California Motorcycle Handbook - Antevia

DISCLAIMER .....................................iiWHERE TO WRITE ............................iiINTRODUCTION ............................... 2TWO-WHEEL VEHICLE OPERATION 2Motorcycles ........................................... 2Motor-Driven Cycles ............................ 3Motorized Bicycles............................... 3Motorized Scooter ............................... 3LICENSE REQUIREMENTS ............... 4Earning Your License .......................... 4Application Requirements—All Drivers ......................................... 4Permit Requirements ......................... 4Minors ....................................................... 5Adults ....................................................... 5Licensing Requirements.................... 5Minors ....................................................... 5Adults ....................................................... 5On-Cycle Skill Test ............................... 5PREPARING TO RIDE ....................... 6Wearing The Right Gear ...................... 6Helmet use ................................................ 6Helmet selection ....................................... 6Eye and face protection ........................... 7Clothing ..................................................... 7Know Your Motorcycle ........................ 8The right motorcycle ................................. 8Borrowing and lending ............................. 8Get familiar with the motorcycle controls 9Check your motorcycle ............................ 9Know Your Responsibilities............. 10RIDE WITHIN YOUR ABILITIES ...... 10Basic Vehicle Control ........................ 10Body position .......................................... 10Shifting gears ......................................... 11Braking .................................................... 11Turning .................................................... 12Keeping Your Distance ...................... 12Lane positions ........................................ 12Following another vehicle ...................... 13Being followed ....................................... 14Passing and being passed ..................... 14Lane sharing ........................................... 15Merging cars ........................................... 15Cars alongside ....................................... 16Search, Evaluate, and Execute ......... 16Search .................................................... 16Evaluate .................................................. 16Execute ................................................... 17TABLE OF CONTENTSIntersections ....................................... 17Blind intersections ..................................18Passing parked cars .............................. 18Parking at roadside ................................. 19Increasing Visibility ........................... 19Clothing ................................................... 19Headlight .................................................20Turn signals ............................................ 20Brake light ............................................... 21Using your mirrors ..................................21Head checks ...........................................22Horn ........................................................ 22Riding at night ......................................... 22Crash Avoidance ................................ 23Quick stops ............................................. 23Swerving or turning quickly ...................24Cornering ................................................ 25Handling Dangerous Surfaces. ........ 26Uneven surfaces and obstacles ........... 26Slippery surfaces ................................... 26Railroad or trolley tracks and pavementseams ................................................ 27Grooves and gratings ............................28Mechanical Problems ........................ 28Tire failure ............................................... 28Stuck throttle ...........................................28Wobble ....................................................29Chain problems ....................................... 29Engine seizure ........................................29Animals .................................................30Flying Objects ...................................... 30Getting Off The Road .......................... 30Carrying Passengers and Cargo ....31Equipment ............................................... 31Instructing passengers .......................... 31Riding with passengers .........................31Carrying loads ........................................32Group Riding ........................................32Keep the group small .............................. 32Keep the group together ........................ 32Keep your distance ................................ 33BEING IN SHAPE TO RIDE .............. 34Blood Alcohol Concentration ........... 34Alcohol And The Law ........................ 35Minimize The Risks ........................... 35Fatigue .................................................. 35MOTORCYCLE INSURANCE FACTS.35EVADING A PEACE OFFICER .......... 36TREAD LIGHTLY ............................. 36i

©Copyright, Department of Motor Vehicles 2006All rights reserved.This work is protected by U.S. Copyright Law. DMV owns the copyrightof this work. Copyright law prohibits the following: (1) reproduction of thecopyrighted work; (2) distribution of copies of the copyrighted work; (3)preparation of derivative works based upon the copyrighted work; (4)displaying the copyrighted work publicly; or (5) performing the copyrightedwork publicly. All requests for permission to make copies of all or any partof this publication should be addressed to:Department of Motor VehiclesLegal OfficeP.O. Box 932382Sacramento, CA 94232-3820DISCLAIMERThis handbook is only a summary of the laws and regulations. DMV,law enforcement, and courts follow the full and exact language ofthe law contained in the California Vehicle Code. You may buy acopy of the Vehicle Code at any DMV office or visit our websiteat www.dmv.ca.gov.WHERE TO WRITEIf you have any suggestions or comments regarding this handbook,please write to:Department of Motor VehiclesCustomer Communications Unit M/S: C165P.O. Box 932345Sacramento, CA 94232-3450ii

DMV INFORMATIONDMV field offices are open 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM on Monday, Tuesday,Thursday, and Friday and from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM on Wednesday. Someoffices are open the third Saturday of every month. A few offices offeronly driver license or vehicle registration service. Call one of the tollfreenumbers below or go online to find the locations and businesshours of an office near you. DMV has two TOLL-FREE telephonenumbers.• Call 1-800-777-0133 between8 AM and 5 PM to speak to a DMVrepresentative for:- Driver license and vehicleregistration information,forms, and publications.- Office locations and hours.- A driving test appointment.• Call 1-800-921-1117 for DMV’s24-hour voice recognitionsystem. It’s open 24 hours aday, 7 days a week to:- Renew your vehicleregistration using a creditcard and the Renewal IdentificationNumber providedon your billing notice.- Make a non-driving testappointment.Go online at: www.dmv.ca.gov for:• Field offices—locations, hours, directions, phone numbers• Ordering personalized plates• Driver license and identification card information• Vehicle/vessel registration information• Downloadable forms• Publications—handbooks, brochures, sample tests• Senior driver information• Teen driver information• Links to other state and federal agenciesAdvertising sponsorship, instead of your fees, helps defray the printing costsof this publication. The products and services provided by the advertisingsponsors are not promoted or endorsed by DMV, but the significantcontribution by the advertising sponsors is most appreciated.If you would like to advertise in this publication, please call the Office ofState Publishing Advertising Department 1-866-824-0603.1

INTRODUCTIONThis booklet supplements theCalifornia Driver Handbookconcerning traffic laws, safedriving rules, and driver licenses.Study the California DriverHandbook as well as thissupplement.This supplement providesinformation for both novice andexperienced drivers of two-wheelvehicles. Portions of this bookletwhich deal with safe drivingpractices (rather than traffic laws)were developed initially by theNational Public ServicesResearch Institute in cooperationwith the Motorcycle SafetyFoundation (MSF).The Motorcycle SafetyFoundation, California HighwayPatrol (CHP), CaliforniaMotorcyclist Safety Program,various motorcyclist enthusiastgroups, and the Department ofMotor Vehicles (DMV) all agreethat improved licensing, alongwith quality motorcycle ridereducation and increased publicawareness, has the potential toreduce the number and severityof motorcycle accidents.When using this handbook,remember that it is only asummary of the laws andregulations. DMV, lawenforcement, and courts followthe full and exact language of thelaw contained in the CaliforniaVehicle Code.TWO-WHEEL VEHICLEOPERATIONThe basic rules of the roadcontained in the Vehicle Codeapply to all two-wheel vehicleswhich include motorcycles,motor-driven cycles, mopeds, orbicycles with a motor attached.Minibikes, tote-goats, trail bikes,and similar vehicles may fallwithin the definition ofmotorcycle, motor-driven cycle,or motorized bicycle. If any ofthese vehicles are operated on ahighway, they must meetapplicable equipment,registration, licensing, andoperation requirements, ifrequired.Do not ride a moped on a freeway,bicycle path or trail, equestrian(horse) trail, hiking trail, orrecreational trail unless that pathor trail is on or next to a road orpermission to use the trail orroadway is granted by local law.MOTORCYCLESA motorcycle:• Has a seat for the rider and isdesigned to travel on not morethan three wheels. Exception: Amotorcycle with a two-wheeledsidecar is also considered amotorcycle.• Can also be electricallypowered with a maximum speedof 45 miles per hour and weighless than 2,500 pounds.2

