You & Your Motorcycle Riding Tips

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his booklet or materials in this
booklet may not be reproduced, for
resale or otherwise, without the
express written permission of the
Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF).
The information in this publication is
offered for the benefit of those who
have an interest in motorcycles. The
information has been compiled from
publications, interviews and
observations of individuals and
organizations familiar with the use of
motorcycles and training. Because
there are many differences in product
design, riding styles, federal, state and
local laws, there may be organizations
and individuals who hold differing
opinions. Consult your local regulatory
agencies concerning the operation of
motorcycles in your area.
The Motorcycle Safety Foundation is
a national, not-for-profit organization
promoting the safety of motorcycles
with programs in rider training,
operator licensing and public
information. The MSF is sponsored by
BRP, BMW, Ducati, Harley-Davidson,
Honda, Kawasaki, KTM, Piaggio/Vespa,
Suzuki, Triumph, Victory, and Yamaha.
You and Your Motorcycle: Riding Tips You and Your Motorcycle: Riding Tips
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ForEwOrd. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
IntroductioN. . . . . . . . . . . . 4
THE RIDER . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
What To Wear When You Ride
Helmet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Eye Protection . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Jacket . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Pants . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Gloves . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Boots . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Raingear . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Hearing Protection . . . . . . . . . 10
High-Visibility Gear . . . . . . . . . 11
YOU AND YOUR LEGAL
RESPONSIBILITIES . . . . . . . 12
Licensing Requirements . . . . . . 13
Insurance. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
KNOW YOUR MOTORCYCLE 14
The Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Shifting Gears. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Braking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Turning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Checking the Bike
Before the Ride . . . . . . . . . 19
Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20
Troubleshooting . . . . . . . . . . . .22
THE HIGHWAY, BYWAY,
STREET AND ALLEY. . . . . . . .24
The SEE System . . . . . . . . . . . . .25
Increasing Your Visibility
to Others. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26
Helping You to See Others . . . 28
Intersections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .30
Passing Other Vehicles . . . . . . . 31
Night Riding . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
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HANDLING SPECIAL
SITUATIONS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .34
Emergency Braking. . . . . . . . . .35
Braking While Leaned
Into a Curve . . . . . . . . . . . .36
Coping With a Skid . . . . . . . . . .36
Riding Across Poor
Road Surfaces . . . . . . . . . . 38
Steel Bridge Gratings
and Rain Grooves . . . . . . . .40
Rain . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
Wind. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .42
Animals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .42
EQUIPMENT FAILURES . . . .44
Blowouts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .44
Stuck Throttle. . . . . . . . . . . . . .45
Broken Clutch Cable. . . . . . . . .45
GROUP RIDING AND
PASSENGERS . . . . . . . . . 46
Riding in a Group. . . . . . . . . . 46
Carrying a Passenger . . . . . . . .49
LOADING THE
MOTORCYCLE . . . . . . . . . . . . . .52
Drugs, DRINKING
AND RIDING. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .55
CONCLUSION. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56
Motorcycle Skill Test
Practice Guide . . . . . . . . . .57
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You and Your Motorcycle
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ongratulations! You have gained admission to the wonderful world of
motorcycling. You are going to have a marvelous time.
You also have some new responsibilities, which is what this little booklet is
all about.
Motorcycling has grown more and more popular in recent years. Were very glad
to see the increase in the number of people who enjoy it. However, were also
interested in keeping this a safe activity.
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You and Your Motorcycle
A Few Tips for Keeping Your Relationship a Happy One
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The way to do this is to tell the rider whether novice or
experienced about operating a motorcycle safely. Your enjoy-
ment, and your safety, depends on mastering not only the art of
motorcycling but also the realities of the traffic around you.
The staff at the Motorcycle Safety Foundation has prepared
this booklet to provide you the motorcycle rider with
important tips that can help you to ride safely. Read these
pages carefully. Thirty minutes spent reading this information
can be one of the most valuable half-hours of learning you have
ever had.
A Few Tips for Keeping Your Relationship a Happy One
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iding a motorcycle properly is a skill you can learn. Its not something you are
born with, like having red hair or blue eyes. It takes thinking and practice to
ride one well. Unfortunately, many riders never learn the critical skills to ride safely
and enjoy the sport to its fullest.
The best thing you can do is take a quality, hands-on training course in a con-
trolled, off-street environment. Beginning riders can take the Basic RiderCourse
SM
developed by the Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF).
People who have been riding for some time can also benefit from taking an MSF
Experienced RiderCourse. You CAN teach an old dog new tricks.
effective turning techniques
protective gear
traffic strategies
special riding situations
effective braking techniques
evasive maneuvers
The courses cover topics such as:
find the ridercourse nearest you by calling
(800) 446-9227,
or by visiting www.msf-usa.org.
The Rider - That s you! The Rider - That s you!
