Motorcycle training glossary
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A - B - C - D - E - F - G - H - I - J - K - L - M - N - O - P - Q - R - S - T - U - V - W - X - Y - Z
- A -
A Roads
Commonly large single lanes and arterial routes
ABS brakes
Anti-lock Braking System
Accelerated Access
Taking a test on a larger machine after passing the A2 test (certain rules apply)
Accident
When an incident occurs that was not intended
ACT
Air, Condition and Tread (checking tyres)
Advanced
Higher level of riding ability post test standard, above average rider
Category AM
Moped licence or entitlement
Angle start
Moving away when stationary from behind a parked vehicle
Appropriate speed
Riding too fast or slow for the road conditions
ATB
Approved Training Body
Avoidance exercise
A pre-set exercise where swerving between cones is demonstrated by the rider on test
- B -
B roads
Normally roads with lower traffic density (country roads)
Back to biking
Used to ride many years ago and now has the desire to ride again
Banking over
Leaning into a corner while riding
Battery
Storage place for electrical current to start the motorbike
Belt drive
Rear wheel driven by a belt
Bike checks
Checking the motorcycle to ensure it is road worthy
Bike checks (BECTOPSS)
Weekly Check – Brakes, Electrics, Chain, Tyres, Oil, Petrol, Steering & Suspension
Bike checks (BOLTS)
Daily Check – Brakes, Oil, Lights, Tyres, Steering
Bike checks (POWDDERSS)
Weekly check – Petrol, Oil, Water, Damage, Drive, Electrics, Rubbers, Steering & Suspension
Bike checks (VOLTS)
Daily check – Visual check, Oil, Lights, Tyres, Steering & Suspension
Bleed nipple
Allows air to be removed from a fluid system
Blind bends
Can not see through the bends clearly
Blind bend
Limited view when cornering
Blind crest
No view over a crest of a hill
Blind junction
No view at the junction
Born again Biker
Coming back to motorcycling after a long time off
Braided hoses
Metal brake lines
Brake disc
A circular disc of metal on the front or rear wheel, part of the braking system
Brake fade
After prolonged braking, the brakes are ineffective
Brake line
Allows fluid to flow from reservoir to brake caliper
Brake pads
Piece of metal that houses the pad material in order to slow the disc/wheel down by friction
Brake reservoir
Stores brake fluid
Brake shoes
Unseen brake material/parts in a drum brake
Brakes are spongy
The brake lever pulls all the way with very little resistance
Brakes grab
The brakes come on as soon as the lever is depressed
Buckled wheel
Bent wheel rim
Built up area
Riding in a town, built up area, housing estate or industrial estate
Bulges on tyre
Defected tyre, a protruding area of tyre close to the wheel rim
Busy roads
Congested traffic flow
- C -
Caliper
It houses two brake pads and transfers fluid movement to move the brake pads
Car park
A place when clear of cars may be used as a training site
Category A
Full Motorcycle licence
Category A1
Light Motorcycle licence
Category A2
Medium powered motorcycle licence
CBT
Compulsory Basic Training
CBT Certificate
Issued on the successful completion of a CBT Course, valid for 2 years
Chain adjustment
Adjusting the chain by moving the rear wheel backwards or forwards
Chain drive
Rear wheel Driven by chain
Chain lube
An oil or aerosol that is put onto the chain to lubricate
Chain tension
The specific manufactures recommendation
Chevrons
Black and white deviation markers
Chief instructor
A person who has other trainers working under their charge
Chugging
The gear is too high and unresponsive, could stall when accelerating
City ride
Riding through a city centre
Clutch bite
The position where the drive is engaged when releasing the clutch
Coach
Someone who imparts knowledge and skills
Coasting
Having the clutch pulled in while travelling in gear
Comeback
A person who needs to complete more training before being issued with a DL196
Comprehensive Insurance
All parties covered
Congestion
Heavy slow moving or stationary traffic flow
Controlled stop
Bringing the machine to rest by braking gently
Coolant level
The specific reading of coolant level
Cornering
Leaning the bike over while going round a bend
Counter steering
Using the steering to help corner the machine
Country lanes
Refers to open roads out of built up areas with low traffic density
- D -
Daily check
Daily Motorcycle checks
DAS
Direct Access Scheme
DAS bike
A large Motorcycle over the stipulated power and size for DAS training
Decreasing radius
A bend that tightens up as you progress through it
Dip stick
A way of checking a fluid level, normally oil
Dip the clutch
Pulling the clutch in
Direct access
Direct Access Scheme
Disc lock
A lock that secures to the brake disc to stop the wheel turning
Distilled water
Water treated to remove impurities
DL196
Proper name for a CBT certificate
Documents
Refers to the documents needed for training/test
Dominate the lane
Staying central in the lane to occupy the riding space
DOT 4
Brake fluid
Drive
The type of drive the Motorcycle has
Dual braking system
Both brakes operate on rhe application of one brake
Dual track
Two lane carriageway
Dump the clutch
Releasing the clutch too quickly
DVLA
Driver and Vehicle Licencing Agency
DVSA
Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency
- E -
Eccentric cam
Is a disc with its centre of rotation positioned ‘off centre’.
