MOTORCYCLE SAFETY

MOTORCYCLE SAFETY

PRACTICE SKILLS FOR MOTORCYCLISTS

Keep practicing until you can do each exercise at least five times without a problem. Do not practice for more than one or two hours at a time. When you get tired, you cannot practice effectively.

Choosing a Practice Area
     A well-marked parking lot is the best practice area. Be aware, however, of grease left by parked cars. Look for parking lots that are not used all the time at shopping centers, schools, churches or community centers. For instance, you might use a school lot in the evening hours, or a shopping center early in the morning.

     Once you've selected a suitable location, it's important to gain permission from the owner.

     Keep this basic parking lot diagram in mind when setting up drills and exercises.

     If the parking lot you choose doesn't have lines, use the dimensions diagrammed here. Mark them using a tape measure and chalk.

     Traffic is your greatest concern. Make sure you check to the front sides and rear before doing an exercise. Also, make sure you watch out for children and animals and be considerate of others in the area.

Safety Rules
     The practice exercises are not dangerous. However, a few safety rules should be followed:

Wear proper protective clothing to include: helmet, gloves, boots or shoes that cover the ankles, long pants, and long-sleeved shirt or jacket.
Inspect the motorcycle for defects before you start. If you are not familiar with the inspection procedures for your motorcycle, check the owner's manual.
Check the practice area for loose gravel, glass, grease left by cars, or other things that could cause a spill.
If possible, take a friend along to:
(a) Watch out for traffic
(b) Help you if anything goes wrong.

What to Bring
     Bring five small objects that you can use as markers. Milk cartons or plastic bottles with a little sand or water in the bottom work well. If you use small objects, bring some chalk to draw markers on the pavement.

Exercise: Quick Stop on a Curve

Directions
Practicing this exercise will help you stop quickly when something suddenly appears in your path on a curve.

Ride to the outside of the line "A". Start, facing marker one at a distance sufficient enough to increase speed to 10-15 mph. As you reach marker one, turn in the curved path indicated by marker two, three, and four. When your front tire passes marker two, begin braking. Try to stop before marker three. Do this at 10 mph, then 15 mph. Do not exceed 15 mph.

Coaching Tips

Keep head and eyes up; focus on where you want to go.
Straighten motorcycle, then apple both brakes stopping as quickly as possible.
Keep feet on pegs until almost stopped.
When stopped, the left foot should touch the ground first, and you should be in first gear.
Do not skid either wheel.

Problems Corrections

1. Overshooting the final marker. 1. Apply more pressure to the brakes once motorcycle is straightened from the lean angle.

2. Motorcycle nearly falls over. 2. Straighten up the motorcycle, then apple the brakes. Be sure the handlebars are square with the motorcycle.

3. Rear wheel skids.

3. Apply less pressure on the rear brake and make sure the motorcycle is straight up.

Problems	Corrections
1. Swinging wide of the turn.	1. Look for the exit point. Apply more pressure on the handlebar in the direction of the turn.
2. Cutting corners too close or turning too sharply.	2. Look at the exit point. Do not look down. Apply less pressure to the inside handlebar.
3. Exiting wide out of the turn, making the oval into a circle.	3. Look where you want to go. Apply more pressure to the inside handlebar.

Problems	Corrections
1. Overshooting the final marker.	1. Apply more pressure to the brakes once motorcycle is straightened from the lean angle.
2. Motorcycle nearly falls over.	2. As soon as you begin stopping, decrease your lean angle. Straighten up the motorcycle, and apply more pressure to the brakes. Before stopping be sure the handlebars are square with the motorcycle.
3. Rear wheel skids.	3. Apply less pressure on the rear brake and make sure the motorcycle is straight up.

Problems	Corrections
1. Turning too short or too long.	1. Keep eyes up and look through the turn. Don't look down.
2. Not sure when or where to turn.	2. Start your turn when the front wheel passes the start marker. As you start your turn, turn your head and look to the exit point. Do not look down.
3. Motorcycle stalls of falls into the turn.	3. Concentrate on maintaining steady speed or slight acceleration.

Problems	Corrections
1. Overshooting the final marker.	1. Apply more pressure to brakes; however, avoid locking front wheel brake.
2. Motorcycle slides sideways.	2. Sit straight on seat and do not turn handlebars, look straight ahead. NOTE: It is okay to lock the rear wheel if the motorcycle is going straight.
3. Engine overrevs when using the front brake.	Close the throttle before braking. Avoid pulling back on the throttle when applying pressure to the front brake. Squeeze the front brake with fingers only.

Problems	Corrections
1. Swinging too wide away from the markers.	1. Look past the last marker, decrease lean angle and push less on the handlebars.
2. Hitting markers.	2. Look past the last marker, increase lean angle slightly and push more on the handlebars.

Problems	Corrections
1. Rear wheel skids.	1. Apply less pressure on the rear brake.
2. Overshooting marker.	2. Begin slowing and braking sooner.

Problems	Corrections
1. Unable to properly complete the swerve.	1. Maintain pressure on the handlebar until you have cleared the marker. Look where you want to go.

Problems	Corrections
1. Swinging wide of the turn.	1. Look to the exit point and push more on the inside handlebar.
2. Cutting corner too close or turning too sharply.	2. Do not look down. Look at the exit point. Gently roll on the throttle.
3. Exiting wide out of the turn, making the oval into a circle.	3. Slow down more before entering the turn, look to the exit point, push more on the inside handlebar and gently roll on the throttle.