Louisiana Motorcycle Manual | Louisiana Motorcycle Handbook

8/2/2019 Louisiana Motorcycle Manual | Louisiana Motorcycle Handbook

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TWELFTHEDITION,NOVEMBER2011 DPSMV2048

Operangamotorcyclesafelyintraffic

requiresspecialskillsandknowledge. The

MotorcycleSafetyFoundaonhasmade

thismanualavailabletohelpnovicemotor

cyclistsreducetheirriskofhavingacrash.

Themanualconveysessenalsafedriving

informaonandhasbeendesignedforuse

insafedrivinginformaonandhasbeen

designedforuseinsafeLicensingprograms.

Whiledesignedforthenovice,allmotorcy

clistscanbenefitfromtheinformaonthis

manualcontains.

TheoriginalMotorcycleOperatorManual

wasdevelopedbytheNaonalPublicSer

vicesResearchInstute(NPSRI)undercon

tracttotheNaonalHighwayTrafficSafety

Administraon(NHTSA)andwithinthe

termsofacooperaveagreementbetween

NHTSAandMotorcycleSafetyFoundaon.

Themanualandrelatedtestswereusedina

mulyearstudyofimprovedmotorcycle

operatorlicensingprocedures,conducted

bytheCaliforniaDepartmentofMotor

VehiclesundercontracttoNHTSA.

Thepurposeofthismanualistoeducate

thereadertohelpavoidcrasheswhilesafe

lyoperangamotorcycle. Forthisedion,

theMotorcycleSafetyFoundaonhasup

datedandexpandedthecontentofthe

originalmanual.

Theserevisionsreflect:

Thelatestfindingofmotorcycle

safetyresearch

Commentsandguidanceprovidedby

themotorcycling,licensing,and

trafficsafetycommunies.

Expandedalcoholanddruginfor

maon.

Inpromongimprovedlicens

ingprograms,theMotorcycleSafetyFoun

daonworkscloselywithstatelicensing

agencies. TheFoundaonhashelped

morethanhalfthestatesinthenaon

adopttheMotorcycleOperatorManual

foruseintheirlicensingsystems.

Improvedlicensing,alongwith

qualitymotorcycleridereducaonand

increasedpublicawareness,hasthepoten

altoreducecrashes. StaffattheFounda

onareavailabletoassiststate,private

andgovernmentalagenciesineffortsto

improvemotorcyclesafety.

TimBuche

President,

MotorcycleSafetyFoundaon

LOUISIANA DEPARTMENT OF

PUBLIC SAFETY & CORRECTIONS

Pleasedonotcontactprinterforaddionalcopiesofthispublicaon. Youmayobtainacopyfrom

yournearestOfficeofMotorVehicles.

Visitourwebsiteat: hp://www.expresslane.org


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CONTENTS

Alcohol in the Body ...........................................42

Alcohol and the Law ..........................................44

Minimize the Risks ............................................44

Step in to Protect Friends .................................45

Fatigue ..............................................................45

EARNING YOUR LICENSE

Knowledge Test..................................................46

On-Cycle Skill Test ....47

THREE-WHEEL SUPPLEMENT

Supplementary Information

for Three-Wheel Motorcycles ..........48

Know Your Vehicle ............................................48

Basic Vehicle Control ........................................50

Carrying Passengers and Cargo .........................53

Definitions ....... 54

Mandatory Requirements for Louisiana

Motorcyclists .......54

Lamps and Other Lighting Equipment ....56

Other Equipment .....57

Motorcycles, Motorbikes, and

Motor Scooters ........58

Tests for Suspected Drunken Drivers ..60

A FEW MORE SUGGESTIONS ......61

THE RIDER AND

THE MOTORCYCLE ................................................4

PREPARING TO RIDE

Wear the Right Gear .............................................5

Know Your Motorcycle ..........................................7

Know Your Responsibilities .................................10

RIDE WITHIN YOUR ABILITIES

Basic Vehicle Control ........................................11

Keeping Your Distance ........................................15

SEE .......................................................................20

Intersections .......................................................21

Increasing Conspicuity ........................................24

Crash Avoidance ..................................................27

Handling Dangerous Surfaces .............................30

Mechanical Problems ..........................................33

Animals ................................................................34

Flying Objects ......................................................35

Getting Off the Road ...........................................35

Carrying Passengers

and Cargo ............................................................35

Group Riding .......................................................38

BEING IN SHAPE TO RIDE

Why This Information Is

Important ..........................................................42

Alcohol and Other Drugs in

Motorcycle Operation .......................................42


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4 THE RIDER AND THE MOTORCYCLE

Motorcycling is aunique experience.Compared to a car,

you dont sit in amotorcycle, youbecome part of it.Not as a passivedriver, but as anactive rider arcinginto a string ofsmooth corners,playing along withthe rhythm of theroad; shifting,

accelerating,and brakingwith precision.Whether youride to and fromwork or preferthe camaraderie of a group ride on theweekend, motorcycling engages all yoursenses and creates an invigorating senseof freedom.

Along with that freedom comesresponsibility. All states requiresome form of license endorsementdemonstrating you possess a minimumlevel of skill and knowledge. Thisbooklet and other motorcyclepublications can help prepare you tobe successful. You might also considertaking a formal hands-on trainingcourse, even if your state doesnt requirethat you complete one. Youll learn howto improve your riding skills and mentalstrategies, so you can be a safer, morealert rider.

The diagram above illustrates thecomplex environment that awaits you,

and supports the concept that, as theMotorcycle Safety Foundation says,Safe riding is as much a skill of theeyes and mind as it is of the hands andfeet.

Successfully piloting a motorcycle is a

much more involved task than driving acar. Motorcycling requires a fine sense

of balance and a heightened sense ofawareness and position amidst otherroadway users. A motorcycle respondsmore quickly to rider inputs than a car,but is also more sensitive to outsideforces, like irregular road surfaces orcrosswinds. A motorcycle is also lessvisible than a car due to its narrowerprofile, and offers far less protection byexposing its rider to other traffic andthe elements. All these risks can bemanaged through study, training, andpractice.

RIDING ENVIRONMENT


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PREPARING TO RIDE 5

What you do before you start a trip goes a long way toward determiningwhether or not youll get where you want to go safely. Before taking off on anytrip, a safe rider makes a point to:

1. Wear the right gear.

2. Become familiar with the motorcycle.

3. Check the motorcycle equipment.

4. Be a responsible rider.

WEAR THE RIGHT GEAR

When you ride, your gear is rightif it protects you. In any crash, you havea far better chance of avoiding seriousinjury if you wear:

A DOT compliant helmet.

Face or eye protection.

Protective clothing.

Helmet Use

Crashes can occur particularlyamong untrained, beginning riders.And one out of every five motorcycle

crashes results in head or neck injuries.Head injuries are just as severe as neckinjuries and far more common. Crash

analyses show that head and neckinjuries account for a majority of seriousand fatal injuries to motorcyclists.Research also shows that, with fewexceptions, head and neck injuries arereduced by properly wearing a qualityhelmet.

Some riders dont wear helmetsbecause they think helmets will limittheir view to the sides. Others wearhelmets only on long trips or whenriding at high speeds. But, here aresome facts to consider:

A DOT-compliant helmet letsyou see as far to the sides asnecessary. A study of more than900 motorcycle crashes, where40% of the riders wore helmets,did not find even one case in which

a helmet kept a rider from spottingdanger.

Most crashes happen on shorttrips (less than five miles long), just

a few minutes after starting out. Most riders are riding slower than

30 mph when a crash occurs. Atthese speeds, helmets can cut boththe number and the severity of headinjuries by half.

No matter what the speed, helmetedriders are three times more likely tosurvive head injuries than those notwearing helmets at the time of thecrash. The single most important thingyou can do to improve your chances ofsurviving a crash is to wear a securely-fastened, quality helmet.

Helmet Selection

There are two primary types ofhelmets, providing two different levelsof coverage: three-quarter and full face.

Whichever style you choose, you canget the most protection by making surethat the helmet:

Is designed to meet U.S.Department of Transportation(DOT) and state standards. Helmetswith a label from the Snell MemorialFoundation also give you an

assurance of quality. Fits snugly, all the way around.

Has no obvious defects such ascracks, loose padding or frayedstraps.


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6 PREPARING TO RIDE

Whatever helmet youdecide on, keep it securelyfastened on your head

when you ride. Otherwise,if you are involved in acrash, its likely to fly offyour head before it gets achance to protect you.

Eye and FaceProtection

A plastic shatter-resistantfaceshield can help protectyour whole face in a

crash. It also protects youfrom wind, dust, dirt, rain, insects andpebbles thrown up from cars ahead.These problems are distracting andcan be painful. If you have to dealwith them, you cant devote your fullattention to the road.

Goggles protect your eyes, thoughthey wont protect the rest of your face

like a faceshield does. A windshieldis not a substitute for a faceshield orgoggles. Most windshields will notprotect your eyes from the wind. Neither

will eyeglasses or sunglasses. Glasseswont keep your eyes from watering,and they might blow off when you turnyour head while riding.

