AZ Motorcycle Operator Manual Flashcards

AZ Motorcycle Operator Manual Flashcards How should you pass vehicles when group riding? Passing in Formation - Riders ina staggered formation should passone at a time. First, the lead rider should pullout and pass when it is safe. Afterpassing, the leader should return tothe left position and continue ridingat passing speed to open room forthe next rider. After the first rider passes safely,the second rider should move upto the left position and watch for asafe chance to pass. After passing,this rider should return to the rightposition and open up room for thenext rider.What checks should be made before mounting the motorcycle?Tires - Check the air pressure,general wear and tread.Fluids - Oil and fluid levels. At aminimum, check hydraulic fluidsand coolants weekly. Look underthe motorcycle for signs of an oil orgas leak. Headlights and Taillight - Checkthem both. Test your switch tomake sure both high and lowbeams are working. Turn Signals - Turn on both rightand left turn signals. Make sure all lights are working properly. Brake Light - Try both brakecontrols, and make sure each oneturns on the brake light.

Making eye contact with otherdrivers:Doesn't mean that the driver will yield.

What are two skills critical in avoiding a crash? Knowing when and how to stop orswerve.What should the body and motorcycle position be when making a slow, tight turn?Counterbalance byleaning the motorcycle only and keepingyour body straight.How should you park when parking at a roadside? If parking in a parallel parking spacenext to a curb, position the motorcycleat an angle with the rear wheel to thecurb.

(Note: Some cities have ordinancesthat require

motorcycles to park parallelto the curb.) What should you attempt to not do when driving near other cars?Do not ride next to cars or trucks inother lanes if you do not have to. Youmight be in the blind spot of a car in thenext lane, which could switch into yourlane without warning.Cars in the nextlane also block your escape if you comeupon danger in your own lane. Speedup or drop back to find a place clear oftraffic on both sides.What should you do if you are unable to get the tailgater in front of you?Slow down and open upextra space ahead of you to allow roomfor both you and the tailgater to stop. This will also encourage them to pass.If they don't pass, you will have givenyourself and the tailgater more time andspace to react in case an emergencydoes develop ahead.What should you do to keep the group together? Plan - The leader should lookahead for changes and signal earlyso "the word gets back" in plentyof time. Start lane changes early topermit everyone to complete thechange. Put Beginners Up Front - Placeinexperienced

riders just behindthe leader. That way the moreexperienced riders can watch themfrom the back. Follow Those Behind - Letthe tailender set the pace. Useyour mirrors to keep an eye onthe person behind. If a rider fallsbehind, everyone should slow downa little to stay with the tailender. Know the Route - Make sureeveryone knows the route. Then, ifsomeone is separated they won'thave to hurry to keep from gettinglost or taking a wrong turn. Planfrequent stops on long rides.What should you do to carry passengers safely? Equip and adjust your motorcycleto carry passengers.Instruct the passenger before youstart. Adjust your riding technique forthe added weight.

When do most motorcycle crashes occur: long or short

trips?Short trips (less than five miles long), justa few minutes after starting out.How fast are most motorcycle riders going when they get in a crash?Most riders are riding slower than30 mph when a crash occurs.What should your lane position in a traffic lane provide you?Increase your ability to see and beseen. Avoid others' blind spots. Avoid surface hazards. Protect your lane from otherdrivers. Communicate your intentions. Avoid wind blast from othervehicles. Provide an escape route.What are things you should look out for as a rider to anticipate potential problems and plan to reduce risks, aka

EVALUATE?

