MSF Course Exam Study Questions and
Answers (2026/2027) | Exam-Focused
Revision Pack | A+
• Road Surfaces -✓✓Motorcycles are designed to travel across a wide variety of
road surfaces, but may handle differently on each. Part of being a good rider is
understanding and compensating for different road surfaces.
• Rain-slick surface -✓✓Roads are most slick during the first few minutes of rain
because oil and dirt mix with the water. It may be best to stop in a safe area and
wait out the situation. Reduce speed and minimize lean. Metal covers, bridge
gratings, train tracks, painted or taped lines, leaves, and wood can be very slick
when wet.
When you ride in the rain, use the tire tracks left by cars to help prevent
hydroplaning. Hydroplaning occurs when water builds up under the tire contact
patch and results in loss of traction. Maintaining proper tire pressure will help keep
the grooves in your tread open and able to channel water away for better traction.
• Worn pavement -✓✓Ruts can form in areas of heavy traffic. They can make
handling your motorcycle difficult and may even cause damage if you hit them
hard. Also, rain builds up in these areas and increases the chance of hydroplaning.
Avoid these ruts when possible.
• Loose Surfaces and Debris -✓✓Be aware of sand, gravel, rocks, and trash. The
same is true for liquids such as fuel, oil or engine coolant. Look out for shiny or
damp pavement. Watch for items that might cause tire damage such as nails or
sharp metal objects.
Use a good lane position, especially in curves, to give yourself time and space to
adjust your path of travel. Avoid following vehicles such as trucks or trailers that
are hauling debris, as items could come loose and fall into your path.
• Crack Sealant and Tar Strips -✓✓Crack sealant and tar strips can be slick,
especially in wet or hot weather. Notice them early and adjust lane position. Avoid
too much lean.
, • Ice or Snow Patches; Mud, Moss, Algae -✓✓These areas can be very slick.
Identify them early and reduce speed. When crossing slick patches, you may want
to keep the clutch lever squeezed and avoid leaning. Use your feet as outriggers as
needed, remembering they may slip too. Brake use must be gentle.
• Crowned and Off-Camber Roads -✓✓A crowned road is one that is high in the
middle to drain water. Off-camber roads slope away from the direction of the
curve. Use caution in left curves because ground clearance may be less than on a
flat road.
• Rain grooves and grated bridge deck -✓✓These cause the tires to feel loose, but
they pose no serious threat. Keep steering relaxed and avoid quick actions.
• Bumps, Cracks and Railroad Tracks -✓✓These are like obstacles, so cross them
at close to a 90-degree angle. Keep speed under control and maintain momentum.
Rise off the seat and keep your weight evenly distributed. For angled railroad
tracks, it is usually safe to ride straight across them. For tracks or road seams that
run in the same direction as your path, move far away enough so you can steer to
cross them at 45 degrees or more.
• Carrying Passengers -✓✓You should be a skilled rider before you carry a
passenger or extra weight because it affects the way your motorcycle handles.
Starting from a stop is more difficult and it takes longer to get up to speed. More
time will be required for passing. More brake pressure will be needed for stopping.
The motorcycle will handle differently. The suspension and tire pressure will need
to be adjusted per the owner's manual.
When you carry a passenger:
The motorcycle should be equipped to carry a passenger, which includes proper
seating behind the operator and passenger footrests. A passenger should be tall
enough to reach the footrests and strong enough to hold onto the operator or
passenger hand-holds.
Be sure the passenger wears all of the proper protective gear.
While the passenger mounts, keep both feet on the ground and the front brake lever
applied.
Be extra smooth and go easy on lean angles.
Have the passenger follow these rules:
Hold your waist or hips, or use the passenger hand-holds.
Answers (2026/2027) | Exam-Focused
Revision Pack | A+
• Road Surfaces -✓✓Motorcycles are designed to travel across a wide variety of
road surfaces, but may handle differently on each. Part of being a good rider is
understanding and compensating for different road surfaces.
• Rain-slick surface -✓✓Roads are most slick during the first few minutes of rain
because oil and dirt mix with the water. It may be best to stop in a safe area and
wait out the situation. Reduce speed and minimize lean. Metal covers, bridge
gratings, train tracks, painted or taped lines, leaves, and wood can be very slick
when wet.
When you ride in the rain, use the tire tracks left by cars to help prevent
hydroplaning. Hydroplaning occurs when water builds up under the tire contact
patch and results in loss of traction. Maintaining proper tire pressure will help keep
the grooves in your tread open and able to channel water away for better traction.
• Worn pavement -✓✓Ruts can form in areas of heavy traffic. They can make
handling your motorcycle difficult and may even cause damage if you hit them
hard. Also, rain builds up in these areas and increases the chance of hydroplaning.
Avoid these ruts when possible.
• Loose Surfaces and Debris -✓✓Be aware of sand, gravel, rocks, and trash. The
same is true for liquids such as fuel, oil or engine coolant. Look out for shiny or
damp pavement. Watch for items that might cause tire damage such as nails or
sharp metal objects.
Use a good lane position, especially in curves, to give yourself time and space to
adjust your path of travel. Avoid following vehicles such as trucks or trailers that
are hauling debris, as items could come loose and fall into your path.
• Crack Sealant and Tar Strips -✓✓Crack sealant and tar strips can be slick,
especially in wet or hot weather. Notice them early and adjust lane position. Avoid
too much lean.
, • Ice or Snow Patches; Mud, Moss, Algae -✓✓These areas can be very slick.
Identify them early and reduce speed. When crossing slick patches, you may want
to keep the clutch lever squeezed and avoid leaning. Use your feet as outriggers as
needed, remembering they may slip too. Brake use must be gentle.
• Crowned and Off-Camber Roads -✓✓A crowned road is one that is high in the
middle to drain water. Off-camber roads slope away from the direction of the
curve. Use caution in left curves because ground clearance may be less than on a
flat road.
• Rain grooves and grated bridge deck -✓✓These cause the tires to feel loose, but
they pose no serious threat. Keep steering relaxed and avoid quick actions.
• Bumps, Cracks and Railroad Tracks -✓✓These are like obstacles, so cross them
at close to a 90-degree angle. Keep speed under control and maintain momentum.
Rise off the seat and keep your weight evenly distributed. For angled railroad
tracks, it is usually safe to ride straight across them. For tracks or road seams that
run in the same direction as your path, move far away enough so you can steer to
cross them at 45 degrees or more.
• Carrying Passengers -✓✓You should be a skilled rider before you carry a
passenger or extra weight because it affects the way your motorcycle handles.
Starting from a stop is more difficult and it takes longer to get up to speed. More
time will be required for passing. More brake pressure will be needed for stopping.
The motorcycle will handle differently. The suspension and tire pressure will need
to be adjusted per the owner's manual.
When you carry a passenger:
The motorcycle should be equipped to carry a passenger, which includes proper
seating behind the operator and passenger footrests. A passenger should be tall
enough to reach the footrests and strong enough to hold onto the operator or
passenger hand-holds.
Be sure the passenger wears all of the proper protective gear.
While the passenger mounts, keep both feet on the ground and the front brake lever
applied.
Be extra smooth and go easy on lean angles.
Have the passenger follow these rules:
Hold your waist or hips, or use the passenger hand-holds.
