Idaho MOTORCYCLE DMV Practice Test 10

Maintaining a space cushion helps to ensure that you will have enough time to react to the movements of others and enough room to maneuver safely.

The key to making an evasive maneuver is to get your motorcycle to quickly lean in the direction you wish to turn. The sharper the turn, the more it must lean.

When being passed on your left, you should ride in the center portion of your lane. Riding in the right portion of the lane can be dangerous as it may tempt the passing driver to re-enter your lane too quickly.

Before beginning your ride, tell your passenger to maintain a firm grasp on your hips, waist, or belt. If there are secure handholds for your passenger, they may also hold those.

When riding a motorcycle, it is highly recommended that you wear protective apparel. Look for a jacket that completely covers your arms and fits snugly but still allows you to move freely. Leather or sturdy synthetic materials with integrated body armor offer the best protection.

Following too closely, or "tailgating," can be a major factor in collisions caused by motorcycles. When riding behind another vehicle, maintain a safe following distance.

When passing a row of parked vehicles to your right, you may ride in the left portion of your lane. This way, you can more easily avoid opening doors, drivers getting out of vehicles, or people stepping out from between vehicles. Only ride in the left portion of the lane if there is no oncoming traffic.

Position yourself in the portion of the lane where you are most likely to be seen by other road users and where you can maintain a space cushion around your motorcycle. There is no single lane position that is always best and no single lane position that should always be avoided. A responsible rider adjusts their position as conditions change.

To determine upcoming road conditions when riding at night, use the vehicle ahead of you. For example, the headlights of the vehicle may provide a better view of the road than your own high beam. If the vehicle's taillights bounce up and down, this indicates the presence of bumps on the road.

The mirrors of motorcycles have blind spots, just like those of cars. Always turn your head to check your blind spot before changing lanes.

Passing must be completed within posted speed limits. Only pass another vehicle where it is safe and legal to do so.

Check your clutch and throttle before riding your motorcycle. The throttle should snap back when you let go and the clutch should feel tight and smooth.

Exposure to engine and wind noise can damage your hearing, even if you are wearing a helmet. Wearing hearing protection while riding is always a good idea.

A flashing red traffic light means the same thing as a stop sign. You must come to a complete stop, yield to all crossing traffic and pedestrians, and proceed when it is safe to do so.

For riding, choose footwear that is sturdy and high enough to cover and support your ankles. Soles should be made of hard, durable, slip-resistant material.

A head or neck injury is always a risk when riding a motorcycle, regardless of your speed of travel. With few exceptions, the risk of head and neck injuries is greatly reduced by properly wearing a quality helmet.

Anticipate potential problems that can be created by factors on the roadway. Make a plan to reduce their risks.

The greatest potential for conflict between you and other traffic exists at intersections.

The three major factors that can affect a person's blood alcohol content (BAC) are the amount of alcohol they have consumed, how quickly they consumed it, and the drinker's body weight.

The front brake of a motorcycle is more powerful that the rear brake and can provide at least 70 percent of the bike's total stopping power.

The skills a person needs to ride safely decrease as the amount of alcohol consumed increases. If you have consumed alcohol in any amount, it is safest not to ride your motorcycle.

There is no single lane position that is always best and no single lane position that should always be avoided. Adjust your lane position as circumstances warrant.

Keep your feet firmly on the footrests for balance. The motorcycle should be equipped with passenger footrests. Firm footing prevents your passenger from falling off and pulling you off, too.

All curves are different. When taking a curve, choose a lane position that is appropriate for conditions and adjust as needed.

To swerve away from a hazard, apply a small amount of pressure to the handgrip located on the side of your intended escape.