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MSF Exam 2025 – Motorcycle Safety Foundation
Written Test, Practice Questions & Study Guide
Prepare for the MSF Exam 2025 with a complete Motorcycle Safety Foundation study guide
featuring updated written test questions, road rules, safety procedures, and riding skills to
help you pass your motorcycle licensing exam with confidence.
• MSF exam 2025
• Motorcycle Safety Foundation exam
• MSF written test
• MSF practice test
What is engine braking? - ANSWER-Downshifting to slow down the bike by using the engine
How much of a motorcycles stopping power is available from the front brake? - ANSWER-Front
brakes provide 70% of stopping power
Why should both brakes be used simultaneously? - ANSWER-You can stop faster
What's the purpose of the range safety rules? - ANSWER-To provide a low risk and positive
learning environment
Name 3 of the more important range safety rules - ANSWER-• DO NOT practice without rider
permission from coach
• Wear protective gear when riding
,2|Page
• Know where the engine cut off switch is and how to use it
• Do not pass other riders unless instructed to
How will the riders coaches communicate with you on the range? - ANSWER-• Use of hand
signals during riding exercises
• Verbal Communication
What does it mean to have a space cushion? - ANSWER-Space between your motorcycle and
traffic
How does a motorcycle utilize lane position? - ANSWER-Position yourself to see potential
problems ahead and so others can see you
What is the friction zone? - ANSWER-The area in the clutch movement that begins where the
clutch starts to transmit power to the rear wheel and ends just before the clutch becomes fully
engages
Describe a good riding posture - ANSWER-• Back Straight
• Head & Eyes up
• Both feet on the footrest and near controls
• Knees and elbows in
• Arms relaxed and bent
• Wrist positioned low on the throttle
List the 4 steps in turning - ANSWER-• Slow - reduce speed before a turn
• Look - turn your head and look where you want to go
,3|Page
• Press - initiate lean & press the handlebars in the desired direction
• Roll - roll the throttle throughout the turn slightly increasing speed
What is the value of the "Look" step - ANSWER-Helps you maintain a smooth path of travel
What is the value in the "Roll" step? - ANSWER-Stabilizes the suspension and improves overall
control
When is the counterweight technique used? - ANSWER-In slow, tight turns (U-Turns) the
counterweight is needed
Why do you change gears? - ANSWER-To match the engine speed with the road speed
What is the 3-Part shift process? - ANSWER-• Roll off the throttles the clutch is squeezed
• Lift the shift lever firmly as far as it will go
• Smoothly ease out the clutch and adjust the throttle
Name some ways to be more visible to others in traffic - ANSWER-•Clothing (Bright Colors)
•Headlight (During the day)
•Signals (communicate by signals)
•Brake Light (Flash before and during stops)
•Horn (use to gain attention)
What are the 3 "Lead Times"? RiderRadar - ANSWER-2-Seconds following distance
4-Seconds immediate path
12-Seconds anticipated path
, 4|Page
Why is the 2 second following distance considered minimum? - ANSWER-Because less than
ideal condition require increasing available time and space
Why is the 4-Second lead time called immediate? - ANSWER-Because anything within 4 seconds
of your path will require an immediate or quick response
What advantage is gained by using a 12 second anticipated path? - ANSWER-Looking ahead to
an area 12 seconds in front of you gives you time to prepare for a situation before it becomes
immediate
Name the 3 components of total stopping distance - ANSWER-•Perception Distance
•Reaction Distance
•Braking Distance
Safe riding is a skill of what kind? - ANSWER-Safe riding is more a skill of the eyes and mind than
the hands and feet
What does it mean to search? - ANSWER-To scan aggressively for potential factors and hazards
in front,behind, and on your sides
What is the characteristic of a convex mirror? - ANSWER-•Allows the rider to see farther to the
side
•Distorts the depth perception
What are the 3 general search categories? - ANSWER-•Road and surface conditions
•Traffic control devices, markings and signs
•Other highway users
MSF Exam 2025 – Motorcycle Safety Foundation
Written Test, Practice Questions & Study Guide
Prepare for the MSF Exam 2025 with a complete Motorcycle Safety Foundation study guide
featuring updated written test questions, road rules, safety procedures, and riding skills to
help you pass your motorcycle licensing exam with confidence.
