Oregon State Leather Contest

Transcription

[music] This is the first video in a 5-part series featuring Washington State's motorcycle skills test. This test is given to all riders applying to add a motorcycle endorsement to their driver license. Endorsements are required to legally ride in Washington State. Permits are valid for 90 days and can be renewed one time. Washington State began using the updated test in 2012. The test accurately and fairly evaluates a rider's ability, control, maneuvering and hazard avoidance skills. All necessary when riding on street. In this first video of our series we'll take a look at run number one. The cone weave and normal stop. The cone weave confirms the rider has balance, position awareness and coordination of controls while traveling at slow speeds. The basic skill needed here is the ability to blend the use of multiple controls. Smoothly coordinate the clutch and throttle using the friction zone can help control both the speed and balance of a motorcycle. This is the area where the clutch transmits partial power to the rear wheel also known as slipping the clutch. This important technique is used when riders start-off and often when maneuvering their motorcycle at slower speeds. Riders are instructed Ride to the left of the first cone To the right of the second cone and so on. Weave past all five cones without hitting or skipping a cone or putting a foot down. Common mistakes include: Skipping cones. Putting a foot down. Hitting cones. Some riders on larger bikes or sport bikes find the 12-foot weave to be a challenge. Yet as seen here even big bikes can navigate the weave with proper technique. Riders who've taken a training course are often surprised at how much they didn't really know about the dynamics of controlling a cycle. Safety courses teach maneuvering and hazard avoidance skills as well as safer street strategies. Keys to success include: Riding with proper posture. Keeping your knees in. Keeping your eyes up focused where you want to go. Don't look down at the cones or lines. Use your peripheral vision. Smoothly blending controls. Use clutch and throttle and--if necessary--some rear brake. Controlling and adjusting speed. If you go too slowly you're likely to put a foot down. Too fast and you're likely to skip or hit cones. Control your speed and you'll be able to lean the motorcycle smoothly through the weave. The weave is an on street skill typically used to change position within your lane to increase your safety margin. It can increase visibility to see and be seen. The second component of run number one is the normal stop. The normal stop confirms a rider's ability and awareness to be able to stop the motorcycle in a specific area. Riders are instructed: Ride to the stop box and make a smooth stop. That means no skidding. Complete the stop with your front tire in the box. Common mistakes include: Skidding. The front tire stopped outside of the 3-foot by 5-foot box or on a line. Oftentimes a rider will think the tire is in the box when it's actually not. Keys to success include using a smooth and controlled operation of the brakes. Knowing the position of your front tire when stopping. The ability to put your front tire where you want is an important on street skill. It's a skill that's often used at intersections especially intersections using a traffic-activated signal sensor. When riding it's safer to understand and consider the consequences of choices and actions. Knowing your limits. Riding within them. Controlling your cycle. Ride with the motto, "See and be seen." When riders can successfully navigate the cone weave and normal stop they're one step closer to accepting rider responsibility. Motorcycling demands a high level of attention. There is a lot of multi-tasking. Riders must coordinate the clutch throttle lane position brakes traffic and hazard avoidance balance shifting seeing and being seen. If you haven't already done so consider taking a rider safety course. These courses teach valuable techniques and safer street strategies. Ride safe. Ride smart. Ride sober.