MOTOR-DRIVEN CYCLESA motor-driven cycle is:• A motorcycle with a 149 cc orless engine size.NOTE: You may not operate amotor-driven cycle on a freewayif signs are posted to prohibitmotor-driven cycle operation.MOTORIZED BICYCLESThere are two definitions ofmotorized bicycle (moped). Amotorized bicycle is:• A two- or three-wheeleddevice, capable of no more than30 mph on level ground, andequipped wither with:- fully operative pedals forhuman propulsion.- an internal combustionengine producing less thantwo gross brake horsepowerand an automatictransmission.- an electric motor, with orwithout pedals for humanpropulsion. (VC §406[a])• A vehicle with pedals and anelectric motor (not more than1,000 watts) which cannot bedriven at speeds of more than20 mph on level ground even ifassisted by human power. Themotor must stop when thebrakes are applied or the starterswitch is released. (VC §406[b])If you operate a motorized bicyclewhich meets the definition ofVC §406[b], you:• Must be 16 years of age orolder.• Must wear a properly fitted andfastened bicycle helmet.• Are exempt from the motorvehicle financial responsibility,driver license, and moped platerequirements. (VC §12804.9)You may ride a moped in a bicyclelane at a reasonable speed. Becareful of bicyclists using thelane.MOTORIZED SCOOTERA motorized scooter is defined asany two-wheeled “device” with:• A motor, handlebars, and afloorboard for standing onwhen riding, and• The options of having:- a driver seat which cannotinterfere with the operator’sability to stand and ride.- the ability to be powered byhuman propulsion.The motorized scooter’s exhaustsystem must not be modified oraltered.3

LICENSEREQUIREMENTSCalifornia issues the followinglicense classes for two-wheelvehicle operation:• Class M1—You may operateany two-wheel motorcycle,motor-driven cycle, ormotorized scooter and allvehicles listed under Class M2.• Class M2—You may operateany motorized bicycle, anybicycle with an attached motor,or a motorized scooter.• Class C —You may operate amotorcycle with a sidecarattached or a three-wheelmotorcycle.You may obtain a Class M1 or M2license at any DMV office whichprovides driver license services.Motorcycle law tests and skilltests are required.NOTE: The permit and licenserequirements in this supplementpertain to two-wheel vehicles.EARNING YOUR LICENSESafe riding requires knowledgeand skill. Testing two-wheelvehicle operators is the bestmeasurement of the skillsnecessary to operate safelyin traffic because peopleoften overestimate their ownabilities. DMV’s licensingexams are designed to be scoredobjectively.To obtain your license, you mustpass a knowledge test and an oncycleskill test. Knowledge testquestions are based oninformation, practices, and ideasfrom this manual. They requirethat you know and understandroad rules and safe ridingpractices. An on-cycle skill testwill either be conducted in anactual traffic environment or in acontrolled off-street area.APPLICATIONREQUIREMENTS—ALLDRIVERSThese are the requirements if youalready have a basic class driverlicense. Refer to the CaliforniaDriver Handbook for basic classdriver license requirements.To obtain an instruction permitto operate an M1/M2 vehicle onpublic roads, you must:• Submit a completed DMVapplication form (DL 44).• Pay the required application fee.• Pass an eye exam.• Have your picture taken.• Give a thumb print.• Pass a test(s) on traffic laws andsigns for the class of licenseyou now have unless you havetaken the test(s) within the priortwelve months.• Pass an additional law test onmotorcycle driving rules.NOTE: The Class M1/M2 permitdoes not allow you to carrypassengers and you must rideduring daylight hours only andnot on a freeway.4

MINORS’ M1/M2 PERMITREQUIREMENTSTo obtain a Class M1/M2 permit,you must:• Be 15 ½ years of age and bringproof you have finished bothdriver education and drivertraining. (DL 387, DL 388,DL 388A, OL 237, or OL 238).• Complete the applicationrequirements.• Have your parents’ * signatureson the application form.ADULTS’ M1/M2 PERMITREQUIREMENTSTo obtain a Class M1/M2instruction permit, you must:• Complete the applicationrequirements.• Be 18 years of age, or older.LICENSE REQUIREMENTS—ALL DRIVERSTo obtain a Class M1/M2 license,you must:• Complete the application andpermit requirements listedabove.• If you are under 21 years of age,provide a certificate ofCompletion of MotorcycleTraining (DL 389) from a CHPapprovedmotorcycle ridertraining course. Theskill test is waived for anyperson presenting a DL 389.Motorcycle training sites arelocated throughout California.Locate the nearest training siteby calling 1-877-RIDE411.• Pass a DMV skill test or presenta DL 389.• Pass a road test, if you areapplying for a Class M1/M2license only.MINORS’ M1/M2 LICENSEREQUIREMENTSTo obtain a Class M1/M2 license,you must:• Complete the requirementslisted above.• Be at least 16 years old.ADULTS’ M1/M2 LICENSEREQUIREMENTSTo obtain a Class M1/M2 license,you must:• Complete the requirementslisted above.• Be at least 18 years old.ON-CYCLE SKILL TESTBasic vehicle control and crashavoidanceskills are included inon-cycle tests to determine yourability to handle normal andhazardous traffic 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 quickly.* The term parents means both custodial parents unless only one parent has custody, or all legal guardians unlessonly one legal guardian has custody.5

• Make critical decisions andcarry them out.Examiners may score on factorsrelated to safety such as:• Selecting safe speeds toperform maneuvers.• Choosing the correct path andstaying within boundaries.• Completing normal and quickstops.• Completing normal and quickturns or swerves.PREPARING TO RIDEWhat you do before you start atrip goes a long way towarddetermining whether you’ll getwhere you want to go safely.Before starting any trip, a saferider makes a point to:• Wear the right gear.• Become familiar with themotorcycle.• Check the motorcycleequipment.• Be a responsible rider.WEARING THE RIGHT GEARWhen you ride, your gear is“right” if it protects you. In anycrash, you have a far betterchance of avoiding serious injurywhen you wear:• An approved helmet.• Face or eye protection.• Protective clothing.Helmet UseCrashes can occur—particularlyamong new riders. Many crashesresult in head or neck injurieswith head injuries being far morecommon. All operators andpassengers must wear anapproved safety helmet whenriding on a motorcycle, motordrivencycle, motorized bicycle,or motorized scooter. Researchshows that head and neck injuriesaccount for a majority of seriousand fatal motorcyclist injuriesand that with few exceptions,head and neck injuries arereduced by properly wearing anapproved helmet. Here are somefacts to consider.• An approved helmet lets yousee as far to the sides asnecessary.• Most crashes happen on shorttrips (less than five miles long)just a few minutes after startingout.• Most riders are riding slowerthan 30 mph when a crashoccurs. At these speeds,helmets can cut both thenumber and the severity ofhead injuries by half.No matter what your speed in acrash, if you are wearing a helmetyou are three times more likely tosurvive a head injury than if youaren’t wearing one.Helmet SelectionThere are two primary types ofhelmets which provide twodifferent levels of coverage:three-quarter and full face.6

Unsafe Helmet InteriorSafe Helmet InteriorWhichever style you choose,you get the most protection bymaking sure the helmet:• Meets U.S. Department ofTransportation (DOT) and statestandards. Helmets with a labelfrom the Snell MemorialFoundation give you an addedassurance of quality.• Fits snugly, all the way around.• Has no obvious defects suchas cracks, loose padding orfrayed straps.Keep your helmet securelyfastened on your head when youride. Otherwise, if you areinvolved in a crash, it’s likely tofly off your head before it gets achance to protect you.Eye and Face ProtectionA plastic shatter-resistant faceshield can help protect yourwhole face in a crash. It alsoprotects you from wind, dust,dirt, rain, insects, and pebblesthrown up from the vehiclesahead. If you don’t have to dealwith these types of problems, youcan devote your full attention tothe road.Goggles protect your eyes, butthey don’t protect the rest of yourface like a face shield does. Awindshield is not a substitute fora face shield or goggles. Mostwindshields will not protect youreyes from the wind. Neither willeyeglasses or sunglasses.Glasses won’t keep your eyesfrom watering, and they mightblow off when you turn yourhead.To be effective, eye or face shieldprotection must:• Be free of scratches.• Be resistant to penetration.• Give a clear view to either side.• Fasten securely, so it does notblow off.• Permit air to pass through, toreduce fogging.• Permit enough room foreyeglasses or sunglasses, ifneeded.Tinted eye protection should notbe worn at night or any other timewhen little light is available.ClothingThe right clothing protects youin a collision. It also providescomfort, as well as protectionfrom heat, cold, debris, and thehot and moving parts of themotorcycle.• Jacket and pants should coverarms and legs completely. They7

