MSF Basic Rider Exam Questions Fully Solved Latest Update 2025 Graded A+
List 3 road surface conditions that could affect traction? - Answers
FINE-C - Answers Fuel Ignition Neutral Engine (cut-off) Clutch
Basic turning: SLPR - Answers Slow Look Press Roll
When shifting up - ROLE - Answers Roll-off, Lift, Ease off throttle
When shifting down - ROPE - Answers Roll-off, Press, Ease off throttle
What are the 4 preps? FIGS - Answers Fit (the bike) Inspect (T-CLOCKS) Gear (protective) Safety
(conscious)
What does T-CLOCS stand for? - Answers Tires Controls Lights (& mirrors) Oil (& fluids) Chasis and Stands
Memorize the controls Part 1 - Answers
Memorize the controls Part 2 - Answers
When shutting the engine off what should you remember? - Answers Thumb, Key, Valve
List the 6 primary controls - Answers Going left to right: Gearshift lever, Clutch lever, Handlebars, Front
brake lever, Throttle, Rear brake pedal
How do you operate the motorcycle's throttle? - Answers Twist it toward you (Roll on) to increase
speed. Away from you (Roll off) to decrease speed
What does a clutch level do? - Answers Connects/disconnects power from the engine to the rear wheel
How is the gearshift level operated? - Answers By either lifting up to go to a higher gear or pressing
down to go to a lower. (See shift pattern)
What is a shift pattern? - Answers A pattern for shifting gears with first gear at the very bottom, followed
by neutral, first, second, third, fourth, fifth, and sometimes sixth gear.
How are the 2 brake controls operated? - Answers Front brake operated with right hand squeezing
lever. Rear brake operated by right foot pressing down.
What are possible positions on the fuel valve? - Answers On, Reserve, Prime or Off
What are possible positions on the ignition switch? - Answers On, Off, Lock, and (sometimes) Park
What is the choke control used for? - Answers Its purpose is to restrict the flow of air, thereby enriching
the fuel-air mixture while starting the engine.
Why does a motorcycle have an engine cut-off switch? - Answers It allows you to shut off the engine
without moving your hand from the handgrip
, What are some common indicators that display information? - Answers Indicator lights, Speedometer,
Tachometer (RPM), Odometer.
What is important to know about a convex mirror? - Answers They make objects look farther away.
What is the difference between a side stand and a center stand? - Answers A side stand supports the
motorcycle when parked. A center stand keeps the motorcycle upright, and stable while lifting the rear
wheel slightly off the ground.
List the 5 steps of the engine pre-start routine. - Answers FINE-C. Fuel Ignition Neutral Engine (cut-off)
Clutch
What are the 3 steps to follow when shutting off the engine? - Answers Thumb, key, valve.
What is the friction zone? - Answers Small area in the travel of the clutch lever that controls the
connection between the engine and the rear wheel.
What does squeezing the clutch lever do? - Answers Removes power from the rear wheel
What must you do if you start to lose control of the motorcycle. - Answers You should squeeze in the
clutch lever fully and use the brakes.
What is the position of the right wrist for good riding posture? - Answers Keep you fingers around the
throttle with your wrist flat.
What are the other elements of proper riding posture? - Answers Back straight, head and eyes up, both
feet on the footrests near controls. Fingers of left hand covering the clutch.
How do you initiate motorcycle lean at speeds higher than walking speed? - Answers Press (forward or
down) the handgrip on the same side of the intended turn.
What are the 4 action steps for making a basic turn? - Answers Slow, Look, Press, and Roll
What is the 3 step strategy for curves and what does each step mean? - Answers Search-Setup-Smooth.
Search for objects. Setup speed and lane position. Smooth with no jerky movements.
In what type of turn does counterweighting help? - Answers For slow tight turns
What gear should you be in when coming to a stop and why? - Answers First gear
What is the benefit of squaring the handlebars when coming to a stop? - Answers Center the steering so
it is easier to hold up the motorcycle.
Why does the front brake have more stopping power than the rear brake? - Answers Forward weight
shift. The front tire has more grip than the rear tire.
How does the motorcycle's weight shift during braking? - Answers Forward weight shift pushes the front
tire down onto the road surface.
