Ohio Motorcycle Manual - Ohio Motorcycle Handbook

For Course Information go to:
PREFACE
Because operating a motorcycle is different than operating a motor
vehicle, the Motorcycle Operator Manual was produced.
The manual is an important tool for the inexperienced rider to gain the
information necessary to operate a motorcycle safely in traffic. Even the
experienced rider can find something new in this manual.
Education and public awareness are the keys to reducing the number
of motorcyclists killed and injured on our highways. The Motorcycle
Ohio (MO) program, offered by the Ohio Department of Public
Safety, provides motorcycle safety courses for riders, as well as public
information campaigns. Information on the course is included in this
manual or you can email the Motorcycle Ohio office at [email protected].
gov. Research comparing MO graduates and untrained motorcyclists
has found that course graduates involved in crashes are more likely to
be helmeted, insured and unimpaired.
The motorcycle crash problem is complex. A variety of countermeasures
have been implemented over the past several years to effectively reduce
the number of fatalities and injuries associated with motorcycle crashes
in Ohio. The Ohio Department of Public Safety is making every effort
possible to provide the programs and education to reduce the tragedies
suffered on our roadways by motorcyclists.
Reading this manual and gaining the knowledge required to operate
a motorcycle safely will add to the enjoyment you experience as a
motorcycle rider.
To schedule a road test, visit www.ohiodrivingtest.com.r Ohio,
CONTENTS
How to Obtain a Temporary Motorcycle Learners Permit................................................ i
How To Obtain a Motorcycle License or Endorsement .................................................... ii
Earning Your License........................................................................................................ iii

Knowledge Test ................................................................................................ iii

On-Cycle Skill Test........................................................................................... iv

Did You Know.................................................................................................. iv
Rider Skill Test-2 Wheel.....................................................................................................v
Rider Skill Test-3 Wheel................................................................................................... vi
Ohio Driver License Exam Stations........................................................................... vii - x
Motorcycle Ohio (MO) Program...................................................................................... xi
Interested in Becoming a MO Instructor......................................................................... xii
MOs Instructor Preparation........................................................................................... xiii
THE RIDER AND THE MOTORCYCLE

The Rider and The Motorcycle...........................................................................................1
Riding Environment............................................................................................................1
PREPARING TO RIDE
Wear The Right Gear ......................................................................................................2
Helmet Use..........................................................................................................................2
Helmet Selection ................................................................................................................2
Eye and Face Protection......................................................................................................3
Clothing..............................................................................................................................3
Know Your Motorcycle ....................................................................................................4
The Right Motorcycle for You .......................................................................................4
Borrowing and Lending ..................................................................................................5
Get Familiar with the Motorcycle Controls ...................................................................5
Check Your Motorcycle ..................................................................................................6
Know Your Responsibilities.............................................................................................7
RIDE WITHIN YOUR ABILITIES

Basic Vehicle Control........................................................................................................8
Body Position .................................................................................................................8
Shifting Gears..................................................................................................................8
Braking............................................................................................................................9
Breaking in a Corner.....................................................................................................10
Linked and Integrated Braking Systems.......................................................................10
Anti-Lock braking Systems (ABS)...............................................................................10
Turning .........................................................................................................................11
Keeping Your Distance ..................................................................................................12
Lane Positions ..............................................................................................................12
Following Another Vehicle ...........................................................................................13
Being Followed ............................................................................................................14
Passing and Being Passed .............................................................................................14

Lane Sharing .................................................................................................................15

Merging Cars.................................................................................................. 16
Cars Alongside..............................................................................................................16
See (search, evaluate, execute)......................................................................................17
Intersections.....................................................................................................................18
Blind Intersections.........................................................................................................20
Passing Parked Cars......................................................................................................20
Parking at the Roadside.................................................................................................21
Increasing Conspicuity...................................................................................................21
Clothing.........................................................................................................................21
Headlights......................................................................................................................21
Signals...........................................................................................................................22
Brake Light....................................................................................................................22
Using Your Mirrors.......................................................................................................22
Head Checks..................................................................................................................23
Horn...............................................................................................................................23
Riding at Night..............................................................................................................24
Crash Avoidance ............................................................................................................24
Quick Stops ..................................................................................................................24
Stopping Quickly in a Curve.........................................................................................25
Swerving or Turning Quickly........................................................................................25
Maximum Straight-Line Braking..................................................................................26
Front-Wheel Skids.........................................................................................................26
Rear-Wheel Skids..........................................................................................................27
Curves............................................................................................................................27
Handling Dangerous Surfaces.......................................................................................27
Uneven Surfaces and Obstacles ...................................................................................27
Slippery Surfaces ..........................................................................................................28
Railroad Tracks, Trolley Tracks and Pavement Seams ................................................30
Grooves and Gratings....................................................................................................30
Mechanical Problems......................................................................................................30
Tire Failure....................................................................................................................30
Stuck Throttle................................................................................................................30
Wobble ..........................................................................................................................30
Drive Train Problems ...................................................................................................31
Engine Seizure...............................................................................................................31
Animals............................................................................................................................31
Flying Objects..................................................................................................................31
Getting Off The Road.....................................................................................................32
Carrying Passengers And Cargo...................................................................................32
Preparing Your Motorcyle..............................................................................................32
Equipment for Carrying Passenger................................................................................32
Preparing Your Passengers to Ride................................................................................33
Riding With Passengers.................................................................................................33
Carrying Loads..............................................................................................................34
BEING IN SHAPE TO RIDE

Tips for Traveling With Passengers and Cargo...........................................................35
Pre-Ride Test.................................................................................................................36
Group Riding...................................................................................................................36
Preparation.....................................................................................................................36
Plan................................................................................................................................36
Hand Signals..................................................................................................................36
Follow Those Behind....................................................................................................36
Keep Your Distance.......................................................................................................37
Dont Pair Up................................................................................................................37
Staggered Formation.....................................................................................................37
Intersections...................................................................................................................37
Interstate Highways and Freeways................................................................................37
Parking...........................................................................................................................37
Passing In Formation.....................................................................................................38
Ten Rules of Group Riding...........................................................................................39
Why This Information Is Important.............................................................................40
Alcohol And Drugs In Motorcycle Operation..............................................................40
Alcohol In The Body.......................................................................................................40
Blood Alcohol Concentration.........................................................................................41
Alcohol And The Law.....................................................................................................42
Alcohol And Ohios Law.................................................................................................42
Consequences of Conviction..........................................................................................42
Minimize The Risks........................................................................................................43
Step In To Protect Friends.............................................................................................43
Marijuana and Motorcycle Operation..........................................................................44
Fatigue..............................................................................................................................44
THREE-WHEEL SUPPLEMENT
Supplementary Information for Three-Wheel Motorcycles.......................................46
Know Your Vehicle..........................................................................................................46
Three-Wheel Motorcycle Designs................................................................................47
The Right Motorcycle for You......................................................................................47
Borrowing and Lending................................................................................................47
Get Familiar with Motorcycle Controls........................................................................47
Basic Vehicle Control......................................................................................................48
Steering & Tip...............................................................................................................48
Body Position................................................................................................................48
Braking..........................................................................................................................48
Turning..........................................................................................................................48
Hills...............................................................................................................................49
Lane Position................................................................................................................50
Parking at the Roadside................................................................................................50
Acceleration and Deceleration......................................................................................50
Swerving.......................................................................................................................50
Cornering & Curves......................................................................................................50
Carrying Passengers and Cargo....................................................................................51
Answers to Questions......................................................................................................52
Hand Signals..............................................................................................................53, 54
T-CLOCS: Pre:Ride Inspection Checklist....................................................................55
HOW TO OBTAIN A TEMPORARY

MOTORCYCLE LEARNERS PERMIT
Step 1: To help you study for the
knowledge test, be sure to pick up a
Motorcycle Operator Manual and a
Digest of Ohio Motor Vehicle Laws.
TEMPORARY PERMIT
HOLDER SPECIAL
RESTRICTIONS
Step 2: Proceed to any exam station

to complete the knowledge test.
Upon successfully passing the
knowledge test proceed to any
Deputy Registrar to obtain the
Temporary Instruction Permit
Identification card (T.I.P.I.C.).
Daylight hours only

No passengers
Not valid on congested roads and
interstate highways
Must wear approved protective
helmet and use eye protection
Note: All first-year endorsed

operators and any passengers
must wear a helmet.
The permit is valid one year from issue and allows you to ride
with some restrictions.
HOW TO OBTAIN A MOTORCYCLE LICENSE

OR ENDORSEMENT
Step 3: After you have passed the
on-cycle test, the examiner may
provide you with a receipt to take
to any Deputy Registrar agency.
Anyone wishing to obtain a motorcycle

license or endorsement must either
complete motorcycle skills testing at
an Driver Exam Station or complete the
Motorcycle Ohio Basic Course.
Step 4: Present the T.I.P.I.C. along

with a receipt (for motorcycle-only
license holders) or driver license
(for motorcycle endorsement
holders) to the Deputy Registrar to
receive the license or endorsement.
A fee will be charged for the new
license.
Applicants under 18 years of

age are required to complete the
Motorcycle Ohio Basic Course and
complete Graduated Driver Licensing
requirements to be eligible to purchase
the motorcycle license or endorsement
only. Applicants 18 years of age or
older are not required to complete
the motorcycle course to attempt the
motorcycle skills test.
COMPLETE THE MOTORCYCLE

OHIO BASIC COURSE
The Motorcycle Ohio Basic Course

completion card is valid to waive
motorcycle skills testing for a period
of 60 days from the date of issuance.
After 60 days, all applicants for a
motorcycle license or endorsement
must complete motorcycle skills testing
at the driver license exam station.
Step 1: After successfully completing

the Motorcycle Ohio Basic Course,
or Motorcycle Ohio (MO) Basic
Rider Course - Returning Rider
(RR) you will be issued a course
completion card by the course
instructor.
Step 2: Within 60 days of card
issuance, present the motorcycle
temporary permit (T.I.P.I.C.) to
the Deputy Registrar to receive the
license or endorsement. A fee will
be charged for the license.
TESTING TO OBTAIN YOUR

MOTORCYCLE LICENSE/
ENDORSEMENT
Step 1: Contact a driver license exam
station to make an appointment for
the on-cycle examination. No fee
is charged for this test.
YOU MUST HAVE A VALID

MOTORCYCLE PERMIT
OR ENDORSEMENT
TO PARTICIPATE IN A
MOTORCYCLE RIDER
COURSE.
Step 2: You must bring your T.I.P.I.C.

and a street-legal motorcycle to
the exam site. A helmet and eye
protection must be worn during the
test.
ii
EARNING YOUR LICENSE

3. To swerve correctly:
a. Shift your weight quickly.
b. Turn the handlebars quickly.
c. Press the handlegrip in the
direction of the turn.
d. Press the handlegrip in the
opposite direction of the turn.
Safe riding requires knowledge and skill.

Licensing tests are the best measurement
of the skills necessary to operate safely
in traffic. Assessing your own skills is
not enough. People often overestimate
their own abilities. Its even harder
for friends and relatives to be totally
honest about your skills. Licensing
exams are designed to be scored more
objectively.
4. If a tire goes flat while riding and

you must stop, it is usually best to:
a. Relax on the handlegrips.
b. Shift your weight toward the good
tire.
c. Brake on the good tire and steer to
the side of the road.
d. Use both brakes and stop quickly.
To earn your license, you must pass a

knowledge test and an on-cycle skill
test. Knowledge test questions are based
on information, practices and ideas
from this manual. They require that you
know and understand road rules and
safe riding practices. An on-cycle skill
test will either be conducted in an actual
traffic environment or in a controlled,
off-street area.
5. The car below is waiting to enter

the intersection. It is best to:
a. Make eye contact with the driver.
b. Reduce speed and be ready to
react.
c. Maintain speed and position.
d. Maintain speed and move right.
KNOWLEDGE TEST
(Sample Questions)
Answers to Knowledge Test

(see next page)
1. It is MOST important to flash your

brake light when:
a. Someone is following too closely.
b. You will be slowing suddenly.
c. There is a stop sign ahead.
d. Your signals are not working.
INTERSECTION
2. The FRONT brake supplies how

much of the potential stopping
power?
a. About 25%.
b. About 50%.
c. About 70%.
d. All of the stopping power.
iii
ON-CYCLE SKILL TEST
than 18 years of age must also meet

additional requirements. The Skill Test
Waiver became effective January 1,
2001.
Basic vehicle control and crashavoidance skills are included in onmotorcycle tests to determine your
ability to handle normal and hazardous
traffic situations.
For more information on Motorcycle

Ohio, visit our Web site at
www.motorcycle.ohio.gov
You may be tested for your ability to:

Know your motorcycle and your
riding limits.
Accelerate, brake and turn safely.
See, be seen and communicate
with others.
Adjust speed and position to the
traffic situation.
Stop, turn and swerve quickly.
Make critical decisions and carry
them out.
To re c e i v e a m o t o rc y c l e
license with full privileges,
Ohio requires that motorcycle
maneuvers be performed as
designed. The on-cycle skills
test is not designed for sidecars
or three-wheel vehicles but can be
altered to accommodate those. If
an on-cycle skills test is performed
using a sidecar or three-wheel
vehicle, the endorsement received
will not permit operation of a twowheel motorcycle.
Examiners may score on factors related

to safety such as:
Selecting safe speeds to perform
maneuvers.
Choosing the correct path and
staying within boundaries.
Completing normal and quick
stops.
Completing normal and quick
turns or swerves.
Diagrams and drawings used in this manual

are for reference only and are not to correct
scale for size of vehicles and distances.
DID YOU KNOW...
On July 6, 2000, Governor Taft signed

Senate Bill 271 into law, which states
that students who successfully complete
the Motorcycle Ohio (MO) Basic
Course or Basic Rider Course-RR will
have the state of Ohio Motorcycle Skill
test waived.
MO graduates will receive the
motorcycle endorsement/license upon
presenting their course completion card
to a Deputy Registrar. Graduates less
Answers to Knowledge Test

1-B 2-C 3-C 4-C 5-B
iv
Rider Skill Test - 2 Wheel

Rider Skill Test 2 Wheel
1 - Cone Weave, Normal Stop
2 - Turning from a
Stop, U-turn
Motocycles under 600cc

have a 20 U-turn area.
Motorcycles 600cc and
over have a 24 U-turn
area.
5 Weave cones are 12

apart in a straight line.
Corner is 6 wide.
Start T is 6 from
corner.
Stop box is 3x5
3 - Quick Stop
4 - Obstacle
Swerve
Distance from end of

timing zone to obstacle
is 13 and obstacle line
is 7 wide. Side lines
are 6.5 from ends of
obstacle line.
iii
r3.0
Rider Skill Test - 3 Wheel

1 - Left Turn, Normal Stop
Rider Skill Test 3 Wheel
2 - Cone Weave, Turn from a Stop

Corner is 8 wide.
Start T is 6 from
corner.
Corner is 8 wide.
3 Weave cones are 18

apart in a straight line.
Stop box is 3x5 wide.
3 - Quick Stop
4 - Obstacle Swerve
Distance from end of

timing zone to obstacle
is 18 and obstacle line
is 7 wide. Side lines
are 6.5 from ends of
obstacle line.
v3.0
vi
Ohio Driver License Examination Stations

County
Address
Appointments
Allen
419 Elizabeth St., Suite C
(419) 225-5786

Lima
Ashland
1652 Eagle Way
(419) 281-8681

Ashland
Ashtabula
77 N. Chestnut Street
(440) 576-0200
Jefferson
Athens
1002 East State Street, Suite 20
(614) 593-7111

Athens
Auglaize
15472 Wapak-Fisher Road
(419) 738-2707

Wapakoneta
Belmont
320 Hall Street
(740) 609-0170
Bridgeport
Butler
1720-B South Erie-Highway, Bldg C
(513) 893-8361
Hamilton
Carroll
155 W. Main Street
(330) 627-5444
Carrolton
Champaign 1512 South U.S. Route 68
(937) 653-5797

Urbana
Clark
Park Shopping Center
(937) 325-4554

1139 Bechtle Ave., Springfield
Clermont
457 West Main Street
(513) 732-7665
Batavia
Clinton
State Highway Patrol
(937) 383-4519

950 Rombach Ave., Wilmington
Columbiana 7735-C State Route 45
(330) 424-5185

Lisbon
Coshocton 706 S. 7th Street
(740) 623-8584
Coshocton
Cuyahoga
14000 Broadway Avenue
(216) 787-5880

Garfield Heights
Cuyahoga
6420 Mayfield Road
(216) 787-5880

Mayfield Heights
Cuyahoga
12000 Snow Road
(216) 787-5880

Parma
Darke
641 Wagner Avenue
(937) 548-4240
Greenville
Defiance
999 Procom Street, Suite 104
(419) 784-1026

Defiance
Delaware
2079 US 23
(740) 369-3477

Delaware
Fairfield
980 Liberty Drive, Suite 200
(740) 654-7947

Lancaster
vii
Days Open
Tues-Sat
Tues-Sat
Tues-Sat
Tues-Sat
Tues-Wed
Tues-Sat
Tues-Sat
Thurs-Fri
Tues-Wed
Tues-Sat
Tues-Sat
Thurs-Sat
Tues-Sat
Tues-Wed
Tues-Sat
Tues-Sat
Tues-Sat
Tues, Sat,
Tues-Sat
Tues-Sat
Tues-Sat

County
Address
Franklin
1583 Alum Creek

Columbus
Franklin
990 Morse Road

Columbus
Franklin
4738 Cemetery Road
Hilliard
Fulton
152 S. Fulton Street

Wauseon
Gallia
499 Jackson Pike
Gallipolis
Geauga
602 South Street
Chardon
Greene
601 Ledbetter Road, Ste. C
Xenia
Guernsey
224 Dewey Avenue

Cambridge
Hamilton
11177 Reading Road, Ste. 201-202

Cincinnati (Sharonville)
Hamilton
10940 Hamilton Avenue

Seven Hills
Hancock
8210 County Road 140

Findlay
Huron
142 Cleveland Road

Norwalk
Jackson
502 McCarty Lane

Jackson
Knox
671 North Sandusky

Mt. Vernon
Lake
2736 North Ridge Road, Unit 7

Painesville
Lawrence
2717 S. Third Street, Suite B
Ironton
Licking
873 E. Main Street

Newark
Logan
1365 N. County Road 32, Suite #1
Bellefontaine
Lorain
657 Chestnut Commons Dr.