To be effective, eye or faceshieldprotection must:

Be free of scratches.

Be resistant to penetration.

Give a clear view to either side.

Fasten securely, so it does notblow off.

Permit air to pass through, to

reduce fogging. Permit enough room for

eyeglasses or sunglasses, if needed.

Tinted eye protection should not beworn when little light is available.

Clothing

The right clothing protects you ina collision. It also provides comfort,as well as protection from heat, cold,debris and hot and moving parts of themotorcycle. It can also make you morevisible to others.

Jacket and pants should coverarms and legs completely. Theyshould fit snugly enough to keepfrom flapping in the wind, yet

loosely enough to move freely.Leather offers the most protection.Sturdy synthetic material providesa lot of protection as well. Weara jacket even in warm weather toprevent dehydration. Many aredesigned to protect without gettingyou overheated, even on summerdays. Some riders choose jacketsand pants with rigid body armorinserts in critical areas for additionalprotection.

Boots or shoes should be highand sturdy enough to cover yourankles and give them support. Soles

should be made of hard, durable,slip-resistant material. Keep heelsshort so they do not catch on rough

surfaces. Tuck in laces so they wontcatch on your motorcycle.

HELMETS


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7

Gloves allow a better grip and helpprotect your hands in a crash. Yourgloves should be made of leather or

similar durable material.

Hearing protection reducesnoise while allowing you to hearimportant sounds such as car hornsor sirens. Long term exposure toengine and wind noise can causepermanent hearing damage evenif you wear a full face helmet.Whether you choose disposablefoam plugs or reusable custommolded devices, be sure you adhereto state laws regarding hearingprotection.

In cold or wet weather, your clothes

should keep you warm and dry, aswell as protect you from injury. Youcannot control a motorcycle well ifyou are numb. Riding for long periodsin cold weather can cause severe chilland fatigue. A winter jacket shouldresist wind and fit snugly at the neck,wrists and waist. Good-quality rainsuitsdesigned for motorcycle riding resisttearing apart or ballooning up at high

speeds.

KNOW YOURMOTORCYCLE

There are plenty of things on thehighway that can cause you trouble.Your motorcycle should not be oneof them. To make sure that your

motorcycle wont let you down:

Start with the right motorcyclefor you.

Read the owners manual.

Be familiar with the motorcyclecontrols.

Check the motorcycle beforeevery ride.

Keep it in safe riding conditionbetween rides.

Avoid add-ons and modificationsthat make your motorcycle harderto handle.

The Right Motorcycle For You

First, make sure your motorcycle isright for you. It should fit you. Yourfeet should reach the ground whileyou are seated on the motorcycle, andthe controls should be easy to operate.Smaller motorcycles are usually easierfor beginners to operate.

At a minimum, your street-legalmotorcycle should have:

Headlight, taillight andbrakelight.

CLOTHING

A plastic shatter-resistant faceshield:

A. Is not necessary if you have awindshield.

B. Only protects your eyes.

C. Helps protect your whole face.

D. Does not protect your face as wellas goggles.

TEST YOURSELF 1

Answer - page 47


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8 PREPARING TO RIDE

Front and rear brakes. Turn signals.

Horn.

Two mirrors.

Borrowing and Lending

Borrowers and lenders of motorcycles,beware. Crashes are fairly commonamong beginning riders especiallyin the first months of riding. Ridingan unfamiliar motorcycle adds to theproblem. If you borrow a motorcycle,get familiar with it in a controlled area.

And if you lend your motorcycle tofriends, make sure they are licensed andknow how to ride before allowing themout into traffic.

No matter how experienced youmay be, ride extra carefully on any

motorcycle thats new or unfamiliarto you. More than half of all crashes

involve riders with less than five monthsof experience on their motorcycle.

Get Familiar with theMotorcycle Controls

Make sure you are completely familiarwith the motorcycle before you takeit out on the street. Be sure to review

the owners manual. This is particularlyimportant if you are riding a borrowedmotorcycle.

If you are going to use an unfamiliarmotorcycle:

Make all the checks you would onyour own motorcycle.

Find out where everything is,particularly the turn signals, horn,headlight switch, fuel-supply valve

and engine cut-off switch. Find andoperate these items without havingto look for them.

MOTORCYCLE CONTROLS


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9

Know the controls. Work thethrottle, clutch, brakes, and shifter afew times before you start riding.

Ride very cautiously and be awareof surroundings. Accelerate gently,take turns more slowly and leaveextra room for stopping.

Check Your Motorcycle

A motorcycle needs more frequentattention than a car. A minor technicalfailure on a car is seldom more than aninconvenience for the driver. The samefailure on a motorcycle may result in acrash or having to leave your motorcycleparked on the side of the road. Ifanythings wrong with your motorcycle,youll want to find out about it beforeyou get in traffic.

The primary source of informationabout how a motorcycle should beinspected and maintained is its ownersmanual. Be sure to absorb all of itsimportant information. A motorcycle willcontinue to ride like new if it is properly

maintained and routine inspectionsbecome part of its maintenance cycle.

A pre-ride inspection only takesa few minutes and should be donebefore every ride to prevent problems.Its quick and easy to check the criticalcomponents and should be as routineand automatic as checking the weatherforecast before heading out for the day.A convenient reminder developed byMSF is T-CLOCSSM. There is a T-CLOCStear-out sheet at the back of thismanual for you to keep with you whenyou ride. A T-CLOCS inspection shouldbe conducted before every ride, andincludes checks of:

T Tires and Wheels

Check tire inflation pressure,treadwear and general condition ofsidewalls and tread surface.

Try the front and rear brake leversone at a time. Make sure each feelsfirm and holds the motorcycle whenfully applied.

C Controls

Make sure the clutch and throttleoperate smoothly. The throttleshould snap back to fully closedwhen released. The clutch shouldfeel tight and should operatesmoothly.

Try the horn. Make sure it works.

Clean and adjust your mirrors

before starting. Its difficult to ridewith one hand while you try toadjust a mirror. Adjust each mirrorso you can see the lane behind andas much as possible of the lane nextto you. When properly adjusted, amirror may show the edge of yourarm or shoulder but its the roadbehind you and to the side that aremost important.

L Lights and Electrics

Check both headlight and taillight.Test your switch to make sure both

high and low beams work. Turn on both right and left hand

turn signals. Make sure all lights areworking properly.

Try both brakes and make sure eachone turns on the brake light.

O Oil and Other Fluids

Check engine oil and transmissionfluid levels.

Check the brake hydraulic fluid andcoolant level weekly.

Be sure your fuel valve is open

before starting out. With the fuelvalve closed, your motorcycle maystart with only the fuel that is still inthe lines, but will stall once the linesare empty.


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10 PREPARING TO RIDE

Look underneath the motorcycle forsigns of an oil or fuel leak.

C Chassis

Check the front suspension. Ensurethere is no binding. The rear shocksand springs should move smoothly.

Be sure the chain is adjustedaccording to the manufacturersspecifications and that the sprocketsare not worn or damaged.

S Stands

Ensure the side stand operates

smoothly and that the spring holdsit tightly in the up position. Ifequipped, the center stand shouldalso be held firmly against the framewhenever the motorcycle is moving.

Additionally, regular maintenancesuch as tune-ups and oil changes are asimportant for a motorcycle as routine

checkups by your doctor are for you.Wear and tear is normal with use;routine maintenance will help preventcostly breakdowns. The schedule forregular upkeep for motorcycle partsand controls is contained in your

motorcycles owners manual.

KNOW YOUR

RESPONSIBILITIES

Accident implies an unforeseenevent that occurs without fault ornegligence. In traffic, that is not thecase. In fact, most people involved in acrash can claim some responsibility forwhat takes place.

Consider a situation where someonedecides to drive through an intersectionon a yellow light turning red. Your

light turns green. You pull into theintersection without checking forpossible traffic. That is all it takes for thetwo of you to crash. It was the driversresponsibility to stop, and it was your

responsibility to look before pulling out.Both of you are at fault. Someone elsemight be the first to start the chain ofevents leading to a crash, but it doesntleave any of us free of responsibility.

As a rider you cant be sure that otheroperators will see you or yield the rightof way. To lessen your chances of acrash occurring:

Be visible wear proper clothing,use your headlight, ride in the bestlane position to see and be seen.

Communicate your intentions

use the proper signals, brake lightand lane position.

Maintain an adequate spacecushion when following, beingfollowed, lane sharing, passing andbeing passed.

Search your path of travel 12seconds ahead.

Identify and separate hazards.

Be prepared to act remain alertand know how to carry out propercrash-avoidance skills.

Blame doesnt matter when someoneis injured in a crash. The ability to rideaware, make critical decisions and carrythem out separates responsible ridersfrom the rest. Remember, it is up to youto keep from being the cause of, or anunprepared participant in, any crash.

