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MSF Basic Rider Course Glossary Terms
Questions and Correct Answers
Accident Ans: a pure change occurrence; an unexpected and
undesirable event; most are preventable; preferred term is "crash"
or "collision"
Alcohol Ans: specifically ethyl alcohol, a depressant drug
consumed as a beverage
Anti-lock brakes Ans: type of braking system that automatically
releases brake pressure prior to wheel lockup
Apex Ans: the sharpest point in a curve
BAC Ans: Blood Alcohol Concentration; percentage by volume of
ethyl alcohol in the blood stream
Blind spot Ans: area behind or to the side not seen in the mirrors
or blocked from view by an object
Braking distance Ans: space traveled between brake application
and completed stop
Center of gravity/Center of mass Ans: that point around which
mass of an object is evenly distributed or balanced
Conspicuous Ans: be easily seen by others; to be highly visible
Contact patch Ans: portion of a tire that touches the road surface
© 2025 All rights reserved
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Convex mirrors Ans: mirrors designed with an outwardly curved
surface; shows more area but objects are closer than they appear
in the mirror
Countersteer Ans: a momentary steering deflection away from the
intended direction of travel caused by pressing on the handgrip in
the direction of the turn; used to produce a lean in the desired
direction; press right, lean right, go right; press left, lean left, go
left
Counterweight Ans: use primarily in slow, tight turns; rider shifts
weight opposite to the lean of the motorcycle
Crowned road Ans: road surface that is higher in the middle to
allow for water runoff
Decreasing - radius turn Ans: a turn that becomes progressively
tighter; use steady throttle to negotiate
DOT Ans: stands for U.S. Department of Transportation. Used to
note a helmet that has been manufactured to meet DOT
performance standards as required by federal law for all helmets
sold in the U.S.
Engine braking Ans: slowing by shifting down and releasing the
clutch to use the engine as a braking force
Entry speed Ans: in turning and cornering, the motorcycle's speed
at the point where the steering input to lean into the turn occurs.
The maximum desired entry speed is one that allows for some roll-
on of throttle to maintain speed and stability while cornering; one
that assures no deceleration in a turn will be required, and one
that provides time and space to "straighten and brake" if necessary
© 2025 All rights reserved
MSF Basic Rider Course Glossary Terms
Questions and Correct Answers
Accident Ans: a pure change occurrence; an unexpected and
undesirable event; most are preventable; preferred term is "crash"
or "collision"
Alcohol Ans: specifically ethyl alcohol, a depressant drug
consumed as a beverage
Anti-lock brakes Ans: type of braking system that automatically
releases brake pressure prior to wheel lockup
Apex Ans: the sharpest point in a curve
BAC Ans: Blood Alcohol Concentration; percentage by volume of
ethyl alcohol in the blood stream
Blind spot Ans: area behind or to the side not seen in the mirrors
or blocked from view by an object
Braking distance Ans: space traveled between brake application
and completed stop
Center of gravity/Center of mass Ans: that point around which
mass of an object is evenly distributed or balanced
Conspicuous Ans: be easily seen by others; to be highly visible
Contact patch Ans: portion of a tire that touches the road surface
© 2025 All rights reserved
, 2 | Page
Convex mirrors Ans: mirrors designed with an outwardly curved
surface; shows more area but objects are closer than they appear
in the mirror
Countersteer Ans: a momentary steering deflection away from the
intended direction of travel caused by pressing on the handgrip in
the direction of the turn; used to produce a lean in the desired
direction; press right, lean right, go right; press left, lean left, go
left
Counterweight Ans: use primarily in slow, tight turns; rider shifts
weight opposite to the lean of the motorcycle
Crowned road Ans: road surface that is higher in the middle to
allow for water runoff
Decreasing - radius turn Ans: a turn that becomes progressively
tighter; use steady throttle to negotiate
DOT Ans: stands for U.S. Department of Transportation. Used to
note a helmet that has been manufactured to meet DOT
performance standards as required by federal law for all helmets
sold in the U.S.
Engine braking Ans: slowing by shifting down and releasing the
clutch to use the engine as a braking force
Entry speed Ans: in turning and cornering, the motorcycle's speed
at the point where the steering input to lean into the turn occurs.
The maximum desired entry speed is one that allows for some roll-
on of throttle to maintain speed and stability while cornering; one
that assures no deceleration in a turn will be required, and one
that provides time and space to "straighten and brake" if necessary
© 2025 All rights reserved
