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Index - Page 1 - Page 2 - Page 3 - Page 4
To start Element C you will learn and practice
the following
MOVING OFF AND STOPPING
UNDER POWER
Moving off
To move off you will
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Sit astride your machine |
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Apply the front brake and then
start the engine |
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Squeeze in the clutch lever.
Use all your fingers to get full control |
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Select first gear. Keep the
clutch lever held in |
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Put your left foot on the ground
and shift the weight of the machine to that foot. Put your
right foot on the footrest and then apply the rear brake |
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| You can now release
the front brake and work the throttle. |
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Release the clutch lever smoothly,
until you feel the engine trying to move the machine. This
is called the 'biting point'. Open the throttle enough to
keep the engine running smoothly |
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| You're now ready to
move off. |
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Gradually release the clutch
lever and at the same time open the throttle smoothly. As
you move off release the rear brake and bring your left
foot up onto the footrest |
Clutch control
Smooth clutch control is essential to good riding.
It's also one of the most difficult skills for the beginner to
acquire.
You must be able to find the biting point easily
when releasing the clutch lever. This skill will develop with
practice.
Balance
When you're maneuvering a motorcycle the weight
may make it awkward to handle. When you're riding, however, you
should find the weight improves the stability and balance.
Never look down at the front wheel when riding
- this can severely upset your balance.
Stopping
To stop, the following sequence will apply to most
motorcycles
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Close the throttle |
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Apply both brakes smoothly until
the machine stops |
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Just before the motorcycle stops
pull in the clutch lever to avoid stalling the engine |
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As the machine stops put your
left foot on the ground to support the weight |
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| When the machine has
stopped |
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Keep the front brake applied |
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Release the rear brake and support
the motorcycle with your right foot |
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| With the clutch lever
still pulled in |
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Use your left foot to move the
gear selector to neutral |
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Release the clutch lever |
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Place both feet on the ground |
Disengaging the clutch
When stopping from very low speeds pull in the
clutch lever just before or just as you brake.
When stopping from higher road speeds always brake
first, then pull in the clutch lever just before you stop.
Top
You will now spend some time practising riding
in straight lines, circles, ovals and figures of eight.
SLOW RIDING PRACTICE
At about this point during your CBT you'll be
shown how to ride slowly while keeping your balance and not
stalling your machine. This is an exercise you'll have to do
in your practical test. It's also one of the most difficult
things to do on a bike.
You will be shown how to travel in first gear,
at walking pace, using a combination of clutch, brake and throttle.
Top
GEAR CHANGING PRACTICE
To change up or down through the gears you need
to be able to co-ordinate the
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Clutch |
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Throttle |
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Gear selector |
Changing up
Change gear when you've reached the appropriate
speed for the next gear.
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Simultaneously close the throttle
and pull in the clutch lever |
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Select the next higher gear
by lifting the gear selector with the toe of your boot.
Allow the selector to return to its normal position after
each gear change |
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Release the clutch lever smoothly
and open the throttle at the same time |
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Repeat the sequence for each
upward gear change |
Always travel in the highest suitable gear. You'll
save fuel and spare your engine.
Changing down
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Simultaneously close the throttle
and pull in the clutch lever |
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Select the next lower gear by
pushing down the gear selector with the toe of your boot.
Allow the selector to return to its normal position after
each gear change |
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At the same time, release the
clutch lever smoothly and open the throttle as necessary |
When to change
Experience will tell you when to change gear. You'll
be able to hear from the engine sound when a gear change is needed.
Never let the engine
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Race when you could change to a higher
gear |
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Labour when you could change to a lower
gear |
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