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HELMET
Around the block or around the world,
it makes sense to leave home with a
helmet on your head. ITS ONE OF
THE BEST ITEMS OF PROTECTION
YOU CAN USE.
Helmets come in all sizes, from
extra small (XS) to extra large (XL).
There are also helmets for children.
When you buy a helmet, make sure it
fits properly. Try it on; it should be
comfortable to wear, neither too tight
nor too loose. Remember, it is going
to spend a lot of time on your head.
A full-face helmet gives the most
protection since it covers all of the
head and face.
Always fasten the helmet strap. If
the helmet is not secured, it is doing
about as much good as if it were on
the shelf at home.
Did you know that all adult-sized
motorcycle helmets now sold in the
United States must have a sticker
indicating DOT (Department of
Transportation) compliance, which
means that the helmet meets certain
basic impact standards? Dont buy a
helmet without one; it may not meet
standards. Helmets vary greatly in
What To Wear When You Ride
Proper gear is essential to safe riding. Wearing the right clothing always makes the
sport more enjoyable and more comfortable, too.
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price and style. Buy one that suits
you. Wear it. Fasten it every time you
throw a leg over the motorcycle.
A good helmet makes motorcycling
a lot more pleasurable because it cuts
down on the wind noise and greatly
reduces rider fatigue. The days of
heavy or cumbersome helmets are
gone; theyre now made of light new
materials with terrific designs and col-
ors to choose from.
If you do drop your helmet onto a
hard surface, or it receives a heavy
blow, it is probably time to buy a new
one. A motorcycle helmet is designed
to absorb the impact of a blow, and a
helmet should only do that once. If in
doubt, get a new one.
EYE PROTECTION
Riding with bare eyeballs is a gamble.
Your eyes are precious, and it does not
take much to injure one.
A windshield on a motorcycle is not
eye protection; a bit of sand or tiny
piece of glass can whip in behind it
and get in your eye.
Proper eye protection means an
approved shield on your helmet, a pair
of goggles, or shatterproof glasses.
Settling for less just isnt worth the risk.
Make sure your eye protection is
clean and unscratched. If you use a
tinted lens or shield for riding in the
bright sunlight, take a clear one along
as well, in case you are riding after
dark.
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JACKET
Motorcycle jackets are
made in many sturdy mate-
rials: denim, nylon in its
various guises, corduroy,
and leather. The hide of a
cow, or any other commonly
used
leather, offers you the most
protection when it comes
to abrasion. You can
buy leather jack-
ets with zip-
pered vents,
which are com-
fortable to wear
even in hot
weather as they allow a breeze to flow
through.
PANTS
These should be made of a thick
material, such as leather. They
resist abrasion and provide
protection from the elements.
A pair of loose, light cotton
pants that flap in the wind is
not very good riding gear.
A number of companies sell
leather riding pants, and
you can get pants and
jacket combinations that
zip together.
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Some riders choose jackets
and pants with rigid "body
armor" inserts in critical areas
for additional protection.
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GLOVES
Always wear gloves. Even on a hot day.
The car in front of you may throw up a
stone that hits your fingers. Ouch! Also,
bare hands cannot withstand abrasion in
the event of a fall.
BOOTS
Over-the-ankle boots, please. Preferably
made of strong leather.
Your ankles are very complicated;
protect them.
A boot with a slippery sole could
cause embarrassment when you put your
foot down at a greasy gas station.
Rubber soles, with a good tread design,
offer better gripping possibilities.

RAINGEAR
It rains everywhere in this country,
some places more than others. Inevitably
you will be caught out in the rain. Why
not have a good motorcycle rainsuit
along, with rain-covers for boots and
gloves as well? Its a lot more fun riding
in the rain when youre dry.
hearing protection
Long-term exposure to engine and wind
noise can cause permanent hearing
damage, even if you wear a full-face
helmet. Whether you choose disposable
foam plugs or reusable custom-molded
devices, proper protection reduces noise,
while allowing you to hear important
sounds like car horns. Make sure you
follow your states laws when using
hearing protection.
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HIGH-VISIBILITY GEAR
The better people see you,
the less likely they are to run
into you. Brightly colored
clothing is preferable to drab,
dark clothing.
You can buy special vests
which are designed to make
it easier for others to see you.
Some military bases feel
strongly about this feature
and require all motorcyclists
to wear them.
For nighttime, you can buy
clothing that reflects light,
and put reflective strips on
your helmet and the backs of
your boots. Every little bit
helps.
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ont forget, driving is a privilege,
not a right. You have to prove
your competence before your license
is issued. If you ignore the laws of
your state, your license may be taken
from you.
Laws are intended to protect you,
not to harass you. You may be the
best and safest rider in the country, but
these laws are to keep incompetent,
dangerous drivers off the streets.
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You and Your Legal Responsibilities You and Your Legal Responsibilities
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Just think of the chaos if we didnt
have these laws. Respect them.