Elyria

Lucas
4460 Heatherdowns Boulevard
Toledo
Mahoning
490 S. Broad Street

Canfield
Marion
222 W. Center Street
Marion
viii
Appointments
Days Open
(614) 995-5353
Tues-Sat
(614) 995-5353
Tues-Sat
(614) 995-5353
Tues-Sat
(866) 401-3926
Thurs-Fri
(877) 599-8378
Tues-Wed
(440) 286-9530
Tues-Sat
(937) 372-6850
Tues-Sat
(740) 432-2545
Tues-Sat
(513) 769-3047
Tues-Sat
(513) 674-7830
Tues-Sat
(419) 423-2381
Tues-Sat
(419) 668-7413
Tues-Sat
(740) 286-4245
Wed-Sat
(740) 392-1846
Wed-Sat
(440) 354-9606
Tues-Sat
(740) 532-6793
Tues-Sat
(740) 345-1335
Tues-Sat
(937) 592-7911
Thurs-Sat
(440) 233-7174
Tues-Sat
(419) 385-6479
Tues-Sat
(330) 702-0948
Tues-Sat
(740) 223-1448
Tues-Sat

County
Address
Medina
970 N. Court Street
Medina
Mercer
330 Portland Street, Suite 1
Celina
Miami
1275 Experiment Farm Road
Troy
Montgomery 6134 Chambersburg Road

Huber Heights
Muskingum 255 Sunrise Center
Zanesville
Pickaway
141 W. Main Street, Suite 600
Circleville
Portage
444 S. Meridian Street
Ravenna
Preble
530 Junction Village

Eaton
Richland
1157 Park Avenue West

Mansfield
Ross
475 Western Avenue, Suite L

Shawnee Square, Chillicothe
Sandusky
500 W. State Street

Fremont
Scioto
3980 Rhodes Avenue

New Boston
Seneca
451 E. Market Street, State Route 101

Tiffin
Shelby
1000 Milligan Court, Suite #102
Sidney
Stark
3195 Whitewood Street, N.W.

North Canton
Summit
650 Graham Rd.

Cuyahoga Falls
Summit
21 Fifth St., S.E.

Barberton
Trumbull
5555 Youngstown Warren Rd #203
Niles
Tuscarawas 1260 Monroe Avenue

New Philadelphia
Union
940 London Avenue, Suite 1300
Marysville
ix
Appointments
Days Open
(330) 725-3014
Tues-Sat
(419) 586-3912
Thurs-Sat
(937) 335-1057
Tues-Sat
(937) 236-1763
Tues-Sat
(740) 453-8147
Tues-Sat
(614) 921-8946
Wed
(330) 296-4160
Tues-Sat
(937) 456-1266
Tues-Sat
(419) 529-2231
Tues-Sat
(740) 775-9172
Tues-Sat
(419) 334-2012
Tues-Sat
(740) 456-0135
Tues-Sat
(419) 448-4030
Tues-Sat
(937) 498-4779
Thurs-Sat
(330) 433-9214
Tues-Sat
(330) 923-9721
Tues-Sat
(330) 753-2000
Tues-Sat
(330) 544-5404
Tues-Sat
(330) 602-7810
Tues-Sat
(937) 642-2431
Tues-Wed

County
Address
Van Wert
10234 Van Wert-Decator Road

Van Wert
Warren
19-B Dave Avenue

Lebanon
Washington 148-A Gross Street

Frontier Shopping Center, Marietta
Wayne
340 South Market

Wooster
Williams
13065 #A County Road D50
Bryan
Wood
1616 E. Wooster Street

Bowling Green
Note:

Appointments
Days Open
(866) 401-3962
Fri, Sat
(513) 932-5825
Tues-Sat
(740) 373-3679
Tues-Sat
(330) 264-7342
Tues-Sat
(866) 401-3926
Tues-Wed
(419) 353-5920
Tues-Sat
Some phone numbers, addresses and scheduled days and times may change due to
relocations. For additional information, please visit www.bmv.ohio.gov
To schedule a road test visit www.ohiodrivingtest.com
MOTORCYCLE OHIO PROGRAM

ABOUT THE BASIC RIDER
COURSE
M o t o r c y c l e s , h e l m e t s a n d
workbooks are provided.
Students must have a validated
motorcycle temporary permit
( T. I . P. I . C . ) o r m o t o r c y c l e
endorsement before the first riding
session.
Students must provide their own
over-the-ankle sturdy footwear,
gloves, long sleeve shirt or jacket,
long pants and a Department of
Transportation (DOT) approved
helmet if they bring their own.
Each motorcycle rider course is
scheduled for 16 hours.
As a minimum, each student must
be able to ride a bicycle.
All course times and dates are
subject to change.
endorsement/license upon presenting

the (T.I.P.I.C.) to a Deputy Registrar
within 60 days. Graduates under 18
years of age successfully completing
the BRC only, must also meet Graduated
Driver License requirements.
COURSE-2 (BRC2) &
ADVANCED RIDER COURSE
(ARC)
Students must bring their own
motorcycle, proof of motorcycle
insurance, over-the-ankle sturdy
footwear, gloves, long shirt or jacket,
long pants and a Department of
Transportationapproved helmet.
Each operator must have a
motorcycle endorsement or
motorcycle license before the first
riding session.
A nominal fee per person is charged
to cover some of the cost.
Each BRC2 is scheduled for six
hours and the ARC nine hours.
Co-riders may participate in the
BRC-2 and will be charged the
same tuition as the rider.
No co-riders in the ARC.
The Motorcycle Ohio Rider Course

charges a nominal fee to all registrants.
COURSE RETURNING RIDER
(BRC-RR)
The BRC-RR provides training for
individuals 18 and older that are
returning to riding but dont have an
endorsement and/or have been riding on
a temporary permit longer than one year.
All course times and dates are

subject to change.
Visit our Web site for courses offered at:

www.motorcycle.ohio.gov for a course
location near you!
Each course scheduled for 8 hours

Must have a TIPIC or Endorsement
Motorcycles and helmets provided
See www.motorcycle.ohio.gov for
more info
Students who successfully complete
the Motorcycle Ohio Basic Course
or Returning Rider Course will have
the State of Ohio skill test waived
and will receive their motorcycle
xi
Interested in Becoming a MO Instructor?
The MO Program has a need for skilled and dedicated motorcyclists with good
communication skills.
Instructor Candidate qualifications:
(A) The department shall certify an individual to teach the BRC if the individual

meets the following conditions:
(1) Submits to the department a completed application on a form approved
by the director; No applicant shall submit an application that contains
false or misleading information; http://www.publicsafety.ohio.gov//
links/mop0044.pdf
(2) Possesses a high school diploma or GED;
(3) Is currently an experienced motorcycle operator, licensed for at least
three years preceding the date of the application with a valid motorcycle
endorsement and currently rides a motorcycle on a regular basis;
(4) Has a driving record free of any of the following:
(a) Three or more chargeable crashes within the three years preceding
the date of application;
(b) Three or more moving violation convictions under Chapter 4511.
of the Ohio Revised code, or equivalent convictions from another
jurisdiction, within the three years preceding the date of application;
(c) An accumulation of more than five points under Chapter 4510. of the
Ohio Revised code, or equivalent action from another jurisdiction,
with the three years preceding the date of application;
(d) A twelve-point administrative action under section 4510.037 of
the Ohio Revised code, or equivalent convictions from another
jurisdiction, within the ten years preceding the date of application.
(5) Successfully completes the BRC within two calendar years preceding the
date the instructor preparation course is being offered;
(6) Upon request, submits a criminal abstract provided and dated by the
bureau of criminal identification and investigation within forty-five days
of such request.
For an application, go to: www.motorcycle.ohio.gov and click on Instructor.
xii
MOTORCYCLE OHIO INSTRUCTOR PREPARATION

PRIOR TO THE COURSE

All Instructor Candidates (IC)

must have taken and successfully
completed the Basic Rider Course
(BRC) within 24 months prior to
the Instructor Preparation Course
(IPC). No other course, such as the
Experienced Rider Course (ERC),
will meet this requirement. This is
to insure that the IC has a working
knowledge of the course structure,
is familiar with the curriculum and
can perform all of the exercises.
All ICs must complete a home

study assignment prior to the start
date of the IPC. This assignment
will take the average candidate
approximately six to eight
hours to complete. The purpose
of this home study assignment
is to thoroughly familiarize the
candidate with all written materials.
All ICs must be registered for the

IPC with a tuition fee, up to $100,
paid to Motorcycle Ohio no later
than two weeks prior to the start
date of the course.
Motorcycle Ohio reserves the

right to cancel an IPC due to low
enrollment.
All applicants must be pre-approved
by the Motorcycle Ohio Coordinator
to become enrolled in the IPC.
SCHEDULING
Typically the IPC will take place

on five Saturdays and/or Sundays
from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Student
teaching will be scheduled on a
regular scheduled BRC weekend.
The IC must be present for the entire
BRC course.
xiii
CONTENTS
The instructional portion of the

IPC will consist of approximately
40 hours of time, split between
classroom and range. The purpose
of this portion of the IPC is to teach
the candidates how to teach the
BRC to novice students.
Besides the BRC curriculum, other
topics will include background and
o rg a n i z a t i o n a l i n f o r m a t i o n ,
classroom teaching techniques,
range coaching techniques and
range management.
COMPLETION
REQUIREMENTS
Candidates must attend all scheduled

sessions of the IPC and must
attend the entire BRC course during
student teaching.
All ICs must pass a riding test, a
closed book written test and
successfully pass a student teaching
evaluation in order to become
certified instructors.

At the discretion of the MO staff,

an IPC qualifying session may be
scheduled to administer the riding
test, pass out course materials and
answer IC questions.
THE RIDER AND THE MOTORCYCLE

Motorcycling
is RIDING ENVIRONMENT
a
unique
experience.
Compared to a car, you
dont sit in a motorcycle,
you become part of it. Not
as a passive driver, but as
an active rider arcing into
a string of smooth corners,
playing along with the
rhythm of the road; shifting,
accelerating, and braking
with precision. Whether you
ride to and from work or
prefer the camaraderie of a
group ride on the weekend,
motorcycling engages all
your senses and creates
an invigorating sense of
freedom.

Along with that freedom Successfully piloting a motorcycle
comes responsibility. All states is a much more involved task
require some form of license than driving a car. Motorcycling
endorsement demonstrating you requires a fine sense of balance and
possess a minimum level of skill and a heightened sense of awareness
knowledge. This booklet and other and position amidst other roadway
motorcycle publications can help users. A motorcycle responds more
prepare you to be successful. You quickly to rider inputs than a car,
might also consider taking a formal but is also more sensitive to outside
hands-on training course, even if forces, like irregular road surfaces or
your state doesnt require that you crosswinds. A motorcycle is also less
complete one. Youll learn how to visible than a car due to its narrower
improve your riding skills and mental profile, and offers far less protection
strategies, so you can be a safer, more by exposing its rider to other traffic
alert rider.
and the elements. All these risks can

The diagram above illustrates be managed through study, training,
the complex environment that awaits and practice.
you, and supports the concept that,
as the Motorcycle Safety Foundation
says, Safe riding depends as much
on the mental skills of awareness and
judgment as it does on a physical skill
of maneuvering the machine.
1
PREPARING TO RIDE
What you do before you start a trip goes a long way toward determining whether or
not youll get where you want to go safely. Before taking off on any trip, a safe rider
makes a point to:
1. Wear the right gear.
2. Become familiar with the motorcycle.
3. Check the motorcycle equipment.
4. Be a responsible rider.
WEAR THE RIGHT GEAR

When you ride, your gear is right
if it protects you. In any crash, you
have a far better chance of avoiding
serious injury if you wear:
A DOT compliant helmet.
Face or eye protection.
Protective clothing.
Most crashes happenon short

trips (less than five miles long),
just a few minutes after starting
out.
Most ridersare riding slower than
30 mph when a crash occurs. At
these speeds, helmets can cut both
the number and the severity of
head injuries by half.
Helmet Use
Crashes can occur particularly
among untrained, beginning riders.
And one out of every five motorcycle
crashes results in head or neck
injuries. Head injuries are just as
severe as neck injuries and far more
common. Crash analyses show that
head and neck injuries account for a
majority of serious and fatal injuries
to motorcyclists. Research also shows
that, with few exceptions, head and
neck injuries are reduced by properly
wearing a quality helmet.

Some riders dont wear helmets
because they think helmets will limit
their view to the sides. Others wear
helmets only on long trips or when
riding at high speeds. But, here are
some facts to consider:
A DOT-compliant helmetlets
you see as far to the sides as
necessary. A study of more than
900 motorcycle crashes, where
40% of the riders wore helmets,
did not find even one case in which
a helmet kept a rider from spotting
danger.
No matter what the speed,

helmeted riders are three times more
likely to survive head injuries than
those not wearing helmets at the time
of the crash. The single most important
thing you can do to improve your
chances of surviving a crash is to wear
a securely-fastened, quality helmet.
Helmet Selection
There are two primary types of
helmets, providing two different levels
of coverage: three-quarter and full
face.

Whichever style you choose, you
can get the most protection by making
sure that the helmet:
Is designed to meet U.S.
Department of Transportation
(DOT) and state standards.
Helmets with a label from the Snell
Memorial Foundation also give
you an assurance of quality.
Fits snugly,all the way around.
Has no obvious defectssuch as
cracks, loose padding or frayed
straps.
2
PREPARING TO RIDE

Whatever helmet you decide on,
keep it securely fastened on your head
when you ride. Otherwise, if you are
involved in a crash, its likely to fly off
your head before it gets a chance to
protect you.
HELMETS
Eye and Face Protection

A
plastic
shatter-resistant
faceshield can help protect your whole
face in a crash. It also protects you
from wind, dust, dirt, rain, insects and
pebbles thrown up from cars ahead.
These problems are distracting and
can be painful. If you have to deal
with them, you cant devote your full
attention to the road.

Goggles protect your eyes, though
they wont protect the rest of your face
like a faceshield does. A windshield
is not a substitute for a faceshield
or goggles. Most windshields will
not protect your eyes from the wind.
Neither will eyeglasses or sunglasses.
Glasses wont keep your eyes from
watering, and they might blow off
when you turn your head while riding.
To be effective, eye or faceshield
protection must:
Be freeof scratches.
Be resistantto penetration.
Give a clear viewto either side.
Fasten securely,so it does not
blow off.
Permit airto pass through, to
reduce fogging.
Permit
enough
room
for
eyeglasses or sunglasses, if needed.

