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MANUAL MOTORCYCLE AND MOTORIZED BICYCLE - Minnesota Department of Public Safety Driver and Vehicle Services Division dvs.dps.mn.gov - Minnesota ...
MOTORCYCLE AND
MOTORIZED BICYCLE
    MANUAL
    Minnesota Department of Public Safety
    Driver and Vehicle Services Division
    dvs.dps.mn.gov
MANUAL MOTORCYCLE AND MOTORIZED BICYCLE - Minnesota Department of Public Safety Driver and Vehicle Services Division dvs.dps.mn.gov - Minnesota ...
Minnesota Motorcycle
          and Motorized Bicycle
                Manual
The Minnesota Department of Public Safety Driver and Vehicle Services
Division prepared this manual. Visit the Department of Public Safety Website
at dvs.dps.mn.gov to access online versions of our driver’s manuals.

                              PS30001-19 (8/19)

About this Manual…
  This manual is about operating             For more information on Minnesota
motorcycles and motorized bicycles        driving laws and rules for all drivers,
on Minnesota streets and highways.        refer to the Minnesota Driver’s
                                          Manual.
   The first section concerns Minnesota
laws and requirements. For complete         This manual is printed by permission
standards, consult Minnesota state        of the Minnesota Department of
statutes and rules. This document is      Public Safety.
not a proper legal authority to cite        This manual is prepared by the
in court.                                 Division of Driver and Vehicle Services
   The second section (Operation          with permission of the Minnesota
Manual) contains information on safe      Department of Public Safety.
motorcycling. The Operation Manual,         This information can be made
provided by the Motorcycle Safety         available in alternative format to
Foundation, is not about Minnesota        individuals with disabilities. For
law — it is about riding smart and        assistance, call 651-297-3298 or
staying safe.                             TTY 651-282-6555.
MANUAL MOTORCYCLE AND MOTORIZED BICYCLE - Minnesota Department of Public Safety Driver and Vehicle Services Division dvs.dps.mn.gov - Minnesota ...
NEW RIDING INFORMATION
                              AND LAWS FOR 2018

Motorcycle Instruction Permit (M.S. 169.974. Subd. 2)
Effective August 1, 2018

A person with a motorcycle instruction permit is allowed to ride a motorcycle on the
interstate highway.

Autocycle (M.S. 169.011) Effective August 1, 2016
An autocycle is a motorcycle that:
  • has three wheels in contact with the ground;
  • is designed with seating that does not require operators or any occupants to
    straddle or sit astride it;
  • has a steering wheel;
  • is equipped with antilock brakes; and
  • is originally manufactured to meet federal motor vehicle safety standards for
    motorcycles in Code of Federal Regulations, title 49, part 571, and successor
    requirements.

  A person may operate an autocycle with a valid driver’s license. A motorcycle
endorsement or a three-wheel motorcycle restriction is not required.
  Persons riding within an enclosed cab autocycle are exempt from wearing
protective headgear and eye-protective device. A properly adjusted and fastened
seat belt, including both the shoulder and lap belt when the autocycle is so
equipped, shall be worn by the driver and any passengers.
                               Examples of Autocycles

             Enclosed cab                               Non-enclosed cab
  Examples of three-wheel motorcycles - Which requires a three-wheel motorcycle
                          restriction on a driver’s license
MANUAL MOTORCYCLE AND MOTORIZED BICYCLE - Minnesota Department of Public Safety Driver and Vehicle Services Division dvs.dps.mn.gov - Minnesota ...
SKILLS TEST CHECKLIST

Do you have all the infor­                  • Credit and debit cards are not
mation you need for your                   		accepted.
skills test? Here is a checklist           If under 18 years of age:
to help you prepare:                        I have my certificate of course
                                             completion from an approved rider
 I have made a skills test appointment.     safety course.
 I have my valid driver’s license.        Note: Riders under 18 will be required
 I have my valid motorcycle 		            to have a parent or court-appointed
  instruction permit.                      guardian sign the application to add
 I have my helmet and eye protection.     the motorcycle endorsement.
 I will provide a motorcycle on which
  to take the test.
  • Basic safety equipment must be in
		 working condition (see equipment
		 requirements on page IV).
  • Vehicle registration must be
		 current (license plates and
		 registration stickers) or the
		 motorcycle must display a 21-day
		permit.

 I have current proof of insurance
  for the motorcycle I am taking
  the test on. Acceptable proof of
  insurance includes: original insuance
  card issued by the company; policy
  declaration page; e-insurance
  printed from the insurance company
  website or presented on an
  electronic device.
 I have brought money (check, money
  order, or cash) to pay the driver’s
  license fee and the retesting fee,
  if applicable. There is a $20 test fee
  for a third or subsequent test (after
  failing first two).
MANUAL MOTORCYCLE AND MOTORIZED BICYCLE - Minnesota Department of Public Safety Driver and Vehicle Services Division dvs.dps.mn.gov - Minnesota ...
CONTENTS

Preface                                                          SEE  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  17
  Rider Training . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . I           Intersections  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  18
                                                                 Increasing Conspicuity  . . . . . . . . .  21
Motorcycles                                                      Crash Avoidance  . . . . . . . . . . . . .  24
  License Endorsement and Permit . . . . II                      Handling Dangerous Surfaces  . . .  27
  Permit Process . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . II          Mechanical Problems  . . . . . . . . . .  30
  Skills Test  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . II      Animals  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  31
  New Resident Information . . . . . . . . III                   Flying Objects  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  32
  Endorsement Renewal  . . . . . . . . . . III                   Getting Off the Road  . . . . . . . . . .  32
  License Fees  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . III          Carrying Passengers
  Motorcycle Registration/Insurance . . III                      and Cargo  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  32
  Equipment Requirements  . . . . . . . . IV                     Group Riding  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  35
  Operating Rules  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . IV
  Alcohol and Motorcycles . . . . . . . . .  V                Being in Shape to Ride
  Red Light, Green Light  . . . . . . . . . .  V                Why This Information
                                                                is Important  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  39
Motorized Bicycles and Moped                                    Alcohol and Other Drugs
  Motorized Bicycle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . VI              in Motorcycle Operation  . . . . . . .  39
  Operator’s Permit  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . VI             Alcohol in the Body  . . . . . . . . . . .  39
  Instruction Permit Process . . . . . . . . VI                 Alcohol and the Law  . . . . . . . . . .  41
  Skills Test  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . VI       Minimize the Risks  . . . . . . . . . . . .  41
  Duplicate Permits  . . . . . . . . . . . . .  VII             Step in to Protect Friends  . . . . . . .  42
  Vehicle Registration . . . . . . . . . . . .  VII             Marijuana and Motorcycle
  Insurance Requirements  . . . . . . . .  VII                  Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  42
  Equipment Requirements  . . . . . . .  VII                    Fatigue . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  43
  Operating Rules  . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  VII
                                                              Earning Your License  . . . . . . . . 44
  Rider Training and Education . . . . . VIII
                                                              Three-Wheel Supplement
The Rider and                                                    Supplementary Information
the Motorcycle . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  1                    for Three-Wheel Motorcycles  . . . .  46
Preparing to Ride                                                Know Your Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . .  46
  Wear the Right Gear  . . . . . . . . . . .  2                  Basic Vehicle Control . . . . . . . . . . .  48
  Know Your Motorcycle  . . . . . . . . . .  4                   Carrying Passengers and Cargo . . .  51
  Know Your Responsibilities  . . . . . .  7                  Hand Signals  . . . . . . . . . . . . .  52
Ride Within Your Abilities                                    T-CLOCS Pre-Ride Checklist . . 62
  Basic Vehicle Control  . . . . . . . . . . .  8
  Keeping Your Distance  . . . . . . . . .  12
MANUAL MOTORCYCLE AND MOTORIZED BICYCLE - Minnesota Department of Public Safety Driver and Vehicle Services Division dvs.dps.mn.gov - Minnesota ...
PREFACEI

