Table of Contents
Advertisement
Quick Links
Advertisement
Table of Contents
Summary of Contents for Idaho Star
- Page 6 • “Moped” [49-114(9)] means a limited-speed motor-driven cycle having: (a) Both motorized and pedal propulsion that is not capable of propelling the vehicle at a speed in excess of thirty (30) miles per hour on level ground, whether two (2) or three (3) wheels are in contact with the ground during operation.
-
Page 8: Table Of Contents
Table of Contents EARNING YOUR LICENSE ENDORSEMENT AND TEST FEES........1 PREPARING TO RIDE Helmet Use................ RIDING GEAR..............Helmet Selection............... Eye and Face Protection............ Clothing................The Right Motorcycle for You........... 6 KNOW YOUR MOTORCYCLE.......... Required Equipment............Borrowing and Lending............. 7 Get Familiar with the Motorcycle Controls....... - Page 9 INTERSECTIONS..............25 Blind Intersections............. 26 Stop Signs and Signals............26 Traffic Control Signals............26 Passing Parked Cars............27 Parking at the Roadside............. 27 SEE AND BE SEEN............... 28 Clothing................28 Headlight................28 Signals................28 Brake Light................ 29 Using Your Mirrors............29 Head Checks..............
- Page 10 CARRYING PASSENGERS AND CARGO......41 Equipment................. 41 Instructing Passengers............41 Riding with Passengers............42 Carrying Loads..............42 GROUP RIDING..............43 Keep the Group Small............43 Keep the Group Together........... 43 Keep Your Distance............44 BEING IN SHAPE TO RIDE WHY THIS INFORMATION IS IMPORTANT....46 Alcohol and Other Drugs in Motorcycle Operation..
-
Page 11: Earning Your License
For information and to register for a rider course nearest you, contact Idaho STAR online at idahostar.org or toll-free (888) 280-STAR (7827) A motorcycle instruction permit is available to anyone who holds a valid Idaho Class A, B, C, or D license. This permit is valid for 180 days and allows motorcycle operators to practice riding under the following restrictions. -
Page 12: Preparing To Ride
Research shows that, with few exceptions, head and neck injuries are reduced by properly wearing an approved helmet. Idaho law requires all persons under the age of 18 to wear a DOT-approved protective helmet while riding on or operating a motorcycle or ATV on or off road. -
Page 14: Clothing
To be effective, eye or face protection must: • Be free of scratches. • Be resistant to penetration. • Give a clear view to either side. • Fasten securely, so it does not blow off. • Permit air to pass through, to reduce fogging. •... -
Page 17: Borrowing And Lending
helmet while operating or riding on a motorcycle or ATV, on or off road. • Horn: You must have a horn that can be heard up to 200 feet away. • Insurance: You must have (and carry on your person) liability insurance in an amount of not less than $25,000. - Page 19 • Tires — Check the air pressure, general wear, and tread. • Fluids — Oil and fluid levels. At a minimum, check hydraulic fluids and coolants weekly. Look under the motorcycle for signs of fluid leaks. • Headlights and Taillight — Check them both. Test your switch to make sure both high and low beams are working.
-
Page 20: Know Your Responsibilities
KNOW YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES “Accident” implies an unforeseen event that occurs without anyone’s fault or negligence. Most often in traffic, that is not the case. In fact, most people involved in a crash can usually claim some responsibility for what takes place. Consider a situation where someone tries to squeeze through an intersection on a yellow light that is turning red. -
Page 22: Shifting Gears
There is more to shifting gears than simply getting the motorcycle to pick up Shifting Gears speed smoothly. Learning to use the gears correctly when downshifting, turning, or starting on hills is important for safe motorcycle operation. The gearshift lever is located in front of the left footrest and is operated by the left foot. -
Page 23: Braking
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. - Page 24 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.
-
Page 28: Following Another Vehicle
Position yourself in the portion of the lane where you have the best view of the road, are most likely to be seen, and where 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. -
Page 33: Sipde
Good experienced riders remain aware of what is going on around them. They “SIPDE” improve their riding strategy by using “SIPDE”—a five-step process used to make appropriate judgments—and by applying the steps correctly in different traffic situations: • Scan • Identify •... - Page 34 away or remaining stationary. Predict where a collision may occur. Completing this “what if...?” phrase to estimate results of contacting or attempting to avoid a hazard depends on your knowledge and experience. Decide when, where, and how to act based on types of hazards you encounter: Decide •...
