Do
not attempt to practice maneuvers unless you can already perform basic skills
such as using the clutch and throttle correctly, braking and shifting and
riding in a straight line.
If
you do not have these basic skills, be sure to seek instruction before
practicing the maneuvers in this section. The best place to learn to ride is in
a quality rider education program.
The
proper execution of these exercises will help you in various traffic
situations. A well-marked parking lot is the best practice area. Be aware of
grease left by parked cars.
Look
for empty parking lots i.e.. Schools, churches or community centers. Once
you've selected a suitable location, you may have to gain permission from the
owner.
Traffic
is your greatest concern. Always check to the front, sides and rear before
starting these maneuvers. Also, watch out for children and be considerate of
others nearby.
Safety
Rules
Safety
rules should be followed:
Wear
proper protective clothing to include: helmet, gloves, boots or shoes that
cover the ankles, long pants, and long-sleeved shirt or jacket. Inspect the
motorcycle for defects before you start.
Check
the practice area for loose gravel, glass, grease left by parked cars, or other
things that could cause a spill.
Bring
five small objects to use as markers. Cones, milk cartons or plastic bottles
with a little water or sand in the bottom work well. Do not leave them at the
practice area.
Stopping
Learning
to stop smoothly, such as for stoplights and stop signs.
Using
a marker or line, accelerate straight ahead across the parking lot between
15-20 mph. Try to come to a smooth nonskidding stop with your front tire next
to the marker.
Tip
Keep
head and eyes up. Keep the motorcycle on a straight course. Gradually apply
both brakes at the same time. Do not release the front and back breaks until
you come to a complete stop. When stopped, the left foot should touch the
ground first and you should be in first gear.
Problems
Rear
wheel skids. Apply less pressure on the rear brake.
Overshooting
marker. Begin slowing and braking sooner.
Turning
Turn
by pushing on the handlebars in the direction of the turn. (Push right to go
right; left to go left.) This maneuver will help you in turning and cornering
at higher speeds such as curves on highways and winding roads, especially when
the curve is tighter than you anticipated.
Ride
to the left around the oval indicated by markers. Adjust your speed and lean
angle so that a small throttle opening is held steady through markers one, two
and three. Reverse direction and repeat the drill turning to the right.
Tips
- Beginning speed of 10-15 mph. Slow down before the turn. Look through the
turn to where you want to go. Lean with the motorcycle. Hold a steady speed or
roll on the throttle gently through the turn.
Problems
Corrections
Swinging
wide of the turn. - Look for the exit point. Apply more pressure on the
handlebar in the direction of the turn.
Cutting
corner too close or turning too sharply. - Look at the exit point. Do not look
down. Apply less pressure to the inside handlebar.
Exiting
wide out of the turn, making the oval into a circle. - Look where you want to
go. Apply more pressure to the inside handlebar.
Lane
Change
This
maneuver will help you in making quick lane changes in traffic or changes in
direction. Drill 1 - 30-foot Weave -- Begin at one end of the parking lot lines
or markers.
Go
to the right of the first marker, left of the second, right of the third, and
so on. Drill 2 - 20-foot Weave -- Proceed the same as you did in the 30-foot
weave.
Tips:
Keep head and eyes up.
Turning
from a stop
This
maneuver will help you in to make sharp turns from stoplights or stop signs,
pulling out of parking spaces or driveways, and turning into a driveway or onto
a narrow street.
Drill
1 - Begin riding straight across the parking lot, increasing speed to
approximately 10 mph. Just before reaching the "Begin Turning"
marker, slow down and use both brakes to adjust your speed for making a sharp
turn. As you reach the line or marker, make a sharp turn (left or right).
Finish your turn as close to line "A" as you can without touching it.
Remember
to accelerate slightly coming out of the turn.
Drill
2 - Start at the marker. Begin making a sharp turn from the starting point.
Finish your turn as close to line "A" as you can without hitting it.
Tips
- Keep head and eyes up; look where you want to be at the end of the turn. Turn
the handlebars and lean the motorcycle in the direction of the turn. Use the
friction zone of the clutch as you turn. Accelerate as you leave the turn.
Cover the rear brake, and use both brakes lightly to reduce speed before the
turn. Practice left and right turns.
Problems
Corrections: 1. Turning too short or too long. 1. Keep eyes up and look through
the turn. Don't look down. 2. Not sure when or where to turn. 2. Start your
turn when the front wheel passes the start marker. As you start your turn, turn
your head and look to the exit point. Do not look down. 3. Motorcycle stalls or
falls into the turn. 3. Concentrate on maintaining steady speed or slight
acceleration.
Avoiding
hazards
This
maneuver will help you swerve to avoid a potential hazard. Approach the first
pair of markers. As you reach the markers you should be going 10-15 mph. Make
sure you've decided on which direction you intend to go before starting the
exercise. As your front tire passes the first pair of markers, make a swerve
(right or left). Go to the outside of the next marker but try not to cross line
"A" or "B". Do not stop; continue at a steady speed and
repeat the exercise.
Tips
- To swerve right, push right until you have cleared the marker, then push left
to resume straight ahead. Push on the handlebar in the same direction you want
to go. (Push right to go right; push left to go left.) Do not brake and swerve
at the same time.
Problems
Corrections 1. Unable to properly complete the swerve. 1. Maintain pressure on
the handlebar until you have cleared the marker. Look where you want to go.
Emergency
Stop
Practicing
this exercise will help you stop quickly when something suddenly appears in
your path. As your front tire passes marker one, begin braking. Try to stop
before marker two. Try this at 10 mph, then 15 mph, then 20 mph. Do not exceed
20 mph.
Tip
- Keep head and eyes up. When stopping, pull in the clutch, downshift to first
gear and apply both brakes. Do not release the clutch. Keep handlebars
straight. Do not release brakes until fully stopped. Try to stop before the
second marker. When stopped, the left foot should touch the ground first, and
you should be in first gear.
Problems
Corrections 1. Overshooting the final marker. 1. Apply more pressure to the
brakes; however, avoid locking front wheel brake. 2. Motorcycle slides
sideways. 2. Sit straight on seat and do not turn handlebars, look straight
ahead.
NOTE:
It is okay to lock the rear wheel if the motorcycle is going straight. 3.
Engine overrevs when using the front brake. 3. Close the throttle before
braking. Avoid pulling back on the throttle when applying pressure to the front
brake. Squeeze the front brake with fingers only.
Once
you are proficient in these maneuver's you are ready to start driving in
traffic.
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