California Motorcyclist Safety Program
Motorcyclist Training Course
Student Handbook
First Edition: October 2014 Copyright © 2014 Total Control Training, Inc.
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, recording or any information and retrieval system, without permission from Total Control Training, Inc. Under no circumstances may the material be reproduced for resale. Please send requests in writing to: Total Control Training, Inc., 15329 Bonanza Road, Suite B, Victorville, CA 92392.
Visit the CMSP website for more information on courses and course locations: http://www.californiamotorcyclist.com
First Edition: October 2014
Produced by Total Control Training, Inc. (www.totalcontroltraining.net) for the California Motorcyclist Safety Program
Motorcyclist Training Course
4FOREWORD
It’s about the journey, not the destination.
The Motorcyclist Training Course (MTC) offered by the California Motorcyclist Safety Program is designed to address the needs and interests of beginning rid-ers. Our goal is to help you build a strong foundation of awareness and safety in what may develop into a lifelong activity. Because motorcycling requires mental and physical skills, we will focus on both throughout the courses. You will learn techniques to help sharpen your judgment and perception as well as the physi-cal skills required for riding.
Learning is an ongoing process and doesn’t end when you finish a course. The MTC is intended as starting points from which to build lifelong skills. Becoming an experienced, skillful rider takes time and practice. That, of course, means rid-ing and practicing the techniques presented in this course. Once you’ve gained experience and confidence, we encourage you to continue your formal training. We also offer motorcycle courses designed for experienced riders (see www.cali-forniamotorcyclist.com for a list of other course offerings).In addition to helping riders step up to the next level, these courses are a great way to meet other riders and form lasting friendships.
So, welcome to the world of motorcycling! We’re glad to have you along.
Acknowledgments
The California Motorcyclist Safety Program would like to recognize the TEAM Oregon and Idaho STAR Motorcycle Safety Programs—and the 2014 National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) publication “Model National Standards for Entry-Level Motorcycle Rider Training”—for assistance in content creation and guiding the development of this Student Handbook.
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Unit 1 – Welcome to the World of Motorcycling.....6• CourseObjectives• CourseRequirements• CourseSchedule• RequiredMaterialsandEquipment• KeepingtheLearningSafeandFun• UnderstandingExpectations
Unit 2 – Introduction to Motorcycling...................9• What’sRightforYou?• AssessingtheRiskofRiding• RiskAcceptance• AcceptYourResponsibility
Unit 3 – Preparing to Ride..................................14• GettingInGear• HelmetsandOtherProtectiveGear• Jackets,Pants,RidingSuits• ComfortandVisibility• InspectionandMaintenance
Unit 4 – Wheels in Motion..................................23• Controls• MountingandDismounting• StartingtheMotorcycle• GettingUnderway• Turning• Shifting• Stopping
Unit 5 – Mental Motorcycling..............................34• Visibility• Scanning• TargetFixation• Line-of-Sight• FollowingDistance• LanePlacement• TheSIPDEProcess• IntersectionSituations• Non-IntersectionSituations
Unit 6 – Cornering with Confidence.....................46• SkillfulCornering• What’sYourLine?• PotentialProblems-Fear
Unit 7 – Maximum Braking and Swerving...........52• LinkedBrakingandABS• MaximumStraight-LineStops• HandlingSkids• StoppingQuicklyinCurves• Swerving
Unit 8 – Special Situations..................................56• ObstacleSurmounting• RoadwayConditions• Animals• Wind• Parking• TrafficActuatedSignalLights
Unit 9 – Impairments to Safety...........................63• AlcoholandMotorcycling—ALethalMix• MeasuresofImpairment• AddingDrugsMakesItWorse• ThereIsaCure• HelpYourFriends• OtherImpairments
Unit 10 – Carrying Passengers and Cargo.............70• CarryingPassengers• CarryingLoads• DifferencesinHandling
Unit 11 – Group Riding.......................................73
Unit 12 – Mechanical Problems...........................76
Unit 13 – Touring and Long-Distance Riding.........78
Unit 14 – Riding in the Cold; Riding in the Heat....80• RidingintheCold—TheImportanceofWarmth• RidingintheHeat—TheImportanceofStayingCool
(andHydrated!)
Appendices........................................................83A. CorneringWithConfidence—ExpandedContentB. GlossaryC. CaliforniaRulesandRegulationsD. SmartRiderCommitmentsE. RangeRulesandHandSignals
CONTENTS
6 Unit 1 | WELCOME TO THE WORLD OF MOTORCYCLING
INTRODUCTION
Thereisathrillandasenseoffreedomthatcomeswithridingamotorcycle.Itistherhythmoftheride,theroadandsurroundings,yourmotorcycleandyou.Yoursensesdelightwitheverypassingsight,smellandsound.Toachievethislevelofmotorcyclingmagic,yoursensesneedtobesharp.Motorcyclingdemandsattentionandskill.Itchallengesyoutobephysicallyandmentallypreparedtohandleanythingthatcomesyourway.Thiscourseisyourdoorintotheworldofmotorcycling.Getreadyforthefirstfewmilesofyourmotorcyclingcareer.WelcometoTheRide.
COURSE OBJECTIVES
Acquiretheknowledgeandskillsforsafeandresponsiblemotorcycleoperation.
•Learnthementalskillsforsafemotorcycling:•Understandtherisksassociatedwithmotorcycling.• Identifyanddevelopstrategiestomanagerisk.• Identifygoodqualityprotectivegearasastrategytolowerrisk.
•Gainthephysicalskillsforsafemotorcycling:•Developthebasicskillsneededtobalance,shift,turnandstopthemotorcycle.• Improveskillsandfinessetohandleemergencysituations.
Toputthisanotherway,thecourseaddressesthetwoprimaryaspectsofmotorcyclesafetyneededtoprepareyouforstreetriding:
1.Preventingthecrash2.Survivingthecrash
Yourinstructorsarehighlytrainedprofessionalswhowillpromoteyourlearningwithclassroominstructionandhands-onpracticeinasecurearea.Intheclassroom,you’lldiscusstherisksofmotorcyclingandidentifywaystomanagethoserisks.Youwilllearnidentifystrategiesforbecomingmorealertandperceptiveaswellasthebenefitsofridinggear.Thecoursealsoexploresthehandlingdynamicsofmotorcyclessothatyou’llhavetheknowledgetocontinuedevelopingyourskills.
Onthepracticerange,yourinstructorswillprovidecoachingtoincreaseyourskillsandconfidence.Thecourseisnotcompetitiveandallowsridersofvariedskilllevelstolearninasafeenvironment.Sorelaxandenjoytheexperience.Thegoalistohelpyoubesuccessfulandsafe.Asklotsofquestions.Theinstructorsareheretohelpyoudiscovertheanswers.Concentrateondevelopingyourskills,yourstrategiesandyourride—thefirststepstosafety!
Successful riding requires practiced skill and good judgment. You’ll develop critical skills and learn about the risks of motorcycling and ways to minimize them. That’s the challenge of The Ride!
7Course Requirements
COURSE REQUIREMENTS
Tosuccessfullycompletethiscourse,youmust:
• Attend all sessions. Be on time! Classes start promptly. Late-arriving students risk losing their reserved place in the class and tuition.
• Participate in class discussions. Experience has shown that students who engage in the discussions in class learn and remember the material best.
• Successfully complete a multiple-choice knowledge test on the material covered in class and this workbook.
• Successfully complete a riding skills test. The skills test consists of exercises practiced in the course, including basic handling skills, stopping quickly, cornering and swerving.
COURSE SCHEDULE
Noteyourcourseschedulehere:
Day Time Classroom Range
Materials and Equipment
THE FOLLOWING RIDING GEAR IS REQUIRED:
Three-quarter or full face DOT-compliant helmetSanitized loan helmets are usually available – check with your instructor. You may bring your own helmet but it is subject to inspection and approval by the instructor.
Eye protectionA helmet face shield, goggles or glasses.
Sturdy, over-the-ankle footwearThe ankle must be covered. Low heels are preferred.
Full-finger glovesMotorcycle gloves are preferred. Avoid bulky gloves.
PantsFull-length sturdy material such as denim free from rips/holes.
Long-sleeve shirt or jacket
Rain gear if weather is threateningCourses are not cancelled because of rain.
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IMPORTANT NOTE: Come to class rested and ready to ride. Bring snacks and a drink if you want something other than water.
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KEEPING THE LEARNING SAFE AND FUN
Thiscourseisdesignedforbeginningridersandtheexercisesprogressfromeasytomorechallenging.Yourexpectationmaybetolearntoride,toimproveyourknowledgeandskilland/ortocomplywithstatelaworcourtorder.Ifyouhaveotherexpectations,discussthemwithyourinstructor.
UNDERSTANDING EXPECTATIONS
Experiencehasshownthatnoteveryonewhoenrollsinamotorcycleridercourseisreadytorideatthattime.Theproblemcouldbenervousness,lackofconcentrationorcoordination,balancedifficulties,orrepeatedfailuretorespondtocoaching.Youwillbegivenmanyopportunitiestodevelopessentialskillsandstrategiesinawaythatensuresyoursafetyandthesafetyofthosearoundyou.However,ifatanytimeduringthecourseyourinstructordeterminesyoursafetyandsecurity,and/orothers’safetyandsecuritytobeatrisk,theinstructormusttakeimmediateaction.Unsafeconditionsarenotpermittedandtheinstructorwilldismissanystudentwhofailstodemonstratetheabilitytopracticesafely,regardlessofthereason.
Whilethereisnoguaranteethatyou’llsuccessfullycompletethiscourse,moststudentsaresuccessfulandheadfortheopenroad.Butpleaserememberthatsuccessfulcompletionofthecoursedoesnotguaranteeyoursafety.Yourmotorcyclingjourneystartswiththesefirststepstogether,butitisuptoyoutousesoundjudgment,makewisedecisionsandkeepyournewlydevelopedskillssharp.Youaretheonlyoneresponsibleforyoursafety.
Unit 1 | WELCOME TO THE WORLD OF MOTORCYCLING
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Motorcycleshavebeenaroundforoveracentury.Thepopularityofmotorcyclingincreasedinthe1960s,withthedramaticriseinimportsofsmalldisplacementmotorcycles.TodaymotorcyclingisenjoyedbymillionsofAmericans.
Whentravellingonpublicroadways,you’llbeexpectedtocomplywithstatelaws,rules,regulationsandequipmentrequirements.Thiswillprovideforasaferrideandhelpyouavoidpenaltiesfornon-compliance.
InformationregardingstatelawsandrulesfortheoperationofamotorcyclecanbefoundintheCaliforniaMotorcycleHandbookpublishedbytheDepartmentofMotorVehicles.Themanualmaybeprovidedtoyouatyourclass,youcanfinditonlineatdmv.ca.gov/oryoucanpickupacopyatyourlocaldriverlicensingoffice.
Smart Rider Commitment #1:______ (initial) “I acknowledge that part of being a responsible rider is knowing and following the ‘rules of the road.’ I accept this fact and commit to learning and complying with state laws, rules, regulations and equipment requirements.”
WHAT’S RIGHT FOR YOU?
Motorcyclescomeinallshapesandsizesandsomearedesignedforveryspecificuses.It’simportantforyoutoknowwhatyouwantyourmotorcycletodo.Doyouwanttotour,orareyoumoreinterestedincommuting?Doyourinterestslieinsportbikes,orareyoumoreinclinedtoexplorebackcountryforestroads?What’syourbudget?
Motorcycleridingismuchmorephysicallydemandingthandrivingacar.Youmustbeingoodphysicalconditiontohandletherigorsassociatedwithridingamotorcycle.Youwillneedbothupperandlowerbodystrengthtomoveyourmotorcyclearound—forroutineinspections,maintenanceandparking.Ifyouplanoncarryingpassengers,youwillneedthestrengthtoholdthebikeup(withapassenger)whenstoppedintrafficandeverytimeyourpassengermountsanddismounts.Youwillalsoneedtobeabletostandyourbikebackupifitshouldfallover.
Theeffectsofwind,sun,heat,cold,rainandexposureingeneralwillcauseyoutobecometiredmorequickly.Therefore,toridesafely,youneedtobuildupyourphysicalenduranceinadditiontoyourstrength.Allthesethingsshouldbeconsideredwhentryingtodecidewhetherornotyouarephysicallycapableofridingamotorcycle,andifso,whichmotorcycleisrightforyou.
Unit 2 | INTRODUCTION TO MOTORCYCLING
SMART RIDERCOMMITMENT
#1
10 Unit 2 | INTRODUCTION TO MOTORCYCLING
ASSESSING THE RISK OF RIDING
Auniversaltruthofmotorcyclingisthatridingamotorcycleismoredangerousthandrivinganautomobile.Motorcyclistsaremuchmorevulnerablethandriversbecausemotorcycleslacktheprotectivecocoonofsteelrollcages,crumplezones,safetybeltsandairbags.Maneuversthatareroutineinanautocanbehazardousonamotorcycle.Automobilesdon’thavetobebalancedatastoplikemotorcycles;driversdon’tworryaboutminorwheelspinsorskids;and,inacar,therainandwindstayoutside.Allofthesecanbesafetyhazardsformotorcyclists.
VULNERABILITY
Whenmotorcyclescollidewithothervehicles,theridersmaynotbeatfault,buttheyarealmostalwaysinjured,sometimesseriously.About80%ofmotorcyclecrashesresultininjury.Comparethattoabouta20%injuryrateforcarcrashesandyouseejusthowvulnerablemotorcyclistsare(www.sutliffstout.com/blog/free-infographic-how-dangerous-are-motorcycles-really/).
Thereisnobenefitinbeinglegallyrightbutcriticallyormortallyinjured.Asamotorcyclist,youarevulnerable.Thisiswhymotorcyclistsmustalwaysbemoreattentivethanothermotorists—moreawareoftheirsurroundingsandalwayspreparedtoreact.Vulnerabilityisalsothenumberonereasonforalwayswearingprotectivegear;youneverknowwhenyoumightneedit!
Motorcyclescomeinavarietyofshapesandsizesandsomewillfityoubetterthanothers.Chooseamotorcyclethatfitsyourphysicalcapabilitiesaswellasyourphysicaldimensions.Aproperfitinboththeseareaswillallowyoutosafelyreachandoperateallthecontrolsandalsoreachtheground,soyoucanholdthebikeupcomfortablyatastop.
Ifyou’reuncomfortablewiththemotorcyclebecauseyou’reafraidofdroppingitoryoudon’tthinkyoucanliftit,thenit’stoobig.Yourmotorcycledealercanhelpyouselectthemotorcycleandaccessoriesthatsuityoubest.
SETTING UP YOUR MOTORCYCLE
Whenyoufirstgetyournewmotorcycle,taketimetosetituptofityou.Manyofthecontrolsareadjustable,includingthehandlebars,brakes,shifterandclutch.Somemotorcyclesevenhaveadjustableseatheight.Adjustthecontrolssothattheyareanaturalextensionofyourhandsandfeet.Youshouldnothavetostraintoreachormaintaincomfortablecontactwithanyofthecontrols.
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Strive to achieve a constant state of Rider Readiness by understanding the challenges of motorcycling and riding within your ability.
Be completely prepared for riding. This includes being mentally prepared and attentive, physically rested and unimpaired, having your motorcycle in good condition, wearing appropriate riding gear and being aware of and prepared for upcoming weather, roadway and traffic conditions.
VISIBILITY—THE SIGHT TO SUCCESS
Visibilityisacriticalissueformotorcycles.Becausemotorcyclesaresomuchsmallerthanautostheyaremoredifficulttoseeintraffic.Motoristsoftenfailtonoticemotorcycles,andevenwhentheydo,theyoftenmisjudgetheapproachspeedanddistance.Allthesefactorsraisetheriskofmotorcycling.“Invisible”motorcyclistsarevulnerabletovehiclesviolatingtheirrightofwayandtheoddsofacollisionincreasewitheachpassingmile.It’suptoyoutotakeresponsibilityfortheselimitations.Makeyourselfvisible.Don’tletyourselfbehiddenintraffic!
JUDGMENT IS CRITICAL
Single-vehiclecrashesinvolvingmotorcyclesareover-representedincrashdata.Thecauseisalmostalwaysridererror,andtypicallytheseerrorsareinjudgmentfirst,thenskill.Goodskillalonewillnotkeepyoufromcrashing,butgoodjudgmentcan.It’suptoyoutomakegooddecisions.It’suptoyoutomanagerisk.Thisisyourride.Managetherisksbythinkingahead—wayahead.
RISK ACCEPTANCE
Recognizingandacceptingtheriskofmotorcyclingisthefirststepindevelopingstrategiestomanageit.Nosanemotorcyclistintendstocrash.Someresearchersestimatethatthedanger(riskofinjury)ofridingamotorcycleis20–50timesthedangerofdrivingapassengervehicle(www.nmcti.org).That’swhyyoumustbereadyatalltimes.
MENTAL READINESS
Yourmentalreadinessisveryimportant.Motorcyclingrequiresfocusedattentiontothemanyridingtasksandchallengesyou’llface.Yourmindmustbeattentivetothesetasksandnotconsumedwithotherissues.Itisespeciallyimportanttoavoidanythingthatdullsyourjudgmentandcoordination,includingalcoholandotherdrugs.
Rider Readiness:
Risk Acceptance
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PHYSICAL READINESS
Riderested.Avoidridingwhenexcessivelyfatigued,stressedorpreoccupied.Theseconditionscanimpairyourjudgmentandfocus—aninvitationtodisaster!
PROPER RIDING GEAR
Properridinggearisessentialforminimizinginjuriesshouldacrashoccur.Itprovidescomfortbysealingouttheelementsandhelpingyoustayfocusedontheride.
UNDERSTAND YOUR ABILITIES AND LIMITATIONS
Itisimportanttoknowyourabilitiesandnotexceedthoseabilities.Ridersgetintotroublewhentheythinktheycandosomethingthattheyreallycan’t.Improveyourskillsinsmallsteps.Bepatientandkeeppracticing.Noonebecomesanexpertriderovernight.
KNOW YOUR MOTORCYCLE
Notallmotorcyclesarecreatedequal.Off-roadanddual-purposebikesexcelwheretouringbikesflounder,butatouringbikeinitselementisadifferentstory.Sportbikestilttowardperformanceandcruisersaremorelaidback.Itisuptoyoutounderstandthedesignlimitationsofyourmotorcycleandkeepsafelywithinthatdesignedoperatingrange.
AWARENESS OF RIDING CONDITIONS
Awarenessofupcomingroadway,weatherandtrafficconditionsimprovesRiderReadinessandminimizessurprise.
ACCEPT YOUR RESPONSIBILITY
Onceyouareprepared,knowyourabilitiesandunderstandyourmachine’scapabilities,itisuptoyoutotakeresponsibilityforridingwithinthoselimitseverytime.Beingaresponsiblemotorcyclistreducestherisksassociatedwithridingandsetsanexampleforothersaroundyou.Demonstratingyouracceptanceofandcommitmenttomanagingtherisksofridingwillhelpreduceyourchancesofacrash,injury,ordeath.It’syourride!
Smart Rider Commitment #2:______ (initial) “I acknowledge that riding a motorcycle in a complex traffic and roadway environment is an activity involving risk and danger. I accept this fact and commit to managing those risks.”
Unit 2 | INTRODUCTION TO MOTORCYCLING
SMART RIDERCOMMITMENT
#2
Personal ability
Motorcycle’s capabilities
Environmental conditions
13Review Questions
1. Give three reasons why motorcycling is more risky than driving a car.
2. What is Rider Readiness? 3. What does it mean to “accept your responsibility”?
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CHOOSING YOUR RIDING GEAR
Ridinggearisamotorcyclist’sbestfriend.AsmentionedinUnit1,therearetwoaspectstomotorcyclesafety:preventingthecrashandsurvivingthecrash.Ifandwhenacrashdoesoccur,whattherideriswearingcanmakeadramaticdifferenceinthedegreeofinjury.Inaddition,byprotectingyoufromtheelements,goodridinggearkeepsyoumorecomfortable,morerelaxed,morefocusedonthetaskofriding.Appropriategearmakesallthedifferenceinyourcomfort,concentrationandsafety.
• Motorcycle riding gear should be brightly colored and have retro-reflective material to catch the attention of surrounding traffic.
• Riding gear should have protective pads or armor and resist abrasion to reduce the chance of injury in the event of a fall or collision.
• For comfort and to arrive in style your gear must be designed to stand up to all kinds of riding conditions, from rain and wind to flying debris.
Yourgearisdesignedtoprotectyou,providecomfortandcover,andimproveyourcontrol.Rememberthatyourpassengerneedsthesamelevelofprotectionandcomfort!
HELMETS
Protectyourhead!Themostimportantpieceofsafetyequipmentyoucanwearisagoodqualityhelmetthat,ataminimum,bearsDOTapproval.Thereisnosubstitute.Lookforlabelingontheoutsideofthehelmetandalsosewntotheinsideofthehelmet.WhileDOTdoesnotmakehelmets,theysetperformancestandardsthatthemanufacturersmustfollowbyfederallaw.AnothergoodindicatorisaSnellMemorialFoundationsticker,whichindicatesthehelmethaspassedSnell’ssafetytests.
Eventhoughhelmetsareagreatwaytoenhanceridersafety,somemythsabouthelmetspersist.Youshouldknowthathelmetsdon’tblockvision,impairhearingorcauseheadorneckinjuries.NHTSAstudiesfromstatesrepealingorreinstatinghelmetlawsdemonstratethathelmetsprotectagainstheadandbraininjuries.Wearahigh-qualitymotorcyclehelmeteverytimeyouride.
CHOOSING A HELMET
Fit,price,colorandstyleareallimportantconsiderationswhenchoosingahelmet,butprotectionshouldbeyourfirstconsideration.
Unit 3 | PREPARING TO RIDE
Head protection is vital! Head injuries account for the majority of motorcycle fatalities.
Choose a helmet that at a minimum meets DOT standards and fits you comfortably. Wear and securely fasten the helmet every time you ride. You never know when you might need it.
California’sHelmetLaw:CVC27802.(a)Thedepartmentmayadoptreasonableregulationsestablishingspecificationsandstandardsforsafetyhelmetsofferedforsale,orsold,forusebydriversandpassengersofmotorcyclesandmotorizedbicyclesasitdeterminesarenecessaryforthesafetyofthosedriversandpassengers.
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PROTECTION
ResearchbyDietmarOtte1indicatesthatincrashesinvolvinganimpacttothehead,alargepercentageofthoseimpactsoccurinthejawandfacearea(seegraphic).Whenchoosingahelmettype,giveseriousconsiderationtowhatareasofyourheadandfaceareprotected.
FULL-FACE HELMETS
Whenchoosingahelmet,knowthatfull-facemodelsprovidethemostprotectionthroughtheircoverageofthefaceandjaw,andthegreatestcomfortfromtheelements.
