Riding gear and your motorcycle
Questions and answers
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Which three things give you the best chance of avoiding serious injury in any crash?
A DOT compliant helmet, face or eye protection, and protective clothing
Your gear is right if it protects you: a DOT compliant helmet, face or eye protection, and protective clothing.
Wear the right gear · WEAR THE RIGHT GEAR ↗PDF, 8 MB -
What share of motorcycle crashes result in head or neck injuries?
One out of every five
One crash in five ends in head or neck injuries, and head injuries are far more common than neck injuries.
Wear the right gear · Helmet Use ↗PDF, 8 MB -
How do head injuries compare with neck injuries?
They are just as severe and far more common
Head injuries are as severe as neck injuries and happen far more often.
Wear the right gear · Helmet Use ↗PDF, 8 MB -
A study of more than 900 crashes looked at whether helmets kept riders from spotting danger. What did it find?
Not even one case in which a helmet kept a rider from spotting danger
A DOT-compliant helmet lets you see as far to the sides as you need.
Wear the right gear · WEAR THE RIGHT GEAR ↗PDF, 8 MB -
Where do most crashes happen?
On short trips, a few minutes after starting out
Most crashes occur on trips of less than five miles, soon after the ride begins.
Wear the right gear · WEAR THE RIGHT GEAR ↗PDF, 8 MB -
How long is a “short trip” as the manual describes where most crashes happen?
Less than five miles
Most crashes happen on short trips, less than five miles long.
Wear the right gear · WEAR THE RIGHT GEAR ↗PDF, 8 MB -
At what speed are most riders going when a crash occurs?
Slower than 30 mph
Most crashes happen below 30 mph, where helmets cut head injuries in half.
Wear the right gear · WEAR THE RIGHT GEAR ↗PDF, 8 MB -
At the speeds where most crashes happen, by how much can helmets cut the number and severity of head injuries?
By half
At under 30 mph, helmets cut both the number and the severity of head injuries by half.
Wear the right gear · WEAR THE RIGHT GEAR ↗PDF, 8 MB -
How much more likely are helmeted riders to survive head injuries than riders without helmets?
Three times
No matter the speed, helmeted riders are three times more likely to survive head injuries.
Wear the right gear · WEAR THE RIGHT GEAR ↗PDF, 8 MB -
What is the single most important thing you can do to improve your chances of surviving a crash?
Wear a securely-fastened, quality helmet
A securely fastened quality helmet does more for crash survival than anything else.
Wear the right gear · WEAR THE RIGHT GEAR ↗PDF, 8 MB -
What are the two primary types of helmets?
Three-quarter and full face
The two main styles give two levels of coverage: three-quarter and full face.
Wear the right gear · Helmet Selection ↗PDF, 8 MB -
Besides the DOT label, which label gives you an assurance of helmet quality?
A label from the Snell Memorial Foundation
Choose a helmet designed to meet DOT and state standards. A Snell label also assures quality.
Wear the right gear · Helmet Selection ↗PDF, 8 MB -
How should a helmet fit?
Snugly, all the way around
A helmet should fit snugly all around and have no cracks, loose padding or frayed straps.
Wear the right gear · Helmet Selection ↗PDF, 8 MB -
What is likely to happen in a crash if your helmet is not securely fastened?
It may fly off before it can protect you
Keep the helmet fastened every ride, or it may come off before it does its job.
Wear the right gear · Helmet Selection ↗PDF, 8 MB -
Why are wind, dust and insects in your face dangerous, besides being painful?
They distract you from giving full attention to the road
If you have to deal with these problems, you cannot devote full attention to the road.
Wear the right gear · Eye and Face Protection ↗PDF, 8 MB -
How do goggles compare with a faceshield?
Goggles protect your eyes but not the rest of your face
Goggles guard the eyes, but only a faceshield covers the rest of the face.
Wear the right gear · Eye and Face Protection ↗PDF, 8 MB -
Can a windshield replace a faceshield or goggles?
No, most windshields will not protect your eyes from the wind
A windshield is not a substitute. Neither are eyeglasses or sunglasses.