should fit snugly enough tokeep from flapping in the wind,but still allow you to movefreely. Leather or a sturdysynthetic material offers themost protection. Wear a jacketeven in warm weather toprevent dehydration. Many aredesigned to protect withoutgetting you overheated, evenon summer days.• Boots or shoes should be highand sturdy enough to coveryour ankles and support them.Soles should be made of hard,durable, slip-resistant material.The heels should be short sothey do not catch on roughsurfaces. Tuck in laces so theywon’t catch on yourmotorcycle.• Gloves allow a better grip andhelp protect your hands. Yourgloves should be made ofleather or similar durablematerial.In cold or wet weather, yourclothes should keep you warmand dry, as well as protect youfrom injury. You cannot control amotorcycle well if you are numb.Riding for long periods in coldweather can cause severe chill andfatigue. A winter jacket shouldresist wind and fit snugly at theneck, wrists, and waist. Goodqualityrain suits designed formotorcycle riding resist tearingapart or ballooning up at highspeeds.KNOW YOUR MOTORCYCLEThere are many things on thehighway that can cause youtrouble. Your motorcycle shouldnot be one of them. To make surethat your motorcycle won’t letyou down:• Read the owner’s manual first.• Start with the right motorcyclefor you.• Be familiar with the motorcyclecontrols.• Check the motorcycle beforeevery ride.• Keep it in safe riding conditionbetween rides.• Avoid add-ons and modificationsthat make yourmotorcycle harder to handle.The Right MotorcycleFirst, make sure your motorcycle“fits” you. Your feet should reachthe ground while you are seatedon the motorcycle.At minimum, your street-legalmotorcycle must have:• Headlight, taillight, brake light,and turn signals.• Front and rear brakes.• A horn and two mirrors.Borrowing and LendingCrashes are fairly common amongnew riders. Riding an unfamiliarmotorcycle adds to the problem.If you borrow a motorcycle, getfamiliar with it in a controlledarea. If you lend your motorcycle,make sure the person is licensed8

and knows how to ride beforeyou allow him/her to ride intraffic.No matter how experienced youmay be, ride extra carefully onany motorcycle that’s new orunfamiliar to you. More than halfof all crashes occur onmotorcycles ridden by theoperator for less than six months.Get Familiar With TheMotorcycle ControlsBe completely familiar with themotorcycle before you take it outon the street.If you use an unfamiliarmotorcycle:• Make all the checks you wouldon your own motorcycle.• Find out where everything is,particularly the turn signals,horn, headlight switch, fuelsupplyvalve, and enginecut-off switch. You should beable to find them withouthaving to look for them.• Know the gear pattern. Workthe throttle, clutch and brakesa few times before you startriding. 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 MotorcycleA motorcycle needs morefrequent attention than a car. Ifsomething’s wrong with themotorcycle, you’ll want to findout about it before you get intraffic. Make the following checksbefore every ride:• Tires—Check the air pressure,general wear, and tread.• Fluids—Oil and fluid levels. Ata minimum, check hydraulicfluids and coolants weekly.Look under the motorcycle forsigns of an oil or gas leak.• Headlights and Taillight—Check them both. Test yourswitch to make sure both highand low beams work.• Turn Signals—Turn on bothright and left turn signals.Make sure all lights workproperly.• Brake Light—Try both brakecontrols and make sure eachone turns on the brake light.Once you are on the motorcycle,complete the following checksbefore 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 adjustboth mirrors before starting.Adjust each mirror so you cansee the lane behind and asmuch as possible of the lanenext to you. When properlyadjusted, a mirror may show theedge of your arm or shoulder—but it’s the road behind and tothe side that is most important.9

• Brakes—Try the front and rearbrake levers one at a time. Makesure each one feels firm andholds the motorcycle when thebrake is fully applied.• Horn—Make sure the hornworks.In addition to the checks beforeevery trip, check the followingitems at least once a week:Wheels, cables, fasteners, andfluids. Follow the manufacturer’srecommendations.KNOW YOURRESPONSIBILITIES“Accident” implies an unforeseenevent that occurs withoutanyone’s fault or negligence.Most often in traffic, that is notthe case. In fact, most peopleinvolved in a crash can usuallyclaim some responsibility forwhat takes place.Blame doesn’t matter whensomeone is injured in a crash.There is rarely a single cause ofany crash. The ability to beaware, make critical decisions,and carry them out separatesresponsible riders from all therest. It is up to you to keep frombeing the cause of, or anunprepared participant in, anycrash.As a rider, you can’t be sure thatothers will see you or yield theright of way. To reduce thechances of a crash:• Be visible. Wear properclothing, use your headlight,ride in the best lane position tosee and be seen.• Communicate your intentions.Use the proper signals, brakelight, and lane position.• Maintain an adequate spacecushion. Allow yourselfenough space when following,being followed, lane sharing,passing, and being passed.• Scan your path of travel. Lookat least 10 to 15 seconds ahead.• Identify and separate multiplehazards.• Be prepared to act. Remain alertand know how to carry outproper crash-avoidance skills.RIDE WITHIN YOURABILITIESThis manual cannot teach youhow to control direction, speed,or balance. You learn this onlythrough practice and by knowingyour abilities and riding withinthem.BASIC VEHICLE CONTROLBody PositionTo control a motorcycle well:• Posture—Sit so you can useyour arms to steer themotorcycle rather than to holdyourself up.• Seat—Sit far enough forwardso your arms are slightly bentwhen holding the handlegrips.Bending your arms permits youto press on the handlebars10

without having to stretch.• Hands—Hold the handlegripsfirmly. Start with your rightwrist flat so you won’taccidentally use too muchthrottle. Also, adjust thehandlebars so your hands areeven with or below yourelbows. This allows you to usethe proper muscles forprecision steering.• Knees—Keep your kneesagainst the gas tank to helpwith your balance as you turnthe motorcycle.• Feet—Keep your feet firmly onthe footpegs for balance. Don’tdrag your feet or you could beinjured and lose control of themotorcycle. Keep your feetnear the controls. Also, don’tpoint your toes downward—they may get caught betweenthe road and the footpegs.Shifting GearsThere is more to shifting gearsthan simply getting themotorcycle to pick up speedsmoothly. Learning to use thegears when downshifting,turning, or starting on hills isimportant for safe motorcycleoperation.Shift down through the gears withthe clutch as you slow or stop.Remain in first gear while stoppedso you can move out quickly ifneeded.Ride slowly enough when youshift into a lower gear or themotorcycle will lurch and the rearwheel may skid. When ridingdownhill or shifting into first gearyou may need to slow todownshift safely. Work toward asmooth, even clutch releaseespecially when downshifting.It is best to change gears beforestarting a turn. However,sometimes you may need to shiftwhile in the turn. Remember toshift smoothly because a suddenchange in power to the rear wheelcan cause a skid.BrakingYour motorcycle has two brakes:one each for the front and rearwheel. Use both brakes at thesame time. The front brake is morepowerful and can provide at leastthree-quarters of your totalstopping power. The front brakeis safe to use when you use itproperly.Remember:• Use both brakes every time youslow or stop. Using both brakesfor “normal” stops permits youto develop the proper habit andskill of using both brakesproperly, which you may needin an emergency. Squeeze thefront brake and press down onthe rear brake. Grabbing at thefront brake or jamming down onthe rear brake can cause thebrakes to lock and result incontrol problems.• If you know the technique,using both brakes in a turn ispossible, although it should bedone very carefully. When you11

lean the motorcycle some of thetraction is used for corneringand less traction is available forstopping. A skid can occur ifyou apply too much brake.Also, using the front brakeincorrectly on a slipperysurface may be hazardous. Usecaution and squeeze the brakelever, never “grab” it.• Some motorcycles haveintegrated braking systems thatlink the front and rear brakestogether when you apply therear brake pedal. (Consult yourowner’s manual.)TurningRiders often try to take curves orturns too fast. When they can’thold the turn, they end upcrossing into another lane oftraffic or going off the road. Or,they overreact and brake too hardcausing a skid and loss ofcontrol. Approach turns andcurves with caution.Use four steps for better control:1 Slow—Reduce your speedbefore the turn by closing thethrottle and, if necessary,applying both brakes.2 Look—Look through the turnto where you want to go. Turnonly your head, not yourshoulders, and keep your eyeslevel with the horizon.3 Press—To turn, themotorcycle must lean. To leanthe motorcycle, press on thehandlegrip in the direction ofthe turn. Press left—lean left—go left. Press right—leanright—go right. Higher speedsand/or tighter turns require themotorcycle to lean more.4 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 togetherat the same angle.In slow tight turns, the ridershould keep his/her body straightand only lean the motorcycle.KEEPING YOUR DISTANCEThe best protection you can haveis distance—a “cushion ofspace”—all around yourmotorcycle. If someone elsemakes a mistake, distance givesyou:• Time to react.• Space to maneuver.Lane PositionsIn 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 spots.• Protect your lane from otherdrivers.12

