MSF Basic Rider Course Exam Study
Guide 2026 – Complete Questions with
Correct Detailed Answers – 100%
Guaranteed Pass (Recent Version)
Part 1: Motorcycle Controls, Inspection, and Basics
1. The primary purpose of the friction zone is to:
A) Increase engine RPM
B) Allow smooth starts and slow-speed maneuvers
C) Activate the brake lights
D) Lubricate the drive chain
Answer: B) Allow smooth starts and slow-speed maneuvers ✓
2. The clutch lever is located:
A) On the left handlebar
B) On the right handlebar
C) In front of the right footrest
D) On the fuel tank
Answer: A) On the left handlebar ✓
3. The front brake lever is located:
A) On the left handlebar
B) On the right handlebar
C) In front of the left footrest
D) On the seat
Answer: B) On the right handlebar ✓
4. The gear shift lever is located:
A) On the left handlebar
B) On the right handlebar
C) In front of the left footrest
,D) In front of the right footrest
Answer: C) In front of the left footrest ✓
5. The rear brake pedal is located:
A) On the left handlebar
B) On the right handlebar
C) In front of the left footrest
D) In front of the right footrest
Answer: D) In front of the right footrest ✓
6. What is the sequence for a typical motorcycle transmission?
A) 1-N-2-3-4-5
B) N-1-2-3-4-5
C) 1-2-3-N-4-5
D) 1-2-N-3-4-5
Answer: A) 1-N-2-3-4-5 ✓
7. The "T-CLOCS" pre-ride inspection is a check of:
A) Tires, Controls, Lights, Oil, Chassis, Stands
B) Throttle, Clutch, Lights, Oil, Chain, Suspension
C) Tires, Cables, Levers, Ignition, Chassis, Side-stand
D) Time, Controls, Lights, Oil, Cables, Speed
Answer: A) Tires, Controls, Lights, Oil, Chassis, Stands ✓
8. When checking tire pressure during T-CLOCS, you should:
A) Kick the tires to see if they feel hard
B) Check when the tires are hot and use the recommended pressure on the sidewall
C) Check when the tires are cold and use the manufacturer's recommended pressure
D) Only check if the bike looks low
Answer: C) Check when the tires are cold and use the manufacturer's recommended pressure
✓
9. The most critical component of a motorcycle's safety equipment is:
A) The horn
B) The rider's reflective clothing
C) The tires
D) The bright headlight
Answer: C) The tires ✓
,10. Before starting the engine, you should always:
A) Open the throttle slightly
B) Make sure the transmission is in Neutral
C) Pull in the clutch lever
D) Turn on the headlight
Answer: B) Make sure the transmission is in Neutral ✓
Part 2: Riding Strategies and the SEE System
11. The SEE strategy stands for:
A) Stop, Evaluate, Execute
B) Search, Evaluate, Execute
C) Scan, Estimate, Escape
D) Search, Estimate, Escape
Answer: B) Search, Evaluate, Execute ✓
12. In the SEE system, "Search" means to:
A) Look for a gas station
B) Scan aggressively for potential hazards and escape paths
C) Look for police officers
D) Search for your destination
Answer: B) Scan aggressively for potential hazards and escape paths ✓
13. The primary source of information for a rider when searching is:
A) The motorcycle's GPS
B) Your mirrors
C) Your eyes
D) The sounds around you
Answer: C) Your eyes ✓
14. A "space cushion" is:
A) The comfortable seat on your motorcycle
B) The gap between your helmet and the wind
C) The space you maintain between yourself and other vehicles
D) The storage space under the seat
Answer: C) The space you maintain between yourself and other vehicles ✓
15. The minimum recommended following distance under ideal conditions is:
A) 1 second
, B) 2 seconds
C) 3 seconds
D) 4 seconds
Answer: B) 2 seconds ✓
16. When being tailgated, you should:
A) Speed up to create more space in front
B) Slow down to force the tailgater to pass you
C) Increase your following distance ahead and allow more space to the rear
D) Tap your brakes to scare the tailgater
Answer: C) Increase your following distance ahead and allow more space to the rear ✓
17. The best way to handle a potential hazard is to:
A) Speed up and pass it quickly
B) Use your horn and hope it moves
C) Maintain your speed and position
D) Adjust your speed and/or position to separate yourself from the hazard
Answer: D) Adjust your speed and/or position to separate yourself from the hazard ✓
18. An "escape path" is:
A) The route you take to get home
B) A pre-planned alternate path you can take if a hazard threatens your space
C) The path you take when off-roading
D) The lane you use when passing
Answer: B) A pre-planned alternate path you can take if a hazard threatens your space ✓
19. When evaluating a situation, you should prioritize:
A) The most immediate threat
B) The most distant threat
C) The smallest threat
D) All threats equally
Answer: A) The most immediate threat ✓
20. The "Execute" part of SEE involves:
A) Thinking about what to do
B) Carrying out your decision to manage the hazard
C) Yelling at other drivers
D) Executing a perfect wheelie to avoid danger
Answer: B) Carrying out your decision to manage the hazard ✓
Guide 2026 – Complete Questions with
Correct Detailed Answers – 100%
Guaranteed Pass (Recent Version)