MODULAR OR “FLIP-UP” HELMETS
Modularhelmets(oftencalled“flip-up”or“flip-face”helmets)areincreasinglypopular.Theyaredesignedtoallowtheridertoflipthechin-barupfortalking,eating,drinking,etc.whenstopped.NOTE:Themajorityofthesetypesofhelmetsarenotdesignedtobeusedinmotionwiththechin-barintheupposition.Ifyouchoosethistypeofhelmet,readyourowner’smanualcarefullyandremembertoridewithitinthedownandlatchedposition.
THREE-QUARTER HELMETSThisstyleofopen-facehelmetisthechoiceofsomeriderswhopreferthewindintheirfaces.Ofcoursethatwindcancarryrain,bugs,sandandroaddebristhatcanbepainfulanddistracting.Andthere’snoprotectionfromthecontinuedexposureofsunandwindonyourface.Athree-quarterhelmetaffordsridersgoodheadprotectionbutlacksthefaceprotectionofafull-facehelmet.
HALF HELMETS
Half-shellhelmetsprovidetheleastprotection.Ifthisisyourstyle,makesureyougetonethat’sdesignedformotorcyclingsothatyouhavethemostprotectionaffordedbythisminimalhelmet.LookfortheDOTlabelingandtheimpact-absorbingliner.Forahelmettoprotectyourhead,ithastostayonyourhead.Ifyouareconsideringahalf-shellhelmet,youshouldknowthatresearchhasshownthatpartialcoveragehelmetsareejected(comeoff)moreoftenthanfull-facehelmets.2
Some“beanie”stylehelmetsmaylooklikehalf-shellhelmets,buttheylacktheimpact-absorbinglinerandarenotdesignedformotorcycleuse.Theyprovidenoprotectionintheeventofacrash.
1DietmarOtte,MedizinischeHochschuleHannover,AbteilungVerkehrsunfallforschung,Germany2Hurt,Thom&Ouellet,1998
Helmets
Distribution of Impact Locations on Motorcycle Helmets; All Collisions based on a study by Dietmar Otte1.
Full-face helmet
Three-quarter helmet
Half helmet
16 Unit 3 | PREPARING TO RIDE
HELMET FIT
Ahelmetshouldfitsnuglybutcomfortably.Ahelmetthatistooloosecanliftinthewindorcomeoffyourheadinafall.Onethatistootightcancreatesoresorcauseheadaches.Whenchoosingahelmet,tryonseveralbrandsandsizestogetanideaoffitandcomfort.
Checkfortherightfitbydoingthe“roll-offtest.”Theroll-offtestappliestoallhelmets,butismorecriticalforthree-quarterandhalf-shellhelmets.Here’showtodothetest:
• Putthehelmetonandadjustthechinstrap.• Reachbothhandsbehindyourheadandtrytorotatethehelmetforwardanddownoveryourface.
• Ifthehelmetcomesofforevencomesclosetocomingoff,itdoesnotpasstheroll-offtest.Getadifferenthelmetsizeormodelthatdoespasstheroll-offtest.
HOW HELMETS WORK
Motorcyclehelmetsaredesignedtoprotectyourheadincaseofacollisionorfallandtoprovidecomfortfromtheelements.Afull-facehelmetwithashieldalsoincorporatesexcellentfaceandeyeprotection.
OUTER SHELL
Helmetshellsaretypicallymadefromfiberglass,polycarbonateorcompositematerials.Theyprotectwearersbydispersingenergyawayfromthehead.Theyalsoresistpenetrationbyanyobjectthatmightcomeincontactwiththehelmet.However,notallhelmetdamageisalwaysvisibletotheeye.Itisimportanttoreplaceanyhelmetthathastakenanimpact.
IMPACT-ABSORBING LINER
Theimpact-absorbinglinerisusuallymadeofexpandedpolystyrene.Thisisadenselayerthatcushionsandabsorbsshockbyspreadingtheimpactforcesthroughoutthehelmet.Thinkaboutit:themoreimpactenergythatisabsorbedbythehelmet,thelessthat’slefttoreachyourheadandbrain.
COMFORT PADDING
Thepaddingwithinthehelmethelpstoincreasehelmetcomfortandmaintainfit.Somehelmetpaddingmayevenberemovableforcleaningpurposes.
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17Helmets
RETENTION SYSTEM
TheretentionsystemisthechinstrapwithD-ringsorclipsthatsecuresthehelmetinplace.Thisisveryimportant!Ifproperlyused,thechinstrapkeepsthehelmetonyourheadintheeventofacollision.Helmetsthatcomeoffyourheadinacollisionorfallcan’tprotectyouatthetimewhentheyaremostneeded.
HELMET CARE
Helmetsaredesignedtoabsorbenergythatwouldotherwisebetransmitteddirectlytoyourhead.Treatyourhelmetwithcare.Don’tjamitonamirrororcarryaspareonabackrest,asthatcompressestheinnerliner,reducingitsprotectiveability.Likewise,usecautionwhenrestingthehelmetontheseatofyourmotorcycle.Asmallgustofwindcanknockittothegroundanddamageit.Followthemanufacturer’sdirectionsforcaringforandstoringyourhelmet.
Helmetswillshowsignsofwearovertime.Helmetswithobvioussignsofwearmayhavedefectsthatcancompromisethehelmet’sintegrityandjeopardizeyoursafety.Inspectyourhelmetperiodically.Lookforcracksordingsintheoutershell.Checkforlooseorwornoutcomfortpadding.Checkthechinstrap,lookingforanysignoffrayedmaterial.Ifyourhelmethasavisororafaceshield,checkforlooseorbrokenhinges.Inspectthefaceshielditselfforscratchesandanycracksorchipsandreplaceitwhennecessary.
WHAT DOES THE RESEARCH TELL US?
Outofevery100motorcyclefatalitiesinwhichriderswerenotwearinghelmets,37wouldhavesurvivedthosecrashesifall100hadbeenwearinghelmets.3
EARPLUGS
Protectyourhearing!Theroarofenginesandtherushingwindisexhilarating,butsustainedexposure,eveninagood-fittinghelmet,canresultinhearingloss.Earplugsarecheapanddisposable—keepasupplyhandyandusethem!
3DeutermannW.(2004)Motorcyclehelmeteffectivenessrevised.Washington,DC:USNationalHighwayTrafficSafetyAdministration
Tests show that earplugs can prevent hearing loss by reducing sound levels by 30 decibels.
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EYE PROTECTION (FACE SHIELDS OR GOGGLES)
Protectyoureyes!Onceuponatimeyoucouldidentifyhappymotorcyclistsbythebugsintheirteeth.Whileamouthfullofdeadinsectsmayappealtosome,noonewantstolosetheirvisionduetoaflyintheeyeat50mph—nottomentionroaddust,pebbles,windandrain.Protectyourvision!Windshieldsandeyeglassesdonotprovideadequateeyeprotection.Helmetswithfull-facecoverageprovidethebestprotection,butsnap-onfaceshieldsandgogglesalsoprovidegoodprotection.Beawarethatgogglesandsomesafetyeyewearcanrestrictperipheralvision.
FACE SHIELDS
Helmetfaceshieldsareavailableinanincreasingrangeofstylesandtints.Forfull-facehelmets,faceshieldsflipupforaddedconvenience.Ridersshouldmakesurethattheirfaceshieldsaredesignedspecificallyforthehelmettheyareusing,areimpactresistantandarefastenedsecurelytotheirhelmets.Faceshieldsshouldaccommodateeyeglassesorsunglasseswornwhileridingandshouldbeopticallyclearandfreefromscratchesthatmightimpairvision.Useaclear(untinted)shieldatnightorinlow-lightconditions.
CARE
Cleanyourshieldorgoggleswithamildsolutionofsoapandwateranduseasoftclothforwashinganddrying.Don’tusepaperproductsbecausetheycanscratchtheplastic.Whenyourshieldbecomesscratched,replaceit.
Whetheryouchooseahelmetwithafaceshieldorgogglestoprotectyoureyes,itwillshowsignsofwearovertime.Youneedtowatchforpotentialdefectsthatmaycompromisetheeffectivenessofyoureyeandfaceprotection.Asitwears,itwillfitlesssnuglyandcanbecomeloose.Lookforanycracks,frayedstrapsandlooseorbrokenfaceshieldhinges.
GLOVES
Protectyourhands!Glovesprovidecomfortfromtheelements,improveyourgriponthecontrolsandreducehandfatigue.Theyalsoprotectyourhandsfromabrasionandinjuryinacrash.Glovesspecificallydesignedformotorcyclingarebest.Theyarecurledtoprovideanaturalgripandhaveseamsontheoutsidetopreventirritation.Gauntletglovesfitoverthecuffofyourjacketandkeepcoldairfromrushingupyoursleeves.Therearealsolighterglovesdesignedspecificallyforwarmerweather,aswellasheavier,insulatedglovesthatareidealforwinterriding.Adjustableretentionstrapshelpkeepglovessnug.
Unit 3 | PREPARING TO RIDE
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WHAT DOES THE RESEARCH TELL US?
Incrashes,riderswearinggloveswithbodyarmorwere45%lesslikelytohaveanyinjuriesontheirhandsand73%lesslikelytohaveanyopenwoundinjuries.4
BOOTS
Protectyouranklesandfeet!Sturdyover-the-anklebootsarerecommendedformotorcycling.Theyprotectyoufromtheelementsandfromhotorsharpmotorcycleparts.Bootswithrubbersolesandlowheelsarebest.Theyprovideasecuregriponthepavementwhenstoppedandprovideagoodgriponthefootrests.Intheeventofacollision,sturdybootsprotectyoufromfootandankleinjuries.Ifyourbootshavelaces,besuretotucktheminsotheydon’tgetcaughtinmovingpartsofthemotorcycle.
WHAT DOES THE RESEARCH TELL US?
Incrashes,riderswearingmotorcyclebootswere45%lesslikelytohaveanyinjuriestotheirfeetorankles,andriderswearinganysortofover-the-anklebootwere53%lesslikelytohaveanyinjuriestotheirfeetoranklescomparedtopeoplewearingotherkindsofshoes.5
JACKETS, PANTS, RIDING SUITS
Protectyourbody!Motorcyclejackets,pantsandridingsuitsprovidecomfortinjustaboutallconditionsaswellasprotectionincaseofacollision.Thisgearisspecificallydesignedforriding.Ridingjackets,pantsandsuitsaremadetoallowacomfortableridingposition.Sleevesandlegsarecutlonger.Extramaterialandarmorareofteninstalledattheknees,back,shouldersandelbowstoprovidelastingcomfortandprotection.Zippersandflapsthatsealoutthewindcanbeopenedforventilation.
4DeRomeL.,etal(2011).Effectivenessofmotorcycleprotectiveclothing:Riders’healthoutcomesinthesixmonthsfollowingacrash.Injury,doi:10.1016/j.injury.2011.10.0255Ibid.
Gear
20
Normal reflective vs. retro-reflective
Goodqualitygearhelpsinsulateyoufrominclementconditions,allowingyoutoconcentrateonridingratherthanbattlingtheelements.Evenacollarthatflapsagainstyourhelmetoryourskincanbeirritatinganddistracting.Avoidthesedistractionsbychoosingqualityridinggear.
Leatherhasalwaysbeenapopularchoice,becauseitsdurabilityprovidesprotectionagainstinjuryandwindfatigue.Anotheroptionisdurable,abrasion-resistantouterweardesignedspecificallyformotorcycling(usingmaterialsuchascorduranylon,Kevlar,etc.).
One-ortwo-pieceridingsuitsmadeofwater-resistantmaterialsaregoodchoicesforyear-roundriders.Forwarmerclimates,considerhot-weatherridinggearmadewithmeshandventilationpanelswitharmor.Notethatdenim(jeans)isnotconsidered“abrasion-resistant”andwillofferverylittleprotectionagainstinjury.
WHAT DOES THE RESEARCH TELL US?
Incrashes,riderswhowerewearingmotorcyclejacketswithbodyarmor(comparedtoriderswhowerenot)were23%lesslikelytohaveanyinjuriestothatpartofthebodyand63%lesslikelytohaveopenwounds(includingcuts,lacerationsorabrasions).Riderswhowerewearingpantswithprotectivearmoronthekneeswere39%lesslikelytohaveanyinjuriesand91%lesslikelytohaveanyopenwoundstotheirlegs.6
COMFORT AND VISIBILITY
Choosegearfordurability,comfort,protectionandvisibility.Blackishardtoseeindaytimeandinvisibleatnight.Selectgearwithretro-reflectivestripingorpatches.Retro-reflectivematerialreflectslightbacktothesourceandilluminatestherider.
Theremaybetimeswhenvisibilitybecomeslimitedduetonighttime,fog,heavyrainfallorwindinadustyarea.Rememberthatifyou’rehavingtroubleseeing,soarethedriversthatsharetheroadwithyou.Wearbrightandreflectivegeartomakeyourselfmorevisible.Retro-reflectivetape,pipingoraretro-reflectivevestprovideadditionalvisualcuestoothersandarefarmoreeffectivethanjustbrightclothingalone.Brightcolorsandretro-reflectivematerialsarethebestchoicesforkeepingyouvisibletosurroundingtrafficbothdayandnight.
6Ibid.
Select your riding gear with three things in mind: comfort, protection and visibility—safety in style and motion!
Unit 3 | PREPARING TO RIDE
RETRO-REFLECTIVE MATERIAL
NORMAL REFLECTIVE MATERIAL
21
Protectyourselfinallkindsofweather.Constantexposuretotheelementsisbothphysicallyandmentallyhazardous.Dehydration,overheatingandhypothermiacancompromiseyourjudgmentandcausedecreasedvision,light-headednessandimpairedcoordination.Bepreparedbychoosingproperridinggear.Inhotweather,weargearwithadequateventilation.Properlyventilatedridinggearpromotescooling,whichresultsinlessdehydrationandoverheating.Also,ridinginhotweathercancauseyoutoloseasurprisingamountoffluidthroughperspiration—drinkplentyofwatertokeepyourselfhydrated.Whenridingincoolerweather,windchillcancoolthebodyquicklyandcancausehypothermia,adangerousloweringofbodytemperature.
Dressinlayerstostaycomfortableasconditionschange.Remember,properprotectivegearisessentialforsafety.Don’tallowyoursensestobecomesodulledthatyoufailtoregisterchangingtrafficconditions.MoreinformationonhotandcoldweatherridingcanbefoundinUnit14.
RAIN GEAR
Ridingintherainisnotaproblemifyouarepreparedforit.Awarmanddryriderismuchmoreattentiveandcomfortablethanacold,wetone.Choosearainsuitspecificallydesignedformotorcycling.Itwillkeepthewaterout,providecomfortandvisibility,andstanduptothewind.Don’tforgetwaterproofglovesandbootcovers.Beprepared—alwayscarryraingear!
Smart Rider Commitment #3: _____ (initial) “I acknowledge that when riding a motorcycle, the
only thing between me and the elements (hot, cold, rain, hail, bugs, the asphalt, other vehicles, etc.) is the gear I am wearing. I accept this fact and commit to getting and wearing riding gear that is right for me and my family.”
INSPECTION AND MAINTENANCE
“Anounceofpreventionisworthapoundofcure.”Thisisespeciallytruewithmotorcycles.Itisalwaysbettertodealwithamechanicalproblembeforetheridethansufferabreakdownduringtheride.
Comfort and Visibility
SMART RIDERCOMMITMENT
#3
22
Foryouraddedsafety,takeafewmomentsbeforeeveryridetoinspectyourmotorcycle.
• Fluids — Check your fuel and oil levels. Always be on the lookout for weeps and leaks that indicate fluid loss.
• Tires — Check for wear and damage. Make sure tires are inflated to the proper pressure.
• Controls — Controls should operate smoothly and be properly adjusted.
• Electrics — Check your headlight, high beam, brake light, signals and horn.
• Final Drive — Chain drives should be properly adjusted and lubricated. Belt drives should be inspected for wear or damage. Shaft drives should be checked for leaks.
Yourmotorcycleowner’smanual(MOM)isthebestsourceofinformationforoperatingandmaintainingyourmotorcycle.Ifyoudon’thaveoneforyourmotorcycle,youcanpurchaseareplacementfromyourdealer.Somemanufacturersofferowner’smanualsasafreedownloadontheirwebsites.
FollowtherecommendedmaintenancescheduleprescribedintheMOM.Regularmaintenanceisthebestwaytoavoidexpensiveemergencyrepairs.Planahead—don’triskmechanicalfailures.AlwaysfollowtherecommendationsintheMOM.
Smart Rider Commitment #4:______ (initial) “I acknowledge that a motorcycle requires more frequent inspection and maintenance than a car. I accept this fact and commit to learning how and when to perform a pre-ride check on my motorcycle.”
1. What is the benefit of wearing apparel specifically designed for motorcycling?
2. How does riding gear make a rider more comfortable?
3. What is the difference between retro-reflective and reflective?
4. Why aren’t ordinary glasses or sunglasses sufficient eye protection?
5. What three things should you consider when shopping for riding gear?
6. Where do you find the recommended maintenance schedule for your motorcycle?
SMART RIDERCOMMITMENT
#4
Unit 3 | PREPARING TO RIDE
23
Gettoknowthelocationandoperationofyourmotorcycle’scontrols.Usingthesecontrolsshouldbecomesecondnature,acomfortableextensionofyourhandsandfeet.
PRIMARY CONTROLS
Fiveprimarycontrolsmakethemotorcyclegoandstop.Youwillfindthatittakesbothhandsandbothfeettooperatethesefivecontrols.
THROTTLE
Thethrottleistherighthandgripandisoperatedbyrollingthehandgriptowardyoutoincreasespeedandawayfromyoutodecreasespeed.Whenreleased,thethrottlesnapsbacktoan“idle”position.Tousethethrottlesafelyandcomfortably,keepfourfingersaroundthethrottle/handgripandthewristinalowposition.
CLUTCH LEVER
Theclutchleverislocatedinfrontofthelefthandgrip.Operatetheclutchleverbysqueezingittowardthelefthandgrip,disconnectingpowerfromtherearwheel.Tore-engagepower,slowlyreleasetheclutchleverwhilegentlyapplyingthrottle.
GEARSHIFT LEVER
Thegearshiftlever,locatedontheleftsideofthemotorcycleinfrontofthefootrest,isoperatedbytheleftfoot.Toshifttoahighergear(upshift),squeezetheclutchandthenliftthegearshiftlever.Toshifttoalowergear(downshift),squeezetheclutchandthenpressthegearshiftlever.Rememberthatmotorcycletransmissionsshiftonlyonegearpereachliftorpress—theshiftlevermustbereleasedbeforeyoucanshiftagain.
Theshiftpatternis1-N-2-3-4-5-(6).Neutral(N)istypicallyahalf-shiftupfromfirstorahalf-shiftdownfromsecond;afullupshiftordownshiftwillbypassneutral.Thegreeninstrumentlightindicatesneutral.
FRONT BRAKE LEVER
Thefrontbrakeleverislocatedinfrontoftherighthandgripandcontrolsbrakingonthefrontwheel.Tooperate,useallfourfingersandsqueezesmoothly.
REAR BRAKE PEDAL
Therearbrakepedalcontrolsbrakingontherearwheelandislocatedinfrontoftherightfootrest.Pressdownwithyourrightfoottooperate.
Unit 4 | WHEELS IN MOTION
Gearshift lever operation
24
OTHER CONTROLS AND EQUIPMENT
Thelocationandoperationofsomeofthesecontrolsvaryfrommodeltomodel.Consultyourmotorcycleowner’smanual.
ENGINE CUT-OFF SWITCH
Locatedontherighthandgripandoperatedbytherightthumb.Itallowsyoutoshutofftheenginewithoutremovingyourhandsfromthecontrols.
FUEL SUPPLY VALVE
Mostnewermotorcyclesdonothaveafuelsupplyvalve.Ifyourbikedoeshaveone,itismostlikelylocatedunderthetankontheleftsideofthemotorcycle.Thefuelsupplyvalvecontrolsfuelsupplytotheengine.TurnfromOFFtoONtorun.ItalsomayincludeRESERVEandPRIMEpositions.
IGNITION
Usuallylocatedneartheinstrumentclusterandactivatedwithakey.PostionsincludeON,OFF,LOCKandPARK.TheLOCKpositionallowsthekeytoberemovedandengagesasteering-lockmechanism.PARKactivatesthetaillightforincreasedvisibilityifyouparkalongsidearoadwayatnight.
CHOKE
Mostnewermotorcyclesdonothaveachoke.Ifyourbikedoeshaveone,yourchokemaybelocatednearthelefthandgripandoperatedwiththeleftthumb,oritmightbenearthefuel-supplyvalve(locationsvary).Thechokeprovidesanenrichedfuelmixturetoassistincoldenginestarts.Turnthechokeoffwhenengineiswarmedandbeforeriding.
TURN SIGNAL SWITCH
Usuallylocatedonthelefthandgripandoperatedbytheleftthumb.Mostmodelsdonotself-cancel.Checkyourowner’smanual.
HIGH/LOW BEAM
Locatedonthelefthandgrip.Onmostmotorcycles,theheadlightactivateswhentheignitionison.
HORN
Locatedonthelefthandgrip.Presswithyourthumb.
STARTER
Locatedontherighthandgrip.Presswithyourthumb.
Unit 4 | WHEELS IN MOTION
25
SPEEDOMETER
Locatedintheinstrumentcluster.Indicatesmotorcycleroadspeed.Anodometershowsmilesridden,andare-settabletripmetercanbeusedtoshowtripmilesormilessincethelastgasstop.
TACHOMETER
Locatedintheinstrumentcluster.Indicatesmotorcycleenginespeedinrevolutionsperminute(RPM).NeverexceedredlineRPM.
INDICATOR LIGHTS
Locatedintheinstrumentcluster.Includeslightsforneutral,turnsignals,oilpressure,highbeam,side-standdownandpossiblyotheractionsorwarnings.
MIRRORS
Everymotorcycleshouldhavealeftandrightmirror.Mostmirrorsareconvex.Convexmirrorsprovideawiderviewthanflatmirrorsbutmakevehiclesseemfurtherawaythantheyreallyare.Getfamiliarwithyourmotorcycle’smirrors.Adjustthemsothatyourshoulderandupperarmarejustvisible.Thisgivesyouthemaximumviewtotherearandtheside.
SIDE AND CENTER STANDS
Supportthemotorcyclewhenparked.Notallmodelshavecenterstands.Moststandshavereturnspringsthatsnapthemupandholdtheminplace.Alwaysraisethestandbeforeriding.
1. What are the five primary controls and where is each located?
2. What is the purpose of the engine cut-off switch and where is it located?
3. What must you remember when using your motorcycle turn signal?
Other Controls and Equipment
26
IDENTIFYING THE MOTORCYCLE’S CONTROLS
Usetheillustrationbelowtoidentifythemotorcycle’scontrols.
