North Dakota Motorcycle Test Study Guide

Before every ride, be able to find and work the throttle, clutch, front brake lever, rear brake pedal, gear-shift lever, turn signals, horn, headlight switch, and engine cut-off switch without looking for them. A motorcycle needs more frequent attention than a car, so the manual's T-CLOCS check should be done before every ride (ND manual p.3-4).

• Pre-ride T-CLOCS covers Tires, Controls, Lights, Oil and fluids, Chassis, and Stands (ND manual p.4).
• After mounting, confirm the clutch and throttle work smoothly - the throttle must snap back when released - then test the front and rear brakes one at a time (ND manual p.4).
• Check the brake hydraulic fluid and coolant level weekly, in addition to before-every-ride checks (ND manual p.4).

In North Dakota a DOT-standard helmet is required for every operator and passenger under 18, and helmeted riders are three times more likely to survive head injuries. One of every five motorcycle crashes results in head or neck injuries (ND manual p.i, 1).

• Choose a three-quarter or full-face helmet designed to meet DOT and state standards, fitting snugly with no cracks, loose padding or frayed straps; a Snell label adds assurance (ND manual p.2).
• A face shield protects your whole face; goggles protect only your eyes, and a windshield is not a substitute for either (ND manual p.2).
• Eye protection must be scratch-free, penetration-resistant, and give a clear side view; never wear tinted eye protection when little light is available (ND manual p.2).

Sit so your arms steer the motorcycle rather than hold you up, keep your knees against the tank and your feet on the footrests, and start with your right wrist flat to avoid too much throttle. Your motorcycle has two brakes - use both every time you slow or stop. The front brake supplies at least 70% of your stopping power and is safe when you squeeze, not grab, the lever (ND manual p.5-6).

• Shift down through the gears as you slow, and stay in first gear while stopped so you can move out quickly (ND manual p.6).
• Maximum straight-line braking applies both brakes fully without locking either wheel; if the front wheel locks, release it immediately and reapply (ND manual p.6, 18).
• Change gears before you enter a turn - a sudden change of power to the rear wheel can cause a skid (ND manual p.6).

Riders crash by taking curves too fast, then running wide or braking too hard. Use four steps: SLOW, LOOK, PRESS, ROLL. 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 left, lean left, go left - and roll on the throttle to stay stable (ND manual p.7).

• In a normal turn the rider and motorcycle lean together; in a slow, tight turn lean only the motorcycle and keep your body straight (ND manual p.7).
• The higher the speed or the sharper the turn, the more the motorcycle must lean (ND manual p.7).
• With no traffic, enter a curve from the outside to widen your line of sight, move to the inside, then exit toward the outside (ND manual p.18).

Each lane gives a motorcycle three paths of travel - left, center and right - and there is no single best position. Choose the path that helps you see and be seen, avoids blind spots and surface hazards, and leaves an escape route. Keep at least a three-second following distance, opening to four seconds or more in heavy traffic, on slippery roads, or when you cannot see past the vehicle ahead (ND manual p.8-9).

• Ride in path 2 or 3 if hazards are on your left, path 1 or 2 if they are on your right, and the center (path 2) when vehicles are on both sides (ND manual p.8).
• The center third collects oil and debris, but unless the road is wet it still permits adequate traction; the left tire track is a common default position (ND manual p.8).
• Cars and motorcycles each need a full lane; lane sharing is usually prohibited (ND manual p.10).

Experienced riders use SEE - Search, Evaluate, Execute - to spot hazards and act early. Search aggressively ahead, to the sides and behind. Evaluate how road features, traffic-control devices and other road users could create risk. Execute by communicating with lights or horn, adjusting speed, and adjusting your position (ND manual p.11).

• Scan about 2 seconds ahead for your following area, your 4-second immediate path for swerving or braking, and 12 seconds ahead to prepare early (ND manual p.11).
• Handle two or more hazards one at a time - adjust speed so they separate, then deal with each (ND manual p.12).
• In high-risk areas such as intersections, cover the clutch and both brakes to cut your reaction time (ND manual p.12).

