10 Motorcycle Terms Every Rider Should Know Before Hitting the Road
Some jargon simply isn’t that important. For instance, you can likely enjoy a long, joyous lifetime of riding motorcycles without knowing about Clubman handlebars. However, there are certain terms, acronyms, and definitions that every motorcycle rider should know.
Motorcycle terms could be the difference between overlooking safety gear, looking foolish, or making potentially dangerous mistakes
| Term | Meaning |
| Lane-splitting | Lane splitting refers to the practice of riding between traffic flows to avoid overheating while stationary. |
| High side | A high-side crash is a change in traction that results in forces that fling the rider off the motorcycle– typically right over the handlebars. |
| Low side | A low-side crash refers to a loss of traction that slides the motorcycle out from under the rider. Sometimes referred to as “laying the bike down.” |
| Tunnel vision | When a rider fixates on an obstacle and hits it rather than avoids it. Also known as “target fixation.” |
| Fairing | A fairing refers to the forward paneling on a motorcycle. Fairings can redirect wind to protect the rider from wind buffeting. |
| Brain-bucket | A colloquial term for a minimally protective or novelty helmet. |
| Pannier | Pannier is a French-origin term for saddlebags or mounted luggage. |
| Pillion | A pad or secondary seating surface for a passenger. |
| T-CLOCS | An acronym for conducting a successful pre-ride inspection. The acronym stands for “tires and wheels, controls, lights/electrics, oil and fluids, chassis, stands.” |
| DOT-certified | Department of Transportation safety certification for safety gear like helmets. |
Some motorcycle terms are straightforward, yet important. For instance, “lane-splitting,” “brain-bucket,” and “fairing.” However, some terms, like “high side” and “low side” are potentially dangerous events. For instance, a high-side crash, typically caused by a loss and return of traction, can catapult a rider over their handlebars.
Other terms riders should know aren’t terms as much as they are acronyms. For instance, the Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF) promotes a pre-inspection checklist acronym: “T-CLOCS.” The helpful letters remind riders to inspect their tires, wheels, controls, lights, electrics, fluids, chassis, and stands.
Finally, one of the most important safety terms a rider can remember is DOT, ECE, or Snell certification. Most commonly, a DOT-certified sticker indicates that a helmet passed the NHTSA’s Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 218 standards for protection.
Source: Popular Science