Part 1: Motorcycle Controls, Inspection, and Basics
1. The primary purpose of the friction zone is to:
A) Increase engine RPM
B) Allow smooth starts and slow-speed maneuvers
C) Activate the brake lights
D) Lubricate the drive chain
Answer: B) Allow smooth starts and slow-speed maneuvers ✓
2. The clutch lever is located:
A) On the left handlebar
B) On the right handlebar
C) In front of the right footrest
D) On the fuel tank
Answer: A) On the left handlebar ✓
3. The front brake lever is located:
A) On the left handlebar
B) On the right handlebar
C) In front of the left footrest
D) On the seat
Answer: B) On the right handlebar ✓
4. The gear shift lever is located:
A) On the left handlebar
B) On the right handlebar
C) In front of the left footrest
,D) In front of the right footrest
Answer: C) In front of the left footrest ✓
5. The rear brake pedal is located:
A) On the left handlebar
B) On the right handlebar
C) In front of the left footrest
D) In front of the right footrest
Answer: D) In front of the right footrest ✓
6. What is the sequence for a typical motorcycle transmission?
A) 1-N-2-3-4-5
B) N-1-2-3-4-5
C) 1-2-3-N-4-5
D) 1-2-N-3-4-5
Answer: A) 1-N-2-3-4-5 ✓
7. The "T-CLOCS" pre-ride inspection is a check of:
A) Tires, Controls, Lights, Oil, Chassis, Stands
B) Throttle, Clutch, Lights, Oil, Chain, Suspension
C) Tires, Cables, Levers, Ignition, Chassis, Side-stand
D) Time, Controls, Lights, Oil, Cables, Speed
Answer: A) Tires, Controls, Lights, Oil, Chassis, Stands ✓
8. When checking tire pressure during T-CLOCS, you should:
A) Kick the tires to see if they feel hard
B) Check when the tires are hot and use the recommended pressure on the sidewall
C) Check when the tires are cold and use the manufacturer's recommended pressure
D) Only check if the bike looks low
Answer: C) Check when the tires are cold and use the manufacturer's recommended pressure
✓
9. The most critical component of a motorcycle's safety equipment is:
A) The horn
B) The rider's reflective clothing
C) The tires
D) The bright headlight
Answer: C) The tires ✓
,10. Before starting the engine, you should always:
A) Open the throttle slightly
B) Make sure the transmission is in Neutral
C) Pull in the clutch lever
D) Turn on the headlight
Answer: B) Make sure the transmission is in Neutral ✓
Part 2: Riding Strategies and the SEE System
11. The SEE strategy stands for:
A) Stop, Evaluate, Execute
B) Search, Evaluate, Execute
C) Scan, Estimate, Escape
D) Search, Estimate, Escape
Answer: B) Search, Evaluate, Execute ✓
12. In the SEE system, "Search" means to:
A) Look for a gas station
B) Scan aggressively for potential hazards and escape paths
C) Look for police officers
D) Search for your destination
Answer: B) Scan aggressively for potential hazards and escape paths ✓
13. The primary source of information for a rider when searching is:
A) The motorcycle's GPS
B) Your mirrors
C) Your eyes
D) The sounds around you
Answer: C) Your eyes ✓
14. A "space cushion" is:
A) The comfortable seat on your motorcycle
B) The gap between your helmet and the wind
C) The space you maintain between yourself and other vehicles
D) The storage space under the seat
Answer: C) The space you maintain between yourself and other vehicles ✓
15. The minimum recommended following distance under ideal conditions is:
A) 1 second
, B) 2 seconds
C) 3 seconds
D) 4 seconds
Answer: B) 2 seconds ✓
16. When being tailgated, you should:
A) Speed up to create more space in front
B) Slow down to force the tailgater to pass you
C) Increase your following distance ahead and allow more space to the rear
D) Tap your brakes to scare the tailgater
Answer: C) Increase your following distance ahead and allow more space to the rear ✓
17. The best way to handle a potential hazard is to:
A) Speed up and pass it quickly
B) Use your horn and hope it moves
C) Maintain your speed and position
D) Adjust your speed and/or position to separate yourself from the hazard
Answer: D) Adjust your speed and/or position to separate yourself from the hazard ✓
18. An "escape path" is:
A) The route you take to get home
B) A pre-planned alternate path you can take if a hazard threatens your space
C) The path you take when off-roading
D) The lane you use when passing
Answer: B) A pre-planned alternate path you can take if a hazard threatens your space ✓
19. When evaluating a situation, you should prioritize:
A) The most immediate threat
B) The most distant threat
C) The smallest threat
D) All threats equally
Answer: A) The most immediate threat ✓
20. The "Execute" part of SEE involves:
A) Thinking about what to do
B) Carrying out your decision to manage the hazard
C) Yelling at other drivers
D) Executing a perfect wheelie to avoid danger
Answer: B) Carrying out your decision to manage the hazard ✓
