Motorcycle Controls & Operation

Study questions with answers

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

1. 1. How should you position your feet on the footrests while riding?

   Correct answer: Firmly on the footrests, toes not pointed down

   Keep your feet firmly on the footrests without dragging them, and avoid letting your toes point down where they could catch.

   Source: Basic Vehicle Control — Body Position

2. 2. When is the best time to change gears in relation to a turn?

   Correct answer: Before entering the turn

   It is best to complete gear changes before entering a turn, because an abrupt power change to the rear wheel mid-turn can cause a skid.

   Source: Basic Vehicle Control — Shifting Gears

3. 3. A street-legal motorcycle, at minimum, should be fitted with how many mirrors according to the general gear list?

   Correct answer: Two mirrors

   The manual's minimum-equipment list for a street-legal motorcycle includes two mirrors.

   Source: Know Your Motorcycle — The Right Motorcycle For You

4. 4. When getting familiar with an unfamiliar motorcycle, you should be able to find and work which items without looking?

   Correct answer: The turn signals, horn, headlight switch, fuel valve, and cut-off switch

   You should locate and operate the turn signals, horn, headlight switch, fuel valve, and engine cut-off switch by feel.

   Source: Get Familiar with the Motorcycle Controls

5. 5. The manual says maximum straight-line stopping power is achieved by:

   Correct answer: Fully applying both brakes without locking a wheel

   Fully applying both the front and rear brakes without letting either wheel lock gives the strongest straight-line braking.

   Source: Basic Vehicle Control — Braking

6. 6. What effect does shifting down to a lower gear have besides increasing available power?

   Correct answer: It works like applying the brakes (engine braking)

   Downshifting produces engine braking, an effect similar to using the brakes to slow the motorcycle.

   Source: Basic Vehicle Control — Shifting Gears

7. 7. When you release the throttle, a properly working throttle should:

   Correct answer: Spring back to fully closed on its own

   During the pre-ride check the throttle should snap back to the fully closed position when let go.

   Source: Check Your Motorcycle — T-CLOCS Controls

8. 8. The manual advises starting a ride with your right wrist held flat mainly to:

   Correct answer: Keep from accidentally applying too much throttle

   A flat right wrist keeps you from unintentionally rolling on too much throttle.

   Source: Basic Vehicle Control — Body Position

9. 9. Before starting out, why should you make sure the fuel valve is open, if the bike has one?

   Correct answer: Otherwise the engine may start briefly, then stall when the lines empty

   With the valve closed the engine may start on fuel left in the lines but will stall once those lines run empty.

   Source: Check Your Motorcycle — Oil and Other Fluids

10. 10. What is the correct upshifting sequence the manual describes?

    Correct answer: Roll off the throttle and squeeze the clutch, lift the lever, then ease the clutch out and adjust throttle

    Roll off the throttle while squeezing the clutch, lift the shift lever firmly and release, then ease the clutch out while adjusting the throttle.

    Source: Basic Vehicle Control — Shifting Gears

11. 11. How should the mirrors be adjusted before you ride?

    Correct answer: So the lane to your rear and the one alongside are visible

    Aim each mirror to show the lane to your rear and the one alongside you; catching a glimpse of your shoulder is fine.

    Source: Check Your Motorcycle — Lights and Electrics

12. 12. In the MSF pre-ride check, what does the 'C' in T-CLOCS stand for right after Tires and Wheels?

    Correct answer: Controls

    T-CLOCS covers Tires and wheels, Controls, Lights and electrics, Oil and fluids, Chassis, and Stands.

    Source: Check Your Motorcycle — T-CLOCS