MSF Basic eCourse: Basic Street Strategies Test with
Answers Graded A
Positioning - Lane Choice - -If there is To keep drivers from sharing your lane.
more than one lane, pick the lane where you do To see better when approaching a right-hand
not have to change lanes a lot and can see curve.
ahead while being visible to others. To increase your line of sight down the road.
To avoid doors opening from parked cars.
Maintain a space cushion all around and ride at To be more visible at an intersection with a
the speed of traffic in your lane to help reduce limited view to the right.
potential conflicts. Consider shoulders and To avoid the dark strip of oil, debris, or manhole
medians as possible escape paths. covers often found in the middle of a lane.
On freeways, keep right except to pass, and use Use the middle third (LP2):
a middle lane if there are more than two lanes so To help with hazards on both sides, such as cars
you can reduce conflicts at entrance and exit parked on the right and traffic in the other lane.
points. When you change lanes, be sure To see and be seen at the crest of a hill.
someone else two lanes over is not aiming for To be visible at an intersection with a limited view
the same space. on both sides.
Use the right third (LP3):
To avoid windblast from an oncoming truck.
To see and be seen when there is a line of
Positioning - Lane Position - -As a oncoming cars.
motorcyclist, you can divide your lane into three To see better when approaching a left-hand
portions: left, middle, and right. Your best lane curve.
position (LP) within a lane changes with To be visible at an intersection with a limited view
conditions. Consider what is going on ahead, to the left.
behind and to the sides. Leaving room ahead for To avoid the dark strip of oil, debris, or manhole
others helps you have space for yourself. covers often found in the middle
Change lane positions to avoid hazards, to avoid
bad road conditions, and to see and be seen.
Presentation is a term that means to use a lane
position where others have a better chance to Being Visible - -It is your responsibility to
see you, especially at an intersection, or as you make sure drivers have the best chance to see
approach a line of oncoming vehicles. you.
Use your eyes and mind to determine how and Distracted driving is on the rise
when to adjust position as situations unfold.
Imagine a bird's-eye view from high above to see Motorcycles are small and narrow
how traffic conditions might affect you, so you
are ready to change lane position or speed. Wear bright clothing and a light-colored helmet
during the day. Have reflective material on your
Use the left third (LP1): clothing and helmet for riding at night.
As a start (or default) position for seeing and
being seen. Be sure the headlight is on during the daytime; it
To see a car backing out of a driveway ahead on may come on automatically. Consider when to
the right. use the high beam for extra visibility, but don't
1/5
, MSF Basic eCourse: Basic Street Strategies Test with
Answers Graded A
blind other motorists.
Use your turn signals to let others know what you Visual Lead Times & Distances - -Using
plan to do. Be sure to cancel your signal once time and distance to your advantage requires you
you've completed your action. to know what is going on all around. Three visual
lead times and distances make up RiderRadar:
Flash the brake light before stopping (except for A 2-second following time
emergency stops) and as needed while waiting A 4-second urgent time
at stops to alert other motorists. A 12-second anticipation time
Use your horn to gain attention, but do not rely These are not just straight-ahead times and
on it. Others may not be able to hear it over loud distances, but include possible paths to the sides.
music or for other reasons. It may be surprising how far you travel, even at
moderate speeds. If you multiply your miles-per-
Consider adding reflective material and hour by 1.5, the product is the number of feet you
additional lights to your motorcycle. are traveling per second. For example, at 30
miles per hour, you are moving about 45 feet per
second.
2-Second Following Time and Distance:
RiderRadar - -RiderRadar is about looking
ahead, but don't forget to check for hazards A two-second following time and distance is a
behind in the rear view mirrors. Search far and minimum when conditions are ideal and you are
near as well as from side to side. Factors in front paying close attention ahead. It helps you avoid
make up most of the hazards that affect you. You running into the vehicle in front of you if the
want to be able to identify them as early as operator brakes suddenly. Less-than-perfect
possible so you can respond well ahead of time conditions require more time and space.
and do not have to react to an emergency at the
last possible moment. To establish a two-second following time and
distance, pick out a fixed point ahead, like a
Some locations are more hazardous than others signpost or pavement marking. As the vehicle
and may be frequent crash locations for any ahead passes the fixed object, count off "one-
highway user. motorcycle-one, one-motorcycle-two" at normal
talking pace. If you have not reached the fixed
Examples include: point, you have the minimum. Be sure not to
An intersection with limited view count too fast.
A tight curve A greater following time and more distance are
A slick surface better. This is especially important when you are
A road with no escape path a new rider, riding an unfamiliar motorcycle,
riding in the rain, riding in unfamiliar or hazardous
Each of these is a hot spot because special areas, or if the person ahead can brake to a stop
attention is necessary. Note that most of the in a shorter distance than you. You want plenty of
factors that affect a rider are between the 11 and time to search, evaluate and respond.
1 o'clock positions on a clock face.