More than half of all crashes:

A. Occur at speeds greater than35mph.

B. Happen at night.C. Are caused by worn tires.

D. Involve riders who have less thanfive months of experience on theirmotorcycles.

TEST YOURSELF 2

Answer - page 47


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RIDE WITHIN YOUR ABILITIES 11

This manual cannot teach you how to control direction, speed or balance.Thats something you can learn only through practice, preferably in a formalcourse of instruction like an MSF RiderCourse. But control begins with knowingyour abilities and riding within them, along with knowing and obeying the rulesof the road.

BASIC VEHICLE CONTROL

Body Position

To control a motorcycle well:

Posture Position yourselfcomfortably so you are able tooperate all the controls and can use

your arms to steer the motorcycle,rather than to hold yourself up.This helps you bond with yourmotorcycle and allows you to reactquickly to hazards.

Seat Sit far enough forward sothat arms are slightly bent whenyou hold the handgrips. Bendingyour arms permits you to press onthe handlebars without having tostretch.

Hands Hold the handgripsfirmly to keep your grip over rough

surfaces. Start with your rightwrist flat. This will help you keepfrom accidentally using too much

HOLDING HANDGRIPS

throttle. Also, adjust the handlebarsso your hands are even with orbelow your elbows. This permitsyou to use the proper muscles forprecision steering.

Knees Keep your knees againstthe gas tank to help you keep your

balance as the motorcycle turns. Feet Keep your feet firmly on the

footrests to maintain balance. Dontdrag your feet. If your foot catcheson something, you could be injuredand it could affect your control ofthe motorcycle. Keep your feet near

the controls so you can get to themfast if needed. Also, dont let yourtoes point downward they mayget caught between the road andthe footrests.

Shifting Gears

There is more to shifting gears thansimply getting the motorcycle to pickup speed smoothly. Learning to use thegears when downshifting, turning orstarting on hills is equally important forsafe motorcycle operation.

The gearshift lever is located in frontof the left footrest and is operated bythe left foot. To shift up to a highergear, position your foot under theshift lever and lift. To downshift, pressthe shift lever down. The shift leverchanges one gear each time it is lifted

or pressed down. Whenever the leveris released, spring loading returns it tocenter, where the mechanism resets

for the next shift up or down. A typicalgear pattern is 1-N-2-3-4-5. The N is


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12 RIDE WITHIN YOUR ABILITIES

for neutral, which is selected by eithera half lift from 1st gear or a halfpress from 2nd gear. Most motorcycles

have five gears, but some have four orsix gears.

As your motorcycle increasesspeed, you will need to shift up to ahigher gear. Shift up well before theengine RPM reaches its maximumrecommended speed. As a general rule,shift up soon enough to avoid over-revving the engine, but not so soon tocause the engine to lug.

When upshifting, use a 3-stepprocess: 1) Roll off the throttle as yousqueeze the clutch lever, 2) lift theshift lever firmly as far as it will go, 3)smoothly ease out the clutch and adjustthe throttle. Once the shift is completed,release the shift lever to permit it to

reset for the next shift.

You should shift down through thegears with the clutch as you slow orstop, and can also shift down when youneed more power to accelerate.

Make certain you are riding slowly

enough when you shift into a lowergear. If not, the motorcycle will lurch,and the rear wheel may skid. Whenriding downhill or shifting into first gearyou may need to use the brakes to slow

enough before downshifting safely.When downshifting, use a 3-step

process: 1) Roll off the throttle as yousqueeze the clutch lever, 2) press theshift lever down firmly, 3) ease out theclutch lever as you roll on the throttle.Once the shift is completed, releasethe shift lever to permit it to reset forthe next shift. Rolling on the throttle

slightly while smoothly easing out theclutch can help the engine come upto speed more quickly and make thedownshift smoother. Shifting to a lowergear causes an effect similar to usingthe brakes. This is known as enginebraking. To use engine braking, shiftdown one gear at a time and ease outthe clutch through the friction zonebetween each downshift. Keep theclutch in the friction zone until theengine speed stabilizes. Then ease outthe lever fully until ready for the nextdownshift. Usually you shift gears one ata time, but it is possible to shift throughmore than one gear while the clutch issqueezed.

Remain in first gear while you are

stopped so that you can move outquickly if you need to.

Work toward a smooth, even clutchrelease, especially when downshifting. Itis best to change gears before enteringa turn. However, sometimes shiftingwhile in the turn is necessary. If so,remember to do so smoothly. A suddenchange in power to the rear wheel cancause a skid.

Braking

Improper braking technique remainsa significant contributing factor in manymotorcycle crashes. Your motorcyclehas two brake controls: one for thefront wheel and one for the rear wheel.Always use both brakes every time you

SHIFTING GEARS


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13

slow or stop. The front brake is morepowerful and can provide at least 70%of your total stopping power. The front

brake is safe to use if you use it properly.

Maximum straight-line braking isaccomplished by fully applying bothfront and rear brakes without lockingeither wheel.

To do this:

Squeeze the front brakesmoothly, firmly and withprogressively more force. Do notgrab the brake lever or use abrupt

pressure. As the motorcycles weight

transfers forward, more tractionbecomes available at the frontwheel, so the front brake can beapplied harder after braking begins.

Keep your knees against thetank and your eyes up, lookingwell ahead. This helps you stop themotorcycle in a straight line.

Apply light-to-lighter pressureto the rear brake pedal to prevent arear wheel skid. As weight transfers

forward less traction is availableat the rear. Use less rear brakepressure.

Using both brakes for even normalstops will permit you to develop theproper habit or skill of using both brakesproperly in an emergency. Squeeze thefront brake and press down on the rear.Grabbing at the front brake or jammingdown on the rear can cause the brakesto lock, resulting in control problems.

Braking in a Corner

Any time a motorcycle is leaned over,the amount of traction available forbraking is reduced. The greater the leanangle, the more the possibility of thetires losing traction.

To stop as quickly and as safely aspossible in a curve, and depending onroad and traffic conditions, try to get the

motorcycle as perpendicular to the roadas possible, then brake. If conditions donot allow, brake smoothly and gradually,but do not apply as much braking forceas you would if the motorcycle werestraight up. As you slow, you can reduceyour lean angle, and as more tractionbecomes available for braking, you canmore firmly apply the brakes, so thatby the time the motorcycle is stopped,the motorcycle is straight up, and the

handlebars are squared.

Linked and IntegratedBraking Systems

Some motorcycles have linked brakingwhich connects the front and rearbrakes on the motorcycle and appliesbraking pressure to both brakes wheneither the front lever or rear pedal isapplied. An integrated braking systemis a variation of the linked system in

which partial front braking is appliedwhenever the rear brake is activated.Consult your owners manual for a

detailed explanation on the operationand effective use of these systems.

Anti-Lock Braking Systems(ABS)

ABS is designed to prevent wheellock-up and avoid skids when stoppingin straight-line, panic situations. ABSoperates when maximum pressure onboth the front and rear brake controlsis applied. If electronic sensors detectthe possibility of a wheel lock, brakehydraulic pressure, is released then

reapplied to maintain maximum brakingeffectiveness.

The system is capable of releasing and

reapplying pressure more than 15 timesper second.


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TurningApproach turns and curves with

caution. Riders often try to take curvesor turns too fast. When they cant holdthe turn, they end up crossing intoanother lane of traffic or going off theroad. Or, they overreact and brake toohard, causing a skid and loss of control.

Use four steps for better control:

SLOW Reduce speed before theturn by closing the throttle and, ifnecessary, applying both brakes.

LOOK Look through the turnto where you want to go. Turnjust your head, not your shoulders,and keep your eyes level with thehorizon.

PRESS To turn, the motorcyclemust lean. To lean the motor-cycle, press on the handgrip inthe direction of the turn. Press lefthandgrip lean left go left.Press right handgrip lean right go right. The higher the speed in aturn, the greater the lean angle.

ROLL Roll on the throttle tomaintain or slightly increase speed.This helps stabilize the motorcycle.

In normal turns, the rider and themotorcycle should lean together at thesame angle.

In slow, tight turns, counterbalance byleaning the motorcycle only and keepingyour body straight.

SLOW, TIGHT TURNS

NORMAL TURNS

When riding, you should:

A. Turn your head and shouldersto look through turns.

B. Keep your arms straight.

C. Keep your knees away fromthe gas tank.

D. Turn just your head and eyesto look where you are going.

TEST YOURSELF 3

Answer - page 47


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15

KEEPING YOUR DISTANCEThe best protection you can have is

distance a cushion of space separating yourself from other vehicleson the roadway. This will provide youwith a clear view of emerging trafficsituations, so that if someone elsemakes a mistake, you will have:

More time to respond.

More space to maneuver, includingan escape route if necessary.

Lane Positions

Successful motorcyclists know thatthey are safer when clearly seen. Insome ways the size of the motorcyclecan work to your advantage. Each trafficlane gives a motorcycle three paths oftravel, as indicated in the illustration.

Your lane position should help you:

Increase your ability to see and beseen.