   This manual is intended to help riders      The hazards of riding a two or three-
prepare for the knowledge and skills        wheeled vehicle constantly test the skills
tests required to obtain a permit and       of even the most experienced rider. For
endorsement. It includes rider informa-     this reason, Minnesota tests everyone
tion that will help beginner and experi-    seeking permits and license endorse-
enced riders alike. This manual includes    ments to legally operate a motorcycle
Minnesota state requirements as well        or moped in the state.
as a guide to safe riding practices.
   Skill and care are safety necessities    Rider Training
for riders. Two or three-wheeled vehicles     The Minnesota Department of Public
have the disadvantage of being less         Safety recommends rider training
stable and more vulnerable than other       courses for both beginner and experi-
vehicles on the road. In a crash, riders    enced riders. Motorcyclists are encour-
often sustain severe injuries because       aged to update their riding skills as
they lack the protection provided to oc-    often as possible. Studies have shown
cupants of larger vehicles.                 that riders who have taken training
                                            courses are better equipped to cope
   Over the last ten years, crash studies
                                            with riding emergencies and less likely
show motorcyclists are seven times more
                                            to be involved in a crash.
likely to be injured and 34 times more
likely to die in a crash than passengers       In 1982, the state of Minnesota
in any other type of vehicle.               established a Motorcycle Safety Fund
                                            to upgrade and improve training
   Approximately 80 percent of motor-
                                            courses, test procedures, public
cycle crashes result in death or injury,
                                            awareness and motorcycle safety. The
compared with less than 30 percent of
                                            Minnesota Motorcycle Safety Program
auto crashes. These numbers emphasize
                                            administers these funds and offers
the importance of knowing the rules
                                            state-approved rider training courses.
of motorcycle and moped operation.
While cornering, steering and accelera-        For more information on motorcycle
tion characteristics of motorcycles         rules, safety or training classes, contact
can exceed other vehicles, their short      the Minnesota Motorcycle Safety Center
comings with regard to safety should        at 800-407-6677 or visit
not be ignored.                             www.motorcyclesafety.org
MANUAL MOTORCYCLE AND MOTORIZED BICYCLE - Minnesota Department of Public Safety Driver and Vehicle Services Division dvs.dps.mn.gov - Minnesota ...
II                                                  MOTORCYCLE

Motorcycle License                           Motorcycle Endorsement
Endorsement and Permit                       Skills Test
  Every person who operates a                   When you feel that you have
motorcycle on public roads in Minne-         reached an acceptable skill level, you
sota must have a valid driver’s license      may return to a driver examining station
with the appropriate instruction permit      and take the skills test on your motor-
or license endorsement. You must carry       cycle. You can schedule your test in
these documents with you when riding         person, by phone or online at
a motorcycle on public roadways.             drive.mn.gov. If you test on
                                             a three-wheeled motorcycle, you will
Motorcycle Permit Process
                                             be restricted to operating three-wheelers
   A valid Minnesota driver’s license is     only. You can remove restrictions by
required to obtain a motorcycle instruc-     taking the skills test on the type of
tion permit. To obtain a motorcycle
                                             motorcycle you want to operate.
instruction permit, you must first pass
a knowledge (written) test at a driver          The skills test consists of four riding
examination station. If you are under        exercises that measure your vehicle
18 years old, you must also present          control and hazard response skills.
a certificate of completion of a state-         The two-wheel motorcycle skills test is
approved motorcycle rider training           outlined in this manual on pages 54-57.
course.                                      The three-wheel motorcycle skills test is
   The knowledge test may be taken           outlined on pages 58-61 in this manual.
only once per day. When you pass the         These tests are administered on the same
test and pay the $21 permit fee, you         course and will not be given if the sur-
will receive an instruction permit valid     face is wet, or if ice or snow is present.
for one year. You will then be entitled      For the skills test, you must bring:
to practice riding your motorcycle on          • Your current driver’s license and
public roadways so you can become                motorcycle permit.
familiar with it and its controls. If your
instruction permit expires, you must           • A motorcycle, properly equipped,
retake the knowledge test and pay                with proof of current registration
the fee for a new permit.                        and insurance.

   While you are operating a motor-            • DOT-approved helmet and eye
cycle with your instruction permit, the          protection.
following restrictions apply:                  • If you are under 18 years old, a
   • You must wear a helmet and eye              certificate of course completion
     protection approved by the federal          from an approved motorcycle rider
     Department of Transportation (DOT).         training program.
  • You may not carry passengers.              You will not be allowed to test if you
  • You may not ride at night. “Night”       do not bring all of these items.
    or “nighttime” means the time
    from one-half hour after sunset             If you fail the skills test, you may
    to one-half hour before sunrise.         retake it after you have had time to
                                             improve your riding skills. You will be
                                             assigned practice time that must be
                                             completed before your next skills test
                                             is given.
MANUAL MOTORCYCLE AND MOTORIZED BICYCLE - Minnesota Department of Public Safety Driver and Vehicle Services Division dvs.dps.mn.gov - Minnesota ...
MOTORCYCLEIII