Wear the right gear · Eye and Face Protection ↗PDF, 8 MB -
What problem can ordinary glasses cause while riding?
They might blow off when you turn your head
Glasses do not stop your eyes from watering and can blow off when you turn your head.
Wear the right gear · Eye and Face Protection ↗PDF, 8 MB -
Why should eye or face protection permit air to pass through?
To reduce fogging
Air flow through the shield or goggles keeps them from fogging.
Wear the right gear · Eye and Face Protection ↗PDF, 8 MB -
When should tinted eye protection not be worn?
When little light is available
Tinted lenses cut what you can see when light is low.
Wear the right gear · Eye and Face Protection ↗PDF, 8 MB -
How should a riding jacket and pants fit?
Snugly enough to keep from flapping, yet loosely enough to move freely
Riding clothes should cover arms and legs completely and not flap in the wind.
Wear the right gear · Clothing ↗PDF, 8 MB -
Which material offers the most protection in riding clothes?
Leather
Leather protects best, and sturdy synthetic material also gives substantial protection.
Wear the right gear · Clothing ↗PDF, 8 MB -
Why should you wear a jacket even in warm weather?
To prevent dehydration
A jacket in warm weather helps prevent dehydration, and many are made to protect without overheating you.
Wear the right gear · Clothing ↗PDF, 8 MB -
What should the soles of riding boots be made of?
Hard, durable, slip-resistant material
Boots should cover and support the ankles, with hard, durable, slip-resistant soles.
Wear the right gear · Clothing ↗PDF, 8 MB -
Why should you keep boot heels short and laces tucked in?
So they do not catch on rough surfaces or the motorcycle
Short heels will not catch on rough surfaces, and tucked laces will not catch on the motorcycle.
Wear the right gear · Clothing ↗PDF, 8 MB -
What should riding gloves be made of?
Leather or similar durable material
Gloves improve your grip and protect your hands in a crash.
Wear the right gear · Clothing ↗PDF, 8 MB -
Can long-term engine and wind noise damage your hearing if you wear a full face helmet?
Yes, it can cause permanent hearing damage even then
Hearing protection reduces noise while still letting you hear horns and sirens.
Wear the right gear · Clothing ↗PDF, 8 MB -
Why is riding numb from the cold dangerous?
You cannot control a motorcycle well if you are numb
Cold weather riding can cause severe chill and fatigue, so dress to stay warm and dry.
Wear the right gear · Clothing ↗PDF, 8 MB -
Where should a winter jacket fit snugly?
At the neck, wrists, and waist
A winter jacket should resist wind and close snugly at the neck, wrists and waist.
Wear the right gear · Clothing ↗PDF, 8 MB -
How do you know a motorcycle fits you?
Your feet reach the ground while seated and the controls are easy to operate
A motorcycle should fit you, and smaller ones are usually easier for beginners.
Know your motorcycle · The Right Motorcycle For You ↗PDF, 8 MB -
Which motorcycles are usually easier for beginners to operate?
Smaller motorcycles
Smaller motorcycles are usually easier for new riders.
Know your motorcycle · The Right Motorcycle For You ↗PDF, 8 MB -
Before you lend your motorcycle to a friend, what should you make sure of?
That they are licensed and know how to ride
Lenders should check that the borrower is licensed and can ride before letting them into traffic.
Know your motorcycle · Borrowing and Lending ↗PDF, 8 MB -
Where should you get familiar with a borrowed motorcycle?
In a controlled area
Riding an unfamiliar motorcycle adds to the risk, so learn it in a controlled area first.
Know your motorcycle · Borrowing and Lending ↗PDF, 8 MB -
On an unfamiliar motorcycle, which controls should you be able to find and operate without looking?
Turn signals, horn, headlight switch, fuel-supply valve, and engine cut-off switch
Find these items and be able to operate them without searching for them.
Know your motorcycle · Get Familiar with the Motorcycle Controls ↗PDF, 8 MB -
How should you ride an unfamiliar motorcycle at first?