Avoid others blind spots.

Avoid surface hazards.

Protect your lane from other drivers.

Communicate your intentions.

Avoid windblast from othervehicles.

Provide an escape route.

Set up for turns.

Many motorcyclists consider the leftthird of the lane the left tire track ofautomobiles to be their default laneposition. You should then considervarying your lane position as conditionswarrant, keeping mind that no portionof the lane need be avoided including the center.

You should position yourself in the

portion of the lane where you are mostlikely to be seen and you can maintaina space cushion around you. Changeposition as traffic situations change.Ride in path 2 or 3 if vehicles and otherpotential problems are on your leftonly. Remain in path 1 or 2 if hazardsare on your right only. If vehicles arebeing operated on both sides of you,the center of the lane, path 2, is usuallyyour best option.

Remember, the center third of thelane is the place where debris and oildrippings from cars collect and wherehazards such as manhole covers are

located. Unless the road is wet, the

LANE POSITIONS


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average center strip permits adequatetraction to ride on safely. You canoperate to the left or right of the greasestrip and still be within the center thirdof the traffic lane. Avoid riding on bigbuildups of oil and grease usually foundat busy intersections or tollbooths.

Experienced riders rely on their ownbest judgment and instincts. Oneabsolute, however, is to avoid riding inanother vehicles blind spot.

Following Another Vehicle

Following too closely is a factor incrashes involving motorcyclists. In traffic,motorcycles need as much distanceto stop as cars. Normally, a minimumof two seconds distance should bemaintained behind the vehicle ahead.

To gauge your following distance:

Pick out a marker, such as a

pavement marking or lamppost, onor near the road ahead.

When the rear bumper of thevehicle ahead passes the marker,

count off the seconds: one-thousand-one, one-thousand-two.

If you reach the marker beforeyou reach two, you are followingtoo closely.

A two-second following distanceleaves a minimum amount of space tostop or swerve if the driver ahead stopssuddenly. It also permits a better view ofpotholes and other hazards in the road.

A larger cushion of space is neededif your motorcycle will take longerthan normal to stop. If the pavementis slippery, if you cannot see throughthe vehicle ahead, or if traffic is heavyand someone may squeeze in front ofyou, open up a three-second or morefollowing distance.

Keep well behind the vehicle aheadeven when you are stopped. This willmake it easier to get out of the way

if someone bears down on you frombehind. It will also give you a cushion ofspace if the vehicle ahead starts to backup for some reason.

FOLLOWING


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17

When behind a car, ride where thedriver can see you in the rearview mirror.Riding in the center portion of the laneshould put your image in the middle ofthe rearview mirror where a driver ismost likely to see you.

Riding at the far side of a lane maypermit a driver to see you in a sideviewmirror. But remember that most driversdont look at their sideview mirrorsnearly as often as they check therearview mirror. If the traffic situationallows, the center portion of the lane isusually the best place for you to be seenby the drivers ahead and to prevent lane

sharing by others.

Being Followed

Speeding up to lose someone followingtoo closely only ends up with someonetailgating you at a higher speed.

A better way to handle tailgatersis to get them in front of you. Whensomeone is following too closely,change lanes and let them pass. If youcant do this, slow down and open upextra space ahead of you to allow roomfor both you and the tailgater to stop.This will also encourage them to pass.If they dont pass, you will have givenyourself and the tailgater more time andspace to react in case an emergencydoes develop ahead.

Passing and Being Passed

Passing and being passed by anothervehicle is not much different than with acar. However, visibility is more critical. Besure other drivers see you, and that you

see potential hazards.

Passing1. Ride in the left portion of the

lane at a safe following distanceto increase your line of sight andmake you more visible. Signaland check for oncoming traffic.Use your mirrors and turn yourhead to look for traffic behind.

2. When safe, move into the leftlane and accelerate. Select a laneposition that doesnt crowd thecar and provides space to avoidhazards in your lane.

3. Ride through the blind spot as

quickly as possible.

4. Signal again, and completemirror and headchecks beforereturning to your original laneand then cancel the signal.

Remember, passes must becompleted within posted speedlimits, and only where permitted.Know your signs and road markings!

PASSING


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Being PassedWhen you are being passed from

behind, stay in the center portion ofyour lane. Riding close to the passingvehicle could put you in a hazardoussituation.

Avoid being hit by:

The other vehicle A slightmistake by you or the passing drivercould cause a sideswipe.

Extended mirrors Some driversforget that their mirrors hang outfarther than their fenders.

Objects thrown from windows Even if the driver knows yourethere, a passenger may not see youand might toss something on you orthe road ahead of you.

Blasts of wind from largervehicles They can affect yourcontrol. You have more room forerror if you are in the middle portionwhen hit by this blast than if youare on either side of the lane.

Do not move into the portion of thelane farthest from the passing vehicle. Itmight invite the other driver to cut backinto your lane too early.

Lane Sharing

Cars and motorcycles need a full laneto operate safely. Lane sharing is usuallyprohibited.

Riding between rows of stopped ormoving cars in the same lane can leaveyou vulnerable to the unexpected. Ahand could come out of a window;a door could open; a car could turn

suddenly. Discourage lane sharing byothers. Keep a center-portion positionwhenever drivers might be temptedto squeeze by you. Drivers are mosttempted to do this:

In heavy, bumper-to-bumpertraffic.

When they want to pass you.

When you are preparing to turn atan intersection.

When you are moving into an exitlane or leaving a highway.

Usually, a good way to handletailgaters is to:

A. Change lanes and let them pass.

B. Use your horn and makeobscene gestures.

C. Speed up to put distancebetween you and the tailgater.

D. Ignore them.

TEST YOURSELF 4

Answer - page 47

BEING PASSED


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19

MERGING BLIND SPOTS

Merging CarsDrivers on an entrance ramp may

not see you on the highway. Give themplenty of room. Change to another laneif one is open. If there is no room for alane change, adjust speed to open upspace for the merging driver.

Cars AlongsideDo not ride next to cars or trucks in

other lanes if you do not have to. Youmight be in the blind spot of a car in thenext lane, which could switch into yourlane without warning. Cars in the nextlane also block your escape if you comeupon danger in your own lane. Speedup or drop back to find a place clear oftraffic on both sides.


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considered enough time and space to

swerve and/or brake for fixed hazards orfor someone or something entering yourpath of travel.

Finally, experienced riders search forhazards that are further out, lookingahead to an area it would take about12 seconds to reach. This providestime to prepare for a situation before itbecomes immediate.

Using the SEE strategy will help you toSearch for a variety of factors such as:

Oncoming traffic that may turn leftin front of you.

Traffic coming from the left andfrom the right.

Traffic approaching from behind.

SEEGood, experienced

riders are always aware ofwhat is going on aroundthem. They reduce theirrisk by using MSFs three-step SEESM strategy:

Search

Evaluate

Execute

SEE will help youassess what is going on

in traffic so you can planand implement the safestcourse of action as traffic

situations change. Letslook at each of thesesteps.

Search

How assertively yousearch, and how muchtime and space you have,

can eliminate or minimizerisk. As you search, focuson finding potential escape routes,

especially in or around intersections,shopping areas and school andconstruction zones.

One way to search is to use yourRiderRadar to aggressively scan theenvironment ahead of you, to the sides,and behind you to avoid potentialhazards even before they arise. Thereare three lead times experiencedriders consider. First, be alert and scanfor hazards that are about 2 secondsahead of you, or within your followingdistance. Scanning your 4-second

immediate path can allow you time fora quick response if something shouldgo wrong. Anything that is within 4seconds of your path is consideredimmediate because 4 seconds is

RIDER RADAR


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21

To reduce your reaction time, youshould:

A. Ride slower than the speedlimit.

B. Cover the clutch and the brakes.

C. Shift into neutral when slowing.

D. Pull in the clutch when turning.

TEST YOURSELF 5

Answer - page 47

Hazardous road conditions thatrequire you to be alert, especially inareas with limited visibility. Visuallybusy surroundings could hide youand your motorcycle from others.

Evaluate

Evaluate means to think about howhazards can interact to create risks foryou. Anticipate potential problems andhave a plan to reduce risks, particularlywhen faced with:

Road and surface characteristicssuch as potholes, guardrails,bridges, telephone poles and treesthat wont move into your path, butmay influence your riding strategy.

Traffic control devices includingtraffic signals, warning signs, andpavement markings, which willrequire you to carefully evaluate

circumstances ahead.

Vehicles and other traffic thatmay move into your path andincrease the likelihood of a crash.Think about your time and spacerequirements in order to maintain a

margin of safety, and give yourselftime to react if an emergency arises.

Execute

Finally, Execute your decision. Tocreate more space and minimize harmfrom any hazard:

Communicate your presence withlights and/or horn.

Adjust your speed by accelerating,stopping or slowing.

Adjust your position and/or

direction by swerving, changinglanes, or moving to another positionwithin your lane.

