RIDING WITHIN YOUR ABILITIES

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RIDING WITHIN YOUR ABILITIES










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RIDING WITHIN YOUR ABILITIES
This manual can help to educate novice and experienced riders alike about controlling motorcycle direction, speed, and balance. Professional instruction, practice, and safe responsible riding will further enhance rider safety.

Recognizing the control needed to avoid injury is critical for riders of all abilities. Control begins with knowing your abilities and riding within them and the rules of the road. BODY POSITION & POSTURE To property control the motorcycle, your body must be in the proper position. Your body should be relaxed but fairly erect. This allows you to use your arms to steer the motorcycle rather than to hold yourself up. SEAT Sit close enough to the handlebars to reach them with your arms slightly bent. Bending you arms permits you to turn the handlebars without having to stretch. HANDS Hold the handlegrips firmly to help keep your grip over rough surfaces. Start with you wrists flat. This will help keep you from accidentally using too much throttle, particularly if you need to reach for the brake suddenly. Adjust the handlebars so your hands are even with or below your elbows. KNEES Hold your knees firmly against the gas tank. This will help your balance as the motorcycle turns. FEET Keep your feet firmly on the footpegs to maintain balance. Do not drag your feet along the ground. If your foot catches on something, you could be injured and it could affect your control of the motorcycle. Keep your feet near the controls so you can use them quickly if needed. Do not point your toes downward for they may get caught between the road and the footpeg.
Holding Handlegrips







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TURNING Approach turns and curves with caution. Acquiring the skills necessary takes practice. New riders often have more difficulty negotiating turns and curves than more experienced riders. Limiting motorcycle speed will aid riders in successfully negotiating the t