   After passing the skills test, you will        		Operator’s permit under
need to apply for a duplicate driver’s              age 21, valid to age 21 . . . . . .  $9.75
license and have your endorsement                 		Duplicate of operator’s permit. .$5.25
added. Your receipt from the duplicate
license application will allow you to ride        		Renewal, age 21 or older . . .  $15.75
your motorcycle without restrictions              Retesting Fees
until you receive your new license.                * Third and subsequent
                                                     knowledge test
New Residents                                        (after failing first two) . . . . . .  $10.00
   If you are a new Minnesota resident
and have a valid driver’s license with a           * Third and subsequent
motorcycle endorsement from another                  road/skills test
state (or one that has been expired for              (after failing first two) . . . . . .  $20.00
less than one year) you will need to take          * Available at driver exam stations only.
a knowledge test to get a Minnesota               ** Fee does not include the cost of
driver’s license. You may take the motor-            a new license.
cycle knowledge test at the same time
you take the driver’s license knowledge           Motorcycle Registration
test. The motorcycle skills test will be            All motorcycles must be registered
waived when you pass the knowledge                with the state and display a license plate
test. An endorsement fee of $21 will              showing that registration tax has been
be added to the cost of your Minnesota            paid. The registration period is from
driver’s license.                                 March 1 through the last day of Febru-
                                                  ary. Re-registration is required annually
Endorsement Renewal                               and expires at the end of February. New
  When your Minnesota driver’s license            residents have 60 days after becoming
has a two-wheeled motorcycle endorse-             Minnesota residents to register their
ment, you will pay the license fee plus           motorcycles. For more information,
a $13 motorcycle endorsement fee                  contact your local deputy registrar or
when you renew your license with                  call 651-297-2126.
your endorsement.
                                                  Motorcycle Insurance
License Fees                                         All motorcycles registered in Minne-
  Fees are determined by law and are              sota must have liability insurance cover-
subject to change.                                age for property damage or injury
Motorcycle Fees                                   to another party. No-fault injury and
 * Motorcycle instruction                         uninsured motorist protections are
   permit/endorsement fee . . . .  $21.00         optional. Coverage for damage, loss or
                                                  motorcycle theft is also optional. The
** Motorcycle endorsement
                                                  Commissioner of Public Safety may
   renewal (2 wheel only) . . . . .  $13.00
                                                  revoke the registration and suspend the
		Duplicate driver’s license . . . .  $17.00      license of any motorcycle operator who
Motorized Bicycle Operator’s Permit               does not carry the required insurance.
* Knowledge test and 30-day
  instruction permit . . . . . . . . . .  $6.75
MANUAL MOTORCYCLE AND MOTORIZED BICYCLE - Minnesota Department of Public Safety Driver and Vehicle Services Division dvs.dps.mn.gov - Minnesota ...
IVMOTORCYCLE

Motorcycle Equipment                       Motorcycle Operating Rules
Requirements                                  There are a number of basic operating
   All motorcycles must have basic         rules that are unique to two-wheeled
safety equipment in working condition.     vehicles.
In addition to a rearview mirror, horn        • The operator may ride only on a
and muffler, motorcycles must be                permanent, regular seat.
equipped with the following:                 • A passenger may ride only on a
   • At least one, and not more than           permanent, regular passenger’s
     two, headlights with high- and            seat on the motorcycle or in a
     low-beam settings. (Headlight             sidecar attached to the vehicle.
     modulators are legal in Minnesota.)
                                             • Passengers may not ride on a
  • One red taillight, including brake         motorcycle unless they can reach
    light/stop lamp. A blue dot of up          the footrests on each side of the
    to one inch in diameter on the tail-       motorcycle with both feet while
    light is legal.                            seated.
  • Footrests or floorboards for a           • Operators and passengers under
    passenger must be provided if the          18 and those operating on a
    motorcycle is equipped with a seat         motorcycle permit must wear
    designed or suited for use by a pas-       DOT-approved helmets.
    senger.
                                             • The operator and the passenger
  • At least one brake, front or rear,         must sit astride the motorcycle seat,
    which may be operated by hand              facing forward, with one leg on
    or foot.                                   each side of the motorcycle (passen-
  All provisions of Minnesota Statutes,        gers in a sidecar are exempt).
Chapter 169, pertaining to other             • Operators may not carry packages
motor vehicle equipment also apply             or articles that interfere with
to motorcycles, except those which             keeping both hands on the
by their nature have no application.           handlebars.
Protective Eyewear                           • Operators may not ride a motor-
   Motorcyclists are required to wear          cycle between lanes of moving or
protective eyewear, such as glasses,           stationary vehicles headed in the
goggles or a face shield, even if the          same direction.
motorcycle is equipped with a wind-
screen. Contact lenses do not qualify        • The operator must have the head-
as protective eyewear.                         light on at all times when riding
                                               in Minnesota.
Helmets
   Motorcyclists and passengers under
18 years of age and those operating
on a motorcycle permit must wear a
DOT-approved helmet. Helmet use is
strongly recommended by the Depart-
ment of Public Safety for all motor-
cyclists and passengers.
MANUAL MOTORCYCLE AND MOTORIZED BICYCLE - Minnesota Department of Public Safety Driver and Vehicle Services Division dvs.dps.mn.gov - Minnesota ...
MOTORCYCLE                                                                      V

Live to Ride. Alcohol and                     Red Light, Green Light:
Motorcycles Don’t Mix                         Minnesota Law
   Riding a motorcycle requires more             Minnesota law addresses instances
skills — and different skills — than          when motorcycles, bicycles and mopeds
driving a car or truck. Because of this,      are not detected by control systems at
alcohol use impairs a rider’s skills sooner   traffic lights, and a signal change does
and more severely than a driver’s, even       not occur.
at blood alcohol levels below the legal          The law gives motorcyclists, bicyclists
level of .08.                                 and moped riders the option to
   Fact: drinking and riding kills motor-     proceed through the intersection after
cyclists. State law requires that coroners    a reasonable amount of time, and
test the blood alcohol level of traffic       provides an affirmative legal defense to
crash victims who die within four hours       this action, based on five conditions:
of a crash. About 40 percent of the              • The motorcycle, bicycle or moped
motorcyclists killed since 2002 had                has been brought to a complete
alcohol in their system.                           stop.
   Minnesota State Patrol officers, local       • The traffic-control signal continues
police and county sheriffs patrol Minne-          to show a red light for an
sota highways every day to enforce                unreasonable time.
DWI laws. In the past decade, they              • The traffic-control signal is appar-
made about 30,000 DWI arrests per                 ently malfunctioning or, if pro-
year. A DWI will affect all your driving          grammed to change to a green light
privileges — not only your privilege              only after detecting the approach
to operate a motorcycle.                          of a motor vehicle, the signal has
   If you drink, don’t ride, and if               apparently failed to detect the
you ride, don’t drink. Do it for your             motorcycle, bicycle or moped.
family and friends as well as for your          • No vehicle or person is approaching
own safety. Set the example for other             on the roadway to be crossed or
riders, and don’t be afraid to step in            entered, or
when you see someone else about to
make a mistake. Do it for their families        • Approaching vehicles or persons are
and their friends.                                so far away that they do not consti-
                                                  tute an immediate hazard.
   For a summary of Minnesota laws
on driving and riding under the influ-           The affirmative defense applies only
ence of alcohol and other drugs, and          to an alleged violation for entering or
the consequences of doing so, please          crossing an intersection controlled by
refer to chapter 8 of the Minnesota           a traffic-control signal against a red
Driver’s Manual, available online at          light. It does not provide a defense
dvs.dps.mn.gov                                to any other civil or criminal action.
VI       MOTORIZED BICYCLE AND MOPED

