MSF Basic Riding Skills 4 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the best way to ride through a curve on a wet road?
- Lean the motorcycle more aggressively to maintain speed
- Slow down before the curve, maintain a smooth steady throttle through it (Correct answer)
- Brake gently mid-curve to stay in your lane
- Move to the outer edge of the lane for the widest arc
Correct answer: Slow down before the curve, maintain a smooth steady throttle through it
Reducing speed before the curve and maintaining a smooth throttle through it minimizes the risk of losing traction on wet pavement.
Question 2: When preparing to stop at an intersection, in what order should you operate the controls?
- Downshift first, then apply brakes
- Apply brakes first to slow, then downshift as speed decreases (Correct answer)
- Squeeze clutch, apply both brakes, then downshift
- Apply rear brake only, then clutch and downshift
Correct answer: Apply brakes first to slow, then downshift as speed decreases
Braking first slows the motorcycle, then downshifting through gears keeps the engine in range and you prepared to accelerate if needed.
Question 3: What is the danger of 'coasting' in neutral or with the clutch pulled in while descending a hill?
- It causes unnecessary engine wear
- You lose engine braking, increasing speed and relying solely on friction brakes (Correct answer)
- It causes the rear wheel to lock up automatically
- It has no significant danger on motorcycles
Correct answer: You lose engine braking, increasing speed and relying solely on friction brakes
Coasting removes engine braking, causing the bike to accelerate on descents and overwork the friction brakes.
Question 4: When is it appropriate to use the front brake alone on a motorcycle?
- Never — always use both brakes together
- Only in low-traction situations like gravel
- In most situations, particularly above low speed where front braking is most effective (Correct answer)
- Only when your rear brake has failed
Correct answer: In most situations, particularly above low speed where front braking is most effective
The front brake provides the majority of stopping power and can be used effectively above slow speeds, though using both is generally recommended.
Question 5: What should you do before swerving to avoid an obstacle?
- Apply the brakes firmly while swerving
- Release the brakes if applied, then swerve (Correct answer)
- Shift down a gear for better control
- Lean back to keep weight on the rear wheel
Correct answer: Release the brakes if applied, then swerve
Braking during a swerve can cause the tires to lose traction; release the brakes first, swerve, then reapply brakes after straightening.
Question 6: What is the recommended following distance when riding behind another vehicle in normal conditions?
- One second
- Two seconds
- At least three to four seconds (Correct answer)
- Five seconds or more
Correct answer: At least three to four seconds
MSF recommends a minimum three-to-four second following distance to allow enough time to react and stop.
Question 7: How should you handle a large bump or pothole that you cannot avoid?
- Brake hard just before impact to reduce wheel damage
- Rise slightly off the seat and grip the tank with your knees to absorb the impact (Correct answer)
- Lean away from the bump as you ride over it
- Accelerate to pop the front wheel over the obstacle
Correct answer: Rise slightly off the seat and grip the tank with your knees to absorb the impact
Rising slightly off the seat lets your legs act as shock absorbers and prevents the bump's force from being transmitted to your spine.
MSF Basic Riding Skills 4
What is the best way to ride through a curve on a wet road?