MSF Basic Rider Course Study Questions & Answers
Name 2 primary differences between cars/trucks and motorcycles. - ANSWER:Stability and visibility.
What are the problems that these differences cause? - ANSWER:Motorcycles do not have the stability of
cars because they must be balanced, and motorcycles leave you more vulnerable in a crash because
there is less protection. Motorcycles are not as readily seen as cars, trucks, or other motor vehicles
because of their size.
Part of being responsible means to give a lot of thought to what? - ANSWER:The consequences of your
riding behavior in traffic.
What is the primary cause of motorcycle crashes? - ANSWER:There is rarely a single cause; most crashes
involve many variable factors.
How does the Handbook define a "good motorcyclist"? - ANSWER:To have the desire and motivation to
choose to reduce risk while riding.
How does a rider reduce factors that lead to crashes? - ANSWER:By applying a strategy.
What does it mean to have a margin of safety? - ANSWER:1) staying within personal skill limits; 2) staying
within your motorcycle's limits, especially its tire traction limits; 3) staying within the available time and
space to respond to traffic situations before having to react to an emergency.
What is SEE, and what does each letter stand for? - ANSWER:Search, Evaluate, Execute is the strategy to
help you understand what is going on in traffic and to be constantly planning and implementing a course
of action.
Name several purposes of protective riding gear. - ANSWER:Providing comfort, increasing visibility, and
offering protection.
What's the difference between a full-face and three-quarter-coverage helmet? - ANSWER:The three-
quarter helmet doesn't offer the face and chin protection of full-face helmets.
Why aren't ordinary glasses or sunglasses sufficient eye protection? - ANSWER:They may not seal out
wind and dust that makes eyes water.
What stickers are likely to indicate a well-made helmet? - ANSWER:DOT and Snell stickers.
What type of injury accounts for the majority of motorcycle deaths? - ANSWER:Head injuries.
What is the value of appropriate footwear? - ANSWER:Protection from road hazards, burns from exhaust
pipes, gripping pavement and footrests, and protection from foot and ankle injuries.
What is the value of motorcycle specific clothing? - ANSWER:Best combination of fit and protection.
Define "hypothermia" and provide an example. - ANSWER:A condition of subnormal body temperature.
Can cause loss of concentration, slowed reactions, and lost of smooth, precise muscle movement.
, What is the value of dressing in layers? - ANSWER:Layers can be removed as desired.
What is T-CLOCS and what does each letter stand for? - ANSWER:A pre-ride inspection checklist. T-
CLOCS: Tires and Wheels; Controls; Lights and Electrics; Oil and Other Fluids; Chassis; Stands.
What are the primary motorcycle controls? - ANSWER:Handlebars, throttle, clutch lever, gearshift lever,
front brake lever, rear brake pedal.
What is the most common way to initiate and control motorcycle lean (for turns)? - ANSWER:The
handlebars.
What is meant by "shift pattern"? - ANSWER:The order of the gears (1-N-2-3-4-5)
Where are the brake controls found? - ANSWER:The right side of the motorcycle (front brake lever and
rear brake pedal)
What does the fuel valve do? - ANSWER:Controls the flow of gasoline to the engine.
What is the function of the tachometer? - ANSWER:The tachometer indicates engine speed.
What are some common indicator lights? - ANSWER:Neutral, high beam, turn signal indicators, oil
pressure, side stand down, and possibly others.
What are the steps in starting the engine? - ANSWER:FINE-C: Fuel supply valve; Ignition; Neutral; Engine
cut-off: on; Choke/clutch.
What is the friction zone? - ANSWER:The area in the travel of the clutch lever that begins where the
clutch starts to transmit power to the rear wheel and ends just before the clutch becomes fully engaged.
Describe good riding posture. - ANSWER:Keep your back straight, and head and eyes up. Keep both fee
on the footrests near the controls. Keep the knees and elbows comfortably in. Arms should be relaxed
and bent. The wrist should be positioned flat on the throttle.
List the 4 steps in turning. - ANSWER:Slow, look, press, roll.
When is the counterweight technique used? - ANSWER:Slow, tight turns.
Why do you change gears? - ANSWER:To match the engine speed with road speed.
What is the 3-part shift process? - ANSWER:1) roll off the throttle as the clutch is squeezed; 2) lift
(shifting up) or press (shifting down) the shift lever firmly as far as it will go; 3) smoothly ease out the
clutch and adjust the throttle.
What is engine braking? - ANSWER:Shifting to a lower gear.
How much of a motorcycle's stopping power is available from the front brake? - ANSWER:70% or more.
Why should both brakes be used simultaneously? - ANSWER:To develop the habit of using both brakes so
your reflexes will be ready to respond quickly and properly when an emergency situation occurs.
What's the purpose of the range safety rules? - ANSWER:To provide a low risk and positive learning
environment.