List 3 road surface conditions that could affect traction? - Answers
FINE-C - Answers Fuel Ignition Neutral Engine (cut-off) Clutch
Basic turning: SLPR - Answers Slow Look Press Roll
When shifting up - ROLE - Answers Roll-off, Lift, Ease off throttle
When shifting down - ROPE - Answers Roll-off, Press, Ease off throttle
What are the 4 preps? FIGS - Answers Fit (the bike) Inspect (T-CLOCKS) Gear (protective) Safety
(conscious)
What does T-CLOCS stand for? - Answers Tires Controls Lights (& mirrors) Oil (& fluids) Chasis and Stands
Memorize the controls Part 1 - Answers
Memorize the controls Part 2 - Answers
When shutting the engine off what should you remember? - Answers Thumb, Key, Valve
List the 6 primary controls - Answers Going left to right: Gearshift lever, Clutch lever, Handlebars, Front
brake lever, Throttle, Rear brake pedal
How do you operate the motorcycle's throttle? - Answers Twist it toward you (Roll on) to increase
speed. Away from you (Roll off) to decrease speed
What does a clutch level do? - Answers Connects/disconnects power from the engine to the rear wheel
How is the gearshift level operated? - Answers By either lifting up to go to a higher gear or pressing
down to go to a lower. (See shift pattern)
What is a shift pattern? - Answers A pattern for shifting gears with first gear at the very bottom, followed
by neutral, first, second, third, fourth, fifth, and sometimes sixth gear.
How are the 2 brake controls operated? - Answers Front brake operated with right hand squeezing
lever. Rear brake operated by right foot pressing down.
What are possible positions on the fuel valve? - Answers On, Reserve, Prime or Off
What are possible positions on the ignition switch? - Answers On, Off, Lock, and (sometimes) Park
What is the choke control used for? - Answers Its purpose is to restrict the flow of air, thereby enriching
the fuel-air mixture while starting the engine.
Why does a motorcycle have an engine cut-off switch? - Answers It allows you to shut off the engine
without moving your hand from the handgrip
, What are some common indicators that display information? - Answers Indicator lights, Speedometer,
Tachometer (RPM), Odometer.
What is important to know about a convex mirror? - Answers They make objects look farther away.
What is the difference between a side stand and a center stand? - Answers A side stand supports the
motorcycle when parked. A center stand keeps the motorcycle upright, and stable while lifting the rear
wheel slightly off the ground.
List the 5 steps of the engine pre-start routine. - Answers FINE-C. Fuel Ignition Neutral Engine (cut-off)
Clutch
What are the 3 steps to follow when shutting off the engine? - Answers Thumb, key, valve.
What is the friction zone? - Answers Small area in the travel of the clutch lever that controls the
connection between the engine and the rear wheel.
What does squeezing the clutch lever do? - Answers Removes power from the rear wheel
What must you do if you start to lose control of the motorcycle. - Answers You should squeeze in the
clutch lever fully and use the brakes.
What is the position of the right wrist for good riding posture? - Answers Keep you fingers around the
throttle with your wrist flat.
What are the other elements of proper riding posture? - Answers Back straight, head and eyes up, both
feet on the footrests near controls. Fingers of left hand covering the clutch.
How do you initiate motorcycle lean at speeds higher than walking speed? - Answers Press (forward or
down) the handgrip on the same side of the intended turn.
What are the 4 action steps for making a basic turn? - Answers Slow, Look, Press, and Roll
What is the 3 step strategy for curves and what does each step mean? - Answers Search-Setup-Smooth.
Search for objects. Setup speed and lane position. Smooth with no jerky movements.
In what type of turn does counterweighting help? - Answers For slow tight turns
What gear should you be in when coming to a stop and why? - Answers First gear
What is the benefit of squaring the handlebars when coming to a stop? - Answers Center the steering so
it is easier to hold up the motorcycle.
Why does the front brake have more stopping power than the rear brake? - Answers Forward weight
shift. The front tire has more grip than the rear tire.
How does the motorcycle's weight shift during braking? - Answers Forward weight shift pushes the front
tire down onto the road surface.
