MOTORCYCLE OPERATOR MANUAL - ALEA

46 EARNING YOUR LICENSE

Safe riding requires knowledge and skill. Licensing tests are the best
measurement of the skills necessary to operate safely in traffic. Assessing your
own skills is not enough. People often overestimate their own abilities. It’s even
harder for friends and relatives to be totally honest about your skills. Licensing
exams are designed to be scored more objectively.

To earn your license, you must pass a knowledge test and an on-cycle skill
test. Knowledge test questions are based on information, practices and ideas
from this manual. They require that you know and understand road rules and
safe riding practices. An on-cycle skill test will either be conducted in an actual
traffic environment or in a controlled, off-street area.

Knowledge Test 4. If a tire goes flat while riding and
you must stop, it is usually best
(Sample Questions) to:
1. It is MOST important to flash
A. Relax on the handgrips.
your brake light when:
B. Shift your weight toward the
A. Someone is following too closely. good tire.

B. You will be slowing suddenly. C. Brake on the good tire and steer
to the side of the road.
C. There is a stop sign ahead.
D. Use both brakes and stop quickly.
D. Your signals are not working.
2. The FRONT brake supplies how 5. The car below is waiting to enter
the intersection. It is best to:
much of the potential stopping
power? A. Make eye contact with the driver.

A. About 25%. B. Reduce speed and be ready to
react.
B. About 50%.
C. Maintain speed and position.
C. About 70%.
D. Maintain speed and move right.
D. All of the stopping power.
3. To swerve correctly:

A. Shift your weight quickly.

B. Turn the handlebars quickly.

C. Press the handgrip in the direction
of the turn.

D. Press the handgrip in the opposite
direction of the turn.

47

On-Motorcycle Skill Test I Stop, turn and swerve quickly.

Basic vehicle control and crash- I Make critical decisions and carry
avoidance skills are included in on- them out.
motorcycle tests to determine your
ability to handle normal and hazardous Examiners may score on factors
traffic situations. related to safety such as:

You may be tested for your ability to: I Selecting safe speeds to perform
maneuvers.
I Know your motorcycle and your
riding limits. I Choosing the correct path and
staying within boundaries.
I Accelerate, brake and turn
safely. I Completing normal and quick
stops.
I See, be seen and communicate
with others. I Completing normal and quick
turns or swerves.
I Adjust speed and position to the
traffic situation.

(Presently Not Applicable in Alabama)

Answers to Test Yourself (previous pages) Diagrams and drawings used in this
1-C, 2-D, 3-D, 4-A, 5-B, manual are for reference only and are
6-C, 7-D 8-D, 9-C, 10-C, not to correct scale for size of vehicles
11-D, 12-A, 13-A, 14-C and distances.

Answers to Knowledge Test (left):
1-B, 2-C, 3-C, 4-C, 5-B

HAND SIGNALS Double File –
arm with index
Single File – and middle finger
arm and index extended straight up.
finger extended
straight up.

Stop – Speed Up –
arm extended arm extended
straight down, straight out,
palm facing palm facing up,
back. swing upward.

Slow Down – Follow Me –
arm extended arm extended
straight out, palm straight up
facing down, swing from shoulder,
down to your side. palm forward.

You Lead/Come –
arm extended upward 45 degrees,
palm forward pointing with index
finger, swing in arc from back to front.

HAND SIGNALS

Hazard in Roadway –
on the left, point
with left hand; on the
right, point with right foot.


Highbeam – Fuel –
tap on top of arm out to side
helmet with open pointing to tank with
palm down. finger extended.

Comfort Stop – Refreshment
forearm extended, Stop –
fist clenched with fingers closed,
short up and down thumb to mouth.
motion.

Turn Signal On –
open and close
hand with fingers and
thumb extended.


Pull Off –
arm positioned as for
right turn, forearm
swung toward shoulder.

You can tear this page out and keep it with you when you ride.

