MSF Basic Rider Course / MSF Basic E-Course Study Guide
Comprehensive Resource To Help You Ace 2026-2027
Includes Frequently Tested Questions With ELABORATED
100% Correct COMPLETE SOLUTIONS
Guaranteed Pass First Attempt!!
Current Update!!
1. What are the three basic motorcycle types? - ANSWER Street, Dual-
Purpose, Off-Highway
2. What motorcycle type will you likely ride? Why? - ANSWER I will likely
ride a street motorcycle and use it for transportation.
3. What are the six primary motorcycle controls? - ANSWER Clutch, handle
bars, front brake lever, throttle, gearshift lever, rear brake pedal.
4. How do you operate a motorcycles throttle? - ANSWER To increase
engine speed, twist towards you. To decrease engine speed, twist away.
5. What does the clutch lever do? - ANSWER It connects power from the
engine to the rear wheel. Squeeze it in to disconnect the power and ease it
out to connect.
6. How is the gearshift lever operated? - ANSWER Lift up firmly and
release for a higher gear, press down firmly and release for a lower gear.
,7. What is a shift pattern? - ANSWER is the specific order and direction in
which a motorcycle’s gears are selected using the gear shift lever.
8. How are the two brake controls operated? - ANSWER Front brake is
squeezed rear brake is pressed down.
9. What are possible positions on the fuel valve? - ANSWER On, reserve,
prime, off.
10.What are possible positions on the ignition switch? - ANSWER On, off,
lock, and sometimes park.
11.What is the choke control used for? - ANSWER It provides an enriched
fuel mixture to help start a cold engine.
12.Why does a motorcycle have an engine cut-off switch? - ANSWER It
allows you to shut off the engine without removing your hand from the
grip.
13.What are some common indicators that display information? - ANSWER
Speedometer, odometer, tachometer.
14.What is important to know about a convex mirror? - ANSWER They
provide a wider view but make objects look farther away.
,15.What is the difference between a side stand and a center stand? - ANSWER
A side stand supports a motorcycle when parked, a center stand makes
the motorcycle upright and raises the rear tire for maintenance.
16.Complete the Controls Quiz on page 7 and check your answers - ANSWER
Just google a picture of motorcycle controls and study it.
17.List the five steps of the engine pre-start routine. - ANSWER FINE-C;
Fuel, Ignition, Neutral, Engine cut-off switch, Choke/Clutch.
18.What are the three steps to follow when shutting off the engine? - ANSWER
1. Turn the engine cut-off switch to off with your right thumb. 2. Turn
the ignition switch to off. 3. Turn the fuel supply valve to off.
19.What is the friction zone? - ANSWER A small area of travel in the clutch
lever that controls connection the engine to the rear wheel.
20.What does squeezing the clutch lever do? - ANSWER Removes power
from the rear wheel.
21.What must you do if you start to lose control of the motorcycle? - ANSWER
Squeeze in the clutch firmly and use the brakes as needed.
22.What is the position of the right wrist for good riding posture? - ANSWER
Fingers around the throttle with a flat wrist.
, 23.What are the other elements of proper riding posture? - ANSWER Keep
your back straight, head and eyes up, feet on footrests near the controls.
24.How do you initiate motorcycle lean at speeds higher than walking speed? -
ANSWER Lean the motorcycle and turn the handlebars in the direction
you want to go.
25.What are the four action steps for making a basic turn? - ANSWER Slow,
Look, Press and Roll.
26.What is the three-step strategy for curves and what does each step mean? -
ANSWER Search-Setup-Smooth. Search: while approaching a curve
search for key information. Setup: adjust speed and lane position as
necessary before entering. Smooth: operate the controls so there are no
jerky movements.
27.In what type of turn does counterweighting help? - ANSWER U-turns
28.What gear should you be in when coming to a stop and why? - ANSWER
First gear, so it is easier to start rolling again and so you don't stall.
29.What is the benefit of squaring the handlebars when coming to a stop? -
ANSWER So the motorcycle is easy to hold up.
