This public document was published published at a total cost of $9,973.25. ThirtyThirtyve thousand (35,000) copies were published in this third printing at a cost of $9,973.25. The total cost of all printings of this document, in cluding reprints, is $51,548.66. This document was published for the Louisiana Department of Public Safety and Corrections by Associated Printing Professionals, 2041 East Texas Street, Bossier City, LA 71111, to provide the state’s motorcyclists the knowledge to operate motorcyles in a safe and skillful manner. This material was printed in accordance with the standards for printing by state agencies established pursuant to R.S. 43:31. Printing of this material was purchased in accordance with the provisions of Title 43 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes.
President, Motorcycle Safety Foundation
ELEVENTH EDITION, SEPTEMBER 2007
PREPARING TO RIDE
WEAR THE RIGHT GEAR ……………………… Hel Helmet Us Usee……. …….……… ……………… ……………… ……………… ……… He Helm lmet et Sele Select ctio ion… n……… ………… ………… ………… ………… ……...... Eye and Face Face Protec Protectio tion…… n…………… ……………… ………....
Clothi Clo thing… ng………… ……………… ……………… ……………… ……………. ……... 6 KNOW YOUR MOTORCYCLE …..…………… 6 The Right Right Motorc Motorcycl yclee For You ……………. ……………. 6
CARRYING PASSENGERS
7 7 8 KNOW YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES……………….. 9
AND CARGO…… ………… ………… ………… ………… ………. ….…… ……… …
Equ Equip ipm ment ent…… ………… ………… ………… ……… ………… …………. …... Ins nsttru ruccting ting Pa Pass ssen enge gers rs… ………… ……………… ………… Riding with Passengers…………………… Carryi Car rying ng Loads… Loads………… ……………… ……………… …………. ….
32 32 33 33 33
RIDE WITHIN YOUR ABILITIES
GROUP RIDING ……………………...…………
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Borrowing Borrow ing and Lendin Lending…… g…………… ……………… ………... ... Get Get Fa Fam milia iliarr with with the Mo Mottorc orcycl ycle Cont Contrrol olss… Che Check Yo Your ur Moto Motorrcy cycl cle… e……… ……… ………… ………….. …..
BASIC VEHICLE CONTROL…...………………..
Bod Body Po Possitio ition. n.… ………… ……………… ……………… ……………. …….. Shif Sh ifti ting ng Ge Gear arss……… ……………… ……………… ……………… ………… Braking……… Braki ng…………………… ………………………… ………………….. ……....
10 10 10 11
Turning………………………………………..
11
BEING IN SHAPE TO RIDE
12
WHY INFORMATION IS IMPORTANT……
KEEPING YOUR DISTANCE ……..……………
Keep the Group Small…………………….. Kee Keep the Grou Groupp Tog Toget ethher er… ………… …………. …..… .… Kee Keep You Your Dist Distan ancce……… e…………… ……… ………… ……….
34 34 34
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ALCOHOL AND OTHER DRUGS IN
Lane Positions………………………………... Positions………………………… ……... Following Another Vehicle…………………. Being Bei ng Follow Followed… ed………… ……………… ……………… ……………. ……. Pass Passin ingg and and Bein Beingg Pass Passed ed…… ………… ………… ………. …...
12 13 14 15
36 ALCOHOL IN THE BODY…… ………… ……....…… ………… …… 37 Bloo Bloodd Alco Alcoho holl Conc Concen entr trat atio ion… n……… ………… …… 37 MOTORCYCLE OPERATION ……………...…...
Lane Sharing…………………………………. Sharing…………………………………. Merging Cars………………….……………… Cars………………….……………… Cars Alongside………………………………. Alongside……………………………….
OPERATION OF MOTORCYCLES AND MOTOR-DRIVEN POWER CYCLES IN LOUISIANA
Def Definit initio ionns… s…… …………… ……………… ……… ………… …………. Mand Mandat ator oryy Requ Requir irem emen ents ts fo for r
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Lou Louisi isiana ana Motor otorcy cycl cliist sts… s…… ………… ……………. ……. Lamps and Other Lightin Equi Equipm pmen ent… t…… ……… ……… ………… ……………… ……………. …….. Othe Otherr Equ Equipm ipment ent………… ……………… ………… ……… …….. ….. Moto Motorc rcyc ycle les, s, Moto Motorb rbik ikes es,, and and Motor Scooters……………………………. Test Testss for Su Susspect pected ed Drun Drunke kenn Dri Driver vers……… s………… ………… ………………… ………… A FEW MORE SUGGECTIONS ………………
42 44 45 45 46 46 47
Louisiana has a mandatory helmet law. When you ride, your gear is “right” ifcrash, it protects you. In anybetter crash,chance you have you have a far of a far better chance of avoiding serious injury if you wear: • •