gems from CA mc handbook '05

I was at a DMV office today, and picked up the most current motorcycle
handbook that they offered, the 2005 version. It's got a Harley dresser
on the cover, I'm surprised it's not Arnold.

Page 1 definition of motorcycles: "Exception: A motorcycle with a
two-wheeled sidecar weighing less than 1,500 pounds is also a
motorcycle." Page 4 states that you can operate a motorcycle with a
sidecar if you possess only a class C license. Hmmm, class C required
to operate a motorcycle with a single-wheel sidecar, but class M1
required for a two-wheel sidecar? I don't think I've ever seen a
two-wheeled sidecar. Arnold knows this section by heart.

Page 6 spends a few paragraphs comparing beanie helmets to real ones. I
would add a note "if your helmet comes with the DOT sticker in a bag
instead of being attached, it's not a real helmet."

Page 8 says you're not street-legal unless you have a horn and two
mirrors. Dang, my old BritBikes with only a left mirror aren't legal?
Good thing we don't have vehicle inspections.

Page 11 under Shifting Gears says "remain in first gear while stopped so
you can move out quickly if needed." I do that only when I'm at the
front of the line.

Page 14 under Passing says "ride through the driver's blind spot as
quickly as possible." I'm down with that!!

Page 15 under Lane Sharing says "Lane sharing is NOT safe" and
"discourage lane sharing by others." They suggest riding in the center
of the lane to take up as much room as possible, leaving little for
others.

Page 20 under Headlight says "using your high beam during the day and at
night increases the chances that oncoming drivers will see you. Use
your high beam when it is is legal and safe to do so." Instead, I've
been looking at adding lights to make my bike visually wider.

Page 22 under Horn says "it is a good idea to give a quick beep before
passing anyone that may move into your lane." I'd sure be doing a lot
of beeping if I followed this advice. Kinda like driving in India.
Someday I gotta post some video I shot while in Chennai. Riding in the
taxi from the airport to the hotel changed my mind about renting a bike
there.

It also says "in an emergency press the horn button loud and long."
Every time I've been in an emergency, I was focused so much on avoiding
crashing that I couldn't get around to the horn. I want a voice
activated horn so that when I yell "Noooooo!!" the horn goes off.

Ken

 

When I'm not at the front of the line, I point my bike at the slot on
one side between the car ahead of me and the one next to it. I also keep
an eye on the rearview mirror. I'm just as vulnerable to getting
rear-ended at the back of the line as at the front.

But it didn't say it's illegal...

Both are a good idea.

Another part of the DMV handbook probably contradicts that, saying that
one should honk only in an emergency.

That's good!

 

The following is from a janitor friend (Traffic Copper).

I reccommend running your high beams at all times
during the day. Rude or not, it definetly increases
your visibility to oncoming traffic and may avoid the
dreaded left turn in front of you.

As for night time, 24409 VC says you must dim your
lights for approaching/oncoming drivers within 500
feet. Same goes for coming up behind drivers and
reducing to low beams when you are within 300 feet
behind them.

24409. Whenever a motor vehicle is being operated
during darkness, the driver shall use a distribution
of light, or composite beam, directed high enough and
of sufficient intensity to reveal persons and vehicles
at a safe distance in advance of the vehicle, subject
to the following requirements and limitations:
(a) Whenever the driver of a vehicle approaches an
oncoming vehicle within 500 feet, he shall use a
distribution of light or composite beam so aimed that
the glaring rays are not projected into the eyes of
the oncoming driver.
The lowermost distribution of light specified in
this article shall be deemed to avoid glare at all
times regardless of road contour.
(b) Whenever the driver of a vehicle follows
another vehicle within 300 feet to the rear, he shall
use the lowermost distribution of light specified in
this article.

 

I'd rather filter between vehicles at a light than be in an open lane by
myself.

 

When I get a ticket I'll quit.
I'm sick of inadequate headlights on my bike, and since the manual sez I
can do it, I will ride all night with my highbeams on.

Can't be any worse than those goddam legal blue things cars and trucks
are sporting these days! Talk about blinding!

--
--
Barb
Chaplain, ARSCC



"Comparing Scientology to a motorcycle gang is a gross, unpardonable
insult to bikers everywhere. Even at our worst, we are never as bad as
Scientology."
-ex-member, Thunderclouds motorcycle "club"

 

Look, luv switch from carbide to electricity then.

I hate the frogs and their yellow lights more. I had super whites on the
SV and they rocked.

 

I had a 1989 Virago that was particularly bad in that respect. I was
returning from a visit to friends in Torrance one evening and was just
praying that any obstacles I might encounter on the 5 would carry their
own illumination. (Luckily, that prayer WAS answered). I mentioned the
problem to my mechanic, who found a higher wattage bulb that would fit
the socket. Problem solved.

Rich, Urban Biker