Comprehensive Resource To Help You Ace 2026-2027
Includes Frequently Tested Questions With ELABORATED
100% Correct COMPLETE SOLUTIONS
Guaranteed Pass First Attempt!!
Current Update!!
1. What are the three basic motorcycle types? - ANSWER Street, Dual-
Purpose, Off-Highway
2. What motorcycle type will you likely ride? Why? - ANSWER I will likely
ride a street motorcycle and use it for transportation.
3. What are the six primary motorcycle controls? - ANSWER Clutch, handle
bars, front brake lever, throttle, gearshift lever, rear brake pedal.
4. How do you operate a motorcycles throttle? - ANSWER To increase
engine speed, twist towards you. To decrease engine speed, twist away.
5. What does the clutch lever do? - ANSWER It connects power from the
engine to the rear wheel. Squeeze it in to disconnect the power and ease it
out to connect.
6. How is the gearshift lever operated? - ANSWER Lift up firmly and
release for a higher gear, press down firmly and release for a lower gear.
,7. What is a shift pattern? - ANSWER is the specific order and direction in
which a motorcycle’s gears are selected using the gear shift lever.
8. How are the two brake controls operated? - ANSWER Front brake is
squeezed rear brake is pressed down.
9. What are possible positions on the fuel valve? - ANSWER On, reserve,
prime, off.
10.What are possible positions on the ignition switch? - ANSWER On, off,
lock, and sometimes park.
11.What is the choke control used for? - ANSWER It provides an enriched
fuel mixture to help start a cold engine.
12.Why does a motorcycle have an engine cut-off switch? - ANSWER It
allows you to shut off the engine without removing your hand from the
grip.
13.What are some common indicators that display information? - ANSWER
Speedometer, odometer, tachometer.
14.What is important to know about a convex mirror? - ANSWER They
provide a wider view but make objects look farther away.
,15.What is the difference between a side stand and a center stand? - ANSWER
A side stand supports a motorcycle when parked, a center stand makes
the motorcycle upright and raises the rear tire for maintenance.
16.Complete the Controls Quiz on page 7 and check your answers - ANSWER
Just google a picture of motorcycle controls and study it.
17.List the five steps of the engine pre-start routine. - ANSWER FINE-C;
Fuel, Ignition, Neutral, Engine cut-off switch, Choke/Clutch.
18.What are the three steps to follow when shutting off the engine? - ANSWER
1. Turn the engine cut-off switch to off with your right thumb. 2. Turn
the ignition switch to off. 3. Turn the fuel supply valve to off.
19.What is the friction zone? - ANSWER A small area of travel in the clutch
lever that controls connection the engine to the rear wheel.
20.What does squeezing the clutch lever do? - ANSWER Removes power
from the rear wheel.
21.What must you do if you start to lose control of the motorcycle? - ANSWER
Squeeze in the clutch firmly and use the brakes as needed.
22.What is the position of the right wrist for good riding posture? - ANSWER
Fingers around the throttle with a flat wrist.
, 23.What are the other elements of proper riding posture? - ANSWER Keep
your back straight, head and eyes up, feet on footrests near the controls.
24.How do you initiate motorcycle lean at speeds higher than walking speed? -
ANSWER Lean the motorcycle and turn the handlebars in the direction
you want to go.
25.What are the four action steps for making a basic turn? - ANSWER Slow,
Look, Press and Roll.
26.What is the three-step strategy for curves and what does each step mean? -
ANSWER Search-Setup-Smooth. Search: while approaching a curve
search for key information. Setup: adjust speed and lane position as
necessary before entering. Smooth: operate the controls so there are no
jerky movements.
27.In what type of turn does counterweighting help? - ANSWER U-turns
28.What gear should you be in when coming to a stop and why? - ANSWER
First gear, so it is easier to start rolling again and so you don't stall.
29.What is the benefit of squaring the handlebars when coming to a stop? -
ANSWER So the motorcycle is easy to hold up.
