Basic vehicle control

Question 1

The handbook says it cannot teach you to control direction, speed, or balance. How do you learn that?

Accepted Answer

By taking professionally taught rider courses, practicing, and riding within your abilities

Answer

By reading the owner’s manual twice

Answer

By following experienced riders in traffic

Question 2

What should your posture on the motorcycle let you do with your arms?

Accepted Answer

Control the motorcycle rather than hold yourself up

Answer

Carry most of your body weight

Answer

Keep them locked straight at all times

Question 3

How far forward should you sit?

Accepted Answer

Far enough that your arms are slightly bent when you hold the handlegrips

Answer

Far enough that your arms are fully straight

Answer

As far back on the seat as possible

Question 4

What is the benefit of riding with your arms slightly bent?

Accepted Answer

You can press on the handlebars without stretching, and your arms tire less

Answer

You can lift the front wheel over obstacles

Answer

You can ride with one hand more easily

Question 5

Why should you start with your right wrist flat?

Accepted Answer

So you do not accidentally use too much throttle

Answer

So you can reach the horn button faster

Answer

So the front brake lever stays pulled in

Question 6

How should the handlebars be adjusted in relation to your elbows?

Accepted Answer

So your hands are even with or below your elbows

Answer

So your hands are well above your elbows

Answer

So your hands are level with your shoulders

Question 7

Where should your knees be while riding?

Accepted Answer

Against the gas tank

Answer

Pointed outward for balance

Answer

Resting on the handlebars in turns

Question 8

What does the handbook say about dragging your feet?

Accepted Answer

Do not do it, you could lose control of the motorcycle

Answer

Do it in slow turns for extra balance

Answer

Do it whenever the road is wet

Question 9

Why should you not point your toes downward while riding?

Accepted Answer

They may get caught between the road and the footrests

Answer

It makes the rear brake lock

Answer

It shifts your weight too far back

Question 10

Which gear should you stay in while stopped?

Accepted Answer

First gear, so you can move out quickly if needed

Answer

Neutral, to rest your clutch hand

Answer

Second gear, for a smoother start

Question 11

What do you do with the gears as you slow or stop?

Accepted Answer

Shift down through the gears with the clutch

Answer

Stay in the gear you were in until you have stopped

Answer

Shift into neutral as soon as you start braking

Question 12

What can happen if you shift into a lower gear while riding too fast for it?

Accepted Answer

The motorcycle will lurch and the rear wheel may skid

Answer

The engine will stall and the front wheel will lock

Answer

Nothing, the clutch absorbs the difference

Question 13

In which situations may you need to slow down in order to downshift safely?

Accepted Answer

When riding downhill or shifting into first gear

Answer

When riding uphill or shifting into top gear

Answer

Only when carrying a passenger

Question 14

When is the best time to change gears for a turn?

Accepted Answer

Before starting the turn

Answer

At the middle of the turn

Answer

Just as you leave the turn

Question 15

You have to shift while in a turn. Why must you do it smoothly?

Accepted Answer

A sudden change in power to the rear wheel can cause a skid

Answer

The transmission can be damaged by leaning

Answer

The front brake engages when the clutch is pulled

Question 16

Which brake has more stopping power?

Accepted Answer

The front brake

Answer

The rear brake

Answer

Both have the same power

Question 17

How much of your total stopping power does the front brake provide?

Accepted Answer

Three-quarters

Answer

One-quarter

Answer

One-half

Question 18

How do you make a normal, nonemergency stop?

Accepted Answer

Use both brakes at the same time and downshift

Answer

Use the rear brake only and stay in gear

Answer

Use the front brake only and pull in the clutch

Question 19

Why should you use both brakes even for ordinary stops?

Accepted Answer

It builds the habit and skill you may need in an emergency

Answer

It keeps the brake light on longer

Answer

It saves wear on the tires

Question 20

What is the correct way to apply the two brakes?

Accepted Answer

Squeeze the front brake and press down on the rear brake

Answer

Grab the front brake and tap the rear brake

Answer

Jam down on the rear brake and then squeeze the front

Question 21

What can grabbing at the front brake or jamming down on the rear brake cause?

Accepted Answer

The brakes can lock, leading to control problems

Answer

The brake light can fail

Answer

The engine can stall at once

Question 22

Why must braking in a turn be done very carefully?

