10
Colorado Motorcycle Operator’s Handbook
An advantage of a 3-wheel motorcycle over a 2-wheel
motorcycle is the inherent stability. A 3-wheel motorcycle
can slide sideways without falling down, similar to an
automobile. Slick pavement, unpaved roads or off-road
situations are quite manageable on a 3-wheel motorcycle.
8.2 UNEVEN SURFACES AND OBSTACLES:
Watch
for uneven surfaces such as bumps, broken pavement,
potholes. If you have to ride over them, or obstacles such
as a piece of tire tread or tailpipe, slow down to reduce
the jolt, make sure the motorcycle is straight up and rise
slightly off the seat with your weight on the foot pegs so
you can absorb the shock with your knees and elbows.
Rising off the seat will cut your chances of being thrown
off the bike. However, controlling the throttle can be
somewhat tricky. Practice this technique in a safe area
(such as a deserted parking lot) before you try to do it
on-street.
If you ride over an object on the street, pull off the road
and check your tires and rims for damage before going
any further.
RAILROAD TRACKS: A motorcycle can cross tracks
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Changing your course to take tracks head-on can be
more dangerous than crossing at an angle (It may carry
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You do need to change direction, however, to cross some-
thing that runs in the same direction you are going. For
example, you may wish to cross trolley tracks, ruts in the
middle of the road, or pavement seams that run parallel
to your course.
To cross these safely, move far enough away to be able
to cross them at an angle as close to 90 degrees as pos-
sible. Then, make a quick, sharp turn across. Do not try
to edge across. The tracks or seam could catch your tires
and throw you off balance.
GROOVES AND GRATINGS: Riding over rain grooves
or metal bridge gratings will cause the motorcycle
to weave. It’s an uneasy feeling, but it’s generally not
dangerous. Relax, stay on course, maintain speed, and
ride straight across. Trying to cross these surfaces at an
angle may reduce the uneasy feeling, but it also forces
the rider to zigzag to stay in the lane. The zigzag is far
more dangerous than the weaving feeling.
9. RIDING AT NIGHT
At night it is harder for you to see and be seen. Other
drivers may have a hard time picking your headlight or
taillight out of the greater number of car lights around
you. To compensate you should:
REDUCE YOUR SPEED: Ride more slowly at night than
you would during the day, particularly on roads you
don’t know well.
INCREASE DISTANCE: Distances are harder to judge at
night than day. Your eyes rely upon shadows and light
contrasts to judge both how far away an object is and how
fast you are approaching. These contrasts are missing
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a three-second following distance. Allow more distance
in which to pass.
USE THE CAR AHEAD: The headlights of the car ahead
can give you a better view of the road ahead than even
your high beam can. Taillights bouncing up and down
can alert you to bumps or rough pavement.
USE YOUR HIGH BEAM: Get all the light you can.
Use your high beam whenever you are not following
or meeting a car.
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ing to whatever portion of the lane is best able to help
you see, be seen, and keep an adequate space cushion.
10. COLLISION AVOIDANCE
No matter how careful you are, there will be times when
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out safely depend upon your ability to react quickly and
properly.
Knowing when and how to stop or swerve are two skills
critical to avoiding a collision. It is not always desirable or
possible to stop quickly to avoid an obstacle. Riders must
also be able to swerve around an obstacle. Determining
the skill necessary for the situation is important as well.
Studies show that most collision-involved riders un-