Horn
Unit 4 | WHEELS IN MOTION
27
MOUNTING AND DISMOUNTING
Let’sgetreadytoride!Afteraquickcheckoftraffic,standontheleftsideofthemotorcycle.(Youmightnoticelawenforcementpreferstomountfromtherightsideto“avoidtrafficorkickstandfailure”soitispossibleforexperiencedriderstogetonfromeitherside).Graspthehandgrips,squeezethefrontbraketokeepthemotorcyclefromrolling,keepyourheadandeyesupandswingyourlegovertheseat.Sitandstraightenthebike;raisethesidestandwithyourfoot.Nowisagoodtimetoadjustthemirrorssothatyoucanjustseetheedgeofyourshouldersinthemirrors.
Todismount,putthesidestanddown.Leanthemotorcycleontothesidestand,squeezethefrontbrakeandswingyourlegover.Turnthehandlebarsfullytowardthesidestandforstability.
STARTING THE MOTORCYCLE
Tostartthemotorcycle,usetheONE-Cpre-startroutine:
TurnthefuelvalvefromOFFtoON.TurntheignitionswitchON.
ShiftthetransmissiontoNEUTRAL.Don’trelyontheindicatorlight.Rockthemotorcyclebackandforthwiththeclutchoutbeforestartingtheengine.Ifitrollsfreelyandtheneutrallightison,it’sinneutral.
Movetheenginecut-offswitchtoRUNorON. Manymotorcyclesrequiresqueezingtheclutchbeforethestarterwilloperate.Evenifthisisnotrequired,itisagoodprecautionagainstaccidentallystartingthebikeingear.Usethechokeasneeded.TurnthechokeONforcoldstarts.
START IT UP!
Pressthestarterbutton.Avoidusingthethrottle;themotorcycleshouldstartwithoutit.Manymotorcycleshaveasafetymechanismthatcutspowertothemotorifthebikeisplacedingearwiththesidestanddown;ifyouhaven’tbroughtthesidestandup,doitnow.Ifthemotordoesn’tstartinthefirst5to8seconds,stopandrepeatONE-C.Afterstartingtheengine,remembertoturnoffthechokeaftertheengineiswarmedup.
TO STOP THE ENGINE
Turntheenginecut-offswitchtoOFF.Dothiseverytimesothatyouwillautomaticallyreachfortheswitchquicklyinanemergency.TurntheignitionOFF.TurnthefuelvalveOFFifyourmotorcyclehasone.
Mounting and Dismounting
ONE-COn
Neutral
Engine Cut-off Switch
Clutch/Choke
28
GETTING UNDERWAY
Withthemotorcyclestartedandyourheadandeyesuplookingwhereyouwanttogo,youarenowreadytostartmoving.Followtheseprocedurestosmoothlygetunderway.
USE THE FRICTION ZONE
Squeezetheclutchandshiftintofirstgear.Becauseamotorcyclehasamanualtransmission,ittakesalittle“clutchslip”togetunderway.Usethefrictionzone—theareaofclutchtravelwheretheengine’spowerbeginstotransmittotherearwheel.Thispartialengagementallowsyoutosmoothlyandpreciselycontrolenginepowertotherearwheel.Don’tbeinahurry.Takeyourtimeeasingouttheclutch.Letthemotorcyclegetunderwaybeforefullyreleasingtheclutch.
ASSUME GOOD RIDING POSTURE
Goodridingpostureenhancesyourcomfortandcontrol,andmakesyoulookgood,too!Straightenyourback,keepyourheadandeyesupandlookwhereyouwanttogo.Placeyourfeetonthefootrestsnearthecontrols,kneesagainstthetank.Relaxyourarmsandbendyourelbowsslightly.Handsshouldcomfortablyreachthecontrolswithoutstraining.
Duringthiscourseyouwillbecoachedtocovertheclutchwithallfourfingersandkeepyourrightwristlowonthethrottle.Keepallfingerscurledaroundthethrottle—donotcoverthefrontbrakewhenyouarelearningtoride.Learntorolloffthethrottleasyoureachforthefrontbrakeleverwithallfourfingers(someexperiencedriderswillonlyusetwoorthreefingers).Reachandsqueeze,andthenreturnyourhandtothethrottle.
Unit 4 | WHEELS IN MOTION
Proper riding posture
29
Rider countersteers. Front wheel momentarily out-tracks away from turn, causing motorcycle to begin leaning in turn direction.
Motorcycle stabilizes in turn, front wheel re-centers.
Push to Lean
TURNING
Oneofthekeystosmoothandsuccessfulcorneringliesinproperheadturnsandkeepingyoureyesup.Youtendtogowhereyoulook.Asyou’lldiscoverontherange,ifyoulookthroughtheturnyou’llridethroughtheturn.Ifyoulookoutoftheturn,you’llrideoutoftheturn.Remindyourselftolookahead.Turnyourheadtofaceallthewaythroughcorners.Thisgivesyoutheessentialinformationtonegotiateturnssafelyandskillfully.Usethefourstepprocessbelowtoturnanymotorcycleonanycorner.
SPEED
Adjustspeedineitherdirectionbeforetheturn.Closethethrottleand/orapplythebrakesasnecessary.Downshiftingcanalsohelpreducespeed.Slowenoughbeforebeginningtheturntoallowsmoothandconstantthrottleapplicationthroughtheturn.
POSITION
Selectanoutsidelanepositionpriortotheturn.For15+mphturns,moveyourupperbodytotheinsideofthebike.Forslowspeedturns,moveyourupperbodytotheoutside.Alsooptimizeyourpositionwithintraffic.
AIM
Priortostartingtheturn,yourheadandeyesshouldvisuallyaimthroughthecurve.Planyourpathoftravelthroughthecurveby“connectingthedots”ofyourturning,apex(thepointwhereyouareclosesttotheinsideoftheturn)andexitpoints.
TURN
Leanthemotorcycleintotheturnbyapplyinggentle,forwardpressuretothehandgripinthedirectionoftheturn.Toturnright,pushontherighthandgrip.Toturnleft,pushonthelefthandgrip.Whilethismaysoundbackward,thetechnique—knownascountersteering—reallyworks.Amotorcyclemustleaninordertoturn.Thepressureonthehandgrip(countersteering)causesittoleaninthedirectionoftheturn.
Turning
Speed
Position
Aim
Turn
AccelerateDecelerate
Maintenance
BodyLane
Traffic
LookPlan
Connect the dots
SteeringLeaning
30
Proper Turning Posture
POSTURE IN TURNS
Inmostturnsyouandyourmotorcycleleantogether.However,forslow,tightturnsyoumayfinditusefultocounterweight,puttingyourweightontheoutsidefootpeg,orevenshiftingyourbodytowardtheoutside.Thisallowsthemotorcycletoleanwhileyouremainuprighttobalancethemotorcycle.Remembertoturnyourheadandlookwhereyouwanttogo.
Unit 4 | WHEELS IN MOTION
LEAN WITH REMAIN UPRIGHT
TIGHT TURNS
Fortightturns,thecorneringprocedureisnormallythesame—speed,position,aim,turn.However,atslowspeeds,youmustturnthehandlebarstosteerthemotorcycleafterithasstartedtolean.Dependingonthesharpnessoftheturn,youmaywanttousethefrictionzonetohelpcontrolyourspeedandpath.Tohelpmaintainbalanceinslow-speedturns,counterweightbyplacingyourweightontheoutsidepegandkeepingyourbodyupright.Lookbackoveryourshouldertocontrolyourpath.
Slow-speed tight turn
STRATEGY COUNTERWEIGHT AND TURN YOUR HEAD TO LOOK BACK OVER YOUR SHOULDER
Normal-speed turns Slow, tight turns
31
SHIFTING
Youmustchangegearstokeeptheenginewithinitsbestoperatingrangeatallspeeds.
SHIFTING TO A HIGHER GEAR
Yourgoalistomatchenginespeedtoroadspeedandavoidover-revvingorluggingtheengine.Asenginespeedincreases,upshifttoahighergear.You’llsoonfindshiftingroutineandenjoyable.Usethisfive-stepprocesstoupshifttoahighergear:
1. Roll off, or close, the throttle.
2. Squeeze the clutch.
3. Lift the shift lever. Use firm pressure. Release the shift lever after each shift is completed.
4. Ease the clutch out.
5. Roll on the throttle.
SHIFTING TO A LOWER GEAR
Downshifttomatchenginespeedwithroadspeed,providemoreacceleration,ortouseenginecompressiontoslowthemotorcycle.Tousethisfour-stepprocesswhendownshifting:
1. Roll off the throttle.2. Squeeze the clutch.3. Pressdownfirmly(butdon’tstomp)ontheshiftlever.4. Ease. Engine braking is at work here, and that can have the effect of stepping hard
on the rear brake—eeeease out the clutch to avoid skidding the rear tire.
Itispossibletodownshiftseveralgearsinsuccession.Holdtheclutchinandpressonceforeachgear.Whenyoucan’tdownshiftanymore,you’reinfirst.Remembertoreleasetheshiftleversoitcanreturntothecenterpositionaftereachshift.
Shifting
32
STOPPING
Yourhandsandfeetmustworktogethertobringthemotorcycletoasmoothandcoordinatedstop.Allthebrakingcontrolsareontherightside—righthandandrightfoot—andallshiftingcontrolsareontheleftside.Whenstopping,keepyourheadandeyesup,lookingahead.Alwaysbeginbrakingfirst,thensqueezetheclutchtotakepowerawayfromtherearwheelandwhiledownshifting.Withpracticetheactionbecomesnearlysimultaneous:IN(brake,clutch)andDOWN(rearbrakeandshiftlever).Keeptheclutchsqueezedasyoucompleteyourdownshiftstofirstgear.
Tomaintainbalanceandcontrol,keepyourheadandeyesupandthehandlebarssquare(straight)asyoustop.Asyoucometoastop,placeyourleftfootdownfirst.Therightfootcontinuestoapplytherearbrake.Oncestopped,placetherightfootdownifnecessary.
Thefrontbrakeprovidesatleast70%ofthemotorcycle’stotalstoppingpower.Alwaysusebothbrakes,evenforroutinestops.Habitsformednowwillbecomeautomaticactionslater.
Therewillbetimeswhenyouwillneedtoslowandcometoastopinacurve.Itisimportanttorememberthatwhenbrakinginaturn,traction(yourtire’sgripontheroad)isbeingshared.Tractionisbeingusedforcorneringandforbrakingatthesametime.Thismeanstheamountoftractionavailableforeachislimited.
Toslowandstopsafelyinacurve,brakesmoothlyandgently.You’llalsoneedtobeabletoidentifyimportantroadwayinformationthatcouldaffectyouravailabletraction.Lookthroughtheturntogatherthisimportantinformation.Lookingwellaheadwilltellyouhowtighttheturnis.Itwillallowyoutodetermineyourstoppingpoint.Whilelookingthroughtheturn,youcanalsocheckforanyslopeintheroadandseewhetherornottheroadsurfaceisfreeofanyhazardsanddebris.Asstatedabove,makesureyoukeepyoureyesupandhandlebarssquareasyoucometoastop.
Unit 4 | WHEELS IN MOTION
Using both front and rear brakes shortens stopping distance.
33
1. What is ONE-C?
2. How do you use the friction zone?
3. Describe good riding posture.
4. What are the four steps to turning?
5. Why is the “aim” step important?
6. What does lifting or pressing on the shift lever accomplish?
7. Which brake provides more stopping power? How much does it provide?
8. How should you release the clutch when downshifting?
Review Questions
34
STRATEGY SEE AND BE SEEN IN TRAFFIC
Motorcycling is mostly mental. Responsible riders always think ahead to chart a safe path through traffic. This is mental motorcycling—the art of The Ride.
Onceyoudevelopthephysicalskillsofmotorcycling,you’rereadytohitthestreets,right?Wrong.Handlingamotorcycleisonlyonepartofsafeandsuccessfulriding.Nowyouneedtotakethenextstepanddevelopasetofstreetridingstrategiesthatarethecoreofwhatiscalled“mentalmotorcycling.”Thisisaconstantgameof“whatif?”Whatifthatcarturnsleft?Whatifthebicyclistcrossesinfrontofme?Whatifthat’soilonthestreet,notwater?Asastreetrider,yoursuccessandsurvivaldependonhowwellyoudevelopthefundamentalskillsofmentalmotorcycling.
VISIBILITY
Oneofthemostimportantstrategiesmotorcyclistsmustdevelopistoseeandbeseenintraffic.Inmulti-vehiclecrashesinvolvingmotorcycles,thedriveroftendoesn’tseetherideruntilit’stoolatetoavoidacollision.Thesefactorscontributetothatscenario:
• Drivers fail to actively scan for traffic or confirm that it is safe to enter an intersection.
• Riders fail to command attention and communicate their presence and intentions. Often a rider is hidden from view by other traffic.
• Riders fail to detect motorists or fail to anticipate that a motorist will violate their right-of-way.
Visibilityisacrucialcomponentofmentalmotorcycling.Trytoalwayscommunicateyourpresenceandintentionstootherhighwayusers.Ridewithyourheadlightonduringdaytimeforvisibility.Whenchanginglanesandpassing,signalwellinadvanceandusehandsignalswheneverpossibletohelpattractattention.Beingseencanreducetheriskofacrash.Eventhen,youmustbereadytotakeevasiveactionatanytime,especiallyifyoudoubtthatyou’vebeenseen.
BEING SEEN
Youhaveseveralwaystocommunicateyourpresencetoothermotorists:
CLOTHING
Brightlycoloredclothingandalight-coloredhelmetwillhelpmakeyoumorevisibletootherroadusers.Also,retro-reflectivematerialonyourhelmet,clothingandmotorcyclewillhelpyoustandoutintraffic.
Unit 5 | MENTAL MOTORCYCLING
35
HEADLIGHT
Ridewithyourheadlightonatalltimes.InCalifornia,thesamerulesapplytohighbeamuseduringtheday.Usehighbeamwheneveryouarenotfollowingorapproachinganothervehicleatnight.Useyourhighbeamwhenitislegalandsafetodoso.Whenitisfoggy,usethelowbeam.Beawarethatflashingyourhighbeamcanbemisinterpretedbyotherdriversasyourgivingupyourrightofway.
SIGNALS
Communicateyourintentions.Useyourturnsignalstoletothersknowyourintentions.Don’tforgettocancelyourturnsignal.Usehandsignalsalongwithelectricsignalstohelpalerttrafficaroundyou.Neverassumethatdriversseeyouoranticipateyourmoves.Clearcommunicationisyourresponsibility.
BRAKE LIGHT
Whenstoppingintraffic,flashyourbrakelighttoalerttrafficapproachingfromtherear.Themotorcycle’sbrakelightcanblendinwithotherlights,especiallyatnight.Aflashinglightattractsmoreattention.
HORN
Driversaccustomedtorelyingonhornstoalertothersshouldbeaware:motorcyclehornsarenotloudenoughtodothejobreliably,sodon’tcountonthemtomakeothersawareofyourpresence.
SEEING OTHERS
TheUniversityofSouthernCalifornia’sHurtStudyfoundthatmostmotorcyclecrashesdevelopfromhazardsinfrontofus.Onekeytosuccessfulstreetridingisinsearchingoutthesepotentialhazardsandanticipatingtheiractionsandconsequences.Findingothersbeforetheyfindyourequiresalertnessandaccurateperception.
SCANNING
Thefirststepofmentalmotorcyclingisassessment—findingthecriticalinformationneededforsuccessandsafety.Thatsearchisprimarilyaccomplishedthroughwhatyousee.Therefore,youmustdevelopscanningskillsthatprovideaccurateinformation.
Being Seen
COMMUNICATE YOUR PRESENCE AND INTENTIONS STRATEGY
STRATEGYFIND HAZARDS BEFORE THEY FIND YOU
36
STRATEGY LOOK WHERE YOU WANT TO GO!
Scanningforpotentialhazardsincludesmorethanjustlookinginfrontofyou.Alwaysbeawareofwhatistoeithersideandbehind.Scanningisanaggressive,purposefulsearchforinformation.Payattentiontotrafficsignsandsignalsaswellasroadwaymarkings.Theywarnyouofspeedadjustmentsorintersections.Theymaywarnofconstructionortrafficproblemsahead.Periodicallyglanceatyourmotorcycle’sinstrumentstomonitoryourspeedandcheckforwarninglights,butremember:yourpriorityisoutinfrontofyou.Don’tletyoureyesfixonanyoneobjectformorethanasplitsecond.
TARGET FIXATION
Targetfixationhappenswhentheeyesandbrainarefocusedsointentlyonaparticularobjectthatawarenessofotherobstaclesorhazardscandiminish,andthevehicleyouareattemptingtocontroltendstoveertowardthatobject.Thisisacommonissueformotorcyclistsbecauseamotorcycletendstogowheretheriderislooking.
Ifyoubecomefixatedonatarget,youcouldcollidewiththeobjectyouarefixatedon—inspiteofyourbestintentionstoavoidit.Itcanalsocauseyoutomissearlydetectionofotherhazards.Thebestsolutiontoavoidtargetfixationistokeepyoureyesmoving,anddirectyoureyestolookwhereyouwanttogo(notatobstacles).
LINE-OF-SIGHT
Selectapathoftravelthatwillgiveyouthebestline-of-sight.Thisstrategykeepsyouontarget,alertandawareofchangingconditions.Italsohelpspreventoverridingyoursightdistance.Thisoccurswhenyourideataspeedthatdoesnotallowtimeordistancetostoporswerveshouldahazardenteryourpathorwhentheroadtakesanunexpectedbend.
CHART A COURSE AS FAR AS YOU CAN SEE
Lookaheadtoscana15–20-secondpathoftravel.Thatmeanslookingaheadtoanareaitwilltakeyou15–20secondstoreach.Thisgivesyousituationalawareness—timetoprepareforahazardbeforeitisinyourimmediatepath.
Unit 5 | MENTAL MOTORCYCLING
37
Check your blind spots
STRATEGYMAINTAIN A MINIMUM 2-SECOND FOLLOWING DISTANCE
AGGRESSIVELY SCAN A 10-SECOND IMMEDIATE PATH OF TRAVEL
Thearea10secondsaheadisyourimmediatepathoftravel.Situationsdevelopingwithinthisarearequireyourimmediateresponse.Scanahead,totheroadsidesandtoyourmirrors.Lookformovement—anymovementthatcouldpotentiallyintersectyourpathorcreaterisk.Whetherit’savehicle,apedestrianorananimal,thingsthatmovecanbehazardous.Beespeciallycarefulasyouapproachintersections.Thisiswheremostmulti-vehiclecollisionsoccur.
CHECK TRAFFIC TO YOUR SIDES
Avoidlingeringinanothervehicle’sblindspot.Ifyoucan’tseethedriverintheirmirror,thedrivercan’tseeyou.Andifthedrivercan’tseeyou,expectthatvehicletomoveintoyourlaneatanytime.
CHECK MIRRORS BUT RELY ON HEAD CHECKS
Mirrorsareanimportantsafetytool,butridersareencouragednottorelyonthemexclusivelytoknowwhat’stakingplacebehindthem.Aswithautomobilemirrors,motorcyclemirrorshave“blindspots,”whichrequiresriderstoturntheirheadstoseewhatthemirrorsmayhavemissed.Useofmirrorsandheadchecksisessentialwhenchanginglanes,merging,turningandstopping.
FOLLOWING DISTANCE
Twosecondsistheminimumfollowingdistanceatlowspeedswhenconditionsareideal.Anythinglessthanideal—suchashigherspeeds,heavytraffic,reducedvisibility,badweather,unfamiliarenvironments,fatigueorreducedRiderReadiness—demandsaminimumoffourormoresecondsoffollowingdistance.Here’showit’sdone:
1. Pick out a fixed object ahead, like a sign, pavement marking or shadow.
2. As the vehicle ahead passes the object, count off: “one-one-thousand, two-one-thousand, three-one-thousand.”
3. If you reach the fixed object before reaching three seconds, you are following too closely. Give yourself more space and try again.
Remember,two seconds is the minimum room to maneuver.Itisnotenoughdistancetostop.Thegreaterthefollowingdistance,thegreaterthemarginofsafety,especiallywhenconditionsarelessthanideal.
Line-of-Sight
Two-second rule
TWO SECONDS
38
Maintain a space cushion from oncoming traffic
BEING SEEN IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITYSTRATEGY
ALWAYS MAINTAIN A SPACE CUSHION AND AN ESCAPE ROUTESTRATEGY
LANE PLACEMENT
Itisimportanttochoosealanepositionappropriatefortheconditions.Yourlanepositioncanhelpyoutocommunicatewithothertraffic,seeandavoidroadwayhazards,createspacebetweenyourselfandothervehiclesandprovideanescaperoute.Positionyourselfwhereothermotoristsareexpectingtoseetrafficandwhereyouhavethegreatestmarginofsafety.Bevisible!Considerthefollowingstrategieswhenselectingalaneposition.
SEE AND BE SEEN
Yourlanepositionshouldprovideyouwiththebestpositiontoseeandbeseenandforyoutocommunicateyourintentionstotrafficahead,behindandtothesides.Ifyouarehiddenbehindalargervehicle,traffictothefrontcan’tseeyou—soexpectanoncomingcartoturnleftinfrontofyoujustasthevehicleyouarefollowingclearstheintersection.Don’thideintraffic.Ifyoucan’tseethedriversaroundyou,theycan’tseeyou.
SPACE CUSHION
Aspacecushionistheareasurroundingyouinthetrafficflow.Allowadequatedistancetothefront,rearandsides.Thisprincipleholdstruewhetheryouaremovingoratastopintraffic.
Unit 5 | MENTAL MOTORCYCLING
CHOOSE A LANE POSITION THAT PROVIDES OPTIMUM VISIBILITY, LINE-OF-SIGHT, A SPACE CUSHION AND ESCAPE ROUTE
STRATEGY
39
ESCAPE ROUTE
Anescaperouteisanalternatepathoftravelthatyoucantakeifahazarddevelopsinyourpath.Nomattertheconditions,alwaysmaintainanescaperoute—yourwayout.
PROTECT YOUR LANE
Avoidsharingyourlanewithothervehicles.Lanesharingviolatestheprinciplesofspacecushioningandcompromisesyourabilitytomaintainanescaperoute.Commandattentionandprotectyourspacewithinthelane.
AVOID SURFACE HAZARDS
Surfacehazardssuchaspotholes,gravelandrutscanbeavoidedbyemployingtheline-of-sightstrategiesaddressedearlier.Byprotectingyourlane,youmaintainthenecessaryspacecushionandescaperouteforavoidingsurfacehazards.
1. How can you improve your visibility to other traffic?
2. What is the 20-second visual lead?
3. What two words best describe scanning?
4. What is the recommended minimum following distance?
5. What should you consider when choosing a lane position?
Bumper-to-bumpertraffic:Cushionpreserved.Threeescaperoutesopen.
Truckaheadstops:Vehiclebehindstillapproaching.Allescaperoutesclosed.
Truckaheadstops:Vehiclebehindstillapproaching.Left-sideescaperoutestillopen.
Maintain an escape route!
Lane Placement
YES NO YES
40
SCAN
Searchaggressivelyahead,behindandtothesidesforpotentialhazards.Whatyoudon’tdetectcanhurtyou!Scanaggressivelytorecognizeproblemsbeforetheybecomecritical.Otherroadwayuserssuchasothervehicles,bicyclists,pedestriansandanimalscanposehazardstomotorcyclists.Theymayviolateyourrightofway,limitsightdistance,crashintoyouorsimplybeadistraction.
