A swerve is any sudden change in direction. It can be two quick turns, or a rapid shift to the side. Apply a small amount of hand pressure to the han-
dlegrip located on the side of your intended direction of escape. This will cause the motorcycle to lean quickly. The sharper the turn(s), the more the
motorcycle must lean.
Keep your body upright and allow the motorcycle to lean in the direction of the turn while keeping your knees against the tank and your feet solid-
ly on the pegs. Let the motorcycle move underneath you. Make your escape route the target of your vision. Press on the opposite handlegrip once
you clear the obstacle to return you to your original direction of travel. To swerve to the left, press the left handlegrip, then press the right to recov-
er. To swerve to the right, press right, then left.
IF BRAKING IS REQUIRED, SEPARATE IT FROM SWERVING. Brake before or after — never while swerving.
CORNERING
A primary cause of single-vehicle crashes is motorcyclists running wide
in a curve or turn and colliding with the roadway or a fixed object.
Every curve is different. Be alert to whether a curve remains constant,
gradually widens, gets tighter or involves multiple turns.
Ride within your skill level and posted speed limits.
Your best path may not always follow the curve of the road. Change
lane position depending on traffic, road conditions and curve of the
road. If no traffic is present, start at the outside of a curve to increase
your line of sight and the effective radius of the turn. As you turn,
move toward the inside of the curve, and as you pass the center, move
to the outside to exit.
Another alternative is to move to the center of your lane before entering
a curve — and stay there until you exit. This permits you to spot
approaching traffic as soon as possible. You can also adjust for traffic
“crowding” the center line, or debris blocking part of your lane.
HANDLING DANGEROUS SURFACES
Your chance of falling or being involved in a crash increases whenever you ride across:
•
Uneven surfaces or obstacles.
•
Slippery surfaces.
•
Railroad tracks.
•
Grooves and gratings.
UNEVEN SURFACES AND OBSTACLES
Watch for uneven surfaces such as bumps, broken pavement, potholes or small pieces of highway trash.
Try to avoid obstacles by slowing or going around them. If you must go over
the obstacle, first determine if it is possible. Approach it at as close to a 90°
angle as possible. Look where you want to go to control your path of travel. If
you have to ride over the obstacle, you should:
•
Slow down
as much as possible before contact.
•
Make sure
the motorcycle is straigh
t.
•
Rise slightly
off the seat with your weight on the
footpegs to absorb the shock with your knees and
elbows, and avoid being thrown off the motorcycle.
•
Just before contact,
roll on the throttle slightly to
lighten the front end.
If you ride over an object on the street, pull off the road and check your tires
and rims for damage before riding any farther.
SLIPPERY SURFACES
Motorcycles handle better when ridden on surfaces that permit good traction. Surfaces that provide poor traction include:
•
Wet pavement
, particularly just after it starts to rain and before surface oil washes to the side of the road.
•
Gravel roads
, or where sand and gravel collect.
•
Mud
,
snow
,
and ice.
•
Lane markings
, steel plates and manhole covers, especially when wet.
18
OBSTACLES
CONSTANT CURVES
MULTIPLE CURVES
DECREASING CURVES
(TIGHTER TURNS)
WIDENING CURVES
8
Test Yourself
The best way to stop quickly is to:
A. Use the front brake only.
B. Use the rear brake first.
C. Throttle down and use the front brake.
D. Use both brakes at the same time.
Answer - page 25
Summary of Contents for HSMV 71905
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