Harley Davidson dr-frm Service Manual

MO TORCYCLE

OPERAT OR

MANUAL

STATE OF

DELAWARE

DIVISION OF MOTOR VEHICLES

PREFACE

Operating a motorcycle safely in traffic requires special skills and knowledge. The Motorcycle Safety Foundation has made this manual available to help novice motorcyclists reduce their risk of having a crash. The manual conveys essential safe-driving information and has been designed for use in licensing programs. While designed for the novice, all motorcyclists can benefit from the information this manual contains.

The original “Motorcycle Operator Manual” was developed by the National Public Services Research Institute (NPSRI) under contract to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and within the terms of a cooperative agreement between NHTSA and the Motorcycle Safety Foundation. The manual and related tests were used in a multi-year study of improved motorcycle operator licensing procedures, conducted by the California Department of Motor Vehicles under contract to NHTSA.

The purpose of this manual is to educate the reader to help avoid crashes while safely operating a motorcycle. For this edition, the Motorcycle Safety Foundation has updated and expanded the content of the original manual.

These revisions reflect:

• The latest finding of motorcyclesafety research.

• Comments and guidance provided by the motorcycling, licensing and traffic-safety communities.

• Expanded alcohol and drug information.

In promoting improved licensing programs, the Motorcycle Safety Foundation works closely with state licensing agencies. The Foundation has helped more than half the states in the nation adopt the “Motorcycle Operator Manual” for use in their licensing systems.

Improved licensing, along with high-quality motorcycle rider education and increased public awareness, has the potential to reduce crashes. Staff at the Foundation are available to assist state, private and governmental agencies in efforts to improve motorcycle safety.

Tim Buche

President

2 Jenner Street, Suite 150

Irvine, CA 92618-3806

www.msf-usa.org

STATE OF DELAWARE

This manual has been prepared with the cooperation of the Motorcycle Safety

Foundation with your safety–and the safety of all Delaware motorists–in mind.

Operating a motorcycle on today’s highw ays is no easy task. The rules, signs and signals are complicated. Variable road surface conditions are complicated by changes in the weather and the volume of traffic is growing rapidly.

The State of Delaware offers the appro ved Motorc ycle Safety F oundation’s Motorcycle Rider Course. It is required or all new motorcyclists under 18 years of age, and we certainly recommend it for experienced riders as well. We are convinced that taking the course offered by the Program and careful study of this manual will make motorcycling safer and more enjoyable.

True driving ability is ultimately attained through experience. But ability alone is no substitute for caution and common sense.

W e hope that you will use the safe dri ving tips contained in this manual and enjoy your motorcycle.

Michael D. Shahan, Director Division of Motor Vehicles

HOW TO OBTAIN A MOTORCYCLE ENDORSEMENT

ON A DELAWARE DRIVER’S LICENSE

1. You must be a Delaware licensed driver before applying for this endorsement.

2. You can apply at one of the following Motor Vehicle Facilities:

3. If you are under 18 years of age you must complete the Education Course. Upon successful completion of the course, which includes a knowledge and skill test, you receive a Student Completion Card.

motorcycle endorsement will be issued indicating your eligibility to operate a motorcycle. Student Completion Cards are valid for a period of six (6) months from the date of issue. Parents signature is required for M endorsement.

4. If you are over 18 years of age:

5. With a temporary motorcycle learners permit the law states:

Upon satisfactorily completing all of the above requirements, a new photo driver’s license will be issued indicating your eligibility to operate a motorcycle.

• Wilmington at 8th & Bancroft Parkway • Dover at Rt. 113 - Bay Road

Present this card at the Division of Motor Vehicles, pay a fee of $8.00, pass an eye test and a

• You must pass a written test and an eye and road sign test.

• You will be issued a 60 day temporary motorcycle learner’s permit after passing the preliminary tests and paying a fee of $8.00. A 60 day extension is available for $2.00.