Tinted eye protection should

not be worn when little light is

available.
Clothing
The right clothing protects you in
a collision. It also provides comfort,
as well as protection from heat, cold,
debris and hot and moving parts of the
motorcycle. It can also make you more
visible to others.
Jacket and pantsshould cover
arms and legs completely. They
should fit snugly enough to keep
from flapping in the wind, yet
loosely enough to move freely.
Leather offers the most protection.
Sturdy synthetic material provides
a lot of protection as well. Wear
a jacket even in warm weather
to prevent dehydration. Many
are designed to protect without
getting you overheated, even on
summer days. Some riders choose
jackets and pants with rigid body
armor inserts in critical areas for
additional protection.
Boots or shoesshould be high and
sturdy enough to cover your ankles
and give them support. Soles
should be made of hard, durable,
slip-resistant material. Keep heels
short so they do not catch on rough
surfaces. Tuck in laces so they
wont catch on your motorcycle.
3
PREPARING TO RIDE
KNOW YOUR
MOTORCYCLE
Glovesallow a better grip and help

protect your hands in a crash. Your
gloves should be made of leather or
similar durable material.
There are plenty of things on the

highway that can cause you trouble.
Your motorcycle should not be one
of them. To make sure that your
motorcycle wont let you down:
Hearing
protection
reduces
noise while allowing you to hear
important sounds such as car horns
or sirens. 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, be sure you adhere
to state laws regarding hearing
protection.
In cold or wet weather, your
clothes should keep you warm and dry,
as well as protect you from injury. You
cannot control a motorcycle well if you
are numb. Riding for long periods in
cold weather can cause severe chill and
fatigue. A winter jacket should resist
wind and fit snugly at the neck, wrists
and waist. Good-quality rainsuits
designed for motorcycle riding resist
tearing apart or ballooning up at high
speeds.
Start with the right motorcycle

for you.
Readthe owners manual.
Be familiarwith the motorcycle
controls.
Check the
every ride.
motorcycle
before
Keep it in safe riding condition

between rides.
Avoid add-ons and modifications
that make your motorcycle harder
to handle.
The Right Motorcycle For You

First, make sure your motorcycle is
right for you. It should fit you. Your
feet should reach the ground while you
are seated on the motorcycle, and the
controls should be easy to operate.
Smaller motorcycles are usually easier
for beginners to operate.
At a minimum, your street-legal
motorcycle should have:
CLOTHING

Headlight,
brakelight.
1
taillight
and
Test Yourself
A plastic shatter-resistant face

shield:
A. Is not necessary if you have a

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

Answer - page 52
PREPARING TO RIDE
Front and rear brakes.
Turn signals.
Horn.
involve riders with less than five months

of experience on their motorcycle.
Get Familiar with the Motorcycle
Controls

Make sure you are completely
familiar with the motorcycle before
you take it out on the street. Be sure
to review the owners manual. This is
particularly important if you are riding
a borrowed motorcycle.
If you are going to use an
unfamiliar motorcycle:
Two mirrors.
Borrowing and Lending
Borrowers and lenders of
motorcycles, beware. Crashes are
more likely to occur among beginning
riders especially in the first months
of riding. Riding an unfamiliar
motorcycle adds to the problem. If you
borrow a motorcycle, get familiar with
it in a controlled area. And if you lend
your motorcycle to friends, make sure
they are licensed and know how to ride
before allowing them out into traffic.
No matter how experienced you
may be, ride extra carefully on any
motorcycle thats new or unfamiliar
to you. More than half of all crashes
Make all the checksyou would on

your own motorcycle.
Find out where everything is,
particularly the turn signals, horn,
headlight switch, fuel-supply valve
and engine cut-off switch. Find and
operate these items without having
to look for them.
MOTORCYCLE CONTROLS
PREPARING TO RIDE
Know the controls. Work the
throttle, clutch, brakes, and shifter
a few times before you start riding.
Ride very cautiouslyand be aware
of surroundings. Accelerate gently,
take turns more slowly and leave
extra room for stopping.
Check Your Motorcycle

A motorcycle needs more frequent
attention than a car. A minor technical
failure on a car is seldom more than
an inconvenience for the driver. The
same failure on a motorcycle may
result in a crash or having to leave your
motorcycle parked on the side of the
road. If anythings wrong with your
motorcycle, youll want to find out
about it before you get in traffic.

The primary source of information
about how a motorcycle should
be inspected and maintained is its
owners manual. Be sure to absorb
all of its important information. A
motorcycle will continue to ride like
new if it is properly maintained and
routine inspections become part of its
maintenance cycle.

A pre-ride inspection only takes a
few minutes and should be done before
every ride to prevent problems. Its
quick and easy to check the critical
components and should be as routine
and automatic as checking the weather
forecast before heading out for the
day. A convenient reminder developed
by MSF is T-CLOCSSM. There is a
T-CLOCS tear-out sheet at the back
of this manual for you to keep with you
when you ride. A T-CLOCS inspection
should be conducted before every ride,
and includes checks of:
Try the front and rear brake levers

one at a time. Make sure each feels
firm and holds the motorcycle
when fully applied.
C Controls
Make sure the clutch and throttle
operate smoothly. The throttle
should snap back to fully closed
when released. The clutch should
feel tight and should operate
smoothly.
Try the horn. Make sure it works.
Clean and adjust your mirrors
before starting. Its difficult to ride
with one hand while you try to
adjust a mirror. Adjust each mirror
so you can see the lane behind and
as much as possible of the lane next
to you. When properly adjusted, a
mirror may show the edge of your
arm or shoulder but its the road
behind you and to the side that are
most 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
are working properly.
Try both brakes and make sure
each one turns on the brake light.
O Oil and Other Fluids
Check engine oil and transmission
fluid levels.
Check the brake hydraulic fluid
and coolant level weekly.
Be sure your fuel valve is open
before starting out. With the fuel
valve closed, your motorcycle may
start with only the fuel that is still
in the lines, but will stall once the
lines are empty.
T Tires and Wheels

Check tire inflation pressure,
treadwear and general condition of
sidewalls and tread surface.
6
PREPARING TO RIDE
Look underneath the motorcycle
for signs of an oil or fuel leak.
C Chassis
Check the front suspension. Ensure
there is no binding. The rear shocks
and springs should move smoothly.
Be sure the chain is adjusted
according to the manufacturers
specifications and that the sprockets
are not worn or damaged.
S Stands
Ensure the side stand operates
smoothly and that the spring holds
it tightly in the up position. If
equipped, the center stand should
also be held firmly against the
frame whenever the motorcycle is
moving.

Additionally, regular maintenance
such as tune-ups and oil changes are as
important for a motorcycle as routine
checkups by your doctor are for you.
Wear and tear is normal with use;
routine maintenance will help prevent
costly breakdowns. The schedule for
regular upkeep for motorcycle parts
and controls is contained in your
motorcycles owners manual.
Someone else might be the first to start

the chain of events leading to a crash,
but it doesnt leave any of us free of
responsibility.

As a rider you cant be sure that
other operators will see you or yield the
right of way. To lessen your chances of
a crash occurring:
Be visible wear proper clothing,
use your headlight, ride in the best
lane position to see and be seen.
Communicate your intentions
use the proper signals, brake light
and lane position.
Maintain an adequate space
cushion when following, being
followed, lane sharing, passing and
being passed.
Search your path of travel 12
seconds ahead.
Identify and separatehazards.
Be prepared to act remain alert
and know how to carry out proper
crash-avoidance skills.

Blame doesnt matter when
someone is injured in a crash. The
ability to ride aware, make critical
decisions and carry them out separates
responsible riders from the rest.
Remember, it is up to you to keep from
being the cause of, or an unprepared
participant in, any crash.
KNOW YOUR
RESPONSIBILITIES

Accident implies an unforeseen
event that occurs without fault or
negligence. In traffic, that is not the
case. In fact, most people involved in a
crash can claim some responsibility for
what takes place.
Consider a situation where
someone decides to drive through an
intersection on a yellow light turning
red. Your light turns green. You pull
into the intersection without checking
for possible traffic. That is all it takes
for the two of you to crash. It was the
drivers responsibility to stop, and it
was your responsibility to look before
pulling out. Both of you are at fault.
Test Yourself
More than half of all crashes:

A.

B.
C.
D.
Occur at speeds greater than

35 mph
Happen at night
Are caused by worn tires
Involve riders who have ridden
their motorcycles less than six
months

Answer - page 52

This manual cannot teach you how to control direction, speed or balance.
Thats something you can learn only through practice, preferably in a formal
course of instruction like an MSF RiderCourse. But control begins with
knowing your abilities and riding within them, along with knowing and
obeying the rules of the road.
BASIC VEHICLE CONTROL
you to use the proper muscles for

precision steering.
Body Position
To control a motorcycle well:
Knees Keep your knees against

the gas tank to help you keep your
balance as the motorcycle turns.
Posture Position yourself

comfortably so you are able to
operate all the controls and can use
your arms to steer the motorcycle,
rather than to hold yourself up.
This helps you bond with your
motorcycle and allows you to react
quickly to hazards.
Feet Keep your feet firmly on

the footrests to maintain balance.
Dont drag your feet. If your foot
catches on something, you could
be injured and it could affect your
control of the motorcycle. Keep
your feet near the controls so you
can get to them fast if needed. Also,
dont let your toes point downward
they may get caught between
the road and the footrests.
Seat Sit far enough forward so

that arms are slightly bent when
you hold the handgrips. Bending
your arms permits you to press on
the handlebars without having to
stretch.
Shifting Gears

There is more to shifting gears than
simply getting the motorcycle to pick
up speed smoothly. Learning to use the
gears when downshifting, turning or
starting on hills is equally important
for safe motorcycle operation.
The gearshift lever is located in
front of the left footrest and is operated
by the left foot. To shift up to a higher
gear, position your foot under the shift
lever and lift. To downshift, press
the shift lever down. The shift lever
changes one gear each time it is lifted
or pressed down. Whenever the lever
is released, spring loading returns it
to center, where the mechanism resets
for the next shift up or down. A typical
gear pattern is 1-N-2-3-4-5. The N is
Hands Hold the handgrips

firmly to keep your grip over rough
surfaces. Start with your right
wrist flat. This will help you keep
from accidentally using too much
throttle. Also, adjust the handlebars
so your hands are even with or
below your elbows. This permits
HOLDING HANDLEGRIPS

for neutral, which is selected by
either a half lift from 1st gear or
a half press from 2nd gear. Most
motorcycles have five gears, but some
have four or six gears.

SHIFTING GEARS
As your motorcycle increases speed,

you will need to shift up to a higher
gear.
Shift up well before the
engine RPM reaches its maximum
recommended speed. As a general rule,
shift up soon enough to avoid overrevving the engine, but not so soon to
cause the engine to lug.

When upshifting, use a 3-step
process: 1) Roll off the throttle as
you squeeze the clutch lever, 2) lift
the shift lever firmly as far as it will
go, 3) smoothly ease out the clutch
and adjust the throttle. Once the shift
is completed, release the shift lever to
permit it to reset for the next shift.

You should shift down through
the gears with the clutch as you slow
or stop, and can also shift down when
you need more power to accelerate.

Make certain you are riding slowly
enough when you shift into a lower
gear. If not, the motorcycle will lurch,
and the rear wheel may skid. When
riding downhill or shifting into first
gear you 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 you
squeeze the clutch lever, 2) press the
shift lever down firmly, 3) ease out the
clutch lever as you roll on the throttle.
Once the shift is completed, release
the shift lever to permit it to reset for
the next shift. Rolling on the throttle
slightly while smoothly easing out
the clutch can help the engine come
up to speed more quickly and make
the downshift smoother. Shifting to
a lower gear causes an effect similar
to using the brakes. This is known as
engine braking. To use engine braking,
shift down one gear at a time and ease
out the clutch through the friction
zone between each downshift. Keep
the clutch in the friction zone until the
engine speed stabilizes. Then ease out
the lever fully until ready for the next
downshift. Usually you shift gears
one at a time, but it is possible to shift
through more than one gear while the
clutch is squeezed.

Remain in first gear while you
are stopped so that you can move out
quickly if you need to.

Work toward a smooth, even
clutch release, especially when
downshifting. It is best to change
gears before entering a turn. However,
sometimes shifting while in the turn
is necessary. If so, remember to do so
smoothly. A sudden change in power to
the rear wheel can cause a skid.
Braking
Improper braking technique remains a
significant contributing factor in many
motorcycle crashes. Your motorcycle
has two brake controls: one for the
front wheel and one for the rear wheel.
Always use both brakes every time you

slow or stop. The front brake is more
powerful 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 is
accomplished by fully applying both
front and rear brakes without locking
either wheel.
To do this:

To stop as quickly and as safely as
possible in a curve, and depending on
road and traffic conditions, try to get the
motorcycle as perpendicular to the road
as possible, then brake. If conditions do
not allow, brake smoothly and gradually,
but do not apply as much braking force
as you would if the motorcycle were
straight up. As you slow, you can reduce
your lean angle, and as more traction
becomes available for braking, you can
more firmly apply the brakes, so that
by the time the motorcycle is stopped,
the motorcycle is straight up, and the
handlebars are squared.
Squeeze the front brake smoothly,

firmly and with progressively more
force. Do not grab the brake lever
or use abrupt pressure.
As the motorcycles weight
transfers forward, more traction
becomes available at the front
wheel, so the front brake can
be applied harder after braking
begins.
Linked and Integrated Braking

Systems

Some motorcycles have linked
braking which connects the front and
rear brakes on the motorcycle and
applies braking pressure to both brakes
when either the front lever or rear
pedal is applied. An integrated braking
system is a variation of the linked
system in which partial front braking
is applied whenever the rear brake
is activated. Consult your owners
manual for a detailed explanation on
the operation and effective use of these
systems.
Keep your knees against the tank

and your eyes up, looking well
ahead. This helps you stop the
motorcycle in a straight line.
Apply light-to-lighter pressure
to the rear brake pedal to prevent
a rear wheel skid. As weight
transfers forward less traction is
available at the rear. Use less rear
brake pressure.

Using both brakes for even
normal stops will permit you to
develop the proper habit or skill of
using both brakes properly in an
emergency. Squeeze the front brake
and press down on the rear. Grabbing
at the front brake or jamming down on
the rear can cause the brakes to lock,
resulting in control problems.
Anti-Lock Braking Systems (ABS)

ABS is designed to prevent wheel
lock-up and avoid skids when stopping
in straight-line, panic situations. ABS
operates when maximum pressure on
both the front and rear brake controls
is applied. If electronic sensors detect
the possibility of a wheel lock, brake
hydraulic pressure, is released then
reapplied to maintain maximum braking
effectiveness.

The system is capable of releasing
and reapplying pressure more than 15
times per second.
Braking in a Corner

Any time a motorcycle is leaned
over, the amount of traction available
for braking is reduced. The greater the
lean angle, the more the possibility of
the tires losing traction.
10

Turning
Approach turns and curves with
caution. Riders often try to take curves
or turns too fast. When they cant hold
the turn, they end up crossing into
another lane of traffic or going off the
road. Or, they overreact and brake too
hard, causing a skid and loss of control.
Use four steps for better control:
In normal turns, the rider and the

motorcycle should lean together at
the same angle.
NORMAL TURNS
SLOW Reduce speed before the

turn by closing the throttle and, if
necessary, applying both brakes.
LOOK Look through the turn to
where you want to go. Turn just your
head, not your shoulders, and keep
your eyes level with the horizon.
PRESS To turn, the motorcycle
must lean. To lean the motor-cycle,
press on the handgrip in the direction
of the turn. Press left handgrip
lean left go left. Press right
handgrip lean right go right.
The higher the speed in a turn, or the
sharper the turn, the greater the lean
angle needs to be.
In slow, tight turns, counterbalance by leaning the motorcycle

only and keeping your body straight.
ROLL Roll on the throttle to

maintain or slightly increase speed.
This helps stabilize the motorcycle.
SLOW, TIGHT TURNS
Test Yourself
When riding, you should:

A.
Turn your head and shoulders to

look through turns
B. Keep your arms straight
C. Keep your knees away from the
gas tank
D. Turn just your head and eyes to
look where you are going

Answer - page 52
11

KEEPING YOUR DISTANCE
Avoid windblast
vehicles.