Keepyoureyesmovinginapurposefulsearchforinformation.
IDENTIFY
Anaggressivesearchwillallowyoutoidentifyhazardsandpotentialconflictsearly.Hazardsfallintothefollowingthreecategories:
1. Othervehicles—trafficsharingtheroadwithyou.Yourreactionstoothervehiclesare critical.
2. Pedestrians and animals—they move unpredictably and, depending upon their size, can create an imposing hazard.
3. Fixed hazards—stationary objects near and alongside the roadway, surface hazards,signsandsignals,guardrails,bridges,etc.Theydon’tmove,butfailingto recognize them can be hazardous.
PREDICT
Onceyou’veidentifiedthehazard,thenextstepistoquicklypredictwhatitwilldo.Howcriticalisthesituation?Whatareyouroptions?Whataretheconsequences?Willthehazardsseparateorisactionrequired?Iscollisionlikely?Thisisthe“whatif”phaseofSIPDEthatdependsuponyourknowledge,experienceandskill.Anaggressivesearchhaspresentedyouwithcriticalinformation—bepreparedtoactonit!
DECIDE
Thenextstepcallsfordecisionsbaseduponyourprediction.Completethe“whatif”phasetoestimateresults.Whatareyougoingtodo,andhowareyougoingtodoit?
THE SIPDE PROCESS
Expertridersknowwhat’sgoingonaroundthemandactearly,respondingtopotentialproblemsbeforetheybecomelifethreatening.Becomeanexpertriderbydevelopingexpertjudgment.SIPDEistheacronymforamentalstrategyusedtomakesoundjudgmentsandreducerisksintraffic.Itstandsfor:
Unit 5 | MENTAL MOTORCYCLING
Expert Motorcyclists:
41
Inanysituationyouhavethreeoptions:
1. Adjust speed—speed up, slow down or stop.2. Adjust position—move left or right.3.Communicate—soundyourhorn,flashyourbrakelightorheadlights,signal,etc.
Adjustingyourspeedasnecessarygivesyourselftimeandspacetoreact.Never hurry into danger. Slowingdownisoftenthebestwaytodecreaserisk,buttherewillbetimeswhenaccelerationisabetterchoice.Adjustingyourlaneposition,changinglanesoreventurningawayfromahazardarealsovaluabletactics.Slowingdownandmovingawayfromdangergivesyoutimeandspacetomaneuverwhilethesituationunfolds.ScanningwellaheadandusingtheSIPDEprocesswillhelpyouchoosethebestoption.
EXECUTE
Actonyourdecision.ThisisthephysicalpartoftheSIPDEprocess.Nowisthetimetoapplyyourskills:
• Adjust speed—roll on or off throttle, brake or downshift for greater acceleration.
• Adjust position—press left or right.
• Communicate—press the horn button, flash the lights, etc.
YoursafetyandsuccessonthestreetrequireseffectiveuseofSIPDE.RiderswithexcellentphysicalskillsandpoorSIPDEskillsrideintotroublemuchmoreoftenthanriderswithpoorphysicalskillsandexcellentSIPDEskills.Becomeanexpertriderbyapplyinggoodjudgmentandridingresponsibly.
INTERSECTION SITUATIONS
Mostmulti-vehiclecollisionsoccuratintersections.Often,thedriverviolatesthemotorcyclist’srightofway.Thedriver’smostcommonresponseis“Ididn’tseethemotorcyclist.”ActiveuseofSIPDEandproperlanepositioningwillmakeyoumorevisibleandbetterpreparedtodealwithhazardsatintersections.
Anywhereanothervehiclecanentertrafficisconsideredanintersection.Thisincludesdriveways,mergelanes,alleysandparkinglots.Planaheadbeforereachinganintersection.Beespeciallycarefulwhenyourvisibilityisblocked.Ifyoucan’tseeanintersection,thedriverswaitingatthatintersectioncan’tseeyou.
BE ALERT AND READY
Bealertandreadywhenapproachingintersections.Maintainaspacecushionandalwayshaveanescaperoute.Covertheclutchandbrakesforaquickerresponse.Downshiftifnecessarysothatyouarereadytoaccelerateawayfromahazard.Adjustyourlanepositiontocreatespaceandincreasevisibility.
The SIPDE Process
42
HAZARDS TO THE FRONT AND FROM THE LEFT
Firstpriorityisthetrafficahead,wheremostcollisionsoccur.Manyhazardsapproachfromtheleft.Bereadytotakeevasiveactionifanoncomingcarwaitingtoturnleftdoesn’twaitforyou.YourSIPDEprocesswillhaveidentifiedthishazardandpredictedthatthemotoristmightturn,sobereadywhenyourpredictioncomestrue.
TRAFFIC TO THE REAR
Don’tforgettocheckbehindyou.Whenstopped,waitingtoturnorwaitingforalighttochange,checkbehindyouandflashyourbrakelighttocommandattention.Alwayskeepyourbikeinfirstgearatstops.Setuptoonesideofthelaneandgiveyourselfatleasttwobikelengthsfromthevehicleinfront,soyouhaveroomtomaneuverinanemergency.Bereadytoescapeifthevehiclebehindyoufailstostoporyield.
“BUT THE DRIVER LOOKED RIGHT AT ME…”
Evenafteryouapplyallknownstreetstrategies,thereisnoguaranteethatotherswillseeyou.Nevercountoneyecontacttoensurethatyouhavebeenseen.Toooften,driverslookrightatmotorcyclistsandstillfailtoseethem.Theonlyeyesthatcountareyourown.Ifacarcanenteryourpath,predictthatitwill.It’sthatsimple!
NON-INTERSECTION SITUATIONS
Inurbansettings,theareabetweenintersectionsholdsplentyofhazards.Carsparkedalongtheroadsidecanmovewithoutnotice.Doorsmayopenunexpectedlyintotraffic.Pedestrianscanenteryourpath.Maintainyourspacecushionandexpectthesesituationstooccur.
Whenturning,changinglanes,passingormerging,signalinadvance,haveenoughspaceforthemaneuver,positionyourselfcarefullyandmanageyourspeedwisely.
CHANGING LANES
Theriskassociatedwithchanginglanesgenerallycomesfromfailuretocheckyourmirrorsandblindspots.Hereisthebestwaytochangelanes:
• Planyourmove.• Movetothesideofyourlanetoincreaseyourline-of-sight.• Signalfirst,andthencheckyourmirrortothesideyouaremoving.• Makeaquickover-the-shoulderheadchecktoseewhatisinyourblindspot.• Whenyouarecertainitissafe,changelanes.• Cancelyoursignalaftercompletingthemaneuver.
Unit 5 | MENTAL MOTORCYCLING
First priority is the traffic ahead, where most collisions occur. Many hazards approach from the left. Be ready to take evasive action if the driver waiting to turn left doesn’t wait for you.
43
SMOG-C for Passing or Changing Lanes
Proper Passing Technique
ApplytheSMOG-Cprocesswhenpassingorchanginglanes.Itisagoodhabittodevelopandshouldbecomesecondnaturewithtime.
PASSINGPassingothervehiclesislikechanginglanes,withonemajorexception:Foraperiodoftimeyouwillberidingintheopposinglane.ApplySIPDEhere.Askyourselfwhythevehicleyouarefollowingisdrivingsoslowly.Isthedriversearchingforahouseaddress?Willtheymakeasuddenleftturn?Checkfordrivewaysorintersections.Checkthoroughlyforapproachingtraffic.Determineifyouhavethespacetosafelypass.Ifyouaren’tsure,wait.
Checkforoncomingtraffic.Signalandcheckyourmirrorsandblindspot.Makenomoveunlessitislegalandsafetodoso.Whenitissafetopass,moveintotheleftlaneandaccelerate.Don’tlingeroutthere.Avoidcrowdingthevehicleyou’repassing.Thisminimizesthetimethatyou’llbeinthedriver’sblindspotandprovidesspacetoavoidpossiblehazardsinyourlane.CompleteSMOG-Cbysignalingandcompletingareturntoyourlane.Don’tforgettocancelyoursignal.
Rememberthatpassesmustbecompletedwithinpostedspeedlimitsandonlywherepermitted.
Non-Intersection Situations
STRATEGYCHECK YOUR BLIND SPOT BEFORE PASSING OR CHANGING LANES
44
BLIND SPOTS
Avoidothervehicles’blindspots.Somedriverswillturntheirheadstocheckmirrorsbeforechanginglanes—that’syourclue.Remember,ifyoucan’tseethedriverintheirmirror,thedrivercan’tseeyou.Communicate!
TAILGATING
Driversthattailgatemaynotbeabletostopasquicklyasyouandtheirpresenceisdistracting.Don’tbecomeemotionallyengagedwithatailgatingdriver.Thedistractioncanaffectyoursafety(remembermosthazardsapproachfromthefront).Someoptionsfordealingwithtailgatersinclude:
• Increasethespacecushioninfrontofyouincaseyouhavetostopquickly.• Makeyourtrafficstopssmoothandgradual.Nosurprises.• Communicatewiththetailgaterbyflashingyourbrakelight.• Holdyourpositionanddon’tallowlanesharing.• Turnoryieldatthefirstopportunitytoletthetailgaterpass.• DoNOTspeedup—thisoftenresultsinbeingtailgatedatahigherspeed.• DoNOTthrowanythingatthevehicleto“teachthemalesson.”Thedriverismost
likelynottailgatingyouonpurposeandthrowingobjectsmaystartafightthatyouareunlikelytowin.
• Allowthemtopasswhensafe.
NIGHT RIDING
Nightridingcarriesspecialchallenges;visibilityisreducedandsightdistanceismuchmorelimitedthanduringdaytime.Youcangreatlyenhanceyourvisibilityandsafetythroughuseofbright,reflectiveandretro-reflectivematerials,includinguseofretro-reflectivevests.Wearuntintedeyeprotectionthatisfreeofscratchesandsmudges,reducespeedandincreasethedistanceatwhichyoufollowothervehicles,signalyourintentionsearlyandflashthebrakelightwhenstoppingorwaitingatintersections—thishelpskeepyoufromblendinginwithothervehicles.
Remember:Yourheadlightonlyshinesacertainnumberoffeetinfrontofyou.Thismeansthatathigherspeedsyouhavelesstimetorespondtowhatyousee.Inconditionsofdarkness,slowdowntoavoid“overriding”yourheadlight.Usetheheadlightsofothervehiclestoseefartheraheadandtheirtaillightsforcluesaboutcurves,bumpsormaneuvers.
STRATEGYAVOID RIDING IN THE BLIND SPOTS OF OTHER VEHICLES
Unit 5 | MENTAL MOTORCYCLING
45
STRATEGY
U-Turn Hazard
1. How does SIPDE help make you an expert rider?
2. Where do most multi-vehicle collisions occur?
3. What is a head check?
4. What can you do to reduce reaction time in hazardous situations?
5. How do you know if you are overriding your headlight?
Makeyourselfevenmorevisibletoothersbyusingyourhigh-beamheadlightswhenallowed.Highbeamsshouldbeusedwisely,takingcarenottoblindotherroadusers.
U-TURNS
CarsmakingU-turnsareextremelydangerous.Theycancutyouoffbyblockingtheentireroadway,leavingyouwithnoescaperoute.Sinceyoucan’ttellwhatthedriverwilldo,slowdownandgetthedriver’sattention.Soundyourhornandflashyourhighbeam,ifneeded.Proceedwithcaution.Don’tassumethedriversawyouorisawareofyourpresence.Alwaysbepreparedtoact.
Non-Intersection Situations
Smart Rider Commitment #5:______ (initial) “I acknowledge that an expert rider is one who uses expert judgment to avoid having to use expert skills. I accept this fact and commit to becoming an expert rider by practicing SIPDE skills, keeping my eyes up and scanning 20 seconds ahead.”
SMART RIDERCOMMITMENT
#5
46
SPEED
POSITION
AIM
TURN
Whenaskedtodescribeaperfectmotorcycleroad,mostridersdescribeonewithlotsofcurves.Unfortunately,theenjoymentofcorneringsnaresmanyriders.Everyyearcountlessriderssufferself-inflictedinjuryfromfailuretonegotiatecurves—singlevehiclecrashesinwhichtheriderisclearlyatfault.Intypicalscenarios,riderseitherrunofftheroadwhilecorneringordriftintotheopposinglaneandcollidehead-onwithapproachingvehicles.Neitherscenarioisappealingandbotharecompletelyavoidable.
SKILLFUL CORNERING
Thebasicturningprocedure—SPAT—appliestoallcurves.Thekeytothisprocessisslowingbeforetheturn.Entertheturnataspeedthatpermitssafecorneringandallowsconstantthrottleapplicationthroughthecurve.Completeallbrakinganddownshiftingbeforetheturn.Beginyourthrottleroll-onasearlyaspossible.Thisstabilizesthesuspension,maximizestractionandmakestheturnmoreconfidence-inspiring.
Manycrashesinvolveriderswhoenterturnstoofastandareunabletocompletethecurve.Thiserrorappliestoridersofallagesandridingstyles.Whileexcessivespeedisusuallylistedonthecrashreport,therealcauseofthesecrashesisfailuretolookfarenoughthroughtheturn.Essentially,theseridersoverridetheirsightdistanceandrollonthethrottlebeforetheyknowwheretheroadleadsorwhathazardsitmaycontain.Anothermajorfactorinridersrunningwideinturnsisthefailuretoeffectivelycountersteer(pushforwardonthehandgrip).AneffectivestrategyisSpeed,Position,Aim,Turn
SPEED
Scanaheadtogatherasmuchinformationaboutacurvebeforeyougetthere.Evaluatethetightnessoftheturn,slopeoftheroad,surfaceconditionsandwhetherornotyoucanseeallthewaythroughtotheexitofthecurve.Asyouapproach,applybothbrakestoslow(anddownshift,ifappropriate)toanentryspeedthatallowsyoutosmoothlyapplythethrottlethroughouttheturn.Ifyoucannotdeterminethetightnessoftheturn,orseetheexitbeforeyouenter,reduceyourentryspeedmoreandbepreparedfortheturntotighten.
POSITION
Selectanoutsidelanepositionpriortoreachingtheturn.Thelanepositionmaybemodifiedbyyourpositionintraffic.Then,determinethebodypositionneeded.Ifit’sasharpturnorafastturnmoveyourbody’scenterlinetotheinsideofthebike’scenterline.Ifit’sastandardturnaneutralbodypositionwillbeappropriate.Forslow,tightturnsanoutsidebodypositionisbest.
AIMTurnyourheadandtargetyourpathoftravel.Lookingthroughtheturnprovidesinformationsuchashowsharptheturnis,wheretheexitis,theslope(ifany)and
Unit 6 | CORNERING WITH CONFIDENCE
47
Outside
Outside
Inside/apex
anysurfacehazards.Thisisallimportantinformationforsafeturning.Yourmindwillcalculatetherequiredleanangle,speedandlaneposition,butONLYifyoufeeditallthecriticaldatafirst.Turnyourheadtofaceyourtarget!
TURN
Beginrollingonthethrottlesmoothlyandpreciselybeforeyouleanintothecurve,orjustafteryouenterit.Asteady(orslightlyincreasing)throttleapplicationmaintainedthroughoutthecurvewillhelpyourturnsbesmoothandcomfortable,andkeepyourmotorcycle’ssuspensionstabilized.
WHAT’S YOUR LINE?
Smoothandskillfulcorneringrequiresselectingthebestlineorpaththroughcorners.Thebestlineoftendoesnotmatchthecurveoftheroad.Agoodlineallowsyouto:
• Maximizevisibilitybypositioningyourselfinclearviewoftrafficaheadandbehind.• Maximize your line-of-sight by positioning toward the outside of the curve where
you can see the farthest.• Selectasafepathtoavoidapproachingtrafficandroadwaydebris.• Minimize traction required and maximize cornering clearance.• Do all of the above safely and skillfully, while remaining in your lane at all times.
CORNERING LINES—THE BASICS
Formostturns,anoutside-inside-outsidelineisrecommended.Thisincreasesyourline-of-sightandcreatesaturnthatislesssharp,therebylimitingcorneringforcesandpreservingyourgroundclearance.Here’showtodothat:
• Outside—Enter the turn with your motorcycle in the “outside” portion of your lane (ifit’saright-handturn,you’llbeintheleftpartofthelane;ifit’saleft-handturn,you’llbeintherightpartofthelane).Stayinthislanepositionuntiltheturnstarts.
• Inside—As you lean into the turn, move from the outside part of your lane toward theinsidepartofthelane(towardthecenterlineinaleft-handturn;towardthefoglineinaright-handturn).Pushmoreonthehandgriptoincreaseyourleanandmove toward the inside.
Note:Youwanttomaintainaspacecushionandescaperoute,sodon’trideONthecenterlineorfogline—leaveyourselfsomespace.Rememberthatyouwillbeleaning,soifyourtiresareONthecenterline,yourheadandbodyarehangingintothelaneofoncomingtraffic!Avoidthissituationbymovingtowardtheinside,butleaveyourselfsomespacebetweenyourtiresandthecenterline.
Skillful Cornering
48
STRATEGY USE AN OUTSIDE LINE AND HOLD YOUR SPEED UNTIL THE EXIT IS VISIBLE
STRATEGY USE A LATE APEX TO SET UP FOR THE NEXT TURN
• Outside—Afterreachingtheapexofyourturn(thepointatwhichyouaretheclosesttotheinside),allowthemotorcycletomovebacktowardtheoutsideportion of the lane. Press less on the handgrip to decrease your lean and move back toward the outside. This completes the outside-inside-outside path of travel.
CORNERING LINES—BEYOND THE BASICS
Onceyou’vegottensomeexperiencewithoutside-inside-outsideandarecomfortableadjustingyourlineincurves,youcanstarttogo“beyondthebasics.”Thefollowingcorneringtacticswillnotbedoneinclass,butmakeanotetoreaduponthemlater.ThereisadditionalinformationabouttheminAppendixA(CorneringwithConfidence—ExpandedContent).
DECREASING RADIUS CURVES
Forturnsthatgettighterorwhenyoucan’tseethroughtotheexit,maintainamodestentryspeedandstayintheoutsidepartofyourlaneuntilyoucanseeallthewaythroughtheturntotheexit.Onceyoucanseetheexitandknowexactlyhowtighttheturnis,youcanmovetowardtheinside.Thisisknownasalateapexline.
LINKED CURVES
Forcurvesthatflowfromonerightintoanother,usethelateapexlineasdescribedabove.Strivetomaketheexitlineofthefirstcurvematchtheentrylineforthenextcurve.Thistechniquehelpsyouminimizemidturncorrectionsinspeedorpath.
Unit 6 | CORNERING WITH CONFIDENCE
USE AN OUTSIDE-INSIDE-OUTSIDE LINESTRATEGY
Decreasing radius curve
49
POTENTIAL PROBLEMS—FEAR
CrashdatafromHurt’sStudyindicatesthatinsinglevehicleaccidentsrunningofftheroadinacornerisacommonscenarioforfatalmotorcyclecrashesinCalifornia.ThisHandbookhasalreadycoveredtheimportanceofheadturnsandlookingallthewaytotheexit,butthereisanotherfactoratworkhere—FEAR.Whenthingsstarttogowronginacorner,humannatureistoexperiencefear.Whenriderslacktheknowledgeandskillsforcorneringandhowtoincreaseleanwhenneeded,fearcantakehold.Mostridershaveexperiencedsomeleveloffearinacorneratonetimeoranother.Thisfearcanshowupinyourarms,yourbodyandyourbrain.
FEAR IN CORNERS—ARMS
Properridingpostureincludesarmsrelaxedandelbowsbent.Pressingforwardonthehandgripiswhatcausesthemotorcycletoleanandstayintheturn.Fearcanleadtotensioninthearmsandshoulderscausingthearmstolockstraightandevenpressonbothhandgripsatthesametime.Whenthearmslockstraight,theshouldersoftenpullback.Allofthishastheeffectofnoteffectivelypressingonthehandgrip.Asaresult,themotorcycleleanslessandislikelytorunwideinthecornerorofftheroad.Strategy: Keep your arms and shoulders relaxed and your elbows bent. Practice pressing and leaning to increase your comfort level in corners.
FEAR IN CORNERS—BODY
Humannatureistomoveawayfromperceiveddanger—sometimesit’sanautomaticresponse.Whenleanedoverinacorner,thatperceiveddangerisoftentheground.Inaturn,movingawayfromthedangerisleaningthebodyup.Asaresultofthisimproperbodyposition,themotorcycleleanslessandislikelytorunwideinthecornerorofftheroad.Strategy: Practice pressing and leaning to increase your comfort level in corners. Keepyourmotorcycleandyourbodywellwithinyourlanewhencornering(seeingyourselfclosetooncomingtrafficcantriggerafearresponse).
FEAR IN CORNERS—BRAIN
Haveyoueverheardsomeonesay“IwassoscaredIcouldn’tthink!”Thereissometruththere.Fearcaninducepanic,andwhenthebodyexperiencespanic,itgoesinto“fightorflight”mode.Whenthishappens,thepartofthebrainthatdoesthethinkingandplanningdoesn’tworkaswell.Asaresult,ridersmightreactinappropriately(suchasgrabbingthebrakesorleaningoutoftheturn)ornotatall(doingnothingandrunningofftheroad).Strategy: Keep your mind thinking about what you CAN do to keep the motorcycle in the turn and on the road—you know what to do, so focus on doing it. Keep pressing on the handgrip and keep your head turned and your eyes looking where you wanttogo.Thinking“I’mgoingtocrash!”orlookingatthecurboratreecanleadyoutoward trouble.
Potential Problems—Fear
50
STRATEGIES FOR HANDLING OTHER POTENTIAL PROBLEMS
SIPDEiscriticalforsafecornering.Aggressivescanning—lookingasfaraspossiblethroughthecurve—helpsyouassesshowtightthecurveisandatwhatspeeditcanberiddensafely.Herearesomeothersuggestions:
Limit your speed in turns. If you cannot see the exit, slow more before the turn.
Ridewithinyourpersonalabilityandthelimitsofyourmotorcycle.Don’tattempttokeepupwithother,moreexperienced(ormorefoolish)riders.
Discipline yourself to look as far through the turn as possible. Ride at a speed that gives you sight distance to stop or swerve.
Always leave yourself an out if something unexpected obstructs your path, like gravel spills or debris.
Listen to your body. If your heart is racing because you are scaring yourself, slow down!
Don’tstareattheroadsideoratapproachingvehicles.Remember,yougowhereyou look! Turn your head to face through the turn.
Avoid excessive lean angles. All motorcycles have ground clearance and traction limits. Dragging parts of your motorcycle can reduce traction and cause a crash.
Anticipate surface hazards—reduce your speed and lean angle on slippery, loose surfaces.
Avoidlanepositionsclosetooncomingtrafficandbeawareofyourleanangle.Don’tcornerwiththemotorcycleinyourlaneandyourheadintheopposinglane.Keep your entire body and motorcycle in your lane.
