MOTORCYCLE OPERATOR MANUAL

MOTORCYCLEOPERATOR MANUALWITH SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION FOR THREE-WHEEL MOTORCYCLES18 TH EDITION

PREFACECONTENTS 1Riding a motorcycle is fun and can be a great means of transportation. But properskills and knowledge are needed to ride safely in traffic conditions.This 18th edition of the Motorcycle Safety Foundation Motorcycle OperatorManual* contains tips and strategies to help riders manage risk. The manual waswritten for novices and designed for use in licensing programs, but there’s greatinformation for all two- and three-wheel motorcycle riders. Topics covered includemotorcycle controls, developing effective street strategies, group riding, riding witha passenger, and more.Additional resources are available at MSF-USA.org, including the new MSFBasic eCourse, with interactive online exercises. But the best way to learn to rideis through formal hands-on training, like with the MSF Basic RiderCourse, whereyou’ll learn how to properly operate a motorcycle with the help of MSF-certifiedRiderCoaches.Making motorcycling safer, and as a result more fun, is our goal.Erik PritchardPresidentMotorcycle Safety Foundation*The original Motorcycle Operator Manual was developed by the National Public Services ResearchInstitute under contract to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration as part of a cooperativeagreement between NHTSA and the MSF. Continuing to help state agencies with their licensing programs,the MSF offers the source files of this booklet to them at no charge. Write to MSF@MSF-USA.org for moreinformation.

2 CONTENTS THE RIDER ANDTHE MOTORCYCLE 3PREPARING TO RIDEBEING IN SHAPE TO RIDEWhy This Information IsImportant 40Wear the Right Gear 4Alcohol and Other Drugs inMotorcycle Operation 40Know Your Motorcycle 6Alcohol in the Body 40Know Your Responsibilities 9Alcohol and the Law 41RIDE WITHIN YOUR ABILITIESBasic Vehicle Control 10Minimize the Risks 42Step in to Protect Friends 42Keeping Your Distance 13Cannabis andMotorcycle Operation 43SEE 17Fatigue 43Intersections 19Increasing Conspicuity 22Crash Avoidance 25Handling Dangerous Surfaces 28Mechanical Problems 30EARNING YOUR LICENSE ORENDORSEMENT 44THREE-WHEEL SUPPLEMENTAnimals 32Supplementary Informationfor Three-Wheel Motorcycles 46Flying Objects 33Know Your Vehicle 46Getting Off the Road 33Basic Vehicle Control 48Carrying Passengersand Cargo 33Carrying Passengers and Cargo 51Group Riding 36HAND SIGNALS. 52T-CLOCS PRE-RIDE CHECKLIST 54

THERIDER AND THE MOTORCYCLE3RIDING ENVIRONMENTMotorcycling is a unique experience.Compared to a car, you don’t sit in amotorcycle, you become its upper half.Not as a passive driver, but as an activerider leaning into a string of smoothcorners, playing along with the rhythmof the road; shifting, accelerating, andbraking with precision. Whether youride to and from work or prefer thecamaraderie of a group ride on theweekend, motorcycling engages all yoursenses and creates an exhilarating senseof freedom.Along with that freedom comesresponsibility. All states require someform of license or endorsement todemonstrate you possess a minimumlevel of skill and knowledge. This bookletand other motorcycle publications canhelp prepare you to be successful. Youmight also consider taking a formalhands-on training course, even if yourstate doesn’t require that you completeone. You’ll learn how to improve yourriding skills and mental strategies, so youcan be a safer, more alert rider and enjoyriding that much more.The diagram above illustrates thecomplex environment that awaits you,and supports the concept that, as theMotorcycle Safety Foundation says, “Saferiding depends as much on the mentalskills of awareness and judgment as itdoes on the physical skill of maneuveringthe machine.”Successfully operating a motorcycle isa much more involved task than drivinga car. Motorcycling requires strength,coordination, and balance, as well asa heightened sense of awareness andposition amidst other roadway users. Amotorcycle is more responsive than acar, but is also more sensitive to outsideforces, like irregular road surfaces orcrosswinds. A motorcycle is also lessvisible than a car due to its narrowerprofile, and offers far less protection byexposing its rider to other traffic and theelements. All these risks can be managedthrough training and education.