T-CLOCS: Pre-Ride Inspection Checklist

T-CLOCS ITEM WHAT TO CHECK WHAT TO LOOK FOR CHECK-OFF T-CLOCS ITEM WHAT TO CHECK WHAT TO LOOK FOR CHECK-OFF

T-TIRES & WHEELS Condition Tread depth, wear, weathering, evenly seated, bulges, embedded objects. Front Rear C-CHASSIS Condition Cracks at gussets, accessory mounts, look for paint lifting. Left Right
Air Pressure Check when cold, adjust to load. Front Rear Steering-Head Bearings No detent or tight spots through full travel, raise front wheel, check for play by pulling/pushing forks. Left Right
Tires Bent, broken, missing, tension, check at top of wheel:“ring”= OK —“thud”= loose spoke Front Rear Frame Swingarm Bushings/ Raise rear wheel, check for play by pushing/pulling swingarm.
Spokes Cracks, dents. Front Rear
Wheels Cast Out of round/true = 5mm. Spin wheel, index against stationary pointer. Front Rear Suspension Bearings Smooth travel, equal air pressure/damping, anti-dive settings.
Rims Grab top and bottom of tire and flex: No freeplay (click) between hub and axle, no growl when spinning. Front Rear Chain or Belt Front Forks Smooth travel, equal pre-load/air pressure/damping settings, linkage moves freely and is lubricated.
Brakes Bearings Cracked, cut or torn, excessive grease on outside, reddish-brown around outside. Front Rear Rear Shock(s) Check at tightest point.
C-CONTROLS Seals Each brake alone keeps bike from rolling. Front Rear Fasteners Tension Side plates when hot. Note: do not lubricate belts.
Levers and Function Lubrication Teeth not hooked, securely mounted
Pedal Broken, bent, cracked, mounts tight, ball ends on handlebar levers, proper adjustment. S-STANDS Sprockets Tight, missing bolts, nuts.
Cables Condition Lubricated. Threaded Broken, missing.
Pivots Fraying, kinks, lubrication: ends and interior. Center stand Clips Broken, missing.
Hoses No interference or pulling at steering head, suspension, no sharp angles, wire supports in place. Side stand Cotter Pins
Condition Cuts, cracks, leaks, bulges, chafing, deterioration. Cracks, bent.
Throttle Routing No interference or pulling at steering head, suspension, no sharp angles, hose supports in place. Condition Springs in place, tension to hold position.
Condition Moves freely, snaps closed, no revving when handlebars are turned. Retention Cracks, bent (safety cut-out switch or pad equipped).
L-LIGHTS Routing Condition Springs in place, tension to hold position.
Operation Terminals; clean and tight, electrolyte level, held down securely. Retention
Battery Not kinked, routed properly, not plugged.
Condition Cracks, reflector, mounting and adjustment system. Front left Front right
Headlamp Vent Tube Height and right/left. Rear left Rear right
Condition Hi beam/low beam operation.
Tail lamp/ Cracks, clean and tight.
brake lamp Aim Activates upon front brake/rear brake application.
Turn signals Operation Flashes correctly.
Condition
Operation Cracks, clean, tight mounts and swivel joints.
Operation Adjust when seated on bike.
Cracked, broken, securely mounted, excessive condensation.
Mirrors Condition EMERGENCY INFORMATION
Lenses & Aim Fraying, chafing, insulation.
Reflectors Pinched, no interference or pulling at steering head or suspension, wire looms and ties in place, connectors tight, clean. Rider's Name __________________________________________________________Blood Type ________________
Wiring Condition Allergies/Medical Conditions _______________________________________________________________________
Check warm on center stand on level ground, dipstick, sight glass. Doctor's Name/Phone _____________________________________________________________________________
O-OIL Condition Transmission, rear drive, shaft. Cycle Insurer Name/Phone _________________________________________________________________________
Routing
Levels Brakes, clutch, reservoir or sight glass. Contact this person if rider is injured
Engine Oil Reservoir and/or coolant recovery tank — check only when cool.
Leaks Hypoid Gear Oil, Tank or gauge. Name ____________________________________________ Home Phone___________________________________
Shaft Drive Gaskets, housings, seals. Work Phone ______________________________________ Cell Phone_____________________________________
Hydraulic Fluid Gaskets, seals, breathers.

Coolant Hoses, master cylinders, calipers.
Fuel Radiator, hoses, tanks, fittings, pipes.
Lines, fuel valve, carbs.
Engine Oil
Hypoid Gear Oil,
Shaft Drive
Hydraulic Fluid

Coolant
Fuel