Massachusetts Motorcycle: Braking & Emergency Stops Practice Test

Question 1

If your rear wheel locks during a straight-line quick stop, the manual advises you to do what?

Accepted Answer

Keep the rear brake locked until you stop, if going straight — When you are traveling straight and the rear wheel locks, keep it locked and ride the skid to a stop; riders can often control the bike this way.

Answer

Instantly release the rear brake

Answer

Steer sharply toward the shoulder

Answer

Add front brake until both wheels lock

Question 2

Compared with a car, what does the manual say about how quickly a motorcycle can stop?

Accepted Answer

A motorcycle does not require the same stopping distance as a car — Motorcycles generally do not need the same stopping distance as larger vehicles, but riders should still keep at least a two-second cushion in front.

Answer

A motorcycle needs far more distance than a car

Answer

Stopping distance is identical for both

Answer

A motorcycle cannot stop without both brakes locking

Question 3

Why should you avoid braking while you are swerving?

Accepted Answer

It can cause a skid because traction is limited — Braking during a swerve can break traction and cause a skid; the manual advises separating the two actions, such as swerving first and then braking.

Answer

It uses too much fuel

Answer

It disables the turn signals

Answer

It always stalls the engine

Question 4

Many riders believe the rear brake should always be applied first. How does the manual answer that?

Accepted Answer

The belief is mistaken; both brakes should come on together — Holding the lever back only delays the slowing, so the manual calls the idea mistaken and has riders bring both brakes in at the same moment.

Answer

It is right, but only on wet pavement

Answer

It is right whenever a passenger is aboard

Answer

It is right at speeds under 20 mph

Question 5

What can happen if you grab at the front lever or stamp down on the rear pedal?

Accepted Answer

A wheel can lock up and leave you fighting for control — The manual asks for a squeeze at the lever and steady pressure at the pedal, because a sudden violent input at either end can lock a wheel and take control away from you.

Answer

The brake light will fail to come on

Answer

The machine will jump out of gear

Answer

The front forks will lock straight ahead

Question 6

If you need to stop quickly while leaned over in a curve, what should you do first?

Accepted Answer

Straighten the motorcycle upright, then brake firmly — Straighten the bike upright before braking hard; if there is no room to straighten, apply both brakes gradually while increasing pressure.

Answer

Brake as hard as you can while still leaned over

Answer

Use only the rear brake while leaning

Answer

Lean farther and coast to a stop

Question 7

You must stop fast in a curve and there is no chance to stand the motorcycle up first. What does the manual advise?

Accepted Answer

Bring both brakes on progressively, building the pressure as you go — Straightening up first is the preferred answer, but where that is impossible you bring both brakes in little by little, adding pressure as you go until the machine is stopped.

Answer

Use the rear brake by itself until you are upright

Answer

Let the clutch out and slow on the engine alone

Answer

Lean over further to scrub off the speed

Question 8

During a hard, quick stop, if the front wheel locks up, what should you do?

Accepted Answer

Release the front brake, then reapply it gently — If the front wheel locks, release the front brake immediately and then gently squeeze it again to keep control.

Answer

Keep squeezing the front brake harder

Answer

Let go of both brakes completely

Answer

Jam on the rear brake as well

Question 9

On a motorcycle fitted with an integrated braking system, how are the two brakes connected?

Accepted Answer

Pushing the rear brake pedal also brings the front brake on — These systems tie the front and rear together through the foot pedal, and the manual sends riders to their own owner's handbook to learn how the arrangement behaves.

Answer

A sensor brakes for you without any input

Answer

A cable joins the two hand levers together

Answer

A handlebar switch you turn on before every stop

Question 10

How much of a motorcycle's total stopping power can come from the front brake?

Accepted Answer

At least three quarters of it — The front wheel does most of the work, which is why the manual calls the front brake the stronger of the two and warns that handling it badly is dangerous.

Answer

Roughly a quarter of it

Answer

About half of it

Answer

Almost none of it below highway speed

Question 11

As you slow the motorcycle down, what should you be doing with the gearbox?

Accepted Answer

Coming down through each gear in turn — Riders are told to come down through every gear as the speed falls, and to be traveling slowly enough before each change, since dropping a gear too soon can make the machine lurch and the back wheel slide.

Answer

Holding whatever gear you were in until you stop

Answer

Selecting neutral the moment you start to slow

Answer

Skipping straight into the lowest gear available

Massachusetts Motorcycle: Braking & Emergency Stops practice test

Study questions with answers

1. If your rear wheel locks during a straight-line quick stop, the manual advises you to do what?

2. Compared with a car, what does the manual say about how quickly a motorcycle can stop?

3. Why should you avoid braking while you are swerving?

4. Many riders believe the rear brake should always be applied first. How does the manual answer that?

5. What can happen if you grab at the front lever or stamp down on the rear pedal?

6. If you need to stop quickly while leaned over in a curve, what should you do first?

7. You must stop fast in a curve and there is no chance to stand the motorcycle up first. What does the manual advise?

8. During a hard, quick stop, if the front wheel locks up, what should you do?

9. On a motorcycle fitted with an integrated braking system, how are the two brakes connected?

10. How much of a motorcycle's total stopping power can come from the front brake?

11. As you slow the motorcycle down, what should you be doing with the gearbox?

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