MSF Basic 4 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What does MSF recommend for the minimum following distance when riding behind another vehicle?
- 1 second
- 2 seconds
- 3 seconds (Correct answer)
- 5 seconds
Correct answer: 3 seconds
A 3-second following distance gives motorcyclists adequate time to identify and respond to hazards created by the vehicle ahead.
Question 2: What is the best way to handle a dog chasing your motorcycle?
- Kick at the dog as you pass
- Swerve away from the dog at high speed
- Downshift and accelerate past the dog as it approaches (Correct answer)
- Brake hard and come to a stop
Correct answer: Downshift and accelerate past the dog as it approaches
Accelerating when the dog is close tends to cause it to fall behind, as dogs typically give up the chase once they can't keep pace.
Question 3: A car suddenly pulls out in front of you. Which is the BEST response?
- Swerve immediately without braking
- Apply maximum braking and prepare to swerve if needed (Correct answer)
- Sound the horn and maintain speed
- Accelerate to pass behind the car
Correct answer: Apply maximum braking and prepare to swerve if needed
Maximum controlled braking reduces speed rapidly, and combined with swerving if necessary, gives the best chance of avoiding a collision.
Question 4: Which type of clothing material provides the best abrasion resistance for motorcycle riders?
- Denim jeans
- Polyester fleece
- Leather or reinforced textile riding gear (Correct answer)
- Cotton cargo pants
Correct answer: Leather or reinforced textile riding gear
Leather and purpose-built textile riding gear with abrasion-resistant panels provide the protection needed in a slide after a crash.
Question 5: What is the recommended technique for picking up a fallen motorcycle?
- Lift with your back bent and arms extended
- Back up to the bike, squat with straight back, and push with your legs (Correct answer)
- Have a passenger lift the front while you lift the rear
- Grab the handlebars and pull upward
Correct answer: Back up to the bike, squat with straight back, and push with your legs
Using your legs rather than your back prevents injury, and positioning yourself close to the bike gives the mechanical advantage needed to lift it.
Question 6: What causes 'wobble' or 'tank slapper' at high speeds?
- Riding with too much fuel
- Improper tire pressure, wheel imbalance, or worn steering components (Correct answer)
- Using the front brake while accelerating
- Riding in the left lane position
Correct answer: Improper tire pressure, wheel imbalance, or worn steering components
Low tire pressure, unbalanced wheels, or worn steering bearings can trigger rapid side-to-side handlebar oscillation at speed.
Question 7: In which situation is it MOST important to use the horn?
- To greet other motorcyclists
- When a driver appears about to merge into your lane (Correct answer)
- To signal your arrival at a destination
- When passing a parked car
Correct answer: When a driver appears about to merge into your lane
The horn is a safety tool used to alert inattentive drivers before a potential collision, not as a social signal.
MSF Basic 4
What does MSF recommend for the minimum following distance when riding behind another vehicle?