Unit 6 | CORNERING WITH CONFIDENCE
51Review Questions
Smart Rider Commitment #6:______ (initial) “I acknowledge that motorcyclists running wide in turns is the most common fatal crash situation. I accept this fact and commit to practicing the SPEED POSITION AIM TURN process for cornering, and in particular AIMING through the turn and PUSHING forward on the handgrip to cause the bike to lean/turn.”
SMART RIDERCOMMITMENT
#6
1. What are the leading causes of single-vehicle crashes?
2. At what point should you turn toward the apex?
3. How do you link turns smoothly?
4. When should you turn your head for cornering?
52
Stoppingamotorcyclequicklyandsafelyisaskillthattakestimetodevelopandcontinualpracticetokeepsharp.Failuretoapplythebrakesproperlyisaleadingcauseofmotorcyclecrashes.
Researchshowsthatriderstypicallyunder-brakeatthefrontandover-brakeattherear,orpanicatthecontrols,crashingtothepavementbeforeeverreachingthehazard.Thiserrantmaneuveriscommonlyknownas“layingthebikedown.”Thisisnotabrakingorobstacleavoidancemaneuver—it’sacrash.Oncethemotorcycleisdown,allcontrolislostandtheriderisjustanotherflyingobject.Brakingandcontrolareavailableonlywhenthemotorcycleisonitswheels,notwhenit’sonitssideortumbling.
LINKED BRAKING AND ABS
Modernmotorcyclesareequippedwithexcellentbrakingsystemsandcanstopveryquicklywithaskilledrideratthecontrols.Somebikesareequippedwith“linkedbrakes,”whichmeansthebrakesarelinkedtogetherinsomeway.Forexample,whenyouapplytherearbrake,thesystemautomaticallyappliesthefrontbrake.Thereareavarietyoftypes,sofindoutwhatisonyourmotorcycleandhowitworks.
Otherbikesareequippedwithanantilockbrakesystem(ABS),whichpreventswheellock-upinamaximumstraight-linestop.SomemodelsprovideacombinationoflinkedbrakingandABS.Checkyourowner’smanualortalktoyourdealerforinformationaboutyourmotorcycle’sbrakingsystem.
MAXIMUM STRAIGHT-LINE STOPS
Maximumstraight-linebrakingisaccomplishedbyfullyapplyingfrontandrearbrakeswithoutlockingeitherwheel.Todothis:
Squeeze the front brake smoothly, firmly and with increasing pressure. Do not grab the brake lever or use abrupt pressure.
Asthemotorcycle’sweighttransfersforward,moretractionbecomesavailableatthe front wheel, so the front brake can be applied harder after braking begins.
Keep your knees against the tank and your eyes up, looking well ahead. This helps you stop the motorcycle in a straight line.
Apply light-to-lighter pressure to the rear brake pedal to prevent a rear wheel skid. As weight transfers forward less traction is available at the rear. Use less rear brake pressure.
Maximum
Straight-
Line
Stops
Unit 7 | MAXIMUM BRAKING AND SWERVING
53
ANTILOCK BRAKE SYSTEM (ABS)
ThebenefitofABScannotbeoverstated.Thistechnologypreventswheellock-upinstraight-linestops.Touseit,applymaximumpressureonboththefrontandrearbrake.RememberthatABSisonlydesignedtoapplyfullbrakingforceinastraightline.Itmaynotbeeffectivewhenthemotorcycleisleaning.
HANDLING SKIDS
Thebestwaytohandleaskidistoavoidcausingoneinthefirstplace.Butbecauseeveryonemakesmistakes,here’showtocorrecttheproblem:
FRONT-WHEEL SKIDS
Underbrakingforce,amotorcycle’sweighttransfersforward.Moreweightforwardequalsmoretractionavailableforbraking.However,toomuchbrakingforceappliedtooquickly(beforethisweighttransferoccurs)canresultinfront-wheellock-up.Thisisknownas“grabbing”thefrontbrake.Front-wheelskidsresultinimmediatelossofsteeringcontrolandbalance.Failuretofullyreleasethebrakeleverimmediatelycanresultinacrash.Lossofcontrolcanoccurfromapplyingthefrontbraketoomuchortoofast.
Ifthefrontwheellocks,releasethefrontbrakeimmediatelyandcompletely.Reapplythebrakesmoothlyandproperly.Note:ABSisdesignedtopreventfront-wheelskids.
REAR-WHEEL SKIDS
Toooftenwhenridersarefacedwithanemergencysituation,theyover-brakeandlocktherearwheel.Askiddingreartireisadangerousconditionthatcanresultinaviolentcrashandseriousinjuryordeath.
Arear-wheellock-upiscausedbytoomuchrearbrakepressure.Assoonastherearwheellocks,yourabilitytochangedirectionislost.Toregainthatcontrol,thebrakemustbereleased.However,iftherearwheelhasfishtailedoutofalignmentwiththefront,thereisariskofahigh-sidecrash.Thisoccurswhenthewheelsareoutofalignmentandalockedrearwheelisreleased.Themotorcyclecanviolentlyandabruptlysnapuprightandtumble,throwingtheriderintotheairaheadofthemotorcycle’spath.Evenslightmisalignmentcanresultinahigh-sidecrash.Thefartheroutofalignmenttherearwheelbecomes,thegreatertheriskofahigh-side.
Iftherearwheellocks,slowlyandgentlyreleasetherearbrake.Thiswillallowthereartiretograduallyslidebackinline.Note:ABSisdesignedtopreventrear-wheelskids.
Practicequickstopsoftenanddon’tlockeitherbrake.Keepyourskillssharpfortheunexpected.
Maximum Straight-Line Stops
Proper braking. Neither wheel is locked and motorcycle is in
alignment.
Excessive rear brake pressure locks rear wheel. Motorcycle is out of alignment and control.
54
Two ways to stopquickly
and safely in a curve
STOPPING QUICKLY IN CURVES
Tractionisthefrictionbetweenthetiresandtheroadsurface.Likemoney,tractionisalimitedresourceandyoualwaysneedsomeinreserve.Duringstraight-linebraking,mostofyourmotorcycle’stractionisavailableforbraking.Incorners,someoftheavailabletractionholdsthebikeintheturnandisnotavailableforbraking.Thegreaterthelean,themoretractionisusedforcornering.Whenstoppingquicklyinaturn,rememberthattheamountoftractionavailableforbrakingislimitedbythetractionthatisbeingusedtogripthecorner.Usethefollowingtechniquestostopquicklyandsafelyinacorner:
Straighten the motorcycle first by pressing the “outside” handgrip.
Once the motorcycle is upright, apply maximum straight-line braking force.
Square the handlebars before coming to a stop. This centers the steering and helps you achieve a balanced stop. Leaning motorcycles become very heavy at stops. Square the bars!
Note: Circumstances may not permit you to straighten first and then brake. Using this method in right-hand turns with oncoming traffic or left-hand
turns on roads with minimal or obstructed run-out (such as a guardrail or drop-off shoulder) could be dangerous. In these situations, the braking-in-
a-lean technique is more appropriate.
If road or traffic conditions do not allow you to straighten your path of travel, use your brakes smoothly and gradually.
As you straighten the motorcycle, more traction is available for braking. This is a delicate balance—the more upright the bike is, the
more braking force is available. Gradually square the handle-bars and increase brake pressure until the motorcycle stops. This method
may require more stopping distance but allows you to remain in your lane.
Keep your eyes on your intended path, not on the obstacle.
Unit 7 | MAXIMUM BRAKING AND SWERVING
BRAKING IN A LEAN
STRAIGHTEN THEN BRAKE
55
SWERVING
Skilledmotorcyclistscanswerveawayfromdangerinlessspacethanittakestostop.Itiscriticaltodevelopgoodswervingskillsandpracticetheseskillstokeepthemsharp.
Aswerveistwoconsecutivecountersteers—oneforwardpressonthegriptoavoidtheobstacle,heldlongenoughtocleartheobstacle,followedbyaforwardpressontheoppositegriptoregainastraightpathaftertheobstacleiscleared.Smooth,firmandconstantpressureisrequiredtomakethemotorcycleleanquicklyandprecisely.Here’showaswerveisaccomplished:
1. Looktoyourescapepathandpressforwardfirmlyonthehandgriptoinitiatetheswerve.Remember:pressright,goright;pressleft,goleft.
2. Holdthepressuntilthemotorcyclehasclearedthehazard.3. Pressfirmlyontheoppositegriptostraightenthemotorcycle.4. Keep your body upright and allow the motorcycle to move independently. The
motorcycle will react more quickly that way. 5. Keepyoureyesonyourescapepath(nottheobstacle!)andyourkneesagainst
the tank.
Caution:Swervingconsumesalotoftraction,leavinglittleinreserveforbraking.Therefore,neverattempttobrakeduringaswerve.Evenslightbrakingforcecaninduceanimmediateandforcefulcrash.Holdasteadythrottlewhileswerving.Ifbrakingisrequired,brakebeforeorafterswerving,neverduring!
Practiceswervingoftenwhereitissafetodoso.Honethisskilluntilyoumakethecorrectmovesautomatically—everytime.
1. How is the front brake applied to stop quickly in a straight line?
2. How is the rear brake applied to stop quickly in a straight line?
3. What is the quickest way to stop in a curve?
4. When braking in a lean, what is important to remember?
5. What is countersteering?
6. What should you always avoid while swerving?
Swerving
Smart Rider Commitment #7:______ (initial) “I acknowledge that braking errors are very common in crash situations. I accept this fact and commit to regularly practicing quick stops, with an emphasis on smooth increasing pressure on the front brake and a light to lighter application of the rear brake.”
SMART RIDERCOMMITMENT
#7
Always separate braking
and swerving.
56
Will Rogers Once Said:
Thissectionexaminesthespecialsituationsthatmotorcyclistsfaceandprovidesknowledgebywhichtomakegoodjudgments.
OBSTACLE SURMOUNTING
AgoodSIPDEprocesswilldomoretoavoidobstaclesthananythingelse.However,therearethoseoccasionswhenobstaclessuchaspotholes,speedbumpsorhighwaydebriscannotbeavoidedandmustbesurmounted.Byfollowingthestepsbelowyoucansafelysurmountmanyobstacles.
1. Considerwhetherit’spossibletosurmounttheobject,andforecastyourpathoftravel.Willcrossingoravoidingtheobstacleplaceyouingreaterdanger?
2. Approach the object as close to a 90-degree angle as possible.
3. Slow down as you approach, and rise off the seat, keeping your knees bent inward against the fuel tank.
4. Gripthehandlebarsfirmlyandlookahead.
5. Just prior to contact, slightly roll on the throttle. This extends the front suspension and shifts your weight back.
6. After contact, immediately roll off the throttle. This prevents the rear tire from spinning on the obstacle.
7. Remain standing throughout the maneuver.
Unit 8 | SPECIAL SITUATIONS
57
PREDICT CHANGES IN TRACTION BY SCANNING FOR CHANGES IN ROADWAY COLOR AND TEXTURE STRATEGY
ROADWAY CONDITIONS
Changesinroadwayconditionsarepartofthechallengeofmotorcycling.Youhavetobereadyforanything.UseSIPDEtoidentifyroadwayproblemsearly,givingyoutimetoplanforsuccess.Beespeciallyvigilantforchangesincolorandtexture—yourcluesthattractionmaychange.
RAIN-SOAKED SURFACES
Ifconditionsareunsafe,findasafeplacetostopawayfromtheroadway.Roadwaysaremostslipperyatthebeginningofarainstorm,especiallyinthecenterofthelanewhereoilyresiduestendtobuildupmost.Iftherainisjustbeginning,considerwaitingawhilebeforestartingyourride.
Oil,dirtandotherdebrisaccumulateinandupontheroadsurface.Rainmixeswiththatcompositionandcreatesaslipperyfilm,butwithtimethisfilmwashesawayandtractionimproves.Avoidridingduringthefirstpartofarainstormwhenconditionsarethemostslippery.Whenridingintherainoronwetsurfaces,you’llneedmoredistancetoproperlystopthemotorcyclewithoutlosingtraction.Toaccomplishthis,slowdownandbesuretomakeyourspacecushionlargerbyallowingmorespacebetweenyouandothervehiclesbothinfrontofandbehindyou.Herearesomeothertipsforridingonrain-soakedsurfaces:
1. Ride in the tracks of other vehicles, if conditions permit, to help avoid hydroplaning.
2. Reduce speed and lean angle in corners and on especially slippery surfaces. Conserve your traction.
3. Increase your following distance.
4. Avoid pooled water and highway ruts caused by excessive pavement wear. Motorcyclescanlosetractionduetohydroplaning(waterbuild-upunderthetread).Ridewheretractionisbest.
5. Avoidridingduringanelectricalstorm.Whytakethechance?
6. Watchforshinysurfaces.Theycanbeveryslick.Examplesare: •Metalcoversandplates •Paintedorplasticroadwaymarkings •Bridgegratings •Railroadtracksandrubberizedcrossings •Wetleaves
Metal covers and plates
Painted or plastic roadway markings
Bridge gratings
Railroad tracks and rubberized crossings
Wet leaves
Shiny surfaces can be slick. Some examples are:
Roadway Conditions
58
Limit your lean
angle when turning left on
crowned roads!
RAIN GROOVES
Raingroovesarecutintothepavementparalleltothepathoftravel.Theychannelwaterawayfromthesurfacebutdonotaffecttraction.However,raingroovescancausethemotorcycletowiggle.Donotfightthewiggle;instead,keepafirmbutrelaxedgriponthehandgrips.Maintainasteadyspeedandkeepyoureyesup.
BRIDGE GRATINGS
Bridgegratingsareslipperysteelgridsurfacesthatcausethemotorcycletoweaveorwander.Thissituationisnotahazardwhenhandledproperly.Slowdownbeforereachingthegrating,thenmaintainasteadyspeed.Keepyoureyesup,lookingwhereyouwanttogo.Again,keepafirmbutrelaxedgriponthehandgripsandavoidabruptmaneuvers.Rideevenlyandsmoothly.
LOOSE SURFACES AND DEBRIS
Pavedsurfacesmaybelitteredwithsand,gravel,cinders,rocksandleaves,aswellasfuel,oilandcoolant.Watchfortelltalechangesinroadsurfacecolorortexture.Tractioniscompromisedinthesesituations,soavoidabruptaccelerationorbraking,andminimizelean.Ridestraightacross,keepingasteadythrottle.
GRAVEL ROADS
Gravelroadsdecreasetraction.Ridewherethetractionisbest,usuallyintherutscreatedbyothervehicles.Don’tchangeyourdirectionorspeedabruptly,andlimityourleanangle.Keepyoureyesup,lookingwhereyouwanttogo.Roadsthathavebeen“chipsealed”oftenhaveloosegravelandcanbemuchlikeagravelroad.
CRACK SEALANT
Cracksinhighwayroadsurfacesareusuallysealedwithablack,tar-likesubstance.Inwarmweather,thismaterialbecomesgummyandslick,causingmotorcyclestoslipandwigglewhenleaning.Recognizethischangeinpavementcolorandavoiditifpossible.Ifyoucan’tavoid,reducespeedandminimizelean.
STEEL PLATES
Steelplatesareoftenusedtocoverexcavations.Theseplatesareveryslippery,especiallywhenwet.Ridestraightacrossthem,avoidingabruptmaneuversandleanangle.
CROWNED ROADS
Roadsurfacesareoftencrownedtoimprovewaterrun-off.UseSIPDEforearlywarningthatcorneringclearanceisreduced.Limityourleananglewhenturningleft.
Unit 8 | SPECIAL SITUATIONS
59
Crossing pavement seams and tracks
POTHOLES, BUMPS AND CRACKS
Treatpotholes,bumpsandcracksasyouwouldanyotherobstacle.Ifyoucan’tgoaroundthem,crossata90-degreeangle,maintainasteadyspeedandriseofftheseatasyoucross.
EXTREMELY SLIPPERY SURFACES
Ice,snow,mudandmosscanmakeroadsurfacesextremelyslippery.Evenroadmarkingscanbeslippery.Bealerttothepossibilityofthesehazards,suchastheonsetofbadweatherathigherelevations,areaspronetomudslides,anddamp,shadypatchesofroadthatcanhaveblackice,mossoralgae.
TheSIPDEprocesswillkeepyoufrombeingsurprisedbysuchhazards.Ifyoumustridethroughthem,usethethrottlesmoothlyandcarefully.Squeezetheclutchtoeliminatethepossibilityofenginebraking.Makenosuddenorabruptmoves.Ridestraightupandinthetracksofothervehicles.Beespeciallycarefularoundothervehicles.Theroadsareslickforthem,too.Remember,thekeytohandlingpoortractionsituationsissmoothcontrolinputs.
RAILROAD AND TROLLEY TRACKS, PAVEMENT SEAMS, CATTLE GUARDS
Railroadtracksusuallyposenoproblemifyouridestraightacrossthem.Ifthetrackscrossyourpathatadiagonal,trytoapproachthemata45-degreeangle,butbecarefultostayinyourlane.Tocrosstrolleytracks,pavementseamsandcattleguardsthatrunparalleltoyourpathoftravel,swingawayfromthetracksorseamstosquareyourapproachtoatleast45degrees.Donotcrossatashallowangle.Otherwisethetracksorseamscancatchyourfronttireandcauseacrash.
Roadway Conditions
60
SLOW DOWN
DOWNSHIFT
THEN ACCELERATE OUT OF DOG’S REACH
Chasing Dogs
ANIMALS
Animalsonandalongsidetheroadwaycanposeaserioushazardtomotorcyclists.Howyoudealwiththemdependsonroadconditionsandtheanimal’ssize.
SMALL ANIMALS
Animalslikesquirrelsandrabbitsmaydartintoyourpath.Don’tincreaseyourriskbyattemptingtoavoidacollision.Ifit’sunsafeforyoutoswerveorbrake,preparetosurmounttheobstacle.
ANIMALS THAT CHASE
Somedogschasevehicles,andmotorcyclesarenoexception.DogsuseSIPDEtopickapointofinterception.Defeatthatstrategybyslowing,downshiftingandthenacceleratingoutofthedog’sreach.Don’tkickatthedog.Keepyoureyesup.
ANIMALS THAT ROAM
Largeranimalslikedeerandelkcreatearealhazard.Theyareunpredictableandhittingoneislikecollidingwithatruck.UseSIPDEaggressivelyinareaswheredeerorelkmaybepresent.Remember,theseareherdanimals.Ifyouseeone,expectmore.Ifyoucomeupononeoftheseanimals,slowdownasmuchasyoucan.Thesafestpassingspeediswalkingspeed.Expectsuchanimalstodartintoyourpath.Beprepared!
Unit 8 | SPECIAL SITUATIONS
61
WIND
Anunexpectedblastofwindcanpushamotorcyclerightofftheroad.It’simportanttounderstandwheregustscanoccurandbepreparedtocounteractthewindwithproperridingtechnique.
Trucks,motorhomesandotherlargevehiclespushalotofairaheadandtothesides.Avoidthewindblastofthesevehiclesbymovingawayfromthemastheyapproach.Whenpassingalargevehicle,stayfarfromitssidetoavoidthedrafteffectthatmaypullyoutowardit.
Whileriding,youmightencountersteadywindsorstrongandirregulargusts.Thestrategyisthesame:Leanintothewindbyapplyingforwardpressureonthehandgrip.Thestrongerthesidewind,themoreforwardpressuremustbeapplied.UseSIPDEtoidentifyplaceswherethewindmaybeblocked,suchasroadcutsandfreewayunderpasses.Asthewindisblocked,you’llneedtolightenthepressureonthehandgrip.AlsouseSIPDEtoidentifybridgesandoverpasseswhereyou’llbeexposedtothefullforceofthewind—inotherwords,beprepared.Adjustyourlanepositiontoallowforspacetomoveside-to-sidewithinyourlanetocompensateforwindgusts.
Forstrongandirregularblasts,beready!Maximizethespacecushionaroundyou.Bepreparedtotakeimmediateactiontocountertheblast.Ifthewindbecomestooerraticanddangerous,findasafeplacetoparkuntilconditionsimprove.
PARKING
PARALLEL PARKING SPACES
Backintothespaceatanadequateangletokeepthemotorcycleoutofthetrafficflow.Placethereartireagainstthecurb.Ensurethismaneuverislegalwhereyoupark.
PULL-IN SPACES
Thespaceisyours.Centeryourmotorcycleinthespacetodiscouragespacesharing.
SECURITY
Securethemotorcyclewiththehandlebarsturnedtowardthesidestand.Forgreaterstabilityandsecurity,locktheforks.Leavethemotorcycleinfirstgeartopreventrolling.Caution:Whenasphaltishot,amotorcyclesidestandcansinkintoit.Topreventsinking,placearigidobjectlikeaflattenedsodacanunderthesidestand.
Parallel parking
Wind
62
TRAFFIC-ACTUATED SIGNAL LIGHTS
Mosttraffic-actuatedsignalsaretriggeredbyvehiclemagneticmass,andbecausemotorcycleslackmassthesesensorsdon’talwaysdetectthem.Positionyourmotorcycledirectlyoverasensorstrip.Manytrafficsignalshaveyellowsquaresonthepavementtohelpyouknowwherethesensorsarelocated.Ifthatdoesn’twork,contacttheagencyresponsiblefortheintersection.Explainthesituationandaskforthesensortobeadjusted.
1. Where should you look when crossing obstacles?
2. What approach angle is recommended when crossing obstacles?
3. What indicates a potential change in roadway traction?
4. How should you ride across low-traction surfaces?
5. What should you do if you come upon deer alongside the roadway?
6. What should you do if you suspect your sidestand will sink into the parking surface?
Unit 8 | SPECIAL SITUATIONS
63
RECOGNIZE WHEN YOU ARE IMPAIRED. HOW MUCH IMPAIRMENT ARE YOU WILLING TO ACCEPT?
STRATEGY
Responsibleridersarealert,aware,skilledandsavvybecausetheyknowthatmotorcyclingrequireskeenattentionandconstantreadiness.Anyphysicalormentalconditionthatreducesyourattentiveness,fogsyourjudgmentorinterfereswithyourridingabilitiesconstitutesasafetyimpairment.Foramotorcyclist,ridingwhenphysicallyand/ormentallyimpaired,foranyreason,iscourtingdisaster.
Whilemostridersunderstandthatalcoholanddruguseishazardous,it’simportanttorecognizethatfatigue,hunger,exposuretotheelementsandeverydayworriescanalsocrowdyourthinkinganddistractyourattentionfromtheride.Evaluatingyourpersonalstateofreadinessisthefirststepinreducingtheriskofriding.
ALCOHOL AND MOTORCYCLING—A LETHAL MIX
Alcoholisaleadingcauseofdeathamongmotorcyclists.AccordingtoNHTSATrafficSafetyFacts,2012data,52%oftheCaliforniariderskilledinmotorcyclecrasheshavebeendrinking.Manyoftheseriders’bloodalcoholconcentration(BAC)levelsarebelowlegallimits,butobviouslytheirjudgmentandabilitieswereimpaired.Impairmentbeginswiththefirstdrink.Thequestionis,howmuchimpairmentareyouwillingtoaccept?
