Maine MOTORCYCLE DMV Practice Test 12

Oily drippings from cars and trucks collect in a strip in the center portion of a lane. This strip usually still provides enough traction for motorcyclists to operate safely, except when the road is wet. The strip is usually narrow enough that you can ride to its side and still be in the center portion of the lane.

When doing a pre-ride inspection of your motorcycle, you should check the air pressure, general wear, and tread of your tires.

You should wear appropriate protective clothing when riding. Protective garments include sturdy pants and jackets that entirely cover your arms and legs, boots or heavy shoes that cover and support your ankles, and sturdy gloves.

Riding alongside another vehicle is dangerous because you could be riding in the vehicle's blind spot. The driver may enter your lane without warning if they can't see you. The vehicle will also block your route of escape if a hazard arises.

On average, a person's body can eliminate the alcohol content of about one drink per hour. However, it is still possible for alcohol to accumulate in a person's system even if they consume only one drink per hour. This accumulation can still affect their ability to ride safely.

A windshield is not an adequate substitute for either a face shield or goggles. Most windshields will not protect your eyes from the wind.

If you over-apply your brakes, you may lose traction on one or both wheels and crash.

When riding at night, travel at a slower speed than you would during the day under similar weather and traffic conditions. It can be difficult to see potential hazards in the dark, so slowing down can increase your chances of avoiding any hazards.

Alcohol is a major contributor to motorcycle crashes, particularly fatal crashes. Studies show that nearly 40 percent of all riders killed in motorcycle accidents had been drinking.

When following a car, you should ride in a position that allows the driver to see you in their rearview mirror. Usually, that means riding in the center portion of the lane. Because most drivers check their rearview mirrors much more often than they check their side mirrors, being in this lane position increases the chance that they will see you.

Goggles and face shields will help protect your eyes from wind. Most windshields, as well as eyeglasses or sunglasses, will not.

When preparing to pass on the left, you should ride in the left portion of your lane. This lane position will increase your line of sight and make your more visible to oncoming traffic.

Because of the additional weight added by cargo or a passenger, motorcycles may take longer to accelerate and stop than they would if only transporting the operator.

You must use proper turn signals every time you turn or change lanes, even if you think your intentions are obvious. Signals are always important, even if no one else seems to be around to see them. There may be other vehicles nearby that you can't see or haven't yet noticed.

When riding, it is safest for a motorcyclist to wear a helmet, eye protection, a jacket, long pants, sturdy boots, and gloves.

To increase your chances of being seen at an intersection, use your headlight and ride in a lane position that creates the best view of oncoming traffic. Maintain a space cushion around your motorcycle that allows you to take evasive action.

Choose a helmet that meets U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) and state standards. It should fit you snugly all the way around and be free of obvious defects.

When riding, you should securely tuck in the laces of your footwear so that they will not catch on your motorcycle.

Your owner's manual should be your primary source for information about your specific motorcycle. Your manual will include information about the motorcycle's specifications, operation, and suggested maintenance.

A small technical fault can have much more serious consequences on a motorcycle than on a car. To avoid these consequences, inspect your motorcycle before every ride.

The liver burns alcohol at a set rate, and there is nothing you can do to speed along the process. The only way to lessen the effects of alcohol is to give your body the time needed to remove it.

The risk of head and neck injuries is greatly reduced by wearing a high-quality helmet. A helmet is a rider's best defense against injury in the case of an accident.

Motorcycle brake lights are more difficult to see than the brake lights of larger vehicles, so flashing your brake light may help other drivers to notice it. You should flash you brake light before slowing down where other drivers may not expect you to slow down, such as in the middle of a block or when approaching an alley.

Avoid riding directly alongside another vehicle, since this may place you in the vehicle's blind spot. If the driver can't see you, they may enter your lane without warning. Riding alongside a vehicle is also dangerous because the vehicle will block your route of escape if a hazard arises.

If you need to stop quickly, you should apply both brakes at the same time.

Instead of mechanical turn signals, operators may use hand signals to indicate turns or stops. If an operator's left arm is bent at the elbow and pointing upward, it means the operator plans to turn right or change lanes to the right.

A staggered formation is generally the best way for a group to maintain close ranks while also allowing each rider to maintain an adequate cushion of space. A single-file formation is preferable when taking curves, turning, or entering or exiting a highway.

Reflective material on a vest or on the sides of your helmet can make you more visible to other drivers and should be used both day and night.

A child passenger on a motorcycle should always ride immediately behind the operator. A child sitting in front may be unable to balance properly and could interfere with the operator's use of the controls.

Because it does not have to be digested, alcohol enters a person's bloodstream quickly and reaches the brain within minutes. It gets eliminated from the body at a relatively slow rate: about one drink per hour.

Before shifting into a lower gear, make sure you are riding slowly enough to shift safely. Downshifting while going too fast may cause the motorcycle to lurch and the rear wheel to skid. When riding downhill or shifting into first gear, you may need to use the brakes to slow to a safe speed before downshifting.

All motorcycles are slightly different, so you should check the controls and make sure you know the gear pattern before riding an unfamiliar motorcycle. Work the throttle, clutch, and brakes a few times prior to riding.

To turn, a motorcycle must lean. To make the motorcycle lean, press on the handgrip in the direction of the turn.

For your protection, you should always wear a long-sleeved jacket when riding, even in warm weather when you may not think you need a jacket. It can help protect you against the sun and dehydration in hot weather.

Before riding with a heavy load, you should make sure your tire pressure, spring pre-load, air shocks, and dampers are at the settings recommended for the relevant weight.