MSF Basic RiderCourse Study Questions and
Answers
Serious because there is risk involved; fun because riding a motorcycle is fun.
Why is motorcycling considered serious fun?
Fitness, strength, coordination
Learning to ride and ride well requires what physical traits?
Guide students, answer questions, observe progress
What do RiderCoaches do?
1. Complete all course assignments
2. Attend all sessions
3. Pass a knowledge test
4. Pass an on-cycle test
What are the four requirements for successful course completion?
If a rider has a lot of difficulty or becomes a danger to themselves or others.
When does a RiderCoach not permit further riding in the course?
street, dual-purpose, off-highway
What are the three basic motorcycle types?
street - likely a standard or a cruiser (probably start on a standard and move to a cruiser)
Pick the motorcycle type you will likely ride and explain why.
handlebars, throttle, clutch lever, gearshift lever, front brake lever, rear brake pedal
List the six primary controls.
Rotate to control engine speed; to increase engine speed, twist it toward you (roll on); to decrease
engine speed, twist it away from you (roll off)
How do you operate the motorcycle's throttle?
Connects power from the engine to rear wheel
What does the clutch level do?
Lift up firmly and release to go to a higher gear; press down firmly and release to go to a lower gear
How is the gearshift level operated?
How many gears are available below and above neutral
What is a shift pattern?
, Front brake level is squeezed in to operate; the amount of squeeze must be adjusted for effective
braking. Rear brake pedal is pressed down to operate it.
How are the two brake controls operated?
On, Reserve, and Prime or Off
What are possible positions on the fuel valve?
On, Off, and Lock, and possibly Park
What are possible positions on the ignition switch?
Provide an enriched fuel mixture to help start the engine; raises idle to permit the engine to warm
quickly.
What is the choke control used for?
You can shut off the engine without removing your hand from the handgrip.
Why does a motorcycle have an engine cut-off switch?
Speedometer, odometer, tachometer, indicator lights
What are some common indicators that display information?
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 important to know about a convex mirror?
Center stand keeps the motorcycle more upright.
What is the difference between a side stand and center stand?
fuel, ignition, neutral, engine cut-off switch, and choke/clutch (FINE-C)
List the five steps of the engine pre-start routine.
move engine cut-off switch to Off, turn ignition switch off, and turn fuel supply valve Off if it has that
position (thumb, key, valve)
What are the three steps to follow when shutting off the engine?
A small area in the travel of the clutch lever that controls the connection between the engine and the
rear wheel.
Which is the friction zone?
Fully squeezing in the clutch level removes power from the rear wheel.
What does squeezing the clutch lever do?
Squeeze the clutch lever in fully and use the brakes are needed.
What must you do if you start to lose control of the motorcycle?
Answers
Serious because there is risk involved; fun because riding a motorcycle is fun.
Why is motorcycling considered serious fun?
Fitness, strength, coordination
Learning to ride and ride well requires what physical traits?
Guide students, answer questions, observe progress
What do RiderCoaches do?
1. Complete all course assignments
2. Attend all sessions
3. Pass a knowledge test
4. Pass an on-cycle test
What are the four requirements for successful course completion?
If a rider has a lot of difficulty or becomes a danger to themselves or others.
When does a RiderCoach not permit further riding in the course?
street, dual-purpose, off-highway
What are the three basic motorcycle types?
street - likely a standard or a cruiser (probably start on a standard and move to a cruiser)
Pick the motorcycle type you will likely ride and explain why.
handlebars, throttle, clutch lever, gearshift lever, front brake lever, rear brake pedal
List the six primary controls.
Rotate to control engine speed; to increase engine speed, twist it toward you (roll on); to decrease
engine speed, twist it away from you (roll off)
How do you operate the motorcycle's throttle?
Connects power from the engine to rear wheel
What does the clutch level do?
Lift up firmly and release to go to a higher gear; press down firmly and release to go to a lower gear
How is the gearshift level operated?
How many gears are available below and above neutral
What is a shift pattern?
, Front brake level is squeezed in to operate; the amount of squeeze must be adjusted for effective
braking. Rear brake pedal is pressed down to operate it.
How are the two brake controls operated?
On, Reserve, and Prime or Off
What are possible positions on the fuel valve?
On, Off, and Lock, and possibly Park
What are possible positions on the ignition switch?
Provide an enriched fuel mixture to help start the engine; raises idle to permit the engine to warm
quickly.
What is the choke control used for?
You can shut off the engine without removing your hand from the handgrip.
Why does a motorcycle have an engine cut-off switch?
Speedometer, odometer, tachometer, indicator lights
What are some common indicators that display information?
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 important to know about a convex mirror?
Center stand keeps the motorcycle more upright.
What is the difference between a side stand and center stand?
fuel, ignition, neutral, engine cut-off switch, and choke/clutch (FINE-C)
List the five steps of the engine pre-start routine.
move engine cut-off switch to Off, turn ignition switch off, and turn fuel supply valve Off if it has that
position (thumb, key, valve)
What are the three steps to follow when shutting off the engine?
A small area in the travel of the clutch lever that controls the connection between the engine and the
rear wheel.
Which is the friction zone?
Fully squeezing in the clutch level removes power from the rear wheel.
What does squeezing the clutch lever do?
Squeeze the clutch lever in fully and use the brakes are needed.
What must you do if you start to lose control of the motorcycle?