The best protection you can have
is distance a cushion of space
separating yourself from other vehicles
on the roadway. This will provide you
with a clear view of emerging traffic
situations, so that if someone else
makes a mistake, you will have:
from
other
Provide an escape route.

Set up for turns.
Many motorcyclists consider
the left third of the lane the left tire
track of automobiles to be their
default lane position. You should then
consider varying your lane position as
conditions warrant, keeping mind that
no portion of the lane need be avoided
including the center.

You should position yourself in the
portion of the lane where you are most
likely to be seen and you can maintain
a space cushion around you. Change
position as traffic situations change.
Ride in path 2 or 3 if vehicles and other
potential problems are on your left
only. Remain in path 1 or 2 if hazards
are on your right only. If vehicles are
being operated on both sides of you,
the center of the lane, path 2, is usually
your best option.
Remember, the center third of the
lane is the place where debris and oil
drippings from cars collect and where
hazards such as manhole covers are
located. Unless the road is wet, the
More time to respond.

More space to maneuver, including
an escape route if necessary.
Lane Positions

Successful motorcyclists know
that they are safer when clearly seen. In
some ways the size of the motorcycle
can work to your advantage. Each
traffic lane gives a motorcycle three
paths of travel, as indicated in the
illustration.
Your lane position should help you:
Increase your ability to see and be
seen.
Avoid others blind spots.
Avoid surface hazards.
Protect your lane from other
LANE POSITIONS
drivers.
Communicate your intentions.
LANE POSITIONS
12

FOLLOWING
average center strip permits adequate

traction to ride on safely. You can
operate to the left or right of the grease
strip and still be within the center third
of the traffic lane. Avoid riding on big
buildups of oil and grease usually found
at busy intersections or tollbooths.

Experienced riders rely on their
own best judgment and instincts. One
absolute, however, is to avoid riding in
another vehicles blind spot.
Following Another Vehicle

Following too closely is a factor
in crashes involving motorcyclists.
In traffic, motorcycles need as much
distance to stop as cars. Normally, a
minimum of two seconds distance
should be maintained behind the
vehicle ahead.
To gauge your following distance:
Pick out a marker,such as a
pavement marking or lamppost, on
or near the road ahead.
If you reach the marker before

you reach two, you are following
too closely.

A two-second following distance
leaves a minimum amount of space to
stop or swerve if the driver ahead stops
suddenly. It also permits a better view
of potholes and other hazards in the
road.

A larger cushion of space is needed
if your motorcycle will take longer
than normal to stop. If the pavement
is slippery, if you cannot see through
the vehicle ahead, or if traffic is heavy
and someone may squeeze in front of
you, open up a three-second or more
following distance.

Keep well behind the vehicle
ahead even when you are stopped. This
will make it easier to get out of the way
if someone bears down on you from
behind. It will also give you a cushion
of space if the vehicle ahead starts to
back up for some reason.
When the rear bumperof the

vehicle ahead passes the marker,
count off the seconds: onethousand-one, one-thousand-two.
13

When behind a car, ride where
the driver can see you in the rearview
mirror. Riding in the center portion of
the lane should put your image in the
middle of the rearview mirror where
a driver is most likely to see you.

Riding at the far side of a lane may
permit a driver to see you in a sideview
mirror. But remember that most drivers
dont look at their sideview mirrors
nearly as often as they check the
rearview mirror. If the traffic situation
allows, the center portion of the lane
is usually the best place for you to
be seen by the drivers ahead and to
prevent lane sharing by others.
Passing
Being Followed
Speeding up to lose someone
following too closely only ends up with
someone tailgating you at a higher speed.

A better way to handle tailgaters
is to get them in front of you. When
someone is following too closely,
change lanes and let them pass. If you
cant do this, slow down and open up
extra space ahead of you to allow room
for both you and the tailgater to stop.
This will also encourage them to pass.
If they dont pass, you will have given
yourself and the tailgater more time
and space to react in case an emergency
does develop ahead.
4. Signal again,and complete

mirror and headchecks before
returning to your original lane
and then cancel the signal.
Remember, passes must be
completed within posted speed
limits, and only where permitted.
Know your signs and road markings!
1. Ride in the left portionof the

lane at a safe following distance
to increase your line of sight and
make you more visible. Signal
and check for oncoming traffic.
Use your mirrors and turn your
head to look for traffic behind.
2. When safe,move into the left
lane and accelerate. Select a lane
position that doesnt crowd the
car and provides space to avoid
hazards in your lane.
3. Ride through the blind spot as
quickly as possible.
PASSING
Passing and Being Passed

Passing and being passed by
another vehicle is not much different
than with a car. However, visibility is
more critical. Be sure other drivers see
you, and that you see potential hazards.
14

Being Passed

When you are being passed from
behind, stay in the center portion of
your lane. Riding close to the passing
vehicle could put you in a hazardous
situation.
Avoid being hit by:
The other vehicle A slight
mistake by you or the passing
driver could cause a sideswipe.
Extended mirrors
Some
drivers forget that their mirrors
hang out farther than their fenders.
Objects thrown from windows
Even if the driver knows youre
there, a passenger may not see you
and might toss something on you
or the road ahead of you.

Do not move into the portion
of the lane farthest from the passing
vehicle. It might invite the other driver
to cut back into your lane too early.
Lane Sharing
Cars and motorcycles need a full
lane to operate safely. Lane sharing is
usually prohibited.

Riding between rows of stopped or
moving cars in the same lane can leave
you vulnerable to the unexpected. A
hand could come out of a window;
a door could open; a car could turn
suddenly. Discourage lane sharing by
others. Keep a center-portion position
whenever drivers might be tempted
to squeeze by you. Drivers are most
tempted to do this:
In heavy,
traffic.
bumper-to-bumper
Blasts of wind from larger

When theywant to pass you.
vehicles They can affect your
control. You have more room
When youare preparing to turn at
for error if you are in the middle
an intersection.
portion when hit by this blast than
When youare moving into an exit
if you are on either side of the lane.
lane or leaving a highway.
BEING PASSED
Test Yourself
Usually, a good way to handle

tailgaters is to:

A.
B.
Change lanes and let them pass

Use your horn and make
obscene gestures
C. Speed up to put distance
between you and the tailgater
D. Ignore them

Answer - page 52
15

Cars Alongside

Do not ride next to cars or trucks
in other lanes if you do not have to.
You might be in the blind spot of a car
in the next lane, which could switch
into your lane without warning. Cars
in the next lane also block your escape
if you come upon danger in your own
lane. Speed up or drop back to find a
place clear of traffic on both sides.
Merging Cars

Drivers on an entrance ramp may
not see you on the highway. Give them
plenty of room. Change to another lane
if one is open. If there is no room for
a lane change, adjust speed to open up
space for the merging driver.
MERGING
BLIND SPOT
16

SEE

Good, experienced riders are
always aware of what is going on
around them. They reduce their
risk by using MSFs three-step
SEESM strategy:
RIDER RADAR
Search
Evaluate
Execute

SEE will help you assess
what is going on in traffic so
you can plan and implement the
safest course of action as traffic
situations change. Lets look at
each of these steps.
Search
How assertively you search,
and how much time and space you
have, can eliminate or minimize
risk. As you search, focus on
finding potential escape routes,
especially in or around intersections,
shopping areas and school and
construction zones.

One way to search is to use your
RiderRadar to aggressively scan
the environment ahead of you, to
the sides, and behind you to avoid
potential hazards even before they
arise. There are three lead times
experienced riders consider. First,
be alert and scan for hazards that
are about 2 seconds ahead of you,
or within your following distance.
Scanning your 4-second immediate
path can allow you time for a quick
response if something should go
wrong. Anything that is within 4
seconds of your path is considered
immediate because 4 seconds is
considered enough time and space
to swerve and/or brake for fixed
hazards or for someone or something
entering your path of travel.

Finally, experienced riders
search for hazards that are further
out, looking ahead to an area it
would take about 12 seconds to
reach. This provides time to prepare
for a situation before it becomes
immediate.

Using the SEE strategy will help
you to Search for a variety of factors
such as:
Oncoming traffic that may turn
left in front of you.
Traffic coming from the left and
from the right.
Traffic approaching from behind.
17

Hazardous road conditions that
require you to be alert, especially
in areas with limited visibility.
Visually busy surroundings could
hide you and your motorcycle from
others
Evaluate

Evaluate means to think about how
hazards can interact to create risks for
you. Anticipate potential problems and
have a plan to reduce risks, particularly
when faced with:
Road and surface characteristics
such as potholes, guardrails,
bridges, telephone poles and trees
that wont move into your path, but
may influence your riding strategy.
Traffic control devices including
traffic signals, warning signs, and
pavement markings, which will
require you to carefully evaluate
circumstances ahead.
Vehicles and other traffic that
may move into your path and
increase the likelihood of a crash.
Think about your time and space
requirements in order to maintain a
margin of safety, and give yourself
time to react if an emergency
arises.

Apply the old adage one step at a
time to handle two or more hazards.
Adjust speed to permit two hazards
to separate. Then deal with them one
at a time as single hazards. Decisionmaking becomes more complex with
three or more hazards. Evaluate the
consequences of each and give equal
distance to the hazards.

In potential high-risk areas, such
as intersections, shopping areas and
school and construction zones, cover
the clutch and both brakes to reduce the
time you need to react.
INTERSECTIONS

The greatest potential for conflict
between you and other traffic is at
intersections. An intersection can be
in the middle of an urban area or at
a driveway on a residential street
anywhere traffic may cross your path of
travel. Over one-half of motorcycle/car
crashes are caused by drivers entering a
riders right-of-way. Cars that turn left
in front of you, including cars turning
left from the lane on your right, and
cars on side streets that pull into your
lane, are the biggest dangers. Your use
of SEE at intersections is critical.
5
Test Yourself
To reduce your reaction time,

you should:
Execute

Finally, Execute your decision. To
create more space and minimize harm
from any hazard:
A.
B.
C.
D.
Communicateyour presence with

lights and/or horn.
Ride slower than the speed limit

Cover the clutch and the brakes
Shift into neutral when slowing
Pull in the clutch when turning
Answer - page 52
Adjust your speedby accelerating,

stopping or slowing.

Adjust your positionand/or
direction by swerving, changing
lanes, or moving to another
position within your lane.
18

LARGE INTERSECTIONS

There are no guarantees that others
see you. Never count on eye contact
as a sign that a driver will yield. Too
often, a driver looks right at a motorcyclist and still fails to see him or her.
The only eyes that you can count on
are your own. If a car can enter your
path, assume that it will. Good riders
are always looking for trouble not
to get into it, but to stay out of it.

SMALL INTERSECTIONS

Increase your chances of being seen at

intersections. Ride with your headlight
on and in a lane position that provides
the best view of oncoming traffic. Provide a space cushion around the motorcycle that permits you to take evasive
action. When approaching an intersection where a vehicle driver is preparing to cross your path, slow down and
select a lane position to increase your
visibility to that driver. Cover the clutch
lever and both brakes to reduce reaction
time. As you enter the intersection,
6
Test Yourself
Making eye contact with other

drivers:
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
will yield to you

Answer - page 52
19

move away from the vehicle. Do not
change speed or position radically, as
drivers might think you are preparing
to turn. Be prepared to brake hard and
hold your position if an oncoming
vehicle turns in front of you, especially
if there is other traffic around you.
This strategy should also be used
whenever a vehicle in the oncoming
lane of traffic is signaling for a left
turn, whether at an intersection or not.
BLIND INTERSECTIONS
Blind Intersections

If you approach a blind
intersection, move to the portion
of the lane that will bring you into
another drivers field of vision at
the earliest possible moment. In this
picture, the rider has moved to the
left portion of the lane away from
the parked car so the driver on the
cross street can see him as soon as
possible.

Remember, the key is to see as
much as possible and remain visible
to others while 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 the cross-traffic lane meets
your lane. From that position, lean
your body forward and look around
buildings, parked cars or bushes to
see if anything is coming. Just make
sure your front wheel stays out of
the cross lane of travel while youre
looking.
STOP SIGNS
PARKED CARS
Passing Parked Cars

When passing parked cars, stay
toward the left of your lane. You
can avoid problems caused by doors
opening, drivers getting out of cars or
people stepping from between cars.
If oncoming traffic is present, it is
usually best to remain in the centerlane position to maximize your space
cushion.
20

A bigger problem can occur if the
driver pulls away from the curb without
checking for traffic behind. Even if he
does look, he may fail to see you.
In either event, the driver might cut into
your path. Slow down or change lanes
to make room for someone cutting in.

Cars making a sudden U-turn are
the most dangerous. They may cut
you off entirely, blocking the whole
roadway and leaving you with no
place to go. Since you cant tell what
a driver will do, slow down and get the
drivers attention. Sound your horn and
continue with caution.
Parking at the Roadside

If parking in a parallel parking
space next to a curb, position the
motorcycle at an angle with the
rear wheel to the curb. (Note: Some
cities have ordinances that require
motorcycles to park parallel to the
curb.)
INCREASING CONSPICUITY
In crashes with motorcyclists,
drivers often say that they never
saw the motorcycle. From ahead or
behind, a motorcycles outline is much
smaller than a cars. Also, its hard
to see something you are not looking
for, and most drivers are not looking
for motorcycles. More likely, they
are looking through the skinny, twowheeled silhouette in search of cars
that may pose a problem to them.

Even if a driver does see you
coming, you arent necessarily safe.
Smaller vehicles appear farther away
and seem to be traveling slower
than they actually are. It is common
for drivers to pull out in front of
motorcyclists, thinking they have
plenty of time. Too often, they are
wrong.
PARKING AT CURBS

However, you can do many things
to make it easier for others to recognize
you and your motorcycle.
Clothing

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

Bright orange, red, yellow or green
jackets/vests are your best bets for
being seen. Your helmet can do more
than protect you in a crash. Brightly
colored helmets can also help others
see you.

Any bright color is better than
drab or dark colors. Reflective, brightcolored clothing (helmet and jacket/
vest) is best.

Reflective material on a vest and
on the sides of the helmet will help
drivers coming from the side to spot
you. Reflective material can also be
a big help for drivers coming toward
you or from behind.
Headlight

The best way to help others see your
motorcycle is to keep the headlight on
at all times (new motorcycles sold
in the USA since 1978 automatically
21

your path, thinking you plan to turn
again. Use your signals at every turn
so drivers can react accordingly. Dont
make them guess what you intend to
do.
SIGNALING
Brake Light

Your motorcycles brake light is
usually not as noticeable as the brake
lights on a car particularly when
your taillight is on. (It goes on with the
headlight.) If the situation will permit,
help others notice you by flashing your
brake light before you slow down. It
is especially important to flash your
brake light before:
have the headlights on when running).
Studies show that, during the day, a
motorcycle with its light on is twice as
likely to be noticed. Use low beam at
night and in fog.
Signals
The signals on a motorcycle are
similar to those on a car. They tell
others what you plan to do.

However, due to a riders added
vulnerability, signals are even more
important. Use them anytime you plan
to change lanes or turn. Use them even
when you think no one else is around.
Its the car you dont see thats going to
give you the most trouble. Your signal
lights also make you easier to spot.
Thats why its a good idea to use your
turn signals even when what you plan
to do is obvious.

When you enter a freeway, drivers
approaching from behind are more
likely to see your signal blinking and
make room for you.
Turning your signal light on
before each turn reduces confusion and
frustration for the traffic around you.
Once you turn, make sure your signal
is off or a driver may pull directly into
22
You slow more quickly than

others might expect (turning off a
high-speed highway).
You slow whereothers may not
expect it (in the middle of a block
or at an alley).

If you are being followed closely,
its a good idea to flash your brake light
before you slow. The tailgater may be
watching you and not see something
ahead that will make you slow down.
This will hopefully discourage them
from tailgating and warn them of
hazards ahead they may not see.
Using Your Mirrors

While its most important to keep
track of whats happening ahead, you
cant afford to ignore situations behind.
Traffic conditions change quickly.
Knowing whats going on behind
is essential for you to make a safe
decision about how to handle trouble
ahead.

Frequent mirror checks should be
part of your normal searching routine.
Make a special point of using your
mirrors:
When you are stoppedat an
intersection. Watch cars coming
up from behind. If the drivers

arent paying attention, they could
be on top of you before they see
you.
USING MIRRORS
Before you change lanes.Make

sure no one is about to pass you.

