7.2 Swerving, Obstacle Avoidance, and Mechanical Emergencies

No matter how defensively you ride, you may eventually encounter a situation that requires evasive action or a mechanical failure that demands an immediate response. Knowing how to execute an emergency swerve, clear obstacles, and handle mechanical failures can mean the difference between a close call and a serious collision.

Swerving to Avoid Obstacles

Swerving is a critical emergency evasion technique used when there is insufficient time or distance to stop before hitting an obstacle. A swerve is essentially two rapid consecutive countersteers.

The Swerving Technique

To swerve effectively, you must understand countersteering. Countersteering involves pushing forward on the handlebar grip in the direction you want to go. To swerve, follow this step-by-step procedure:

1. Initiate the Swerve: To swerve around an obstacle to the right, push forward on the right handlebar. This will cause the motorcycle to lean quickly to the right and steer away from the obstacle.
2. Recover and Straighten: Once you have cleared the obstacle, you must bring the motorcycle back to an upright position and resume your path of travel. To do this, push forward on the opposite handlebar (the left handlebar, in this example). This will stand the bike up and straighten your path.

CRITICAL RULE: NEVER brake while swerving. You must separate braking from swerving. The tires only have a certain amount of traction available. If you use all that traction for swerving (leaning and turning), there is none left for braking. Applying the brakes while the motorcycle is leaning heavily during a swerve will almost certainly result in a loss of control and a crash.

If you must brake, do it BEFORE or AFTER swerving. If you realize you cannot stop in time, release the brakes completely, then execute the swerve. Once the motorcycle is upright again, you can reapply the brakes if necessary.

Riding Over Small Obstacles

Sometimes, an obstacle appears so suddenly that swerving or stopping is impossible. Small obstacles like a piece of debris, a pot hole, or a 2x4 piece of lumber can often be ridden over safely if you use the correct technique.

1. Keep the Motorcycle Upright: Ensure the motorcycle is perfectly vertical. Hitting an obstacle while leaning greatly increases the chance of losing control.
2. Grip Firmly: Hold the handlebars firmly to absorb the shock, but do not lock your arms.
3. Rise Off the Seat: Lift your weight slightly off the seat, supporting yourself on the footpegs with your knees slightly bent. This allows your legs to act as shock absorbers, isolating your body from the impact.
4. Lighten the Front End: Just before the front tire strikes the obstacle, roll on the throttle slightly. This shifts weight to the rear, lightening the front suspension and helping the front tire climb over the object.
5. Roll Off the Throttle: Immediately after the front tire clears the obstacle, roll off the throttle so the rear wheel is not under hard acceleration when it hits.

Mechanical Emergencies

Mechanical failures are rare on well-maintained motorcycles, but they can happen. Knowing the correct protocols is essential.

Stuck Throttle

A stuck throttle is a terrifying experience, especially in traffic. If your throttle sticks open:

1. Pull in the Clutch Immediately: This instantly disconnects engine power from the rear wheel, preventing the motorcycle from accelerating further. The engine will likely rev very high, but the motorcycle will slow down.
2. Operate the Engine Cut-off Switch: Reach with your thumb and flip the kill switch to shut off the engine.
3. Apply Brakes: Use both brakes to slow down safely.
4. Steer to a Safe Stop: Guide the motorcycle to the side of the road and come to a complete stop.

Flat Tire

A blowout or rapid loss of tire pressure affects handling drastically. A front tire flat will make the steering feel heavy and the motorcycle will pull to one side. A rear tire flat may cause the back end to weave or slide from side to side.

1. Grip Handlebars Firmly: Maintain a strong hold on the grips.
2. Do NOT Brake Hard: Hard braking can cause the flat tire to separate from the rim, leading to an immediate loss of control.
3. Roll Off the Throttle: Gradually reduce speed by closing the throttle.
4. Coast to the Side of the Road: Use the brake on the wheel with the good tire very gently if necessary. Keep your weight centered and ease over to a safe spot on the shoulder.

Broken Clutch Cable

If your clutch cable snaps while you are riding, you will not be able to disengage the engine from the transmission.

1. To stop safely, decelerate and apply the brakes.
2. As you come to a complete stop, the engine will stall because the clutch cannot be pulled in. Be prepared to support the motorcycle when it stops.
3. If you need to shift gears without a clutch (which is difficult and not recommended for beginners), match engine speed to road speed carefully, but your primary goal should be to stop safely.

Drive Chain Slippage or Breakage

If the drive chain slips or breaks, you will instantly lose all drive power to the rear wheel. A broken chain can also lock the rear wheel if it gets tangled in the sprockets, or whip forward and damage the engine casing or rider's leg.

1. Close the throttle and apply both brakes.
2. Steer to the side of the road and stop.

Headlight Failure at Night

Losing your headlight at night drastically reduces your visibility and makes it very difficult to see the road.

1. Try the Switch: Quickly flip the switch between high and low beam; sometimes only one filament is burned out.
2. Slow Down Immediately: Reduce speed safely.
3. Use Other Lights: If both beams are out, turn on your four-way flashers (hazard lights) if equipped, or use the turn signals to make yourself visible.
4. Pull Over: Guide the motorcycle off the road as safely and quickly as possible.