Licensing Requirements
These vary from state to state. Most
states require a separate license in
order to operate a motorcycle. Go and
get one. Drop by your local depart-
ment of motor vehicles and ask for
licensing information. You put your-
self, your wallet, and your insurance at
risk if you choose to violate the law.
If your state requests it, take the
written test. And the riding test. Get
your motorcycle operators license.
Become a full-fledged member of the
motorcycling fraternity. Some states
will waive the riding and/or written test
if you complete the Basic RiderCourse.
Insurance
The registration is easy; pay your
money, and you get a license plate to
bolt onto the back of the bike.
Insurance is harder, but most states
require liability insurance. (Check your
states laws.) Shop around for it.
Some companies give a discount if
youve taken an MSF RiderCourse.
You can also get other coverage on
you and your bike: comprehensive,
collision, medical payments, uninsured
driver (the other guy), and more. Ask
your insurance agent what each type
of coverage can do for you, and how
much it will cost.
The better your driving record, the less
costly the insurance. It pays to be safe.
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o be a safe rider, get to know your
motorcycle extremely well. Its very
different from a car and makes more
demands on the operator. The
motorcycle goes and turns and stops
smoothly according to your degree of
skill and knowledge.
Get to know your owners manual; not
all motorcycles are exactly alike. Types
range from large touring bikes and
cruisers to nimble sport bikes and
standard street machines. The manual
gives you many specifics you will find
helpful in understanding and maintaining
the bike youve chosen.
A close relative to the motorcycle the
scooter is different from most
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Know Your Motorcycle Know Your Motorcycle
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motorcycles and youll need to find out
its particular features. Most have
automatic transmissions and hand
controls for both brakes. As with other
small-displacement machines, certain
models may not be allowed on high-
speed, limited-access highways.
It takes a long time to become
properly familiar with a motorcycle, so
it is best not to lend it or borrow one.
Think of your motorcycle as being as
personal as a toothbrush.
The Controls
Over the years, the basic controls on
motorcycles have been standardized.
Put the bike on the centerstand and
sit on it. Become familiar with the
controls and how to use them. Work
the levers and pedals. If something
isnt within easy reach of fingers or
toes, maybe it can be adjusted to suit
you. Check your owners manual.
Practice with the turn signals. Find
the horn button, so you wont have to
look for it when somebody starts
backing out in front of you. Figure out
how the headlight dimmer switch
works before it gets dark.
Do become familiar with the
RESERVE fuel valve, if there is one
on your machine. When you are
running along the highway and your
engine burbles, indicating it is running
out of fuel, you want to be able to turn
that reserve on without a seconds
thought. It is not fun or safe to be
fumbling around when you are in gear
and moving.
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Shifting Gears
Starting off and changing gears
requires coordination of the clutch and
throttle and gearshift lever. If you dont
do things right, the amount of control
you have over the bike is lessened.
To start off, pull in the clutch, shift
into first gear, roll on the throttle a little,
and ease out the clutch. You will
become familiar with the friction zone
(thats where the clutch begins to take
hold and move the bike), and you add a
bit more throttle. You dont want to stall
the engine, nor do you want to overrev
it. Theres a sweet spot in there; find
it.Shift while traveling in a straight line.
Shifting in a curve is not good practice,
and something to be avoided.
Become familiar with the sound
of your engine, so you can tell when
you should shift without looking at
your instruments.
When you downshift to a lower gear,
you should (in one swift, smooth move-
ment) be able to squeeze the clutch, rev
the engine a little to let it catch the
lower gear smoothly, and shift down.
When you come to a stop in traffic,
leave the bike in first gear with the
clutch disengaged (just in case you
want to accelerate out of there in a
hurry). Who knows what may be
coming up behind you.
Braking
Dont ever forget: the front brake on
your motorcycle can supply as much as
70 percent or more of your stopping
power. The single most important
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thing you can learn
about braking is to
use that front brake
every single time you
want to slow down.
Always apply both
the front and the rear
brakes at the same
time. If necessary,
apply them hard, but
not so hard that you
lock up either wheel.
A locked wheel, as
well as causing the
bike to skid, results in
downright inefficient
braking.
The time to take your left foot off
the peg and put it on the ground is just
as the bike comes to a complete stop.
When you have the opportunity,
practice your braking. You can always
get better at it.
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Turning
When you are riding along the road,
you lean a motorcycle into a turn.
Learning to lean is an essential part of
riding a motorcycle. It is a normal
function of the bike when you are
changing its path of travel and quite,
quite different from turning the
steering wheel of your car.
To get the motorcycle to lean in a
normal turn, press the handlebar in the
direction of the turn and maintain slight
pressure on that handlebar to take you
smoothly through that particular turn.
In other words: press the right handgrip
to go right; press the left handgrip to go
left. Your instincts to keep the
motorcycle on a smooth path while
keeping it from falling over usually take
care of this without you even noticing it.