• Communicate your intentions.• Help you avoid wind blastsfrom other vehicles.• Provide an escape route.Select the appropriate laneposition to maximize your spacecushion and make yourself morevisible to others on the road.In general, there is no “best laneposition” for riders in which tobe seen and to maintain a spacecushion around the motorcycle.Position yourself in the lane thatallows the most visibility andspace around you. Change yourlane position as traffic situationschange. Only ride in paths 2 or 3if vehicles and other potentialproblems are on your left side. Ifvehicles are on both sides of you,the center of the lane (path 2) isusually the best option.The oily strip in the centerportion of the lane is usually nomore than two feet wide. Unlessthe road is wet, the average oilycenter strip permits adequatetraction on which to ride safely.You can ride just to the left orright of the oily strip and still beLANE POSITIONwithin the center portion of thetraffic lane. However, avoid ridingon large oil and grease buildupswhich are usually found at busyintersections or toll booths.Following Another Vehicle“Following too closely”(tailgating) could be a factor incrashes involving motorcyclists.In traffic, motorcycles need asmuch distance to stop as cars.Normally, you should maintain atwo-second following distance.To gauge your followingdistance:• Ahead of you, pick out a markersuch as a pavement marking orlamp post.• When the rear bumper of thevehicle ahead of you passesthe marker, count off theseconds: “one-thousand-one,one-thousand-two.”• If you reach the marker beforeyou reach “two,” you arefollowing too closely.A two-second following distancegives you a minimum amount ofspace to stop or swerve, if thedriver ahead stops suddenly. Italso gives you a better view ofpotholes and other road hazards.You will need a larger spacecushion if your motorcycle takeslonger than normal to stop. Openup a three-second or morefollowing distance when thepavement is slippery, or youcannot see through the vehicleahead, or traffic is heavy, or13

someone may squeeze in front ofyou.When you are stopped, keep wellbehind the vehicle ahead of you.This will make it easier to get outof the way if a driver behind youis traveling too quickly or thevehicle ahead starts to back up.When behind a vehicle, ridewhere the driver can see you inhis/her rearview mirror. If you ridein the center portion of the lane,your image should be in themiddle of the driver’s rearviewmirror—where he/she is morelikely to see you.If you ride in the left or rightportion of the lane, the driver maysee you in his/her side viewmirror. But remember that mostdrivers don’t look at their sideview mirrors as often as theycheck the rearview mirror. So ifthe traffic situation allows, thecenter lane position is usually thebest place for you to be seen bythe driver ahead and to preventlane sharing by others.Being FollowedWhen you speed up to lose atailgater, you only end up withsomeone tailgating you at ahigher speed.A better way to handle tailgatersis to allow them to pass you. Ifyou can’t do this, slow down andopen up extra space ahead of youwhich will allow space for bothyou and the tailgater to stop. Thiswill also encourage the tailgaterto pass. But if the tailgaterdoesn’t pass, you have at leastgiven yourself and the tailgatermore time and space to react incase an emergency develops.Passing and Being PassedPassing and being passed by alarger vehicle is not muchdifferent than with a smallerpassenger vehicle. However,visibility is more critical. Be sureother drivers see you and that yousee potential hazards.Passing1.Ride in the left portion of yourlane at a safe following distanceto increase your line of sightand make you more visible.Signal and check for oncomingtraffic. Use your mirrors andturn your head to look for trafficbehind.2.When safe, move into the leftlane and accelerate. Select alane position that doesn’tcrowd the car you are passingand provides space to avoidhazards in your lane.3.Ride through the driver’s blindspot as quickly as possible.4.Signal again and completemirror and head checks beforereturning to your original lane.Then cancel your turn signal.Remember, passing must becompleted within posted speedlimits, and only where permitted.Being PassedWhen you are being passed frombehind or by an oncomingvehicle, stay in the center portion14

of your lane. Riding any closercould put you in a hazardoussituation.Avoid being hit by:• The other vehicle—A slightmistake by you or the passingdriver could cause a sideswipe.• Extended mirrors—Somedrivers forget that their mirrorshang out farther than theirfenders.• Objects thrown fromwindows—Even if the driverknows you are there, apassenger may not see you andmight toss something on youor the road ahead of you.• Blasts of wind from largervehicles—They can affect yourcontrol. You have more room forerror if you are in the middleportion of the lane when hit bythis blast than if you are oneither the left or right portionsof the lane.Do not move into the portion ofthe lane farthest from the passingvehicle. It might invite the otherdriver to move back into yourlane too early.others. Keep a center-portionposition whenever drivers mightbe tempted to squeeze by you.Drivers are most tempted to dothis:• In heavy, bumper-to-bumpertraffic.• When they want to pass you.• When you are preparing to turnat an intersection.• When you are getting in an exitlane or leaving a highway.Merging CarsDrivers on an entrance ramp maynot see you on the highway. Givethem plenty of room. Change toanother lane if one is open. Ifthere is no room for a lanechange, adjust your speed toopen up space for the mergingdriver.MERGINGLane SharingCars and motorcycles each needa full lane to operate safely. Lanesharing is not safe.Riding between rows of stoppedor moving cars in the same lanecan leave you vulnerable. A carcould turn suddenly or changelanes, a door could open, or ahand could come out of a window.Discourage lane sharing by15

Cars AlongsideDo not ride next to passengervehicles or trucks in other lanesif you don’t have to because youmight be in the driver’s blind spot.The driver could change laneswithout warning. Also, vehiclesin the next lane can block yourescape if you come upon dangerin your own lane. Speed up ordrop back to find a place clear oftraffic on both sides.BLIND SPOTSSEARCH, EVALUATE, andEXECUTE (SEE)Experienced riders remain awareof what is going on around them.They improve their ridingstrategy by using SEE, a threestepprocess for makingappropriate judgments andapplying them correctly indifferent traffic situations. SEEstands for: Search, Evaluate, andExecute.SearchActively search ahead, to thesides, and behind to help youavoid potential hazards. How yousearch and how much time andspace you have, can eliminate orreduce harm. Focus even more onfinding potential escape routes inor around intersections,shopping areas, or school andconstruction zones.Search for factors such as:• Oncoming traffic that may turnleft in front of you.• Traffic coming from either theleft, right, or behind.• Hazardous road conditions.EvaluateThink about how hazards cancreate risks for you. Anticipatepotential problems and have aplan to reduce risks.• Road and surfacecharacteristics such aspotholes, guardrails, bridges,telephone poles and treeswon’t move into your path butmay influence your ridingstrategy.• Traffic control devices such astraffic signals, regulatorysigns, warning signs, andpavement markings will helpyou evaluate circumstancesahead.16

