Handling Emergencies

Study questions with answers

12 sample Handling Emergencies questions with the correct answer, a short explanation, and the official handbook reference. Read through them, then take the quiz above.

1. 1. If a flying object strikes you or your face shield, you should:

   Correct answer: Keep your eyes on the road and hands on the bars until it's safe to stop

   Keep your eyes on the road and your hands on the handlebars, and pull off to fix any damage as soon as it is safe.

   Source: Colorado Motorcycle Operator's Handbook - Section 12.1, Flying Objects

2. 2. During a wobble, the one thing you should NOT do is:

   Correct answer: Try to accelerate through it

   Do not try to accelerate out of a wobble; it will only make the motorcycle more unstable.

   Source: Colorado Motorcycle Operator's Handbook - Section 11.3, Wobble

3. 3. If the throttle sticks, your first move should be to:

   Correct answer: Twist it back and forth to try to free it

   Twist the throttle back and forth first, since this may free it.

   Source: Colorado Motorcycle Operator's Handbook - Section 11.2, Stuck Throttle

4. 4. If a small animal is in your path while you are in traffic, you should:

   Correct answer: Avoid swerving out of your lane for it

   Do not swerve out of your lane for a small animal, since hitting something small is less dangerous than hitting a car.

   Source: Colorado Motorcycle Operator's Handbook - Section 12.2, Animals

5. 5. If a dog chases your motorcycle, the handbook advises you to:

   Correct answer: Downshift, approach slowly, then accelerate away as you reach it

   Downshift and approach the animal slowly, then speed up quickly as you reach it to leave it behind.

   Source: Colorado Motorcycle Operator's Handbook - Section 12.2, Animals

6. 6. Once you know which tire has failed, the handbook says to:

   Correct answer: Gradually apply the brake on the good tire

   Gradually apply the brake on the tire that is still good, then edge to the side of the road as the bike slows.

   Source: Colorado Motorcycle Operator's Handbook - Section 11.1, Tire Failure

7. 7. If your rear wheel locks while you are stopping in a straight line, you should:

   Correct answer: Keep it locked until you have stopped

   On a straightaway, keep the rear wheel locked until you have completely stopped.

   Source: Colorado Motorcycle Operator's Handbook - Section 10.1, Quick Stops

8. 8. At the first sign that the engine is seizing, you should:

   Correct answer: Squeeze the clutch to disconnect the engine from the rear wheel

   Squeeze the clutch lever to disengage the engine from the rear wheel, then pull off the road and stop.

   Source: Colorado Motorcycle Operator's Handbook - Section 11.5, Engine Seizure

9. 9. If your front tire suddenly goes flat, the steering will usually feel:

   Correct answer: Heavy

   A flat front tire makes the steering feel heavy, one of the clues that a tire has lost air.

   Source: Colorado Motorcycle Operator's Handbook - Section 11.1, Tire Failure

10. 10. A front-wheel wobble is best handled by:

    Correct answer: Gripping the bars firmly and gradually closing the throttle

    Grip the bars firmly without fighting the wobble and gradually close the throttle to let the motorcycle slow.

    Source: Colorado Motorcycle Operator's Handbook - Section 11.3, Wobble

11. 11. For a quick stop, the handbook says to:

    Correct answer: Apply both brakes, squeezing the front firmly without locking it

    Apply both brakes at once, squeezing the front lever firmly without locking the wheel while applying the rear hard without locking it.

    Source: Colorado Motorcycle Operator's Handbook - Section 10.1, Quick Stops

12. 12. Engine seizure is typically caused by:

    Correct answer: The engine running low on oil

    Engines seize when they run low on oil, causing the moving parts to overheat and lock up.

    Source: Colorado Motorcycle Operator's Handbook - Section 11.5, Engine Seizure