(Demonstrate to yourself how a
motorcycle moves by pressing a
handlebar slightly while traveling in a
straight line. The motorcycle will
move in the direction of the handlebar
you pushed.)
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Slow down before you enter
the turn; look as far ahead as
possible through the turn.
Keep your feet on the pegs, and
grip the gas tank with your knees.
Lean with the motorcycle; dont
try to sit perpendicular to the
road while the motorcycle is
leaning over.
Keep an even throttle through the
turn, or even accelerate a little bit.
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Checking The Bike
Before The Ride
Who knows when Murphys Law may
strike or what nail your tire might have
picked up just before you pulled in the
other evening. Its not fun to have
things go wrong on a motorcycle, but
if you spend a minute before you go
off on a ride, you can increase the
chances that nothing will.
Any information youll need, such
as correct tire pressures or chain
adjustment, youll find in your owners
manual. As soon as you finish this
booklet, read the manual thoroughly.
You will be much more acquainted
with all the specifics of your
motorcycle, since it might be slightly
different from some other make or
model.
#1 Check the tires. They are the most
important parts of your bike. If your
engine quits, you roll to a stop. If a
tire quits trouble! Make the effort to
check the surface of the tires, looking
for cuts in the rubber or foreign objects
like a nail. Check the tire pressures
with a good gauge. If a tire is low
every time you check it, even though
you have added the proper amount of
air each time, you have a slow leak.
Fix it before it becomes a fast leak.
#2 Check the controls. Cables are
quite strong and rarely break, but look
for kinking or stiffness or anything
unusual in their operation.
#3 Check your lights, including brake
light, headlights, and turn signals to
make sure everything works. Also check
your horn and adjust the mirrors.
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#4 Check the oil and fuel and, if the
bike is liquid-cooled, the coolant levels.
#5 If your motorcycle has chain-drive
to the rear wheel, make sure that the
chain is properly tensioned and in
good shape. Chains do need an occa-
sional cleaning and dose of lubrication.
#6 Make sure the sidestand and
centerstand fold up properly, and stay
up. If one of the retraction springs is
weak or broken or missing, replace it.
#7 As you roll off, check your brakes.
Just to make sure they havent gone
away.
Now, go enjoy yourself.

Maintenance
Theres not much to maintain on a day-
to-day basis on most modern motorcy-
cles, but do what you can do, including
your pre-ride checks.
Your bike has a regular service
schedule, listed in the owners
manual. Unless you are an accom-
plished mechanic, we recommend that
these services be done by an
authorized dealer.
Keeping your bike clean is a good
idea. Its astounding how dirt can
cover up something that is about to
go wrong.
Check your battery every month.
Make sure the fluid level is where it
should be. If it is low, top it up with
distilled water.
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Always take your
tool kit along when you
go for a ride. You
never can tell when it
will come in handy.
Use the tools to go
over the bike
occasionally and make
sure no screws or bolts
are loose.
You should always
have your owners
manual with the bike.
It tells you where the
fuse box is, in the
unlikely chance a fuse
blows. It tells you how
to get a wheel off,
should you have the
misfortune of a flat tire.
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Flat tires are pretty rare
occurrences on motorcycles, but they
can happen. In this case, you can
either get on the phone to the dealer,
or fix it yourself. If you want to know
how to do it, we recommend you
practice at home, rather than have
your first shot at fixing a flat
alongside a deserted road in the
middle of the night.
Troubleshooting
Little things may happen to the bike
that are cause for concern. Dont
panic until you check out the obvious.
#1 If the engine doesnt start:
Is the key on?
Is there gas?
Is the battery too weak?
Or a battery lead loose?
Have spark plug wires fallen off?
Is the ignition cut-off switch in
the OFF position?
Do you have the choke in the
appropriate position?
#2 If the engine stops when you
dont want it to:
Did you accidently hit the cut-off
switch?
Did you run out of gas?
Did a fuse burn out?
#3 If the bike begins to feel funny as
you go down the road, especially in a
curve, stop as soon as it is safe to pull
over and check your tires. You may
have a flat. Check your suspension.
You may have it adjusted incorrectly.
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Your owners manual is the best
reference for proper settings and
adjustments.
#4 If you detect any problems with
the motorcycle doesnt feel right,
doesnt handle right, doesnt sound
right that you cant figure out
yourself, take it to your dealer. Think
about the problem a little, so you can
describe it to the service manager.
Remember, an ounce of prevention is
worth about a ton of cure. Pushing a
motorcycle can get old very fast.
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his is what it all comes down to: you and the road. There are millions and
millions of miles of roads in this country, from one-lane dirt to 12-lane highway.
When you ride, the surface conditions, traffic, and the weather can be changing.
You have to be constantly aware of a lot of things. Daydreaming when youre
riding a motorcycle isnt a good idea. Things happen fast out there on the road,
and you have to be prepared for them.