Before you slow down. The
driver behind may not expect you
to slow, or may be unsure about
where you will slow. For example,
you signal a turn and the driver
thinks you plan to turn at a distant
intersection, rather than at a nearer
driveway.
Most motorcycles have rounded
(convex) mirrors. These provide a
wider view of the road behind than
do flat mirrors. They also make cars
seem farther away than they really
are. If you are not used to convex
mirrors, get familiar with them.
(While you are stopped, pick out a
parked car in your mirror. Form a
mental image of how far away it is.
Then, turn around and look at it to
see how close you came.) Practice
with your mirrors until you become
a good judge of distance. Even then,
allow extra distance before you
change lanes.
On a road with several lanes, check

the far lane and the one next to you. A
driver in the distant lane may head for
the same space you plan to take.

Frequent head checks should be
your normal scanning routine, also.
Only by knowing what is happening
all around you are you fully prepared
to deal with it.
Horn
Be ready to use your horn to get
someones attention quickly.

It is a good idea to give a quick
beep before passing anyone that may
move into your lane.
Here are some situations:
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.
A driverin the lane next to you is
driving too closely to the vehicle
ahead and may want to pass.
7
Test Yourself
A parked carhas someone in the
drivers seat.
Reflective clothing should:

A. Be worn at night
B. Be worn during the day
C. Not be worn
D. Be worn day and night

Answer - page 52
Someone is in the street,riding a

bicycle or walking.

In an emergency, sound your horn
loud and long. Be ready to stop or
swerve away from the danger.
23

Keep in mind that a motorcycles
horn isnt as loud as a cars therefore,
use it, but dont rely on it. Other
strategies, like having time and space
to maneuver, may be appropriate along
with the horn.
Riding at Night

At night it is harder for you to see
and be seen. Picking your headlight
or taillight out of the car lights around
you is not easy for other drivers. To
compensate, you should:
Reduce Your Speed Ride even
slower than you would during the
day particularly on roads you
dont know well. This will increase
your chances of avoiding a hazard.
Increase Distance Distances
are harder to judge at night than
during the day. Your eyes rely upon
shadows and light contrasts to
determine how far away an object
is and how fast it is coming. These
contrasts are missing or distorted
under artificial lights at night.
Open up a three-second following
distance or more. And allow more
distance to pass and be passed.
Use the Car Ahead The
headlights of the car ahead can
give you a better view of the road
than even your high beam can.
Taillights bouncing up and down
can alert you to bumps or rough
pavement.
Use Your High Beam Get all the
light you can. Use your high beam
whenever you are not following
or meeting a car. Be visible: Wear
reflective materials when riding at
night.
Be Flexible About Lane Position.
Change to whatever portion of the
lane is best able to help you see, be
seen and keep an adequate space
cushion.
24
CRASH AVOIDANCE
No matter how careful you are,
there will be times when you find
yourself in a tight spot. Your chances
of getting out safely depend on your
ability to react quickly and properly.
Often, a crash occurs because a rider
is not prepared or skilled in crashavoidance maneuvers.
Know when and how to stop or
swerve, two skills critical in avoiding
a crash. It is not always desirable or
possible to stop quickly to avoid an
obstacle. Riders must also be able to
swerve around an obstacle. Determining which skill is necessary for the
situation is important as well.
Studies show that most crashinvolved riders:
Underbrake the front tire and
overbrake the rear.
Did not separate braking from
swerving or did not choose
swerving when it was appropriate.
The following information offers
some good advice.
Quick Stops

To stop quickly, apply both brakes
at the same time. Dont be shy about
using the front brake, but dont grab
it, either. Squeeze the brake lever
firmly and progressively. If the front
wheel locks, release the front brake
immediately then reapply it firmly.
At the same time, press down on the
rear brake. If you accidentally lock the
rear brake on a good traction surface,
you can keep it locked until you have
completely stopped; but, even with a
locked rear wheel, you can control the
motorcycle on a straightaway if it is
upright and going in a straight line.

Stopping Quickly
STOPPING DISTANCE
in a Curve
If you know the
technique, using both
brakes in a turn is possible,
although it should be done
very carefully. When
leaning the motorcycle
some of the traction is used
for cornering. Less traction
is available for stopping.
A skid can occur if you
apply too much brake.
Also, using the front brake
can be applied. Always straighten
incorrectly on a slippery
surface may be hazardous. Use caution the handlebars in the last few feet of
and squeeze the brake lever, never stopping to maintain your balance and
remain upright.
grab.

If you must stop quickly while Swerving or Turning Quickly
turning in a curve, first straighten and Sometimes you may not have
square the handlebars, then stop. If you enough room to stop, even if you
find yourself in a situation that does use both brakes properly. You may
not allow straightening first, such as encounter an unexpected object in your
when there is a danger of running off path, or the car ahead might squeal to
the road in a left-hand curve, or when a stop. The only way to avoid a crash
facing oncoming traffic in a right- may be to turn quickly or swerve
hand curve, apply the brakes smoothly around it. A swerve is a sudden change
and gradually. As you slow, you can in direction. It can be two quick turns,
reduce your lean angle and apply more or a rapid shift to the side. Apply a
brake pressure until the motorcycle is small amount of hand pressure to the
straight and maximum brake pressure handlegrip located on the side of your
SWERVE, THEN BRAKE
BRAKE, THEN SWERVE
25

intended direction of escape. This will
cause the motorcycle to lean quickly.
The sharper the turn(s), the more the
motorcycle must lean. Keep your body
body upright and allow the motorcycle
to lean in the direction of the turn while
keeping your knees against the tank
and your feet solidly on the foot rests.
Let the motorcycle move underneath
you. Make your escape route the target
of your vision. Press on the oppostie
handlegrip once you clear the obstacle
to return you to your original direction
of travel. To swerve to the left, press
the left handlegrip, then press the right
to recover. To swerve to the right, press
right, then left. If braking is required,
separate it from swerving. Break before
or after - never while swerving.

Maximum Straight-Line Braking

Maximum straight-line braking is
accomplished by fully applying front
and rear brakes without locking either
wheel. Keep your body centered over
the motorcycle and look well ahead,
not down. This will help you keep
the motorcycle in as straight a line as
possible, minimizing lean angle and
the likelihood of the wheels losing
traction.
Front-Wheel Skids

If the front wheel locks, release
the front brake immediately and
completely.

Reapply the brake smoothly.
MULTIPLE CURVES
CONSTANT CURVES
WIDENING CURVES
DECREASING CURVES (Tighter Turns)
26

Front-wheel skids result in immediate
loss of steering control and balance.
Failure to fully release the brake lever
immediately will result in a crash.
Rear-Wheel Skids

A skidding rear tire is a dangerous
condition that can result in a violent
crash and serious injury or death. Too
much rear brake pressure causes rearwheel lockup. As soon as the rear
wheel locks, your ability to change
direction is lost. To regain control the
brake must be released. However, if
the rear wheel is out of alignment with
the front, there is a risk of a high-side
crash. This occurs when the wheels
are out of alignment and a locked rear
wheel is released. The motorcycle
can abruptly snap upright and tumble,
throwing the rider into the air ahead
of the motorcycles path. Even slight
misalignment can result in a high-side
crash.
Curves

A primary cause of single-vehicle
crashes is motorcyclists running wide
in a curve or turn and colliding with the
roadway or a fixed object. Every curve
is different. Be alert to whether a curve
remains constant, gradually widens,
gets tighter or involves multiple turns.
Ride within your skill level and posted
speed limits.

Your best path may not always
follow the curve of the road. Change
lane position depending on traffic, road
conditions and curve of the road. If no
traffic is present, start at the outside of
a curve to increase your line of sight
and the effective radius of the turn. As
you turn, move toward the inside of the
curve, and as you pass the center, move
to the outside to exit.

Another alternative is to move to
the center of your lane before entering
a curve and stay there until you exit.
This permits you to spot approaching

traffic as soon as possible. You can also
adjust for traffic crowding the center
line, or debris blocking part of your
lane.
HANDLING DANGEROUS
SURFACES

Your chance of falling or being
involved in a crash increases whenever
you ride across:
Uneven surfaces or obstacles.
Slippery surfaces.
Railroad tracks.
Grooves and gratings.
Uneven Surfaces and Obstacles

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

Try to avoid obstacles by slowing
or going around them. If you must go
over the obstacle, first determine if it is
possible. Approach it at as close to a 90
angle as possible. Look where you want
to go to control your path of travel. If
you have to ride over the obstacle, you
should:
Slow down as much as possible
before contact.
Make surethe motorcycle is
straight.
Rise slightlyoff the seat with your
weight on the footrests to absorb
the shock with your knees and
elbows, and avoid being thrown off
the motorcycle.
Just before contact,roll on the
throttle slightly to lighten the front
end.

If you ride over an object on the
street, pull off the road and check your
tires and rims for damage before riding
any farther.
27

OBSTACLES
Slippery Surfaces

Motorcycles handle better when
ridden on surfaces that permit good
traction. Surfaces that provide poor
traction include:
brake is still effective, even on a

slippery surface. Squeeze the brake
lever gradually to avoid locking
the front wheel. Remember, gentle
pressure on the rear brake.
Wet pavement,particularly just after

it starts to rain and before surface oil
washes to the side of the road.
The center of a lane can be

hazardous when wet. When it starts
to rain, ride in the tire tracks left by
cars. Often, the left tire track will
be the best position, depending on
traffic and other road conditions.
Gravel roads,or where sand and

gravel 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 down
before you get to a slippery
surface to lessen your chances of
skidding. Your motorcycle needs
more distance to stop. And it is
particularly important to reduce
speed before entering wet curves.
Avoid Sudden Moves Any
sudden change in speed or direction
can cause a skid. Be as smooth as
possible when you speed up, shift
gears, turn or brake.
Use Both Brakes The front
28
Watch for oil spotswhen you put

your foot down to stop or park. You
may slip and fall.
Dirt and gravelcollect along the
sides of the road especially on
curves and ramps leading to and
from highways. Be aware of whats
on the edge of the road, particularly
when making sharp turns and getting
on or off freeways at high speeds.
Rain dries and snow melts faster
on some sections of a road than on
others. Patches of ice tend to develop
in low or shaded areas and on bridges
and overpasses. Wet surfaces or wet
leaves are just as slippery. Ride on
the least slippery portion of the lane
and reduce speed.

Cautious riders steer clear of
roadscovered with ice or snow. If you
cant avoid a slippery surface, keep
your motorcycle straight up and proceed
as slowly as possible. If you encounter
a large surface so slippery that you
must coast, or travel at a walking pace,
consider letting your feet skim along
the surface. If the motorcycle starts to

fall, you can catch yourself. Be sure to
keep off the brakes. If possible, squeeze
the clutch and coast. Attempting this
maneuver at anything other than
the slowest of speeds could prove
hazardous.
CROSSTRACKS RIGHT
Test Yourself
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 front
brake
D. Use both brakes at the same
time

Answer - page 52
CROSSTRACKS WRONG
GATE CROSSINGS RIGHT
GATE CROSSINGS WRONG
PARALLEL TRACKS RIGHT
9
PARALLEL TRACKS WRONG
Test Yourself
When it starts to rain it is

usually best to:
A. Ride in the center of the lane
B. Pull off to the side until the rain
stops
C. Ride in the tire tracks left by
cars
D. Increase your speed

Answer - page 52
29

Railroad Tracks, Trolley Tracks and
Pavement Seams
Usually it is safer to ride straight
within your lane to cross tracks. Turning
to take tracks head-on (at a 90 angle)
can be more dangerous your path
may carry you into another lane of
traffic.

For track and road seams that
run parallel to your course, move far
enough away from tracks, ruts, or
pavement seams to cross at an angle
of at least 45. Then, make a deliberate
turn. Edging across could catch your
tires and throw you off balance.
Grooves and Gratings

Riding over rain grooves or bridge
gratings may cause a motorcycle to
weave. The uneasy, wandering feeling
is generally not hazardous. Relax,
maintain a steady speed and ride
straight across. Crossing at an angle
forces riders to zigzag to stay in the
lane. The zigzag is far more hazardous
than the wandering feeling.
MECHANICAL PROBLEMS

You can find yourself in an
emergency the moment something
goes wrong with your motorcycle. In
dealing with any mechanical problem,
take into account the road and traffic
conditions you face. Here are some
guidelines that 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. This
can be dangerous. You must be able to
tell from the way the motorcycle reacts.
If one of your tires suddenly loses air,
react quickly to keep your balance. Pull
off and check the tires.
30

If the front tire goes flat, the
steering will feel heavy. A frontwheel flat is particularly hazardous
because it affects your steering. You
have to steer well to keep your balance.

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

If either tire goes flat while riding:
Hold handgrips firmly, ease off
the throttle, and keep a straight
course.
If braking is required,gradually
apply the brake of the tire that isnt
flat, 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 is
stuck, this may free it. If the throttle
stays stuck, immediately operate
the engine cut-off switch and pull
in the clutch at the same time. This
will remove power from the rear
wheel, though engine sound may
not immediately decline. Once the
motorcycle is under control, pull off
and stop.

After you have stopped, check the
throttle cable carefully to find the source
of the trouble. Make certain the throttle
works freely before you start to ride
again.
Wobble

A wobble occurs when the front
wheel and handlebars suddenly start to
shake from side to side at any speed.
Most wobbles can be traced to improper
loading, unsuitable accessories or
incorrect tire pressure. If you are
carrying a heavy load, lighten it. If you
cant, shift it. Center the weight lower
and farther forward on the motorcycle.

Make sure tire pressure, spring preload, air shocks and dampers are at the
settings recommended for that much
weight. Make sure windshields and
Check for poorly adjusted steering;
worn steering parts; a front wheel that
is bent, misaligned, or out of balance;
loose wheel bearings or spokes; and
worn swingarm bearings. If none of
these is determined to be the cause,
have the motorcycle checked out
thoroughly by a qualified professional.
Trying to accelerate out of a
wobble will only make the motorcycle
more unstable. Instead:
Grip the handlebars firmly, but
dont fight the wobble.

Close the throttle gradually
to slow down. Do not apply the
brakes; braking could make the
wobble worse.
Move your weightas far forward
and down as possible.
Pull off the roadas soon as you
can to fix the problem.
Drive Train Problems
The drive train for a motorcycle
uses either a chain, belt, or drive shaft
to transfer power from the engine to
the rear wheel. Routine inspection,
adjustment, and maintenance makes
failure a rare occurrence. A chain or
belt that slips or breaks while youre
riding could lock the rear wheel and
cause your motorcycle to skid.

If the chain or belt breaks, youll
notice an instant loss of power to the
rear 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
can cause the rear wheel to lock, and
you may not be able to prevent a skid.
Engine Seizure

When the engine locks or
freezes it is usually low on oil. The
engines moving parts cant move
smoothly against each other, and the
engine overheats. The first sign may be
a loss of engine power or a change in
the engines sound. Squeeze the clutch
lever to disengage the engine from the
rear wheel. Pull off the road and stop.
Check the oil. If needed, oil should be
added as soon as possible or the engine
will seize. When this happens, the effect
is the same as a locked rear wheel. Let
the engine cool before restarting.
ANIMALS
Naturally,
you
should
do
everything you safely can to avoid
hitting an animal. If you are in traffic,
however, remain in your lane. Hitting
something small is less dangerous to
you than hitting something big like
a car.
Motorcycles seem to attract dogs.
If you are being chased, downshift and
approach the animal slowly. As you
approach it, accelerate and leave the
animal behind. Dont kick at the animal.
Keep control of your motorcycle and
look to where you want to go.