Apply the old adage one step at atime to handle two or more hazards.Adjust speed to permit two hazards

to separate. Then deal with them oneat a time as single hazards. Decision-making becomes more complex withthree or more hazards. Evaluate theconsequences of each and give equaldistance to the hazards.

In potential high-risk areas, such asintersections, shopping areas and schooland construction zones, cover the clutchand both brakes to reduce the time youneed to react.

INTERSECTIONS

The greatest potential for conflictbetween you and other traffic is atintersections. An intersection can bein the middle of an urban area or ata driveway on a residential street anywhere traffic may cross your path oftravel. Over one-half of motorcycle/carcrashes are caused by drivers entering ariders right-of-way. Cars that turn left infront of you, including cars turning leftfrom the lane on your right, and cars on

side streets that pull into your lane, arethe biggest dangers. Your use of SEEat intersections is critical.


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There are no guarantees thatothers see you. Never count on eyecontact as a sign that a driver willyield. Too often, a driver looks right at amotorcyclist and still fails to see him

or her. The only eyes that you can counton are your own. If a car can enter yourpath, assume that it will. Good ridersare always looking for trouble not

to get into it, but to stay out of it.

Increase your chances of beingseen at intersections. Ride with yourheadlight on and in a lane position thatprovides the best view of oncomingtraffic. Provide a space cushion around

the motorcycle that permits you totake evasive action. When approachingan intersection where a vehicle driveris preparing to cross your path, slowdown and select a lane position toincrease your visibility to that driver.Cover the clutch lever and both brakes

to reduce reaction time. As you enter

Making eye contact with otherdrivers:

A. Is a good sign they see you.

B. Is not worth the effort it takes.C. Doesnt mean that the driver will

yield.

D. Guarantees that the other driver willyield to you.

TEST YOURSELF 6

Answer - page 47

LARGE INTERSECTIONS

SMALL INTERSECTION


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23

STOP SIGNS

PARKED CARS

the intersection, move away from thevehicle. Do not change speed or positionradically, as drivers might think you

are preparing to turn. Be prepared tobrake hard and hold your position if anoncoming vehicle turns in front of you,especially if there is other traffic aroundyou. This strategy should also be usedwhenever a vehicle in the oncominglane of traffic is signaling for a left turn,whether at an intersection or not.

Blind Intersections

If you approach a blind intersection,

move to the portion of the lane that willbring you into another drivers field ofvision at the earliest possible moment.In this picture, the rider has moved tothe left portion of the lane awayfrom the parked car so the driver onthe cross street can see him as soon aspossible.

Remember, the key is to see as muchas possible and remain visible to otherswhile protecting your space.

If you have a stop sign or stop line,stop there first. Then edge forward

and stop again, just short of where thecross-traffic lane meets your lane. Fromthat position, lean your body forwardand look around buildings, parked carsor bushes to see if anything is coming.Just make sure your front wheel staysout of the cross lane of travel whileyoure looking.

Passing Parked Cars

When passing parked cars, staytoward the left of your lane. Youcan avoid problems caused by doorsopening, drivers getting out of cars

or people stepping from betweencars. If oncoming traffic is present, itis usually best to remain in the center-lane position to maximize your spacecushion.

BLIND INTERSECTIONS


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A bigger problem can occur if thedriver pulls away from the curb withoutchecking for traffic behind. Even if he

does look, he may fail to see you.

In either event, the driver might cutinto your path. Slow down or changelanes to make room for someonecutting in.

Cars making a sudden U-turn arethe most dangerous. They may cutyou off entirely, blocking the wholeroadway and leaving you with noplace to go. Since you cant tell what a

driver will do, slow down and get thedrivers attention. Sound your horn andcontinue with caution.

Parking at the Roadside

If parking in a parallel parking spacenext to a curb, position the motorcycleat an angle with the rear wheel to thecurb. (Note: Some cities have ordinances

that require motorcycles to park parallelto the curb.)

Increasing Conspicuity

In crashes with motorcyclists, drivers

often say that they never saw themotorcycle. From ahead or behind, amotorcycles outline is much smallerthan a cars. Also, its hard to see

something you are not looking for,and most drivers are not looking formotorcycles. More likely, they arelooking through the skinny, two-wheeled silhouette in search of cars thatmay pose a problem to them.

Even if a driver does see you coming,you arent necessarily safe. Smallervehicles appear farther away andseem to be traveling slower than theyactually are. It is common for driversto pull out in front of motorcyclists,thinking they have plenty of time. Toooften, they are wrong.

However, you can do many things tomake it easier for others to recognizeyou and your motorcycle.

Clothing

Most crashes occur in broad daylight.Wear bright-colored clothing to increaseyour chances of being seen. Remember,your body is half of the visible surfacearea of the rider/motorcycle unit.

Bright orange, red, yellow or greenjackets/vests are your best bets for being

seen. Your helmet can do more thanprotect you in a crash. Brightly coloredhelmets can also help others see you.

Any bright color is better than drab

or dark colors. Reflective, bright-coloredclothing (helmet and jacket/vest) is best.

Reflective material on a vest and onthe sides of the helmet will help driverscoming from the side to spot you.Reflective material can also be a bighelp for drivers coming toward you orfrom behind.

Headlight

The best way to help others see yourmotorcycle is to keep the headlight on at all times (new motorcycles soldin the USA since 1978 automatically

PARKING AT CURBS


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25

have the headlights on when running).Studies show that, during the day, amotorcycle with its light on is twice aslikely to be noticed. Use low beam atnight and in fog.

Signals

The signals on a motorcycle are similar

to those on a car. They tell others whatyou plan to do.

However, due to a riders addedvulnerability, signals are even moreimportant. Use them anytime you planto change lanes or turn. Use them evenwhen you think no one else is around.Its the car you dont see thats going togive you the most trouble. Your signallights also make you easier to spot.Thats why its a good idea to use yourturn signals even when what you planto do is obvious.

When you enter a freeway, drivers

approaching from behind are more likelyto see your signal blinking and make

room for you.

Turning your signal light on beforeeach turn reduces confusion andfrustration for the traffic around you.

Once you turn, make sure your signal isoff or a driver may pull directly into yourpath, thinking you plan to turn again.Use your signals at every turn so driverscan react accordingly. Dont make themguess what you intend to do.

Brake Light

Your motorcycles brake light is usuallynot as noticeable as the brake lights ona car particularly when your taillight

is on. (It goes on with the headlight.)If the situation will permit, help othersnotice you by flashing your brake light

before you slow down. It is especiallyimportant to flash your brake lightbefore:

You slow more quickly thanothers might expect (turning off ahigh-speed highway).

You slow where others may notexpect it (in the middle of a block orat an alley).

If you are being followed closely, itsa good idea to flash your brake lightbefore you slow. The tailgater may bewatching you and not see something

ahead that will make you slow down.This will hopefully discourage them fromtailgating and warn them of hazardsahead they may not see.

Using Your Mirrors

While its most important to keeptrack of whats happening ahead, youcant afford to ignore situations behind.Traffic conditions change quickly.Knowing whats going on behind isessential for you to make a safe decisionabout how to handle trouble ahead.

Frequent mirror checks should be partof your normal searching routine. Makea special point of using your mirrors:

When you are stopped at anintersection. Watch cars coming up

SIGNALING


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from behind. If the drivers arentpaying attention, they could be ontop of you before they see you.

Before you change lanes. Makesure no one is about to pass you.

Before you slow down. The driverbehind may not expect you to slow,or may be unsure about where youwill slow. For example, you signal aturn and the driver thinks you planto turn at a distant intersection,rather than at a nearer driveway.

Most motorcycles have rounded

(convex) mirrors. These provide awider view of the road behind thando flat mirrors. They also make carsseem farther away than they really are.If you are not used to convex mirrors,get familiar with them. (While youare stopped, pick out a parked car in

your mirror. Form a mental image ofhow far away it is. Then, turn aroundand look at it to see how close youcame.) Practice with your mirrors untilyou become a good judge of distance.Even then, allow extra distance beforeyou change lanes.

Head Checks

Checking your mirrors is not enough.Motorcycles have blind spots like cars.Before you change lanes, turn your head,and look to the side for other vehicles.

On a road with several lanes, checkthe far lane and the one next to you. Adriver in the distant lane may head forthe same space you plan to take.

Frequent head checks should beyour normal scanning routine, also.Only by knowing what is happeningall around you are you fully preparedto deal with it.

Horn

Be ready to use your horn to get

someones attention quickly.

It is a good idea to give a quick beepbefore passing anyone that may moveinto your lane.

Here are some situations:

A driver in the lane next to youis driving too closely to the vehicleahead and may want to pass.

A parked car has someone in thedrivers seat.

Someone is in the street, riding abicycle or walking.

In an emergency, sound your horn

loud and long. Be ready to stop orswerve away from the danger.

Reflective clothing should:

A. Be worn at night.

B. Be worn during the day.

C. Not be worn.

D. Be worn day and night

TEST YOURSELF 7

Answer - page 47

USING MIRRORS


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27

Keep in mind that a motorcycles hornisnt as loud as a cars therefore, use it,but dont rely on it. Other strategies, like

having time and space to maneuver, maybe appropriate along with the horn.