4 PREPARING TO RIDEPREPARING TO RIDE 4What you do before you begin a ride goes a long way toward riding safelyand effectively. Before any ride, a safety-minded rider makes a point to:1. Wear the right gear.2. Become familiar with the motorcycle.3. Check the motorcycle parts and controls.WEAR THE RIGHT GEARWhen you ride, your gear is “right”if it protects you. In any crash, you havea far better chance of avoiding seriousinjury if you wear: A DOT-compliant helmet. Face or eye protection. Protective clothing.Helmet UseCrashes can occur — particularlyamong untrained, beginning riders.And one out of every five motorcyclecrashes results in head or neck injuries.Head injuries are just as severe as neckinjuries — and far more common. Crashanalyses show that head and neckinjuries account for a majority of seriousand fatal injuries to motorcyclists.Research also shows that, with fewexceptions, head and neck injuries arereduced by properly wearing a qualityhelmet.Some riders choose not to wear ahelmet. But, here are some facts toconsider: A DOT-compliant helmet lets yousee as far to the sides as necessary.Studies show that a helmet does notkeep a rider from spotting danger. Most crashes happen on short trips(less than five miles long), just a fewminutes after starting out. Most riders are riding slower than30 mph when a crash occurs. Atthese speeds, helmets can cut boththe number and the severity of headand neck injuries by half.No matter what the speed, helmetedriders are three times more likely tosurvive head injuries than those notwearing helmets at the time of thecrash. The single most important thingyou can do to improve your chances ifyou crash is to wear a securely fastened,quality helmet.Helmet SelectionRecommended are two primary typesof helmets, providing two differentlevels of coverage: three-quarter and fullface.Whichever style you choose, you canget the most protection by making surethat the helmet: Is designed to meet U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT)and state standards. Helmets witha label from the Snell MemorialFoundation also give you anassurance of quality. Fits snugly, all the way around. Has no obvious defects such ascracks, loose padding or frayedstraps.Whatever helmet you decide on, keepit securely fastened on your head whenyou ride. Otherwise, if you are involvedin a crash, it might fly off your head

5 CONTENTS 5before it gets a chance toprotect you.HELMETSEye and FaceProtectionA plastic impact-resistantfaceshield can help protectyour whole face in a crash.It also protects you fromwind, dust, dirt, rain, insectsand pebbles thrown upfrom cars ahead. Theseproblems are distractingand can be painful. If youhave to deal with them, youcan’t devote your full attention to theroad.Goggles protect your eyes, thoughthey won’t protect the rest of your facelike a faceshield does. A windshieldattached to the motorcycle is not asubstitute for a faceshield or goggles.Most windshields will not protectyour eyes from the wind. Neither willeyeglasses or sunglasses. Glasses won’tkeep your eyes from watering, andthey might blow off when you turnyour head while riding, or in windyconditions.To be effective, eye or faceshieldprotection must: Be free of scratches. Be resistant to penetration. Give a clear view to either side. Fasten securely, so it does not blowoff. Permit air to pass through, to reducefogging. Permit enough room for eyeglassesor sunglasses, if needed.Tinted eye protection should notbe worn when little outside light isavailable.ClothingThe right clothing protects you. It alsoprovides comfort as well as protectionfrom heat, cold, debris and hot andmoving parts of the motorcycle. It canalso make you more visible to others. Jacket and pants should cover armsand legs completely. They should fitsnugly enough to keep from flappingin the wind, yet loosely enough toallow you to move freely. Leatheroffers the most protection. Sturdysynthetic material provides a lot ofprotection as well. Wear a jacketeven in warm weather to preventdehydration. Many are designedto protect without getting youoverheated, even on summer days.Some riders choose jackets and pantswith “body armor” inserts in criticalbody areas for additional protection. Boots or shoes should be high andsturdy enough to cover your anklesand give them support. Soles shouldbe made of hard, durable, slipresistant material. Keep heels short sothey do not catch on rough surfaces.Tuck in laces so they won’t catch onyour motorcycle. Gloves allow a better grip and help

6 PREPARING TO RIDEprotect your hands. Your glovesshould be made of leather or similardurable material. Hearing protection reduces noisewhile allowing you to hear importantsounds such as car horns or sirens.Long term exposure to engine andwind noise can cause permanenthearing damage even if you wear afull face helmet. Whether you choosedisposable foam plugs or reusablecustom molded devices, be sureyou adhere to state laws regardinghearing protection.In cold or wet weather, your clothesshould keep you warm and dry, aswell as protect you from injury. Youcannot control a motorcycle well ifyou are numb. Riding for long periodsin cold weather can cause severe chilland fatigue. A winter jacket shouldresist wind and fit snugly at the neck,wrists and waist. Good-quality rainsuitsdesigned for motorcycle riding resisttearing apart or ballooning up at highspeeds.CLOTHINGKNOW YOURMOTORCYCLEThere are plenty of things on thehighway that can cause you trouble.Your motorcycle should not be oneof them. To make sure that yourmotorcycle won’t let you down: Start with the right motorcyclefor you. It should fit you well. Read the owner’s manual. Be familiar with the controls. Check the motorcycle beforeevery ride. Keep it in safe riding conditionbetween rides. Avoid add-ons and modificationsthat make it more difficult to handle.The Right Motorcycle For YouFirst, make sure your motorcycle isright for you. It should “fit” you. Yourfeet should reach the ground whileyou are seated on the motorcycle, andthe controls should be easy to operate.Smaller motorcycles are usually easierfor beginners to operate.At a minimum, your street-legalmotorcycle should have: Headlight, taillight and brakelight.TEST YOURSELF1A plastic shatter-resistant face shield:A. Is not necessary if you have awindshield.B. Only protects your eyes.C. Helps protect your whole face.D. Does not protect your face as well asgoggles.Answer - page 45