Motorized Bicycle                              The knowledge test includes questions
  Motorized bicycles are registered as       on driving laws and rules of the road
mopeds. A motorized bicycle must meet        as well as information specific to two-
the following requirements:                  wheeled vehicles. In addition to this
  • Electric motor or a liquid-fueled        manual, study the Minnesota Driver’s
    engine with piston displacement          Manual.
    of 50 cubic centimeters or less.            When you have passed the knowledge
  • Maximum of two brake horsepower.         test and paid the $6.75 examination
                                             fee, you will receive a 30-day moped
  • Maximum speed of 30 mph on a             instruction permit. This instruction
    flat surface.                            permit allows you to practice riding
Moped Operator’s Permit                      a moped only within a one-mile radius
                                             of your residence.
   Any person who has a valid driver’s
license may operate a moped without            For operators under the age of 16,
taking a moped test. Anyone without          during the instruction permit period,
a driver’s license, regardless of age,       only a parent or guardian of the operator
must obtain a moped operator’s permit        may ride on the moped as a passenger.
to legally operate a moped (see section
below). You must carry your license or
                                             Moped Operator’s Permit
permit with you when you ride.               Skills Test
                                               You must pass a skills test to obtain
Moped Instruction Permit                     a moped operator’s permit.
Process
                                              When you take your skills test, you
   To obtain a moped operator’s instruc-     must bring:
tion permit you must:                          • Your 30-day moped operator’s
   • Be at least 15 years old.                   instruction permit.
  • Present proper identification.             • Current proof of insurance for
  • Present a certificate of completion          the moped used for testing.
    issued by a state approved moped           • A DOT-approved helmet and eye
    safety course.                               protection.
  • Pass a vision screening.                   You will not be allowed to test if
  • Pass a knowledge test.                   you do not have all of the above items.
   If you are under 18 years old, you must      A parental approval slip is required
meet these requirements and present a        for persons under age 18. Approval
certified approval slip from your parent     forms are available at license exam
or legal guardian before taking the          stations.
knowledge test and skills test. Approval
                                               The moped operator’s permit skills
forms are available at license exam
                                             test consists of:
stations.
                                                • Starting
   Find course information and exam sta-
                                               • Tight circles
tion locations at www.dvs.dps.mn.gov or
call 651-297-2005.                             • Quick stop
                                               • Turns (right and left)
MOPED                                                                     VII

  • Lane changing                                 hours only.
  • Stop signs and/or traffic lights            • A horn and mirror are required
                                                  safety equipment for a moped.
  • Right of way
                                                • Moped riders must wear protective
  This test is conducted on public streets,
                                                  eyewear.
unlike the motorcycle skills test. Upon
successful completion of the skills test        • Moped riders under 18 years old
you will need to apply for a moped                must wear a DOT-approved motor-
operator’s permit.                                cycle helmet.
  If your moped operator’s permit is lost       • The Department of Public Safety
or there is a change of name or address,          recommends that moped operators
you may apply for a duplicate permit.             observe the same rules of safety
                                                  and wear the same protective equip-
Moped Vehicle Registration
                                                  ment suggested for motorcycle riders.
   Mopeds must be registered, and
registrations must be renewed annually.       Moped Operating Rules
The vehicle must display current regis-         These rules and restrictions apply to
tration tabs. Registration and renewal        operating mopeds:
can be done at any Driver and Vehicle
                                                • Because of the relatively low speeds
Services deputy registrar’s office.
                                                  of mopeds, you should ride in the
Moped                                             traffic lane as far right on the road-
Insurance Requirements                            way as possible unless you are
                                                  making a left turn. Riding on side-
   All mopeds registered in Minnesota             walks is not permitted except where
must have liability insurance coverage            it would be necessary for a short
for property damage or injury to another          distance to get from a driveway, alley
party. No-fault injury and uninsured              or building to an adjacent roadway.
motorist protections are optional. Cover-
age for damage, loss or moped theft             • Mopeds are not allowed on lanes
is also optional. The Commissioner of             or trails that have been set aside
Public Safety may revoke the registration         for bicycles and the exclusive use
and suspend the license of any moped              of non-motorized traffic.
operator who does not carry the required        • Moped riders on a roadway shall not
insurance.                                        ride more than two abreast and shall
                                                  not impede the normal and reason-
Moped                                             able movement of traffic.
Equipment Requirements
                                                • Mopeds are not allowed on inter-
 These rules apply to required equip-
                                                  state freeways.
ment and gear for moped riders:
  • A moped must meet the same                  • A moped equipped with a headlight
    lighting requirements as a motor-             and taillight that meet motorcycle
    cycle, with a headlight, taillight and        lighting requirements may be oper-
    stop lamp. The headlight must be on           ated during nighttime hours. “Night”
    during operation. Mopeds manufac-             or “nighttime” means the time from
    tured before 1987 are not normally            one-half hour after sunset to one-half
    equipped with a headlight or taillight        hour before sunrise.
    and may be operated during daylight
MINNESOTA RIDER TRAINING
  VIII                         AND EDUCATION

Basic Rider Course (BRC)                    Motorcycle Road Guard
   The basic rider course is intended for      A person who holds a motorcycle
novice riders — no experience is neces-     road guard certificate may operate as
sary — but experienced riders benefit       a flagger and stop and hold vehicles
from this course, as well. Training         in place to direct motorcycles within a
motorcycles are provided. A rider 18        motorcycle group ride through an inter-
years of age or older who has a valid       section. Drivers of vehicles stopped by
motorcycle permit can earn a motor-         a flagger may only proceed if instructed
cycle endorsement upon successful           by a flagger or police officer.
completion of the skills test at the
end of the course (skills test waiver).     Training
Riders younger than 18 years of age            The Minnesota Motorcycle Safety
are required to take the BRC before         Center has been authorized to provide
taking the state motorcycle knowledge       training for the motorcycle road guard
(permit) and skills tests.                  certificate. Information on becoming
                                            a motorcycle road guard and training
Special Evening Hours for                   can be found on the Minnesota
State Riding Test                           Department of Public Safety Office
  The Minnesota Department of               of Traffic Safety Website at
Public Safety Office of Driver and          https://dps.mn.gov/divisions/ots.
Vehicle Services has a convenient
evening testing program just for
motorcycle riders. Several exam stations
Visit www.motorcyclesafety.org or
800-407-6677 for more information.
1       THE RIDER AND THE MOTORCYCLE

