MSF Basic Rider Course
Study Questions with
verified solutions
Why is motorcycling considered serious fun?
Serious because there is risk involved; fun because riding a
motorcycling is fun!
Learning to ride and ride well requires what physical traits?
Fitness, strength, coordination
What do RiderCoaches do?
Guide students, answer questions, observe progress
What are the four requirements for successful course completion?
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?
If a rider has a lot of difficulty or becomes a danger to themselves or
others
What are the three basic motorcycle types?
1-street
2-dual-purpose
3-off-highway
Pick the motorcycle type you will likely ride and tell why?
Personal responses will vary
List the six primary controls?
1-handlebars
2-throttle
3-clutch lever
,4-gearshift lever
5-front brake lever
6-rear brake pedal
How do you operate the motorcycle's throttle?
Rotate to control engine speed; to increase engine speed, twist it
toward you (roll on); to decrease engine
What does the clutch lever do?
Connects power from the engine to the rear wheel
How is the gearshift lever operated?
Lift up firmly and release to go to a higher gear; press down firmly
and release to go to a tower gear
What is a shift pattern?
How many gears are available below and above neutral
How are the two brake controls operated?
Front brake lever is squeezed in to operate; the amount of squeeze
must be adjusted for effective braking.
Rear brake pedal 1s pressed down to operate it
What are possible positions on the fuel valve?
On, Reserve, and Prime or Off
What are possible positions on the ignition switch?
On, Off, and Lock, and possibly Park
What is the choke control used for?
Provide an enriched mixture to help start the engine; raises ideal to
permit the engine to warm quickly
What are some common indicators that display information
Spedometer
odometer
tachometer
What is important to know about Convex mirrors?
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?
Center stand keeps the motorcycle more upright
Complete the Controls Quiz on page 7 and check your answers
I-speedometer/odometer
2-tachometer
3-engine cut-oft switch
4-engine start button
5-mirror
6-front brake lever
7-throttle
8-rear brake pedal
9-footrest
I0-Gear shift lever
11-horn button
12-turn signal switch
13-clutch lever
14-hi/low beam headlight switch
List the five steps of the engine pre-start routine
1-fuel
2-ignition
3-neutral
4-engine cut-off switch
5-choke clutch
FINE-C
What are the three steps to follow when shutting off the engine?
I-move engine cut-off switch to OFF
2-turm ignition switch OFF
3-turn fuel supply valve OFF (if It has that position)
THUMB/KEY/VALVE
What is the friction zone?
, 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.
What does squeezing the clutch lever do?
The clutch lever removes power from the rear wheel
What must you do if you start to lose control of the motorcycle?
Squeeze the clutch lever fully and use the brakes as needed
27. What is the position of the right wrist for good riding posture?
Flat
What are the other elements of proper riding posture?
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?
Counter-steer: press left, lean left, press right, lean right
What are the four action steps for making a basic turn?
1 -slow
2-look
3-press
4-roll
What is the three-step strategy for curves and what does each step
mean?
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
movements
Study Questions with
verified solutions
Why is motorcycling considered serious fun?
Serious because there is risk involved; fun because riding a
motorcycling is fun!
Learning to ride and ride well requires what physical traits?
Fitness, strength, coordination
What do RiderCoaches do?
Guide students, answer questions, observe progress
What are the four requirements for successful course completion?
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?
If a rider has a lot of difficulty or becomes a danger to themselves or
others
What are the three basic motorcycle types?
1-street
2-dual-purpose
3-off-highway
Pick the motorcycle type you will likely ride and tell why?
Personal responses will vary
List the six primary controls?
1-handlebars
2-throttle
3-clutch lever
,4-gearshift lever
5-front brake lever
6-rear brake pedal
How do you operate the motorcycle's throttle?
Rotate to control engine speed; to increase engine speed, twist it
toward you (roll on); to decrease engine
What does the clutch lever do?
Connects power from the engine to the rear wheel
How is the gearshift lever operated?
Lift up firmly and release to go to a higher gear; press down firmly
and release to go to a tower gear
What is a shift pattern?
How many gears are available below and above neutral
How are the two brake controls operated?
Front brake lever is squeezed in to operate; the amount of squeeze
must be adjusted for effective braking.
Rear brake pedal 1s pressed down to operate it
What are possible positions on the fuel valve?
On, Reserve, and Prime or Off
What are possible positions on the ignition switch?
On, Off, and Lock, and possibly Park
What is the choke control used for?
Provide an enriched mixture to help start the engine; raises ideal to
permit the engine to warm quickly
What are some common indicators that display information
Spedometer
odometer
tachometer
What is important to know about Convex mirrors?
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?
Center stand keeps the motorcycle more upright
Complete the Controls Quiz on page 7 and check your answers
I-speedometer/odometer
2-tachometer
3-engine cut-oft switch
4-engine start button
5-mirror
6-front brake lever
7-throttle
8-rear brake pedal
9-footrest
I0-Gear shift lever
11-horn button
12-turn signal switch
13-clutch lever
14-hi/low beam headlight switch
List the five steps of the engine pre-start routine
1-fuel
2-ignition
3-neutral
4-engine cut-off switch
5-choke clutch
FINE-C
What are the three steps to follow when shutting off the engine?
I-move engine cut-off switch to OFF
2-turm ignition switch OFF
3-turn fuel supply valve OFF (if It has that position)
THUMB/KEY/VALVE
What is the friction zone?
, 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.
What does squeezing the clutch lever do?
The clutch lever removes power from the rear wheel
What must you do if you start to lose control of the motorcycle?
Squeeze the clutch lever fully and use the brakes as needed
27. What is the position of the right wrist for good riding posture?
Flat
What are the other elements of proper riding posture?
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?
Counter-steer: press left, lean left, press right, lean right
What are the four action steps for making a basic turn?
1 -slow
2-look
3-press
4-roll
What is the three-step strategy for curves and what does each step
mean?
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
movements
