MSF - Motorcycle Safety Foundation Motorcycle Controls and Operation Questions and Answers — Questions and Answers
Question 1: When coming to a normal, non-emergency stop on a motorcycle, what is the recommended distribution of braking force between the front and rear brakes?
- 50% front, 50% rear
- 100% front brake only
- Approximately 70% front brake and 30% rear brake (Correct answer)
- 100% rear brake only
Correct answer: Approximately 70% front brake and 30% rear brake
For most normal stops, the front brake provides the majority of the stopping power, typically around 70-75%. The rear brake contributes the remaining 25-30% and helps to stabilize the motorcycle during deceleration.
Question 2: A rider is preparing to start a motorcycle. According to the MSF's FINE-C pre-start routine, what does the 'E' represent?
- Examine the tires and wheels
- Engine cut-off switch to the 'ON' position (Correct answer)
- Engage the clutch fully
- Emergency flashers check
Correct answer: Engine cut-off switch to the 'ON' position
The 'E' in the FINE-C pre-start routine stands for setting the Engine cut-off switch to the 'ON' or 'RUN' position. The full acronym is: F (Fuel), I (Ignition), N (Neutral), E (Engine cut-off switch), C (Choke/Clutch).
Question 3: What is the primary function of the clutch lever on a manual transmission motorcycle?
- To activate the rear brake
- To change the fuel-to-air mixture
- To engage and disengage power from the engine to the rear wheel (Correct answer)
- To sound the horn
Correct answer: To engage and disengage power from the engine to the rear wheel
Squeezing the clutch lever, typically located on the left handlebar, disengages power from the engine to the transmission, allowing the rider to shift gears or stop without stalling the engine. Releasing the lever re-engages the power.
Question 4: Which of the following describes the standard gear shifting pattern on most modern motorcycles?
- Neutral is at the top, followed by 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
- First gear is one press down, neutral is a half-click up, and all other gears are full clicks up (Correct answer)
- All gears are selected by pressing down on the shift lever
- The pattern is random and varies by manufacturer
Correct answer: First gear is one press down, neutral is a half-click up, and all other gears are full clicks up
The vast majority of motorcycles use a sequential 'one-down, rest-up' gear pattern. From neutral, the rider presses down once for first gear. To get back to neutral, it is a half-click up. For second gear and higher, the rider lifts the lever up for each subsequent gear (2, 3, 4, 5, etc.).
Question 5: While riding through a curve, you realize you are going too fast. What is the proper technique to slow down safely?
- Apply the rear brake firmly to slide the rear tire
- Pull in the clutch and coast through the turn
- Straighten the motorcycle, apply both brakes smoothly, then re-establish lean (Correct answer)
- Apply the front brake hard and abruptly
Correct answer: Straighten the motorcycle, apply both brakes smoothly, then re-establish lean
Braking while leaned over can be hazardous. The safest technique is to straighten the bike to maximize the tire's traction for braking, apply both brakes smoothly and progressively, slow to a safe speed, and then lean the motorcycle again to continue through the turn.
Question 6: What is the primary purpose of the red engine cut-off switch located on the right handlebar?
- To activate the high-beam headlight
- To serve as the primary method for turning off the motorcycle after every ride
- To quickly shut off the engine in an emergency without removing a hand from the controls (Correct answer)
- To engage the motorcycle's cruise control
Correct answer: To quickly shut off the engine in an emergency without removing a hand from the controls
The engine cut-off switch is a safety feature designed to allow the rider to stop the engine immediately in an emergency, such as a fall or a stuck throttle, without having to reach for the ignition key.
MSF - Motorcycle Safety Foundation Motorcycle Controls and Operation Questions and Answers
When coming to a normal, non-emergency stop on a motorcycle, what is the recommended distribution of braking force between the front and rear brakes?