   Motorcycling is a
                                                 RIDING ENVIRONMENT
unique experience.
Compared to a car,
you don’t 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                               you, and supports the concept that,
the camaraderie of a group ride on the       as the Motorcycle Safety Foundation
weekend, motorcycling engages all your       says, “Safe riding depends as much
senses and creates an invigorating sense     on the mental skills of awareness and
of freedom.                                  judgment as it does on a physical skill of
   Along with that freedom comes             maneuvering the machine.”
responsibility. All states require              Successfully piloting a motorcycle is a
some form of license endorsement             much more involved task than driving a
demonstrating you possess a minimum          car. Motorcycling requires a fine sense
level of skill and knowledge. This           of balance and a heightened sense of
booklet and other motorcycle                 awareness and position amidst other
publications can help prepare you to         roadway users. A motorcycle responds
be successful. You might also consider       more quickly to rider inputs than a car,
taking a formal hands-on training            but is also more sensitive to outside
course, even if your state doesn’t require   forces, like irregular road surfaces or
that you complete one. You’ll learn how      crosswinds. A motorcycle is also less
to improve your riding skills and mental     visible than a car due to its narrower
strategies, so you can be a safer, more      profile, and offers far less protection by
alert rider.                                 exposing its rider to other traffic and
  The diagram above illustrates the          the elements. All these risks can be
complex environment that awaits              managed through study, training, and
                                             practice.
PREPARING TO RIDE                                                                2

     What you do before you start a trip goes a long way toward determining
  whether or not you’ll 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                              a helmet kept a rider from spotting
                                                 danger.
    When you ride, your gear is “right”
if it protects you. In any crash, you have     • Most crashes happenon short
                                                 trips (less than five miles long), just
a far better chance of avoiding serious
                                                 a few minutes after starting out.
injury if you wear:
                                               • Most ridersare riding slower than
  • A DOT-compliant helmet.                      30 mph when a crash occurs. At
  • Face or eye protection.                      these speeds, helmets can cut both
                                                 the number and the severity of head
  • Protective clothing.
                                                 injuries by half.
Helmet Use                                      No matter what the speed, helmeted
   Crashes can occur — particularly          riders are three times more likely to
among untrained, beginning riders.           survive head injuries than those not
And one out of every five motorcycle         wearing helmets at the time of the
crashes results in head or neck injuries.    crash. The single most important thing
Head injuries are just as severe as neck     you can do to improve your chances of
injuries — and far more common. Crash        surviving a crash is to wear a securely-
analyses show that head and neck             fastened, quality helmet.
injuries account for a majority of serious
                                             Helmet Selection
and fatal injuries to motorcyclists.
Research also shows that, with few             There are two primary types of
exceptions, head and neck injuries are       helmets, providing two different levels
reduced by properly wearing a quality        of coverage: three-quarter and full face.
helmet.                                        Whichever style you choose, you can
   Some riders don’t wear helmets            get the most protection by making sure
because they think helmets will limit        that the helmet:
their view to the sides. Others wear           • Is designed to meet U.S.
helmets only on long trips or when               Department of Transportation
riding at high speeds. But, here are             (DOT) and state standards. Helmets
some facts to consider:                          with a label from the Snell Memorial
                                                 Foundation also give you an
  • A DOT-compliant helmetlets                  assurance of quality.
    you see as far to the sides as
    necessary. A study of more than            • Fits snugly,all the way around.
    900 motorcycle crashes, where              • Has no obvious defects such as
    40% of the riders wore helmets,              cracks, loose padding or frayed
    did not find even one case in which          straps.
3                                       PREPARING TO RIDE

   Whatever helmet you
decide on, keep it securely                                           HELMETS
fastened on your head
when you ride. Otherwise,
if you are involved in a
crash, it’s likely to fly off
your head before it gets a
chance to protect you.
Eye and Face
Protection
   A plastic impact-resistant
faceshield can help protect
your whole face in a
crash. It also protects you                 Clothing
from wind, dust, dirt, rain, insects and
pebbles thrown up from cars ahead.             The right clothing protects you in
These problems are distracting and          a collision. It also provides comfort,
can be painful. If you have to deal         as well as protection from heat, cold,
with them, you can’t devote your full       debris and hot and moving parts of the
attention to the road.                      motorcycle. It can also make you more
                                            visible to others.
   Goggles protect your eyes, though
they won’t protect the rest of your face      • Jacket and pantsshould cover
like a faceshield does. A windshield            arms and legs completely. They
is not a substitute for a faceshield or         should fit snugly enough to keep
goggles. Most windshields will not              from flapping in the wind, yet
protect your eyes from the wind. Neither        loosely enough to move freely.
will eyeglasses or sunglasses. Glasses          Leather offers the most protection.
won’t keep your eyes from watering,             Sturdy synthetic material provides
and they might blow off when you turn           a lot of protection as well. Wear
your head while riding.                         a jacket even in warm weather to
                                                prevent dehydration. Many are
  To be effective, eye or faceshield            designed to protect without getting
protection must:                                you overheated, even on summer
  • Be freeof scratches.                       days. Some riders choose jackets
  • Be resistantto penetration.                and pants with rigid “body armor”
                                                inserts in critical areas for additional
  • Give a clear viewto either side.           protection.
  • Fasten securely,so it does not
                                              • Boots or shoesshould be high
    blow off.
                                                and sturdy enough to cover your
  • Permit airto pass through, to              ankles and give them support. Soles
    reduce fogging.                             should be made of hard, durable,
  • Permit enough roomfor                      slip-resistant material. Keep heels
    eyeglasses or sunglasses, if needed.        short so they do not catch on rough
 Tinted eye protection should not be            surfaces. Tuck in laces so they won’t
worn when little light is available.            catch on your motorcycle.
4

