GETTING STARTED
Mounting the Motorcycle
Good posture helps you maneuver the motorcycle more easily. Keep your back straight, and head and eyes up. Keep both feet on the footrests near the controls.
Keep the knees and elbows comfortably in. Arms should be relaxed and bent. The wrist should be positioned flat on the throttle. Keep all four fingers around the throttle until there is a need to apply the brake for stopping or slowing.
Once you have mounted the motorcycle, complete the following checks before starting out:
Clutch and Throttle — Make sure they work smoothly. The throttle should snap back when you let go. The clutch should feel tight and smooth. The friction zone is that area in the travel of the clutch lever that begins where the clutch starts to transmit power to the rear wheel and ends just before the clutch becomes fully engaged. It is a region of partial engagement in which the clutch “slips” to permit you to precisely control engine power to the rear wheel. Proper use of the friction zone is one of the most important skills you must develop as it is how motorcyclists get moving smoothly from a stop.
Mirrors — clean and adjust both mirrors before starting. It’s difficult to ride with one hand while you try to adjust a mirror. Adjust each mirror so you can see the lane behind and as much as possible of the lane next to you. When properly adjusted, a mirror may show the edge of your arm or shoulder—but it’s the road behind and to the side that’s most important.
Brakes — Try the front and rear brake levers one at a time. Make sure each one feels firm and holds the motorcycle when the brake is fully applied.
Horn — Try the horn. Make sure it works.
KNOW YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES
“Accident” implies an unforeseen event that occurs without anyone’s fault or negligence. Most often in traffic, that is not the case. In fact, most people involved in a crash can usually claim some responsibility for what takes place.
Consider a situation where someone decides to try to squeeze through an intersection on a yellow light turning red. Your light turns green. You pull into the intersection without checking for possible latecomers. That is all it takes for the two of you to tangle. It was the driver’s responsibility to stop. And it was your responsibility to look before pulling out. Neither of you held up your end of the deal. Just because someone else is the first to start the chain of events leading to a crash, it doesn’t leave any of us free of responsibility.
As a rider you can’t be sure that other operators will see you or yield the right of way. To lessen your chances of a crash occurring:
Be visible — wear proper clothing, use your headlight, ride in the best lane position to see and be seen.
Communicate your intentions — use the proper signals, brake light and lane position.
Maintain an adequate space cushion — following, being followed, lane sharing, passing and being passed.
Scan your path of travel 12-15 seconds ahead.
Identify and separate multiple hazards.
Be prepared to act — remain alert and know how to carry out proper crash avoidance skills (Brake, swerve, brake and swerve).
Blame doesn’t matter when someone is injured in a crash. There is rarely a single cause of any crash. The ability to ride aware, make critical decisions and carry them out separates responsible riders from all the rest. Remember, it is up to you to keep from being the cause of, or an unprepared participant in, any crash.
RIDE WITHIN YOUR ABILITIES
This course does not teach you how to control direction, speed and balance. That is something you can learn only through practice. But control of a motorcycle begins with knowing your abilities and riding within them, along with knowing and observing the rule of the road.
When shifting gears make sure you are riding slowly enough when you shift into a lower gear. If not, the motorcycle will lurch, and the rear wheel may skid. When riding downhill or shifting into first gear you may need to use the brakes to slow enough before downshifting safely. Work toward a smooth, even clutch release, especially when downshifting.
It is best to change gears before entering a turn. However, sometimes shifting while in the turn is necessary. If so, remember to do so smoothly. A sudden change in power to the rear wheel can cause a skid.
BRAKING
Your motorcycle has two brakes: one each for the front and rear wheel. Use both of them at the same time. The front brake is more powerful and can provide at least three¬ quarters of your total stopping power. The front brake is safe to use if you use it properly.
Remember: Use both brakes every time you slow or stop. Using both brakes for even “normal” stops will permit you to develop the proper habit or skill of using both brakes properly in an emergency. Squeeze the front brake and press down on the rear. Grabbing at the front brake or jamming down on the rear can cause the brakes to lock, resulting in control problems.
If you know the technique, using both brakes in a turn is possible, although it should be done very carefully. When leaning the motorcycle some of the traction is used for cornering. Less traction is available for stopping. A skid can occur if you apply too much brake. Also, using the front brake incorrectly on a slippery surface may be hazardous. Use caution and squeeze the brake lever, never grab.
Some motorcycles have integrated braking systems that activate the front and rear brakes together when applying the rear brake pedal. (Consult the owner’s manual for a detailed explanation on the operation and effective use of these systems.)