Electrics
Referred to any electrical device on a motorbike
Electrolyte
Battery fluid acidic mixture
Emergency cut out switch
Used to cut the electrics to the engine only
Emergency stop
Bringing the bike to a complete halt quickly using both brakes
Engine
Produces power
Engine braking
Turning off the throttle and allowing the engine to slow down the machine
Engine screaming
The gear is too low and the engine tone is too high
ERS
Enhanced Rider Scheme
Enhanced Rider Scheme
Advanced training pitched at new or inexperienced riders
European licence
A driving licence issued by a European country
Examiner
A person who works for the DVSA and conducts impartial test of competency
Examiners brief
Pre-test information given by the examiner
Examiners debrief
Post test information given by the examiner
Expansion tank
Reservoir holding a separate volume of fluid
Eye test
Reading a number plate at a required distance
- F -
Faring
Aerodynamic plastics on a motorcycle
Feather the clutch
Using the clutch bite
Figure 8
Riding two circles in each direction around 2 cones
Filament
Inside a bulb to make it illuminate
Fins
On the side of an air cooled engine to allow cooling
Footpegs
Where rider rests their feet
Front forks
Houses the front wheel and allows steering and suspension dampening
Front sprocket
Front sprocket delivers drive to the chain
Fuel cap
Allows access to fill/check fuel capacity
Fuel injected
A means of delivering the correct quantity of fuel to the engine
Fuel tank
Petrol storage resevoir
Fully comp
Slang phrase for Comprehensive Cover
Fuse box
Houses rhe fuses for the motorbike
- G -
Gas
Using throttle to accelerate
Give way line
The place you must Give Way to traffic on a priority Road
Grab rail
Where passenger holds
Gritty feeling
The feeling when checking the head bearings
- H -
Hairpin bend
A tight bend that comes back on itself, usually a 180 degree bend
Hazards
Anything that causes you to change speed or direction
Head bearings
Are bearings that keep the steering/handlebars firm in the steering head yokes
Heavy traffic
A large volume of vehicles on the road normally causing hold ups
Hedge rows
The line of hedges used to assess the road layout ahead
High side
When the rear wheel grips after losing traction
Higher gear
A gear higher than the one you are currently in
Hill start
Moving away from stationary on a hill
HISS
Honda Ignition Security System
- I -
IAM
Institute of Advanced Motorists
Idling
The bike is on tick over with no throttle added
Independent ride
Part of the Motorcycle Test when the examiner asks you to ride without instructing
Instructor
Someone who imparts knowledge and skills
Insurance
Vehicle insurance for road use
IPSGA
Information, Position, Speed, Gear and Acceleration
- K -
Kill switch
Cuts electrics to the engine only
Knee down
Putting your knee on the ground while riding through a corner
Curb side
To the left hand side of the bike
- L -
Lane divider
The white painted lines between lanes
Lane markings
Refers to the painted lines/arrows and information in the road
Lane position
Refers to the riding position in the lane
Leaning
Having the bike at an angle where cornering
Learner
A person riding on L Plates
Left of centre
Anywhere to the left of a central Road position
Left wheel track
Position where the left wheel of a car would be
Lenses
Refers to any lense on the bike, indicator, tail light, brake light lense
Licence number
A 16 digit number consisting of 5 letter, 6 numbers and the 5 digits of mixed letters and numvers
Life saver
Last look over the shoulder into the blind spot before altering course (observations)
Locking up
Stopping the front or rear wheel from turning while you are moving
Low side
Loss of front wheel traction on a corner
Lower gear
A lower gear than the one you are currently in
Lowered kerb
Usually found where a motor vehicle can leave the road, it driveway
- M -
Main stand
Stable stand that allows for chain care and maintenance
Major to minor
Turning from a main road into a side road
Manual handling
Demonstrating pushing and wheeling the bike, forwards/backwards
Margin for error
Having something in reserve, not riding to a limit
