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 your motorcycle develops a wobble, you should NOT:

   Correct answer: Try to accelerate out of it

   Accelerating only makes a wobble worse; instead grip firmly, ease off the throttle, and do not brake.

   Source: Virginia Motorcycle Operator Manual - Section 8: Dealing with Emergencies

2. 2. If a tire suddenly goes flat while riding, you should brake using:

   Correct answer: The brake on the tire that is still good, applied gradually

   Hold the grips firmly, keep straight, and gently apply the brake on the good tire before easing off the road.

   Source: Virginia Motorcycle Operator Manual - Section 8: Dealing with Emergencies

3. 3. To stop as quickly as possible, you should:

   Correct answer: Apply both brakes firmly without locking either wheel

   A quick stop uses both brakes squeezed firmly and progressively, keeping the wheels from locking.

   Source: Virginia Motorcycle Operator Manual - Section 8: Dealing with Emergencies

4. 4. The key to a successful evasive maneuver is to:

   Correct answer: Make the bike lean quickly in the chosen direction

   Quickly leaning the bike, more for a sharper turn, is the key to swerving around a hazard.

   Source: Virginia Motorcycle Operator Manual - Section 8: Dealing with Emergencies

5. 5. Most wobbles can be traced to:

   Correct answer: Improper loading or the wrong tires or pressure

   Wobbles usually stem from improper loading, unsuitable accessories, or incorrect tires or tire pressure.

   Source: Virginia Motorcycle Operator Manual - Section 8: Dealing with Emergencies

6. 6. A sudden flat in the REAR tire usually feels like:

   Correct answer: The back jerking from side to side

   When the rear tire loses air, the back of the motorcycle tends to jerk from side to side.

   Source: Virginia Motorcycle Operator Manual - Section 8: Dealing with Emergencies

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

   Correct answer: Stay in your lane rather than swerve into traffic

   Hitting something small is less dangerous than swerving into traffic and striking something large like a car.

   Source: Virginia Motorcycle Operator Manual - Section 8: Dealing with Emergencies

8. 8. At the moment you come to a full stop, the motorcycle should be:

   Correct answer: Straight up and in balance

   Straightening the handlebars in the last few feet keeps the bike upright and balanced when it stops.

   Source: Virginia Motorcycle Operator Manual - Section 8: Dealing with Emergencies

9. 9. If the throttle sticks open, your first action should be to:

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

   First try twisting the throttle back and forth, which may free a stuck cable.

   Source: Virginia Motorcycle Operator Manual - Section 8: Dealing with Emergencies

10. 10. An early sign that an engine is about to seize is usually:

    Correct answer: A loss of engine power

    Engines seize when low on oil, and the first sign is often a loss of power, sometimes with a changed sound.

    Source: Virginia Motorcycle Operator Manual - Section 8: Dealing with Emergencies

11. 11. If an object strikes your face shield while riding, you should:

    Correct answer: Keep your eyes on the road and hands on the bars

    Do not let flying objects break your control; keep steering and pull off to fix any damage when it is safe.

    Source: Virginia Motorcycle Operator Manual - Section 8: Dealing with Emergencies

12. 12. If a dog chases your motorcycle, the manual suggests you:

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

    Shift down and approach the dog slowly, then speed up as you reach it to leave it behind, and never kick at it.

    Source: Virginia Motorcycle Operator Manual - Section 8: Dealing with Emergencies