To stop, the hands and feet work together in a coordinated and smooth fashion Squeeze the clutch and the front brake lever while pressing on the rear brake pedal and downshifting to first gear. The front brake provides 70% or more of the stopping power for your motorcycle.
Rear Brake only
Front Brake only
Both Brakes
Both brakes should be applied at the same time when stopping. Even though the full braking potential of each wheel may not be required for normal, planned stops, it is important to develop the habit of using both brakes so that your reflexes will be ready to respond quickly and properly when an emergency situation occurs.
Be sure to develop your braking skills gradually. Learn to make smooth, controlled stops before practicing quick stops. It is important to have a good sense of touch when using the front brake lever and rear brake pedal. Too much pressure too quickly could cause a skid and loss of control.
TURNING
There are four basic steps to turning a motorcycle: slow, look, press, and roll.
Slow: Reduce speed before a turn as needed by rolling off the throttle and applying both brakes; downshift if necessary.
Look: Turn your head to look where you want the motorcycle to go. Keep your eyes up, looking as far as possible through and beyond a turn, and keep your eyes level with the horizon. This helps you maintain a smooth path of travel.
Press: To initiate motorcycle lean, press forward on the handgrip in the direction of the turn. This is called counter-steering. Press left, lean left, go left. Press right, lean right, go right.
Roll: Roll on the throttle throughout the turn. (Be sure to slow enough before the turn so this can be accomplished.) Maintaining or slightly increasing speed will stabilize the suspension and improve overall control. Avoid deceleration or rapid acceleration while in a turn.
In most situations, you and the motorcycle should lean together.
In slow, tight turns like a U-turn in a parking lot, use a counterweight technique by leaning your upper body toward the outside of the turn. Turn your head and look where you want to go. Turn the handlebars more in the direction you want to go for tighter turns.
Riders often try to take curves or turns too fast. When they can’t hold the turn, they end up crossing into another lane of traffic or going of the road. Or, they overreact and brake too hard, causing a skid and loss of control. Approach turns and curves with caution.
LANE POSITIONING AND RIGHT OF WAY
In Thailand the traffic regulations that apply to four wheel vehicles generally apply to motorcycles. However, there are regulations that require restricted curb lane travel for motorcycles and there are roads that exclude motorcycle traffic. (Suggestions have been made to abandon these regulations due to the increased risk they cause.) It is believed that requiring motorcycles to travel in the curb lane exposes them to more cross traffic of other vehicles entering and exiting driveways and soi’s. Curb lane travel also exposes motorcycles to more risk of vehicles pulling out of parking spaces and the proximity to parked cars means more view obstruction related problems. In Bangkok motorcyclists travel in all lanes and even between lanes due to heavy traffic congestion.
In up-country areas riding in the curb lane is also problematic due to the tendency for other motorcyclists to ride counter to the traffic pattern while taking ‘short-cuts’. This practice leads to high risk of head on collisions. Large commercial trucks are often parked or abandoned at the roadside at night with no warning lights or reflectors creating a very high risk for riders in the curb lane.
In general, there is no single best position for riders to be seen and to maintain a space cushion around the motorcycle. No portion of the lane need be avoided — including the center. Since a motorcycle will generally be riding at a lower speed than passenger cars the cyclist should remain as far as possible to the left. Position yourself in the portion of the lane where you are most likely to be seen and you can maintain a space cushion around you. Change position as traffic situations change.
The oily strip in the center portion that collects drippings from cars is usually no more than one meter wide. Unless the road is wet, the average center strip permits adequate traction to ride on safely. You can operate to the left or right of the grease strip and still be within the center portion of the traffic lane. Avoid riding on big buildups of oil and grease usually found at busy intersections.
RIGHT OF WAY
The general rule of ‘right of way’ in Thailand is that the largest vehicle assumes the right of way. Regardless of the traffic regulations the smart motorcyclist will always assume that the larger vehicle will take the right of way, unless the driver of that vehicle specifically and obviously yields the right of way to the motorcyclist. In order to reduce your risk you should always yield the right of way to the other vehicle and never assume the other vehicle will yield to you.