4-Second Urgent Time and Distance:
2/5
Answers Graded A
Positioning - Lane Choice - -If there is To keep drivers from sharing your lane.
more than one lane, pick the lane where you do To see better when approaching a right-hand
not have to change lanes a lot and can see curve.
ahead while being visible to others. To increase your line of sight down the road.
To avoid doors opening from parked cars.
Maintain a space cushion all around and ride at To be more visible at an intersection with a
the speed of traffic in your lane to help reduce limited view to the right.
potential conflicts. Consider shoulders and To avoid the dark strip of oil, debris, or manhole
medians as possible escape paths. covers often found in the middle of a lane.
On freeways, keep right except to pass, and use Use the middle third (LP2):
a middle lane if there are more than two lanes so To help with hazards on both sides, such as cars
you can reduce conflicts at entrance and exit parked on the right and traffic in the other lane.
points. When you change lanes, be sure To see and be seen at the crest of a hill.
someone else two lanes over is not aiming for To be visible at an intersection with a limited view
the same space. on both sides.
Use the right third (LP3):
To avoid windblast from an oncoming truck.
To see and be seen when there is a line of
Positioning - Lane Position - -As a oncoming cars.
motorcyclist, you can divide your lane into three To see better when approaching a left-hand
portions: left, middle, and right. Your best lane curve.
position (LP) within a lane changes with To be visible at an intersection with a limited view
conditions. Consider what is going on ahead, to the left.
behind and to the sides. Leaving room ahead for To avoid the dark strip of oil, debris, or manhole
others helps you have space for yourself. covers often found in the middle
Change lane positions to avoid hazards, to avoid
bad road conditions, and to see and be seen.
Presentation is a term that means to use a lane
position where others have a better chance to Being Visible - -It is your responsibility to
see you, especially at an intersection, or as you make sure drivers have the best chance to see
approach a line of oncoming vehicles. you.
Use your eyes and mind to determine how and Distracted driving is on the rise
when to adjust position as situations unfold.
Imagine a bird's-eye view from high above to see Motorcycles are small and narrow
how traffic conditions might affect you, so you
are ready to change lane position or speed. Wear bright clothing and a light-colored helmet
during the day. Have reflective material on your
Use the left third (LP1): clothing and helmet for riding at night.
As a start (or default) position for seeing and
being seen. Be sure the headlight is on during the daytime; it
To see a car backing out of a driveway ahead on may come on automatically. Consider when to
the right. use the high beam for extra visibility, but don't
1/5
, MSF Basic eCourse: Basic Street Strategies Test with
Answers Graded A
blind other motorists.
Use your turn signals to let others know what you Visual Lead Times & Distances - -Using
plan to do. Be sure to cancel your signal once time and distance to your advantage requires you
you've completed your action. to know what is going on all around. Three visual
lead times and distances make up RiderRadar:
Flash the brake light before stopping (except for A 2-second following time
emergency stops) and as needed while waiting A 4-second urgent time
at stops to alert other motorists. A 12-second anticipation time
Use your horn to gain attention, but do not rely These are not just straight-ahead times and
on it. Others may not be able to hear it over loud distances, but include possible paths to the sides.
music or for other reasons. It may be surprising how far you travel, even at
moderate speeds. If you multiply your miles-per-
Consider adding reflective material and hour by 1.5, the product is the number of feet you
additional lights to your motorcycle. are traveling per second. For example, at 30
miles per hour, you are moving about 45 feet per
second.
2-Second Following Time and Distance:
RiderRadar - -RiderRadar is about looking
ahead, but don't forget to check for hazards A two-second following time and distance is a
behind in the rear view mirrors. Search far and minimum when conditions are ideal and you are
near as well as from side to side. Factors in front paying close attention ahead. It helps you avoid
make up most of the hazards that affect you. You running into the vehicle in front of you if the
want to be able to identify them as early as operator brakes suddenly. Less-than-perfect
possible so you can respond well ahead of time conditions require more time and space.
and do not have to react to an emergency at the
last possible moment. To establish a two-second following time and
distance, pick out a fixed point ahead, like a
Some locations are more hazardous than others signpost or pavement marking. As the vehicle
and may be frequent crash locations for any ahead passes the fixed object, count off "one-
highway user. motorcycle-one, one-motorcycle-two" at normal
talking pace. If you have not reached the fixed
Examples include: point, you have the minimum. Be sure not to
An intersection with limited view count too fast.
A tight curve A greater following time and more distance are
A slick surface better. This is especially important when you are
A road with no escape path a new rider, riding an unfamiliar motorcycle,
riding in the rain, riding in unfamiliar or hazardous
Each of these is a hot spot because special areas, or if the person ahead can brake to a stop
attention is necessary. Note that most of the in a shorter distance than you. You want plenty of
factors that affect a rider are between the 11 and time to search, evaluate and respond.
1 o'clock positions on a clock face.
4-Second Urgent Time and Distance:
2/5
