New Zealand Motorbike Driving Test New Zealand Motorbike Driving Pre-Ride Vehicle Checks 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: When checking your headlight before a ride, what should you verify beyond whether it turns on?
- That it produces a blue tint for better night visibility
- That both low and high beams work and the aim is not pointing skyward or at the ground (Correct answer)
- That it switches off automatically in daylight
- That it flashes when the horn is pressed
Correct answer: That both low and high beams work and the aim is not pointing skyward or at the ground
You must confirm both low and high beams function and that the beam is aimed correctly — too high blinds other drivers, too low reduces your forward vision.
Question 2: What is the correct procedure for checking your rear brake pedal during a pre-ride inspection?
- Press it fully to the footpeg to confirm full travel
- Apply steady pressure to confirm it feels firm and the bike slows when pushed (Correct answer)
- Check that it does not move unless significant force is applied
- Tap it rapidly to feel for any pulsing in the pedal
Correct answer: Apply steady pressure to confirm it feels firm and the bike slows when pushed
The rear brake pedal should offer firm resistance and slow the bike when applied — sponginess or excessive travel suggests hydraulic or adjustment issues.
Question 3: How do you correctly check your motorcycle's tyre pressure before riding?
- Squeeze the tyre with your hand and judge firmness by feel
- Use a calibrated pressure gauge on cold tyres and compare to the manufacturer's specification (Correct answer)
- Tap the tyre with your boot and listen for a hollow sound
- Check pressure only after riding a few kilometres to warm the tyre
Correct answer: Use a calibrated pressure gauge on cold tyres and compare to the manufacturer's specification
Tyre pressure must be checked with a proper gauge on cold tyres, as riding heats the air inside and gives a falsely high reading.
Question 4: What does a worn tyre tread wear indicator bar flush with the surrounding tread surface mean?
- The tyre has reached the minimum legal tread depth and must be replaced (Correct answer)
- The tyre still has 50% of its life remaining
- The wear bar is a reference point only with no legal significance
- The tyre should be replaced within the next 500 km
Correct answer: The tyre has reached the minimum legal tread depth and must be replaced
When the wear indicator bar is level with the tread surface, the tyre has reached the minimum legal depth (1.5 mm in NZ) and must be replaced immediately.
Question 5: Before riding, you notice the handlebars feel loose when you shake them side to side. What should you do?
- Ride slowly and have them checked at your destination
- Tighten the handlebar clamp bolts to the manufacturer's torque specification before riding (Correct answer)
- Accept it as normal for older motorcycles
- Wrap the handlebar area with tape for a temporary fix
Correct answer: Tighten the handlebar clamp bolts to the manufacturer's torque specification before riding
Loose handlebars are a critical safety hazard; they must be tightened to the correct torque before the bike is ridden.
Question 6: What is the purpose of checking your kill switch during a pre-ride check?
- To verify the engine can be switched off quickly in an emergency (Correct answer)
- To ensure the switch controls the headlight
- To confirm the switch activates the hazard lights
- To test whether the starter motor engages
Correct answer: To verify the engine can be switched off quickly in an emergency
The kill switch must be functional so you can shut off the engine instantly in an emergency without needing to reach for the key.
Question 7: During a pre-ride inspection, you find a crack in your visor. Why is this a safety concern?
- A cracked visor only affects appearance and is not a safety issue
- A crack can distort vision and shatter on impact, risking eye injury (Correct answer)
- A crack will cause the visor to fog up during riding
- Cracks reduce the aerodynamic efficiency of the helmet
Correct answer: A crack can distort vision and shatter on impact, risking eye injury
A cracked visor distorts your view, weakens structural integrity, and can shatter into sharp fragments if struck, creating a serious eye injury risk.
New Zealand Motorbike Driving Test New Zealand Motorbike Driving Pre-Ride Vehicle Checks 3
When checking your headlight before a ride, what should you verify beyond whether it turns on?