EFFECTS OF ALCOHOL
Alcoholisadepressant—itslowsyourbodilyfunctions.Becauseitisabsorbedintothebloodstreamquickly,effectsbegintoappearalmostimmediatelyintheformoferrorsinjudgment,impairedvision,slowedreactionsandreducedcoordination.
The alcoholic contents of a can of beer, a glass of wine and a shot of whiskey are about the same.
Unit 9 | IMPAIRMENTS TO SAFETY
64
MEASURES OF IMPAIRMENT
Becauseitisillegaltooperateanyvehiclewhileundertheinfluenceofdrugsoralcohol,theconsequencesofdoingsocanleadtoseriousfines,lossofyourlicenseandevenjailtime.Ifyou’renotfamiliarwiththelaws,penaltiesandfinesassociatedwithdrivingwhileintoxicated,takesometimetofamiliarizeyourselfwiththem.Mostcity,countyandstatelawscanbeviewedonline.Alsotakeamomenttomakeyourselffamiliarwiththelawof“impliedconsent,”whichcanprovideformandatorysuspensionofadriver’slicenseshouldyourefusetotakeasobrietytest.
Ifyouareintoxicated,novehicleissafertodrivethananyother.Inadditiontotheriskofcausinginjury(ordeath)toyourselforothers,considertheprobableeconomicimpacttoyou,yourmotorcycleandothersaroundyouifyouattempttooperateyourmotorcycle(oranyothervehicle)whileundertheinfluenceofdrugsoralcohol.Hereareafewindicatorsofalcoholimpairmentthatlawenforcementofficerslookforduringstandardized field sobriety tests:
Impaired JudgmentImpairedjudgmentisevidencedbyawillingnesstotakerisks.Impairedriderstypicallyfailtorecognizethisbehavior.Theymaythinktheyridebetterafterafewdrinks.
Divided AttentionFieldsobrietytestsmeasurearider’sabilitytoattendtoseveralmentalandphysicaltasksatthesametime.Theabilitytodivideattentionisimpairedinridersundertheinfluenceofalcoholand/orotherdrugs.Asaresult,theytendtofocusononlyafewaspectsofridinganddisregardothers.Forexample,theymayignoreatrafficsignalandfocusinsteadonspeedcontrol.
Impaired VisionNystagmus,orinvoluntaryjerkingofthesmallmusclesoftheeyes,isareadilynoticeablesignofpossiblealcoholordrugimpairment.Theeffectofnystagmusonamotorcyclistiscritical,astheseimpairedmusclesaretheonesthatcontroltherider’sabilitytofocusandadjusttochanginglightconditions.Individualsexperiencingnystagmusareunawarethattheireyesarejerkingandareunabletocontrolit.
Blood Alcohol ConcentrationManyfactorsmustbeconsideredwhendeterminingBAC,includingphysicalsize,gender,theamountofalcoholconsumedandthenumberofhoursspentdrinking.Inmoststates,apersonwithaBACof.08%isconsideredlegallyintoxicated.Breath,bloodand/orurinetestsconfirmBAC.UnderCalifornialawyouareconsideredtobedrivingundertheinfluenceifyourBACis.01%ormoreifyouareunder21yearsofage;.08%ormoreifyouare21orolder.
Unit 9 | IMPAIRMENTS TO SAFETY
Some indicators of alcohol
impairment that law enforcement
officers look for during
standardized field sobriety tests
65
Clearvisionisimpaired.Yourabilitytodetectmovingobjectsandtoseeclearlyatnightisimpaired.Criticalinformationmaybemissed.Yourabilitytodivideattentionbetweenscanningandoperatingthemotorcycleisaffected.
Asimpairmentincreases,moreattentionisdivertedtooperatingthecontrols.Keyvisualcluesaremissed.Hazardsaren’tidentified.
NOTICE WHAT ALCOHOL AND/OR DRUG INFLUENCE DOES TO THE SIPDE PROCESS:
Scan
Identify
Predict Judgmentandtheabilitytoprocessinformationareimpaired.Short-termmemoryisimpaired.
Theabilitytodivideattention,analyzeriskandmakedecisionsisflawed.Decide
Theabilitytoreactproperlyandpreciselyisaffected.Yourreactiontime,coordinationandbalancearecompromised.
Execute
ADDING DRUGS MAKES IT WORSE
It’simportanttorememberthatmanyover-the-counterdrugslikecoughandallergymedicinescanalsoimpairyourridingskills.Theycanbejustasdangerousasalcoholandotherdrugsinreducingyourabilitytoperceiveandreacttohazards.Evenworse,combiningalcoholwithotherdrugscanoftendrasticallyincreasetheeffectthattheyhaveonyourmentalandphysicalabilities.
Ridingimpairedhastheeffectofloweringashadebetweenyoureyesandyourbrain.Criticalinformationismissed,skillsandjudgmentaredulled,butyourconfidenceishigh.Mixingotherdrugs,controlledsubstancesorinhalantsmakesitworse—adeadlycombination!
Measures of Impairment
66
THERE IS A CURE
Impairmentbeginswiththefirstdrink,soexercisegoodjudgmentbeforeyoudrink.Learnfromthemistakesofothersandplanahead:
• Separate drinking and riding. If you intend to drink alcohol or even suspect that it willbeserved,don’tride.Makeityourstandardproceduretoseparatetheuseofdrugs and alcohol from operating a motorcycle and stick with it every time you ride. Ifyou’reusingdrugsoralcohol,theonlyreasonablestrategyisnottorideatall.
• Haveanalternateplanforgettinghomeincaseyouexceedyourpersonallimits.
• Time is the major factor that will cleanse your system of drugs and alcohol. If you are impaired, do not ride your motorcycle again until you have allowed enough time for the drugs or alcohol to leave your system and you have regained your ability to ride safely. This may mean waiting overnight. Time will vary for the removal of other drugs from your system.
Smart Rider Commitment #8:______ (initial) “I acknowledge that many fatal motorcycle crashes involve riders who had been drinking. I accept this fact and commit to separate the use of alcohol (and other drugs) from riding a motorcycle. I commit to riding sober.”
HELP YOUR FRIENDS
Thelastthinganyonewantsistoseeafriendcrash.Intervenewhenyoususpectoneofyourfriendsistooimpairedtoridebuthastheintentionofdoingsoanyway.
• Arrange a safe ride home.
• Secure the motorcycle. Riders are often unwilling to leave their motorcycle. Find a securelocationforyourfriend’sbike.
• Get others to help. The more support you have, the better your chances of success.
• Stop serving if you are the host.
• Use any excuse to keep your friend from getting on the motorcycle. Serve food or non-alcoholic drinks to pass the time. Let your friend sleep over at your place.
• If all else fails, hide the keys.
Dosomething!Justdon’tletyourfriendrideaway!
Unit 9 | IMPAIRMENTS TO SAFETY
SEPARATE DRINKING AND RIDINGSTRATEGY
SMART RIDERCOMMITMENT
#8
67Help Your Friends
IMPAIRED RIDER IN YOUR GROUP
Ifanotherriderorpassengerinyourgroupappearsimpairedorintoxicated,it’simportantthatyouandothersinyourpartyinterveneandconvincethemtorefrainfromridingfortheirownsafetyandthesafetyoftherestofthegroup.Ridingwithotherswhoareimpairedisriskybusiness.Sincethechancesofacrashgreatlyincreasewhenariderisimpaired,therisktoothersaroundanimpairedriderwillgreatlyincreaseaswell.Evenforthosewhoarenotimpaired,theymaywindupaspartofaserious—orevenfatal—crashsituation.
Ifothersinyourgrouparedeterminedtorideimpaired,itisinthebestinterestofyourownsafetynottoridewiththem.Groupridingcanbealotoffunonasociallevel,butoncedrugsandalcoholenterthepicturethefunisoverifthere’sstillridingtobedone.Youmayfindyourselfinasituationwherethebestthingtodoisleavethegroupandcontinueonalone.Ifthathappens,you’vemadethebestchoice.
Smart Rider Commitment #9:______ (initial) “I acknowledge that an impaired rider in the group puts me at risk. I accept this fact and commit to avoiding riding with others who are impaired.”
SMART RIDERCOMMITMENT
#9
68
Riding a motorcycle requires your complete attention. Anger, stress, trouble and/or pain are just a few disturbing distractions. While you can’t avoid these troubles in day-to-day activities, you must put them aside when you swing your leg over a motorcycle. Motorcycling is a wonderful antidote for the common day. Leave your troubles behind!
DISTURBING DISTRACTIONS
Unit 9 | IMPAIRMENTS TO SAFETY
OTHER IMPAIRMENTS
Alcoholanddrugsarenottheonlythingsthatimpairyourmentalandphysicalabilities.Therearenumerousfactorsthatcanleadtofatigueanddrowsinessorotherwiseaffectyourabilitytoridesafely.
Weatherisacommonone.Wind,rain,cold,heat,duststormsandotherweatherconditionscanallproducefatigueandcausearidertobecometiredandlosefocus.Longmilesonthebikeinasingledaycancausefatigueanddrowsinessaswell.Ridingwhiletiredorsleepycanalsoimpairyourabilitytoridesafely.
Aharddayofwork,orevenaheavymeal,canaffectyourabilitytostayfocused.Ifyou’refeelingfatiguedordrowsy,it’stimetopulloverandtakeabreakuntilyouregainyourabilitytoridesafely.Incold,rainyorhotweather,itmaybenecessarytotakebreaksmoreoftenthanusualtomaintainyourfocusandmanageyourbody’scoretemperaturesafely.
Fatigue/DrowsinessRecognizeyourstateofRiderReadiness.Whenyouaretired,orifbattlingtheelementshasdiminishedyourenergyreservesandattention,takeabreakorstopfortheday.Don’tridewhenyourbodyandmindaresodulledthatitisdifficulttoprocessinformationandrespondtohazards.
Temperature Extremes Exposuretoprolongedand/orextremeheatorcoldsapsyourenergyanddullsyourattention.Rain,gustingwindsandotheradverseconditionsalsoincreasestressandfatigue.Ridingsafelymeansenjoyingthejourney.Don’tletpursuitofyourdestinationpreventyoufromstoppingwheneveryouneedtorestandrecover.
Overriding Your AbilitiesDon’tletegoandemotionimpairyourjudgmentandsafety.Thestreetisnoplaceforcompetition,showingofforaggressiveriding.Ifthattypeofridinginterestsyou,headfortheracetrack.
Aggression and EmotionHavingabadday?Ifyouremotionsarehighlychargedinanegativewayfromarecentargument,it’snotagoodtimetoridebecauseyourfocusisn’twhereitneedstobetosafelyoperateavehicle.Waituntilyou’vegivenyourselfsometimetocalmdownandregainyourcomposurebeforeyouridethebikeagain.
69
Overconfidence and “Underconfidence”Havingagreatday?Whenyouarefeelingboldoroverconfident,youmayfindyourselfridingfasterandmoreaggressivelythanyounormallywould.Itmaybetimetore-adjustyourspeedsoyoucanallowmoretimetoreacttotheroadahead.Similarly,ifyounervous,orfeelingespecially“un-confident,”youmayneedtoslowdowntoaspeedthatallowsyoutorelax.
Communication DevicesTheuseofcellphones,intercoms,CBradios,GPSandothercommunicationsdevices,groupridingorevencarryingapassengerwhileridingcanleadtoinattentionandimpairyourabilitytostayfocusedontheride.Ridersneedtorecognizethateachofthesefactorscanaddtoriderdistraction,andmakechoicesaccordingly.
Aging and Health ProblemsAspeoplegetoldertheirreactiontimesgetslower.Itwilltakelongertoidentifywhenit’stimetobrake,avoidanobstacleorslow.Certainhealthproblemssuchasarthritis,impairedvisionandslowermotorskillscanalsoenterthepictureasdriversage.
Temporaryhealthproblemscanalsoaffectriderperformance.Approachridingthemotorcycleonlyafteryou’veevaluatedyourcurrentstateofreadiness.Youmayneedtorideslowertoallowformorereactiontime.Anagginginjury,achesorpainscanmakeyourconcentrationsuffer.Ifyou’reusingintoxicatingprescriptiondrugstotreatyourcondition,refrainfromridingalltogether.
Smart Rider Commitment #10:______ (initial) “I acknowledge that there are a wide variety of factors that can impair my ability to ride safely. I accept this fact and commit to minimizing factors that can negatively affect my riding ability and performance.”
1. How do daily events affect Rider Readiness?
2. What are three examples of impairment?
3. What percentage of rider fatalities are alcohol related?
4. How does riding under the influence affect the SIPDE process?
5. What are some ways of intervening to prevent a friend from driving under the influence?
Other Impairments
SMART RIDERCOMMITMENT
#10
Ultimately, it’s up to you, the rider, to make choices
that will help you minimize factors that affect your
performance and safety.
70
CARRYING PASSENGERS
Addingpassengersandcargoopensupawholenewdimensionofyourmotorcyclingexperience,butrememberthatthiswillaffectthemotorcycle’shandling.Thebikewillfeelheavieratallspeeds.Accelerationwillbereducedandstoppingdistanceswilllengthen.Stabilityandcorneringclearancemaybeaffectedinturns.
Herearesometipstomakethetripsafeandenjoyablewhencarryingpassengers:
1. It’sagoodideanottotakepassengersonyourmotorcycleuntilyouhavesignificantexperienceandareverycomfortablemanagingthebikewithjustyou.The added weight of a passenger will create an entirely new sense of balance that will have to be learned. And remember that the added weight of a passenger willrequirefirmerbrakingthanwhenridingalone.
2. Adjustthesuspensionandtirepressureaccordingtothemanufacturer’srecommendationsfoundinyourowner’smanual.
3. Never carry a passenger in front of you. This is dangerous and is illegal in many jurisdictions.
4. Yourpassengermustbeabletoreachthefootrestsandshouldbeabletolook
over your shoulder.
5. Be sure your passenger is wearing proper protective gear and that shoe laces are tucked in.
6. Show your passenger how to mount so that he or she can avoid the hot exhaust pipes.Havethebikestartedandreadytogobeforethepassengermounts. Place both feet on the ground and grip the front brake. This stabilizes the motorcycle for the passenger to mount and dismount.
Smart Rider Commitment #11: ______ (initial) “I acknowledge that when I carry a passenger, I am responsible for their safety and comfort. I accept this fact and commit to waiting to carry passengers until I have well-developed skills and significant experience as a solo rider.”
SMART RIDERCOMMITMENT
#11
Unit 10 | CARRYING PASSENGERS AND CARGO
71
Notify the operator when you are ready to mount or dismount and wait for approval. This prevents surprise shifts of balance.
Hold the operator’s waist or hips. This braces the passenger for acceleration or braking. Keep both feet on the footrests at all times.
Keep hands and feet away from moving and hot parts.
Look over the rider’s shoulder in the direction of the turn.
Avoid sudden moves that might affect stability.
If the rider rises off the seat, you should, too.
Enjoy the ride!
Brief your passenger before the first ride. Ask your passenger to follow these rules for safety and security:
CARRYING LOADS
Whencarryingcargo,considertheweight,locationandsecurity.
WEIGHT
Checkyourowner’smanualforthemaximumloadlimitsforyourmotorcycle.Donotexceedthetotalweightlimitation.Saddlebags,tankbags,tailbagsandluggagerackshaveindividualweightlimitations,too.Checkforthoseweightlimitsintheowner’smanual,theaccessoryliteratureorinsidetheaccessoryitselfanddon’texceedthoselimits.Checkyourowner’smanualforrecommendationsonadjustingthesuspensionandtirepressuretoaccommodatetheaddedweight.
LOCATION
Balanceisimportantinriding,andequallyimportantinloadingamotorcycle.Keeptheloadlowandconcentrateittowardthecenterofthemotorcycle.Ifyouareusingsaddlebags,keeptheweightequallydistributedside-to-side.Trytoplaceheavieritemsaheadoftherearaxle.Usetheluggagerack,tailbagortrunkforlightweightbaggage.Toomuchweightmountedhighandbehindtherearaxlecandrasticallyaffectsteeringandstability.Neverusethefrontforks,fendersorhandlebarsforcarryingloadsasitcanobstructsteeringandcauseinstability.Makesurethattankbagsdon’tinterferewiththemovementofthehandlebarsoraccesstothecontrols.
Passenger Rules for Safety and Security
PASSENGER RULES FOR SAFETY AND SECURITY
72
SECURITY
Makesuretheloadcan’tshiftwhileyou’reriding.Purchaseaccessoryracksandluggagethataredesignedforyourmotorcycle.Whenattachingloads,usemotorcyclecargonetsorwebstrapswithmultiplemountingpoints.Makesureeachstrapissecuredacrosstheload.Takecarethatnothingblocksthelightsorinterfereswiththesteeringorsuspensionorrestrictsyourviewinthemirrors.Tuckinalllooseendsandanythingthatcouldgetcaughtinthewheels.Keepcargoawayfromthemufflers.Checktheloadeverytimeyoustoptomakesureithasn’tcomelooseorshifted.
DIFFERENCES IN HANDLINGWhetherit’scargoorpassengers(orboth),addingadditionalweighttoyourmotorcyclewillchangethewayyourmotorcyclehandlesinseveralways.
Thefirstisbalance.Youwillrequireadditionalstaminatobalanceyourbikeduringtheride,mostparticularlyduringtimesofslowingdown,stoppingandgettingbackuptospeed.
Becauseoftheaddedweight,you’llneedmoredistancetosloworstopthemotorcycle.Andthisdemandsalargerspacecushionbehindandaheadofyouforbrakingsoyoucansafelysloworbringthemotorcycletoastopwithoutlosingtraction.
Additionalweightonthemotorcyclewillcausethesteeringtofeel“heavier.”Thismeansitwillrequiremoreforcetomakethebikegowhereyouwantittogo,particularlyatslowspeedsandwhencomingtoastop.
Adjustingyourtirepressureandsuspensionforaddedweightwillallowyourbiketohandlebetteronalltypesofsurfaces.Yourbikewillgripcornersbetterandhandlebumpsmoresmoothly.Checkyourowner’smanualformoreinformationonmakingtheseadjustments.
1. When should you consider carrying a passenger?
2. How should the passenger be dressed?
3. What instructions do you give to your passenger and when?
4. Where do you find the maximum load capacity for your motorcycle?
5. What should you adjust if you are carrying loads?
6. Where should you carry heavier items?
Unit 10 | CARRYING PASSENGERS AND CARGO
73
Ridingwithfriendsisanenjoyablewaytosharethejourney.Ifyouchoosetoridewithothers,dosoinawaythatissafeforeveryone.Followthesesimplerules:
WAIT TO RIDE WITH THE GROUP
Newridersoftenfeelitwillbebestiftheybeginbyridingwithagroup.Butinreality,it’sbesttostartouttakingsoloridesorjustridingwithoneotherriderwhoismoreexperienced.Groupridingrequiresadditionalskillsandittakesmorementalenergytokeeptrackofyourplacementinthegroup,spacingandlocationofothersaroundyou.Waituntilyou’vebuiltupyourskillsandconfidencetosafelyoperateyourbikeonsoloridesbeforebuildingtheadditionalskillsyou’llneedtoridesafelywithinagroup.
KEEP THE GROUP SMALL
Limityourgrouptofourtosixriders.Ifyouhavemoreriders,splitintosmallergroups.Ridersattherearoflargegroupscangetseparatedfromthemaingroupbytrafficorlightsandfeelanurgencytocatchup.Eliminatethispotentialbylimitingyourgroupsize.
SIGNAL EARLY AND OFTEN
Communicationandplanningareimportantfactorsinkeepingagrouptogether.Therearemorethanadozenhandsignalsyoucanusetocommunicateduringagroupride.Forthesafetyofeveryone,thegroupshouldknowandusethesesignals.Beforestartingout,theleadershouldshowthegroupthesignalstheywillusetocommunicate.Theleadershouldscanaheadforchangesandsignalearlysothateveryonehasadvancewarning.Everyoneshouldfollowsuitbysignalingtothefollowingriders.Considerthesafetyoftheentiregroupwhenmakinglanechangesorpassing.
PUT BEGINNERS UP FRONT
Putnewerridersrightbehindtheleader.Ifyouputnewridersintherear,theymayfeelpressuredtoexceedtheirabilitiesandcomfortlevelinanefforttokeepup.Encourageeveryonetoridewithintheirlimits.
KNOW THE ROUTE
Everyoneshouldknowtheroute.Makemultiplemapsorroutesheetsincasethegroupgetsseparated.
DON’T LOSE THE TAIL
Beresponsiblefortheriderdirectlybehindyou.Whenmakingaturn,passingthroughasignalorchanginglanes,checktomakesurethatridersfollowingarestillwithyou.Ifnot,slowdownandwait.Also,therideraheadshouldnoticethatyouaremissingandwait.Thisstrategyhelpskeepthegrouptogether.
Unit 11 | GROUP RIDING
74
Passing in formationRiders in staggered formation should pass one at a time. Pass only when it is safe to do so.
The lead passes when a safe opening exists. The lead pulls back into correct formation position to open up space for rider number two.
The second rider moves from the right position to the left (lead) position and completes their pass, pulling into staggered formation behind the lead.
The rest of the group follows this routine. Pass from the left position and return to the proper formation.
The lead rider returns to cruising speed when the last rider has completed the pass.
Always preserve a safe following distance. Never compromise safety by passing from a position that doesn’t afford the best line-of-sight. Take your time.
Unit 11 | GROUP RIDING
KEEP YOUR DISTANCE
Whenridinginagroup,it’sbesttorideinastaggeredformationwithatleast1.5to2secondsofspacebetweeneachrider.Thefirstridershouldrideintheleftportionofthelane,withtheriderbehindthemridingintherightportionandsoon.Largegroupsshouldbreakintosmallergroupsofnomorethanfourtosixriderswithsixtoeightsecondsbetweenthesmallergroups.Thisallowsfastertraffictopassmoresafely.
WHEN TO BREAK STAGGERED FORMATION
Theleadridershouldtakeresponsibilityforsignalingchangesinformation.Rideinsinglefileandkeepasafe3-4secondfollowingdistancewheneveryou:
• Pass other vehicles
• Enter or exit a highway
• Approach a corner
• Encounter limited visibility
PASSING IN FORMATION
1.5-2 Seconds
3-4 Seconds
Staggered formation and following distance
75Group Riding
Avoidridingside-by-side.Ridingside-by-sideleavesbothriderswithpoorspacecushionsandverylimitedescaperoutes.
Continuallychecktobesureyou’remaintainingasafemarginofspacebetweenyouandtheriderinfrontofyou.Alsocheckyourmirrorsoftentobesuretheriderbehindyouisleavingplentyofroombetweenyouandthem.Ifnot,signalthemtobackoff.