Riding at Night

At night it is harder for you to seeand be seen. Picking your headlightor taillight out of the car lights aroundyou is not easy for other drivers. To

compensate, you should:

Reduce Your Speed Ride evenslower than you would during the

day particularly on roads youdont know well. This will increaseyour chances of avoiding a hazard.

Increase Distance Distancesare harder to judge at night thanduring the day. Your eyes rely uponshadows and light contrasts todetermine how far away an objectis and how fast it is coming. Thesecontrasts are missing or distortedunder artificial lights at night.Open up a three-second followingdistance or more. And allow moredistance to pass and be passed.

Use the Car Ahead Theheadlights of the car ahead can giveyou a better view of the road thaneven your high beam can. Taillightsbouncing up and down can alertyou to bumps or rough pavement.

Use Your High Beam Get all thelight you can. Use your high beamwhenever you are not followingor meeting a car. Be visible: Wearreflective materials when riding atnight.

Be Flexible About Lane Position.Change to whatever portion of thelane is best able to help you see, beseen and keep an adequate spacecushion.

CRASH AVOIDANCENo matter how careful you are, there

will be times when you find yourself in atight spot. Your chances of getting outsafely depend on your ability to reactquickly and properly. Often, a crashoccurs because a rider is not prepared orskilled in crash-avoidance maneuvers.

Know when and how to stop orswerve, two skills critical in avoidinga crash. It is not always desirable orpossible to stop quickly to avoid anobstacle. Riders must also be able to

swerve around an obstacle. Deter-mining which skill is necessary for thesituation is important as well.

Studies show that most crash-involved riders:

Underbrake the front tire andoverbrake the rear.

Did not separate braking fromswerving or did not chooseswerving when it was appropriate.

The following information offerssome good advice.

Quick StopsTo stop quickly, apply both brakes

at the same time. Dont be shy aboutusing the front brake, but dont grabit, either. Squeeze the brake leverfirmly and progressively. If the frontwheel locks, release the front brake

immediately then reapply it firmly. Atthe same time, press down on therear brake. If you accidentally lock therear brake on a good traction surface,you can keep it locked until you havecompletely stopped; but, even with alocked rear wheel, you can control themotorcycle on a straightaway if it isupright and going in a straight line.


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Stopping Quicklyin a Curve

If you know thetechnique, using bothbrakes in a turn is possible,although it should be donevery carefully. When leaningthe motorcycle some ofthe traction is used forcornering. Less traction isavailable for stopping. Askid can occur if you applytoo much brake. Also, using

the front brake incorrectly on a slipperysurface may be hazardous. Use cautionand squeeze the brake lever, never grab.

If you must stop quickly while turningin a curve, first straighten and squarethe handlebars, then stop. If you findyourself in a situation that does notallow straightening first, such as whenthere is a danger of running off theroad in a left-hand curve, or whenfacing oncoming traffic in a right-hand curve, apply the brakes smoothlyand gradually. As you slow, you canreduce your lean angle and apply more

brake pressure until the motorcycle isstraight and maximum brake pressure

can be applied. Always straighten

the handlebars in the last few feet ofstopping to maintain your balance andremain upright.

Maximum Straight-LineBraking

Maximum straight-line braking isaccomplished by fully applying frontand rear brakes without locking eitherwheel. Keep your body centered overthe motorcycle and look well ahead,not down. This will help you keepthe motorcycle in as straight a line as

possible, minimizing lean angle and thelikelihood of the wheels losing traction.

SWERVE, THEN BRAKE BRAKE, THEN SWERVE

STOPPING DISTANCE


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29

Front-Wheel SkidsIf the front wheel locks, release the

front brake immediately and completely.

Reapply the brake smoothly. Front-wheel skids result in immediate loss ofsteering control and balance. Failure tofully release the brake lever immediatelywill result in a crash.

Rear-Wheel Skids

A skidding rear tire is a dangerouscondition that can result in a violentcrash and serious injury or death. Too

much rear brake pressure causes rear-wheel lockup. As soon as the rear wheel

locks, your ability to change direction islost. To regain control the brake mustbe released. However, if the rear wheelis out of alignment with the front, there

is a risk of a high-side crash. This occurswhen the wheels are out of alignmentand a locked rear wheel is released. Themotorcycle can abruptly snap uprightand tumble, throwing the rider into theair ahead of the motorcycles path. Evenslight misalignment can result in a high-side crash.

Cornering

A primary cause of single-vehiclecrashes is motorcyclists running wide in

CONSTANT CURVES

DECREASING CURVES(TIGHTER TURNS)

MULTIPLE CURVES

WIDENING CURVES


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a curve or turn and colliding with theroadway or a fixed object.

Every curve is different. Be alert towhether a curve remains constant,gradually widens, gets tighter orinvolves multiple turns. Ride within yourskill level and posted speed limits.

Your best path may not always followthe curve of the road. Change laneposition depending on traffic, roadconditions and curve of the road. If notraffic is present, start at the outsideof a curve to increase your line of sight

and the effective radius of the turn. Asyou turn, move toward the inside of thecurve, and as you pass the center, moveto the outside to exit.

Another alternative is to move to thecenter of your lane before entering acurve and stay there until you exit.This permits you to spot approachingtraffic as soon as possible. You can alsoadjust for traffic crowding the centerline, or debris blocking part of your lane.

HANDLING DANGEROUS

SURFACES

Your chance of falling or beinginvolved in a crash increases wheneveryou ride across:

Uneven surfaces or obstacles.

Slippery surfaces.

Railroad tracks.

Grooves and gratings.

Uneven Surfacesand Obstacles

Watch for uneven surfaces such asbumps, broken pavement, potholes or

small pieces of highway trash.

Try to avoid obstacles by slowing orgoing around them. If you must goover the obstacle, first determine if it is

possible. Approach it at as close to a 90angle as possible. Look where you wantto go to control your path of travel. If youhave to ride over the obstacle, you should:

Slow down as much as possiblebefore contact.

Make sure the motorcycle isstraight.

Rise slightly off the seat with yourweight on the footrests to absorbthe shock with your knees andelbows, and avoid being thrown offthe motorcycle.

Just before contact, roll on thethrottle slightly to lighten the frontend.

If you ride over an object on thestreet, pull off the road and check yourtires and rims for damage before ridingany farther.

Slippery Surfaces

Motorcycles handle better whenridden on surfaces that permit goodtraction. Surfaces that provide poortraction include:

Wet pavement, particularly just afterit starts to rain and before surface oilwashes to the side of the road.

Gravel roads, or where sand andgravel collect.

Mud, leaves, snow, and ice.

Lane markings (painted lines),steel plates and manhole covers,especially when wet.

To ride safely on slippery surfaces:

Reduce Speed Slow downbefore you get to a slipperysurface to lessen your chances ofskidding. Your motorcycle needsmore distance to stop. And it isparticularly important to reducespeed before entering wet curves.

Avoid Sudden Moves Anysudden change in speed or direction


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31

The best way to stop quickly is to:

A. Use the front brake only.

B. Use the rear brake first.

C. Throttle down and use the frontbrake.

D. Use both brakes at the same time.

TEST YOURSELF 8

Answer - page 47

OBSTACLES

can cause a skid. Be as smooth aspossible when you speed up, shiftgears, turn or brake.

Use Both Brakes The frontbrake is still effective, even on aslippery surface. Squeeze the brakelever gradually to avoid locking thefront wheel. Remember, gentlepressure on the rear brake.

The center of a lane can be

hazardous when wet. When it startsto rain, ride in the tire tracks left bycars. Often, the left tire track willbe the best position, depending ontraffic and other road conditions.

Watch for oil spots when you putyour foot down to stop or park. Youmay slip and fall.

Dirt and gravel collect along thesides of the road especially oncurves and ramps leading to and fromhighways. Be aware of whats on theedge of the road, particularly whenmaking sharp turns and getting on or

off freeways at high speeds. Rain dries and snow melts faster

on some sections of a road than onothers. Patches of ice tend to developin low or shaded areas and on bridges

and overpasses. Wet surfaces or wetleaves are just as slippery. Ride on theleast slippery portion of the lane andreduce speed.

Cautious riders steer clear of roadscovered with ice or snow. If you cantavoid a slippery surface, keep yourmotorcycle straight up and proceedasslowlyas possible. If you encountera large surface so slippery that youmust coast, or travel at a walking pace,consider letting your feet skim alongthe surface. If the motorcycle starts tofall, you can catch yourself. Be sure tokeep off the brakes. If possible, squeezethe clutch and coast. Attempting thismaneuver at anything other than theslowest of speeds could prove hazardous.


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Railroad Tracks, Trolley Tracksand Pavement Seams

Usually it is safer to ride straight withinyour lane to cross tracks. Turning to taketracks head-on (at a 90 angle) can bemore dangerous your path may carryyou into another lane of traffic.

