New Jersey Motorcycle Test Study Guide

Before you ride, learn where every control is — the throttle, clutch, front brake lever, rear brake pedal, gearshift, turn signals, horn, headlight switch and engine cut-off switch — so you can find them without looking (NJ Manual p.176-177). Work the throttle, clutch and brakes a few times first; the throttle should snap back when released, and every motorcycle's controls react a little differently.

• Set body position: hold the grips firmly, keep your wrists low so you don't apply too much throttle, and keep both feet firmly on the footrests (NJ Manual p.179).
• Clean and adjust the mirrors before riding — it is dangerous to do while moving — so each shows about half the lane behind and to the side (NJ Manual p.176).
• Learn the gear pattern, and at very low first-gear speeds use the brakes to slow enough to shift safely (NJ Manual p.179).

New Jersey requires every operator and passenger to wear an approved helmet — the most important piece of equipment a rider must wear (NJ Manual p.172). One of every five reported motorcycle crashes involves a head or neck injury, helmets cut head injuries by half even under 30 mph, and riders without helmets are three times more likely to die from a head injury. A study of more than 900 crashes found no case where a helmet impaired vision or masked danger.

• Check a helmet for a label inside showing the manufacturer's name and the approval standard, and fasten it securely (NJ Manual p.172).
• Eye or face protection should be scratch-free, give a clear view to either side, fasten securely, and let air pass so it won't fog (NJ Manual p.172).
• Wear durable gloves for grip and protection, and clothing that fully covers your arms and legs without flapping (NJ Manual p.174).

Motorcycles have two brakes and both are needed to stop effectively; the front brake provides about three-quarters of the stopping power (NJ Manual p.179). To turn, push (press) the handgrip in the direction of the turn — press the right grip and the motorcycle leans and turns right — then maintain a steady speed or accelerate gradually, avoiding deceleration in the turn.

• If the front wheel locks, release the lever until the tire regains traction; if the rear wheel locks, keep it locked until you stop (NJ Manual p.179).
• Set your entry speed before the curve — taking curves or turns too fast causes panic and loss of control (NJ Manual p.179).
• Higher speeds and tighter turns require more lean; straighten the bike upright before braking hard (NJ Manual p.179).

New Jersey teaches SIPDE — Scan, Identify, Predict, Decide, Execute — a process for making judgments and taking action in traffic (NJ Manual p.184). Scan aggressively, identify hazards (other vehicles, pedestrians and animals that move unpredictably, and stationary objects like potholes and guardrails), predict where a conflict could occur, decide what to do, and execute smoothly.

• Most motorcycle/automobile crashes happen at intersections, often a car turning left across the rider's path (NJ Manual p.184).
• Handle hazards one at a time — adjust speed so they separate, then deal with each (NJ Manual p.185).
• Your adjustment may be a speed change or a lane-position change; how much depends on how critical the hazard is and the time and space available (NJ Manual p.185).

Each marked lane gives a motorcyclist three possible travel paths. Ride in the part of the lane where a motorist is most likely to see you, and remember: if you can see the driver's rearview mirror, the driver can probably see you (NJ Manual p.186). Adjust your position to keep the best view and a space cushion, and to approach intersections with the best view of oncoming traffic.

• When you are alongside a vehicle in its blind spot, speed up and get past quickly or drop back (NJ Manual p.186).
• Through a curve, move to one side of the lane or the other for the best view ahead (NJ Manual p.188).
• If a vehicle is following close behind, it may be better to keep moving than to stop short (NJ Manual p.186).

Under ordinary conditions, stay at least two seconds behind the vehicle ahead — that gives time to react if the motorist ahead stops suddenly (NJ Manual p.188). Increase the distance in poor conditions, at night, behind larger vehicles, or when a vehicle is following you closely.

• Keep a cushion of space all around you so you have room and time to react when others make mistakes (NJ Manual p.188).
• When being passed, stay toward the center of your lane rather than near the passing vehicle (NJ Manual p.188).
• A lane position that takes the lane discourages drivers from trying to share it (NJ Manual p.186).

A motorcycle's narrow outline is easy to miss, so a driver can look toward you and not see you (NJ Manual p.180). The best way to help others see you is to keep your headlight on at all times — by day, a motorcycle with its light off is twice as likely to go unnoticed. Signal your intentions early and wear bright or reflective gear.

• Flash your brake light before you slow suddenly, since a motorcycle's brake light is easy to miss (NJ Manual p.180).
• Use the horn if needed, but never count on others to hear or see you (NJ Manual p.180).
• Communicate early — signal before you change lanes or turn (NJ Manual p.180).

In an emergency, two skills save you: stopping quickly and swerving. For a quick stop, use both brakes and squeeze the front lever steadily and firmly — never grab it (NJ Manual p.179). When there is no room to stop, swerve by pressing the handgrip toward your escape, then press the opposite grip to recover.

• Never brake and swerve at the same time — swerve first, then brake once upright (NJ Manual p.197).
• If a small animal is in your lane in traffic, stay in your lane — do not swerve into other vehicles (NJ Manual p.197).
• If you can't avoid an object, slow down and cross it straight, rising slightly off the seat (NJ Manual p.197).

Wet pavement, metal gratings, lane markings and loose surfaces reduce traction. Slow down, avoid sudden braking, turning or acceleration, and keep the motorcycle as upright as possible (NJ Manual p.191). At night, ride cautiously — slow down, open up more distance, and use your high beam when not following or meeting traffic (NJ Manual p.195).

• On slick surfaces such as metal gratings, hold a steady speed and ride straight across (NJ Manual p.191).
• At night you can see less of the road ahead, so slow down to keep your stopping distance within your sight (NJ Manual p.195).
• Choose the lane portion with the best traction and avoid the slick painted lines and center buildup when wet (NJ Manual p.191).

A motorcycle needs a check before every ride. Inspect the tires (pressure with a gauge, tread, and sidewalls for cuts), the controls, the headlight, the rims and spokes, and the oil — riding out on a motorcycle with a problem can be extremely dangerous (NJ Manual p.176).

• In daytime, pass a hand in front of the beam to confirm the headlight works; at night test the high and low beams (NJ Manual p.176).
• Lack of oil can seize the engine, locking the rear wheel and causing loss of control (NJ Manual p.176).
• A tire may be underinflated without looking flat, so always check pressure with a gauge (NJ Manual p.176).

Carry a passenger only on a motorcycle with a proper passenger seat and footrests, and only once you are comfortable riding alone, because the extra weight makes the bike respond more slowly (NJ Manual p.199). Tell the passenger to hold your waist, hips or belt, keep both feet on the pegs, and lean with you. Keep cargo low and secured.

• With a passenger or load, ride a little slower and allow more room to stop and turn (NJ Manual p.199).
• Ride in a staggered formation; never operate directly alongside another motorcycle, and move to single file for curves and narrow roads (NJ Manual p.202).
• Talk to another rider only when you are both stopped (NJ Manual p.202).

Alcohol, drugs and fatigue are three things that often keep riders from being in shape to ride safely (NJ Manual p.202). Do not ride after taking any medicine — prescription or over-the-counter — that can impair you until the effect wears off, and when you resume, slow down and keep extra distance. Under New Jersey law the legal limit is 0.08% BAC.

• Riding a motorcycle is more tiring than driving a car, so fatigue sets in sooner — plan rest breaks (NJ Manual p.202).
• Fatigue, like alcohol, slows reactions and dulls the judgment riding demands (NJ Manual p.202).
• The safe choice is not to drink before you ride, and not to ride when you are worn out (NJ Manual p.202).