MSF Basic Rider Course Study Questions & Answers
Why is motorcycling considered serious fun? - ANSWER:Serious because there is risk involved; fun
because riding a motorcycle is fun.
Learning to ride and ride well requires what physical traits? - ANSWER:Fitness, strength, coordination
What do RiderCoaches do? - ANSWER:Guide students, answer questions, observe progress
What are the four requirements for successful course completion? - ANSWER:1. Complete all course
assignments
2. Attend all sessions
3. Pass a knowledge test
4. Pass an on-cycle test
When does a RiderCoach not permit further riding in the course? - ANSWER:If a rider has a lot of
difficulty or becomes a danger to themselves or others.
What are the three basic motorcycle types? - ANSWER:street, dual-purpose, off-highway
Pick the motorcycle type you will likely ride and explain why. - ANSWER:street - likely a standard or a
cruiser (probably start on a standard and move to a cruiser)
List the six primary controls. - ANSWER:handlebars, throttle, clutch lever, gearshift lever, front brake
lever, rear brake pedal
How do you operate the motorcycle's throttle? - ANSWER:Rotate to control engine speed; to increase
engine speed, twist it toward you (roll on); to decrease engine speed, twist it away from you (roll off)
What does the clutch level do? - ANSWER:Connects power from the engine to rear wheel
How is the gearshift level operated? - ANSWER:Lift up firmly and release to go to a higher gear; press
down firmly and release to go to a lower gear
What is a shift pattern? - ANSWER:How many gears are available below and above neutral
How are the two brake controls operated? - ANSWER:Front brake level is squeezed in to operate; the
amount of squeeze must be adjusted for effective braking. Rear brake pedal is pressed down to operate
it.
What are possible positions on the fuel valve? - ANSWER:On, Reserve, and Prime or Off
What are possible positions on the ignition switch? - ANSWER:On, Off, and Lock, and possibly Park
What is the choke control used for? - ANSWER:Provide an enriched fuel mixture to help start the engine;
raises idle to permit the engine to warm quickly.
Why does a motorcycle have an engine cut-off switch? - ANSWER:You can shut off the engine without
removing your hand from the handgrip.
, What are some common indicators that display information? - ANSWER:Speedometer, odometer,
tachometer, indicator lights
What is important to know about a convex mirror? - ANSWER:They provide a wider view but make
objects look farther away. They also reduce the size of blind spot areas but do not eliminate them.
What is the difference between a side stand and center stand? - ANSWER:Center stand keeps the
motorcycle more upright.
List the five steps of the engine pre-start routine. - ANSWER:fuel, ignition, neutral, engine cut-off switch,
and choke/clutch (FINE-C)
What are the three steps to follow when shutting off the engine? - ANSWER:move engine cut-off switch
to Off, turn ignition switch off, and turn fuel supply valve Off if it has that position (thumb, key, valve)
Which is the friction zone? - ANSWER:A small area in the travel of the clutch lever that controls the
connection between the engine and the rear wheel.
What does squeezing the clutch lever do? - ANSWER:Fully squeezing in the clutch level removes power
from the rear wheel.
What must you do if you start to lose control of the motorcycle? - ANSWER:Squeeze the clutch lever in
fully and use the brakes are needed.
What is the position of the right wrist for good riding posture? - ANSWER:Flat
What are the other elements of proper riding posture? - ANSWER:Back straight, head & eyes up, feet on
footrests near the controls, knees & elbows in, arms relaxed and bent, fingers around the throttle, cover
the clutch lever.
How do you initiate motorcycle lean at speeds higher than walking speed? - ANSWER:Countersteer -
press left, lean left; press right, lean right
What are the four action steps for making a basic turn? - ANSWER:1 - slow, 2-look, 3-press, and 4-roll
What is three-step strategy for curves and what does each step mean? - ANSWER:1 - Search means to
look for key information while approaching and going through a curve
2 - Setup is to adjust speed and lane position as necessary before entering
3 - Smooth means to operate the controls so there are no jerky moverments
In what type of turn does counterweighting help? - ANSWER:Slow, tight turns like a U-turn in a parking
lot.
What gear should you be in when coming to a stop and why? - ANSWER:First, so you can easily start out
again.
What is the benefit of squaring the handlebars when coming to a stop? - ANSWER:The motorcycle is
easier to hold up.
