Alabama Motorcycle: Braking & Emergency Stops Practice Test

Question 1

If you accidentally lock the rear wheel on a good traction surface while stopping straight, you can:

Accepted Answer

Keep it locked until you fully stop if upright and straight — On good traction with the bike upright and traveling straight, you can keep the rear wheel locked until you have completely stopped and still control it.

Answer

Instantly release it no matter what

Answer

Grab the front brake to compensate

Answer

Lay the motorcycle down

Question 2

On a very slippery surface, how should a rider apply the front brake?

Accepted Answer

Squeeze it gradually to avoid locking the wheel — The front brake is still effective on slippery surfaces, but squeeze it gradually with gentle pressure to avoid locking the front wheel.

Answer

Avoid the front brake entirely

Answer

Grab it hard and fast

Answer

Pump it rapidly

Question 3

When approaching a stop while carrying a passenger, how should a rider adjust their braking?

Accepted Answer

Start slowing earlier and keep a larger cushion — The extra weight of a passenger means you should begin braking sooner and leave a bigger gap when you slow or come to a stop.

Answer

Brake later than usual to save distance

Answer

Use only the front brake

Answer

Stop exactly as you would riding alone

Question 4

If the front wheel locks during a hard stop, what should the rider do immediately?

Accepted Answer

Release the front brake immediately, then reapply it — Release the front brake lever at once, then reapply it, because a locked front wheel causes immediate loss of steering and balance.

Answer

Squeeze the front brake even harder

Answer

Let go of the handlebars

Answer

Apply full rear brake and hold

Question 5

How much of a motorcycle's total stopping power can the front brake provide?

Accepted Answer

70% or more — Because the front brake is the stronger of the two, it can deliver at least 70 percent of a motorcycle's stopping force.

Answer

About 25%

Answer

About 50%

Answer

None; the rear brake does the work

Question 6

What is the best way to stop as quickly as possible in a straight line?

Accepted Answer

Apply both brakes at the same time without locking a wheel — The quickest stop comes from fully applying both the front and rear brakes together without locking either wheel.

Answer

Use the front brake only

Answer

Use the rear brake first, then the front

Answer

Throttle down and use only the front brake

Question 7

What can happen if a rider grabs the front brake or jams down on the rear during a stop?

Accepted Answer

The brakes can lock, causing control problems — Snatching the front lever or stomping the rear pedal can lock a wheel and leave you fighting for control.

Answer

The brakes will stop the bike faster with no risk

Answer

Nothing changes about the stop

Answer

The engine will stall safely

Question 8

How should a rider apply the rear brake during a hard straight-line stop?

Accepted Answer

Use light-to-lighter pressure to avoid a rear skid — Apply light-to-lighter pressure on the rear brake as weight shifts forward, to prevent the rear wheel from skidding.

Answer

Stomp down firmly on the rear pedal

Answer

Ignore the rear brake entirely

Answer

Pump the rear brake rapidly

Question 9

For everyday stops, which brakes should a motorcyclist use?

Accepted Answer

Both brakes every time — Apply the front and rear brakes together for every slowdown, so the habit carries over automatically in an emergency.

Answer

The rear brake only

Answer

The front brake only

Answer

Engine braking without the brakes

Question 10

What is the danger of releasing a locked rear wheel when it is out of alignment with the front?

Accepted Answer

A high-side crash that throws the rider off — Releasing a locked rear wheel that is out of line can cause a high-side crash, snapping the motorcycle upright and throwing the rider off.

Answer

The engine will stall

Answer

The front tire will go flat

Answer

Nothing dangerous happens

Question 11

Why does a leaned-over motorcycle have less braking ability in a curve?

Accepted Answer

Some traction is used for cornering, leaving less for braking — When the motorcycle is leaned, some traction is being used for cornering, leaving less traction available for braking.

Answer

The brakes overheat in curves

Answer

The front brake stops working in a lean

Answer

The engine loses power in curves

Question 12

If you must apply the front brake, what does the manual warn against doing to the brake lever?

Accepted Answer

Grabbing it abruptly — Squeeze the front brake smoothly and progressively; do not grab it or use abrupt pressure, which can lock the wheel.

Answer

Squeezing it smoothly

Answer

Applying progressive force

Answer

Keeping your eyes up while braking

Alabama Motorcycle: Braking & Emergency Stops practice test

Study questions with answers

1. If you accidentally lock the rear wheel on a good traction surface while stopping straight, you can:

2. On a very slippery surface, how should a rider apply the front brake?

3. When approaching a stop while carrying a passenger, how should a rider adjust their braking?

4. If the front wheel locks during a hard stop, what should the rider do immediately?

5. How much of a motorcycle's total stopping power can the front brake provide?

6. What is the best way to stop as quickly as possible in a straight line?

7. What can happen if a rider grabs the front brake or jams down on the rear during a stop?

8. How should a rider apply the rear brake during a hard straight-line stop?

9. For everyday stops, which brakes should a motorcyclist use?

10. What is the danger of releasing a locked rear wheel when it is out of alignment with the front?

11. Why does a leaned-over motorcycle have less braking ability in a curve?

12. If you must apply the front brake, what does the manual warn against doing to the brake lever?

More Motorcycle topics

Practice Braking & Emergency Stops in another state