CROSSTRACKSRIGHT

CROSSTRACKSWRONG

PARALLEL TRACKSRIGHT

GRATE CROSSINGSRIGHT

PARALLEL TRACKSWRONG

GRATE CROSSINGSWRONG

For track and road seams that runparallel to your course, move far enoughaway from tracks, ruts, or pavementseams to cross at an angle of at least45. Then, make a deliberate turn.Edging across could catch your tires andthrow you off balance.

Grooves and GratingsRiding over rain grooves or bridge

gratings may cause a motorcycle toweave. The uneasy, wandering feeling isgenerally not hazardous. Relax, maintaina steady speed and ride straight across.Crossing at an angle forces riders tozigzag to stay in the lane. The zigzag isfar more hazardous than the wanderingfeeling.

When it starts to rain it is usuallybest to:

A. Ride in the center of the lane.

B. Pull off to the side until the rainstops.

C. Ride in the tire tracks left by cars.

D. Increase your speed.

TEST YOURSELF 9

Answer - page 47


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33

MECHANICAL PROBLEMSYou can find yourself in an emergency

the moment something goes wrongwith your motorcycle. In dealing withany mechanical problem, take intoaccount the road and traffic conditionsyou face. Here are some guidelinesthat can help you handle mechanical

problems safely.

Tire Failure

You will seldom hear a tire go flat.If the motorcycle starts handling

differently, it may be a tire failure. Thiscan be dangerous. You must be able totell from the way the motorcycle reacts.

If one of your tires suddenly loses air,react quickly to keep your balance. Pulloff and check the tires.

If the front tire goes flat, the steeringwill feel heavy. A front-wheel flat isparticularly hazardous because it affectsyour steering. You have to steer well tokeep your balance.

If the rear tire goes flat, the back ofthe motorcycle may jerk or sway fromside to side.

If either tire goes flat while riding:

Hold handgrips firmly, ease off thethrottle, and keep a straight course.

If braking is required, graduallyapply the brake of the tire that isntflat, if you are sure which one it is.

When the motorcycle slows,edge to the side of the road,squeeze the clutch and stop.

Stuck Throttle

Twist the throttle back and forth

several times. If the throttle cable isstuck, this may free it. If the throttlestays stuck, immediately operate theengine cut-off switch and pull in theclutch at the same time. This will remove

power from the rear wheel, thoughengine sound may not immediatelydecline. Once the motorcycle is undercontrol, pull off and stop.

After you have stopped, check thethrottle cable carefully to find the sourceof the trouble. Make certain the throttleworks freely before you start to ride again.

Wobble

A wobble occurs when the frontwheel and handlebars suddenly startto shake from side to side at anyspeed. Most wobbles can be traced toimproper loading, unsuitable accessoriesor incorrect tire pressure. If you arecarrying a heavy load, lighten it. If youcant, shift it. Center the weight lowerand farther forward on the motorcycle.Make sure tire pressure, spring pre-load, air shocks and dampers are at thesettings recommended for that muchweight. Make sure windshields andfairings are mounted properly.

Check for poorly adjusted steering;

worn steering parts; a front wheel thatis bent, misaligned, or out of balance;

loose wheel bearings or spokes; andworn swingarm bearings. If none ofthese is determined to be the cause,have the motorcycle checked outthoroughly by a qualified professional.

Trying to accelerate out of awobble will only make the motorcyclemore unstable. Instead:

Grip the handlebars firmly, butdont fight the wobble.

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

wobble worse. Move your weight as far forward

and down as possible.

Pull off the road as soon as youcan to fix the problem.


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Drive Train ProblemsThe drive train for a motorcycle uses

either a chain, belt, or drive shaft totransfer power from the engine tothe rear wheel. Routine inspection,adjustment, and maintenance makesfailure a rare occurrence. A chain or beltthat slips or breaks while youre ridingcould lock the rear wheel and causeyour motorcycle to skid.

If the chain or belt breaks, youllnotice an instant loss of power to therear wheel. Close the throttle and brake

to a stop in a safe area.On a motorcycle with a drive shaft,

loss of oil in the rear differential cancause the rear wheel to lock, and youmay not be able to prevent a skid.

Engine Seizure

When the engine locks orfreezes it is usually low on oil. Theengines moving parts cant movesmoothly against each other, and theengine overheats. The first sign may bea loss of engine power or a change inthe engines sound. Squeeze the clutchlever to disengage the engine from therear wheel. Pull off the road and stop.Check the oil. If needed, oil should beadded as soon as possible or the enginewill seize. When this happens, the effectis the same as a locked rear wheel. Letthe engine cool before restarting.

ANIMALS

Naturally, you should do everythingyou safely can to avoid hitting ananimal. If you are in traffic, however,remain in your lane. Hitting something

small is less dangerous to you thanhitting something big like a car.

Motorcycles seem to attract dogs. Ifyou are being chased, downshift and

approach the animal slowly. As you

approach it, accelerate and leave theanimal behind. Dont kick at the animal.Keep control of your motorcycle andlook to where you want to go.

For larger animals (deer, elk, cattle)brake and prepare to stop they areunpredictable.

FLYING OBJECTS

From time to time riders are struckby insects, cigarettes thrown from cars

or pebbles kicked up by the tires ofthe vehicle ahead. If you are wearingface protection, it might get smearedor cracked, making it difficult to see.Without face protection, an objectcould hit you in the eye, face or mouth.Whatever happens, keep your eyeson the road and your hands on thehandlebars. When safe, pull off the roadand repair the damage.

GETTING OFF THE ROAD

If you need to leave the road to checkthe motorcycle (or just to rest), be sure to:

Check the roadside Make surethe surface of the roadside is firm

enough to ride on. If it is soft grass,loose sand or if youre just not sureabout it, slow way down before youturn onto it.

Signal Drivers behind might notexpect you to slow down. Give aclear signal that you will be slowingdown and changing direction.Check your mirror and make a headcheck before you take any action.

If your motorcycle starts to wobble:

A. Accelerate out of the wobble.

B. Use the brakes gradually.

C. Grip the handlebars firmly and closethe throttle gradually.

D. Downshift.

TEST YOURSELF 10

Answer - page 47


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Pull off the road Get as far offthe road as you can. It can be veryhard to spot a motorcycle by theside of the road. You dont wantsomeone else pulling off at thesame place you are.

Park carefully Loose and slopedshoulders can make setting the sideor center stand difficult.

CARRYING PASSENGERS

AND CARGO

The extra weight of a passengeror cargo will affect the way your

motorcycle behaves, requiring extrapractice, preparation and caution. Forthis reason, only experienced ridersshould attempt to carry passengers orlarge loads. Before taking a passengeror a heavy load on the street, prepareyourself and your motorcycle for safeoperation in traffic.

Preparing Your Motorcycle

Tire Pressure Check the airpressure of both tires. Refer to theowners manual or the label affixedto the motorcycle for the correct

inflation specifications. Though mostof the added weight will typically beon the rear wheel, dont forget to alsocheck the pressure on the front tire.Correct inflation pressures will maintainmaximum stability, steering precisionand braking capability.

Suspension With a heavy load,the riding characteristics and balance ofthe motorcycle will change. On somemotorcycles, it will be necessary toadjust the suspension settings (springpreload, compression/damping settings,

etc.) to compensate for the lowered rearof the motorcycle. Refer to the ownersmanual for adjustment procedures andspecifications.

Headlight Prior to loading, position

the motorcycle about 10 feet from awall in an unlighted garage and markthe headlight beam location on thewall with chalk. With a full load andpassenger, recheck the headlight beamlocation. Use the adjusting screws onthe headlight to lower the beam tothe same height. Check your ownersmanual for adjustment procedure.

Equipment forCarrying a Passenger

Be sure your passenger is properlyattired, wearing the same level of

personal protective gear as you.

Be sure your motorcycle is equippedwith passenger footrests.

Your motorcycle should have a properseat, one large enough to hold bothyou and your passenger withoutcrowding. You should not sit moreforward than you usually do.

Check that there is a strap or solidhandholds for your passenger tohold onto.

Preparing Your

Passenger to RideEnsure your passenger is able to reach

the passenger footrests, and is able tohold on to your waist, hips, belt, or thebikes passenger handholds. Children

should be placed immediately behindthe rider. A child sitting in front of therider will not be able to properly balancehim/herself and may interfere with theriders control of the motorcycle.

Passenger safety begins withproper instruction. Riders should notassume that passengers are familiar

with motorcycle handling, control, orbalance. As a routine practice, alwaysinstruct your passenger on cycling basicsprior to starting the trip, even if yourpassenger is a motorcycle rider.


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If you are chased by a dog:

A. Kick it away.

B. Stop until the animal loses interest.

C. Swerve around the animal.

D. Approach the animal slowly, thenspeed up.

TEST YOURSELF 11

Answer - page 47

As you prepare for your ride, tell yourpassenger to:

Get on the motorcycle only afteryou have started the engine andhave the transmission in neutral. Asthe passenger mounts, keep bothyour feet on the ground and thebrakes applied.

