Basic vehicle control
Questions and answers
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According to the manual, how do you learn to control direction, speed, and balance?
Through practice, preferably in a formal course
The manual cannot teach these skills. They come from practice, best in a formal course of instruction.
Basic Vehicle Control · RIDE WITHIN YOUR ABILITIES ↗PDF, 8 MB -
How far forward should you sit on the seat?
Far enough that your arms are slightly bent at the handgrips
Slightly bent arms let you press on the handlebars without stretching.
Basic Vehicle Control · Body Position ↗PDF, 8 MB -
Why should you start with your right wrist flat?
To keep from accidentally using too much throttle
A flat right wrist helps prevent rolling on too much throttle by mistake.
Basic Vehicle Control · Body Position ↗PDF, 8 MB -
How should the handlebars be adjusted?
So your hands are even with or below your elbows
Hands at or below elbow height let you use the proper muscles for precision steering.
Basic Vehicle Control · Body Position ↗PDF, 8 MB -
Why should you keep your knees against the gas tank?
To help keep your balance as the motorcycle turns
Knees against the tank help with balance in turns.
Basic Vehicle Control · Body Position ↗PDF, 8 MB -
Where should your feet be while riding?
Firmly on the footrests, near the controls
Feet firmly on the footrests keep your balance, and near the controls so you can reach them fast.
Basic Vehicle Control · Body Position ↗PDF, 8 MB -
Why should your toes not point downward?
They may get caught between the road and the footrests
Toes pointed down can catch between the road and the footrests. Also do not drag your feet.
Basic Vehicle Control · Body Position ↗PDF, 8 MB -
Where is the gearshift lever and how is it operated?
In front of the left footrest, operated by the left foot
The left foot works the gearshift lever in front of the left footrest.
Basic Vehicle Control · Shifting Gears ↗PDF, 8 MB -
How do you shift up to a higher gear?
Put your foot under the shift lever and lift
Lifting the lever shifts up, pressing it down shifts down, one gear at a time.
Basic Vehicle Control · Shifting Gears ↗PDF, 8 MB -
How many gears does the shift lever change each time it is lifted or pressed?
One
Each lift or press changes one gear, and spring loading returns the lever to center.
Basic Vehicle Control · Shifting Gears ↗PDF, 8 MB -
In a typical gear pattern, how is neutral selected?
A half lift from 1st gear or a half press from 2nd gear
In the typical 1-N-2-3-4-5 pattern, neutral sits between first and second.
Basic Vehicle Control · Shifting Gears ↗PDF, 8 MB -
How many gears do most motorcycles have?
Five
Most motorcycles have five gears, though some have four or six.
Basic Vehicle Control · Shifting Gears ↗PDF, 8 MB -
When should you shift up to a higher gear?
Well before the engine RPM reaches its maximum recommended speed
Shift up soon enough to avoid over-revving, but not so soon that the engine lugs.
Basic Vehicle Control · Shifting Gears ↗PDF, 8 MB -
What is the first step of the 3-step upshift?
Roll off the throttle as you squeeze the clutch lever
Roll off and squeeze the clutch, lift the lever, then ease out the clutch and adjust the throttle.
Basic Vehicle Control · Shifting Gears ↗PDF, 8 MB -
In the 3-step downshift, what do you do as you ease out the clutch lever?
Roll on the throttle
Rolling on the throttle slightly while easing out the clutch helps the engine come up to speed and smooths the downshift.
Basic Vehicle Control · Shifting Gears ↗PDF, 8 MB -
What is engine braking?
The slowing effect of shifting to a lower gear
Downshifting has an effect similar to using the brakes. Shift down one gear at a time to use it.
Basic Vehicle Control · Shifting Gears ↗PDF, 8 MB -
What can happen if you shift into a lower gear while riding too fast?
The motorcycle will lurch and the rear wheel may skid
Make sure you are slow enough before downshifting. Use the brakes first if needed.
Basic Vehicle Control · Shifting Gears ↗PDF, 8 MB -
Which gear should you stay in while stopped?
First gear
Staying in first gear lets you move out quickly if you need to.
Basic Vehicle Control · Shifting Gears ↗PDF, 8 MB -
When is it best to change gears for a turn?