• Vehicles and other traffic maymove into your path andincrease the likelihood of acrash.Think about your time and spacerequirements in order to maintaina margin of safety. You must leaveyourself time to react if anemergency arises.ExecuteCarry out your decision. To createmore space and minimize harmfrom any hazard:• Communicate your presencewith lights and/or your horn.• Adjust your speed byaccelerating, stopping, orslowing.• Adjust your lane position and/or direction of travel.Apply the old saying “one stepat a time” to handle two or morehazards. Adjust your speed soyou can deal with each hazardseparately. Then deal with themone at a time as single hazards.Decision-making becomes morecomplex with three or morehazards. Weigh theconsequences of each and giveequal distance to the hazards.In high-risk areas, such asintersections, shopping areas, orschool and construction zones,cover the clutch and both brakesto reduce your reaction time.at intersections. An intersectionis anywhere traffic may crossyour path. It can be in the middleof an urban area or at a drivewayon a residential street. Over onehalfof motorcycle/passengervehicle crashes are caused bydrivers entering a rider’s right-ofway.Vehicles that turn left infront of you, including thoseillegally turning left from thewrong lane, and cars on sidestreets that pull into your lane,are the biggest dangers. Your useof SEE at intersections is critical.There are no guarantees thatothers will see you. Never counton “eye contact” as a sign that adriver will yield to you. Too often,a driver can look right at amotorcyclist and still fail to “see”him/her. The only eyes that youcan count on are your own. If avehicle can enter your path,assume that it will. Good ridersare always “looking fortrouble”—not to get into it, butto stay out of it.Increase your chances of beingseen at intersections. Ride withyour headlight on in a laneLARGE INTERSECTIONSINTERSECTIONSThe greatest potential for conflictbetween you and other traffic is17

position that provides you withthe best view of oncoming traffic.Maintain a space cushion aroundyour motorcycle that permits youto take evasive action.As you approach an intersection,select a lane position thatincreases your visibility to thedriver. Cover the clutch and bothbrakes to reduce reaction time.Reduce your speed as youapproach an intersection. Afterentering the intersection, moveaway from vehicles preparing toturn. Do not change speed orposition radically. The drivermight think that you are preparingto turn.Blind IntersectionsWhen you approach a blindintersection, move to the portionof the lane that brings you intoanother driver’s field of vision atthe earliest possible moment. Inthis picture the rider has movedBLIND INTERSECTIONto the left portion of the lane—away from the parked car—so thedriver on the cross street can seehim/her as soon as possible.If you have a stop sign or stopline, stop there first. Then edgeforward and stop again, justshort of where the cross-trafficlane meets your lane. From thatposition, lean your body forwardand look around buildings,parked cars, or bushes to see ifanything is coming. Make sureyour front wheel stays out of thecross lane of travel while you arelooking.Passing Parked CarsWhen passing parked cars, staytoward the left portion of yourlane. This way, you can avoidproblems caused by doorsopening, drivers getting out ofcars, or people stepping frombetween cars. If oncoming trafficis present, it is usually best toremain in the center portion of thelane to maximize your spacecushion.A bigger problem can occur if adriver pulls away from the curbwithout checking for trafficbehind. Even if the driver looks,he/she may fail to see you.In either event, the driver mightenter your path. Slow down orchange lanes to make room forsomeone to enter.Vehicles making a sudden U-turnare the most dangerous. Theymay cut you off entirely, blockingthe whole roadway and leaving18

PARKED CARSyou with no place to go. Sinceyou can’t tell what a driver willdo, slow down and get thedriver’s attention. Sound yourhorn and continue with caution.Parking At The RoadsidePark at a 90° angle to the curbwith the rear wheel touching thecurb.PARKING AT CURBSINCREASING VISIBILITYIn crashes with motorcyclists,drivers often say that they neversaw the motorcycle. From aheador behind, a motorcycle’s outlineis much smaller than a passengervehicle’s. Also, it’s hard to seesomething you are not lookingfor, and most drivers are notlooking for motorcycles. Morelikely, they are looking throughthe skinny, two-wheeledsilhouette in search of cars thatmay pose a problem to them.Even if a driver does see youcoming, you aren’t necessarilysafe. Smaller vehicles appearfarther away and seem to betraveling slower than theyactually are. It is common fordrivers to pull out in front ofmotorcyclists, thinking they haveplenty of time. Too often, they arewrong.However, you can do many thingsto make it easier for others torecognize you and yourmotorcycle.ClothingMost crashes occur in broad19

daylight. Wear brightly-coloredclothing to increase your chancesof being seen. Remember, yourbody is half of the visible surfacearea of the rider/motorcycle unit.Bright orange, red, yellow, orgreen jackets or vests are the bestfor being seen. Brightly coloredhelmets can also help others seeyou.Reflective material on a vest andon the sides of the helmet willhelp drivers see you from theside. Reflective material can alsobe a big help for drivers comingtoward you or from behind.HeadlightThe best way to help others seeyour motorcycle is to always keepthe headlight on. Studies showthat during the day, a motorcyclewith its light on is twice as likelyto be noticed. Using your highbeam during the day and at nightincreases the chances thatoncoming drivers will see you.Use your high beam it is legal andsafe to do so. When it is foggy,use the low beam.LEFTTURNAt highway speeds, it is best tosignal at least five secondsbefore changing lanes. Use yourturn signals even when you thinkno one else is around. Your turnsignals also make you easier tosee. If bright sunlight makes yourturn signal lights hard to see, usehand signals.SIGNALSSTOPRIGHTTURNTurn SignalsThe turn signals on a motorcycleare similar to those on a car. Theytell others what you plan to do.However, due to a rider’s addedvulnerability, turn signals areeven more important. Use themanytime you plan to change lanesor turn. Signal your left or rightturn during the last 100 feetbefore reaching the turning point.20

When you enter a freeway,drivers approaching from behindare more likely to see your turnsignal blinking and make room foryou.Using your turn signals beforeeach turn reduces confusion andfrustration for the traffic aroundyou. Once you turn, be sure toturn it off or a driver may pulldirectly into your path, thinkingyou plan to turn again.Brake LightYour motorcycle’s brake light isusually not as noticeable as avehicle’s—especially when thetaillight is on. If the situationpermits, help others notice youby flashing your brake lightbefore you slow down. It isespecially important to flash yourbrake light before you slow:• For a tight, fast turn off a highspeedhighway.• Where others may not expect it(in the middle of a block or atan alley).If you are being tailgated, it’s agood idea to flash your brakelight before you slow.Frequent mirror checks should bepart of your normal searchingroutine. Make a special point ofusing your mirrors:• When you are stopped at anintersection. Watch carscoming up from behind. If thedriver isn’t paying attention, hecould be on top of you beforehe sees you.• Before you change lanes. Makesure no one is about to passyou.• Before you slow down. Thedriver behind you may notexpect you to slow, or may beunsure about where you willslow. For example, you signal aturn and the driver thinks youplan to turn at a distantintersection, rather than at anearer driveway.BLIND SPOTSUsing Your MirrorsWhile it’s most important to knowwhat’s happening ahead, youcan’t ignore situations behindyou. Traffic conditions changequickly. In order to make safedecisions about how to handletrouble ahead, you must knowwhat is going on behind you.21

Some motorcycles have rounded(convex) mirrors. These mirrorsprovide a wider view of the roadbehind than do flat mirrors. Theyalso make cars seem farther awaythan they really are. If you are notused to convex mirrors, you canget familiar with them by:• Picking out a parked car in yourmirror (while you are stopped).• Forming a mental image of howfar away it is.• Then, turning around andlooking to see how close youcame.• Practicing with your mirrorsuntil you become a good judgeof distance.• Allowing extra distance beforeyou change lanes.Head ChecksChecking your mirrors is notenough. Motorcycles have “blindspots” just like other vehicles.Before you change lanes, turnyour head and check that lane forother vehicles.On a road with several lanes,check the far lane and the onenext to you. A driver in the distantlane may drive into the samespace you plan to take.Frequent head checks should bepart of your normal scanningroutine. Only by knowing what ishappening all around, can you befully prepared to deal with it.HornBe 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 thevehicle ahead and may want topass.• A driver is seated in a parkedcar ahead.• Someone is in the street ridinga bicycle or walking.In an emergency, press the hornbutton loud and long. Be readyto stop or swerve away from thedanger.Remember that a motorcycle’shorn isn’t as loud as a car’s, souse it, but don’t rely on it. Otherstrategies may be appropriatealong with the horn.Riding At NightAt night it is harder for you tosee and be seen. Picking yourmotorcycle’s headlight or taillightout of the other lights is not easyfor drivers. To make up for this,you should:• Reduce Your Speed. Ride evenslower than you would duringthe day—particularly on roadsyou don’t know well. Thisincreases your chances ofavoiding a hazard.• Increase Distance. Distancesare harder to judge at nightthan during the day. Your eyesrely upon shadows and lightcontrasts to determine how faraway an object is and how fast22

