California Motorcycle: Braking & Emergency Stops Practice Test

Question 1

You must stop quickly while leaned over in a curve. What is the best technique?

Accepted Answer

Straighten the motorcycle first, then apply the brakes — Bringing the motorcycle upright first hands you the full traction of both tires for stopping. If you truly must brake while leaned, use light pressure and shed lean angle as you slow.

Answer

Grab the front brake while still leaned over

Answer

Stomp on the rear brake and hold the lean

Answer

Release both brakes and steer a wider line

Question 2

What should you do if your front wheel locks up during hard braking?

Accepted Answer

Release the front brake immediately, then reapply it smoothly — Release the front brake at once to let the wheel roll again and regain traction, then reapply it smoothly. A locked front wheel can cause you to fall.

Answer

Squeeze the front brake even harder

Answer

Let go of the handlebars

Answer

Accelerate to pull out of the skid

Question 3

To stop as quickly as possible, how should a motorcyclist use the brakes?

Accepted Answer

Use both brakes firmly; the front brake gives most of the stopping power — Use both brakes every time you stop. The front brake provides most of your stopping power, so applying both firmly gives the shortest safe stop.

Answer

Use only the rear brake to avoid flipping

Answer

Use only the front brake

Answer

Pump the rear brake and ignore the front

Question 4

Which braking mistake turns up most often in motorcycle collisions?

Accepted Answer

Too little front brake paired with too much rear — Riders in crashes commonly ask too little of the front brake, the one that supplies most of the stopping power, while pressing the rear hard enough to lock it.

Answer

Using the front brake alone and never the rear

Answer

Downshifting before touching either brake

Answer

Braking with two fingers instead of all four

Question 5

According to the handbook, what should you do if your rear wheel locks while you are traveling in a straight line?

Accepted Answer

Keep the rear brake locked until you have stopped — If you are straight up and going straight, keep the rear brake locked until you stop. Releasing it when the wheel is out of line can throw the motorcycle upright suddenly and cause a fall.

Answer

Immediately release the rear brake no matter what

Answer

Turn the handlebars quickly from side to side

Answer

Grab a handful of front brake to balance it

Question 6

Some motorcycles are built with an integrated braking system. What does that mean?

Accepted Answer

Pressing the rear pedal also brings in part of the front brake — An integrated system ties the two brakes together, so the rear pedal works both of them. Check the owner's manual to learn how your own machine is set up.

Answer

The brakes come on by themselves when you close the throttle

Answer

Only the front brake works and the pedal does nothing

Answer

The brakes cannot lock a wheel under any circumstance

Question 7

Why is hard braking risky while the motorcycle is leaned into a turn?

Accepted Answer

Cornering is already using some of the available traction, leaving less for stopping — A leaning motorcycle is already spending part of its grip on holding the corner. Ask the tires for heavy braking on top of that and you can use up what traction is left and skid.

Answer

The brake light switches off during a lean

Answer

The front brake stops working past a certain lean angle

Answer

Traction grows with lean, so the bike stops too abruptly

Question 8

How should you use the brakes on a wet or otherwise slick surface?

Accepted Answer

Squeeze the front lever gradually and press the rear gently — The front brake still does its job on a slippery road, but it wants a progressive squeeze rather than a grab, paired with gentle pressure at the rear, so neither wheel locks.

Answer

Use the rear brake only, since the front is useless when wet

Answer

Grab the front lever hard to shorten the stop

Answer

Leave both brakes alone and let the engine slow you

Question 9

A hazard appears so close that you do not have room to stop in time. What is usually the better choice?

Accepted Answer

Swerve around the hazard, then brake if needed once upright — If you cannot stop in time, swerving around the hazard is often your best option. Swerve first, then brake if you still need to once you are upright and traveling straight.

Answer

Grab the front brake as hard as you can and hope

Answer

Lay the motorcycle down on purpose

Answer

Close the throttle and let go of the handlebars

Question 10

If you must swerve to avoid a hazard, what should you do about braking?

Accepted Answer

Do not brake while swerving; brake before or after, not during — Never brake while swerving, because braking and turning at the same time can cause a loss of traction. Brake before or after the swerve, but not during it.

Answer

Brake hard at the same time you swerve

Answer

Lock the front brake during the swerve

Answer

Never use the brakes again on that ride

California Motorcycle: Braking & Emergency Stops practice test

Study questions with answers

1. You must stop quickly while leaned over in a curve. What is the best technique?

2. What should you do if your front wheel locks up during hard braking?

3. To stop as quickly as possible, how should a motorcyclist use the brakes?

4. Which braking mistake turns up most often in motorcycle collisions?

5. According to the handbook, what should you do if your rear wheel locks while you are traveling in a straight line?

6. Some motorcycles are built with an integrated braking system. What does that mean?

7. Why is hard braking risky while the motorcycle is leaned into a turn?

8. How should you use the brakes on a wet or otherwise slick surface?

9. A hazard appears so close that you do not have room to stop in time. What is usually the better choice?

10. If you must swerve to avoid a hazard, what should you do about braking?

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