For larger animals (deer, elk,
cattle) brake and prepare to stop
they are unpredictable.
FLYING OBJECTS

From time to time riders are struck
10
Test Yourself
If your motorcycle starts to

wobble:
A. Accelerate out of the wobble
B. Use the brakes gradually
C. Grip the handlebars firmly and
close the throttle gradually
D. Downshift

Answer - page 52
31

this reason, only experienced riders
should attempt to carry passengers or
large loads. Before taking a passenger
or a heavy load on the street, prepare
yourself and your motorcycle for safe
operation in traffic.
by insects, cigarettes thrown from cars

or pebbles kicked up by the tires of
the vehicle ahead. If you are wearing
face protection, it might get smeared
or cracked, making it difficult to see.
Without face protection, an object
could hit you in the eye, face or mouth.
Whatever happens, keep your eyes
on the road and your hands on the
handlebars. When safe, pull off the
road and repair the damage.
PREPARING YOUR
MOTORCYCLE

Tire pressure Check the air
pressure of both tires. Refer to the
owners manual or the label affixed to
the motorcycle for the correct inflation
specifications. Though most of the
added weight will typically be on the
rear wheel, dont forget to also check
the pressure on the front tire. Correct
inflation pressures will maintain
maximum stability, steering precision
and braking capability.
Suspension With a heavy load,
the riding characteristics and balance
of the motorcycle will change. On
some motorcycles, it will be necessary
to adjust the suspension settings
(spring preload, compression/damping
settings, etc.) to compensate for the
lowered rear of the motorcycle. Refer
to the owners manual for adjustment
procedures and specifications.
Headlight Prior to loading,
position the motorcycle about 10 feet
from a wall in an unlighted garage and
mark the headlight beam location on
the wall with chalk. With a full load and
passenger, recheck the headlight beam
location. Use the adjusting screws on
the headlight to lower the beam to
the same height. Check your owners
manual for adjustment procedure.
GETTING OFF THE ROAD

If you need to leave the road to
check the motorcycle (or just to rest), be
sure to:
Check the roadside Make sure
the surface of the roadside is firm
enough to ride on. If it is soft grass,
loose sand or if youre just not sure
about it, slow way down before
you turn onto it.
Signal Drivers behind might
not expect you to slow down.
Give a clear signal that you will
be slowing down and changing
direction. Check your mirror and
make a head check before you take
any action.
Pull off the road Get as far off
the road as you can. It can be very
hard to spot a motorcycle by the
side of the road. You dont want
someone else pulling off at the
same place you are.
Park carefully Loose and
sloped shoulders can make setting
the side or center stand difficult.
Equipment for Carrying a

Passenger
CARRYING PASSENGERS AND

CARGO
The extra weight of a passenger
or cargo will affect the way your
motorcycle behaves, requiring extra
practice, preparation and caution. For
Be sure your passenger is properly

attired, wearing the same level of
personal protective gear as you.
32

Be sure your motorcycle is
equipped with passenger footrests.
As the passenger mounts, keep

both your feet on the ground and
the brakes applied.
Your motorcycle should have a

proper seat, one large enough to hold
both you and your passenger without
crowding. You should not sit more
forward than you usually do.
Sit as far forward as possible

without hindering your control of
the motorcycle.
Hold firmly onto your waist, hips,
belt or passenger handholds for
balance and security.
Check that there is a strap or solid

handholds for your passenger to
hold onto.
Preparing Your Passenger to Ride

Ensure your passenger is able
to reach the passenger footrests, and
is able to hold on to your waist, hips,
belt, or the bikes passenger handholds.
Children should be placed immediately
behind the rider. A child sitting in
front of the rider will not be able to
properly balance him/herself and may
interfere with the riders control of the
motorcycle.

Passenger safety begins with proper instruction. Riders should not assume that passengers are familiar with
motorcycle handling, control, or balance. As a routine practice, always instruct your passenger on cycling basics
prior to starting the trip, even if your
passenger is a motorcycle rider.

As you prepare for your ride, tell
your passenger to:
Get on the motorcycle only after
you have started the engine and
have the transmission in neutral.
11
Keep both feet firmly on the cycles

footrests, even when stopped. Firm
footing will prevent your passenger
from falling off and pulling you
off.
Keep legs away from the muffler(s),
chains or moving parts.
Stay directly behind you and lean
with you through turns and curves.
It is helpful for the passenger to
look over the riders shoulder in
the direction of turns and curves.
Avoid unnecessary conversation
and avoid leaning or turning
around. Make no sudden moves
that might affect the stability of the
motorcycle when it is in operation.
Rise slightly off the seat when
crossing an obstacle.

Also, remind your passenger to

tighten his or her hold when you:
Approach surface hazards such as
bumps or uneven road surfaces.
Are about to start from a stop or
begin moving into traffic.
Test Yourself
Are about to turn sharply or make a

sudden move.
If you are chased by a dog:

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

Answer - page 52
Riding With Passengers

Your motorcycle will respond
slowly when you ride with a passenger.
The heavier your passenger, the longer
it will take to speed up, slow down, or
turn.
33

When riding with passengers:

Ride a little slower, especially when
taking curves, corners, or bumps. If
any part of the motorcycle scrapes
the ground at lean angle, steering
control can be lost.
Start slowing earlier as you
approach a stop, and maintain a
larger space cushion whenever
slowing or stopping.
Wait for larger gaps to cross, enter,
or merge in traffic.
Carrying Loads

Everything you are likely to need
for a riding holiday or weekend trip can
be packed on your motorcycle in many
different ways. There are complete
luggage systems, saddlebags that are
permanently attached to the motorcycle, soft bags that do not require a carrier system and can be tied to the seat,
and a tank bag for other small items.
You can also travel simply with only
a backpack. Whatever you decide, do
not exceed gross vehicle weight rating
when traveling with cargo and a passenger, and always make adjustments
to the motorcycle to compensate for the
added weight.
34

TIPS FOR TRAVELING WITH
PASSENGERS AND CARGO
Keep the load forward. Pack
heavier items in the front of the
tank bag. Lighter items such as
your sleeping bag, ground pad
or tent, should be packed on a
luggage rack behind you. Try to
place the load over, or in front
of, the rear axle. Mounting loads
behind the rear axle can affect how
the motorcycle turns and brakes. It
can also cause a wobble.
Plan your route and length of each
days riding segment and allow
plenty of time for breaks. Poor
weather, breakdowns, and fatigue
are always possible.

Consider
selecting
some
interesting secondary roads to
occasionally reduce the monotony
of the highway.
Start as early in the morning as
possible. When you are fresh,
you ride at peak performance. For
most riders, this is usually between
6 a.m. and 11 a.m. then, take a
good hours break for lunch. Your
energy will pick up again in the
afternoon.
Dont forget sun protection in the
summer. Some combinations of
riding gear can leave your neck
exposed, risking sunburn.
If you wear a backpack, be sure it
is securely attached to you. Try to
adjust the shoulder straps so that
the backpack rests lightly on the
seat. This will reduce the tension in
your neck and shoulders.
If you have a tank bag, be sure it
is securely mounted and does not
obstruct your view of the controls
or instruments. If necessary, pack it

35
only partially full. When strapping

the tank bag in place, make sure
it does not catch any of the brake
lines or cables in the area of the
steering head.
Secure loads low, or put them in
saddlebags. Attaching a load to a
sissy bar raises the motorcycles
center of gravity and can upset its
balance.
If you use saddlebags, load each
with about the same weight.
An uneven load can cause the
motorcycle to pull to one side.
Overloading may also cause the
bags to catch in the wheel or chain,
locking the rear wheel and causing
the motorcycle to skid.
Fasten the load securely with
elastic cords (bungee cords or
nets). Elastic cords with more than
one attachment point per side are
recommended. A loose load could
catch in the wheel or chain, causing
it to lock up, resulting in a skid.
Rope can stretch and knots can
come loose, permitting the load to
shift or fall. You should stop and
check the load often to make sure
it has not shifted or loosened.
Include a small tool kit and some
common spare parts that you might
need. Water and some energy bars
or other food should also be part of
your preparation, and dont forget
a first aid kit, especially if you are
riding in a group.
12
Test Yourself
Passengers should:
A.
B.
C.
D.

Lean as you lean

Hold on to the motorcycle seat
Sit as far back as possible
Never hold onto you
Answer - page 52

Pre-Ride Test

Prior to starting out, take a test
ride with your fully loaded motorcycle
through some familiar neighborhood
roads to get a feel for the operation
of your motorcycle. Be sure the
suspension settings are correct, and that
the side stand, footrests, and exhaust
pipes dont scrape over bumps and in
turns. Ensure the tank bag does not get
in the way of the handlebars or restrict
the steering. Also check the security
of the load, so that your luggage does
not hit you in the back under maximum
braking.

You will also find that the
performance of a fully loaded
motorcycle will be different than what
you are used to. Test the power when
accelerating and be aware that it will
be lower, increasing passing times
and distances. Braking will also feel
different, and stopping distances may
increase.
cargo that might require a change in

tire pressure or suspension adjustment.
Plan

Before starting out, hold a riders
meeting to discuss the route, length of
riding segments, rest stops and locations
for fuel, meals and lodging. Make sure
everyone knows the route. That way,
if someone becomes separated, he or
she wont have to hurry to keep from
getting lost or making the wrong turn.
Choose a lead rider and a sweep rider.
These should be the most experienced
riders of the group. The lead rider
should look ahead for changes in road,
traffic or weather conditions, and signal
early so the word gets back in plenty
of time to the other riders. The sweep
rider is the last rider in the group,
and sets the pace for the group. Place
inexperienced riders just behind the
leader. That ensures that they wont
have to chase after the group, and the
more experienced riders can watch
them from the back.

The most important rules for group
riding are: no competition, no passing
of other riders and no tailgating. If a
rider insists on riding faster than the
group, allow him or her to go ahead to
an agreed meeting point.
GROUP RIDING
Preparation

Preparing yourself for a group
ride is as important as making sure
your motorcycle is ready. Riding with
a group requires an alert mind that is
free from worries, distractions and
stress. It also means riding free from
the influence of alcohol or drugs.
For some, even too much caffeine or
prescription drugs can adversely affect
concentration.

Prior to a long trip, its a good idea
to have your motorcycle serviced at
your local dealership if you arent able
to do the work yourself. A thorough preride check is a must. Use the T-CLOCS
checklist as a reminder of the important
components to check before you leave.
Remember to consider such variables
as passengers and extra weight from
Hand signals

During the riders meeting,
review the hand signals so all riders
can communicate during the ride. A
diagram of the most common hand
signals is at the end of this manual.
Follow those behind
During the ride, use your mirrors to
keep an eye on the person behind
and confirm that the group is staying
together. If a rider falls behind,
everyone should slow down to keep the
group together.
36

Keep Your Distance

Maintain close ranks, but at the
same time, maintain an adequate space
cushion to allow each rider in the group
time and distance to react to hazards.
A close group takes up less space on
the highway, is easier to see, and is less
likely to become separated. This must,
however, be done properly.
from feeling pressured to speed up or

run a red light.
Interstate Highways and Freeways

A staggered formation is essential
when riding on freeways and interstates.
However, enter in single file and form
up only after all riders have safely
merged in traffic. The lead rider should
move the group over at least one lane
to prevent vehicles that are entering
and exiting from disrupting your
formation. In heavy traffic, resist the
temptation to ride too close together.
Maintain your minimum one-second,
two-second staggered formation space
cushion. When exiting, use a single file
formation for better space cushion and
time to react to conditions at the end of
the off-ramp.
Dont Pair Up
Never ride directly alongside
another rider in the same lane. There is
no place to go if you have to maneuver
to avoid a car or hazard in the roadway.
Wait until you are both stopped to talk.
Staggered Formation

This is the best way to keep the
ranks close yet maintain an adequate
space cushion. The group leader rides in
the left side of the lane, and the second
rider stays at least one second back and
rides in the right side of the lane. The
third maintains the left position of the
lane, at least two seconds behind the
first rider. The fourth rider should keep
at least a two second distance from the
second rider in the right side of the
lane, and so on. This formation keeps
the group close and permits each rider
to maintain a safe distance from others
ahead, behind and to the sides.
It is best to move to single file formation
when riding in curves, turning, and
entering or leaving freeways or
highways.
Parking

When possible, park as a group, so
everyone can get off their motorcycles
more quickly. Avoid parking downhill
or head-in, and if possible, park
where you can pull through, making
the arrival and departure smoother.
Whenever possible, park so that the
group can depart as a unit in single file.
STAGGERED FORMATION
Intersections
Intersections present the highest
risk for motorcyclists in a group. When
making a left turn at an intersection
with a left turn signal arrow, tighten
the formation to allow as many riders
through the intersection as possible.
Make the turn single file do not
ride side-by-side. If not all riders get
through the light, stop at a safe point
ahead and wait. This will prevent riders
37

Passing in Formation

When the group wants to pass
slow traffic on a freeway or interstate,
the group may pass as a unit. On a twolane highway, riders in a staggered
formation should pass one at a time.
GROUP PASSING (STAGE 1)
First, the lead rider should pull

out and pass when it is safe. After
passing the leader should return
to the left position and continue
riding at passing speed to open
room for the next rider.
Next, the second rider should
move up to the left position in
the lane and wait for a chance to
safely pass. When passing be sure
you have a clear view of oncoming
traffic. Just because the lead rider
passed, that does not mean that
conditions havent changed and
that it is still safe for other riders to
pass. After passing the rider should
return to the right position and
open up room for the next rider.

Some people suggest that the lead
rider should move to the right side
of the lane after passing the vehicle.
This is not a good idea, since it might
encourage the second rider to pass and
cut back in before there is enough space
cushion in front of the passed vehicle.
Its simpler and safer to wait until there
is enough room ahead of the passed
vehicle to allow each rider to move into
the same position held before the pass.
13
GROUP PASSING (STAGE 2)
Test Yourself
When riding in a group, inexperienced riders should position

themselves:
A. Just behind the leader
B. In front of the group
C. At the tail end of the group
D. Beside the leader

Answer - page 52
38

Ten Rules of Group Riding
Base the length of the route and
segments on ability of the least
experienced rider.
Take timely breaks to prevent
loss of concentration and reduce
fatigue.
Adjust the pace through curves to
the ability of the least experienced
rider.
If necessary, form two
groups with different speeds.
Dont tailgate or encourage the
rider in front to speed. If you want
to ride faster, ride ahead of the
group.
Keep adequate following distance
and maintain a staggered formation.
Do not pass in the group, except in
the case of emergency.
39
Place inexperienced riders just

behind the leader so they can keep
pace without riding faster than it is
safe.
When passing, be conscious of the
traffic conditions and oncoming
traffic. Even though the previous
riders passed safely, it may not be
safe for you.
Maintain adequate time distance
between riders, especially at
intersections. This allows you to
avoid hard braking.
Check your mirrors frequently to
ensure the group stays together.

Riding a motorcycle is a demanding and complex task. Skilled riders
pay attention to the riding environment and to operating the motorcycle,
identifying potential hazards, making good judgments and executing
decisions quickly and skillfully. Your ability to perform and respond to
changing road and traffic conditions is influenced by how fit and alert you
are. Alcohol and drugs, more than any other factor, degrade your ability to
think clearly and to ride skillfully. As little as one drink can have a significant
effect on your performance.

Lets look at the risks involved in riding after drinking or using drugs.
What to do to protect yourself and your fellow riders is also examined.
WHY THIS INFORMATION IS
IMPORTANT

Alcohol is a major contributor to
motorcycle crashes, particularly fatal
crashes. Studies show that 29% of all
fatally injured motorcycle riders had
BAC levels above the legal limit of
0.08%. An additional 8% had lower
alcohol levels (BAC 0.01 to 0.07%),
demonstrating that having only a drink
or two in ones system is enough to
impair riding skills. Drug levels are
harder to distinguish or have not been
separated from drinking violations for
the traffic records. But riding under
the influence of either alcohol or drugs
poses physical and legal consequences
for every rider.

Drinking and drug use is as
big a problem among motorcyclists
as it is among automobile drivers.
Motorcyclists, however, are more
likely to be killed or severely injured
in a crash. Injuries occur in 90%
of motorcycle crashes and 33% of
automobile crashes that involve abuse
of substances. On a yearly basis, 2,000
motorcyclists are killed and about
50,000 seriously injured in this same
type of crash. These statistics are too
overwhelming to ignore.