  • Glovesallow a better grip and help    KNOW YOUR
    protect your hands in a crash. Your
    gloves should be made of leather or
                                           MOTORCYCLE
    similar durable material.                There are plenty of things on the
                                           highway that can cause you trouble.
  • Hearing protection reduces
                                           Your motorcycle should not be one
    noise while allowing you to hear
                                           of them. To make sure that your
    important sounds such as car horns
                                           motorcycle won’t let you down:
    or sirens. Long term exposure to
    engine and wind noise can cause          • Startwith the right motorcycle
    permanent hearing damage even              for you.
    if you wear a full face helmet.          • Readthe owner’s manual.
    Whether you choose disposable
    foam plugs or reusable custom            • Be familiarwith the motorcycle
    molded devices, be sure you adhere         controls.
    to state laws regarding hearing          • Checkthe motorcycle before
    protection.                                every ride.
   In cold or wet weather, your clothes      • Keepit in safe riding condition
should keep you warm and dry, as               between rides.
well as protect you from injury. You
                                             • Avoidadd-ons and modifications
cannot control a motorcycle well if
                                               that make your motorcycle harder
you are numb. Riding for long periods
                                               to handle.
in cold weather can cause severe chill
and fatigue. A winter jacket should        The Right Motorcycle For You
resist wind and fit snugly at the neck,
                                              First, make sure your motorcycle is
wrists and waist. Good-quality rainsuits
                                           right for you. It should “fit” you. Your
designed for motorcycle riding resist
                                           feet should reach the ground while
tearing apart or ballooning up at high
                                           you are seated on the motorcycle, and
speeds.
                                           the controls should be easy to operate.
                                           Smaller motorcycles are usually easier
                                           for beginners to operate.
 CLOTHING                                   At a minimum, your street-legal
                                           motorcycle should have:
                                             • Headlight, taillight and
                                               brakelight.

                                             TEST YOURSELF                            1
                                             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 45
5                                     PREPARING TO RIDE

  • Front and rear brakes.                   involve riders with less than five months
                                             of experience on their motorcycle.
  • Turn signals.
  • Horn.                                    Get Familiar with the
  • Two mirrors.
                                             Motorcycle Controls
                                                Make sure you are completely familiar
Borrowing and Lending                        with the motorcycle before you take
   Borrowers and lenders of motorcycles,     it out on the street. Be sure to review
beware. Crashes are more likely to occur     the owner’s manual. This is particularly
among beginning riders — especially          important if you are riding a borrowed
in the first months of riding. Riding        motorcycle.
an unfamiliar motorcycle adds to the          If you are going to use an unfamiliar
problem. If you borrow a motorcycle,         motorcycle:
get familiar with it in a controlled area.
And if you lend your motorcycle to             • Make all the checksyou would on
friends, make sure they are licensed and         your own motorcycle.
know how to ride before allowing them          • Find out where everything is,
out into traffic.                                particularly the turn signals, horn,
  No matter how experienced you                  headlight switch, fuel-supply valve
may be, ride extra carefully on any              and engine cut-off switch. Find and
motorcycle that’s new or unfamiliar              operate these items without having
to you. More than half of all crashes            to look for them.

                                              MOTORCYCLE CONTROLS
6

  • Know the controls.Work the               • Try the front and rear brake levers
    throttle, clutch, brakes, and shifter a     one at a time. Make sure each feels
    few times before you start riding.          firm and holds the motorcycle when
                                                fully applied.
  • Ride very cautiouslyand be aware
    of surroundings. Accelerate gently,       C — Controls
    take turns more slowly and leave          • Make sure the clutch and throttle
    extra room for stopping.                    operate smoothly. The throttle
Check Your Motorcycle                           should snap back to fully closed
                                                when released. The clutch should
   A motorcycle needs more frequent             feel tight and should operate
attention than a car. A minor technical         smoothly.
failure on a car is seldom more than an
                                              • Try the horn. Make sure it works.
inconvenience for the driver. The same
failure on a motorcycle may result in a       L — Lights and Electrics
crash or having to leave your motorcycle      • Check both headlight and taillight.
parked on the side of the road. If              Test your switch to make sure both
anything’s wrong with your motorcycle,          high and low beams work.
you’ll want to find out about it before
you get in traffic.                           • Turn on both right and left hand
                                                turn signals. Make sure all lights are
   The primary source of information            working properly.
about how a motorcycle should be
                                              • Try both brakes and make sure each
inspected and maintained is its owner’s
                                                one turns on the brake light.
manual. Be sure to absorb all of its
important information. A motorcycle will      • Clean and adjust your mirrors
continue to ride like new if it is properly     before starting. It’s difficult to ride
maintained and routine inspections              with one hand while you try to
become part of its maintenance cycle.           adjust a mirror. Adjust each mirror
                                                so you can see the lane behind and
    A pre-ride inspection only takes
                                                as much as possible of the lane next
a few minutes and should be done
                                                to you. When properly adjusted, a
before every ride to prevent problems.          mirror may show the edge of your
It’s quick and easy to check the critical       arm or shoulder – but it’s the road
components and should be as routine             behind you and to the side that are
and automatic as checking the weather           most important.
forecast before heading out for the day.
A convenient reminder developed by            O — Oil and Other Fluids
MSF is T-CLOCSSM. There is a T-CLOCS          • Check engine oil and transmission
“tear-out” sheet at the back of this            fluid levels.
manual for you to keep with you when
                                              • Check the brake hydraulic fluid and
you ride. A T-CLOCS inspection should           coolant level weekly.
be conducted before every ride, and
includes checks of:                           • Be sure your fuel valve is open
                                                before starting out. With the fuel
  T — Tires and Wheels
                                                valve closed, your motorcycle may
 • Check tire inflation pressure,               start with only the fuel that is still in
   treadwear and general condition of           the lines, but will stall once the lines
   sidewalls and tread surface.                 are empty.
7                                         PREPARING TO RIDE