it is coming. These contrastsare missing or distorted atnight. Open up a three-secondor more following distance.Allow more distance to passand be passed.• Use the Car Ahead. Theheadlights of the car ahead cangive you a better view of theroad than your high beam.Taillights bouncing up anddown can alert you to bumpsor rough pavement.• Use Your High Beam. Get allthe light you can. Use yourhigh beam whenever you arenot following or approachinganother vehicle. Be visible.Wear reflective materials whenriding at night.• Be Flexible about lane position.Change to the portion of thelane that helps you see, beseen, and keep an adequatespace cushion.CRASH AVOIDANCENo matter how careful you are,there will be times when you findyourself in a tight spot. Yourchances of getting out safelydepend on your ability to reactquickly and properly. Often, acrash occurs because a rider isnot prepared or skilled in crashavoidancemaneuvers.Two skills critical in avoiding acrash are knowing when and howto stop or swerve. You can’talways stop quickly to avoid anobstacle. You must also be ableto swerve around an obstacle.Studies show that most crashinvolvedriders:• Underbrake the front tire andoverbrake the rear.• Did not separate braking fromswerving or did not chooseto swerve when it wasappropriate.Quick StopsTo stop quickly, apply bothbrakes at the same time. Don’t beSWERVE, THEN BRAKEBRAKE, THEN SWERVE23

shy about using the front brake,but don’t “grab” it either.Squeeze the brake lever firmlywith continuing steady pressure.If the front wheel locks, releasethe front brake immediately andthen reapply it firmly. At the sametime, press down on the rearbrake. If you accidentally lock therear brake on a good tractionsurface, you can keep it lockeduntil you have completelystopped.NOTE: Even with a locked rearwheel, you can control themotorcycle on a straightaway ifit is upright and going in astraight line.Always use both brakes at thesame time to stop. The front brakecan provide almost threequartersof your stopping power.If you must stop quickly whileturning or riding a curve, the besttechnique is to straighten themotorcycle first and then brake.However, it may not always bepossible to straighten themotorcycle and then stop. If youmust brake while leaning, applythe brakes lightly and reduce thethrottle. As you slow, reduceyour lean angle and apply morebrake pressure until themotorcycle is straight andmaximum brake pressure ispossible. Then in the last few feetof stopping, you should“straighten” the handlebars. Themotorcycle should now bestraight up and in balance.Swerving or TurningQuicklySometimes you may not haveenough room to stop, even if youuse both brakes properly. Anobject might appear suddenly inyour path. Or the car ahead mightsqueal to a stop. The only way toavoid a crash may be to turnquickly or swerve around it.A swerve is any sudden changein direction. It can be two quickturns, or a rapid shift to the side.To swerve, apply a small amountof hand pressure to thehandlegrip on the side of yourintended direction of escape.This causes the motorcycle tolean quickly. The sharper theturn(s), the more the motorcyclemust lean.Keep your body upright andallow the motorcycle to lean inthe direction of the turn. Keepyour knees against the tank andyour feet solidly on the pegs. Letthe motorcycle move underneathyou. Make your escape route thetarget of your vision. Press onthe opposite handlegrip onceyou clear the obstacle and areready to return to your originaldirection of travel. To swerve tothe left, press the left handlegrip,then press the right to recover.To swerve to the right, pressright, then left.If braking is required, separateit from swerving. Brake before orafter—never while swerving.24

CONSTANT CURVESMULTIPLE CURVESDECREASING CURVESWIDENING CURVESCorneringA primary cause of single-vehiclecrashes is motorcyclists runningwide in a curve or turn andcolliding with the roadway or afixed object.Every curve is different. Be alertto whether a curve remainsconstant, gradually widens, getstighter, or involves multipleturns.Ride within your skill level andposted speed limits. Your bestpath may not always follow thecurve of the road.Change your lane position basedon traffic, road conditions, andcurve of the road. If there is notraffic, start at the outside of acurve to increase your line ofsight and the effective radius ofthe turn. As you turn, movetoward the inside of the curve,and as you pass the center, moveto the outside to exit.25

Another choice is to move to thecenter of your lane beforeentering a curve and stay thereuntil you exit. This allows you tosee approaching traffic as soonas possible. You can also adjustfor traffic “crowding” the centerline or debris blocking part ofyour lane.HANDLING DANGEROUSSURFACESYour chance of falling or beinginvolved in a crash increaseswhenever you ride across:• Uneven surfaces or obstacles.• Slippery surfaces.• Railroad tracks or pavementseams.• Grooves and gratings.Uneven Surfaces andObstaclesWatch for uneven surfaces suchas bumps, broken pavement,potholes, or small pieces ofhighway trash.Avoid obstacles by slowing orgoing around them. However, ifyou must go over the obstacle,first determine if it’s possible.Approach it at as close to a 90°angle as possible. Look whereyou want to go to control yourpath of travel. If you have to rideover the obstacle, 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 themotorcycle.• Just before contact, roll on thethrottle slightly to lighten thefront end.If you ride over an object, pulloff the road and check your tiresand rims for damage before ridingany farther.Slippery SurfacesMotorcycles handle better onsurfaces with good traction.Surfaces with poor tractioninclude:• Wet pavement, particularly justafter it starts to rain and beforesurface oil washes to the sideof the road.• Gravel roads or where sand andgravel collect.• Mud, snow, and ice.• Lane markings, steel plates,and manhole covers especiallywhen wet.To ride safely on slipperysurfaces:• Reduce Speed. Slow downbefore you get to a slipperysurface to reduce your chancesof skidding. When slippery,your motorcycle needs moredistance to stop. It is especiallyimportant to reduce speedbefore entering wet curves.• Avoid Sudden Moves. Any26

sudden change in speed ordirection can cause a skid. Beas smooth as possible whenyou speed up, shift gears, turn,or brake.• Use Both Brakes. The frontbrake is still effective, even ona slippery surface. Squeeze thebrake lever gradually to avoidlocking the front wheel.Remember, gentle pressure onthe rear brake.• Remember That the Center ofa Lane Can be HazardousWhen Wet. When it starts torain, ride in a vehicle’s tiretracks. Often, the left tire trackwill be the best lane position,depending on traffic and otherroad conditions as well.• Watch For Oil Spots when youput your foot down to stop orpark. You may slip and fall.• Be Cautious of the Edge of theRoad. Dirt and Gravel collectalong the sides of the roadespecially on curves and rampsleading to and from highways.• Remember Rain Dries andSnow Melts Faster on SomeSections of a Road than onothers. Patches of ice tend todevelop in low or shaded areasand on bridges andoverpasses. Wet leaves are justas slippery as wet roadsurfaces. Ride on the leastslippery portion of the lane andreduce your speed.Cautious riders steer clear ofroads covered with ice or snow.If you can’t avoid an icy or snowysurface, keep your motorcyclestraight up and proceed as slowlyas possible. If you encounter alarge surface so slippery that youmust coast, or travel at a walkingpace, consider letting your feetskim along the surface. If themotorcycle starts to fall, you cancatch yourself. Be sure to keepoff the brakes. If possible,squeeze the clutch and coast.Attempting this maneuver atanything other than the slowestof speeds could prove hazardous.Railroad or Trolley Tracksand Pavement SeamsUsually it is safer to ride straightwithin your lane to cross tracks.Turning to take tracks head-on (ata 90° angle) can be moredangerous because your pathmay carry you into another laneof traffic.For track and road seams that runparallel to your course, move farenough away from tracks, ruts, orCROSSINGTRACKS-RIGHTCROSSINGTRACKS-WRONG27

