RTT Motorcycle Maintenance & Safety Checks 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What minimum tread depth is generally recommended for motorcycle tires in the US?
- 1/32 inch
- 2/32 inch (1/16 inch) (Correct answer)
- 4/32 inch
- 6/32 inch
Correct answer: 2/32 inch (1/16 inch)
Most states require a minimum tread depth of 2/32 inch (1/16 inch) for motorcycle tires, though replacing tires before reaching this limit is recommended for safety.
Question 2: How should you test your motorcycle's turn signals before a ride?
- Activate each signal and visually confirm front and rear lights flash at correct speed (Correct answer)
- Only check if another rider can see them from behind
- Test them only during darkness
- Signals are self-diagnosing and need no manual check
Correct answer: Activate each signal and visually confirm front and rear lights flash at correct speed
Visually confirming that each turn signal flashes at the correct rate front and rear ensures other road users can see your intentions.
Question 3: What does a grinding or metallic scraping noise from the brakes most likely indicate?
- Brake fluid is low
- Brake pads are worn down to the metal backing plate (Correct answer)
- The brake rotor is slightly warped
- Brake caliper needs lubrication
Correct answer: Brake pads are worn down to the metal backing plate
Metal-on-metal grinding from brakes means the brake pad material is gone and the metal backing is contacting the rotor, requiring immediate replacement.
Question 4: Which tool is used to accurately measure motorcycle tire pressure?
- A visual inspection of sidewall bulge
- A calibrated tire pressure gauge (Correct answer)
- The feel of the tire when pressed by hand
- The motorcycle's speedometer accuracy
Correct answer: A calibrated tire pressure gauge
Only a calibrated tire pressure gauge provides an accurate reading; visual inspection and hand pressure tests are unreliable for detecting improper inflation.
Question 5: What is the risk of riding with an over-tightened drive chain?
- Reduced top speed only
- Accelerated wear on the chain, sprockets, and transmission bearings (Correct answer)
- Improved power delivery to the rear wheel
- Better rear wheel alignment
Correct answer: Accelerated wear on the chain, sprockets, and transmission bearings
An over-tight chain places excessive stress on sprocket teeth, chain links, and transmission output bearings, accelerating wear and risking chain breakage.
Question 6: What should be checked when inspecting motorcycle wheel bearings?
- Color of the brake fluid
- Side-to-side play or roughness when spinning the wheel (Correct answer)
- Chain tension on the rear wheel
- Spoke tension on wire-spoked wheels only
Correct answer: Side-to-side play or roughness when spinning the wheel
Lifting the wheel off the ground and checking for lateral play or grinding roughness when spinning reveals worn or failed wheel bearings.
Question 7: If your motorcycle's coolant level is consistently dropping without visible leaks, what should you suspect?
- Normal evaporation through the overflow tube
- An internal coolant leak into the engine oil (Correct answer)
- The coolant reservoir cap is too loose
- The thermostat is stuck open
Correct answer: An internal coolant leak into the engine oil
Coolant that disappears without external leaks often indicates an internal leak where coolant enters the combustion chamber or mixes with engine oil, requiring immediate diagnosis.
RTT Motorcycle Maintenance & Safety Checks 3
What minimum tread depth is generally recommended for motorcycle tires in the US?