• You can take a state approved Motorcycle Rider Education course and be waived the knowledge and skill test and the 60 day learner’s permit upon successful completion of the course.

• No passengers allowed on a motorcycle.

• Operating a motorcycle between sunset and sunrise is prohibited.

• A safety helmet and eye protection as approved by the Division must be worn when operating a motorcycle.

• Operation of a motorcycle is not permitted on an Interstate Highway.

• You may take the motorcycle road test anytime after 10 days but within the 60 days at the Lane where the permit was issued.

• Georgetown at S. Bedford St. Ext. state approved Motorcycle Rider

RENEWAL - Renewal of a Driver’s License with Motorcycle Endorsement is $5.00 in addition to your regular license fee.

INSURANCE - Liability Insurance coverage is compulsory for you, your passengers, and your cycle because of possible damage you might cause to other motorcyclists, their cycles, other vehicles, or property. Minimum coverage in Delaware is $15,000, $30,000 and $10,000. Make sure that you are covered adequately both in terms of state law and in terms of the kind of riding you plan to undertake. Failure to have your motorcycle properly insured can lead to a fine and a suspension of your driver’s license.

Students successfully completing the approved Motorcycle Rider Education Course are eligible for a 10% insurance liability premium reduction by presenting their Student Completion Course Card to their insurance company.

Students successfully completing the Experienced Rider Course within 2 yrs., 6 mo. and 3 yrs. of the approved Motorcycle Rider Course are eligible for a 15% liability insurance premium reduction by presenting their Student Completion Card to their insurance company.

MOTORCYCLE REGISTRATION FEE - The annual fee for a motorcycle registration (license plate) is $10.00.

DELAWARE HELMET LAW - Every person operating or riding on a motorcycle shall have in his possession a safety helmet approved by the Secretary of Public Safety and shall wear eye protection approved by said Secretary; provided, however, that every person operating or riding on a motorcycle up to 19 years of age shall Secretary of Public Safety.