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Highway, Byway, Street and Alley Highway, Byway, Street and Alley
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The SEE System
Here is a good reminder for riding safely in traffic.
This SEE
SM
strategy is a mental system for safe motorcycling. Use it effectively
and youll cover many safer, happy miles on your motorcycle.
Increasing Your
Visibility to Others
Whats the most common
explanation from the automo-
bile driver who just turned in
front of a motorcyclist? Gee,
officer, I didnt see him.
Its a sad truth. Were not
as big as a Mack truck, but
we are visible. However, too
often motorists dont see us
because they arent looking
for motorcycles.
You have to attract their
attention.
All motorcycle headlamps
in recent years are hard-
wired, which means that the
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y headlight goes on whenever the engine
goes on. If you have an earlier model,
turn that headlight on every time you
go out. It helps even on a bright,
sunny day!
Weve said it before, well say it
again: wear bright clothing and utilize
retroreflective material (it shines when
a beam of light hits it) whenever
appropriate. The biggest thing that a
following driver usually sees is your
back. Make it stand out.
Always signal your intentions.
Change lanes or make a turn using
your turn signals. You want to be sure
that the people around you know what
you are about to do.
And it helps to assist your turn
signals with hand signals at times.
Remember to cancel your signals when
youve completed your maneuver,
otherwise drivers are getting false
information from you ... and you could
cause yourself trouble.
Dont be shy about using your horn
in some situations. If drivers are
dozing, or about to pull an unthinking
maneuver, give them a BEEP. You
want to make them aware of what they
are doing. And of your presence.
Position your motorcycle where it
can be seen. Dont put yourself behind
a large truck or ride in the blind spot of
a vehicle near you. Get out there, take
up a whole lane, make yourself seen.
Helping You to
See Others
The other half of
the visibility battle
is being alert and
seeing everything
around you. Use
your eyes effec-
tively. Keep them
moving. Dont get
fascinated by that
53 Corvette off to
your right. Or go
rubber-necking at
an accident scene.
If your eyes are
locked on one
thing, you may be
ignoring some sit-
uation that could
affect your ride.
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y Look ahead. Look to the side. Look
in your mirrors. Look over your
shoulders. Keep looking! Anticipate
the oncoming, left-turning driver, the
reckless fool coming up behind you,
the car poking its nose out of the
driveway, the guy beside and a little
behind you whos moving across the
lane divider.
Never let your eyes fix on an object
for more than two seconds. Keep
looking around.
Its one thing to see, another to
have the time to react. No tailgating.
When youre riding in town, at
speeds under 40 mph, always keep a
two-second gap between you and the
car in front. For example, when he
goes by a phone pole, count one-
thousand-one, one-thousand-two and
then you should pass that pole.
Out on the open road, with higher
speeds, you should adjust your gap to
three or four seconds or more,
depending on your speed. Use the
same reference-point technique to
determine how many seconds behind
you are.
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Intersections
It probably surprises no one to know
that the majority of accidents
involving collisions between a
motorcycle and a car happen at
intersections the most frequent
situation being that of a vehicle
turning left in front of a motorcycle.
Any intersection is potentially
hazardous, whether it has stoplights,
or stop signs, or is unmarked.
Always check for traffic coming
from the side, left and/or right.
Check for traffic behind you, to
make sure no one is about to run up
your tailpipe.
Passing Other
Vehicles
The technique for
passing another
vehicle is the same
whether you are
riding a motorcycle
or driving a car.
First, before
passing, you should
be two (or more)
seconds behind the
vehicle you want to
pass, and have
positioned yourself in
the left-hand side of
your lane.
From this position,
you have to check oncoming traffic
and the road to make sure you have
enough distance to pass safely. Dont
even think about overtaking if a cor-
31
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ner is coming up.
If you have room ahead to make the
pass, look in your mirrors, turn the
signal on, and always look over your
shoulder. That head check is essential;
somebody in a hot rod might have just
pulled into your blind spot, intent on
overtaking you. Always remember the
head check.
Everything clear? Move into the left
lane and pass the car/truck/buggy/
whatever. Do not crowd close to the
vehicle you are passing; you should be
more or less in the center of the lane
you are passing in. Get by this vehicle
as quickly as possible, without
exceeding the speed limit. If it is a
slow-moving truck in front, you might
want to shift down a gear so you can
accelerate more rapidly as you go
around it.
Before returning to your original
lane, signal your intention and do a
head check to make sure that there is
enough room between you and the
vehicle you just passed. Ever have
someone speed up just after youve
overtaken them? Hmmmmm!
Return to your lane, cancel your
signal, and proceed merrily along ...
with care.
32
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Night Riding
Quite often youll have to ride at
night. After all, it is dark 50 percent of
the time.
Dusk is really the worst time, when
peoples eyes are adjusting from
daylight to headlights. Be especially
careful just after sunset.
