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To ride safely on slippery surfaces:
Reduce Speed — Slow down before you get to a slippery surface to lessen your chances of skidding. Your motorcycle needs more
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distance to stop. And it is particularly important to reduce speed before entering wet curves.
Avoid Sudden Moves — Any sudden change in speed or direction can cause a skid. Be as smooth as possible when you speed up,
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shift gears, turn or brake.
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Use Both Brakes — The front brake is still effective, even on a slippery surface. Squeeze the brake lever gradually to avoid locking
the front wheel. Remember, gentle pressure on the rear brake.
The center of a lane can be hazardous when wet. When it starts to rain, ride in the tire tracks left by cars. Often, the left tire track
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will be the best position, depending on traffic and other road conditions as well.
Watch for oil spots when you put your foot down to stop or park. You may slip and fall.
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Dirt and gravel collect along the sides of the road — especially on curves and ramps leading to and from highways. Be aware of
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what's on the edge of the road, particularly when making sharp turns and getting on or off freeways at high speeds.
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Rain dries and snow melts faster on some sections of a road than on others. Patches of ice tend to crop up in low or shaded areas and on
bridges and overpasses. Wet surfaces or wet leaves are just as slippery. Ride on the least slippery portion of the lane and reduce speed.
Cautious riders steer clear of roads covered with ice or snow. If you can't avoid a slippery surface, keep your motorcycle straight up and proceed as
slowly as possible. If you encounter a large surface so slippery that you must coast, or travel at a walking pace, consider letting your feet skim along
the surface. If the motorcycle starts to fall, you can catch yourself. Be sure to keep off the brakes. If possible, squeeze the clutch and coast. Attempting
this maneuver at anything other than the slowest of speeds could prove hazardous.
RAILROAD TRACKS, TROLLEY TRACKS AND PAVEMENT
SEAMS
Usually it is safer to ride straight within your lane to cross tracks. Turning to take tracks
head-on (at a 90° angle) can be more dangerous — your path may carry you into another
lane of traffic.
For track and road seams that run parallel to your course, move far enough away from
tracks, ruts, or pavement seams to cross at an angle of at least 45°. Then, make a quick,
sharp turn. Edging across could catch your tires and throw you off balance.
CROSSTRACKS-RIGHT
CROSSTRACKS-WRONG
GROOVES AND GRATINGS
Riding over rain grooves or bridge gratings may cause a motorcycle to weave. The uneasy, wandering feeling is generally not hazardous. Relax, main-
tain a steady speed and ride straight across. Crossing at an angle forces riders to zigzag to stay in the lane. The zigzag is far more hazardous than the
wandering feeling.
MECHANICAL PROBLEMS
You can find yourself in an emergency the moment something goes wrong with your motorcycle. In dealing with any mechanical problem, take
into account the road and traffic conditions you face. Here are some guidelines that can help you handle mechanical problems safely.
TIRE FAILURE
You will seldom hear a tire go flat. If the motorcycle starts handling differently, it may be a tire failure. This can be dangerous. You must be able
to tell from the way the motorcycle reacts. If one of your tires suddenly loses air, react quickly to keep your balance. Pull off and check the tires.
If the front tire goes flat, the steering will feel "heavy." A front-wheel flat is particularly hazardous because it affects your steering. You have to
steer well to keep your balance.
If the rear tire goes flat, the back of the motorcycle may jerk or sway from side to side.
If either tire goes flat while riding:
Hold handlegrips firmly, ease off the throttle, and keep a straight course.
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PARALLEL TRACKS-RIGHT
PARALLEL TRACKS-WRONG
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9
When it starts to rain it is usually best to:
A. Ride in the center of the lane.
B. Pull off to the side until the rain stops.
C. Ride in the tire tracks left by cars.
D. Increase your speed.
Answer - page 25
GRATE CROSSINGS-RIGHT
GRATE CROSSINGS-WRONG
Test Yourself
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