  • Look underneath the motorcycle for           responsibility to look before pulling out.
    signs of an oil or fuel leak.                Both of you are at fault. Someone else
  C — Chassis                                    might be the first to start the chain of
                                                 events leading to a crash, but it doesn’t
  • Check the front suspension. Ensure           leave any of us free of responsibility.
    there is no binding. The rear shocks
    and springs should move smoothly.              As a rider you can’t be sure that other
                                                 operators will see you or yield the right
  • Be sure the chain or belt is adjusted        of way. To lessen your chances of a
    according to the manufacturer’s              crash occurring:
    specifications and that the sprockets
    are not worn or damaged.                       • Be visible— wear proper clothing,
                                                     use your headlight, ride in the best
  S — Stands
                                                     lane position to see and be seen.
  • Ensure the side stand operates
                                                   • Communicate your intentions—
    smoothly and that the spring holds
                                                     use the proper signals, brake light
    it tightly in the up position. If
                                                     and lane position.
    equipped, the center stand should
    also be held firmly against the frame          • Maintain an adequate space
    whenever the motorcycle is moving.               cushion — when following, being
                                                     followed, lane sharing, passing and
  Additionally, regular maintenance
                                                     being passed.
such as tune-ups and oil changes are as
important for a motorcycle as routine              • Search your pathof travel 12
checkups by your doctor are for you.                 seconds ahead.
Wear and tear is normal with use;                  • Identify and separatehazards.
routine maintenance will help prevent
costly breakdowns. The schedule for                • Be prepared to act— remain alert
regular upkeep for motorcycle parts                  and know how to carry out proper
and controls is contained in your                    crash-avoidance skills.
motorcycle’s owner’s manual.                         Blame doesn’t matter when someone
                                                 is injured in a crash. The ability to ride
KNOW YOUR                                        aware, make critical decisions and carry
RESPONSIBILITIES                                 them out separates responsible riders
  “Accident” implies an unforeseen               from the rest. Remember, it is up to you
event that occurs without fault or               to keep from being the cause of, or an
negligence. In traffic, that is not the          unprepared participant in, any crash.
case. In fact, most people involved in a
crash can claim some responsibility for
                                                   TEST YOURSELF                            2
what takes place.
                                                   More than half of all crashes:
   Consider a situation where someone
decides to drive through an intersection           A. Occur at speeds greater than
                                                      35mph.
on a yellow light turning red. Your
                                                   B. Happen at night.
light turns green. You pull into the
intersection without checking for                  C. Are caused by worn tires.
possible traffic. That is all it takes for the     D. Involve riders who have less than
                                                      five months of experience on their
two of you to crash. It was the driver’s              motorcycles.
responsibility to stop, and it was your                                           Answer - page 45
RIDE WITHIN YOUR ABILITIES                                                    8

   This manual cannot teach you how to control direction, speed or balance.
 That’s 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                         throttle. Also, adjust the handlebars
                                              so your hands are even with or
Body Position                                 below your elbows. This permits
 To control a motorcycle well:                you to use the proper muscles for
                                              precision steering.
 • Posture— Position yourself
   comfortably so you are able to           • Knees— Keep your knees against
   operate all the controls and can use       the gas tank to help you keep your
   your arms to steer the motorcycle,         balance as the motorcycle turns.
   rather than to hold yourself up.         • Feet— Keep your feet firmly on the
   This helps you bond with your              footrests to maintain balance. Don’t
   motorcycle and allows you to react         drag your feet. If your foot catches
   quickly to hazards.                        on something, you could be injured
 • Seat— Sit far enough forward so           and it could affect your control of
   that arms are slightly bent when           the motorcycle. Keep your feet near
   you hold the handgrips. Bending            the controls so you can get to them
   your arms permits you to press on          fast if needed. Also, don’t let your
   the handlebars without having to           toes point downward — they may
   stretch.                                   get caught between the road and
                                              the footrests.
 • Hands— Hold the handgrips
   firmly to keep your grip over rough    Shifting Gears
   surfaces. Start with your right           There is more to shifting gears than
   wrist flat. This will help you keep    simply getting the motorcycle to pick
   from accidentally using too much       up speed smoothly. Learning to use the
                                          gears when downshifting, turning or
 HOLDING HANDGRIPS                        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
9                  RIDE WITHIN YOUR ABILITIES

for neutral, which is selected by either         When downshifting, use a 3-step
a “half lift” from 1st gear or a “half        process: 1) Roll off the throttle as you
press” from 2nd gear. Most motorcycles        squeeze the clutch lever, 2) press the
have five gears, but some have four or        shift lever down firmly, 3) ease out the
six gears.                                    clutch lever as you roll on the throttle.
                                              Once the shift is completed, release
  SHIFTING GEARS                              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
  As your motorcycle increases
                                              the lever fully until ready for the next
speed, you will need to shift up to a
                                              downshift. Usually you shift gears one at
higher gear. Shift up well before the
                                              a time, but it is possible to shift through
engine RPM reaches its maximum
                                              more than one gear while the clutch is
recommended speed. As a general rule,
                                              squeezed.
shift up soon enough to avoid over-
revving the engine, but not so soon to           Remain in first gear while you are
cause the engine to lug.                      stopped so that you can move out
                                              quickly if you need to.
   When upshifting, use a 3-step
process: 1) Roll off the throttle as you         Work toward a smooth, even clutch
squeeze the clutch lever, 2) lift the         release, especially when downshifting. It
shift lever firmly as far as it will go, 3)   is best to change gears before entering
smoothly ease out the clutch and adjust       a turn. However, sometimes shifting
the throttle. Once the shift is completed,    while in the turn is necessary. If so,
release the shift lever to permit it to       remember to do so smoothly. A sudden
reset for the next shift.                     change in power to the rear wheel can
                                              cause a skid.
   You should shift down through the
gears with the clutch as you slow or          Braking
stop, and can also shift down when you
need more power to accelerate.                   Improper braking technique remains
                                              a significant contributing factor in many
   Make certain you are riding slowly         motorcycle crashes. Your motorcycle
enough when you shift into a lower            has two brake controls: one for the
gear. If not, the motorcycle will lurch,      front wheel and one for the rear wheel.
and the rear wheel may skid. When             Always use both brakes every time you
riding downhill or shifting into first gear   slow or stop. The front brake is more
you may need to use the brakes to slow        powerful and can provide at least 70%
enough before downshifting safely.
10

of your total stopping power. The front        road and traffic conditions, try to get the
brake is safe to use if you use it properly.   motorcycle as perpendicular to the road
                                               as possible, then brake. If conditions do
   Maximum straight-line braking is
                                               not allow, brake smoothly and gradually,
accomplished by fully applying both
                                               but do not apply as much braking force
front and rear brakes without locking
                                               as you would if the motorcycle were
either wheel.
                                               straight up. As you slow, you can reduce
  To do this:                                  your lean angle, and as more traction
  • Squeeze the front brake                    becomes available for braking, you can
    smoothly, firmly and with                  more firmly apply the brakes, so that
    progressively more force. Do not           by the time the motorcycle is stopped,
    grab the brake lever or use abrupt         the motorcycle is straight up, and the
    pressure.                                  handlebars are squared.
  • As the motorcycle’s weight
                                               Linked and Integrated
    transfers forward, more traction
    becomes available at the front             Braking Systems
    wheel, so the front brake can be              Some motorcycles have linked braking
    applied harder after braking begins.       which connects the front and rear
  • Keep your knees against the                brakes on the motorcycle and applies
    tank and your eyes up, looking             braking pressure to both brakes when
    well ahead. This helps you stop the        either the front lever or rear pedal is
    motorcycle in a straight line.             applied. An integrated braking system
                                               is a variation of the linked system in
  • Apply light-to-lighter pressure            which partial front braking is applied
    to the rear brake pedal to prevent a       whenever the rear brake is activated.
    rear wheel skid. As weight transfers       Consult your owner’s manual for a
    forward less traction is available         detailed explanation on the operation
    at the rear. Use less rear brake           and effective use of these systems.
    pressure.
                                               Anti-Lock Braking Systems
   Using both brakes for even “normal”
stops will permit you to develop the           (ABS)
proper habit or skill of using both brakes        ABS is designed to prevent wheel
properly in an emergency. Squeeze the          lock-up and avoid skids when stopping
front brake and press down on the rear.        in straight-line, panic situations. ABS
Grabbing at the front brake or jamming         operates when maximum pressure on
down on the rear can cause the brakes          both the front and rear brake controls
to lock, resulting in control problems.        is applied. If electronic sensors detect
                                               the possibility of a wheel lock, brake
Braking in a Corner                            hydraulic pressure is released then
   Any time a motorcycle is leaned over,       reapplied to maintain maximum braking
the amount of traction available for           effectiveness.
braking is reduced. The greater the lean
                                                 The system is capable of releasing and
angle, the more the possibility of the
                                               reapplying pressure more than 15 times
tires losing traction.
                                               per second.
  To stop as quickly and as safely as
possible in a curve, and depending on
11                RIDE WITHIN YOUR ABILITIES