MCIA
Motorcycle Industry Association
MCIAC
Motorcycle Industry Accreditation Centre
Measured distance
A set distance measured by the examiner for an eye test
Medium powered bike
A motorcycle that conforms to the A2 Motorcycle category
Minor to major
Turning from a side road onto a main road
Mirror check
Effective look in one or both mirrors
Misting
Oil residue on the front forks
MMA
Motorcycle Manoeuvring Area
Mod 1
Module 1 test
Module 1 test
The first part of the motorcycle test, conducted at the MPTC
Mod 1 pass certificate
Certificate of Module 1 successfully completed
Mod 2
Module 2 test
Module 2 test
Pursuit test on the public road by a qualified DVSA examiner
Mod 2 pass certificate
Certificate of Module 2 successful completion
Monthly check
Checking the Motorcycle on a monthly basis, usually a deeper check on all components
Moped
A maximum power output of 49cc
Ped
A maximum power output of 49cc – same as moped
MOT
A yearly inspection certificate conducted by a VOSA authorised agent
MPTC
Multi Purpose Test Centre
- N -
National speed limit
60 mph on a single Road and 70 mph on a dual carriageway or motorway with a central reservation
Near side
To the left hand side of the bike
Neutral position
Central position in your lane
Neutral throttle
Throttle turned completely off/closed
Normal pull away
Moving away from flat level ground
Notchy
The feeling when checking the head bearings
Novice
New rider
- O -
Obs
Observation
Observation
Appropriate vision
Off road site
A safe environment where training can be conducted in relative safety
Off road training
Where motorcycle coaching is given in a safe environment away from traffic
Off side
To the right hand side of the bike
Oil seepage
Oil leaking at a certain location
On road training
Motorcycle coaching on the public road
OSMPSL
Observation, Signal, Manoeuvre, Position, Speed and Look
- P -
Parked vehicles
Vehicles parked at the side of the road
Pass certificate
A certificate that states a pass result
Passenger questions
Questions asked by the examiner on the Motorcycle Test regarding the pillion passenger
Passengers footpegs
Where passenger rests their feet
Passing light
Flashes the headlight
Pedestrian crossing
A place where pedestrians can cross the road in safety
Pegasus crossing
Where pedestrians and horse riders can cross the road together
Pillion
A motorcycle passenger who sits on the rear seat space
Pillion seat
Location where the passenger sits
PINS
Starting the engine – Petrol, Ignition, Neutral & Start
Planning
After seeing a hazard, deciding what to do
Position 1
Left hand third of the lane
Position 2
Central third of the lane
Position 3
Right hand third of the lane
Post cbt
After a Compulsory Basic Training course is taken
Post test
After the Motorcycle Test has finished
Power commander
A fuel injection adjustment unit that plugs into the bike’s ECU
Pre cbt
Before a Compulsory Basic Training course is taken
Pre test
Before the Motorcycle Test begins
Provisional licence
Learner entitlement shown on a driving licence issued by DVLA
PTW
Powered Two Wheeled vehicle
Puffin crossing
A pedestrian crossing controlled by a sensor
Pulling away
Moving the bike forward when in gear
- Q -
Quick shift
Allows a rider to change gear without using clutch or turning off the throttle
- R -
Raised kerb
Where the kerb is raised to its normal height from the road surface
Rear shock
Dampens rebound from road shock
Rear sproket
Takes drive from the chain to the rear wheel
Rebound
The way the suspension returns after use
Refresher
After a long time away from training, someone would refresh their existing skills
Renew
A person who is retaking a cbt after their previous one has run out
Responsive gear
Gives the rider the ability to speed up and slow down in one gear
Retread
A person who needs to complete more training before being issued with a DL196
Riding blind
No view when following a larger vehicle when too close
Right of centre
Anywhere to the rightt of a central road position
Right wheel track
Position where the right wheel of a car would be
Road markings