Usually it is advisable to slow down
a little when riding at night, especially
on any sort of winding road.
Use your own headlight and those
of other traffic to keep an eye on the
road surface. It is more difficult at
night to see the patch of sand or
something that fell out of a pickup.
The distance between you and the
vehicle in front becomes even more
important at night. Give yourself room
to react.
Wear a clear faceshield without
scratches. A scratched shield can
create light refraction that might
confuse you; two headlights can look
like four, and you dont know who is
coming from where. One of your
biggest hazards at night may be a
who coming from a few hours of
drinking. Be especially alert for drivers
and vehicles doing odd things, like
weaving in and out of traffic, and give
them lots of room.
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I
n the best of all worlds the
temperature would always be 78
degrees, the wind would be at our
backs, and no emergencies would
arise. Since it is a slightly imperfect
world we live in, we should be
prepared for whatever happens.
34
Handling Special Situations Handling Special Situations
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Emergency Braking
Sometimes you have to stop as
quickly as possible. Here are some
tips on how to get you and your
motorcycle halted pronto:
35
Apply both brakes to their maxi-
mum, just short of locking them up.
Practice in an open, good-surfaced
place, such as a clean parking lot.
Keep the motorcycle upright and
traveling in a straight line; and look
where youre going, not where
youve just been.
You dont want to lock the front
brake. If the wheel does chirp,
release the brake for a split second,
then immediately reapply without
locking it up.
If your rear wheel locks up, do not
release the brake. If your handle-
bars are straight, you will skid in a
straight line, which is all right. You
have a more important priority and
that is to get stopped! Read on and
we will talk more about skids.
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Braking While Leaned
Into a Curve
You should try to avoid this, but
sometimes it might be necessary.
You can brake (with both brakes)
while leaned over, but you must do it
gradually and with less force than if
the bike is standing up straight.
For maximum braking
efficiency in an emergency
(when traffic and roadway
conditions permit), stand
the bike up straight; brake
hard.
Coping With a Skid
A skid - thats when your heart
leaps up to your throat because
your wheels have lost traction!
36
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You might hit a patch of sand on a
mountain curve, or a puddle of oil as
youre slowing for a stoplight. Its a
frightening experience on a
motorcycle, but you can handle it.
In a highway-speed, sand-in-the-
corner skid, steer slightly in the
direction of the skid. (If youre leaned
to the left and skidding to the right,
turn those handlebars a bit towards the
right.) Chances are you will clear the
patch of sand, the tires will grip the
pavement again, the bike will stand up,
and youll continue on your way.
Should you hit a slippery bit while
youre braking for a stop sign, and one
or both wheels lock up, you want to
get those wheels rolling right away.
Release the brakes for an instant, then
reapply a little more gently. You want
those tires to have traction.
At higher speeds, when traction is
good and the rear wheel skids when
braking hard, do not release the rear
brake.
If your back end is skidding side-
ways because the tire is on a slick spot
and simply spinning, ease off on the
throttle. A spinning wheel provides no
more control than a locked wheel.
You might be in one of those two-
mile-per-hour parking lot scenarios, a
mild, low-speed skid when your front
wheel starts to go out from under you.
A foot on the ground may keep the
bike upright and the rubber side down.
This is not an easy thing to do, and
should only be done if all else fails.
37
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Riding Across Poor Road Surfaces
Here are a few simple rules you should follow when you anticipate coping with
sand, mud, water or any loose surface or obstruction in the road:
38
39
Downshift and slow before you reach
the problem area.
If there is traffic in the area, make
sure that the drivers are aware you
are slowing.
Try to cross the bad surface in a
straight line, or at least do not
change direction or speed abruptly.
Stay ready to maintain the balance of
the motorcycle.
If you are moving along and have to
go over an obstruction that is lying
across the road, like a 2x4 piece of
wood, rise up on the footpegs and
shift your weight toward the back of
the saddle as your front wheel
comes up to the obstacle. This will
make it easier for the front wheel to
bounce up and over. Then move
your weight forward to help your
rear wheel get over.
Do not accelerate until your bike is
completely over the obstacle.
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Steel Bridge Gratings
and Rain Grooves
Steel-mesh bridges can be extremely
unnerving. Keep an even throttle and
keep the bike straight. Dont grip the
handlebars too hard. If there is a
vibration in the handlebars, do not
fight it. This is a natural feedback
from your tires going over these
thousands of little squares.
Some parts of the country have
rain grooves in the highways. Theyre
not very popular among motorcy-
clists. This is when the road surface,
usually concrete, has several dozen
grooves running lengthwise down
each lane. The purpose of the
grooves is to prevent cars and trucks
from losing traction when it rains.
The reaction of the bike to these
grooves often has to do with the tread
pattern on the tires. Sometimes it feels
as though the motorcycle is getting a
flat tire, with a squishy back-and-forth
sideways motion. Dont worry, just
keep going straight. Dont fight the han-
dlebars. There is nothing dangerous
about these rain grooves it just feels
funny to ride on them.
