Maine Motorcycle Test Study Guide

To control a motorcycle well, sit far enough forward that your arms are slightly bent on the handgrips, and position yourself so your arms steer the motorcycle rather than hold you up (Maine Motorcycle Operator Manual p.11). Start with your right wrist flat to avoid using too much throttle, keep your knees against the gas tank, and keep your feet firmly on the footrests near the controls.

• Your motorcycle has two brakes -- one for the front wheel, one for the rear; the front brake supplies at least 70% of your stopping power (Maine Motorcycle Operator Manual p.12-13).
• Adjust the handlebars so your hands are even with or below your elbows, and adjust both mirrors to show the lane behind and beside you (Maine Motorcycle Operator Manual p.9, p.11).
• Choose a motorcycle that fits -- your feet should reach the ground while seated, and smaller motorcycles are usually easier for beginners (Maine Motorcycle Operator Manual p.7).

Your gear is "right" if it protects you: a DOT-compliant helmet, face or eye protection, and protective clothing (Maine Motorcycle Operator Manual p.5). One of every five motorcycle crashes results in head or neck injuries, and helmeted riders are three times more likely to survive a head injury -- wearing a quality helmet is the single most important thing you can do.

• Choose a three-quarter or full-face helmet that meets U.S. DOT and state standards, fits snugly all the way around, and stays securely fastened (Maine Motorcycle Operator Manual p.5).
• A shatter-resistant face shield protects your whole face; goggles protect only the eyes; a windshield is not a substitute, and tinted protection should never be worn at night (Maine Motorcycle Operator Manual p.6).
• Wear a jacket and pants that fully cover your arms and legs, sturdy over-the-ankle boots, and leather or durable gloves (Maine Motorcycle Operator Manual p.6-7).

Stay in first gear while stopped so you can move out quickly, and shift down through the gears with the clutch as you slow (Maine Motorcycle Operator Manual p.12). Use both brakes every time you slow or stop -- the front brake supplies at least 70% of your stopping power and is safe when you squeeze, never grab, the lever (p.12-13).

• Change gears before entering a turn; if you must shift in a turn, do it smoothly because a sudden power change can cause a skid (Maine Motorcycle Operator Manual p.12).
• Grabbing the front brake or jamming the rear can lock a wheel and cause a loss of control (Maine Motorcycle Operator Manual p.13).
• If you downshift while going too fast, the motorcycle will lurch and the rear wheel may skid (Maine Motorcycle Operator Manual p.12).

Riders crash by taking curves too fast, then running wide or overbraking into a skid. Use four steps: SLOW, LOOK, PRESS, ROLL (Maine Motorcycle Operator Manual p.14). Slow before the turn, look through it to where you want to go, press the handgrip in the direction of the turn to lean -- press right, lean right, go right -- and roll on the throttle to stay stable.

• In normal turns the rider and motorcycle lean together; in slow, tight turns counterbalance -- lean the motorcycle only and keep your body straight (Maine Motorcycle Operator Manual p.14).
• Running wide in a curve is a primary cause of single-vehicle crashes -- ride within your skill level and the posted speed limit (Maine Motorcycle Operator Manual p.29).
• With no traffic, start a curve at the outside to widen your line of sight, move to the inside, then move out to exit (Maine Motorcycle Operator Manual p.29).

Each traffic lane gives a motorcycle three paths of travel. Many riders use the left third of the lane as their default position for being seen (Maine Motorcycle Operator Manual p.15). Keep a cushion of space all around you, and maintain a minimum two-second following distance behind the vehicle ahead -- open it to three seconds or more in poor conditions (p.16).

• If hazards are on your left only, ride in path 2 or 3; if on your right only, stay in path 1 or 2; if vehicles are on both sides, the center (path 2) is usually best (Maine Motorcycle Operator Manual p.15).
• Lane sharing is usually prohibited -- cars and motorcycles each need a full lane to operate safely (Maine Motorcycle Operator Manual p.18).
• Handle a tailgater by changing lanes to let them pass, or slow down and open extra space ahead (Maine Motorcycle Operator Manual p.17).

Experienced riders use SEE -- Search, Evaluate, Execute -- a three-step process for spotting hazards and acting early (Maine Motorcycle Operator Manual p.20). Search aggressively ahead, to the sides and behind. Evaluate how road characteristics, traffic-control devices and other vehicles could create risk. Execute by communicating with lights or horn and adjusting speed and position.

• Search your path of travel about 12 seconds ahead; anything within 4 seconds is an immediate hazard (Maine Motorcycle Operator Manual p.20).
• Handle two or more hazards one at a time -- adjust speed so they separate, then deal with each (Maine Motorcycle Operator Manual p.21).
• In high-risk areas such as intersections and school or construction zones, cover the clutch and both brakes to cut your reaction time (Maine Motorcycle Operator Manual p.21).