• MSF exam 2025
• Motorcycle Safety Foundation exam
• MSF written test
• MSF practice test
What is engine braking? - ANSWER-Downshifting to slow down the bike by using the engine
How much of a motorcycles stopping power is available from the front brake? - ANSWER-Front
brakes provide 70% of stopping power
Why should both brakes be used simultaneously? - ANSWER-You can stop faster
What's the purpose of the range safety rules? - ANSWER-To provide a low risk and positive
learning environment
Name 3 of the more important range safety rules - ANSWER-• DO NOT practice without rider
permission from coach
• Wear protective gear when riding
,2|Page
• Know where the engine cut off switch is and how to use it
• Do not pass other riders unless instructed to
How will the riders coaches communicate with you on the range? - ANSWER-• Use of hand
signals during riding exercises
• Verbal Communication
What does it mean to have a space cushion? - ANSWER-Space between your motorcycle and
traffic
How does a motorcycle utilize lane position? - ANSWER-Position yourself to see potential
problems ahead and so others can see you
What is the friction zone? - ANSWER-The area in the clutch movement that begins where the
clutch starts to transmit power to the rear wheel and ends just before the clutch becomes fully
engages
Describe a good riding posture - ANSWER-• Back Straight
• Head & Eyes up
• Both feet on the footrest and near controls
• Knees and elbows in
• Arms relaxed and bent
• Wrist positioned low on the throttle
List the 4 steps in turning - ANSWER-• Slow - reduce speed before a turn
• Look - turn your head and look where you want to go
,3|Page
• Press - initiate lean & press the handlebars in the desired direction
• Roll - roll the throttle throughout the turn slightly increasing speed
What is the value of the "Look" step - ANSWER-Helps you maintain a smooth path of travel
What is the value in the "Roll" step? - ANSWER-Stabilizes the suspension and improves overall
control
When is the counterweight technique used? - ANSWER-In slow, tight turns (U-Turns) the
counterweight is needed
Why do you change gears? - ANSWER-To match the engine speed with the road speed
What is the 3-Part shift process? - ANSWER-• Roll off the throttles the clutch is squeezed
• Lift the shift lever firmly as far as it will go
• Smoothly ease out the clutch and adjust the throttle
Name some ways to be more visible to others in traffic - ANSWER-•Clothing (Bright Colors)
•Headlight (During the day)
•Signals (communicate by signals)
•Brake Light (Flash before and during stops)
•Horn (use to gain attention)
What are the 3 "Lead Times"? RiderRadar - ANSWER-2-Seconds following distance
4-Seconds immediate path
12-Seconds anticipated path
, 4|Page
Why is the 2 second following distance considered minimum? - ANSWER-Because less than
ideal condition require increasing available time and space
Why is the 4-Second lead time called immediate? - ANSWER-Because anything within 4 seconds
of your path will require an immediate or quick response
What advantage is gained by using a 12 second anticipated path? - ANSWER-Looking ahead to
an area 12 seconds in front of you gives you time to prepare for a situation before it becomes
immediate
Name the 3 components of total stopping distance - ANSWER-•Perception Distance
•Reaction Distance
•Braking Distance
Safe riding is a skill of what kind? - ANSWER-Safe riding is more a skill of the eyes and mind than
the hands and feet
What does it mean to search? - ANSWER-To scan aggressively for potential factors and hazards
in front,behind, and on your sides
What is the characteristic of a convex mirror? - ANSWER-•Allows the rider to see farther to the
side
•Distorts the depth perception
What are the 3 general search categories? - ANSWER-•Road and surface conditions
•Traffic control devices, markings and signs
•Other highway users