pavement seams to cross at anangle of at least 45°. Then, makea quick, sharp turn. Edging acrosscould catch your tires and throwyou off balance.Grooves and GratingsRiding over rain grooves orbridge gratings may cause yourmotorcycle to weave. Thisuneasy, “wandering” feeling isgenerally not hazardous. Relaxand maintain a steady speed andride straight across. Crossing atan angle forces riders to zigzagto stay in the lane. The zigzag isfar more hazardous than thewandering feeling.GRATECROSSING-WRONGGRATECROSSING-RIGHTMECHANICAL PROBLEMSYou can find yourself in anemergency the momentsomething goes wrong with yourmotorcycle. In dealing with anymechanical problem, take intoaccount the road and trafficconditions you face. Here aresome guidelines that can help youhandle mechanical problemssafely.Tire FailureYou will seldom hear a tire go flat.If the motorcycle starts handlingdifferently, it may be a tire failure.You must be able to tell from theway the motorcycle reacts if youhave tire failure. If one of yourtires suddenly loses air, reactquickly to keep your balance.Stop riding and check the tires assoon as possible.If the front tire goes flat, thesteering will feel “heavy.” Afront-wheel flat is particularlyhazardous because it affects yoursteering. You have to steer wellto keep your balance.If the rear tire goes flat, the backof the motorcycle may jerk orsway from side to side.If either tire goes flat while riding:• Hold the handlegrips firmly,ease off the throttle, and keepa straight course.• If braking is required, graduallyapply the brake of the tire thatisn’t flat, if you are sure whichone it is.• When the motorcycle slows,ride to the side of the road,squeeze the clutch, and stop.Stuck ThrottleTwist the throttle back and forth28

several 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 immediatelydecline. Once the motorcycle is“under control,” leave the roadand stop.After you have stopped, checkthe throttle cable carefully to findthe trouble. Make certain thethrottle works freely before youstart riding again.WobbleA “wobble” occurs when the frontwheel and handlebars suddenlystart to shake from side to side atany speed. Most wobbles can betraced to improper loading,unsuitable accessories, orincorrect tire pressure. If you arecarrying a heavy load, lighten it.If you can’t lighten the load, shiftit. Center the weight lower andfarther forward on themotorcycle. Make sure the tirepressure, spring pre-load, airshocks, and dampers are at therecommended settings for thatmuch weight. Make surewindshields and fairings aremounted properly.Check for poorly adjustedsteering, worn steering parts, afront wheel that is bent,misaligned, or out of balance,loose wheel bearings or spokes,and swing arm bearings. If noneof these are the cause, have themotorcycle thoroughly checkedby a qualified professional.Trying to “accelerate out of awobble” will only make themotorcycle more unstable.Instead:• Grip the handlebars firmly, butdon’t fight the wobble.• Close the throttle gradually toslow down. Do not apply thebrakes; braking could make thewobble worse.• Move your weight as farforward and down as possible.• Leave the road as soon as youcan to fix the problem.Chain ProblemsA chain that slips or breaks whileyou’re riding could lock the rearwheel and cause your motorcycleto skid. Chain slippage orbreakage can be avoided byproper maintenance.• Slippage. If the chain slipswhen you try to speed up orride uphill, pull off the road.Check the chain and sprockets.Tightening the chain may help.Replace the chain, thesprockets, or both before ridingagain, if needed.• Breakage—You’ll notice aninstant loss of power to the rearwheel. Close the throttle andbrake to a stop.Engine SeizureWhen the engine “locks” or“freezes” it is usually low on oil.29

If the engine’s moving parts can’tmove smoothly against eachother, the engine overheats. Thefirst sign may be a loss of enginepower or a change in the engine’ssound. Squeeze the clutch leverto disengage the engine from therear wheel. Pull off the road andstop. Check the oil. If needed,add oil as soon as possible or theengine will seize. When thishappens, the effect is the sameas a locked rear wheel. Let theengine cool before restarting.ANIMALSDo everything you safely can doto avoid hitting an animal. If youare in traffic, however, remain inyour lane. Hitting something smallis less dangerous to you thanhitting something big—like a car.Motorcycles seem to attractdogs. If you are chased,downshift and approach theanimal slowly. As you approachit, accelerate away and leave theanimal behind. Don’t kick at ananimal. Keep control of yourmotorcycle.For larger animals (deer, elk,cattle) brake and prepare tostop—they are unpredictable.FLYING OBJECTSFrom time to time riders are struckby insects, cigarettes thrownfrom vehicles, or pebbles kickedup by the tires of the vehicleahead. If you are wearing faceprotection, it might get smearedor cracked, making it difficult tosee. Without face protection, anobject could hit you in the eye,face, or mouth. Whateverhappens, keep your eyes on theroad and your hands on thehandlebars. When safe, pull offthe road and repair the damage.GETTING OFF THE ROADIf you need to leave the road tocheck the motorcycle (or just torest for a while), be sure you:• Check the roadside. Make surethe roadside is firm enough toride on. If it is soft grass, loosesand, or if you’re just not sureabout it, slow way down beforeyou turn onto it.• Signal. Drivers behind mightnot expect you to slow down.Give a clear signal that you willbe slowing 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 see a motorcycleby the side of the road. Youdon’t want someone elseleaving the road at the sameplace you are.• Park carefully. Loose andsloped shoulders can makesetting the side or center standdifficult.30

CARRYING PASSENGERS ANDCARGOOnly experienced riders shouldcarry passengers or large loads.The extra weight changes theway the motorcycle handles,balances, speeds up, and slowsdown. Before taking a passengeror a heavy load on the street,practice away from traffic.EquipmentTo carry passengers safely:• Equip and adjust yourmotorcycle to carrypassengers.• Instruct the passenger beforeyou start.• Adjust your riding techniquefor the added weight.Equipment should include:• A proper seat large enough tohold both of you withoutcrowding. You should not sitany farther forward than youusually do.• Footrests for the passenger.Firm footing prevents yourpassenger from falling off andpulling you off, too.• Protective equipment should bethe same protective gearrecommended for operators.Adjust the suspension to handlethe additional weight. You willprobably need to add a fewpounds of pressure to the tires ifyou carry a passenger. (Checkyour owner’s manual forappropriate settings.) While yourpassenger sits on the seat withyou, adjust the mirror andheadlight according to thechange in the motorcycle’s angle.Instructing PassengersEven if your passenger is amotorcycle rider, providecomplete instructions before youstart. Tell your passenger to:• Get on the motorcycle onlyafter you have started theengine.• 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 themuffler(s), chains, or movingparts.• Stay directly behind youleaning as you lean.• Avoid unnecessary talk ormotion.Also, tell your passenger totighten his or her hold when you:• Approach surface problems.• Are about to start from a stop.• Warn that you will make asudden move.Riding With PassengersYour motorcycle will respondmore slowly with a passenger.The heavier your passenger, thelonger it will take to slow downand speed up—especially on alight-duty motorcycle.31

• Ride a little slower, especiallywhen taking curves, corners, orbumps.• Begin slowing sooner as youapproach a stop.• Open up a larger cushion ofspace ahead and to the sides.• Wait for larger gaps to cross,enter, or merge with traffic.Warn your passenger of thesespecial conditions: Starting,stopping quickly, turning sharply,or riding over bumps. Turn yourhead slightly to make yourselfunderstood, but keep your eyeson the road ahead.Carrying LoadsMost motorcycles are notdesigned to carry much cargo.Small loads can be carried safely,if positioned and fastenedproperly.• Keep the Load Low. Fastenloads securely, or put them insaddlebags. Stacking loadsagainst a sissybar or frame onthe back of the seat raises themotorcycle’s center of gravityand shifts 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 the tank bag doesnot interfere with handlebars orcontrols. Mounting a loadbehind the rear axle affects howthe motorcycle turns andbrakes. It can also cause awobble.• Distribute the Load Evenly.Load saddlebags with about thesame weight. An uneven loadcan cause the motorcycle todrift to one side.• 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.Ropes tend to stretch and knotscan come loose, permitting theload to shift or fall.• Check the Load. Stop andcheck the load often to makesure it has not worked loose ormoved.GROUP RIDINGIf you ride with others, do it in away that promotes safety anddoesn’t interfere with the flow oftraffic.Keep the Group SmallSmall groups make it easier andsafer for other drivers to getaround them. A small number isn’tseparated as easily by traffic orred lights. Some riders won’talways be hurrying to catch up.If your group is larger than fouror five riders, divide it into twoor more smaller groups.Keep the Group Together• Plan. The leader should lookahead for changes and signalearly so there is plenty of timefor everyone to follow. Start32

