4.2 Riding Posture and the Pre-Trip Check
Key Takeaways
- Correct riding posture keeps a relaxed grip on the bars, knees gripping the tank, feet on the footrests, and eyes up looking well ahead
- ICBC recommends a pre-ride check covering tires and wheels, controls, lights and electrics, oil and fuel, chassis, and stands — often remembered as the T-CLOCS pattern
- Tire pressure should match the manufacturer's specification and tread must meet legal depth; inspect for cuts, embedded objects, and uneven wear before every ride
- Brake operation should be tested by squeezing the front lever and pressing the rear pedal — each should feel firm and stop the wheel; sponginess signals air in the line or low fluid
- All lights, turn signals, and the horn must work before you ride — a non-functioning light is both illegal and a visibility hazard
Correct Riding Posture
How you sit on the motorcycle directly affects your control, your fatigue, and your ability to react. ICBC's Learn to Ride Smart emphasizes a posture that is relaxed but stable:
- Relaxed grip — Hold the grips firmly enough to steer but without white-knuckling. A tight grip transmits bumps to your arms and makes smooth inputs harder.
- Knees against the tank — Grip the tank with your knees. This anchors your body so you do not slide forward under braking and keeps your weight off your wrists.
- Feet on the footrests — Keep the balls of your feet on the pegs, not the arches. This keeps your toes clear of the road and lets you use the gearshift and rear brake quickly.
- Eyes up — Look well ahead, at least 12 seconds up the road, not down at the front wheel or the instruments. Where you look is where you go.
- Elbows relaxed and slightly bent — Bent elbows act as suspension for your upper body and let the bike move under you.
- Back upright — A neutral spine reduces fatigue on longer rides.
If you find yourself gripping the tank harder in a corner or under braking, that is correct — your knees, not your hands, should hold you on the bike.
Why Posture Matters for the Exam
The knowledge test can ask which body part should grip the motorcycle, where your eyes should be aimed, and how a tense grip affects control. The consistent answer: knees grip the tank, eyes look ahead, hands stay relaxed.
The Pre-Trip (Pre-Ride) Check
ICBC expects you to inspect the motorcycle before every ride. Learn to Ride Smart lists the pre-trip check in eight groups — tires, wheels, drive system, electrical, fluids, clutch and throttle, mirrors, and brakes — and adds a separate pre-trip planning check (route, weather, fuel range, and whether you and your gear are ready for the conditions) plus a periodic inspection at longer intervals.
A convenient way to remember ICBC's list in a fixed order is T-CLOCS, the Motorcycle Safety Foundation mnemonic. The letters cover the same ground as ICBC's eight groups:
| Letter | Item | What to Check |
|---|---|---|
| T | Tires and wheels | Correct pressure, adequate tread depth, no cuts or embedded objects, wheels true, no missing spokes or cracks |
| C | Controls | Cables move freely and are not frayed, levers and pedals return smoothly, throttle snaps closed |
| L | Lights and electrics | Headlight (high and low), brake light (front and rear lever), turn signals both sides, horn, instrument lights |
| O | Oil and fuel | Engine oil level in the sight glass or dipstick, no leaks under the bike, enough fuel for the trip |
| C | Chassis | Frame visible, chain adjusted and lubricated, suspension moves freely, no loose fasteners |
| S | Stands | Side stand and centre stand return fully to the up position and are not cracked or bent |
Tires in Detail
- Pressure — Check cold with a gauge against the manufacturer's spec (printed on a sticker or in the manual). Under-inflation causes poor handling and heat build-up; over-inflation reduces grip.
- Tread depth — B.C. law requires at least the minimum tread depth across the full contact patch; most riders replace well before that for wet-weather grip. Look for wear bars built into the tread.
- Damage — Cuts, bulges, or embedded nails mean the tire is unsafe. A bulge in the sidewall means the internal structure is damaged — do not ride on it.
Controls and Brakes
- Cables — Squeeze the clutch and front brake levers through their full travel. They should feel firm and return smoothly. A spongy brake lever signals air in the hydraulic line or low fluid.
- Throttle — Roll the throttle open and let go; it should snap back to closed. If it sticks, clean or lubricate the cable before riding.
- Brake light — Have a helper watch, or check against a wall, that the brake light comes on with both the front lever and the rear pedal.
Lights, Signals, and Horn
A pre-ride light check takes under a minute: turn the ignition on, switch the headlight between high and low, activate each turn-signal left and right, and tap the horn. A single failed signal is both a traffic-safety hazard and a violation that a police officer can stop you for.
Oil, Fuel, and Fluids
- Engine oil — Check the sight glass or dipstick with the bike level. Low oil can destroy an engine in minutes.
- Fuel — Start every trip with enough fuel for the distance planned; running out on a motorcycle is far more dangerous than in a car.
- Coolant (liquid-cooled bikes) — Check the reservoir level if your bike has one.
- Brake and clutch fluid — Hydraulic reservoirs should sit between the MIN and MAX marks.
Chassis and Stands
Lift the wheel off the ground (on a stand) and spin it — listen for noise and look for wobble. Check that the chain has about 20–30 mm of slack at its tightest point (consult your manual for the exact spec) and is lubricated. Confirm the side stand returns fully up and that the engine cut-off interlock works.
Making the Check a Habit
ICBC's message is that a pre-ride check should be automatic, not occasional. Riders who skip it are the ones who discover a flat tire or a failed brake light in traffic. Run through the same list in the same order every time before you roll off — and pair it with the pre-trip planning check: know your route, check the forecast, confirm you have the fuel range, and be honest about whether you and your gear suit the conditions.
When you are riding, what should keep your body in place on the motorcycle so your hands stay light on the grips?
During the pre-ride brake check, the front brake lever feels soft and travels almost to the grip before the brake engages. What is the most likely cause and what should you do?
Which pre-ride check item confirms that other road users can see your intentions?