Intersections present the greatest potential for conflict, and over one-half of motorcycle-car crashes are caused by drivers entering a rider's right-of-way - usually a car turning left in front of you. Keep your headlight on (twice as likely to be noticed by day), wear bright or reflective clothing, and use your turn signals every time, even when your move seems obvious (ND manual p.12, 14).

• Making eye contact does not guarantee a driver will yield - slow down and be ready to react (ND manual p.12).
• Cancel your signal after every turn so drivers do not think you plan to turn again (ND manual p.14).
• A motorcycle's brake light is less noticeable than a car's - flash it before you slow where others may not expect it (ND manual p.14).

When you find yourself in a tight spot, two skills save you: stopping quickly and swerving. To stop quickly, apply both brakes at the same time, squeezing the front lever firmly and progressively - never grabbing it. When there is no room to stop, swerve: press the handgrip on the side of your escape to lean the motorcycle quickly, then press the opposite grip to recover (ND manual p.16-17).

• If the front wheel locks, release the front brake immediately and completely, then reapply it smoothly (ND manual p.18).
• Keep a locked rear wheel locked until you have completely stopped, as long as you are upright and going straight (ND manual p.16).
• Never brake while swerving - brake before or after, but separate braking from swerving (ND manual p.17).

Wet pavement, gravel, sand, mud, snow, ice, lane markings and metal plates all reduce traction. Slow down before you reach a slippery surface, avoid sudden moves, and use both brakes gently. When it starts to rain, ride in the tire tracks left by cars - often the left track - and avoid the oily center strip (ND manual p.18-19).

• Cross railroad and trolley tracks by riding straight within your lane; turning to take them head-on can carry you into another lane (ND manual p.19).
• For seams or tracks that run parallel to your path, move far enough away to cross them at an angle of at least 45 degrees (ND manual p.19).
• At night, ride slower, open a four-second-or-more following distance, and use your high beam when not following or meeting a car (ND manual p.16).

Checking your motorcycle before every ride catches trouble before you reach traffic. If a problem happens on the road, stay calm and account for traffic and surface conditions. 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 (ND manual p.4, 20).

• A front-tire flat makes the steering feel heavy; a rear-tire flat makes the back jerk or sway side to side (ND manual p.20).
• 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 (ND manual p.20).
• Wobble: do not accelerate - grip firmly, close the throttle gradually, do not brake, move your weight forward, and pull off (ND manual p.21).

Only experienced riders should carry passengers or large loads, because the extra weight changes how the motorcycle handles, balances and stops. A passenger needs a proper seat and footrests, should mount only after you start the engine, hold your waist, hips or belt, keep both feet on the pegs, and lean with you through turns (ND manual p.22-23).

• With a passenger, ride a little slower, start slowing earlier, open a larger space cushion, and wait for larger gaps in traffic (ND manual p.23).
• Keep cargo low and forward; mounting loads behind the rear axle can affect handling and cause a wobble, and saddlebags should carry equal weight (ND manual p.23).
• Ride in a staggered formation with inexperienced riders behind the leader, and move to single file for curves, turns and freeway ramps (ND manual p.24-25).

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. In North Dakota an adult is legally under the influence at 0.08% alcohol concentration, and at 0.02% for riders under 21; alcohol leaves the body at only about one drink per hour (ND manual p.27-28).

• By driving in North Dakota you have given implied consent to a chemical test; refusing it revokes your license for 180 days to three years (ND manual p.28).
• Marijuana distorts your perception of time, space and speed - especially risky for riders who make split-second decisions (ND manual p.29).
• Riding a motorcycle is more tiring than driving a car - take a rest break and get off the motorcycle at least every two hours, and never ride when tired (ND manual p.29-30).