Before entering the turn
Change gears before the turn. If you must shift in the turn, do it smoothly.
Basic Vehicle Control · Shifting Gears ↗PDF, 8 MB -
Which brakes should you use every time you slow or stop?
Both the front and rear brakes
Using both brakes even for normal stops builds the habit you need in an emergency.
Basic Vehicle Control · Braking ↗PDF, 8 MB -
How is maximum straight-line braking achieved?
Fully applying both brakes without locking either wheel
Apply both brakes fully, but not so hard that a wheel locks.
Basic Vehicle Control · Braking ↗PDF, 8 MB -
How should you squeeze the front brake for a hard stop?
Smoothly, firmly, and with progressively more force
Do not grab the lever or use abrupt pressure.
Basic Vehicle Control · Braking ↗PDF, 8 MB -
As weight transfers forward during braking, what should you do with the rear brake?
Use less pressure to prevent a rear wheel skid
Weight moving forward leaves less traction at the rear, so use light-to-lighter pressure there.
Basic Vehicle Control · Braking ↗PDF, 8 MB -
What does a linked braking system do?
Applies pressure to both brakes when either control is applied
Linked brakes connect front and rear. Check the owner’s manual for how to use them.
Basic Vehicle Control · Linked and Integrated Braking Systems ↗PDF, 8 MB -
In an integrated braking system, what happens when the rear brake is activated?
Partial front braking is applied
An integrated system is a variation of linked braking with partial front braking whenever the rear brake is used.
Basic Vehicle Control · Linked and Integrated Braking Systems ↗PDF, 8 MB -
What is ABS designed to do?
Prevent wheel lock-up and skids in straight-line panic stops
ABS works when maximum pressure is applied to both brakes and releases and reapplies pressure as needed.
Basic Vehicle Control · Anti-Lock Braking Systems (ABS) ↗PDF, 8 MB -
How many times per second can ABS release and reapply brake pressure?
More than 15
The system can cycle more than 15 times each second to keep braking at its most effective.
Basic Vehicle Control · Anti-Lock Braking Systems (ABS) ↗PDF, 8 MB -
What happens to the traction available for braking when a motorcycle is leaned over?
It is reduced
The greater the lean angle, the more likely the tires are to lose traction.
Basic Vehicle Control · Braking in a Corner ↗PDF, 8 MB -
To stop as quickly as possible in a curve, what should you try to do first, if conditions allow?
Get the motorcycle as perpendicular to the road as possible, then brake
Straighten up, then brake. If you cannot, brake gently and firm up as you slow and lean less.
Basic Vehicle Control · Braking in a Corner ↗PDF, 8 MB -
What are the four steps for better control in turns?
Slow, look, press, roll
Slow before the turn, look through it, press to lean, and roll on the throttle.
Basic Vehicle Control · Turning ↗PDF, 8 MB -
When looking through a turn, where should your eyes be?
Level with the horizon
Look where you want to go, turning your head and keeping your eyes level with the horizon.
Basic Vehicle Control · Turning ↗PDF, 8 MB -
To lean the motorcycle into a left turn, which handgrip do you press?
The left handgrip
Press left, lean left, go left. Press right, lean right, go right.
Basic Vehicle Control · Turning ↗PDF, 8 MB -
How does speed in a turn affect the lean angle?
The higher the speed, the greater the lean angle
A faster turn needs more lean.
Basic Vehicle Control · Turning ↗PDF, 8 MB -
Why should you roll on the throttle in a turn?
To maintain or slightly increase speed and stabilize the motorcycle
Rolling on the throttle through the turn helps stabilize the motorcycle.
Basic Vehicle Control · Turning ↗PDF, 8 MB -
In a normal turn, how should you and the motorcycle lean?
Together at the same angle
In normal turns rider and motorcycle lean together.
Basic Vehicle Control · Turning ↗PDF, 8 MB -
How do you counterbalance in slow, tight turns?
Lean the motorcycle only and keep your body straight
In slow, tight turns only the motorcycle leans while your body stays straight.
Basic Vehicle Control · Turning ↗PDF, 8 MB -
How much of your total stopping power can the front brake provide?
At least 70%
The front brake is the more powerful one, so use it every time along with the rear brake.
Basic Vehicle Control · Braking ↗PDF, 8 MB