Accelerate gently, take turns more slowly, and leave extra room for stopping
Ride very cautiously and stay aware of your surroundings.
Know your motorcycle · Get Familiar with the Motorcycle Controls ↗PDF, 8 MB -
What is the primary source of information on how to inspect and maintain your motorcycle?
Its owner’s manual
The owner’s manual explains inspection, maintenance and the upkeep schedule.
Know your motorcycle · Check Your Motorcycle ↗PDF, 8 MB -
How often should a pre-ride inspection be done?
Before every ride
A pre-ride inspection takes a few minutes and should be done before every ride.
Know your motorcycle · Check Your Motorcycle ↗PDF, 8 MB -
How should you test the brake light during a pre-ride check?
Try both brakes and make sure each one turns on the brake light
Each brake, front and rear, should turn on the brake light.
Know your motorcycle · Check Your Motorcycle ↗PDF, 8 MB -
How often should you check the brake hydraulic fluid and coolant level?
Weekly
Engine oil and transmission fluid are checked before rides, and brake fluid and coolant weekly.
Know your motorcycle · Check Your Motorcycle ↗PDF, 8 MB -
What can happen if you start out with the fuel valve closed?
The motorcycle may start but will stall once the lines are empty
With the valve closed, only the fuel still in the lines is available, so be sure the valve is open.
Know your motorcycle · Check Your Motorcycle ↗PDF, 8 MB -
What should the throttle do when you release it?
Snap back to fully closed
The throttle should snap back closed, and the clutch should feel tight and operate smoothly.
Know your motorcycle · Check Your Motorcycle ↗PDF, 8 MB -
When should you clean and adjust your mirrors?
Before starting
It is difficult to ride with one hand while adjusting a mirror, so do it before you start.
Know your motorcycle · Check Your Motorcycle ↗PDF, 8 MB -
What should a properly adjusted mirror mostly show?
The road behind you and to the side
A mirror may show the edge of your arm or shoulder, but the road behind and beside you matters most.
Know your motorcycle · Check Your Motorcycle ↗PDF, 8 MB -
During the pre-ride check, what should the side stand spring do?
Hold the stand tightly in the up position
The side stand should operate smoothly and its spring should hold it up tightly.
Know your motorcycle · Check Your Motorcycle ↗PDF, 8 MB -
How does a minor technical failure on a motorcycle compare with the same failure on a car?
It may result in a crash on a motorcycle
A motorcycle needs more frequent attention, since a small failure can cause a crash.
Know your motorcycle · Check Your Motorcycle ↗PDF, 8 MB -
Your light turns green but a driver runs the red light and you collide without checking. Who is at fault?
Both of you
The driver had to stop, and you had to look before pulling out. Crashes rarely leave anyone free of responsibility.
Know your responsibilities · KNOW YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES ↗PDF, 8 MB -
How far ahead should you search your path of travel?
12 seconds
Searching 12 seconds ahead gives you time to identify and separate hazards.
Know your responsibilities · KNOW YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES ↗PDF, 8 MB -
Which is one way to communicate your intentions to other road users?
Use the proper signals, brake light, and lane position
Signals, brake light and lane position tell others what you plan to do.
Know your responsibilities · KNOW YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES ↗PDF, 8 MB -
Why does the manual avoid calling crashes “accidents”?
Most people in a crash can claim some responsibility for it
An accident implies no fault or negligence, but in traffic that is rarely true.
Know your responsibilities · KNOW YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES ↗PDF, 8 MB -
Which kind of eye and face protection can help protect your whole face in a crash?
A plastic shatter-resistant faceshield
A faceshield covers the whole face. Goggles protect only the eyes, and a windshield is no substitute.
Wear the right gear · Eye and Face Protection ↗PDF, 8 MB -
Riders with how little experience on their motorcycle are involved in more than half of all crashes?
Less than five months
Crashes are most common early on, so ride extra carefully on any new or unfamiliar motorcycle.
Know your motorcycle · Borrowing and Lending ↗PDF, 8 MB