Braking & Emergency Stops

Study questions with answers

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

1. 1. Shifting gears abruptly can:

   Correct answer: Cause a rear-wheel skid from a sudden power change

   Sending a sudden jolt of power to the back tire may break traction, so make each gear change smooth.

   Source: Oregon Motorcycle & Moped Manual, Section Four - Shifting Gears

2. 2. A skidding rear wheel is usually caused by:

   Correct answer: Too much rear brake pressure

   A rear-wheel skid comes from too much rear brake pressure; if it locks, release the rear brake and reapply it smoothly.

   Source: Oregon Motorcycle & Moped Manual, Section Six - Handling Skids

3. 3. Good body position for a quick stop includes:

   Correct answer: Knees firmly against the tank with eyes up

   Press your knees to the tank and keep your gaze well down the road; this helps you halt in a straight line and stops your weight lurching forward.

   Source: Oregon Motorcycle & Moped Manual, Section Six - Stopping Quickly

4. 4. If the front wheel locks and starts to skid, you should:

   Correct answer: Release the front brake immediately, then reapply it smoothly

   A locked front wheel causes immediate loss of steering; release the front brake at once to get it rolling, then reapply smoothly.

   Source: Oregon Motorcycle & Moped Manual, Section Six - Handling Skids

5. 5. Every time you slow or stop a motorcycle, you should:

   Correct answer: Use both the front and rear brakes

   Always use both the front and rear brakes every time you slow or stop; using both shortens stopping distance.

   Source: Oregon Motorcycle & Moped Manual, Section Four - Stopping

6. 6. One good technique for stopping quickly while in a curve is to:

   Correct answer: Straighten the bike and square the handlebars, then stop

   A common technique is to straighten the motorcycle and square the handlebars, then brake to a stop.

   Source: Oregon Motorcycle & Moped Manual, Section Six - Stopping Quickly in a Curve

7. 7. An integrated braking system on a motorcycle:

   Correct answer: Links the front and rear brakes through one control

   Integrated braking systems tie the front and rear brakes together so a single control applies both.

   Source: Oregon Motorcycle & Moped Manual, Section Four - Integrated Braking Systems

8. 8. As you slow to a stop, what should you do with the gears?

   Correct answer: Shift down through the gears

   As you brake toward a stop, work down through the gearbox, changing gears smoothly so the rear wheel does not skid.

   Source: Oregon Motorcycle & Moped Manual, Section Four - Shifting Gears

9. 9. Compared with cars, motorcycles generally need:

   Correct answer: As much distance or more to stop

   Motorcycles need as much distance or more to stop as cars, so keep a generous following distance.

   Source: Oregon Motorcycle & Moped Manual, Section Five - Following Another Vehicle

10. 10. On a motorcycle with anti-lock brakes, in a hard stop you should:

    Correct answer: Apply firm maximum pressure to both brakes and hold it

    With ABS, apply firm maximum pressure to both brakes; you may feel pulsing, but keep holding the pressure until fully stopped.

    Source: Oregon Motorcycle & Moped Manual, Section Six - Anti-Lock Braking Systems

11. 11. Grabbing the front brake or stomping the rear brake can:

    Correct answer: Cause a wheel to lock and create control problems

    Grabbing the front or jamming the rear can lock a brake and lead to loss of control, so apply them smoothly.

    Source: Oregon Motorcycle & Moped Manual, Section Four - Stopping

12. 12. Used correctly, the front brake can supply roughly:

    Correct answer: Seventy percent or more of total stopping power

    When used properly, the front brake can provide about 70 percent or more of your total stopping power.

    Source: Oregon Motorcycle & Moped Manual, Section Four - Stopping