wear a safety helmet and eye protection approved by the

CONTENTS

PREPARING

TO RIDE

WEAR T

HE RIGHT GEAR

Helmet Use .........................................4

Helmet Selection .................................4

Eye and Face Protection .....................5

Clothing ..............................................6

NOW YOUR MOTORCYCLE ...............6

The Right Motorcycle for You ...........6

Borrowing and Lending ......................7

Get Familiar with the

Motorcycle Controls ........................7

Check Your Motorcycle ......................8

NOW YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES .........9

RIDE WITHIN

YOUR ABILITIES

BASIC VEHICLE CONTROL ................10

Body Position ...................................10

Shifting Gears ...................................10

Braking .............................................11

Turning ..............................................11

EEPING YOUR DISTANCE

Lane Positions ...................................12

Following Another Vehicle ...............13

Being Followed .................................14

Passing and Being Passed .................14

Lane Sharing .....................................16

Merging Cars ....................................16

Cars Alongside ..................................16

SEE ......................................................17

NTERSECTIONS ..................................18

Blind Intersections ............................19

Passing Parked Cars .........................20

Parking at the Roadside ....................20

NCREASING CONSPICUITY ................21

Clothing ............................................21

Headlight ..........................................21

Signals ..............................................21

Brake Light ........................................22

Using Your Mirrors ...........................22

Head Checks .....................................23

Horn ..................................................23

Riding at Night .................................24

RASH AVOIDANCE ............................24

Quick Stops .......................................24

Swerving or Turning Quickly ...........25

Cornering ..........................................26

....................4

................12

ANDLING DANGEROUS

SURFACES

..27

Uneven Surfaces and Obstacles .......27

Slippery Surfaces ..............................28

Railroad Tracks, Trolley Tracks

and Pavement Seams ....................29

Grooves and Gratings .......................29

ECHANICAL PROBLEMS ..................30

Tire Failure .......................................30

Stuck Throttle ...................................30

Wobble ..............................................30

Chain Problems ................................31

Engine Seizure ..................................31

NIMALS .............................................31

LYING OBJECTS ................................32

ETTING OFF THE ROAD ..................32

ARRYING PASSENGERS

AND

CARGO

.....................................32

Equipment .........................................32

Instructing Passengers ......................33

Riding With Passengers ....................33

Carrying Loads .................................33

ROUP RIDING ...................................34

Keep the Group Small ......................34

Keep the Group Together .................34

Keep Your Distance ..........................34

BEING IN SHAPE

TO RIDE

WHY THIS INFORMATION IS

MPORTANT

LCOHOL AND OTHER DRUGS IN

......................................36

MOTORCYCLE OPERATION ...............36

LCOHOL IN THE BODY .....................37

Blood Alcohol

Concentration .................................37

LCOHOL AND THE LAW ...................38

Consequences of

Conviction ......................................38

INIMIZE THE RISKS .........................38

TEP IN TO PROTECT FRIENDS .........39

ATIGUE ..............................................39

EARNING

YOUR LICENSE

Knowledge Test ................................40

On-Cycle Skill Test ...........................41

PREPARING TO RIDE

What you do before you start a trip goes a long way toward determining whether or not you’ll get where you want to go safely. Before taking off on any trip, a safe rider makes a point to:

1. Wear the right gear.

2. Become familiar with the motorcycle.

3. Check the motorcycle equipment.

4. Be a responsible rider.

WEAR THE RIGHT GEAR

When you ride, your gear is “right” if it protects you. In any crash, you have a far better chance of avoiding serious injury if you wear:

• An approved helmet.

• Face or eye protection.

•Protective clothing.

HELMET USE

Crashes can occur — particularly among untrained, beginning riders. And one out of

EAR THE RIGHT GEAR

every five motorcycle crashes results

in head or neck injuries. Head injuries are just as severe as neck injuries — and far more common. Crash analyses show that head and neck injuries account for a majority of serious and fatal injuries to motorcyclists. Research also shows that, with few exceptions, head and neck injuries are reduced by properly wearing an approved helmet.

Some riders don’t wear helmets because they think helmets will limit their view to the sides. Others wear helmets only on long trips or when riding at high speeds. Here are some facts to consider:

• An approved helmet lets you see as far to the sides as necessary. A study of more than 900 motorcycle crashes, where 40% of the riders wore helmets, did not find even one case in which a helmet kept a rider from spotting danger.

• Most crashes happen on short trips (less than five miles long), just a few minutes after starting out.

• Most riders

than 30 mph when a crash occurs. At these speeds, helmets can cut both the number and the severity of head injuries by half.

No matter what the speed, helmeted riders are three times more likely to survive head injuries than those not wearing helmets at the time of the crash.

Most riders

are riding slower

HELMET SELECTION

There are two primary types of helmets, providing two different levels of coverage: three-quarter and full face.

Whichever style you choose, you can get the most protection by making sure that the helmet:

HELMETS

HELMET USE

• Meets U.S. Department of

Transportation (DOT) and state standards. Helmets with a label from the Snell Memorial Foundation give you an added assurance of quality.

• Fits snugly, all the way around.

• Has no obvious defects such

as cracks, loose padding or frayed straps.

Whatever helmet you decide on, keep it securely fastened on your head when you ride. Otherwise, if you are involved in a crash, it’s likely to fly off your head before it gets a chance to protect you.

EYE AND FACE PROTECTION

A plastic shatter-resistant faceshield can help protect your whole face in a crash. It also protects you from wind, dust, dirt, rain, insects and pebbles thrown up from cars ahead. These problems are distracting and can be painful. If you have to deal with them, you can’t devote your full attention to the road.

