A motorcycle has two small contact patches with the road, so surface conditions matter much more than they do in a car. State motorcycle manuals spend a full section on them, and the knowledge test draws heavily on it.
Surfaces with poor traction
Manuals list these as the main hazards:
- Wet pavement, especially just after rain starts, before oil washes to the side of the road.
- Gravel, and sand or gravel collected at the road's edge, on curves and on ramps.
- Mud, leaves, snow and ice. Wet leaves are as slippery as wet pavement.
- Painted lane markings, steel plates, brick crosswalks and manhole covers, especially when wet.
Related: What to Expect on the Motorcycle Permit Knowledge Test
How to ride on them
- Slow down before you reach the slippery surface, not on it. Wet curves especially call for reduced speed.
- Avoid sudden moves. Any sudden change in speed or direction can cause a skid.
- Use both brakes gently. The front brake still works on slippery surfaces; squeeze it gradually.
- Pick the best part of the lane. When rain begins, the center of the lane holds the most oil. Riding in a car's tire tracks is often better, frequently the left track.
- Watch for ice in shaded and low areas, and on bridges and overpasses, where ice patches tend to form.
Tracks, seams and gratings
- Railroad tracks crossing your lane: it's usually safer to ride straight across within your lane than to swing into another lane to hit them at 90 degrees.
- Tracks or seams running alongside you: move far enough away to cross at an angle of at least 45 degrees, then make a quick, sharp turn. Edging across can catch your tire.
- Rain grooves and bridge gratings can make the motorcycle feel like it's wandering. That's generally not hazardous: relax, keep a steady speed and ride straight across.
Riding at night
At night it's harder to see and harder to be seen, and other drivers struggle to pick out a single headlight among other lights. Manuals recommend:
- Reduce your speed, especially on unfamiliar roads.
- Increase your following distance to three seconds or more. Distances are harder to judge in the dark.
- Use the vehicle ahead. Its headlights show you more of the road, and bouncing taillights warn of bumps.
- Use your high beam whenever you're not following or approaching another vehicle.
- Wear reflective clothing.
On the test
The questions are usually about choices: where in the lane to ride when it starts raining, how to cross a parallel seam, what to do on a bridge grating. The consistent theme is to slow down early, make smooth inputs and choose the path with the most traction.