Accepted Answer

Some traction is used for cornering, so less is available for stopping

Answer

The brakes do not work when the motorcycle leans

Answer

The rear brake is disconnected in a lean

Question 23

How should you use the front brake lever on a slippery surface?

Accepted Answer

Squeeze it gently and never grab it

Answer

Do not touch it at all

Answer

Pull it fully and release it in quick bursts

Question 24

What does an integrated braking system do?

Accepted Answer

It links the front and rear brakes together when you apply the rear brake pedal

Answer

It applies the brakes automatically when you close the throttle

Answer

It disables the front brake at low speed

Question 25

What are the four steps for better control in a turn, in order?

Accepted Answer

Slow, look, press, roll

Answer

Look, roll, press, slow

Answer

Press, slow, roll, look

Question 26

When and how do you reduce speed for a turn?

Accepted Answer

Before the turn, by rolling off the throttle and applying both brakes if necessary

Answer

In the middle of the turn, by using the front brake

Answer

After the turn, by downshifting

Question 27

When you look through a turn, what should you turn?

Accepted Answer

Only your head, not your shoulders

Answer

Your head and your shoulders together

Answer

Only your eyes, with your head facing forward

Question 28

Where should your eyes be while you look through a turn?

Accepted Answer

Level with the horizon

Answer

On the pavement just ahead of the front wheel

Answer

On the handlebars

Question 29

How do you make the motorcycle lean into a turn?

Accepted Answer

Press on the handlegrip in the direction of the turn

Answer

Press on the handlegrip opposite to the turn

Answer

Pull both handlegrips toward you

Question 30

You want to turn left. Which handlegrip do you press?

Accepted Answer

The left one

Answer

The right one

Answer

Neither, you only shift your weight

Question 31

What do higher speeds or tighter turns require?

Accepted Answer

More lean

Answer

Less lean

Answer

No lean at all

Question 32

What do you do with the throttle through a turn?

Accepted Answer

Roll on it to hold a steady speed or accelerate gradually

Answer

Close it completely until the turn ends

Answer

Open it fully at the start of the turn

Question 33

In a normal turn, how should the rider lean?

Accepted Answer

Together with the motorcycle, at the same angle

Answer

Upright, while only the motorcycle leans

Answer

Farther than the motorcycle

Question 34

In a slow, tight turn, how should the rider lean?

Accepted Answer

Keep the body straight and lean only the motorcycle

Answer

Lean with the motorcycle at the same angle

Answer

Lean to the outside while the motorcycle stays upright

Question 35

What mistake do riders often make with curves and turns?

Accepted Answer

They try to take them too fast

Answer

They signal too early

Answer

They slow down too much before them

Question 36

A rider overreacts in a turn and brakes too hard. What is the likely result?

Accepted Answer

A skid and loss of control

Answer

A smoother line through the turn

Answer

A stalled engine

Question 37

What is the friction zone?

Accepted Answer

The area of the clutch between completely engaged and completely released

Answer

The part of the tire that touches the road

Answer

The last part of the front brake lever travel

Question 38

How does riding within the friction zone help in a U-turn?

Accepted Answer

It gives you more control through the turn

Answer

It lets you use the front brake safely

Answer

It makes the motorcycle lean less

Question 39

What does “dragging the rear brake” mean?

Accepted Answer

Using the rear brake to control speed and keep the bike stable, as in a U-turn

Answer

Riding with a worn rear brake pad

Answer

Locking the rear wheel to slide the bike around

Question 40

Why should the front brake not be used during a U-turn?

Accepted Answer

It could cause the bike to tip over

Answer

It would make the turn too wide

Answer

It wears out faster at low speed

Question 41

How can you equalize balance in a tight U-turn?

Accepted Answer

Keep your feet on the footrests and put weight on the outside footrest if necessary

Answer

Put your inside foot on the ground and pivot around it

Answer

Stand up on both footrests

Question 42

How should you practice U-turns?

Accepted Answer

In an empty parking lot, starting wide and gradually tightening the turns

Answer

On a quiet street, starting with the tightest turn you can make

Answer

In traffic, to get used to real conditions

Question 43

Which practice pattern makes you comfortable with U-turns to both the left and the right?

Accepted Answer

Figure 8 patterns

Answer

Straight-line sprints

Answer

Circles in one direction only

Questions and answers