TARGET FIXATION AND GROUP-RIDING
Let’sconsidertargetfixationinthegroupridingscenario.Inagrouprideitiscommonforriderstotarget-fixateontheriderorridersdirectlyinfrontofthem.Ifyounoticethishappeningtoyou,it’sasignyou’renotscanningenoughelsewhereandyouneedtore-focusyourattentionandgetbacktoscanningtheentireareaofyourrideand20secondsahead.
Scanningiscriticalfordeterminingeverythingoccurringaroundyou(notjustyourfellowriders)duringyourgroupride.Manygroupridingcrashesoccurbecauseofinattention.Byplacingalargerspacecushionbetweenyouandotherridersinyourgroup,everyonewillbeabletoscantheroadbetterandwillbelesslikelytogetcaughtupintargetfixation.
PEER PRESSURE AND GROUP RIDING
Theremaybetimesduringagroupridewhenmembersofthegroupmaymakechoicesaboutspeed,ridinggear,alcohol,etc.thatyouarenotcomfortablewith.Historytellsusthatthesechoicescanresultinseriousinjuriesandsometimesdeath.Whenyouseesuchbehaviorandchoicesbeingmadebyothers,resistthetemptationtojoinin—makethechoicesthatarerightforYOU.
Smart Rider Commitment #12: ______ (initial) “I acknowledge that group riding demands more skill and attention than riding solo. I accept this fact and commit to waiting to ride with a group until I have well developed skills and significant experience riding by myself or with just one other (and more experienced) rider.”
1. How do you calculate the following distance in a staggered formation?
2. When should you move to single file?
3. Where in the formation should the least experienced rider be?
SMART RIDERCOMMITMENT
#12
76
Mechanicalfailuresoftenresultinemergencies.Quicklyassessingtheproblemwillhelpyourespondproperly.
TIRE FAILURE
Moderntubelesstiresrarelyblowout,butitdoeshappen.Assoonasyoudetectanunfamiliarhandlingcharacteristic,slowdown.Thebikewillwobbleand/orwander.Iftheflatisonthefront,thesteeringwillfeelheavy.Ifontheback,theentirebikewillweaveandfeelunstable.Atypicalriderresponseistolookdownatthemotorcycleasiftosay,“What’sup?”Instead,keepyoureyesontheroadandusethesetechniques:
1. Holdthegripsfirmlyandeaseoffthethrottle.Don’tfightthewobble.
2. Avoid applying the brakes unless you have to. If you have to brake, use the brakes on the wheel with the good tire. Remember that linked or integrated braking systems may not allow this.
3. Avoid downshifting.
4. Squeeze the clutch and keep it in.
5. Shiftyourweightawayfromtheaffectedarea.Ifthefronttireisflat,moveback.Iftherearisflat,moveforward.
6. Keepyoureyesupandfindasafeplacetopullover.
Acommoncauseoftirefailureisunder-inflation.Checkyourtiresfrequentlyandkeeptheminflatedtothemanufacturer’sspecifications.
BROKEN CLUTCH CABLE
Somebikeshavecableslinkingtheclutchlevertotheclutchandoccasionallythesecablesbreak.Hydraulicclutchescanalsofail.Ifthisoccurs,theclutchwillremaincompletelyengaged.Itispossibletoshiftwithouttheclutch.Justmatchenginespeedtoroadspeedandcompletetheshiftquickly.Ridetoaplacewhereassistanceisavailable.Rememberthatonceyoustop,itisverydifficulttogetgoingagain.Whencomingtoastop,trytofindneutral.Shutoffthemotorcyclewiththeenginecut-offswitch.
Unit 12 | MECHANICAL PROBLEMS
77
WOBBLE/WEAVE
Aweaveorwobbleisyourmotorcycle’swayoftellingyousomething’swrong.Awobbleisfeltinthehandlebarsasapossiblystrongandrapidshaking.Aweave,ontheotherhand,isaslowoscillationintherearofthemotorcycle.Ineithercase,youmayhaveaseriousproblem.Slowdownimmediatelyandfollowthesetips:
Keepafirmgriponthehandlebarsanddon’tfightthewobble.
Eeeease off the throttle.
Move your weight forward and as low as possible over the tank.
Avoid applying the brakes unless you have to. Braking can amplify the wobble or weave.
Do not accelerate to try and stop the wobble. This will only makes it worse.
Wornorimproperlyinflatedtires,looseorwornbearingsand/ortoomuchweightin the wrong location can cause a wobble or weave. Identify the problem and take yourmotorcycletoaqualifiedtechnicianforrepairs.
Onceyouexperienceawobble/weave,itcanoccuragainatanytimeuntilyoumakethenecessaryrepairs.
1. What is a primary cause of tire failure?
2. Where do you find information about proper tire pressure?
3. How can you shift without using the clutch?
4. If you experience a wobble, what should you do?
TAKE CARE OF YOUR MOTORCYCLE AND IT WILL TAKE CARE OF YOU STRATEGY
Mechanical Problems
78
Thetime-honoredtraditionoflong-distancetouringbymotorcycleisalmostasoldastheinventionofthemotorcycleitself.Whatbetterwaytomovefromplacetoplacethanontwowheels?Butlong-distanceridesrequireadditionalmentalandphysicalstamina,aswellasadditionalpreparation.Physicalfatigue,mentalfatigueand“highwayhypnosis”cansetinonalongride—andtheconsequencescanbeverysevere.
BUILD UP SLOWLY
Ridinglongdistancesisadreamformanynewriders.Butdon’tjustjumprightintoriding500or600miledays.Beginwithshortertripsandbuildyourselfuptolongerdistancesoverthecourseofnumerousrides.Itjustliketrainingforamarathon—youneedtobuildupyourstrength,skills,experienceandendurancetodoitsafely.
WEATHER CONDITIONS, COMFORT AND FATIGUE
Themoreyouride,thegreaterthechancethatyouwillencounterbadweather.Thatmaycomeintheformofrain,hailorpossiblysnow.Oritmaycomeintheformofhighwindsorsevereheat.Besureyoucarrylayersofclothingtokeepwarmwhenit’scold,drywhenit’swetandcoolwhenit’shot.
Ridinglongdistancesorthroughinclementconditionswillcauseyoutotiresooner,sobesuretotakebreaksoften.AccordingtotheAAAFoundation(www.AAAfoundation.org),stayingawakeformorethan20hourscanimpairyourdrivingskillsasmuchashavinga.08bloodalcoholconcentration—andthatisfordrivingacar.Wedonotencouragesuchlongperiodsofriding—evenforexperiencedriders.Thousand-miledays,24hourridesor“IronButt”ridesareallactivitiesthatcaneasilyleadtoridingimpaired.
BE PREPARED
Whenridingintoremoteareas,keepinmindtheremaybelittleornocellphonecoverage.Addtothatthelackofemergencymedicalservicesandroadsideassistance.Whenridingwithagroup,createabuddyplaninadvancethatensuresoneortworidersarepreparedtoseekouthelpwhiletheothermembersofthepartystaybehind.It’sadvisablethateachmemberofthegroupcarryseveralsnacksincasethere’snootherfoodavailableforaperiodoftimeduringanunplannedsituation.
Alwayshavesomeoneinthegroupcarryamedium-sizefirstaidkit.
Mostmotorcycleshaveashorterfuelrangethanacar.Sofillupfrequentlyanddon’twaittillyouhitthereservetostartlookingforthenextgasstation.Theremaynotbeoneforawhile.
Unit 13 | TOURING AND LONG-DISTANCE RIDING
79
Beforeleavingforalongtrip,inspectyourtiresforwear.Ifyoususpectyoumayneednewtiresduringthetrip,callaheadtoashoptoarrangereplacement,orsimplyreplacethembeforeyouleave.Besureyoutakecareofallmajorserviceneedsbeforethelongride,orplaninadvancetohavethemdoneatsuitableshopsalongtheway.
Inadditiontobringinglayersofclothing,alwaysbesuretopackraingear.Whileit’sgoodforkeepingyoudryduringrainytimes,itcanalsoaddalayerofwarmthandhelpyoumaintainyourbody’scoretemperaturewhentheweatherturnscold.
Whenconsideringtoolstocarryforalongride,choosetoolsyouwouldneedtoperformmaintenanceandrepair.Yourowner’smanualcanadviseyouofwhatthosetoolsareoryoucanconsultyourlocaldealer.Youshouldalsocarrysparepartssuchasaheadlightandtaillightbulbandanypartsthatareknowntofailoftenforyourmakeandmodelofbike.
Inaddition,it’sagoodideatohaveatirerepairkitandinflationdeviceonboardintheeventthatyouorsomeoneelseinyourpartygetsaflattire.Theinflationkitshouldbeabletorepairbothtubeandtubelesstiresandyourinflationdeviceshouldbeabletoprovideasteadyflowofairlongenoughtobringthetirebacktothemanufacturer’sspecifiedairpressurelevels.
YOU DESERVE A BREAK TODAY (OR SEVERAL)
Ridingcanbealotoffunbutitdoesdrainyourmentalandphysicalenergy(reducingyourRiderReadiness).Takingfrequentbreakswillallowyourmindandbodytorestbetweenstretches,makingyourridemoreenjoyable.Duringbreaks,besuretoeatanddrink.Youcanalsostretchanddolightexercisetokeepyourjointsfluidandfunctioningcomfortably.
Ifyou’rethekindofriderwholikestoputtheirbikeawayinthecoldermonths,makethefirstridesofthenewseasonshort,andgraduallybuilduptolongerdistances.
Smart Rider Commitment #13:______ (initial) “I acknowledge that touring and long-distance riding demand physical endurance, mental stamina and preparation. I accept this fact and commit to building up slowlyto longer distances and to being prepared for the challenges of long- distance riding.”
1. What are some ways that long-distance riding can lead to
riding impaired?
2. How can you be prepared for long-distance riding?
Touring and Long-Distance Riding
SMART RIDERCOMMITMENT
#13
80
RIDING IN THE COLD—THE IMPORTANCE OF WARMTH*
Asyou’velearned,beingawareandalertforothervehiclesandroadconditionsisimportanttohelpingyourideassafelyaspossible.Anotherimportantaspectofmaintainingahighlevelofalertnessistobecomfortable.
COLD = BAD
Incoldweather,thatmeansstayingwarm.Acoldbodyisadistractiontoyouralertness,anditlowersyourabilitytorespond.Coldslowsyourmentalprocesses,andyourmusclesdon’treactasquickly,either.Stayingwarmhelpskeepyoupreparedtoreact,bothmentallyandphysically.
WARMTH = GOOD
Muchoftoday’smotorcyclegeariswelldesignedandwillhelpkeepyouwarmoncooldays.Theinsulationandwind-blockingmaterialsusedinmostmotorcycle-specificgearwillserveyouwellwhenthingscooloff.Don’tforgetthatyou’llbetravelingthroughtheair,soit’snotjustthetemperature;thewindchillfactordetermineshowmuchwarmthyou’llneed.
HEAT = BETTER
Whenthewindchillgetsbelow55degrees,youmaywanttoaddtheadvantageofheatedclothing.Severalmanufacturersofferheatedjacketandpantlinersthataredesignedtofitunderyourmotorcyclegear.Poweredbyasinglewirefromthemotorcycle’sbattery,theseinterconnectedsystemsdeliverwarm,soothingheattoyourbody.Withheatedgloves,socksandinsolesalsoavailable,youcanstaywarmallthewaydowntoyourtoes.
OUTERWEAR, TOO
Forthosewhorideinthecoldfrequently,orwhoperhapscommutetoandfromworkinthechill,thereisactualridinggearavailable(outerjacketsandpants)thathastheheatbuiltin.Thisgearisdesignedtogooveryourstreetclothes,whichmakesitidealforcommutersorthosewhowillbesocializingwithfriendsuponarrival.
BE WARM AND WISE
Don’tletshiveringshakeyourconfidence.Enjoyyourmotorcycleevenondaysyouthoughtyouwouldn’t.Gearup.Heatup.Andridebetterpreparedtomeetthedemandsoftheroad.
Unit 14 | RIDING IN THE COLD; RIDING IN THE HEAT
81
RIDING IN THE HEAT—THE IMPORTANCE OF STAYING COOL(AND HYDRATED!)Whenthetemperaturegoesup,riderstakegearoffinanattempttostaycool.Perhapstheybelievethatmoreairflowandlessclothingisthebestwaytodealwiththeheat.It’snotthatsimple—readon!
HOW DOES THE BODY COOL ITSELF?Let’sgetbacktobasicshere:thehumanbodycoolsbysweating.Whenthemoistureontheskinevaporates,ittakessomeofthebody’sheatwithit,thuscoolingthebody.Someairflowcanhelpwiththisevaporation(anditfeelscooler,too).
BUT WHAT ABOUT PROTECTION?Inanefforttomaximizeairflow,manyridersgiveupprotection.Ahigh-quality,armoredjacketwon’tdotherideranygoodinacrashifitisfoldedupinthesaddlebag.Tank-topsandt-shirtsoffernoprotectionagainsttheasphalt.
BUT WHAT ABOUT OVERHEATING?Inanefforttomaximizeprotection,someridersmightweargearthatgivesthemthecrashprotectiontheyneed,butisnot“weatherappropriate.”Therisksofoverheatingandheat-relatedemergenciescanrangefromheatcrampstoheatexhaustiontoheatstroke.Heat-relatedemergencies7canresultin:
• Fatigue
• Muscle cramps
• Headache
• Dizziness/lightheadedness
• Weakness
• Nausea
• And eventually seizures or even loss of consciousness
BUT WHAT ABOUT DEHYDRATION?
Whenridingwithlittleornogear,thewindisblowingacrosstheskinandinstantlydriesupthesweatasittriestocoolyou.Thebodytriestosweatmore,thewinddriesitupmore—yougettheidea.Youbecomedehydratedmuchfasterthiswaythanifyouhadsomeprotectionbetweenyourskinandthewind.Ifyouhaveeverexperienceddehydrationwhileexercisingorplayingsports,youknowhowdevastatingitcanbetoyourperformance.
7AccordingtoMedlinePlus,aserviceoftheUSNationalLibraryofMedicine,NationalInstitutesofHealth;www.nlm.nih.gov
Riding in the Cold; Riding in the Heat
82
Dehydration8slowsyourmentalandphysicalabilities,impairsyoursmoothandcoordinatedoperationofthemotorcycle,andcanresultin:
• Extreme fatigue
• Muscle cramps
• Headaches
• Nausea
• Tingling of the limbs
• Dim vision
• Confusion
• And eventually seizures or even loss of consciousness
PROTECTION FROM THE HEAT AND FROM THE ASPHALTSo,howdoyoustaycoolANDstayprotected?Hereareafewsimpleoptions.“Coolingvests”aredesignedtobewornunderyourridingjacket.Thereareavarietyofmakes,models,stylesandpriceranges.Justsearchonlinefor“motorcyclecoolingvest”andyou’llfindmanytochoosefrom.
Anotherwaytogoistomakeyourown“motorcycleswamp-cooler.”Takealongsleevet-shirt,soakitinwater,thenputiton(orputitonandthensoakit—eitherwayisgood).Putyourventedormeshridingjacketonoverthet-shirt.Asyouride,thewett-shirtandthemovingairworktogethertokeepyoucool.Whenthet-shirtdriesout,pulloverandre-wetit.Youcangetagoodqualityventedormeshridingjacketinthe$75–$200range.Tryit—you’llbeamazedathowstayingcoveredcankeepyoucoolerthanridingwithoutprotection.
BE COOL AND WISEDon’tletheatanddehydrationimpairyourridingability.RideprotectedfromtheheatANDtheasphaltevenintemperaturesthatyouthoughtwouldmakeyouchooseoneovertheother.Gearup.Staycool.
1. How does cold/hypothermia impair you?
2. How does heat/dehydration impair you?
3. How can you stay cool, hydrated and protected?
8Accordingtowww.symptomsofdehydration.com
Unit 14 | RIDING IN THE COLD; RIDING IN THE HEAT
83 Appendix A | CORNERING WITH CONFIDENCE—EXPANDED CONTENT
Anoutside-inside-outsidestrategyisagoodplacetostartandwillserveyouwellinmostsituations.Inreality,acenter-center-centerlinecangetyouthroughacurvejustfineaslongasyoumanageyourspeed.Therearemanyridingschoolsandmanybooksthatspendalotoftimeoncorneringlinesandgointogreatdetail.ThisRider’sGuidewillexploreafewfairlycommonscenarios(decreasingradiuscurvesandlinkedcurves)andsuggestastrategyformanagingthem.
DECREASING RADIUS CURVES AND LINKED CURVES
Adecreasingradiusturnissimplyaturnthatgetstighter.Theseturnscanbechallengingforriderswhoareunpreparedbecause,tostayontheroad,theriderhastoincreasetheirleaninthemiddleoftheturn.Iftheriderbeginstheturnatthemaximumleanangletheycanhandle,theyrunintotroublewhenthecurveoftheroadwaydemandsmorelean.Linkedcurvesarethosewhereonecurveleadsdirectlyintoanothercurve(andperhapsseveralinarow).Thestrategyisthesameforboth.
ON THE APPROACH
Ifyoucan’tseethroughtotheexitoftheturn,enterasifitwasadecreasingradiusturn,linkedturn,orthereissomeobstacleintheroadjustoutofsight.Thisway,youwillbepreparedtorespond.Putyourmotorcycleinthe“outside”partofthelane.Thishelpsyouseetheexitoftheturnsoonerratherthanlater.
WAIT FOR IT
Holdyourlanepositionasyouentertheturn.Manyridershaveatendencyto“divein”towardtheinsidetooearly.Thiscancauseproblemslaterintheturn,sodisciplineyourselftoholdyourlanepositionuntilyoucanseeallthewaythroughtotheexit.Onceyoucanseetheexit,thenmovetowardtheinside.AsmentionedinUnit6,thisisknownasalateapexline.
WHAT’S NEXT?
Fromtheapexoftheturn(theinside),youhavetheexitoftheturnandtheroadaheadinsight.Whatlanepositiondoyouwanttobeinfortheroadahead?Aretherepotholestoavoid?Isthereanotherturnahead?Ifso,isitaright-handturnoraleft-handturn?Considertheroadaheadanddeterminewhatlanepositionyouwant.Now,gofromtheapextothatlanepositionasyouexittheturn.Thismightresultinanoutside-inside-outsideline,oritmightresultinanoutside-inside-insideline,oritmightevenresultinanoutside-inside-middleline.Ineachofthosecases,whatyouhaveisanoutside-inside-what’snext?line.
84 Appendix A | CORNERING WITH CONFIDENCE—EXPANDED CONTENT
BODY POSITION
Ourgeneralrecommendationregardingbodypositioninacurveforstreetridingistoleanwiththemotorcycle.Bodypositionhasadirectimpactonmotorcycleleanangleandgroundclearance.Thiscanbecomeveryimportantincorners—especiallyforridersonmotorcycleswithlimitedgroundclearance(primarilycruisersandtouringbikes).Hereishowitworks:
LEANING WITH THE MOTORCYCLE
Thiskeepsyouinthebestpositiontoremainrelaxed,operateallofthemotorcycle’scontrols,anddoesn’trequireunnecessarymotorcyclelean.
LEANING OUT
Thistechniqueisfrequentlyusedforlow-speed,tightturns(seeUnit4,page30).Movingyourbodyweighttowardtheoutsideofaturn(leaningleftforatightrightturn;leaningrightfortightleftturn)helpswithbalanceandallowsthemotorcycletoleanmorewithoutbecomingunstable.Byleaningmore,groundclearanceisreduced.Inaslow-speed,tightturn,thisgroundclearanceissueisnotaproblem.However,inanormalspeedturnontheroad,itcanbeaseriousproblem.Whencorneringatspeedorwhentheygetnervous,manyridersunintentionallyleanoutandendupdraggingpartsorevenrunningwideorofftheroad.
Payattentiontoyourbodyposition,stayrelaxedandavoidleaningoutwhencornering.
LEANING IN
Whenyouseepicturesorvideosofmotorcycleracershangingofftheirbikeswiththeirkneesontheground,thatisanexampleofthe“leaningin”techniquetakentotheextreme.Whydotheydoit?Itprovidesincreasedgroundclearanceandtractionsotheycangofaster(theyareracing,afterall).
Evenriderswhoaren’tracingcanlearnathingortwofromtheconcept.Theonlytimetheleaningintechniqueisrecommendedisifyoufindyourselfdraggingfootpegsorfloorboardsinacornerorotherwiserunningoutofgroundclearance.Leaningyourupperbodyslightlytotheinsidecangiveyoutheextragroundclearanceandtractionyouneedtogetthroughtheturn.(Nexttimeenterthatturnslower!)
LEAN WITH
85
Antilock Brakes: Brakingsystemsthatpreventskidsduringstraight-linebraking.
Apex: Pointinarider’spathoftravelclosesttotheinsideedgeofacurve.
BAC:Bloodalcoholconcentration.Percentageofalcoholinaperson’sblood.
Blind Spot:Areasbehindandbesideavehiclenotvisibleinthemirrors.
Conspicuity: Thequalityofbeingconspicuous;highlyvisible,easilyseen.
Convex Mirror: Mirrorhavingasurfacethatcurvesoutward.Theyshowmoreareabutobjectsappearfartherawaythantheyactuallyare.
Collision:Acrashorconflict.
Crash: Tofallorcollidewithsomething;toundergosuddendamageordestructiononimpact.
Counterweight:Shiftingweighttotheoutsideoftheturn.Usedtoprovidebetterbalanceinlow-speedturns.Countersteer: Initiateleanbyapplyingforwardpressuretothehandgripinthedirectionoftheturn:pressright,goright;pressleft,goleft.Thefrontwheelout-tracksinitiallyasleanisinitiated,thenre-centersandpointsintotheturn.
Crowned Road: Aroadthatishigherinthemiddletopromotedrainage.
Divided Attention:Concentrationonbothmentalandphysicaltasksatthesametimeoranysimultaneousmultipletasks.
DOT:DepartmentofTransportation.
DWI/DUI:Drivingwhileimpaired(DWI);drivingundertheinfluence(DUI).Thesetermsrefertoanyandalloffensesinvolvingtheoperationofvehicleswhileundertheinfluenceofalcoholand/orotherdrugs.
Engine Braking:Slowingbyusingenginecompression;shiftingdownandeasingouttheclutchorrollingoffthethrottle.
Entry Speed: Speedattheentrytoaturn.Aproperentryspeedallowsyoutomaintainasteadyspeedoraccelerategentlythroughouttheentireturn.
Escape Route:Analternativeroutetoavoidhazardsinyourimmediatepathoftravel.
Appendix B | GLOSSARY
86
Exceeding Sight Distance:Ridingataspeedthatdoesnotallowtimetorecognizeandavoidhazardsinyourpath.
Field Sobriety Tests:Roadsidetestsusedbylawenforcementtodetermineimpairment.
Friction Zone:Areaofclutchlevertravelwheretheclutchbeginstoengageandtransferpowerfromtheenginetotherearwheel.Usedingettingunderway,downshiftingandinslow-speedmaneuvers.
Gauntlet:Theflaredcuffofaglovethatisdesignedtopreventwindfromgoingupthesleeve.