By becoming knowledgeable
about the effects of alcohol and drugs
you will see that riding and substance
abuse dont mix. Take positive steps
to protect yourself and prevent others

from injuring themselves.
ALCOHOL AND DRUGS IN
MOTORCYCLE OPERATION
No one is immune to the effects
of alcohol or drugs. Friends may brag
about their ability to hold their liquor
or perform better on drugs, but alcohol
or drugs make them less able to think
clearly and perform physical tasks
skillfully. Judgment and the decisionmaking processes needed for vehicle
operation are affected long before legal
limits are reached.
Many over-the-counter, presciption
and illegal drugs have side effects
that increase the risk of riding. It is
difficult to accurately measure the
involvement of particular drugs in
motorcycle crashes. But we do know
what the effects of various drugs have
on the processes involved in riding
a motorcycle. We also know that the
combined effects of alcohol and drugs
are more dangerous than either is
alone.
ALCOHOL IN THE BODY

Alcohol enters the bloodstream
quickly. Unlike most foods and
beverages, it does not need to be
digested. Within minutes after being
consumed, it reaches the brain and
begins to affect the drinker. The major
effect alcohol has is to slow down and
40

impair bodily functions both mental
and physical. Whatever you do, you do
less well after consuming alcohol.
drink with one shot (1.5 ounces) of

liquor, and a 5-ounce glass of wine all
contain the same amount of alcohol.
The faster you drink, the more alcohol
accumulates in your body. If you drink
two drinks in an hour, at the end of that
hour, at least one drink will remain in
your bloodstream.
Without taking into account any other
factors, these examples illustrate why
time is a critical factor when a rider
decides to drink.
If you drink:
Seven drinks over the span of three
hours you would have at least four (7
3 = 4) drinks remaining in your system
at the end of the three hours. You
would need at least another four hours
to eliminate the four remaining drinks
before you consider riding.
Four drinks over the span of two
hours would have at least two drinks
remaining in their system at the end
of the two hours (42=2). They
Blood Alcohol Concentration

Blood Alcohol Concentration
or BAC is the amount of alcohol in
relation to blood in the body. Generally,
alcohol can be eliminated in the body
at the rate of almost one drink per hour.
But a variety of other factors may also
influence the level of alcohol retained.
The more alcohol in your blood, the
greater the degree of impairment.
Three factors play a major part in
determining BAC:
The amountof alcohol you
consume.
How fastyou drink.
Your bodyweight.

Other factors also contribute to the
way alcohol affects your system.

Your sex, physical condition and
food intake are just a few that may
cause your BAC level to be even
higher. But the full effects of these are
not completely known. Alcohol may
still accumulate in your body even if
you are drinking at a rate of one drink
per hour. Abilities and judgment can be
affected by that one drink.

A 12-ounce can of beer, a mixed
Total
drinks
consumed
LESS
# Hours
since last
drink
EQUALS
____
____
Drinks
left in
body
____
would need at least another two hours

to eliminate the two remaining drinks
before they consider riding.
ALCOHOL CONTENT
41

ALCOHOL AND THE LAW
In all states, an adult with a BAC of

.08% or above is considered intoxicated.
For operators under the age of 21, lower
BAC limits (0.00 to 0.02%, depending
on state) apply. It doesnt matter how
sober you may look or act. A breath,
blood, or urine test is what usually
determines whether you are riding
legally or illegally. Whether or not you
are legally intoxicated is not the real
issue. Impairment of judgment and skills
begins well below the legal limit.
Your chances of being stopped for
riding under the influence of alcohol are
increasing. Law enforcement is being
stepped up across the country in response
to the senseless deaths and injuries caused
by drinking drivers and riders.
ALCOHOL AND OHIOS LAW
Sweeping reforms of Ohios drunk

driving laws went into effect in 2004.
The new laws make it tougher for drivers
who make the wrong decision to drink
or use drugs and get behind the wheel
of a vehicle.
CONSEQUENCES OF
CONVICTION
If you are convicted of riding under

the influence of alcohol or drugs, you
may receive any or all of the following
penalties:
1st Offense
Administrative License Suspension (ALS) for 90 days for .08% or
above BAC
ALS for test refusal = one-year
license suspension
Jail: minimum of three consecu-
tive days or three-day intervention

program1
Fine: minimum $375 and not more
than $1,075
Court License Suspension: six
months to three years
2nd Offense
ALS for one year for .08% or above
BAC
ALS for 2nd test refusal = two-year
license suspension
Jail: minimum of 10 consecutive
days or five days jail + minimum 18
consecutive days of electronically
monitored house arrest combined,
not to exceed six months1
than $1,625
Mandatory drug and alcohol
assessment
Vehicle immobilization and plates
impounded for 90 days, if owner
Court License Suspension: one year
to five years
Doubled on conviction of .17% BAC
and Operating a Vehicle Impaired
(OVI)/refusal
1.
3rd Offense
ALS for two years for .08% or
above BAC
ALS for 3rd test refusal = three-year
license suspension
Jail: minimum 30 consecutive days
to one year
Alternative sentence: 15 days of jail
+ minimum 55 consecutive days
of electronically monitored house
arrest combined, maximum of one
year
than $2,750
42

Mandatory attendance in an alcohol treatment program paid for by
offender
Vehicle forfeiture will result upon
a 3rd conviction for OVI within six
years, if owner
Court License Suspension: two
years to 10 years
in moderation, you may not realize to

what extent your skills have suffered
from alcohols fatiguing effects.
Or Dont Ride If you havent

controlled your drinking, you must
control your riding.
Leave the motorcycle so you
wont be tempted to ride. Arrange
another way to get home.
4th or More Offense or motor vehiclerelated felony will result in vehicle

forfeiture, if owner, and stricter penalties.
Any previous OVI conviction
that was a felony = a minimum of
$1,350 and not more than $10,500
5th or subsequent OVI offense on
or after September 30, 2008 will
be placed on Ohios Habitual
OVI/OMVI Offender Registry.
This registry becomes accessible
to the public, via the internet, on
December 30, 2008.
Wait If you exceed your limit,

wait until your system eliminates
the alcohol and its fatiguing effects.
STEP IN TO PROTECT FRIENDS

People who have had too much to
drink are unable to make a responsible
decision. It is up to others to step
in and keep them from taking too
great a risk. No one wants to do this
its uncomfortable, embarrassing
and thankless. You are rarely thanked
for your efforts at the time. But the
alternatives are often worse.

There are several ways to keep
friends from hurting themselves:
MINIMIZE THE RISKS

Your ability to judge how well you
are riding is affected first. Although
you may be performing more and more
poorly, you think you are doing better
and better. The result is that you ride
confidently, taking greater and greater
risks. Minimize the risks of drinking
and riding by taking steps before you
drink. Control your drinking or control
your riding.
Arrange a safe ride Provide

alternative ways for them to get
home.
Slow the pace of drinking
Involve them in other activities.
Keep them there Use any
excuse to keep them from getting
on their motorcycle. Serve them
food and coffee to pass the time.
Explain your concerns for their
risks of getting arrested or hurt or
hurting someone else. Take their
key, if you can.
Make an Intelligent Choice

Dont Drink Once you start,
your resistance becomes weaker.
Setting a limit or pacing yourself
are poor alternatives at best. Your
ability to exercise good judgment
is one of the first things affected by
alcohol. Even if you have tried to drink
Get friends involved Use peer

pressure from a group of friends to
intervene.

It helps to enlist support from
others when you decide to step in.

The more people on your side, the
43

easier it is to be firm and the harder it
is for the rider to resist. While you may
not be thanked at the time, you will
never have to say, If only I had ...
effects generally begin within a few

minutes and can last from 2 to 4 hours.
But when marijuana is eaten the onset
of effects could be delayed for more
than an hour and the duration of the
high could be more than 6 hours.

Be safe. Do not operate your
motorcycle or any motor vehicle if
you are impaired by marijuana, and
find alternate transportation if you are
planning to be under the influence of
marijuana at your destination. Just
as with alcohol, riders impaired by
marijuana can be convicted of riding
under the influence, and be subjected
to similar harsh penalties.
MARIJUANA AND
MOTORCYCLE OPERATION

Marijuana is gaining acceptance
as having legitimate medicinal
applications ad as a recreational drug
in the United Sates, as evidenced by
recent trends in state laws permitting
its use. As of early 2014, 20 states
allowed marijuana for medical use, and
two allowed it for recreational use by
people 21 and over.

Although marijuana may be legal
for medicinal or recreational use in
your state, it is still not legal, safe, or
wise to operate a motor vehicle while
impaired by marijuana, since it tends to
distort your perception of time, space
and speed. This is especially critical
for motorcycle riders, who must
continually make detailed assessments
of complex traffic situations and
make split-second decisions requiring
precise rider input to navigate safely
and maintain and adequate safety
margin.

States are beginning to set
marijuana impairment limits based on
blood content levels of marijuanas
primary psychoactive ingredient, THC.
However, compared to alcohol and
BAC level, it is difficult to determine
the relationship between the amount of
marijuana ingested and the resulting
THC level in the blood. Complicating
factors include marijuanas potency,
which is highly variable, and ingestion
method, which has significant
bearing on the onset and duration of
impairment.

When marijuana is smoked, its
FATIGUE

Riding a motorcycle is more tiring
than driving a car. On a long trip, youll
tire sooner than you would in a car.
Avoid riding when tired. Fatigue can
affect your control of the motorcycle.
Protect yourselffrom the elements
Wind, cold, and rain make you
tire quickly. Dress warmly. A
windshield is worth its cost if you
plan to ride long distances.
Limit your distance Experi
enced riders seldom try to ride
more than about six hours a day.
14
Test Yourself
If you wait an hour for each
drink before riding:
A. You cannot be arrested for
drinking and riding.
B. Your riding skills will not be
affected.
C. Side effects from the drinking may
still remain.
D. You will be okay as long as you ride
slowly.

Answer - page 52
44

Take frequent rest breaks Stop
and get off the motorcycle at least
every two hours.
Dont drink or use drugs
Artificial stimulants often result in
extreme fatigue or depression when
they start to wear off. Riders are
unable to concentrate on the task at
hand.
45
SUPPLEMENTARY
INFORMATION FOR THREEWHEEL MOTORCYCLES

Many states require a separate
license endorsement to operate a threewheel motorcycle. This requires the
rider to pass both a written and a skills
test. The purpose of this supplement
is to help prepare riders to complete
the written exam for a three-wheel
motorcycle license or endorsement.
This information is provided in
addition to that offered in the first part
of this Motorcycle Operator Manual
(MOM), so when preparing to take
the written test, begin by reading the
information on two-wheel motorcycles
thoroughly. It provides information
on safe operation of your motorcycle
in traffic. This supplement contains
information specific to the safe
operation of a three-wheel motorcycle,
including both three-track motorcycles
and motorcycles with sidecars.
KNOW YOUR VEHICLE
There are many types of threewheel motorcycles available on the
market today. Requirements for
licensing three-wheel motorcycles
vary by state. In general, three-wheel
motorcycles will have the following
characteristics:
Seating in which the rider/

passenger straddles the
vehicle.
If designed for a passenger,
the passenger must be
seated behind the operator
(or in a separate passenger
compartment in the case of a
motorcycle with sidecar).
3. Turning diameter of the vehicle
at its widest point must be less
than 40.
4. The vehicle meets all applicable
federal
on-road
vehicle
standards.
The following vehicles are
not included in this definition, and
therefore testing requirements may not
be applicable. Always refer to your
state Department of Motor Vehicles,
Department of Licensing or other
appropriate state regulatory agency for
exact regulations regarding testing for:
Automotive
hybrids
automotive conversions
Vehicles with automotive controls

or seating

Vehicles with front or rear
mounted engines (engines must
be mounted mid-frame below the
rider to be considered motorcyclebased)
1. Three wheels leaving two or

three separate tracks during
straight line operation.
Vehicles with enclosed or semienclosed riding compartments
2. Motorcycle-based conversion
or design with:
Motorcycles or scooters with two

close-set wheels in front (contact
patches less than 18.1 inches
apart) that lean and maneuver like
standard, single-track, two-wheel
motorcycles or
Handlebar steering
Motorcycle-type
controls
with the standard layout.
Convenience alterations like
a single brake pedal or lever
control, automatic clutch, or
automatic transmission.
Saddle seating
46
or
Vehicles with any other departure

from the above standards.
Three-Wheel
Motorcycle Designs
Three-wheel motorcycle designs
vary among manufacturers. Unlike
traditional motorcycles, which are
considered single-track motorcycles,
three-wheel motorcycles could be
either dual or triple track design. Dual
track vehicles are motorcycles with
sidecars, while triple track motorcycles
can be configured either with dual front
wheels or dual rear wheels.
Borrowing and Lending

Borrowers and lenders, beware.
Crashes are more likely to occur
among beginning operators, especially
in the first months of riding. Operating
an unfamiliar motorcycle adds to the
problem. If you borrow a three-wheel
motorcycle or motorcycle with sidecar,
get familiar with it in a controlled area
first. If you lend your three-wheel
motorcycle or motorcycle with sidecar
to friends, make sure they are licensed
and know how to ride before you
allow them to operate in traffic. Such
motorcycles operate very differently
than two-wheel motorcycles.
No matter how experienced you
may be, be extra careful on any vehicle
that is unfamiliar or new to you.
MOTORCYCLE AND THREEWHEEL MOTORCYCLE DESIGNS
Get Familiar with

Motorcycle Controls
Be sure you are familiar with the
controls of the three-wheel motorcycle
or motorcycle with a sidecar before
attempting to operate it on any highway,
since some controls may differ from
those found on other motorcycles. This
is especially important if you are riding
on a borrowed motorcycle. Before
beginning the ride:

Make all the checksyou would

on your own motorcycle.
Familiarize yourself with all

controls, such as the turn signals,
horn, headlight switch, fuel control
valve, and cut-off switch. Locate
and operate these items without
having to search for them.
The Right Motorcycle for You

Make sure your three-wheel
motorcycle
or
sidecar-equipped
motorcycle is right for you. You
should be able to comfortably reach
and operate all of the controls, and be
able to complete full turns using the
handlebars without excessive upper
body movements that could jeopardize
stability and control.
47

Operate all the controls before

you start riding. Know the
gearshift pattern and operate the
throttle, clutch and brakes a few
times. Controls react differently
on different motorcycles, and
exact locations of controls may
vary slightly. Additionally, some
motorcycle conversions may be
equipped with a single brake pedal
or lever control, automatic clutch,
or automatic transmission.
As you begin to ride, start out
slowly and carefully and be aware
of your surroundings. Accelerate
gently, take turns a little more
slowly, and leave extra room for
stopping.
BASIC VEHICLE CONTROL

Steering & Tip
Three-wheelmotorcycles handle
differently than two-wheel motorcycles.
With three wheels on the ground, they
are naturally more stable than a twowheel motorcycle. They also steer
differently. Because conventional
three-wheel motorcycles cannot lean,
they cannot countersteer. Instead, the
front wheel is pointed in the direction
the rider wants the motorcycle to go.

Under some conditions during the
operation of a three-wheel motorcycle,
it is possible to have only two wheels in
TIP-OVER LINES
contact with the road surface. This

could occur during turning or tight
maneuvers whenever enough weight
is transferred outside of what are
called tip-over lines. This tendency
requires careful load and passenger
positioning inside the tip-over lines to
help maintain maximum stability.
Body Position

As with any motor vehicle, operator
position is important for control and for
reducing or preventing fatigue. The
operator should be able to reach both
handgrips comfortably, since more
handlebar movement is necessary than
when riding a two-wheel motorcycle.
While it is not necessary for the rider
of a three-wheel motorcycle to move
drastically during operation, shifting
weight in the direction of the turn can
improve control.
Braking
On a motorcycle with a sidecar,
during braking in a sharp turn, the
sidecar wheel may lift off the ground.
Motorcycle and sidecar tires have
limited traction or grip on the road
surface, and traction is greater when
the motorcycle is rolling, not skidding
or slipping. During turning, some
of the available tire traction is used
for cornering, so less is available for
stopping. Thus, a skid can occur if you
brake too hard.
Turning
The tendency of the rear inside
wheel to lift during turning is greater
with increased speed and tighter curve
radii. During a turn, inertia causes the
center of gravity of the motorcycle to
shift sideways and outward toward the
tip-over line. The reduced weight over
the opposite side wheel can cause it to
lift slightly.
48

The weight of a three-track
motorcycle is distributed almost
equally between the two front or two
rear wheels. These motorcycles handle
the same in left and right hand turns.
When
turning
a
three-track
motorcycle:
Reduce speed before entering the

curve by downshifting or braking.
Slightly lean your upper body in

the direction you intend to turn.
Maintain speed as you enter the

curve.
Approach a turn at speed with

your head up, and look through the
turn.
Accelerate gradually as you exit

the curve.