Turning                                           In normal turns, the rider and the
                                                motorcycle should lean together at the
  Approach turns and curves with
                                                same angle.
caution. Riders often try to take curves
or turns too fast. When they can’t hold
                                                              NORMAL TURNS
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:
  • 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                In slow, tight turns, counterbalance by
    the direction of the turn. Press left       leaning the motorcycle only and keeping
    handgrip — lean left — go left.             your body straight.
    Press right handgrip — lean right
    — go right. The higher the speed in           SLOW, TIGHT TURNS
    a turn, or the sharper the turn, the
    greater the lean angle needs to be.
  • ROLL — Roll on the throttle to
    maintain or slightly increase speed.
    This helps stabilize the motorcycle.

  TEST YOURSELF                         3
     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 45
12

KEEPING YOUR DISTANCE                        • Avoid windblast from other vehicles.
   The best protection you can have is       • Provide an escape route.
distance — a “cushion of space” —            • Set up for turns.
separating yourself from other vehicles
on the roadway. This will provide you          Many motorcyclists consider the left
with a clear view of emerging traffic       third of the lane – the left tire track of
situations, so that if someone else         automobiles – to be their default lane
makes a mistake, you will have:             position. You should then consider
                                            varying your lane position as conditions
 • More time to respond.                    warrant, keeping in mind that no
 • More space to maneuver, including        portion of the lane need be avoided —
   an escape route if necessary.            including the center.
                                               You should position yourself in the
Lane Positions                              portion of the lane where you are most
   Successful motorcyclists know that       likely to be seen and you can maintain
they are safer when clearly seen. In        a space cushion around you. Change
some ways the size of the motorcycle        position as traffic situations change.
can work to your advantage. Each traffic    Ride in path 2 or 3 if vehicles and other
lane gives a motorcycle three paths of      potential problems are on your left
travel, as indicated in the illustration.   only. Remain in path 1 or 2 if hazards
                                            are on your right only. If vehicles are
  Your lane position should help you:
                                            being operated on both sides of you,
 • Increase your ability to see and be      the center of the lane, path 2, is usually
   seen.                                    your best option.
 • Avoid others’ blind spots.                  Remember, the center third of the
                                            lane is the place where debris and oil
 • Avoid surface hazards.                   drippings from cars collect and where
 • Protect your lane from other drivers.    hazards such as manhole covers are
                                            located. Unless the road is wet, the
 • Communicate your intentions.             average center strip permits adequate

                                                          LANE POSITIONS
13                 RIDE WITHIN YOUR ABILITIES

  FOLLOWING

traction to ride on safely. You can                thousand-one, one-thousand-two.”
operate to the left or right of the grease       • If you reach the marker before
strip and still be within the center third         you reach “two,” you are following
of the traffic lane. Avoid riding on big           too closely.
buildups of oil and grease usually found
at busy intersections or tollbooths.              A two-second following distance
                                               leaves a minimum amount of space to
  Experienced riders rely on their own         stop or swerve if the driver ahead stops
best judgment and instincts. One               suddenly. It also permits a better view of
absolute, however, is to avoid riding in       potholes and other hazards in the road.
another vehicle’s blind spot.
                                                  A larger cushion of space is needed
Following Another Vehicle                      if your motorcycle will take longer
  “Following too closely” is a factor in       than normal to stop. If the pavement
crashes involving motorcyclists. In traffic,   is slippery, if you cannot see through
motorcycles need as much distance              the vehicle ahead, or if traffic is heavy
to stop as cars. Normally, a minimum           and someone may squeeze in front of
of two seconds distance should be              you, open up a three-second or more
maintained behind the vehicle ahead.           following distance.

  To gauge your following distance:               Keep well behind the vehicle ahead
                                               even when you are stopped. This will
  • Pick out a marker,such as a               make it easier to get out of the way
    pavement marking or lamppost, on           if someone bears down on you from
    or near the road ahead.                    behind. It will also give you a cushion of
  • When the rear bumperof the                space if the vehicle ahead starts to back
    vehicle ahead passes the marker,           up for some reason.
    count off the seconds: “one-                 When behind a car, ride where the
14

driver can see you in the rearview mirror.      Passing
Riding in the center portion of the lane
should put your image in the middle of            1. Ride in the left portionof the
the rearview mirror — where a driver is              lane at a safe following distance
most likely to see you.                              to increase your line of sight and
                                                     make you more visible. Signal
   Riding at the far side of a lane may              and check for oncoming traffic.
permit a driver to see you in a sideview             Use your mirrors and turn your
mirror. But remember that most drivers               head to look for traffic behind.
don’t look at their sideview mirrors
nearly as often as they check the                 2. When safe,move into the left
rearview mirror. If the traffic situation            lane and accelerate. Select a lane
allows, the center portion of the lane is            position that doesn’t crowd the
usually the best place for you to be seen            car and provides space to avoid
by the drivers ahead and to prevent lane             hazards in your lane.
sharing by others.                                3. Ride through the blind spotas
                                                     quickly as possible.
Being Followed
                                                  4. Signal again,and complete
   Speeding up to lose someone following             mirror and headchecks before
too closely only ends up with someone                returning to your original lane
tailgating you at a higher speed.                    and then cancel the signal.
    A better way to handle tailgaters             Remember, passes must be
is to get them in front of you. When            completed within posted speed
someone is following too closely,               limits, and only where permitted.
change lanes and let them pass. If you          Know your signs and road markings!
can’t 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.          PASSING
If they don’t pass, you will have given
yourself and the tailgater more time and
space to react in case an emergency
does develop ahead.
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.
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