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ANIMALS
Naturally, you should do everything you safely can to avoid hitting an animal.
If you are in traffic, however, remain in your lane. Hitting something small is
less dangerous to you than hitting something big — like a car.
Motorcycles seem to attract dogs. If you are chased, shift down and approach
the animal slowly. As you approach it, speed up and leave the animal behind.
Don’t kick at an animal. Keep control of your motorcycle, and look to where
you want to go.
For larger animals (deer, elk, cattle), brake and prepare to stop — they are
unpredictable.
FLYING OBJECTS
From time to time riders are struck by insects, cigarettes thrown from cars, or
pebbles kicked up by the tires of the vehicle ahead. If you are wearing face
protection, it might get smeared or cracked, making it difficult to see. Without
face protection, an object could hit you in the eye, face, or mouth. Whatever
happens, keep your eyes on the road and your hands on the handlebars. When
safe, pull off the road and repair the damage.
GETTING OFF THE ROAD
If you need to leave the road to check the motorcycle (or just to rest for a
while), be sure you:
• Check the Roadside
— Make sure the surface of the roadside is firm
enough to ride on. If it is soft grass, loose sand, or if you’re just not sure
about it, slow way down before you turn onto it.
• Signal
— Drivers behind might not expect you to slow down. Give a
clear signal that you will be slowing down and changing direction.
Check your mirror and make a head check before you take any action.
• Pull Off the Road
— Get as far off the road as you can. It can be very
hard to spot a motorcycle by the side of the road. You don’t want
someone else pulling off at the same place you are.
• Park Carefully
— Loose and sloped shoulders make setting the side or
center stand difficult.
11. If you are chased by a dog:
A. Kick it away.
B. Stop until the animal loses interest.
C. Swerve around the animal.
D. Approach the animal slowly, then speed up.
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