New Zealand Motorbike Driving Test New Zealand Motorbike Driving Pre-Ride Vehicle Checks 4 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: When inspecting your motorcycle's sprockets as part of a pre-ride check, what is a sign of dangerous wear?
- Sprocket teeth that are slightly shiny from chain contact
- Hooked, shark-fin shaped, or missing teeth on the sprocket (Correct answer)
- A thin layer of chain lubricant on the teeth
- Sprocket teeth that are evenly worn across all surfaces
Correct answer: Hooked, shark-fin shaped, or missing teeth on the sprocket
Hooked or shark-fin-shaped sprocket teeth indicate severe wear; a worn sprocket can cause the chain to skip or derail at speed, resulting in loss of control.
Question 2: What should you check about your fuel supply before starting a ride?
- That the fuel tap is in the off position for safety
- That you have sufficient fuel and the fuel tap is set to the correct position (on/reserve) (Correct answer)
- That you always start a ride with the reserve tap open
- That the fuel tank cap is left slightly loose to prevent vacuum lock
Correct answer: That you have sufficient fuel and the fuel tap is set to the correct position (on/reserve)
Before riding, confirm you have enough fuel for your planned journey and the fuel tap is set to 'on' (or 'reserve' only if 'on' is depleted).
Question 3: How do you check that your indicators (turn signals) are working correctly before a ride?
- Activate each signal and visually confirm it flashes at a steady rate front and rear (Correct answer)
- Check only the front indicators since rear ones are visible to other road users
- Switch them on and leave them running to warm up the bulbs
- Assume they work if the dashboard indicator light is on
Correct answer: Activate each signal and visually confirm it flashes at a steady rate front and rear
You must physically confirm both front and rear indicators flash correctly on each side — dashboard lights alone don't verify the external lenses are working.
Question 4: What is the significance of checking engine oil level through the sight glass or dipstick before riding?
- Oil level only matters for long rides over 100 km
- Insufficient oil can cause engine seizure even on a short ride (Correct answer)
- A low oil level is normal and should be topped up weekly
- Oil level only needs checking at scheduled service intervals
Correct answer: Insufficient oil can cause engine seizure even on a short ride
Even a short ride with critically low oil can cause engine seizure due to insufficient lubrication of moving components.
Question 5: If you notice the brake lever or pedal feels spongy during your pre-ride check, what does this most likely indicate?
- The brake pads are new and need bedding in
- Air is trapped in the hydraulic brake line, reducing braking effectiveness (Correct answer)
- The brake is over-adjusted and needs loosening
- The brake fluid is too cold and will improve after warming up
Correct answer: Air is trapped in the hydraulic brake line, reducing braking effectiveness
A spongy brake feel is a classic symptom of air in the hydraulic line, which compresses instead of transmitting force efficiently, significantly reducing braking power.
Question 6: Why is it important to check that your helmet's chin strap is fastened correctly before every ride?
- An undone strap causes increased wind noise only
- An unfastened helmet can come off in a crash, leaving your head unprotected (Correct answer)
- The strap affects the helmet's ventilation system
- Strap tightness is a comfort preference with no safety impact
Correct answer: An unfastened helmet can come off in a crash, leaving your head unprotected
In a crash, an improperly fastened helmet can be thrown off, leaving the rider without head protection at the moment it is most critical.
Question 7: When should you perform a pre-ride vehicle check on your motorcycle?
- Only when riding more than 50 km
- Before every ride, regardless of distance or familiarity with the bike (Correct answer)
- Once a week regardless of how many times the bike is ridden
- Only when riding an unfamiliar motorcycle
Correct answer: Before every ride, regardless of distance or familiarity with the bike
Pre-ride checks should be carried out before every single ride because conditions — tyre pressure, fluid levels, lighting — can change between uses.
New Zealand Motorbike Driving Test New Zealand Motorbike Driving Pre-Ride Vehicle Checks 4
When inspecting your motorcycle's sprockets as part of a pre-ride check, what is a sign of dangerous wear?