Heat Exhaustion:Aconditioncausedbyexposuretoheat,resultinginthedepletionofbodyfluidsthatcausesweakness,dizziness,nauseaandoftencollapse.
High-Side Crash:Crashinwhichthemotorcyclesnapsviolentlyuprightandthrowstheriderinfrontofthetumblingmotorcycle.Oftentheresultofreleasingtherearbrakewhenaskiddingreartireisnotinalignmentwiththefront.
Hydroplane:Waterbuildupundertread.Hydroplaningcausestirestoliftfromtheroadwaysurface.Cancauselossofcontrol.
Hypothermia:Aclinicalstateofsub-normalbodytemperaturewhenthebodyisunabletogeneratesufficientheattoefficientlymaintainfunctions.Warningsignsincludeuncontrollableshivering,memoryloss,disorientation,incoherence,slurredspeech,drowsinessandexhaustion.
Integrated Braking System:Brakingsystemthatappliespartialfrontbrakingwhenrearbrakeisapplied.
Impairment:Diminishedjudgmentandability.
Lay It Down:Seelow-sidecrash.
Linked Braking System:Systemthatengagesbothfrontandrearbrakeswheneitherisapplied.
Low-Side Crash:Crashwheretheridermakescontactwiththegroundbehindtheslidingmotorcycle.
Nystagmus:Involuntaryjerkingoftheeyes.
ONE-C:Pre-startroutine—Fuelvalve/keyON,TransmissioninNEUTRAL,SwitchENGINEtorunoron,engageCLUTCHanduseCHOKEasneeded.
Appendix B | GLOSSARY
87
Overriding the Headlight:Ridingataspeedthatdoesnotallowyoutoavoidhazardsorstopwithinthepathilluminatedbytheheadlight.
Overriding Sight Distance:Ridingataspeedthatdoesnotallowtimeordistancetostoporswerveifsomethingunexpectedentersyourpathortheroadwaytakesanunexpectedbend.
Retro-reflective:Materialthatreflectslightbacktothelightsource.
Rider Readiness:Beingcompletelypreparedforriding.Thisincludesbeingmentallypreparedandattentive,physicallyrestedandunimpaired,havingyourmotorcycleingoodcondition,wearingappropriateridinggearandbeingawareofandpreparedforupcomingweather,roadwayandtrafficconditions.
Sight Distance:Howfaraheadaridercanseeatanygivenmoment.
SIPDE:Acronymtodescribedefensiveridingstrategy:Scan,Identify,Predict,Decide,Execute.
Space Cushion:Zoneofspacesurroundingrider.Maintainedtoprovidespaceandtimetoreacttohazards.
Square the Handlebars:Gettingthesteeringcenteredandthemotorcycleuprightandtravelinginastraightpath.Helpstopreservebalanceatstops.
Target Fixation:Whentheeyesandbrainarefocusedsointentlyonaparticularobjectthatawarenessofotherobstaclesorhazardsisdiminishedandtheridertendstoveertowardthatobject.
Tailgating:Followingtooclosely.
Traction:Frictionbetweenthetiresandtheroadway.
Visual Directional Control:Guidingyourmotorcyclebyturningyourheadandfocusingyoureyesonthedesiredpath.It’sthepriniciplethatyoutendtogowhereyoulook.
Visual Lead:Spaceallowedtoidentifyandmanagerisks.Scanning20secondsaheadprovidesthevisuallead.
Wind Chill:Theapparenttemperaturefeltbythebodyduetothecombinationoftemperatureandwindspeed.
Glossary
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Youdonotneedamotorcycleendorsement.
If it’s a MOPED
Youneedamotorcycleendorsement.
If it’s a MOTORCYCLE
Appendix C | CALIFORNIA RULES AND REGULATIONS FOR MOTORCYCLES AND SCOOTERS
DO YOU NEED A MOTORCYCLE ENDORSEMENT?
Ifyouoperateanymotorizedvehicleonpublicroadways,Californialawrequiresyoutohaveavaliddriver’slicenseandacceptableproofofliabilityinsurance.Ifyouoperateamotorcycleonpublicroadways,youwillalsoneedtoaddamotorcycleendorsementtoyourCaliforniadriver’slicense.
DEFINITIONS
Itisimportanttounderstandifthevehicleyouoperateisamotorcycleormotor-drivencyclethatrequiresyoutohaveamotorcycleendorsementonyourdriver’slicense.
MOTORCYCLE/SCOOTERS: Anymotorvehiclehavingaseatorsaddlefortheuseoftherideranddesignedtotravelonnotmorethanthree(3)wheelsincontactwiththeground.
MOTOR-DRIVEN CYCLE
Amotor-drivencycleisamotorcyclewitha149ccorlessenginesize.NOTE: Youmaynotoperateamotor-drivencycleonafreewayifsignsarepostedtoprohibitmotor-drivencycleoperation.
MOTORIZED BICYCLES (MOPEDS):
Alimited-speedmotor-drivencyclehavingbothmotorizedandpedalpropulsionthatisnotcapableofpropellingthevehicleataspeedinexcessofthirty(30)milesperhouronlevelground,whethertwo(2)orthree(3)wheelsareincontactwiththegroundduringoperation.Ifaninternalcombustionengineisused,thedisplacementshallnotexceedfifty(50)cubiccentimetersandthemopedshallhaveapowerdrivesystemthatfunctionsdirectlyorautomaticallywithoutclutchingorshiftingbytheoperatorafterthedrivesystemisengaged.
Orifpoweredsolelybyelectricalenergy,ithastwo(2)wheelsorthree(3)wheelswithnopedals,anautomatictransmission,andamotorthatproduceslessthantwo(2)grossbrakehorsepower,andisnotcapableofpropellingthevehicleataspeedinexcessofthirty(30)milesperhouronlevelground.
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HOW DO YOU GET A MOTORCYCLE ENDORSEMENT?
• YoumustpassawrittenknowledgetestandamotorcycleskillstestorobtainaCertificateofCompletionofMotorcycleTraining(DL389)
• Ifyouareunder21,youmustalsosuccessfullycompleteamotorcycleridertrainingcourse.
• SeetheCaliforniaMotorcycleHandbookformoreinformation.
OPERATOR ENDORSEMENTS
Californiaissuesthefollowinglicenseclassesfortwo-wheelvehicleoperation:ClassM1—Youmayoperateanytwo-wheelmotorcycle,motor-drivencycleormotorizedscooterandallvehicleslistedunderClassM2.ClassM2—Youmayoperateanymotorizedbicycle,mopedorabicyclewithanattachedmotorormotorizedscooter.NOTE:ClassClicenseesmayoperateamotorcyclewithasidecarattachedorathree-wheelmotorcycle.
Youmustpassawrittenandaskillstestbeforereceivingamotorcycleendorsement.Successfulcompletionofanapprovedmotorcycleridertrainingcoursemaywaivetherequirementfortheridingskillstest,ifcompletedwithintheyearpriortoaddingtheendorsementtoyourlicense.
Applicantsunder21yearsofagearerequiredtocompletemotorcyclesafetytrainingandobtainaCertificateofCompletion(DL389)andhavehadinstructionalpermitforatleast6monthsofferedbytheCaliforniaMotorcyclistSafetyProgram tobecomeeligibleforamotorcycleendorsement.NOTE:Minorsage15½–17mustbringproofofcompletionofbothdrivereducationanddrivertrainingorbecurrentlylicensed.
MOTORCYCLE INSTRUCTION PERMIT
AmotorcycleinstructionpermitisavailabletoanyonewhocompletesaDMVapplicationform(DL44orDL44C).Thispermitisvalidfor12monthsandallowsmotorcycleorscooteroperatorstopracticeridingunderthefollowingrestrictions:Daylightridingonly;nofreewayriding;nopassengers.Youmusttakeandpassawrittenknowledgetestbeforeapplyingforaninstructionpermit
Applicantsunder21yearsofagearerequiredtocompleteamotorcyclesafetytrainingbeforereceivingamotorcycleinstructionpermit.
Appendix C | CALIFORNIA RULES AND REGULATIONS FOR MOTORCYCLES AND SCOOTERS
90
MOTORCYCLE TESTS
Licensingtestsarethebestmeasuresofknowledgeandskillsnecessarytosafelyoperateyourmotorcycleormopedintraffic.Herearethebasictestingandlicensingrequirementsforamotorcycleendorsement:1. PassamultiplechoicemotorcycleoperatorknowledgetestbasedontheinformationintheCaliforniaMotorcycle
Handbook.2. Passaskillstest.Youwilldemonstrateyourabilitytoperformbasicmaneuversduringanoff-streetskillstest.Youmaybe
abletoobtainaCertificateofCompletion(DL389)towaivetheskillstestatDMVbytakingamotorcyclesafetycourse.3. AddthemotorcycleendorsementtoyourvalidCaliforniadriver’slicense.Licensingfeesaresubjecttolegislativechange,
soyoumaycheckthedrivermanualsorDMV’swebsiteforacurrentscheduleoffees.
Californiawillacceptamotorcyclelicenseendorsementfromotherstates,however,Californiadoesnotacceptmotorcyclesafetycoursecompletioncardsfromotherstates.
Foradditionalinformation,youmayvisit:http://www.dmv.ca.gov
MANDATORY INSURANCE
AllmotorizedvehiclesoperatedonCaliforniaroadways,whetherregisteredornot,mustcarryliabilityinsuranceprovidingthefollowingminimumcoverage:
• $15,000forinjuryordeathofoneperson;
• $30,000forinjuryordeathoftwoormorepeople;and
• $5,000forpropertydamage.InsurancecompaniesinCaliforniaarerequiredbylaw(CaliforniaVehicleCode(CVC)§16058)toelectronicallyreportprivate-usevehicleinsuranceinformationtotheDepartmentofMotorVehicles(DMV).Insurancecompaniesareexemptfromelectronicallyreportinginsuranceinformationforvehiclescoveredbycommercialorbusinessinsurancepolicies.
Ifyou,asanoperator,areinvolvedinacollisionwhichcausesmorethan$750inpropertydamagetooneperson,includingyourself,isinjured,nomatterhowslightly,you(oryourinsuranceagent,broker,orlegalrepresentative)mustreportthecollisiontoDMVoryourlicensemaybesuspened.TheCHPorpolicewillnotmakethisreport.
HELMET LAW
Californialawrequiresallridersandpassengerstowearaprotectivehelmetwhileridingonoroperatingamotorcycleorscooter.HelmetsmusthavealabelcertifyingthattheymeetU.S.DepartmentofTransportation(DOT)standards.
Appendix C | CALIFORNIA RULES AND REGULATIONS FOR MOTORCYCLES AND SCOOTERS
91
DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE LAWS AND PENALTIES
UnderCalifornialawyouareconsideredtobedrivingundertheinfluenceifyourblood-alcoholconcentration(BAC)is.08%ormoreifyouare21orolder.Analcoholconcentrationof.20%ormorecarriesevenstifferpenalties.Yourlicensewillbesuspendedforoneyearwithabsolutelynodrivingprivilegesofanykindforrefusingtotakethealcoholconcentrationtestifitisyourfirstoffense.Asecondrefusalwithintenyearsbringsevenstifferpenalties.
Under21—ZeroToleranceforAlcoholUse.Ifyouareunder21yearsofage,youmustsubmittoahand-heldbreathtest,PreliminaryAlcoholScreening(PAS),oroneoftheotherchemicaltests.IfyourBACmeasures0.01%orhigheronthePAS,youmaybesuspendedforoneyear.
Ifyou’reconvictedofaDUI,thecriminalpenaltiesare:
•For a first conviction:Upto6monthsinjail;uptoa$1,000fine;andmandatorydriver’slicensesuspensionof180daysandberequiredtocompleteaDUIprogram,fileaCaliforniaInsuranceProofCertificate(SR22),andpayallfeesbeforeyourdriverlicensecanbereinstated.Thelengthoftheprogrammayvary.Ifyouareunder21,yourdrivingprivilegewillberevokedforoneyearandwillberequiredtocompletetheeducationalportionofalicensedDUIprogram.
•For a second conviction within ten years: Mandatoryjailsentencefrom10daystooneyear(5daysto30daysifyouareunder21);uptoa$2,000fine;amandatorydriver’slicensesuspensionofoneyear(uptotwoyearsifyouareunder21);andshallonlydriveavehicleequippedwithanignitioninterlocksystemafterthelicensesuspensionperiod.
2 SETS OF SOLID DOUBLE YELLOW LINES (DOUBLE DOUBLE YELLOW LINES)
Twosetsofsoliddoubleyellowlinesspaced2feetormoreapartareconsideredabarrier.DonotdriveonoroverthisbarrierormakealeftturnoraU-turnacrossitexceptatdesignatedopenings(seediagram).
EAR PROTECTION
Earplugsareallowed,howeverapersonwearingpersonalhearingprotectorsintheformonearplugsormoldsthatarespecificallydesignedtoattenuateinjuriousnoiselevelsmustbeablethehearasirenorhornfromanemergencyvehicleorahornfromanothermotorvehicle.
Helmetspeakersareallowed,howeveronlyasingleearphone.
1. What is the minimum vehicle insurance coverage in California?
2. What do the double double yellow lines mean?
3. What is the difference between a Class M1 and M2 endorsement?
Appendix C | CALIFORNIA RULES AND REGULATIONS FOR MOTORCYCLES AND SCOOTERS
92
HIGH-OCCUPANCY TOLL (HOT) LANES
InCalifornia,high-occupancytoll(HOT)lanesandtollshighwaysarefee-paidroadwaysthatareusedinheavilytraveledareastorelievetrafficcongestion.CommunterstravlingontollhighwaysorusingHOTlanesmaypurchasetransponders,whichtracktheirvehicle’susageoftheseroadways.Transpondersallowdriverstopaytollsfeesthroughelectronicbilling.Whenusingatransponderorotherelectronicpaymentdevicewhiledrivingonatollhighway,HOTlaneortollbridge,motorcyclistareallowedtoplacethepaymentdevicein5locations(onthemotorcycleorcarriedbythedriver),aslongasthetollreadercandetechthedevice.Thelocationsare:• Inthemotorcyclist’spocket.• Insideacyclenetdrapedacrossthegastankofthemotorcycle.• Onthelicenseplatedevice,ifthetolloperatorprovidessuchadevice.• Inastoragecompartmentonthemotorcycle• Onthewindshieldofthemotorcycle.
CARPOOL/HIGH-OCCUPANCY VEHICLE (HOV) LANES
Acarpoollaneisaspecialfreewaylaneusedonlyforcarpools,buses,motorcyclesordecaledlow-emissionvehicles.Thepavementinthislaneismarkedwithadiamondsymbol◊ andthewords“CarpoolLane.”Theselanesarealsoknowashigh-occupancyvehicle(HOV)lanes.Donotcrossoverdoubleparallellinestoenterorexitanycarpoollaneexceptatdesignatedentryorexitplaces.MotorcyclistsareallowedtousetheCarpool/HOVlanes,unlessotherwiseposted.
MOTORCYCLES TOWING TRAILERS
Motorcyclestowingtrailers:• Mustnotexceed55mph.• Mustremainintherightlaneunlessitisafour(4)lanehighway,thenthetwo(2)lanes,exceptwhenpassing.• Arenotallowedincarpoollanes.FormoreinformationseetheRecreationalVehiclesandTrailersHandbookavailableonlineatwww.dmv.ca.govoryoumayobtainacopyatyourlocalDMVoffice.
Appendix C | CALIFORNIA RULES AND REGULATIONS FOR MOTORCYCLES AND SCOOTERS
93
LANE SPLITTING
Thetermlanesplitting,sometimesknownaslanesharing,sometimesknownaslanesharing,filteringorwhite-liningreferstotheprocessamotorcyclistridingbetweenlanesofstoppedorslower-movingtrafficormovingbetweenlanestothefrontoftrafficstoppedatthetrafficlight.Lanesplittingshouldnotbeperformedbyinexperiencedriders.whenchoosingtolanesplit,skilledmotorcycleridersshouldconsiderthefollowing:• Trafficflow—Travelatspeedthatisnomorethan10mphfasterthanothertraffic;dangerincreasesathigherspeed
differentials.Lanesplittingisnotadvisedwhentrafficflowisat30mphorfaster;dangerincreasesasoverallspeedincreases.
• Trafficlanes—Lanesplittingisencouragedtobedonebetweenthe#1and#2lanes;typically,itissafertolanesplitintheselanesthanbetweenotherlanes.
• Environment—Thetotalenvironmentshouldbeconsideredincludingthewidthofthelanes,sizeofsurroundingvehicles,theroadway,weatherandlightingconditions.
• Hazards—Ridersshouldanticipatepossiblemovementsbyotherroadusersandbealertatalltimes.NOTE: Thesegeneralguidelinesassumeahighlevelridingcompetencyandexperienceanddonotguaranteetokeepyousafe.Everyriderhastheultimateresponsibilityforhisorherowndecisionsmakingandsafety.Ridersmustbeconsciousofreducingcrashriskatalltimes.
EVADING A PEACE OFFICER
AnypersonwhowillfullyfleesorattemptstoevadeapeaceofficerperforminghisorherdutiesisguiltyofamisdemeanorpunishablebyimprisonmentinacountyjailfornotmorethanoneyearCaliforniaVehicleCode(CVC)§2800.1).IfapersonisconvictedofcausingseriousbodilyinjuryduringthecourseofapolicepursuitCaliforniaVehicleCode(CVC)§2800.3(a),heorsheissubjectto:• Imprisonmentinastateprisonforthree,fiveorsevenyearsorinacountyjailfornotmorethanoneyear.• Afineofnotlessthan$2,000normorethan$10,000.• Both,afineandimprisonment.IfapersonisconvictedofkillinganyoneduringthecourseofapolicepursuitCaliforniaVehicleCode(CVC)§2800.3(b),heorsheissubjecttoimprisonmentinastateprisonforfour,six,ortenyears.
1.Whatisthemaximumspeedwhentowing?2.Aremotorcyclesallowedtobeinthecarpool/HOVlanes?3.Lanesplittingshouldbedoneinwhatlanenumbers?4.Whatarethe5locationswheretheelectronictolltranspondercanbeplaced?
Appendix C | CALIFORNIA RULES AND REGULATIONS FOR MOTORCYCLES AND SCOOTERS
94 Appendix D | SMART RIDER COMMITMENTS
SMART RIDER COMMITMENTS
SMART RIDER COMMITMENT #1:
______ (initial) “I acknowledge that part of being a responsible rider is knowing and following the ‘rules of the road.’ I accept this fact and commit to learning and complying with state laws, rules, regulations and equipment requirements.”
SMART RIDER COMMITMENT #2:
______ (initial) “I acknowledge that riding a motorcycle in a complex traffic and roadway environment is an activity involving risk and danger. I accept this fact and commit to managing those risks.”
SMART RIDER COMMITMENT #3:
______ (initial) “I acknowledge that when riding a motorcycle, the only thing between me and the elements (hot, cold, rain, hail, bugs, the asphalt, other vehicles, etc.) is the gear I am wearing. I accept this fact and commit to getting and wearing riding gear that is right for me and my family.”
SMART RIDER COMMITMENT #4:
______ (initial) “I acknowledge that a motorcycle requires more frequent inspection and maintenance than a car. I accept this fact and commit to learning how and when to perform a pre-ride check on my motorcycle.”
SMART RIDER COMMITMENT #5:
______ (initial) “I acknowledge that an expert rider is one who uses expert judgment to avoid having to use expert skills. I accept this fact and commit to becoming an expert rider by practicing SIPDE skills, keeping my eyes up and scanning 20 seconds ahead.”
SMART RIDER COMMITMENT #6:
______ (initial) “I acknowledge that motorcyclists running wide in turns is the most common fatal crash situation. I accept this fact and commit to practicing the READY-AIM-FIRE process for cornering, and in particular LOOKING through the turn and PRESSING forward on the handgrip to cause the bike to lean/turn.”
95 Appendix D | SMART RIDER COMMITMENTS
SMART RIDER COMMITMENT #7:
______ (initial) “I acknowledge that braking errors are very common in crash situations. I accept this fact and commit to regularly practicing quick stops, with an emphasis on smooth increasing pressure on the front brake and a light to lighter application of the rear brake.”
SMART RIDER COMMITMENT #8:______ (initial) “I acknowledge that many fatal motorcycle crashes involve riders who had been drinking. I accept this fact and commit to separate the use of alcohol (and other drugs) from riding a motorcycle. I commit to riding sober.”
SMART RIDER COMMITMENT #9: ______ (initial) “I acknowledge that an impaired rider in the group puts me at risk. I accept this fact and commit to avoiding riding with others who are impaired.”
SMART RIDER COMMITMENT #10:
______ (initial) “I acknowledge that there are a wide variety of factors that can impair my ability to ride safely. I accept this fact and commit to minimizing factors that can negatively affect my riding ability and performance.”
SMART RIDER COMMITMENT #11:
______ (initial) “I acknowledge that when I carry a passenger, I am responsible for their safety and comfort. I accept this fact and commit to waiting to carry passengers until I have well developed skills and significant experience as a solo rider.”
SMART RIDER COMMITMENT #12:
______ (initial) “I acknowledge that group riding demands more skill and attention than riding solo. I accept this fact and commit to waiting to ride with a group until I have well developed skills and significant experience riding by myself or with just one other (and more experienced) rider.”
SMART RIDER COMMITMENT #13:
______ (initial) “I acknowledge that touring and long-distance riding demand physical endurance, mental stamina and preparation. I accept this fact and commit to building up slowly to longer distances and to being prepared for the challenges of long-distance riding.”
96 Appendix E | RANGE RULES AND HAND SIGNALS
Rangerulesaredesignedtomaintainsafetyforallridersandthereforeapplytoeveryone.Theyareusedinconjunctionwithallridingexercises,noexceptions.Rangerulesareasfollows:
Don’t practice without the instructor’s permission.
Stay with each exercise as it’s being practiced.
Wear all protective gear when seated on the motorcycle.
Cover the clutch lever with four fingers at all times—this enables you to immediately disengage power from the rear wheel, if necessary.
Keep your throttle hand in a wrist-down position with four fingers around the throttle/handgrip.
Do not “cover” the front brake while moving forward. Keep all four fingers wrapped around the throttle.
Always check around you—front, sides and behind—before moving.
Don’t crowd other riders—leave plenty of space between you and them.
Do not pass other riders/motorcycles.
Always use the engine cut-off switch to stop the engine, and then turn off the ignition.
If you have a problem, move out of the way and signal your instructor.
If you hear a referee-style whistle, stop smoothly and immediately and wait for further directions.
If you don’t understand an exercise, ask the instructor for clarification.
Notify your instructor if you are too uncomfortable to ride safely.
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The course
instructors
will use these
hand signals to
communicate
with you while
you are riding
on the range.
Appendix E | RANGE RULES AND HAND SIGNALS
Enjoy the Ride!…and continue the journey. Keep your skills growing. Check out our website for other courses to help you get the most out of your ride.
http://www.californiamotorcyclist.com