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Rain
Haul out the raingear youve stowed in
a handy spot. Make sure your rain
gloves and rain boots fit properly.
Poorly fitted ones can lessen your ability
to brake and shift.
Be most cautious when it first starts
to rain. That is when the water goes
into all the dimples in the road, and the
oil residue from passing vehicles floats
to the top. That gets slippery! A wise
motorcyclist will stop for a cup of coffee
when it starts to rain; who knows, it
could all be over in 15 minutes, and you
wont even have to put on the rainsuit.
After a while the oil will be washed
off to the side of the road. However,
traction on a wet surface may not be as
good as on a dry road. Be careful.
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Wind
Strong winds can create problems for
a motorcyclist. A constant 25-mph
wind from the side can make for less-
than-happy riding. Gusty wind is the
worst. You might have to lean a bit
into the wind to maintain your position.
Keep the motorcycle on the side of the
lane that the wind is coming from.
This is in case a big blast moves you
over a bit. Expect it and be ready to
react.
Animals
The biggest problem is with domestic
animals. Most seem to have an urge
to chase motorcycles. Those that dont
chase often are known to blunder into
the path of moving vehicles. Dont let
one distract you and cause a spill.
Here are three rules:
If a deer jumps out in front of you
on a country road, but is far enough
ahead not to be worried about
watch out for its mate. They tend to
travel in pairs. Hitting a deer with a
motorcycle is a tough way to put
venison on the table.
42
#1 Slow down well before you
reach the animal.
#2 Do not repeat do not kick
at the animal.
#3 If the animal looks like hes
going to intercept you, speed up
just as you are about to reach
him. It will throw his timing off.
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I
f your motorcycle is properly
maintained, you greatly reduce the
possibility of any equipment failure.
However, just in case ...
Blowouts
If you use tires of good quality, keep
them at the proper pressure, and
change them when the tread is worn,
the chances of having a blowout
are small.
However, should it happen to either
of your tires, you must act quickly
and properly.
44
Equipment Failures Equipment Failures
#1 Do not use the brakes; braking
hard will only make things worse. If
you must use some brake, apply
gradual pressure to the brake on the
good tire and ease over to a safe
spot to stop.
#2 Ease off on the throttle and slow
down gradually; rapid deceleration
could throw the bike out of control.
#3 Hold those handlebars firmly; a
great shuddering may take place as
the out-of-round tire flops against
the pavement, but you are con-
cerned only with keeping that front
wheel pointed ahead until you stop.
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Stuck Throttle
Most riders have had bad dreams
about this, but few have experienced
the problem.
That is why all contemporary
motorcycles have a cut-off switch by
the right thumb. Just in case. Practice
flipping the cut-off switch. Chances
are you will never have a throttle stick,
but if you do, youll know how to deal
with it.
As you hit the cut-off switch, pull in
the clutch (you will probably be in
gear); then look for a safe place to
coast to a stop.
Broken Clutch Cable
Imagine you are cruising along in fifth
gear; you want to shift down; you pull
in the clutch lever and there is no
return action. It just lies up against
the handgrip.
No fun, but not dangerous. You can
shift the bike without a clutch. This is
not advisable unless necessary, but it
can be done. Back off on the throttle
and shift down a gear.
If you have a sensitive foot, you can
probably find neutral before coming to
a complete stop. If not, get set for a
jerky halt.
45
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A
s we said earlier, motorcycling is a
sociable sport, so chances are very
good youll soon be riding with friends
on their motorcycles, and have others
who want to be passengers.
As with any sport, its nice if the
participants all have a general idea of
what to do.
Riding in a Group
It is useful if, before taking off on a
group ride, you get two or three hand
signals organized amongst the
participants: lets stop; need gas;
Im hungry.
A few rules for the group:
46
Group Riding & Passengers Group Riding & Passengers
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47
Riding in a group of more than five
motorcycles can become confusing
both for the group and other traffic
around you. If there are too many
people, break it up into smaller
groups.
Ride in a staggered formation, with
first bike on the left side of the lane,
second on the right side, etc., but
not side by side.
Always keep at least a two-second
following distance from the motor-
cycle directly in front of you.
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At a stoplight or stop sign,
wait in pairs.
Pass other vehicles individually,
when safe not in pairs or groups.
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Carrying
a Passenger
Company is always nice. Some
company weighs 100 pounds,
other company weighs 200
pounds.
Putting extra weight on the
motorcycle will affect the
handling. Adjust your
suspension and tire pressures to
compensate for the amount of
company youve brought along.
(Check your owners manual.)
Also realize that your braking
capabilities have changed; take
that into account. The more
weight you have on the
motorcycle, the longer it may
take to stop.