Name 2 primary differences between cars/trucks and motorcycles. - ANSWER:Stability and visibility.
What are the problems that these differences cause? - ANSWER:Motorcycles do not have the stability of
cars because they must be balanced, and motorcycles leave you more vulnerable in a crash because
there is less protection. Motorcycles are not as readily seen as cars, trucks, or other motor vehicles
because of their size.
Part of being responsible means to give a lot of thought to what? - ANSWER:The consequences of your
riding behavior in traffic.
What is the primary cause of motorcycle crashes? - ANSWER:There is rarely a single cause; most crashes
involve many variable factors.
How does the Handbook define a "good motorcyclist"? - ANSWER:To have the desire and motivation to
choose to reduce risk while riding.
How does a rider reduce factors that lead to crashes? - ANSWER:By applying a strategy.
What does it mean to have a margin of safety? - ANSWER:1) staying within personal skill limits; 2) staying
within your motorcycle's limits, especially its tire traction limits; 3) staying within the available time and
space to respond to traffic situations before having to react to an emergency.
What is SEE, and what does each letter stand for? - ANSWER:Search, Evaluate, Execute is the strategy to
help you understand what is going on in traffic and to be constantly planning and implementing a course
of action.
Name several purposes of protective riding gear. - ANSWER:Providing comfort, increasing visibility, and
offering protection.
What's the difference between a full-face and three-quarter-coverage helmet? - ANSWER:The three-
quarter helmet doesn't offer the face and chin protection of full-face helmets.
Why aren't ordinary glasses or sunglasses sufficient eye protection? - ANSWER:They may not seal out
wind and dust that makes eyes water.
What stickers are likely to indicate a well-made helmet? - ANSWER:DOT and Snell stickers.
What type of injury accounts for the majority of motorcycle deaths? - ANSWER:Head injuries.
What is the value of appropriate footwear? - ANSWER:Protection from road hazards, burns from exhaust
pipes, gripping pavement and footrests, and protection from foot and ankle injuries.
What is the value of motorcycle specific clothing? - ANSWER:Best combination of fit and protection.
Define "hypothermia" and provide an example. - ANSWER:A condition of subnormal body temperature.
Can cause loss of concentration, slowed reactions, and lost of smooth, precise muscle movement.
, What is the value of dressing in layers? - ANSWER:Layers can be removed as desired.
What is T-CLOCS and what does each letter stand for? - ANSWER:A pre-ride inspection checklist. T-
CLOCS: Tires and Wheels; Controls; Lights and Electrics; Oil and Other Fluids; Chassis; Stands.
What are the primary motorcycle controls? - ANSWER:Handlebars, throttle, clutch lever, gearshift lever,
front brake lever, rear brake pedal.
What is the most common way to initiate and control motorcycle lean (for turns)? - ANSWER:The
handlebars.
What is meant by "shift pattern"? - ANSWER:The order of the gears (1-N-2-3-4-5)
Where are the brake controls found? - ANSWER:The right side of the motorcycle (front brake lever and
rear brake pedal)
What does the fuel valve do? - ANSWER:Controls the flow of gasoline to the engine.
What is the function of the tachometer? - ANSWER:The tachometer indicates engine speed.
What are some common indicator lights? - ANSWER:Neutral, high beam, turn signal indicators, oil
pressure, side stand down, and possibly others.
What are the steps in starting the engine? - ANSWER:FINE-C: Fuel supply valve; Ignition; Neutral; Engine
cut-off: on; Choke/clutch.
What is the friction zone? - ANSWER:The area in the travel of the clutch lever that begins where the
clutch starts to transmit power to the rear wheel and ends just before the clutch becomes fully engaged.
Describe good riding posture. - ANSWER:Keep your back straight, and head and eyes up. Keep both fee
on the footrests near the controls. Keep the knees and elbows comfortably in. Arms should be relaxed
and bent. The wrist should be positioned flat on the throttle.
List the 4 steps in turning. - ANSWER:Slow, look, press, roll.
When is the counterweight technique used? - ANSWER:Slow, tight turns.
Why do you change gears? - ANSWER:To match the engine speed with road speed.
What is the 3-part shift process? - ANSWER:1) roll off the throttle as the clutch is squeezed; 2) lift
(shifting up) or press (shifting down) the shift lever firmly as far as it will go; 3) smoothly ease out the
clutch and adjust the throttle.
What is engine braking? - ANSWER:Shifting to a lower gear.
How much of a motorcycle's stopping power is available from the front brake? - ANSWER:70% or more.
Why should both brakes be used simultaneously? - ANSWER:To develop the habit of using both brakes so
your reflexes will be ready to respond quickly and properly when an emergency situation occurs.
What's the purpose of the range safety rules? - ANSWER:To provide a low risk and positive learning
environment.
