Illinois Motorcycle Test Study Guide

Your motorcycle should not be one of the things that causes you trouble. Before you ride — especially a borrowed or unfamiliar machine — be completely familiar with the controls and review the owner's manual (Illinois Motorcycle Operator Manual p.6).

• Find the turn signals, horn, headlight switch, fuel-supply valve, and engine cut-off switch, and know the gear pattern before riding (p.6-7).
• Sit so your arms steer the motorcycle rather than hold you up, keep your knees against the gas tank, and keep your feet firmly on the footrests with toes up (p.9).
• Start with your right wrist flat to avoid using too much throttle, and adjust the handlebars so your hands are even with or below your elbows (p.9).

The right gear protects you in a crash and from heat, cold, and debris. A helmet is not required under Illinois law, but head and neck injuries cause a majority of serious and fatal motorcyclist injuries, and helmeted riders are about three times more likely to survive a head injury (p.4).

• An approved helmet meets U.S. DOT and state standards, fits snugly all around, has no cracks or frayed straps, and must be kept securely fastened (p.4).
• Illinois law requires eye protection — glasses, goggles, or a transparent windshield; a shatter-resistant face shield protects the whole face, and tinted protection should not be worn at night (p.5, 44).
• Wear a jacket and pants that fully cover your arms and legs, sturdy over-the-ankle boots with hard slip-resistant soles, and full-fingered leather or durable gloves (p.5, 8).

Your motorcycle has two brakes — use both every time you slow or stop. The front brake is more powerful and can provide at least three-quarters (70% or more) of your stopping power; squeeze the lever firmly and progressively, never grab it (p.10, 22).

• Shift down through the gears with the clutch as you slow, and remain in first gear while stopped so you can move out quickly (p.9).
• Ride slowly enough before downshifting, or the motorcycle will lurch and the rear wheel may skid; work toward a smooth, even clutch release (p.9).
• Change gears before entering a turn — a sudden change of power to the rear wheel mid-turn can cause a skid (p.9).

Many riders take curves too fast, run wide, then over-brake and skid. Use four steps: SLOW, LOOK, LEAN, ROLL — slow before the turn, look through it, press the handgrip to lean, and roll on the throttle to stabilize the suspension (p.10-13).

• Press left to lean left and go left; press right to lean right and go right — higher speeds and tighter turns require more lean (p.13).
• In normal turns the rider and motorcycle lean together; in slow, tight turns counterbalance by leaning the motorcycle only and keeping your body straight (p.10).
• With no traffic, start a curve from the outside, move to the inside, then move outside to exit — this increases your line of sight and the effective radius (p.24).

Each traffic lane gives a motorcycle three paths of travel. No portion of the lane needs to be avoided, including the center; position yourself where you are most likely to be seen and can keep a space cushion (p.11).

• Ride in path 2 or 3 if hazards are on your left only, path 1 or 2 if hazards are on your right only, and the center (path 2) if vehicles are on both sides (p.11).
• Keep a minimum three-second following distance, and increase it on slippery pavement, in heavy traffic, or when you cannot see past the vehicle ahead (p.12).
• Lane sharing is usually prohibited — keep a center-lane position to discourage drivers from squeezing past you (p.14).

Good riders use SIPDE — Scan, Identify, Predict, Decide, Execute — to make sound judgments in changing traffic. Scan aggressively ahead, to the sides, and behind to spot hazards before they arise (p.15).

• Identify hazards in three groups — other vehicles and motorcycles, pedestrians and animals, and stationary objects such as potholes and signs (p.15).
• Predict by asking 'what if?' and considering each hazard's speed, distance, and direction; then Decide when, where, and how to act (p.16).
• In high-risk areas, school zones, and construction zones, cover the clutch and both brakes to reduce your reaction time (p.16).

The greatest potential for conflict with other traffic is at intersections — over half of motorcycle/car crashes are caused by drivers entering a rider's right of way. Never count on eye contact; if a car can enter your path, assume it will (p.16-17).

• At a blind intersection, move to the part of your lane that brings you into a cross driver's field of vision at the earliest possible moment (p.17).
• Keep your headlight on — Illinois law requires it — wear bright or reflective clothing, and signal early so others can react (p.19).
• A motorcycle's brake light is less noticeable than a car's — flash it before you slow where others may not expect it (p.20).

Knowing when and how to stop or swerve is critical. To stop quickly, apply both brakes at the same time, squeezing the front lever firmly and progressively. If you have no room to stop, swerve instead (p.22-23).

• If the front wheel locks, release the front brake immediately and reapply it firmly; if the rear locks on good traction in a straight line, keep it locked until stopped (p.22).
• A swerve is two quick presses on the handgrips — press toward your escape route, then press the opposite grip to recover (p.23).
• Separate braking from swerving — brake before or after a swerve, never during it (p.23).

Traction drops on wet pavement, gravel, lane markings, and metal plates — wet pavement is most slippery just after rain begins. Slow down before reaching a slippery surface, avoid sudden moves, and use both brakes gently (p.25-26).

• When it starts to rain, ride in the tire tracks left by cars — often the left track is best — and watch for ice on bridges and in shaded areas (p.26).
• Cross railroad tracks by riding straight within your lane; cross parallel tracks or pavement seams at an angle of at least 45 degrees (p.27).
• At night, ride slower, open up your following distance, and use your high beam whenever you are not following or meeting a vehicle (p.21).

A motorcycle needs more frequent attention than a car, so make a complete check before every ride. Check tires, fluids, and lights before mounting; check the clutch, throttle, mirrors, brakes, and horn after mounting (p.7-8).

• Check the wheels, cables, fasteners, and fluids at least once a week, in addition to your pre-ride checks (p.8).
• A front-tire flat makes the steering feel heavy; a rear-tire flat makes the back jerk or sway — hold the grips, ease off the throttle, and keep straight (p.27-28).
• For a stuck throttle, use the engine cut-off switch and pull in the clutch; for a wobble, grip firmly and close the throttle gradually — do not brake or accelerate (p.28-29).

Only experienced riders should carry passengers or large loads — the extra weight changes how the motorcycle handles, balances, and stops. Practice away from traffic before carrying a passenger on the street (p.30).

• A passenger must be able to rest a foot on a footrest, should get on only after the engine is started, and should hold your waist, hips, or belt and lean as you lean (p.31).
• Keep cargo low and forward — over or in front of the rear axle — and fasten it securely so it cannot shift or catch in the wheel (p.32).
• Ride in staggered formation, split groups larger than four or five riders, put inexperienced riders just behind the leader, and never ride directly alongside another rider (p.32-33).

Alcohol and other drugs decrease your ability to think clearly and ride safely more than any other factor. As little as one drink can significantly affect your performance, and judgment is one of the first things impaired (p.34, 36).

• In Illinois you are legally under the influence at a BAC of .08 or more, or at a cannabis (THC) concentration of 5 nanograms or more per milliliter of whole blood (p.36).
• Alcohol leaves the body at only about one drink per hour — there is no way to speed it up, and impairment begins well below the legal limit (p.34).
• Riding is more tiring than driving — protect yourself from wind and cold, limit your distance, and take a rest break at least every two hours (p.37).