Speed & Space Management

Study questions with answers

12 sample Speed & Space Management questions with the correct answer, a short explanation, and the official handbook reference. Read through them, then take the quiz above.

1. 1. Keeping a space cushion all around your motorcycle mainly gives you:

   Correct answer: Time to react and room to maneuver if someone makes a mistake

   A cushion of space is your best protection because it gives you time to react and room to maneuver if someone else errs.

   Source: Colorado Motorcycle Operator's Handbook - Section 6, Keeping Your Distance

2. 2. Although a motorcycle can usually stop in less distance than a car, a rider should still:

   Correct answer: Keep a following-time cushion to react and spot hazards

   Keep a following-time cushion anyway; it gives you time to react and a better view of potholes and other hazards ahead.

   Source: Colorado Motorcycle Operator's Handbook - Section 6.1, Distance in Front

3. 3. Compared with daytime riding, at night you should:

   Correct answer: Open up a three-second following distance

   Open up a three-second following distance at night because distances are harder to judge in the dark.

   Source: Colorado Motorcycle Operator's Handbook - Section 9, Riding at Night

4. 4. For a normal following distance behind another vehicle, the handbook recommends:

   Correct answer: A two-second gap

   Use the two-second following rule as a guide, which gives you time to stop or swerve if the vehicle ahead stops suddenly.

   Source: Colorado Motorcycle Operator's Handbook - Section 6.1, Distance in Front

5. 5. You should open up to a three-second following distance when:

   Correct answer: The pavement is slippery or you can't see around the vehicle ahead

   A three-second cushion is needed when the pavement is slippery or when you cannot see around the vehicle ahead.

   Source: Colorado Motorcycle Operator's Handbook - Section 6.1, Distance in Front

6. 6. The best way to deal with a tailgater is to:

   Correct answer: Slow down and let them pass

   Rather than speeding up, get the tailgater in front of you by changing lanes or slowing to open space so they pass.

   Source: Colorado Motorcycle Operator's Handbook - Section 6.2, Distance Behind

7. 7. Checking your mirror before you slow down helps you judge whether the driver behind:

   Correct answer: Expects your slowdown or is unsure where you'll stop

   A mirror check tells you whether the driver behind expects your slowdown or is unsure exactly where you will slow.

   Source: Colorado Motorcycle Operator's Handbook - Section 4.1, Using Your Mirrors

8. 8. A larger, three-second cushion is also wise when:

   Correct answer: Your motorcycle needs longer than normal to stop

   Allow a three-second cushion whenever your motorcycle will take longer than normal to stop, such as on slippery pavement.

   Source: Colorado Motorcycle Operator's Handbook - Section 6.1, Distance in Front

9. 9. Even when stopped in traffic, staying well back from the vehicle ahead:

   Correct answer: Gives you room to escape if someone bears down from behind

   Keeping a gap when stopped lets you move aside if someone bears down from behind or the vehicle ahead backs up.

   Source: Colorado Motorcycle Operator's Handbook - Section 6.1, Distance in Front

10. 10. Riding right next to cars or trucks in an adjacent lane is discouraged because:

    Correct answer: A vehicle could change into your lane without warning

    A vehicle in the next lane could switch into your lane without warning, so avoid riding alongside them when you don't have to.

    Source: Colorado Motorcycle Operator's Handbook - Section 5, Lane Position

11. 11. If you cannot change lanes to escape a tailgater, you should:

    Correct answer: Slow down to open extra space ahead of you

    Slow down and open extra space ahead of you, which encourages the tailgater to pass and gives everyone more room to react.

    Source: Colorado Motorcycle Operator's Handbook - Section 6.2, Distance Behind

12. 12. You can keep a cushion of space on both sides of your motorcycle by:

    Correct answer: Shifting your position within the lane as conditions change

    Shifting from one portion of the lane to another as traffic conditions change keeps a safe cushion on both sides.

    Source: Colorado Motorcycle Operator's Handbook - Section 6.3, Distance to the Side