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Colorado Motorcycle Operator’s Handbook
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. MOTORCYCLE OPERATOR LICENSING ...... 3
2. PREPARING TO RIDE ........................................ 3
2.1 Wear the Right Gear .............................................. 3
2.2 Check the Motorcycle ............................................ 4
2.3 Become Familiar with the Motorcycle ............... 5
3. CONTROL FOR SAFETY .................................... 5
3.1 Body Position and Posture .................................... 5
3.2 Turning ................................................................... 5
3.3 Braking .................................................................... 6
3.4 Shifting Gears ......................................................... 6
4. SEE AND BE SEEN .............................................. 6
4.1 Using Your Mirrors ............................................... 7
4.2 Head Checks ........................................................... 7
4.3 Horns ...................................................................... 7
5. LANE POSITION ................................................. 7
6. KEEPING YOUR DISTANCE ........................... 8
6.1 Distance in Front ................................................... 8
6.2 Distance Behind ..................................................... 8
6.3 Distance to the Side ............................................... 8
7. SIPDE ..................................................................... 9
8. DANGEROUS SURFACES ................................. 9
8.1 Slippery Surfaces .................................................... 9
8.2 Uneven Surfaces and Obstacles .......................... 10
9. RIDING AT NIGHT ............................................ 11
10. COLLISION AVOIDANCE............................... 11
10.1 Quick Stops .......................................................... 11
10.2 Swerving or Turning Quickly ............................. 11
10.3 Riding in a Curve ................................................ 12
10.4 Cornering .............................................................. 12
11. MECHANICAL PROBLEMS ............................ 12
11.1 Tire Failure ............................................................ 12
11.2 Stuck Throttle ....................................................... 12
11.3 Wobble ................................................................... 13
11.4 Chain Problems .................................................... 13
11.5 Engine Seizure ...................................................... 13
12. SPECIAL SITUATIONS .................................... 13
12.1 Flying Objects ....................................................... 13
12.2 Animals .................................................................. 13
12.3 Getting Off the Road ............................................ 13
12.4 Hills ........................................................................ 13
13. CARRYING PASSENGERS AND CARGO ..........14
13.1 Passengers ............................................................. 14
13.2 Carrying Loads ..................................................... 14
14. GROUP RIDING ....................................................14
14.1 Keep the Group Small ......................................... 14
14.2 Keep the Group Together .................................... 15
14.3 Keep Your Distance .............................................. 15
15. YOUR MOTORCYCLE ...................................... 15
15.1 The Right Equipment .......................................... 15
15.2 Motorcycle Care .................................................. 16
16. MOTORCYCLE OPERATOR SKILLS TEST ... 16
16.1 Sidecar/Trike Education Program
(S/TEP) Skills Test................................................ 16
General Motorcycle Test Course ....... Inside Back
Cover