Why is motorcycling considered serious fun? - ANSWER:Serious because there is risk involved; fun
because riding a motorcycle is fun.
Learning to ride and ride well requires what physical traits? - ANSWER:Fitness, strength, coordination
What do RiderCoaches do? - ANSWER:Guide students, answer questions, observe progress
What are the four requirements for successful course completion? - ANSWER:1. Complete all course
assignments
2. Attend all sessions
3. Pass a knowledge test
4. Pass an on-cycle test
When does a RiderCoach not permit further riding in the course? - ANSWER:If a rider has a lot of
difficulty or becomes a danger to themselves or others.
What are the three basic motorcycle types? - ANSWER:street, dual-purpose, off-highway
Pick the motorcycle type you will likely ride and explain why. - ANSWER:street - likely a standard or a
cruiser (probably start on a standard and move to a cruiser)
List the six primary controls. - ANSWER:handlebars, throttle, clutch lever, gearshift lever, front brake
lever, rear brake pedal
How do you operate the motorcycle's throttle? - ANSWER:Rotate to control engine speed; to increase
engine speed, twist it toward you (roll on); to decrease engine speed, twist it away from you (roll off)
What does the clutch level do? - ANSWER:Connects power from the engine to rear wheel
How is the gearshift level operated? - ANSWER:Lift up firmly and release to go to a higher gear; press
down firmly and release to go to a lower gear
What is a shift pattern? - ANSWER:How many gears are available below and above neutral
How are the two brake controls operated? - ANSWER:Front brake level is squeezed in to operate; the
amount of squeeze must be adjusted for effective braking. Rear brake pedal is pressed down to operate
it.
What are possible positions on the fuel valve? - ANSWER:On, Reserve, and Prime or Off
What are possible positions on the ignition switch? - ANSWER:On, Off, and Lock, and possibly Park
What is the choke control used for? - ANSWER:Provide an enriched fuel mixture to help start the engine;
raises idle to permit the engine to warm quickly.
Why does a motorcycle have an engine cut-off switch? - ANSWER:You can shut off the engine without
removing your hand from the handgrip.
, What are some common indicators that display information? - ANSWER:Speedometer, odometer,
tachometer, indicator lights
What is important to know about a convex mirror? - ANSWER:They provide a wider view but make
objects look farther away. They also reduce the size of blind spot areas but do not eliminate them.
What is the difference between a side stand and center stand? - ANSWER:Center stand keeps the
motorcycle more upright.
List the five steps of the engine pre-start routine. - ANSWER:fuel, ignition, neutral, engine cut-off switch,
and choke/clutch (FINE-C)
What are the three steps to follow when shutting off the engine? - ANSWER:move engine cut-off switch
to Off, turn ignition switch off, and turn fuel supply valve Off if it has that position (thumb, key, valve)
Which is the friction zone? - ANSWER:A small area in the travel of the clutch lever that controls the
connection between the engine and the rear wheel.
What does squeezing the clutch lever do? - ANSWER:Fully squeezing in the clutch level removes power
from the rear wheel.
What must you do if you start to lose control of the motorcycle? - ANSWER:Squeeze the clutch lever in
fully and use the brakes are needed.
What is the position of the right wrist for good riding posture? - ANSWER:Flat
What are the other elements of proper riding posture? - ANSWER:Back straight, head & eyes up, feet on
footrests near the controls, knees & elbows in, arms relaxed and bent, fingers around the throttle, cover
the clutch lever.
How do you initiate motorcycle lean at speeds higher than walking speed? - ANSWER:Countersteer -
press left, lean left; press right, lean right
What are the four action steps for making a basic turn? - ANSWER:1 - slow, 2-look, 3-press, and 4-roll
What is three-step strategy for curves and what does each step mean? - ANSWER:1 - Search means to
look for key information while approaching and going through a curve
2 - Setup is to adjust speed and lane position as necessary before entering
3 - Smooth means to operate the controls so there are no jerky moverments
In what type of turn does counterweighting help? - ANSWER:Slow, tight turns like a U-turn in a parking
lot.
What gear should you be in when coming to a stop and why? - ANSWER:First, so you can easily start out
again.
What is the benefit of squaring the handlebars when coming to a stop? - ANSWER:The motorcycle is
easier to hold up.
