Hazards & Road Surfaces

Study questions with answers

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

1. 1. If a dog runs toward your motorcycle, the safest response is to:

   Correct answer: Slow and downshift, then accelerate away as it nears

   Slow and downshift as a dog approaches, then accelerate away as it nears; do not kick at it, which makes controlling the bike harder.

   Source: Oregon Motorcycle & Moped Manual, Section Seven - Animals

2. 2. Just before riding over a bump or obstacle, you should:

   Correct answer: Rise slightly off the seat with weight on the footrests

   Lift a bit off the saddle, putting your weight through the footpegs so knees and elbows soak up the jolt, and add a touch of throttle to unweight the front.

   Source: Oregon Motorcycle & Moped Manual, Section Six - Uneven Surfaces or Obstacles

3. 3. On a slippery surface, the first thing you should do is:

   Correct answer: Slow down before reaching it

   Slow down before you reach a slippery surface, increase your following distance, and be smooth with all inputs.

   Source: Oregon Motorcycle & Moped Manual, Section Six - Slippery Surfaces

4. 4. If the front end begins to wobble, you should:

   Correct answer: Grip firmly and gradually close the throttle without braking

   Do not fight a wobble or brake, which can worsen it; grip the bars firmly, ease off the throttle gradually, shift your weight forward, and pull off to fix the cause.

   Source: Oregon Motorcycle & Moped Manual, Section Seven - Wobble

5. 5. For a pavement seam or track running parallel to your path, you should:

   Correct answer: Move over and cross it at a 45- to 90-degree angle with a quick turn

   Give yourself room from a seam that parallels your path so you can meet it between roughly 45 and 90 degrees, then turn across it quickly and decisively to keep your tire from catching.

   Source: Oregon Motorcycle & Moped Manual, Section Six - Railroad Tracks, Trolley Tracks and Pavement Seams

6. 6. The usually safer way to cross railroad tracks is to:

   Correct answer: Ride straight across within your lane

   It is usually safer to ride straight across tracks within your lane, since turning to cross could carry you into another lane of traffic.

   Source: Oregon Motorcycle & Moped Manual, Section Six - Railroad Tracks, Trolley Tracks and Pavement Seams

7. 7. If the throttle sticks and twisting it does not free it, you should immediately:

   Correct answer: Hit the engine cut-off switch while squeezing the clutch in

   If the throttle stays stuck, use the engine cut-off switch and squeeze the clutch at the same time to remove power from the rear wheel, then pull off.

   Source: Oregon Motorcycle & Moped Manual, Section Seven - Stuck Throttle

8. 8. If you must ride over an obstacle you cannot avoid, you should approach it:

   Correct answer: At an angle as near to square-on as you can manage

   Approach an unavoidable obstacle as near to a right angle as possible, slow before contact, rise slightly off the seat, and keep the bike upright.

   Source: Oregon Motorcycle & Moped Manual, Section Six - Uneven Surfaces or Obstacles

9. 9. In foggy conditions, which headlight setting should you use?

   Correct answer: Your low beam

   Use your high beam when you are not following or meeting a car, except in fog, where you should use only your low beam.

   Source: Oregon Motorcycle & Moped Manual, Section Seven - Night Riding/Foggy Conditions

10. 10. If a tire goes flat while riding and you must slow, you should:

    Correct answer: Gradually brake the tire that is not flat

    Roll off the throttle and keep the bike pointed straight; should you need to brake, do so gently on the wheel that still holds air, then move off the road.

    Source: Oregon Motorcycle & Moped Manual, Section Seven - Tire Failure

11. 11. If your front tire suddenly goes flat while riding, the steering will:

    Correct answer: Feel heavy

    A front flat makes the steering feel heavy and is especially hazardous; hold the grips firmly and steer to keep your balance.

    Source: Oregon Motorcycle & Moped Manual, Section Seven - Tire Failure

12. 12. When riding over metal bridge gratings or rain grooves, you should:

    Correct answer: Keep a steady speed and ride straight across

    Grooves and gratings may make the bike weave; keep a steady speed and ride straight across.

    Source: Oregon Motorcycle & Moped Manual, Section Six - Grooves and Gratings