Over half of motorcycle/car crashes are caused by drivers entering a rider's right-of-way, and the intersection is the most likely place for a crash (Maine Motorcycle Operator Manual p.21). Drivers often say they never saw the motorcycle. Keep your headlight on -- a motorcycle with its light on is twice as likely to be noticed by day -- wear bright clothing, and signal every turn (p.24-25).

• Making eye contact does not guarantee a driver will yield -- slow down and be ready to react (Maine Motorcycle Operator Manual p.22).
• Cancel your signal after every turn so drivers do not think you plan to turn again (Maine Motorcycle Operator Manual p.24-25).
• A motorcycle's brake light is less noticeable than a car's -- flash it before slowing where others may not expect it (Maine Motorcycle Operator Manual p.25).

Two skills save you in a tight spot: stopping quickly and swerving. To stop quickly, apply both brakes at the same time, squeezing the front lever firmly and progressively -- never grabbing it (Maine Motorcycle Operator Manual p.27). When there is no room to stop, swerve: press the handgrip on the side of your escape direction to lean the motorcycle quickly, then press the opposite grip to recover.

• If the front wheel locks, release the front brake immediately, then reapply it firmly (Maine Motorcycle Operator Manual p.27, p.29).
• To stop quickly in a curve, straighten and square the handlebars first, then brake (Maine Motorcycle Operator Manual p.28).
• Never brake while swerving -- separate braking from swerving, doing it before or after (Maine Motorcycle Operator Manual p.27, p.52).

Wet pavement, gravel, mud, snow, ice, painted lane markings and metal plates all reduce traction. Slow down before you reach a slippery surface, avoid sudden moves, and use both brakes gently (Maine Motorcycle Operator Manual p.30-31). When it starts to rain, ride in the tire tracks left by cars rather than the slippery center of the lane.

• Cross railroad and trolley tracks by riding straight within your lane -- turning to take them head-on is more dangerous (Maine Motorcycle Operator Manual p.32).
• For seams or ruts that run parallel to your path, move away and cross them at an angle of at least 45 degrees (Maine Motorcycle Operator Manual p.32).
• At night, ride slower, open a three-second-or-more following distance, and use your high beam when not following or meeting a car (Maine Motorcycle Operator Manual p.27).

A motorcycle needs more frequent attention than a car, so make a complete check before every ride using the T-CLOCS reminder -- find trouble before you reach traffic (Maine Motorcycle Operator Manual p.9). Check the tires, controls, lights, oil and fluids, chassis and stands.

• Stuck throttle: twist it back and forth; if it stays stuck, use the engine cut-off switch and pull in the clutch at the same time (Maine Motorcycle Operator Manual p.33).
• Wobble: grip the bars firmly, close the throttle gradually, do not brake, and move your weight forward (Maine Motorcycle Operator Manual p.33).
• If a tire goes flat, hold the grips firmly, ease off the throttle, keep a straight course, and edge to the side of the road (Maine Motorcycle Operator Manual p.33).

Only experienced riders should carry passengers or large loads, because the extra weight changes how the motorcycle handles, balances and stops (Maine Motorcycle Operator Manual p.35). Instruct your passenger before you start, and keep cargo low, forward, evenly distributed and securely fastened (p.36-37).

• A passenger should get on only after the engine is started and the transmission is in neutral, hold your waist or the handholds, lean with you, and keep both feet on the footrests even when stopped (Maine Motorcycle Operator Manual p.36).
• Keep loads low and forward -- a load behind the rear axle can cause a wobble; secure cargo with elastic cords, not rope (Maine Motorcycle Operator Manual p.37).
• Ride in a staggered formation, never side by side; move to single file for curves, turns and freeway ramps (Maine Motorcycle Operator Manual p.39).

Alcohol and other drugs degrade your ability to think clearly and ride safely more than any other factor -- as little as one drink affects performance, and impairment begins well below the legal limit (Maine Motorcycle Operator Manual p.42-44). An adult rider with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.08% or higher is legally intoxicated, and alcohol leaves the body at only about one drink per hour.

• Studies show nearly 40% of all riders killed in motorcycle crashes had been drinking (Maine Motorcycle Operator Manual p.42).
• A conviction for riding under the influence brings a mandatory license suspension, severe fines, community service and added costs (Maine Motorcycle Operator Manual p.44).
• Riding is more tiring than driving a car -- rest at least every two hours and never ride when fatigued (Maine Motorcycle Operator Manual p.45).