled footwear that coversthe ankle with no danglinglaces or rings and provides agood grip on the road surfaceand footpegs.

• Gloves that protect the handsfrom cuts and bruises, blisters,cold, wind, and provide bettergrip for control.

• Brightly colored long-sleevedshirt or jacket and long pantsthat will resist abrasions and fitcomfortably without binding.

• Rain suits are recommended inrainy weather.

Face Shields– Any motorcyclistwho has been hit in the face by astone or an insect while riding cantell you about the benefits of faceprotection. Studies indicate thatmotorcycle riders with shields cov-ering their faces suffer fewer facialinjuries than others without ashield. A face shield should:

• Be securely fastened to the hel-met and be free of scratches.

• Resist impact and penetration.

DISABLED PARKING:

State law provides that it is a vio-lation (Class C misdemeanor - upto $500 fine) for a person to park,stand, or stop a vehicle (motorcy-cle) in a disabled person parkingspace. The law specifically states:

1. You may not park in a disabledparking space unless the vehicle(motorcycle) has a disabledlicense plate or a state issuedremovable windshield identifi-cation card;

2. You may not use a disabledparking windshield identifica-tion card unless transportingthe disabled person to whom itwas issued;

3. You may not lend your wind-shield identification card tosomeone else;

4. You may not block an access orcurb ramp;

Additionally, certain municipalitiesalso prohibit stopping or standinga vehicle (motorcycle) in a disabledparking space unless bearing a dis-abled parking windshield identifi-cation card or disabled licenseplate.

Do NOT parkin striped areas

Do not park a vehicle (motorcycle)in striped areas adjacent to handi-cap parking spaces or in stripedarea in front of entrance to a busi-ness adjacent to a parking space.The striped area is for wheelchairlifts. In addition, motorcyclesshould not be parked on sidewalks.Parking on sidewalks can preventa person who is handicapped fromgaining access to a business ortheir residence.

46 47

EARNING YOUR LICENSE

Safe riding requires knowledge and skill. Licensing tests are the bestmeasurement of the skills necessary to operate safely in traffic. Assessingyour own skills is not enough. People often overestimate their own abili-ties. It’s even harder for friends and relatives to be totally honest aboutyour skills. Licensing exams are designed to be scored more objectively.

To earn your license, you must pass a knowledge test and an on-cycle skilltest. Knowledge test questions are based on information, practices, andideas from this manual. They require that you know and understand roadrules and safe riding practices. An on-cycle skill test will either be conduct-ed in an actual traffic environment or in a controlled, off-street area.

KNOWLEDGE TEST(Sample Questions)

1. It is MOST important to flashyour brake light when:A. Someone is following too closely.B. You will be slowing suddenly.C. There is a stop sign ahead.D. Your signals are not working.

2. The FRONT brake supplieshow much of the potential stop -ping po wer?A. About one-quarter.B. About one-half.C. About three-quarters.D. All of the stopping power.

3. To swerve correctly:A. Shift your weight quickly.B. Turn the handlebars quickly.C. Press the handgrip in the direc-

tion of the turn.D. Press the handgrip in the oppo-

site direction of the turn.

Answers to Test Yourself (previous pages)1-C. 2-D. 3-D, 4-A. 5-B.6-C. 7-D. 8-D. 9-C, 10-C,11-D, 12-A, 13-A, 14-C

4. If a tire goes flat while rid -ing , and you must stop , it isusually best to:A. Relax on the handlegrips.B. Shift your weight toward the

good tire.C. Brake on the good tire and steer

to the side of the road.D. Use both brakes and stop quick-

ly.

5. The car below is waiting toenter the intersection. It is bestto:A. Make eye contact with the driver.B. Reduce speed and be ready to react.C. Maintain speed and position.D. Maintain speed and move right.

Answers to above Knowledge Test:1-B. 2-C. 3-C, 4-C. 5-B

ON-CYCLE SKILL TEST

Basic vehicle control and crash-avoidance skills are included in on-cycle test to determine your abilityto handle normal and hazardoustraffic situations.

You may be tested for your abilityto:

• Know your motorcycle andyour riding limits.

• Accelerate, brake, and turnsafely .

• See, be seen and communicatewith others.

• Adjust speed and position tothe traffic situation.

• Stop, turn and swerve quick -ly.

• Make critical decisions andcarry them out.

Examiners may score on factorsrelated to safety such as:

• Selecting safe speeds to per-form maneuvers.

• Choosing the correct path andstaying within boundaries.

• Completing normal and quickstops.

• Completing normal and quickturns, or swerves.

FREQUENTL Y ASKED QUESTIONS

Q. What is “The Course forMotorcycle Riders?”

A. The Basic Motorcycle OperatorTraining Course teaches the men-tal and physical skills that new, orinexperienced riders need for safeand enjoyable street riding. TheAdvanced Motorcycle OperatorTraining Course is for the moreexperienced rider and teachesmore advanced street survivalskills. Both courses are approvedby the Department of Public Safetyand offered by contracted sponsorsparticipating in the TexasMotorcycle Operator TrainingProgram.

Q. Who is required to take thecourse?

A. Minors, 15 through 17 yearsold, must complete the BasicMotorcycle Operator Training

Course to be eligible to receive amotorcycle operator’s license.Riders of all ages are encouragedto take it.

Q. When and where are thecourses offered?

A. Course schedules vary both indays and times offered. Coursesare available in more than 40 sitesthroughout the state. Call toll freein Texas 1-800-292-5787 or (512)424-2021 (in Austin) to find thecourse nearest you.

Q. What do you get out of thecourse?

A. Course graduates receive a pro-gram patch, decal, and a coursecompletion certificate (MSB-8) thatindicates which course was attend-ed. The MSB-8, annotated for thebasic or advanced course, is recog-nized by many insurance compa-nies for a discount on motorcycle

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liability insurance and is proof ofcourse completion for ticket dis-missal. The MSB-8, annotated forthe basic course, may be acceptedto waive the driver’s license roadtest.

Q. Who can become an instructor?

A. To find out about the next avail-able instructor training course,contact the Motorcycle Safety Unit.

Q. Where can I locate motorcyclespecific laws?

A. The DPS Motorcycle SafetyUnit provides a Texas MotorcycleLaws pamphlet to all requesters.The information is also incorporat-ed in the unit’s web page. For moreinformation contact:

TEXAS MO TORCYCLE SAFETY UNITTEXAS DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY

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

512/424-2021 or 1/800-292-5787Web Address: www.txdps.state.tx.us/msb

E-mail: motorcycle.safety@txdps.state.tx.us

Diagrams and drawings used in this manual are for reference only and arenot to correct scale for size of vehicles and distances.

For information about driver licenses, call your localDriver License Office or Driver License Customer Serviceat 512/424-2600 or visit the Driver License web pagewww.txdps.state.tx.us/administration/dr iver_license_control .

For information about motorcycle operator trainingcourses, call the Motorcycle Safety Unit at 512/424-2021 ortoll free 1-800-292-5787, email the Motorcycle Safety Unit at motorcycle.safety@txdps.state.tx.us , or visit the MotorcycleSafety Unit’s web page, www.txdps.state.tx.us/msb .