-
Page 38: See And Be Seen
In crashes with motorcyclists, drivers often say that they never saw the SEE AND BE SEEN motorcycle. From ahead or behind, a motorcycle’s outline is much smaller than a car’s. Also, it’s hard to see something you are not looking for, and most drivers are not looking for motorcycles. -
Page 39: Brake Light
going to give you the most trouble. Your signal lights also make you easier to spot. That’s why it’s 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. -
Page 41: Riding At Night
• A parked car has someone in the driver’s seat. • Someone is in the street, riding a bicycle or walking. In an emergency, press and hold the horn button. Be ready to stop or swerve away from the danger. Keep in mind that a motorcycle’s horn isn’t as loud as a car’s —... -
Page 46: Slippery Surfaces
Motorcycles handle better when ridden on surfaces that permit good traction. Slippery Surfaces Surfaces that provide poor traction include: • Wet pavement, particularly just after it starts to rain and before surface oil washes to the side of the road. The center portion of a lane will usually be most slippery. -
Page 48: Mechanical Problems
You can find yourself in an emergency the moment something goes wrong with MECHANICAL PROBLEMS 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. -
Page 49: Drive Train Problems
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 swingarm bearings. If none of these are determined to be the cause, have the motorcycle checked out thoroughly by a qualified professional. Trying to “accelerate out of a wobble”... -
Page 50: Animals
Naturally, you should do everything you safely can to avoid hitting an animal. ANIMALS 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. -
Page 51: Carrying Passengers And Cargo
• Have your passenger wear the same type of protective gear recommended for motorcycle operators. The following equipment is required by Idaho law: • A Proper Seat — large enough to hold both of you without crowding, or a separate, permanently attached passenger seat. You should not sit any farther forward than you usually do. -
Page 52: Riding With Passengers
• Stay directly behind you, leaning as you lean. • Avoid unnecessary talk or motion. Also, tell your passenger to tighten his or her hold when you: • Approach surface problems, • Are about to start from a stop, and •... -
Page 56: Being In Shape To Ride
Being In Shape To Ride 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. -
Page 58: Alcohol And The Law
Impairment of judgment and skills begins well below the legal limit. Under Idaho law, you are considered to be driving under the influence if your Alcohol and the Law BAC is .02 or more if you under 21 years of age, .04 or more if you are operating a commercial vehicle, and .08 or more if you are 21 or older. -
Page 59: Alcohol Test Refusal
Notice of Suspension. This notice is an Idaho Transportation Department-imposed administrative driver’s license suspension (ALS), that is issued in accordance with Section 18-8002A, Idaho Code. You have the right to request an administrative hearing on the suspension before a hearing officer designated by the department. -
Page 60: Minimize The Risks
of ninety (90) days. You will have absolutely no driving privileges during the first thirty (30) days of that ninety (90) day suspension. Your driving privileges will be suspended for one year with absolutely no driving privileges of any kind for a second failure of the test within five (5) years. -
Page 61: Fatigue
• 42% involved riders running off the road in a corner • 20% involved a car violating the rider’s right-of-way The Idaho STAR Motorcycle Safety Program provides high quality rider training that makes motorcycling safer and more enjoyable for everyone. - Page 62 Training for all Levels —Whether you have ridden thousands of miles, or have never even sat on a motorcycle, Idaho STAR has a course to fit your needs. Increasing your knowledge and skill can help keep you out of the crash statistics.
-
Page 64: Smart Rider Commitments
Smart Rider Commitments The “Smart Rider Commitments” below are taken from the Idaho STAR Basic Rider Training Rider’s Guide available as a free pdf at: http://idahostar.org/resources/rider’s-guide. We encourage you to review and consider making some (or all) of these commitments as a way to help you prevent and survive crashes and come home safely to your loved ones after every ride. -
Page 65: Knowledge Test (Sample Questions)
KNOWLEDGE TEST (Sample Questions) (The answers are printed at the bottom of the last page.) A. someone is following too closely. 1. It is MOST important to flash your brake light when: B. you will be slowing suddenly. C. there is a stop sign ahead. D. -
Page 66: Motorcycle Skill Test
Three wheel information: Contact Idaho STAR (1-888-280-7827) for specific information about operation of three-wheeled motorcycles or motorcycles with sidecars. The following are some of the skills you will have to demonstrate during... -
Page 71: Answers To Sample Questions
Points will be deducted if you stall your engine while attempting any of the maneuvers. You will be graded on your ability to control the cycle, maneuver, turn, stop quickly and ride in a straight line. The examiner also will watch your posture and overall operation and attention.
Need help?
Do you have a question about the Star and is the answer not in the manual?
Questions and answers