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AE Pam 190-34/USAFE Pam 31-206 ● 16 Nov 10
e. Stay away from roads covered with ice or snow. When a slippery surface cannot be avoided, keep
the bike straight up and proceed as slowly as possible. If riding on a large surface so slippery that you
must coast or travel at a walking pace, consider letting your feet skim along the surface; that way, if the
bike starts to fall, you can catch yourself. When doing this, be sure to keep off the brakes. If possible,
squeeze the clutch and coast. Attempting this maneuver at anything other than the slowest speeds can be
hazardous. To ride safely on slippery surfaces—
(1) Reduce speed. Slow down before you get to a slippery surface to lessen the chances of
skidding when stopping or turning. Motorcycles need more distance to stop on a slippery surface. It is
particularly important to reduce speed before entering wet curves.
(2) Avoid sudden moves. Any sudden change in speed or direction can cause a skid. Be as
smooth as possible when speeding up, shifting gears, turning, and braking.
(3) Use both brakes. The front brake is more effective even on a slippery surface. Squeeze the
brake lever gradually to avoid locking the front wheel.
f. Usually it is safer to ride straight in the lane when crossing tracks. Turning to take tracks head-on
(at a 90-degree angle) can be more dangerous because it may carry you into another lane of traffic.
Move far enough away from tracks, ruts, or pavement seams that run parallel to your course to be able to
cross at an angle of at least 45 degrees. Then make a quick, sharp turn. Edging across could catch the
tires and throw you off balance.
g. Riding over rain grooves or bridge gratings will cause a motorcycle to feel as if it is wandering.
This wandering feeling is generally not hazardous. Relax, maintain speed, and ride straight across.
Crossing at an angle forces riders to zigzag to stay in the lane. Zigzagging is far more hazardous than the
wandering feeling.
h. When carrying a passenger or additional cargo, do not forget to adjust the tire pressure to
compensate for the additional weight. Also, do not forget that additional weight will increase the braking
distance of the motorcycle. If the motorcycle is equipped with adjustable suspension, make sure to
adjust the suspension to compensate for the additional weight. Avoid speeding up rapidly in a low gear
or “popping” the clutch when transporting a passenger or cargo or you might lose the passenger or extra
cargo.
i. When driving on the autobahn at high speeds or when overtaking a truck pulling a trailer, be alert
for strong side winds that could make you sway sideways when you come out of the windbreak. When it
is raining, your vision will be obscured by rain and spray, and your goggles or helmet visor could steam
up. Under these conditions, reduce speed and drive carefully.
j. To make a left turn when driving on a two-way road, position yourself to the center of the lane on
which you are traveling and make the left turn.
k. At night it is harder for motorcyclists to see and be seen. Picking a motorcycle’s headlight or
taillight out of the car lights around it is not easy for other drivers. To compensate, motorcyclists
should—
(1) Reduce speed. Ride more slowly than you would during the day, particularly on roads you do
not know well. This will increase the chances of avoiding a hazard.