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RTT Pre-riding Checks and Motorcycle Controls

Checking your motorcycle before every ride takes a few minutes and prevents breakdowns and accidents. The RTT asks about each check and its numbers: tyre tread of at least 1.6 mm, chain slack of no more than 20 mm, brake free play of 15-20 mm and clutch free play of 10-20 mm.

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Key numbers

1.6 mmreplace tyres with less tread than thisp.16, 25
20 mmmost slack in the drive chainp.16, 25
15-20 mmfree play: front brake lever and rear brake pedalp.17, 26
10-20 mmfree play: clutch leverp.18, 26

Before every ride

  • Fuel enough for the whole trip; fuel valve on.
  • Tyres not punctured, under-inflated, damaged or worn.
  • Controls: throttle, clutch, front and rear brakes work properly.
  • Lights: headlamp, hazard lights, turn signals, tail lamp, brake lamp.
  • Horn works.
  • Engine oil between the high and low marks.
  • Chain not too slack: a loose chain can lock the rear wheel.
  • Brakes work; fluid level checked.
  • Clutch free play right, or gear changes get hard.
  • Mirrors: the tip of your shoulder at the lower edge. Not on the main stand.

p.25-26

Weekly checks

  • Engine oil: engine cold, motorcycle upright on flat ground; dip the stick without screwing it in. p.16
  • Brake fluid: front above the LOWER mark; rear between LOWER and UPPER. p.17
  • Chain: push up midway between the sprockets; about 20 mm of slack is right. p.16
  • Tyres: pressure, damage, abnormal wear, tread depth. Wrong pressure makes the motorcycle unstable. p.14, 16

Controls and gears

Left handclutch leverRight handthrottle, front brake
Left footgear pedalRight footrear brake
  • Twist the throttle towards you to speed up. p.27
  • 1st 0-20 km/h, 2nd 15-35, 3rd 30-45, 4th 40 and up, 5th cruising above 70 km/h. p.28
  • Neutral is between 1st and 2nd: a half lift from 1st or half press from 2nd. p.28

Riding gear and posture

  • An approved helmet is the law for rider and pillion. Visor or goggles; bright clothing; gloves; good boots. p.19-20
  • Eyes far ahead, shoulders relaxed, elbows bent at about 120°, knees grip the tank lightly, arches of the feet on the footrests. p.20
  • Headlight on at all times, day and night. p.62

Good to know

  • Throttle stuck in traffic: pull in the clutch, switch off the engine, brake. p.26
  • Illegal modification (changing parts or systems without approval): fine up to $2,000 or up to 6 months' jail. p.18
  • No helmet, or not worn securely: 3 points, $150. An extra pillion, or one not sitting astride: 3 points, $150. BTT p.6
  • Plan your route, avoid peak hours, and leave plenty of time: you ride calmer. p.26

Test traps

  • Mirrors: adjust them sitting on the motorcycle, not while it is on the main stand. p.26
  • Stuck throttle: clutch in first, then engine off, then brake. p.26
  • Chain: too loose is dangerous: it can slip off and lock the rear wheel. p.25
  • Neutral is between 1st and 2nd, not below 1st. p.28
  • Engine oil: check with the engine cold, on flat ground, dipstick not screwed in. p.16

Test yourself

  1. Tyres should be replaced when the tread is less than:

    • A. 1.0 mm
    • B. 1.6 mm
    • C. 3.0 mm
    Show the answer

    B. Less than 1.6 mm of tread: replace the tyre. p.16, 25

  2. The drive chain should have no more slack than:

    • A. 10 mm
    • B. 20 mm
    • C. 40 mm
    Show the answer

    B. No more than 20 mm: a loose chain can lock the rear wheel. p.16, 25

  3. What free play should the clutch lever have?

    • A. 5-10 mm
    • B. 10-20 mm
    • C. 25-30 mm
    Show the answer

    B. Clutch lever 10-20 mm; brake lever and pedal 15-20 mm. p.18, 26

  4. Your throttle sticks in traffic. What do you do first?

    • A. Brake hard
    • B. Pull in the clutch, then switch off and brake
    Show the answer

    B. Clutch in, engine off, then brake. p.26

Slides for social media

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RTT Pre-riding Checks and Motorcycle Controls, slide 1 of 6
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Practise Pre-riding ChecksPractise Controls and Handling
SG Driving

Based on the official Riding Theory handbook, pages 14-28 (and Basic Theory of Driving pages 6-7); page numbers are the handbook's. The drawings are our own simple versions. An unofficial study aid by sgdriving.net, not a Traffic Police publication: where anything differs, the official handbook prevails. The handbooks are free from the Traffic Police Online Learning Portal.