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In cold or wet weather, your clothes should keep you warm and dry, as well as protect you from injury. You cannot control a
motorcycle well if you are numb. Riding for long periods in cold weather can cause severe chill and fatigue. A winter jacket should resist wind
and fit snugly at the neck, wrists and waist. Good-quality rainsuits designed for motorcycle riding resist tearing apart or ballooning up at high
speeds.
KNOW YOUR MOTORCYCLE
There are plenty of things on the highway that can cause you trouble. Your motorcycle
should not be one of them. To make sure that your motorcycle won't let you down:
Read the owner's manual first.
•
•
Start with the right motorcycle for you.
Be familiar with the motorcycle controls.
•
Check the motorcycle before every ride.
•
Keep it in safe riding condition between rides.
•
•
Avoid add-ons and modifications that make your motorcycle harder to handle.
THE RIGHT MOTORCYCLE FOR YOU
First, make sure your motorcycle is right for you. It should "fit" you. Your feet should reach the ground while you are seated on the motorcycle.
At minimum, your street-legal motorcycle should have:
•
Headlight, taillight and brakelight.
•
Front and rear brakes.
•
Turn signals.
•
Horn.
•
Two mirrors.
BORROWING AND LENDING
Borrowers and lenders of motorcycles, beware. Crashes are fairly common among beginning riders — especially in the first months of riding.
Riding an unfamiliar motorcycle adds to the problem. If you borrow a motorcycle, get familiar with it in a controlled area. And if you lend your
motorcycle to friends, make sure they are licensed and know how to ride before allowing them out into traffic.
No matter how experienced you may be, ride extra carefully on any motorcycle that's new or unfamiliar to you. More than half of all crashes occur
on motorcycles ridden by the operator for less than six months.
GET FAMILIAR WITH THE
MOTORCYCLE CONTROLS
Make sure you are completely familiar with the
motorcycle before you take it out on the street. Be
sure to review the owner's manual. This is
particularly important if you are riding a borrowed
motorcycle.
If you are going to use an unfamiliar motorcycle:
•
Make all the checks you would on your
own motorcycle.
Find out where everything is, particu-
•
larly the turn signals, horn, headlight
switch, fuel-control valve and engine
cut-off switch. Find and operate these
items without having to look for them.
Know the gear pattern. Work the
•
throttle, clutch and brakes a few times
before you start riding. All controls react a
little differently.
Ride very cautiously and be aware of
•
surroundings. Accelerate gently, take
turns more slowly and leave extra room
for stopping.
CHECK YOUR MOTORCYCLE
A motorcycle needs more frequent attention than a car. A
minor technical failure in a car seldom leads to anything
more than an inconvenience for the driver.
If something's wrong with the motorcycle, you'll
want to find out about it before you get in traffic.
Make a complete check of your motorcycle before
every ride.
MOTORCYCLE CONTROLS
Light Switch (high/low)
Horn Button
Clutch Lever
Speedometer &
Odometer
Fuel Supply Valve
(if equipped)
Gear-Change Lever
9
1
A plastic shatter-resistance 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 25
Engine Cut-Off
Switch
Choke (varies)
Electric
Start
Turn-Signal
Button
Switch
Ignition Key
(varies)
Test Yourself
Throttle
Front Brake
Lever
Tachometer
(if equipped)
Rear Brake Pedal
Kick Starter
(if equipped)
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