Goggles protect your eyes, though they won’t protect the rest of your face like a faceshield does. A windshield is not a substitute for a faceshield or goggles. Most windshields will not protect your eyes from the wind. Neither will eyeglasses or sunglasses. Glasses won’t keep your eyes from watering, and they might blow off when you turn your head while riding.

To be effective, eye or faceshield 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.

• Permit enough room for

eyeglasses or sunglasses, if needed.

Tinted eye protection should not be worn at night or any other time when little light is available.

EYE AND FACE PROTECTION

CLOTHING

The right clothing protects you in a collision. It also provides comfort, as well as protection from heat, cold, debris and hot and moving

CLOTHINGT

parts of the motorcycle.

• Jacket and pants should cover

arms and legs completely. They should fit snugly enough to keep from flapping in the wind, yet loosely enough to move freely. Leather offers the most protection. Sturdy synthetic material provides a lot of protection as well. Wear a jacket even in warm weather to prevent dehydration. Many are designed to protect without getting you overheated, even on summer days.

• Boots or shoes should be high and

sturdy enough to cover your ankles and give them support. Soles should be made of hard, durable, slip-resistant material. Keep heels short so they do not catch on rough surfaces. Tuck in laces so they

HE RIGHT MOTORCYCLE

won’t catch on your motorcycle.

• Gloves allow a better grip and

help protect your hands in a crash. Your gloves should be made of leather or similar durable material.

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.

HE 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.

1Test Yourself

A plastic shatter-resistant face shield:

A. Is not neccessary 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 40

At minimum, your street-legal

motorcycle should have:

• Headlight, taillight and brakelight.

•Front and rear brakes.

•Turn signals.

• Horn.

•Two mirrors.

ORROWING 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

OTORCYCLE 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:

KNOW YOUR MOTORCYCLE

MOTORCYCLE CONTROLS

Light Switch (high/low)

Choke (varies)

Turn-Signal Switch

Horn Button

Clutch Lever

Gear-Change Lever

Speedometer & Odometer

Fuel Supply Valve (if equipped)

Ignition Key (varies)

Engine Cut-Off Switch

Electric Start Button

Throttle

Front Brake Lever

Tachometer (if equipped)

Rear Brake Pedal

Kick Starter (if equipped)

• Make all the checks you would on your own motorcycle.

• Find out where everything is, particularly the turn signals, horn, headlight switch, fuel-supply 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

CHECK YOUR MOTORCYCLE

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.

Before mounting the motorcycle, make the following checks:

•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 an oil or gas leak.

• Headlights and Taillight —

Check them both. Test your switch to make sure both high and low beams are working.

•Turn Signals — Turn on both

right and left turn signals. Make sure all lights are working properly.

• Brake Light — Try both brake controls, and make sure each one turns on the brake light.

Once you have mounted the motorcycle, complete the following checks before starting out:

• Clutch and Throttle — Make

sure they work smoothly. The throttle should snap back when you let go. The clutch should feel tight and smooth.

• Mirrors — Clean and adjust both

mirrors before starting. It’s difficult to ride with one hand while you try to adjust a mirror. Adjust each mirror so you can see the lane behind and as much as possible of the lane next to you. When properly adjusted, a mirror may show the edge of your arm or shoulder—but it’s the road behind and to the side that’s most important.

• Brakes — Try the front and rear

brake levers one at a time. Make sure each one feels firm and holds the motorcycle when the brake is fully applied.

• Horn — Try the horn. Make sure

it works.

In addition to the checks you should make before every trip, check the following items at least once a week: Wheels, cables, fasteners and fluid checks. Follow your owner’s manual to get recommendations.

2Test Yourself

More than half of all crashes:

A. Occur at speeds greater than

35 mph. B. Happen at night. C. Are caused by worn tires. D. Involve riders who have ridden

their motorcycles less than six

months.