The information give on the road surface, usually painted information
ROD
Run Out Date
RoSPA
Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents
Roundabout mouth
The final approach to the roundabout where the giveway line and road markings are located
Rural riding
Riding on open A and B roads in the country
- S -
SAE fluid type
Viscosity value of oil to be used
Safe haven
A centre refuge in the middle of the road, normally found near old people’s homes
Safety question
Questions asked by the examiner on the Motorcycle Test regarding the motorcycle
Satnav
Satellite Navigation system to aid map reading
Scooter
Usually an automatic up to 125cc but some scooters have a gear selector on the left hand twist grip
Shaft drive
Rear wheel drive by a shift
Side stand
Support on left hand side of motorcycle
Side wall
The side of the tyre
Sight glass
Allows you to see fluid level
Single track
Single lane carriageway
Skid
Locking up the front or rear wheel when braking
Slalom
Swerving one way and then the other through a series of straight cones
Slipper clutch
Specialised clutch developed for performance to mitigate the effects of engine braking when decelerating
Slow control
Riding the machine slowly using the relevant controls
Stall
When the bike cuts out
Starter button
Electrical device that start the engine
Starter pack
Some training schools give a new rider starter information pack
Steering lock
Safety device that stops steering movement
Step up
Move up from a smaller to a bigger Motorcycle
Stop line
A place where you have to stop before joining a new Road
Stoppie
Lifting the rear wheel off the ground
Swing arm
Houses the rear wheel
- T -
Tail light
When the lights are on, it shows a red light at the rear of the bike
Tax
Road fund licence
Tell tail ring of oil
The mark left on the forks after depression
Terminals
Battery terminals
Test centre
Where a test is conducted by an examiner
Test questions
Questions asked of the candidate by the examiner on test
Test results
The post test result
Theory test
A 2 part highway code and Hazard Perception Test
Theory test pass certificate
Certificate of successful completion of a theory test, valid for 2 years
Third Party
Minimum legal requirement. Third party only
Throttle off
Closing the throttle fully
Tight spot on chain
Resulting from excessive wear, corrosion or lack of lubrication
TLC
Tension Lubrication Condition
Tolerance
Permissable allowed difference from perfect
Toucan crossing
Where cyclists and pedestrians can cross together
Town centre
Riding in a town centre environment
TPFF
Same as tpo but includes cover for fire or theft
TPG
Tyre Pressure Gauge
Traction control
Stops the wheel losing traction on acceleration
Traffic lights
Traffic controlling system with red, amber and green warning lights
Traffic signs
Refers to any sign post
Trainer
Someone who imparts knowledge and skills
Training pad
A place when clear of cars may be used as a training site
Training pan
A place when clear of cars may be used as a training site
Training school
A location where professional motorcycle training takes place
Trash
Broken bike beyond repair
Tread
Amount of groove on the tyre to displace water
Tree line
The line of trees used to assess the road ahead
TUG
Take, Use and Give
Twist and go
An automatic Motorcycle/moped
- U -
U turn
Riding the machine in a half circle to face the opposite way
UK driving licence
A driving licence issue by the DVLA
Unclassified roads
Single vehicle country lane
Undue hesitation
Not going when it is clear
Unresponsive gear
The gear is too high for the current speed
Urban ride
Riding in a built up area
- W -
Warning triangle
Gives prior warning of hazards further ahead of sign
Washout
One or both wheels lose traction resulting in the rider coming off the bike
Wear indicator
Shows the amount of wear used/remaining
Weekly check
Checking the machine fully on a weekly basis
Wheel alignment
Rear wheel position after adjustment is complete
Wheelie
Lifting the front wheel off the ground
Wiring loom
The enclosed wiring harness that encases all the electrical wires fpr the motorcycle
Workshop
A place where a mechanic works on motorcycles