Montana Motorcycle Supplement Revised 12/15
34 RIDE WITHIN YOUR ABILITIES
Drive Train Problems
The drive train for a motorcycle uses
either a chain, belt, or drive shaft to
transfer power from the engine to
the rear wheel. Routine inspection,
adjustment, and maintenance makes
failure a rare occurrence. A chain or belt
that slips or breaks while you’re riding
could lock the rear wheel and cause
your motorcycle to skid.
If the chain or belt breaks, you’ll
notice an instant loss of power to the
rear wheel. Close the throttle and brake
to a stop in a safe area.
On a motorcycle with a drive shaft,
loss of oil in the rear differential can
cause the rear wheel to lock, and you
may not be able to prevent a skid.
Engine Seizure
When the engine “locks” or
“freezes” it is usually low on oil. The
engine’s moving parts can’t move
smoothly against each other, and the
engine overheats. The first sign may be
a loss of engine power or a change in
the engine’s sound. Squeeze the clutch
lever to disengage the engine from the
rear wheel. Pull off the road and stop.
Check the oil. If needed, oil should be
added as soon as possible or the engine
will seize. When this happens, the effect
is the same as a locked rear wheel. Let
the engine cool before restarting.
ANIMALS
Naturally, you should do everything
you safely can to avoid hitting an
animal. If you are in traffic, however,
remain in your lane. Hitting something
small is less dangerous to you than
hitting something big — like a car.
Motorcycles seem to attract dogs. If
you are being chased, downshift and
approach the animal slowly. As you
approach it, accelerate and leave the
animal behind. Don’t kick at the animal.
Keep control of your motorcycle and
look to where you want to go.
For larger animals (deer, elk, cattle)
brake and prepare to stop — they are
unpredictable.
FLYING OBJECTS
From time to time riders are struck
by insects, cigarettes thrown from cars
or pebbles kicked up by the tires of
the vehicle ahead. If you are wearing
face protection, it might get smeared
or cracked, making it difficult to see.
Without face protection, an object
could hit you in the eye, face or mouth.
Whatever happens, keep your eyes
on the road and your hands on the
handlebars. When safe, pull off the road
and repair the damage.
GETTING OFF THE ROAD
If you need to leave the road to check
the motorcycle (or just to rest), be sure to:
t$IFDLUIFSPBETJEF — Make sure
the surface of the roadside is firm
enough to ride on. If it is soft grass,
loose sand or if you’re just not sure
about it, slow way down before you
turn onto it.
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clear signal that you will be slowing
down and changing direction.
Check your mirror and make a head
check before you take any action.
If your motorcycle starts to wobble:
A. Accelerate out of the wobble.
B. Use the brakes gradually.
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the throttle gradually.
D. Downshift.
TEST YOURSELF 10
Answer - page 47
35
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the road as you can. It can be very
hard to spot a motorcycle by the
side of the road. You don’t want
someone else pulling off at the
same place you are.
t1BSLDBSFGVMMZ — Loose and sloped
shoulders can make setting the side
or center stand difficult.
CARRYING PASSENGERS
AND CARGO
The extra weight of a passenger
or cargo will affect the way your
motorcycle behaves, requiring extra
practice, preparation and caution. For
this reason, only experienced riders
should attempt to carry passengers or
large loads. Before taking a passenger
or a heavy load on the street, prepare
yourself and your motorcycle for safe
operation in traffic.
Preparing Your Motorcycle
Tire Pressure – Check the air
pressure of both tires. Refer to the
owner’s manual or the label affixed
to the motorcycle for the correct
inflation specifications. Though most
of the added weight will typically be
on the rear wheel, don’t forget to also
check the pressure on the front tire.
Correct inflation pressures will maintain
maximum stability, steering precision
and braking capability.
Suspension – With a heavy load,
the riding characteristics and balance of
the motorcycle will change. On some
motorcycles, it will be necessary to
adjust the suspension settings (spring
preload, compression/damping settings,
etc.) to compensate for the lowered rear
of the motorcycle. Refer to the owner’s
manual for adjustment procedures and
specifications.
Headlight – Prior to loading, position
the motorcycle about 10 feet from a
wall in an unlighted garage and mark
the headlight beam location on the
wall with chalk. With a full load and
passenger, recheck the headlight beam
location. Use the adjusting screws on
the headlight to lower the beam to
the same height. Check your owner’s
manual for adjustment procedure.
Equipment for
Carrying a Passenger
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attired, wearing the same level of
personal protective gear as you.
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with passenger footrests.
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seat, one large enough to hold both
you and your passenger without
crowding. You should not sit more
forward than you usually do.
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handholds for your passenger to
hold onto.
Preparing Your
Passenger to Ride
Ensure your passenger is able to reach
the passenger footrests, and is able to
hold on to your waist, hips, belt, or the
bike’s passenger handholds. Children
should be placed immediately behind
the rider. A child sitting in front of the
rider will not be able to properly balance
him/herself and may interfere with the
rider’s control of the motorcycle.
Passenger safety begins with
proper instruction. Riders should not
assume that passengers are familiar
with motorcycle handling, control, or
balance. As a routine practice, always
instruct your passenger on cycling basics
prior to starting the trip, even if your
passenger is a motorcycle rider.