Answer - page 40

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 decides to try to squeeze through an intersection on a yellow light turning red. Your light turns green. You pull into the intersection without checking for possible latecomers. That is all it takes for the two of you to tangle. It was the driver’s responsibility to stop. And it was your responsibility to look before pulling out. Neither of you held up your end of the deal. Just because someone else is the first to start the chain of events leading to a crash, it doesn’t leave any of us free of responsibility.

As a rider you can’t be sure that other operators will see you or yield the right of way. To lessen your chances of a crash occurring:

• Be visible — wear proper clothing, use your headlight, ride in the best lane position to see and be seen.

• Communicate your intentions — use the proper signals, brake light and lane position.

• Maintain an adequate space cushion — following, being

followed, lane sharing, passing and being passed.

• Scan your path of travel 12 seconds ahead.

• Identify and separate multiple hazards.

• Be prepared to act — remain alert and know how to carry out proper crash-avoidance skills.

Blame doesn’t matter when someone is injured in a crash. There is rarely a single cause of any crash. The ability to ride aware, make critical decisions and carry them out separates responsible riders from all the rest. Remember, it is up to you to keep from being the cause of, or an unprepared participant in, any crash.

NOW YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES

RIDE WITHIN YOUR ABILITIES

This manual cannot teach you how to control direction, speed or balance. That’s something you can learn only through practice. But control begins with knowing your abilities and riding within them, along with knowing and obeying the rules of the road.

BASIC VEHICLE CONTROL

ODY POSITION

To control a motorcycle well:

• Posture — Sit so you can use your

arms to steer the motorcycle rather than to hold yourself up.

• Seat — Sit far enough forward so

ODY POSITION

that arms are slightly bent when

you hold the handlegrips. Bending your arms permits you to press on the handlebars without having to stretch.

• Hands — Hold the handlegrips

firmly to keep your grip over rough surfaces. Start with your right wrist flat. This will help you keep from accidentally using

HOLDING HANDLEBARS

RIGHT

SHIFTING GEARS

WRONG

too much throttle. Also, adjust the handlebars so your hands are even with or below your elbows. This permits you to use the proper muscles for precision steering.

• Knees — Keep your knees against the gas tank to help you keep your balance as the motorcycle turns.

• Feet — Keep your feet firmly on the footpegs to maintain balance. Don’t drag your feet. If your foot catches on something, you could be injured and it could affect your control of the motorcycle. Keep your feet near the controls so you can get to them fast if needed. Also, don’t let your toes point downward—they may get caught between the road and the footpegs.

SHIFTING GEARS

There is more to shifting gears than simply getting the motorcycle to pick up speed smoothly. Learning to use the gears when downshifting, turning or starting on hills is important for safe motorcycle operation.

Shift down through the gears with the clutch as you slow or stop. Remain in first gear while you are stopped so that you can move out quickly if you need to.

Make certain you are riding slowly enough when you shift into a lower gear. If not, the motorcycle will lurch, and the rear wheel may skid. When riding downhill or shifting into first gear you may need to use the brakes to slow enough before downshifting safely. Work toward a smooth, even clutch release, especially when downshifting.

It is best to change gears before entering a turn. However, sometimes shifting while in the turn is necessary. If so, remember to do so smoothly. A sudden change in power to the rear wheel can cause a skid.

BRAKING

Your motorcycle has two brakes: one each for the front and rear wheel. Use both of them at the same time. The front brake is more powerful and can provide at least three-quarters of your total stopping power. The front brake is safe to use if you use it properly.

Remember:

• Use both brakes every time you

slow or stop. Using both brakes for even “normal” stops will permit you to develop the proper habit or skill of using both brakes properly in an emergency. Squeeze the front brake and press down on the rear. Grabbing at the front brake or jamming down on the rear can cause the brakes to lock, resulting in control problems.

• If you know the technique, using

both brakes in a turn is possible, although it should be done very carefully. When leaning the motorcycle some of the traction is used for cornering. Less traction is available for stopping. A skid can occur if you apply too much brake.