49
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Passengers should be instructed to
always mount from the same side,
and to warn you before they climb
on. This goes a long way to
preventing a muddled heap lying on
the ground.
Passengers need the same protec-
tion that you do proper clothes and
helmet. Ten-foot scarves flapping in
the wind may look dashing, but not on
a motorcycle. You dont want shoe
laces or loose pants legs catching on
rear wheel or chain parts.
Never carry anyone sidesaddle.
Passengers should always straddle
the bike with their feet securely
planted on the footrests. Tell
passengers not to put a foot down
when you come to a stop.
Show them where the hot things
are like header pipes and mufflers.
Caution passengers against coming in
contact with the hot parts to prevent
any injuries. Also, rubber soles can
melt and leave a mess.
Instruct passengers to hold onto
you at your waist or hips, or the bike's
hand-holds. Ask them to lean forward
slightly when you leave from a stop or
accelerate along the highway.
Also, when you brake, passengers
should be firmly braced against
your waist and should lean back
slightly. You dont want their weight
to shift forward.
Advise passengers not to lean
unless you do. You do not want the
person behind hanging off the bike at
50
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30 degrees; that will do funny things
to the steering. However, when you
lean going around a corner, passen-
gers should definitely lean as well. So
have them look over your shoulder in
the direction of the turn when you go
through a corner; that will put the
weight where you want it.
51
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W
hether it is a carton of milk from
the convenience store, or
camping gear for a three-week trip,
you will end up carrying more than
people on your motorcycle.
All loads should be tied to the
machine. Do not balance a bag of
groceries between your legs for a
short ride home. Strap it to the back
seat with bungee cords or an
elasticized cargo net.
A great carrying device is the tank
bag. It puts the weight where it should
be near the bikes center of gravity.
Make sure it is properly secured and
remember never to carry anything on
the gas tank or inside the fairing that
might interfere with the steering of the
bike. Just imagine what happens if the
bars wont turn far enough big
trouble.
52
Loading the Motorcycle Loading the Motorcycle
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l
e There are appropriate places to
carry loads on a motorcycle, but they
do not include your front forks or
fenders. If your machine comes with
saddlebags a travel trunk, youre set. If
you have none of this, you can always
buy a luggage rack or throw-over
bags; they are very useful items.
When you load saddlebags, keep
equal weight on both sides. This is
even more important when you are
using soft throw-over bags, as an
imbalance can cause one side to drop
down and rest on the muffler. A
blazing saddlebag is no joke.
Keep the weight relatively light in
your travel trunk or on your luggage
rack. Being aft of the rear axle, this is
the worst place on the motorcycle to
carry much weight. It can turn a well-
53
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handling motorcycle into a poor-
handling terror. Sleeping bags go
great back there; a 50-pound sack of
dog food does not.
Check the security of the load
frequently, and make sure nothing is
dangling. It is one thing to lose part of
your luggage, quite another to get it
tangled up in a wheel.
Above all, DO NOT EXCEED THE
GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating)
of your motorcycle! You might find
that figure on the plate attached to the
steering head; sometimes it is found
on the frame; but the best place to look
is in the owners manual. It is written
in pounds, and it includes the weight
of the motorcycle, all gasoline, oil and
coolant, the rider(s), and the luggage.
54
D
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W
e kid you not. Mixing
alcohol or other drugs
with motorcycles is like
putting nitro with glycerine:
theres a dangerous reaction.
Alcohol is a depressant. The first
thing to go is your judgment and
good judgment is essential. Bad
judgment gets you into trouble.
Drinking riders tend to run off the road
more often, have a high percentage of
rider error, and use excessive speed
for conditions around them. Those are
the statistics and that spells trouble.
It takes a long time for the effects of
alcohol to be cleared from your body,
roughly one hour for each bottle of
beer, glass of wine, or shot of liquor.
Nothing but time will shed that
alcohol - not showers, coffee, or
other so-called remedies.
Have a couple of beers if you
wish, but have them at home. Then
you dont have to go anywhere
afterward. If you are going to drink,
dont even think about riding.
Alcohol is not the only drug that
affects your ability to ride safely.
Whether it is an over-the-counter,
prescription, or illegal drug, it may
have side-effects that increase the risks
of riding. Even common cold
medicines could make you drowsy
too drowsy to ride and mixing
alcohol and drugs is even more
dangerous than using either alone.
55
IN A WORD:
DONT
Drugs, Drinking & Riding Drugs, Drinking & Riding
56
Y
oull never know all there
is to know about riding.
But a year from now, youll
know a lot more than you
know now and 10 years
from now; 50 years from
now. If Methuselah had been
a motorcylist, hed have
learned quite a bit in his 969
years but not everything.
Go forth, have a good
time, dont do anything
foolish, and well see you on
the road. Its going to be a
great ride!
C
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Conclusion Conclusion
There is no conclusion.
Motorcycling is a constant learning experience.