Sit as far forward as possiblewithout hindering your control ofthe motorcycle.

Hold firmly onto your waist, hips,belt or passenger handholds for

balance and security.

Keep both feet firmly on the cyclesfootrests, even when stopped. Firmfooting will prevent your passengerfrom falling off and pulling you off.

Keep legs away from the muffler(s),chains or moving parts.

Stay directly behind you and leanwith you through turns and curves.It is helpful for the passenger tolook over the riders shoulder in thedirection of turns and curves.

Avoid unnecessary conversation andavoid leaning or turning around.Make no sudden moves that mightaffect the stability of the motorcyclewhen it is in operation.

Rise slightly off the seat whencrossing an obstacle.

Also, remind your passenger totighten his or her hold when you:

Approach surface hazards such asbumps or uneven road surfaces.

Are about to start from a stop orbegin moving into traffic.

Are about to turn sharply or make asudden move.

Riding With Passengers

Your motorcycle will respond slowlywhen you ride with a passenger. Theheavier your passenger, the longer it willtake to speed up, slow down, or turn.

When riding with passengers:

Ride a little slower, especially whentaking curves, corners, or bumps. Ifany part of the motorcycle scrapesthe ground at lean angle, steeringcontrol can be lost.

Start slowing earlier as youapproach a stop, and maintain alarger space cushion wheneverslowing or stopping.

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

Carrying Loads

Everything you are likely to need fora riding holiday or weekend trip canbe packed on your motorcycle in manydifferent ways. There are completeluggage systems, saddlebags that are

permanently attached to the motorcycle,soft bags that do not require a carriersystem and can be tied to the seat,and a tank bag for other small items.You can also travel simply with only abackpack. Whatever you decide, do notexceed gross vehicle weight rating whentraveling with cargo and a passenger,and always make adjustments to themotorcycle to compensate for theadded weight.


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Passengers should:

A. Lean as you lean.B. Hold on to the motorcycle seat.

C. Sit as far back as possible.

D. Never hold onto you.

TEST YOURSELF 12

Answer - page 47

Tips for Traveling withPassengers and Cargo

Keep the load forward. Pack heavieritems in the front of the tank bag.Lighter items such as your sleepingbag, ground pad or tent, should bepacked on a luggage rack behindyou. Try to place the load over, orin front of, the rear axle. Mountingloads behind the rear axle can affecthow the motorcycle turns andbrakes. It can also cause a wobble.

Plan your route and length of each

days riding segment and allowplenty of time for breaks. Poorweather, breakdowns, and fatigueare always possible.

Consider selecting some interestingsecondary roads to occasionallyreduce the monotony of thehighway.

Start as early in the morning aspossible. When you are fresh, youride at peak performance. For mostriders, this is usually between 6 a.m.and 11 a.m. then, take a good

hours break for lunch. Your energywill pick up again in the afternoon.

Dont forget sun protection in thesummer. Some combinations ofriding gear can leave your neckexposed, risking sunburn.

If you wear a backpack, be sure itis securely attached to you. Try toadjust the shoulder straps so thatthe backpack rests lightly on theseat. This will reduce the tension inyour neck and shoulders.

If you have a tank bag, be sure it

is securely mounted and does notobstruct your view of the controlsor instruments. If necessary, pack itonly partially full. When strappingthe tank bag in place, make sure

it does not catch any of the brakelines or cables in the area of thesteering head.

Secure loads low, or put them insaddlebags. Attaching a load toa sissy bar raises the motorcyclescenter of gravity and can upset itsbalance.

If you use saddlebags, load eachwith about the same weight.An uneven load can cause themotorcycle to pull to one side.Overloading may also cause thebags to catch in the wheel or chain,locking the rear wheel and causingthe motorcycle to skid.

Fasten the load securely withelastic cords (bungee cords ornets). Elastic cords with more thanone attachment point per side arerecommended. A loose load couldcatch in the wheel or chain, causingit to lock up, resulting in a skid.Rope can stretch and knots cancome loose, permitting the load toshift or fall. You should stop andcheck the load often to make sure it

has not shifted or loosened. Include a small tool kit and some

common spare parts that you mightneed. Water and some energy barsor other food should also be part ofyour preparation, and dont forgeta first aid kit, especially if you areriding in a group.


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Pre-Ride TestPrior to starting out, take a test

ride with your fully loaded motorcyclethrough some familiar neighborhoodroads to get a feel for the operation ofyour motorcycle. Be sure the suspensionsettings are correct, and that the sidestand, footrests, and exhaust pipes dontscrape over bumps and in turns. Ensurethe tank bag does not get in the way ofthe handlebars or restrict the steering.Also check the security of the load, sothat your luggage does not hit you inthe back under maximum braking.

You will also find that the perfor-

mance of a fully loaded motorcycle willbe different than what you are used to.Test the power when accelerating andbe aware that it will be lower, increas-ing passing times and distances. Brakingwill also feel different, and stoppingdistances may increase.

GROUP RIDING

Preparation

Preparing yourself for a group ride

is as important as making sure yourmotorcycle is ready. Riding with a grouprequires an alert mind that is free fromworries, distractions and stress. It alsomeans riding free from the influence ofalcohol or drugs. For some, even toomuch caffeine or prescription drugs canadversely affect concentration.

Prior to a long trip, its a good idea tohave your motorcycle serviced at yourlocal dealership if you arent able to dothe work yourself. A thorough pre-ride check is a must. Use the T-CLOCSchecklist as a reminder of the importantcomponents to check before you leave.

Remember to consider such variablesas passengers and extra weight fromcargo that might require a change in tirepressure or suspension adjustment.

PlanBefore starting out, hold a riders

meeting to discuss the route, length ofriding segments, rest stops and locationsfor fuel, meals and lodging. Make sureeveryone knows the route. That way,if someone becomes separated, he orshe wont have to hurry to keep fromgetting lost or making the wrong turn.Choose a lead rider and a sweep rider.These should be the most experiencedriders of the group. The lead ridershould look ahead for changes in road,traffic or weather conditions, and signalearly so the word gets back in plenty

of time to the other riders. The sweeprider is the last rider in the group, andsets the pace for the group. Placeinexperienced riders just behind theleader. That ensures that they wonthave to chase after the group, and themore experienced riders can watchthem from the back.

The most important rules for groupriding are: no competition, no passingof other riders and no tailgating. If arider insists on riding faster than thegroup, allow him or her to go ahead toan agreed meeting point.

Hand signalsDuring the riders meeting, review

the hand signals so all riders cancommunicate during the ride. Adiagram of the most common handsignals is at the end of this manual.

Follow those behind

During the ride, use your mirrorsto keep an eye on the person behindand confirm that the group is stayingtogether. If a rider falls behind, everyoneshould slow down to keep the grouptogether.


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Keep Your DistanceMaintain close ranks, but at the

same time, maintain an adequate spacecushion to allow each rider in the grouptime and distance to react to hazards.A close group takes up less space onthe highway, is easier to see, and is lesslikely to become separated. This must,however, be done properly.

Dont Pair Up

Never ride directly alongside anotherrider in the same lane. There is no placeto go if you have to maneuver to avoida car or hazard in the roadway. Waituntil you are both stopped to talk.

Staggered Formation

This is the best way to keep the ranksclose yet maintain an adequate spacecushion. The group leader rides in theleft side of the lane, and the secondrider stays at least one second back andrides in the right side of the lane. Thethird maintains the left position of thelane, at least two seconds behind thefirst rider. The fourth rider should keepat least a two second distance fromthe second rider in the right side of thelane, and so on. This formation keepsthe group close and permits each riderto maintain a safe distance from othersahead, behind and to the sides.

It is best to move to single file forma-tion when riding in curves, turning, andentering or leaving freeways or highways.

Intersections

Intersections present the highestrisk for motorcyclists in a group. Whenmaking a left turn at an intersectionwith a left turn signal arrow, tightenthe formation to allow as many ridersthrough the intersection as possible.

Make the turn single file do not rideside-by-side. If not all riders get throughthe light, stop at a safe point ahead andwait. This will prevent riders from feelingpressured to speed up or run a red light.

Interstate Highways andFreeways

A staggered formation is essentialwhen riding on freeways and interstates.However, enter in single file and form uponly after all riders have safely mergedin traffic. The lead rider should move thegroup over at least one lane to preventvehicles that are entering and exitingfrom disrupting your formation. In heavytraffic, resist the temptation to ride tooclose together. Maintain your minimumone-second, two-second staggeredformation space cushion. When exiting,use a single file formation for betterspace cushion and time to react toconditions at the end of the off-ramp.

Parking

When possible, park as a group, soeveryone can get off their motorcyclesmore quickly. Avoid parking downhill orhead-in, and if possible, park where youcan pull through, making the arrival anddepartu

Louisiana Motorcycle Manual | Louisiana Motorcycle Handbook

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