Road and surface characteristics - Potholes, guardrails, bridges,telephone poles and trees won'tmove into your path but mayinfluence your riding strategy. Traffic control devices - Look fortraffic signals, including regulatorysigns, warning signs, and pavementmarkings, to help you evaluatecircumstances ahead. Vehicles and other traffic - Maymove into your path and increasethe likelihood of a crash.What can occur during a turn, when too much brake is applied and why?A skid can occur, because there is less traction available for stopping.What does the word "accident" imply?It implies an unforeseen event that occurs without anyone's fault or negligence.What type of clothing can you wear to increase the visibility of you riding?Wear bright-colored clothing to increaseyour chances of being seen. Remember,your body is half of the visible surfacearea of the rider/motorcycle unit.When passing parked cars, where you should you stay in your lane?Stay toward the left of your lane. If oncoming traffic is present, itis usually best to remain in the center laneposition to maximize your spacecushion.What is the ration of how many motorcycle crashes result in head or neck injuries?One out of every five motorcyclecrashes.What should the body and motorcycle position be when making a normal turn?The rider and themotorcycle should lean together at thesame angle.What can you do to increase your chances of being seen at intersections?Ride with yourheadlight on and in a lane position thatprovides the best view of oncomingtraffic. Provide a space cushion aroundthe motorcycle that permits you to takeevasive action.In any crash, you havea far better chance of avoiding seriousinjury if you wear what?A DOT compliant helmet, face or eye protection, and protective clothing.What should you do when you approach a large animal, like a deer or cow?Brake and prepare to stop - they areunpredictable.What type of clothing should be worn when driving a motorcycle?Jacket and pants should coverarms and legs completely.Boots or shoes should be high and sturdy enough to cover your ankles and give them support. Gloves allow a better grip and help protect your hands in a crash.In which portion of the lane should your image be in the middle ofthe rearview mirror - where a driver is most likely to see you.The center portion of the lane.

Do all motorcycle have integrated braking systems that activate the front and rear brakes together when applying the rear brake pedal?No, only some motorcycles do. (Consult the owner's manual for a detailed explanation on the operation and effective use of thesesystems.) What percentage do studies show that all riders killed in motorcycle crashes had been drinking?Nearly 40% Which brake should you use every time you slow or stop?Use both brakes. Using both brakes foreven "normal" stops will permityou to develop the proper habit orskill of using both brakes properlyin an emergency. Squeeze thefront brake and press down on therear. Grabbing at the front brakeor jamming down on the rear cancause the brakes to lock, resulting incontrol problems.What should you do when carrying loads? Keep the Load Low Keep the Load Forward Distribute the Load Evenly Secure the Load Check the Load When cars are merging onto a highway, what should you attempt to do?Give them plenty of room. Change to another lane if one is open. If there is no room for a lane change, adjust speed to open up space for the merging driver.What checks should be made once you have mounted the motorcycle?Clutch and Throttle - Make surethey work smoothly. The throttleshould snap back when you let go.The clutch should feel tight andsmooth. Mirrors - Clean and adjust bothmirrors before starting. It's difficultto ride with one hand while youtry to adjust a mirror. Adjust eachmirror so you can see the lanebehind and as much as possible ofthe lane next to you. When properlyadjusted, a mirror may show theedge of your arm or shoulder-butit's the road behind and to the sidethat's most important. Brakes - Try the front and rearbrake levers one at a time. Makesure each one feels firm and holdsthe motorcycle when the brake isfully applied. Horn - Try the horn. Make sure itworks. Fuel Supply Valve - Make surethe valve is open. Your motorcyclemay start with fuel still in the lines,but it will stall once the lines areempty.What types of surfaces provide poor traction? Wet pavement, Gravel roads, Mud, leaves, snow, and ice, & Lane markings (painted lines).What should you do to ride safely on slippery surfaces?Reduce Speed, Avoid Sudden Moves, Use Both Brakes, The center of a lane can behazardous when wet. When it startsto rain, ride in the tire tracks left bycars. Often, the left tire track willbe the best position, depending ontraffic and other road conditions aswell. Watch for oil spots when you putyour foot down to stop or park. Youmay slip and fall. Dirt and gravel collect along thesides of the road - especially oncurves and ramps leading to andfrom highways. Be aware of what'son the edge of the road, particularlywhen making sharp turns andgetting on or off freeways at highspeeds. Rain dries and snow melts faster on some sections of a road thanon others. Patches of ice tend