Also, using the front brake incorrectly on a slippery surface may be hazardous. Use caution and squeeze the brake lever, never grab.

• Some motorcycles have integrated braking systems that link the front and rear brakes together by applying the rear brake pedal. (Consult the owner’s manual for a detailed explanation on the operation and effective use of these systems.)

URNING

Riders often try to take curves or turns too fast. When they can’t hold the turn, they end up crossing into another lane of traffic or going off the road. Or, they overreact and brake too hard, causing a skid and loss of control. Approach turns and curves with caution.

Use four steps for better control:

• SLOW

• LOOK

• PRESS

• ROLL

• SLOW — Reduce speed before

the turn by closing the throttle and,

if necessary, applying both brakes.

• LOOK — Look through the turn

to where you want to go. Turn just your head, not your shoulders, and keep your eyes level with the horizon.

• PRESS — To turn, the motorcycle

must lean. To lean the motorcycle, press on the handlegrip in the direction of the turn. Press left— lean left—go left. Press right— lean right—go right. Higher speeds and/or tighter turns require the motorcycle to lean more.

BRAKING

TURNING

• ROLL — Roll on the throttle through the turn to stabilize suspension. Maintain steady speed or accelerate gradually through the turn. This will help keep the motorcycle stable.

In normal turns, the rider and the motorcycle should lean together at the same angle.

3Test Yourself

When riding, you should:

A. Turn your head and shoulders to

look through turns. B. Keep your arms straight. C. Keep your knees away from the

gas tank. D. Turn just your head and eyes to

look where you are going.

Answer - page 40

NORMAL TURNING

ANE POSITIONS

In slow tight turns, counterbalance by leaning the motorcycle only and keeping your body straight.

NORMAL TURNING

KEEPING YOUR DISTANCE

The best protection you can have is distance — a “cushion of space” — all around your motorcycle. If someone else makes a mistake, distance permits you:

•Time to react.

• Space to maneuver.

LANE POSITIONS

In some ways the size of the motorcycle can work to your advantage. Each traffic lane gives a motorcycle three paths of travel, as indicated in the illustration.

Your lane position should:

• Increase your ability to see and be

seen.

•Avoid others’ blind spots.

•Avoid surface hazards.

•Protect your lane from other

drivers.

• Communicate your intentions.

•Avoid wind blast from other

vehicles.

•Provide an escape route.

Select the appropriate path to maximize your space cushion and make yourself more easily seen by others on the road.

LANE POSITIONS

In general, there is no single best position for riders to be seen and to maintain a space cushion around the motorcycle. No portion of the lane need be avoided — including the center.

Position yourself in the portion of the lane where you are most likely to be seen and 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. Remain in path 1 or 2 if hazards are on your right only. If vehicles are being operated on both sides of you, the center of the lane, path 2, is usually your best option.

The oily strip in the center portion that collects drippings from cars is usually no more than two feet wide. Unless the road is wet, the average center strip permits adequate traction to ride on safely. You can operate to the left or right of the grease strip and still be within the center portion of the traffic lane. Avoid riding on big buildups of oil and grease usually found at busy intersections or toll booths.

FOLLOWING ANOTHER V

EHICLE

“Following too closely” could be a factor in crashes involving motorcyclists. In traffic, motorcycles need as much distance to stop as cars. Normally, a minimum of two seconds distance should be maintained behind the vehicle ahead.

To gauge your following distance:

• Pick out a marker, such as a

pavement marking or lamppost, on or near the road ahead.

• When the rear bumper of the

vehicle ahead passes the marker, count off the seconds: “onethousand-one, one-thousand-two.”

• If you reach the marker before

you reach “two,” you are following too closely.

A two-second following distance leaves a minimum amount of space to stop or swerve if the driver ahead stops suddenly. It also permits a better view of potholes and other hazards in the road.

A larger cushion of space is needed if your motorcycle will take longer than normal to stop. If the

FOLLOWING

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