FOLLOWING ANOTHER VEHICLE
“Following too closely” is a major factor in crashes involving motorcyclists. In traffic, motorcycles need as much distance to stop as cars. Some authorities suggest that a two second distance is sufficient, but due to the complexity of the traffic situation in Thailand we recommend a minimum of four seconds distance should be maintained behind the vehicle ahead.
| <------------------------- 4 seconds -----------------------------------> |
To gauge your following distance:
Pick out a marker, such as a pavement marking or lamppost, on or near the road ahead. When the rear bumper of the vehicle ahead passes the marker, count off the seconds: “one¬ thousand¬ one, one ¬thousand¬ two…...” If you reach the marker before you reach “four,” you are following too closely.
A four second following distance leaves a minimum amount of space to stop or swerve if the driver ahead stops suddenly. It also permits a better view of potholes and other hazards in the road. A larger cushion of space is needed if your motorcycle will take longer than normal to stop. If the pavement is slippery, if you cannot see through the vehicle ahead, or if traffic is heavy and someone may squeeze in front of you, open up a five second or more following distance.
Keep well behind the vehicle ahead even when you are stopped. This will make it easier to get out of the way if someone bears down on you from behind. It will also give you a cushion of space if the vehicle ahead starts to back up for some reason.
FOLLOWING
When behind a car, ride where the driver can see you in the rearview mirror. Riding in the center portion of the lane should put your image in the middle of the rearview mirror — where a driver is most likely to see you.
Riding at the far side of a lane may permit a driver to see you in a side view mirror. But remember that most drivers don’t look at their side view mirrors nearly as often as they check the rearview mirror.
If the traffic situation allows, the center portion of the lane is usually the best place for you to be seen by the drivers ahead and to prevent lane sharing by others.
BEING FOLLOWED 
Speeding up to lose someone following too closely, only ends up with someone tailgating you at a higher speed. A better way to handle tailgaters is to get them in front of you. When someone is following too closely, change lanes and let them pass. If you can’t do this, slow down and open up extra space ahead of you to allow room for both you and the tailgater to stop. This will also encourage them to pass. If they don’t pass, you will have given yourself and the tailgater more time and space to react in case an emergency does develop ahead. In any case make sure you can see any vehicle behind you in your rear view mirror.
PASSING AND BEING PASSED
Passing and being passed by another vehicle is not much different than with a car. However, visibility is more critical. Be sure other drivers see you, and that you see potential hazards.
PASSING
- Ride in the right portion of the lane at a safe following distance to increase your line of sight and make you more visible. Signal and check for oncoming traffic. Use your mirrors and turn your head to look for traffic behind.
- When safe, move into the right lane and accelerate. Select a lane position that doesn’t crowd the car you are passing and pro¬vides space to avoid hazards in your lane.
- Ride through the blind spot as quickly as possible.
- Signal again, and complete mirror and head checks before returning to your original lane and then cancel the signal.
- Remember, passes must be completed within posted speed limits, and only where permitted. Know your signs and road markings!
BEING PASSED
When you are being passed from behind or by an oncoming vehicle, stay in the left portion of your lane. Riding any closer to them could put you in a hazardous situation. Avoid being hit by:
- The other vehicle — a slight mistake by you or the passing driver could cause a sideswipe.
- Extended mirrors — some drivers forget that their mirrors hang out farther than their fenders.
- Objects thrown from windows -- even if the driver knows you’re there, a passenger may not see you and might toss something on you or the road ahead of you.
- Blasts of wind from larger vehicles — can affect your control. You have more room for error if you are in the middle portion when hit by this blast than if you are on either side of the lane.
- Do not move into the portion of the lane farthest from the passing vehicle. It might invite the other driver to cut back into your lane too early.
LANE SHARING
Cars and motorcycles need a full lane to operate safely. Lane sharing is usually prohibited. Riding between rows of stopped or moving cars in the same lane can leave you vulnerable to the unexpected. A hand could come out of a window; a door could open; a car could turn suddenly. Discourage lane sharing by others. Keep a center portion position whenever drivers might be tempted to squeeze by you. Drivers are most tempted to do this:
- In heavy, bumper ¬to¬ bumper traffic.
- When they want to pass you.
- When you are preparing to turn at an intersection.
- When you are moving into an exit lane or leaving a highway.
MERGING CARS
Drivers on an entrance ramp may not see you on the highway. Give them plenty of room. Change to another lane if one is open. If there is no room for a lane change, adjust speed to open up space for the merging driver.
CARS ALONGSIDE
Do not ride next to cars or trucks in other lanes if you do not have to. You might be in the blind spot of a car in the next lane, which could switch into your lane without warning. Cars in the next lane also block your escape if you come upon danger in your own lane. Speed up or drop back to find a place clear of traffic on both sides.