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. Releasing a locked rear brake when the rear wheel is out of line with the front can cause what?

   Correct answer: A high-side crash

   If the wheels are misaligned, suddenly releasing a locked rear wheel can throw the rider in a high-side crash.

   Source: MSF Motorcycle Operator Manual (18th ed.), Oklahoma edition — Crash Avoidance

2. 2. Why is a front-wheel skid especially dangerous?

   Correct answer: It causes immediate loss of steering and balance

   A locked front wheel causes an instant loss of steering control and balance.

   Source: MSF Motorcycle Operator Manual (18th ed.), Oklahoma edition — Crash Avoidance

3. 3. When you must both brake and swerve to avoid something, how should you combine them?

   Correct answer: Brake before or after the swerve, never during it

   Keep braking and swerving separate: brake before or after the swerve, but not while you are swerving.

   Source: MSF Motorcycle Operator Manual (18th ed.), Oklahoma edition — Crash Avoidance

4. 4. In traffic, how much distance does a motorcycle need to stop compared with a car?

   Correct answer: About the same distance as a car

   Motorcycles need about as much room to stop as cars do.

   Source: MSF Motorcycle Operator Manual (18th ed.), Oklahoma edition — Keeping Your Distance

5. 5. Every time you slow or stop, which brakes should you use?

   Correct answer: Both the front and rear brakes

   You should apply both brakes for every slow-down or stop.

   Source: MSF Motorcycle Operator Manual (18th ed.), Oklahoma edition — Braking

6. 6. Studies show that most crash-involved riders tend to do what with their brakes?

   Correct answer: Underbrake the front and overbrake the rear

   Many riders in crashes underbrake the front tire while overbraking the rear.

   Source: MSF Motorcycle Operator Manual (18th ed.), Oklahoma edition — Crash Avoidance

7. 7. Maximum straight-line braking is achieved by applying both brakes how?

   Correct answer: Fully, without locking either wheel

   You get the shortest straight-line stop by fully applying both brakes without letting either wheel lock.

   Source: MSF Motorcycle Operator Manual (18th ed.), Oklahoma edition — Braking

8. 8. As weight shifts forward during hard braking, what should you do with the rear brake?

   Correct answer: Use lighter pressure to avoid a rear-wheel skid

   Because less traction remains at the rear, you should ease off to lighter pressure on the rear brake to avoid a skid.

   Source: MSF Motorcycle Operator Manual (18th ed.), Oklahoma edition — Braking

9. 9. How does an anti-lock braking system (ABS) help prevent a skid?

   Correct answer: By rapidly releasing and reapplying brake pressure to stop wheels locking

   ABS senses a possible lock-up and rapidly releases then reapplies brake pressure many times a second to keep the wheels from locking.

   Source: MSF Motorcycle Operator Manual (18th ed.), Oklahoma edition — Braking

10. 10. When should you open up a three-second or larger following distance?

    Correct answer: When the road is slippery or you cannot see past the vehicle ahead

    Stretch to three seconds or more when the pavement is slippery, you cannot see past the vehicle ahead, or traffic is heavy.

    Source: MSF Motorcycle Operator Manual (18th ed.), Oklahoma edition — Keeping Your Distance

11. 11. What is the minimum following distance you should keep behind another vehicle?

    Correct answer: At least two seconds

    Normally you should hold at least a two-second gap behind the vehicle ahead.

    Source: MSF Motorcycle Operator Manual (18th ed.), Oklahoma edition — Keeping Your Distance

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

    Correct answer: Release the front brake at once, then reapply it

    If the front wheel locks up, release the front brake right away and then reapply it firmly.

    Source: MSF Motorcycle Operator Manual (18th ed.), Oklahoma edition — Crash Avoidance