lane changes early to permiteveryone to complete the lanechange safely.• Put Beginners Up Front. Placeinexperienced riders behind theleader so the more experiencedriders can watch them.• Follow Those Behind. Let thelast rider set the pace. Use yourmirrors to keep an eye on theperson behind. If a rider fallsbehind, everyone should slowdown a little to stay together.• Know the Route. Make sureeveryone knows the route.Then, if someone is separatedhe/she won’t have to hurry tokeep from getting lost or takinga wrong turn. Plan frequentstops on long rides.Keep Your DistanceMaintain 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 spaceon the highway, is easier to see,and is less likely to be separated.However, it must be doneproperly.• Don’t Pair Up. Never operatedirectly alongside anotherrider. There is no place to go toavoid a car or a hazard on theroad. To talk, wait until you areboth stopped.• Staggered Formation. This isthe best way to keep ranksclose yet maintain an adequatespace cushion. The leader ridesin the left portion of the lanewhile the second rider staysone second behind in the rightportion of the lane. A third riderrides in the left portion of thelane two seconds behind thefirst rider. The fourth riderkeeps a two-second distancebehind the second rider. Thisformation keeps the groupclose and permits each rider asafe distance from othersahead, behind, and to the sides.—Passing in Formation. Ridersin a staggered formationshould pass one at a time.—First, the lead rider pulls outand passes when safe. Afterpassing, the leader returnsto the left portion of thelane and continues riding at“passing speed” to openroom for the next rider.—After the first rider passessafely, the second riderSTAGGERED FORMATION33

moves up to the left portionof the lane and watches fora safe chance to pass. Afterpassing, this rider returnsto the right portion of thelane and opens up room forthe next rider.Some people suggest thatthe leader should move tothe right portion of the laneafter passing a vehicle. Thisis not a good idea. Itencourages the second riderto pass and return to thelane before there is a largeenough space cushion infront of the passed vehicle.It’s simpler and safer to waituntil there is enough roomahead of the passed vehicleto allow each rider to moveinto the same position heldbefore the pass.• Single-File Formation. Moveinto a single-file formationwhen riding curves, turning, orentering or leaving a highway.BEING IN SHAPE TORIDERiding a motorcycle is ademanding and complex task.Skilled riders pay attention totheir riding environment and tooperating the motorcycle,identifying potential hazards,making good judgments, andexecuting decisions quickly andskillfully. Your ability to performand respond to changing roadand traffic conditions isinfluenced by how fit and alertyou are. Alcohol and other drugs,more than any other factor, affectyour ability to think clearly andto ride safely. As little as onealcoholic drink can have asignificant effect on yourperformance.BLOOD ALCOHOLCONCENTRATIONBlood alcohol concentration orBAC is the amount of alcohol inrelation to blood in the body.Generally, alcohol can beeliminated in the body at the rateof almost one drink per hour. Buta variety of other factors may alsoinfluence the level of alcoholretained. The more alcohol inyour blood, the greater the degreeof impairment.Three factors play a major part indetermining BAC:• The amount of alcohol youconsume.• How fast you drink.• Your body weight.“One drink” is a 1 1/2-ounceshot of 80-proof liquor (even ifmixed with non-alcoholic drinks),a 5-ounce glass of 12% wine, or a12-ounce glass of 5% beer. These“one drink” equivalents changeif you drink ale, malt liquors, orfortified wines or if you drink onan empty stomach, are tired, sick,upset, or have taken medicines ordrugs.The faster you drink, the morealcohol accumulates in yourbody. If you drink two drinks in34

an hour, at the end of that hour,at least one drink will remain inyour bloodstream.ALCOHOL AND THE LAWIn California, a person 21 yearsof age or older with a BAC of.08% or above is consideredintoxicated. It doesn’t matter howsober you may look or act. Abreath or blood test is whatusually determines whether youare riding legally or illegally.IMPORTANT: You cannot legallypurchase beer, wine, or hardliquor if you are under the age of21. The law is very strict if youare under 21 and drive with aBAC that is 0.01% or more.(VC §23136) The CaliforniaDriver Handbook has moreinformation.Your chances of being stoppedfor riding under the influence ofalcohol are increasing. Lawenforcement is being stepped upacross the country in responseto the senseless deaths andinjuries caused by drinkingdrivers and riders.MINIMIZE THE RISKSMinimize the risks of drinking andriding by taking the followingsteps:Don’t Drink. Once you start, yourresistance becomes weaker.Or Don’t Ride. If you haven’tcontrolled your drinking, youmust control your riding.FATIGUERiding a motorcycle is more tiringthan driving a car especially on along trip. Avoid riding when tired.Fatigue can affect your controlof the motorcycle.• Protect yourself from theelements. 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 alcohol or use drugs.Artificial stimulants often result inextreme fatigue or depression asthey start to wear off. You won’tbe able to concentrate on the taskat hand.MOTORCYCLEINSURANCE FACTSThe financial responsibilitysections of the Vehicle Codeapply to all two-wheel vehicleowners and operators.If you, as an operator, areinvolved in an accident whichcauses more than $750 inproperty damage to one person,including yourself, or in whichanyone, including yourself, isinjured, no matter how slightly,you (or your insurance agent,broker, or legal representative)35

must report the accident to DMV.The CHP or police will not makethis report.You must make this report within10 day on the Report of TrafficAccident Occurring in California(SR1) form. You can get this formfrom any DMV or CHP office. Thisform is also available on DMV’sweb site at www.dmv.ca.gov.Refer to the California DriverHandbook for more information.Check with your insurancecompany about your coveragebefore you buy or ride amotorcycle.EVADING A PEACEOFFICERAny person who willfully flees orattempts to evade a peace officerperforming his/her duties is guiltyof a misdemeanor punishable byimprisonment in a county jail fornot more than one year. (VC§2800.1)If a person is convicted ofcausing serious bodily injuryduring the course of a policepursuit (VC §2800.3[a]), he/she issubject to:• imprisonment in a state prisonfor three, five, or seven yearsor in a county jail for not morethan one year.• a fine of not less than $2,000nor more than $10,000.• both that fine andimprisonment.If a person is convicted of killinganyone during the course of apolice pursuit (VC §2800.3[b]),he/she is subject to imprisonmentin a state prison for four, six, orten years.TREAD LIGHTLY!The U.S. Forest Service (USFS),Bureau of Land Management(BLM), and California Departmentof Parks and Recreation wouldlike you to TREAD LIGHTLY!• Obtain a Travel Map from yourlocal USFS or BLM office, orregulations from other publicland agencies. Learn the rulesand follow them.• Avoid running over youngtrees, shrubs, and grasses—this can damage or kill them.• Stay off soft, wet roads andtrails readily torn up byvehicles.• Travel around meadows, steephillsides, or stream banks andlake shores easily scarred bychurning wheels.• Resist the urge to pioneer anew road or trail, or to cutacross a switchback.• Stay away from wild animalsthat are rearing young—orsuffering from food shortages.The stress uses up their limitedenergy reserves.• Obey gate closures andregulatory signs.• Stay out of designatedwilderness areas. Know wherethe boundaries are. Vandalismcosts tax dollars.• Get permission to travel acrossprivate lands. Respectlandowner rights.OSP 06 9448836

Use Your PhoneDMV Self Service Anytime1-800-777-0133Telephone Services Available 24/7Appointments for vehicle registration ordriver license (except driving tests)Types of services in local DMV offices,business hours, locations & directionsRequest DMV forms, Handbooks andFast Facts and How-To brochuresHear answers to frequently asked questionsGeneral information about vehicleregistration and driver licensing requirementsUse Your ComputerDMV After HoursMany DMV transactionscan be handledfrom homeCall 1-800-777-0133or visitwww.dmv.ca.govwww.dmv.ca.govInternet Sevices available 24/7Appointments for vehicle registration ordriver license (except driving tests)Obtain information about services,local DMV business hours, locations, mapsObtain general information about: vehicleregistration; driver licensing requirements;driver safety; businesses which DMV isresponsible for licensing; registeringto vote; how to access other governmentagencies.Download DMV forms and handbooksTake interactive sample driver licenseexamsObtain answers to frequently asked questions37