During a left hand turn, the sidecar
acts as a stabilizer, so the sidecar wheel
stays on the ground. However, if the
turn is taken too sharply or at too high a
rate of speed, there is a tendency for the
motorcycle rear suspension to extend,
and this may cause the rear wheel of
the motorcycle to lift off the ground.
When turning left on a motorcycle
with sidecar:
Concentrate on pointing the front

wheel/wheels in the direction you
want the motorcycle to go.

Roll off the throttle before entering

the turn.
Apply the brakes enough to slow

the motorcycle to a speed at which
you can ride safely through the
turn, then release the brakes before
the turn.
Reduce speed prior to entering the

turn
Slightly lean your upper body in

the direction you intend to turn.
Apply more pressure on the rear

brake then on the front
Steer the front wheel/wheels

toward the turn.
Hills

When riding uphill on a threewheel motorcycle or motorcycle with
a sidecar, some weight will shift to the
rear, causing the front of the motorcycle
to become lighter. This weight shift
reduces the traction on the front tire/
tires for steering and tire grip.

When riding downhill, gravity
increases the amount of braking
force required to slow or stop the
motorcycle. It is important, therefore,
to begin slowing earlier for cornering
and stopping.
Roll on the throttle to pull the

motorcycle through the turn.

On the other hand, because the
center of gravity of a motorcycle with
sidecar is close to the motorcycle
itself, the behavior of the vehicle when
turning right and when turning left is
quite different.

During a right turn, a slight
sideways movement of the center of
gravity creates a greater tendency for
the sidecar wheel to lift. The lift will be
greater if the sidecar is empty or lightly
loaded.
When turning right on a motorcycle
with sidecar:
Anticipate the degree of turn
required.
49
Lane Position

The track of the dual wheels of a
three-wheel motorcycle or motorcycle
with a sidecar is almost the same
width as some automobiles. Unlike a
motorcycle, you are limited, therefore,
in lane positioning. Keep toward the
center of the lane to be sure the track
of the dual wheels does not cross the
painted lines into opposing traffic.
Riding too far to the right could cause
loss of traction if the tire leaves the
pavement.

Lane positioning when riding
in groups is also an important
consideration. You will not be able
to use a staggered formation, such as
you would when riding two-wheeled
motorcycles. Ride single file and
always maintain a safe margin, two
seconds minimum, between vehicles.
feel as though it is lagging behind

you, causing the vehicle to feel as
though it is being steered to the right.
During deceleration or braking, the
momentum of the sidecar continues
to carry it forward, giving the feeling
that the sidecar is trying to pass you,
making the motorcycle feel as though
it is being steered left.

On acceleration, compensate for

this tendency by steering slightly
in the opposite direction from the
sidecar.
On deceleration, compensate for

this tendency by steering slightly
in the direction of the sidecar. You
can also pull in the clutch when
braking.
Swerving

A quick stop may not always be
sufficient to avoid an obstacle in your
path, even if you properly apply both
brakes. Sometimes the only way to
avoid a collision is to swerve. A swerve
is any sudden change of direction. It
can be two quick turns or a rapid shift
to the side when maneuvering the
motorcycle. Often, there is not much
time to adjust your body position.

A
three-wheel
motorcycle
or motorcycle with sidecar is not
as maneuverable as a two-wheel
motorcycle, so plan well ahead to
avoid the need for any sudden turns or
swerving. If braking is required, brake
either before or after the swerve, never
while swerving.
Parking at the Roadside

Because of the limitations on
mobility and motorcycle length, it is
not practical to park your motorcycle at
a 90 degree angle with your rear wheel
touching the curb, as you would with a
two-wheel motorcycle. Position your
motorcycle in a parking space so you
are parked parallel to the curb and set
the parking brake. Some three-wheel
motorcycles have reverse, so you can
more easily maneuver into a parking
space designed for an automobile.
Parking parallel to the curb will facilitate
pulling away from the curb and entering
the lanes of traffic.
Acceleration and Deceleration

A three-wheel motorcycle with
two drive wheels tends to be much
more stable during acceleration and
braking than a motorcycle with a
sidecar. Attaching a sidecar to your
motorcycle adds a non-powered,
off-centered mass of weight. So,
during acceleration, the sidecar will
Cornering & Curves

The cornering characteristics of a
three-wheel motorcycle or motorcycle
with a sidecar differ from those of a
motorcycle. Even with three wheels on
the ground, a sidecar can tip over if it is
being turned too sharply or is going too
fast for a corner. Therefore, it is best to
50
the load and keep it low in the storage
areas so it is positioned within the tipover lines and balanced side-to-side. If a
passenger is being carried, the passenger
will sit directly behind the rider.
On a motorcycle with a sidecar,
the best place for a passenger is in the
sidecar. Never put a single passenger on
the saddle; the added weight on the tipover-line will increase the instability
of the motorcycle. While a second
passenger can be carried on the seat
behind the rider, the heavier passenger
should always be in the sidecar.

The passenger sitting behind the
rider should sit upright at all times. It is
not necessary for the passenger to lean
into curves with the rider.

When carrying loads in a sidecar,
secure the load firmly in place, since
if the load shifts, handling will be
affected. Loads should be distributed
toward the rear of the sidecar to reduce
tipping of the nose of the sidecar in the
event of a sudden left turn.

When loaded, you may find
performance is reduced and that stopping
distances are longer, so allow a little
extra distance. The addition of a sidecar
passenger will greatly improve stability,
and right hand turns can be made at
a slightly higher speed. Turning left,
however, will require more turning force.
PASS THROUGH A CURVE
always slow before entering a corner.

The best path to follow in the curve
may not be the one that follows the
curve of the road. Following the center
of the lane may actually increase the
tip over forces. Check opposing traffic
carefully, and if safe, enter the curve
toward the outside of your lane. This
increases your line of sight through the
curve and reduces the effective radius
of the curve. As you turn, move toward
the inside of the curve, and as you pass
the center, move to the outside to exit,
always remembering to stay in your
lane.
CARRYING PASSENGERS AND
CARGO
Three-wheel motorcycles are
designed to carry passengers and cargo,
but always be sure not to exceed the tire
or motorcycle loading capacity. The
extra weight could change the handling
characteristics of the vehicle slightly,
so you must give some thought to
where the loads are positioned.

Many three-track motorcycles will
have built-in storage compartments
for cargo, either in front of, or behind
the rider. On these motorcycles, center
51
ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS
1. A plastic shatter-resistant face
shield:
8. The best way to stop quickly is to:
C. Helps protect your whole face
D. Use both brakes at the same

time
9. When it starts to rain it is usually
best to:
C. Ride in the tire tracks left by cars
2. More than half of all crashes:

D. Involve riders who have
ridden their motorcycles less than
six months
3. When riding, you should:
10. If your motorcycle starts to wobble:
D. Turn just your head and eyes to

look where you are going

C. Grip the handlebars firmly and

close the throttle gradually

4. Usually, a good way to handle

tailgaters is to:
11. If you are chased by a dog:
A. Change lanes and let them pass
D. Approach the animal slowly, then

speed up
5. To reduce your reaction time, you

should:
12. Passengers should:

A. Lean as you lean
B. Cover the clutch and the brakes
13. When riding in a group,

inexperienced riders should
position themselves:
6. Making eye contact with other drivers:

C. Doesnt mean that the driver
will yield
A. Just behind the leader
14. If you wait an hour for each drink

before riding:
7. Reflective clothing should:

A.
C. Side effects from the drinking may

still remain.
Be worn at night
52
HAND SIGNALS
1
Single File - arm and

index finger extended
strating up.
Double File - arm and

index and middle finger
extended strating up.
4
3
Speed Up - arm extended straight out,

palm facing up, swing upward.
Stop - arm extended

straight down, palm facing
back.
Slow Down - arm extended straight out,

palm facing down, swing down to your side.
6
Follow Me - arm extended
straight up from shoulder,
palm forward.
You Lead/Come - arm

extended upward 45
degrees, palm forward
pointing with index finger,
swing in arc back to front.
53
HAND SIGNALS
8
Hazard in Roadway - on the

left, point with left hand; on
the right, point with right foot.
Highbeam - tap on top

of helmet with open
palm down.
10
Fuel - arm out to side

pointing to tank with
finger extended.
Comfort Stop forearm extended, fist

clenched with short up
and down motion.
12
Refreshment Stop fingers closed, thumb to

mouth.
11
13
Turn Signal On - open

and close hand with
fingers and thumb
extended.
14
Pull Off - arm

positioned as for right
turn, forearm swung
toward shoulder.
54
55
Seals
Cracked, cut or torn, excessive grease on outside, reddish-brown around outside.
Leaks
Levels
Hoses, master cylinders, calipers.
Fuel
Lines, fuel valve, carbs.
Radiator, hoses, tanks, fittings, pipes.
Gaskets, seals, breathers.
Hydraulic Fluid
Coolant
Gaskets, housings, seals.
Engine Oil
Tank or gauge.
Hypoid Gear Oil,

Shaft Drive
Fuel
Reservoir and/or coolant recovery tank check only when cool.
Brakes, clutch, reservoir or sight glass.
Coolant
Transmission, rear drive, shaft.
Hydraulic Fluid
Check warm on center stand on level ground, dipstick, sight glass.
Hypoid Gear Oil,

Shaft Drive
Engine Oil
Pinched, no interference or pulling at steering head or suspension, wire looms and ties in place, connectors tight, clean.
Routing
O-OIL
Fraying, chafing, insulation.
Condition
Cracked, broken, securely mounted, excessive condensation.
Condition
Wiring
Adjust when seated on bike.
Cracks, clean, tight mounts and swivel joints.
Flashes correctly.
Lenses &
Reflectors
Aim
Condition
Activates upon front brake/rear brake application.
Mirrors
Cracks, clean and tight.
Operation
Operation
Hi beam/low beam operation.
Height and right/left.
Condition
Operation
Aim
Cracks, reflector, mounting and adjustment system.
Not kinked, routed properly, not plugged.
Vent Tube
Condition
Terminals; clean and tight, electrolyte level, held down securely.
Condition
Moves freely, snaps closed, no revving when handlebars are turned.
No interference or pulling at steering head, suspension, no sharp angles, hose supports in place.
Operation
Cuts, cracks, leaks, bulges, chafing, deterioration.
Routing
No interference or pulling at steering head, suspension, no sharp angles, wire supports in place.
Routing
Condition
Fraying, kinks, lubrication: ends and interior.
Lubricated.
Broken, bent, cracked, mounts tight, ball ends on handlebar levers, proper adjustment.
Each brake alone keeps bike from rolling.
Condition
Pivots
Condition
Function
Turn signals
Tail lamp/
brake lamp
Headlamp
Battery
L-LIGHTS
Throttle
Hoses
Cables
Levers and
Pedal
C-CONTROLS
Brakes
Out of round/true = 5mm. Spin wheel, index against stationary pointer.
Rims
Grab top and bottom of tire and flex: No freeplay (click) between hub and axle, no growl when spinning.
Cracks, dents.
Cast
Bearings
Bent, broken, missing, tension, check at top of wheel: ring = OK thud = loose spoke
Tread depth, wear, weathering, evenly seated, bulges, embedded objects.
Check when cold, adjust to load.
Spokes
Condition
Air Pressure
Front right
Rear right
Rear left
Rear
Rear
Rear
Rear
Rear
Rear
Rear
Front left
Front
Front
Front
Front
Front
Front
Front
Rear
T-CLOCS ITEM
Smooth travel, equal air pressure/damping, anti-dive settings.
Springs in place, tension to hold position.
EMERGENCY INFORMATION
Cracks, bent (safety cut-out switch or pad equipped).
Springs in place, tension to hold position.
Retention
Cracks, bent.
Condition
Retention
Broken, missing.
Cotter Pins
Condition
Broken, missing.
Clips
Tight, missing bolts, nuts.
Teeth not hooked, securely mounted
Sprockets
Threaded
Side plates when hot. Note: do not lubricate belts.
Lubrication
Check at tightest point.
Smooth travel, equal pre-load/air pressure/damping settings, linkage moves freely and is lubricated.
Tension
Rear Shock(s)
Raise rear wheel, check for play by pushing/pulling swingarm.
No detent or tight spots through full travel, raise front wheel, check for play by pulling/pushing forks.
Cracks at gussets, accessory mounts, look for paint lifting.
WHAT TO LOOK FOR
Front Forks
Swingarm Bushings/
Bearings
Steering-Head Bearings
Condition
WHAT TO CHECK
Left
Left
Right
Right
CHECK-OFF
Work Phone________________________________________ Cell Phone_______________________________________
Name______________________________________________ Home Phone_____________________________________
Contact this person if rider is injured
Cycle Insurer Name/Phone____________________________________________________________________________
Doctor's Name/Phone________________________________________________________________________________
Allergies/Medical Conditions___________________________________________________________________________
Rider's Name_____________________________________________________________Blood Type__________________
Side stand
Center stand
S-STANDS
Fasteners
Chain or Belt
Suspension
Frame
Wheels
Front
CHECK-OFF
T-CLOCS: Pre-Ride Inspection Checklist
Tires
WHAT TO LOOK FOR

C-CHASSIS
WHAT TO CHECK
T-TIRES & WHEELS
T-CLOCS ITEM
You can tear this page out and keep it with you when you ride.
MOTORCYCLES MAKE SENSE

SO DOES PROFESSIONAL TRAINING

Motorcycles are inexpensive to operate, fun to ride and easy to park.
Unfortunately, many riders never learn critical skills needed to ride safely.

Professional training for beginning and experienced riders prepares them
for real-world traffic situations. Motorcycle Safety Foundation RiderCoursesSM
teach and improve such skills as:
Effective turning
Obstacle avoidance
Braking maneuvers
Traffic strategies
Protective apparel selection

Maintenance
FOR THE BEGINNING OR EXPERIENCED COURSE

NEAREST YOU, VISIT www.motorcycle.ohio.gov, email the
Motorcycle Ohio office at: [email protected], OR CALL
TOLL FREE: 1-800-83-RIDER.
Portions of this manual courtesy of
Motorcycle Safety Foundation

2 Jenner Street, Suite 150, Irvine CA 92618-3806
http://ww.msf-usa.org
NOTES
NOTES
NOTES
NOTES
NOTES
www.publicsafety.ohio.gov
MOP 0001 2/15 [760-1109]
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THE RIDER AND THE MOTORCYCLE

RIDE WITHIN YOUR ABILITIES

Lane Sharing .................................................................................................................15

BEING IN SHAPE TO RIDE

HOW TO OBTAIN A TEMPORARY

Step 2: Proceed to any exam station

Daylight hours only

Note: All first-year endorsed

HOW TO OBTAIN A MOTORCYCLE LICENSE

Anyone wishing to obtain a motorcycle

Step 4: Present the T.I.P.I.C. along

Applicants under 18 years of

COMPLETE THE MOTORCYCLE

The Motorcycle Ohio Basic Course

Step 1: After successfully completing

TESTING TO OBTAIN YOUR

YOU MUST HAVE A VALID

Step 2: You must bring your T.I.P.I.C.

EARNING YOUR LICENSE

Safe riding requires knowledge and skill.

4. If a tire goes flat while riding and

To earn your license, you must pass a

5. The car below is waiting to enter

Answers to Knowledge Test

1. It is MOST important to flash your

2. The FRONT brake supplies how

ON-CYCLE SKILL TEST

than 18 years of age must also meet

For more information on Motorcycle

You may be tested for your ability to:

Examiners may score on factors related

Diagrams and drawings used in this manual

DID YOU KNOW...

On July 6, 2000, Governor Taft signed

Answers to Knowledge Test

Rider Skill Test - 2 Wheel

1 - Cone Weave, Normal Stop

Motocycles under 600cc

5 Weave cones are 12

Stop box is 3x5

Distance from end of

Rider Skill Test - 3 Wheel

Rider Skill Test 3 Wheel

2 - Cone Weave, Turn from a Stop

3 Weave cones are 18

Stop box is 3x5 wide.

Distance from end of

Ohio Driver License Examination Stations

Ohio Driver License Examination Stations

Ohio Driver License Examination Stations

Ohio Driver License Examination Stations

To schedule a road test visit www.ohiodrivingtest.com

MOTORCYCLE OHIO PROGRAM

endorsement/license upon presenting

The Motorcycle Ohio Rider Course

All course times and dates are

Visit our Web site for courses offered at:

Each course scheduled for 8 hours

Interested in Becoming a MO Instructor?

MOTORCYCLE OHIO INSTRUCTOR PREPARATION

All Instructor Candidates (IC)

All ICs must complete a home