Mass – Combined weight of rider and motorcycle.

Mentality Hazards – Hazards created by the way a motorcyclist thinks and acts.

Mitigating a Hazard – To lessen the severity of a hazard’s effect with gear or technology.

Momentum – Is the result of an object in motion. Momentum will increase if weight or speed increases (momentum = speed x weight)

Murphy’s Law – Something that can go wrong, will go wrong.

Muscle Memory – Repetitive use of machine controls which results in the machine becoming an extension of the operator’s body. Strong muscle memory causes the rider to control the motorcycle subconsciously.

Nose-Angle – The comparison of a vehicle’s nose direction in reference to the painted lines of it’s lane. The Nose-Angle can be used to determine where a vehicle is going.

Operational Hazards – Hazards created by a rider who is unfamiliar with motorcycle physics or has underdeveloped muscle memory.

No-Ride Zones – Areas around vehicles that increase the risk of collisions.

Panic Reaction – A mixture of sudden danger and spiking fear. Panic Reactions are a result of the flight or fight response and can result in an incorrect action, an over-reaction, or freezing up. In any case, Panic Reactions usually result in a crash.

Panoramic Vision – Lightly unfocusing the eyes in order to spread attention into peripheral vision.

Passable Hazards – Hazards that can be created by the road surface, or foreign material on the road. Most Passable Hazards can be passed over with proper motorcycle control.

Pass Window – The amount of time in seconds needed to perform a pass on an undivided highway.

Pavement Pattern – Repeating pavement characteristics within a Pavement Section that the motorcyclist can use to predict incoming hazards.

Pavement Section – Road construction and repairs are done in sections. These sections will have or develop road characteristics that are common within the section.

Pavement Patch – Pavement patches indicate where repairs have been done to the road or foundation underneath.

Pavement Strip – When roads are constructed, they are laid down in strips slightly larger than one lane. Stability Hazards can form over time between strips.

Point of Intersection – The point where a collision is about to take place. It is a combination of timing and Ride Plan vs Drive Plan.

Preparing for Launch – Moving into a free lane while approaching a red light or stop sign. Being in a free lane allows the rider to accelerate ahead of traffic.

Push-Steering – The easiest way to understand how to control motorcycle direction done by pushing on the left/right handlebar. To go right: look right (where you want to go), push the right hand forward, and the motorcycle will go right. To go left: look left, push left, go left.

Rapid Accels – Coordinated clutch and throttle control to cause a moderate to heavy acceleration of the motorcycle from a standstill or slow roll.

Rapid Decels – Front brake (with additional rear brake option) to quickly reduce the speed of the motorcycle in preparation for a turn or evasion.

The Ready Position – The best position at a stand-still. Left food down, clutch pulled in, right foot pressing rear brake, transmission in 1st. The rider is visible due to the rear brake being activated and is ready to go into motion.

Ride Plan – A planned line that the motorcyclist intends to travel with their machine within the coming seconds. The 2nd component of the A.P.EX. Riding System.

The Right of Weight – Is a play on words relating to the right-of-way. The bigger heavier vehicle will win in a collision which gives it the Right of Weight. Motorcycles never have the Right of Weight.

Risk – The chance of an outcome. High risk means high chance, low risk means low chance. Throughout Moto Instincts, risk is associated with negative outcomes. The greater the risk, the greater the chance of a crash which could result in: damage, injury, or death.

Road Rage – Being overwhelmed with anger due to the actions of another motorist.

RPM – Revolutions per minute. Used to describe engine speed. Generally, as RPM’s increase, so does power output.

Secondary Ride Plan – An alternative Ride Plan considered as an alternative during an emergency.

Shift Lever – Lever under the left foot. Lift up or press down to shift the transmission into a higher/lower gear. Most motorcycles have a 1 down, 5/6 up shift pattern with neutral between 1st and 2nd gear.

Shoulder – Refers to the section of pavement between the lane and ditch. They can vary in size and not all roads are built with a shoulder. Shoulders have an increased risk of Traction Hazards.

Skill Bubble – The sum of a motorcyclist’s physical and mental skill.

Spooked – Refers to a scared animal on the run.

Stability – Refers to the overall balance of the machine. The rider must balance motorcycle operation vs gravity in order to maintain stability.

Stability Hazards – Hazards that can affect the balance of the machine and/or rider when ridden over.

Steady State – A motorcycle with a steady velocity. When upright and traveling at a consistent speed, a motorcycle will be the most stable, making it prepared for incoming hazards.

Stunting Traffic Flow – Reducing speed early to stunt the flow of rearward traffic before a stopping point up ahead. This reduces the risk of getting rear-ended.

Stall Zone – The 3rd stage of clutch engagement. Provides too much friction within the clutch which causes the engine to bog down or stall.

Tank Slapper + Speed Wobbles – Results from the front and rear tire coming out of alignment. A mild misalignment will cause a wobble as the tires try to come into alignment. A major misalignment will cause the handlebars to snap back and forth violently as the tires try to come into alignment.

Target Fixation – When a rider encounters an unforeseen hazard causing a freezing Panic Reaction which locks the eyes onto the hazard. If the rider does not break their Target Fixation, they will likely make contact with the hazard.

Tar Snake – Motorcycle slang for the long pieces of tar used to seal cracks in pavement. They can disrupt motorcycle balance.

Telegraphs – Small mannerisms and movements given off by motorists or animals that can be used to predict their next move.

Threshold Braking – Maximum braking force achievable before available friction is exceeded and traction is lost.

Throttle – The machine control that supplies more gas to the engine. More throttle results in more power output.

Traction – Amount of available friction between the motorcycle tires and the road. When traction is lost, the motorcycle will begin to slide with 1 or both tires.

Traction Hazards – Hazards that will cause a drop in friction for motorcycle tires when ridden over.

Traffic Artery – Refer to the amount of traffic flow a roadway can accomodate. They can be school/residential, minor, medium, and freeway/highway. Larger arteries tend to offer better Line of Sight with less Hazard Entry Points.

Traffic Bubble – An area of low traffic density that make a great place for a motorcyclist to hang out in.

Traffic Dynamics – Refers to standard traffic flow principles and the variables that affect traffic flow.

Transition Zone – Where one Pavement Section meets another, a dirt road, bridge, or train tracks.

Tunnel Vision – When attention is focused on an object or direction for too long which can cause hazards to go unnoticed.

Unavoidable Hazards – Hazards that cannot be eliminated or controlled; only mitigated. They are broken down into Vision and Environmental Hazards.

Vanishing Point – Where Line of Sight ends due to bends in the road.

Vehicle Shield – The rider can shield themself from potential collisions by placing a vehicle between them and a Hazard Entry Point.

Velocity – Has two components, speed and direction.

Vision Hazard – Anything that causes any reduction in visibility.

Washboard – Continual bumps in a washboard pattern that form can on roads due to the upwards and downwards force applied from vehicles. Avoid braking or turning in these areas.

Wheel-Angle – The angle of the steering wheels compared to the vehicle chassis that is used to determine the motorists’ Drive Plan.