You find a helmet with loose padding and a frayed strap. What is the sound choice before riding?
Correct answer: Choose a sound, properly fitting approved helmet that fastens securely.
A helmet should fit snugly and have no obvious defects. A damaged or unfastened retention system can prevent it from staying on during a crash.
Source: Minnesota Motorcycle and Motorized Bicycle Manual, PS30001-21 (11/2021); printed page 2 (PDF page 15); Helmet selection and retention. ↗
Your face shield is deeply scratched and fogs enough to hide traffic. What should you address before setting off?
Correct answer: Restore clear, securely attached eye or face protection with suitable ventilation.
Effective protection must preserve a clear view, resist penetration, stay attached and allow airflow to reduce fogging. Do not trade visibility for the appearance of having protective gear.
Source: Supplemental riding-safety guidance, NY DMV Motorcycle Manual; Wear the Right Gear, Eye and Face Protection; not a Minnesota legal requirement. ↗
Which footwear is most suitable for a motorcycle trip?
Correct answer: Sturdy ankle-covering boots with slip-resistant soles and secured laces.
Protect the ankles and keep footwear clear of controls and moving parts. Secure laces and suitable soles help prevent avoidable slips or snags.
Source: Supplemental riding-safety guidance, NY DMV Motorcycle Manual; Wear the Right Gear, Clothing; not a Minnesota legal requirement. ↗
A friend lends you a motorcycle with controls that feel different from yours. What should happen before you join traffic?
Correct answer: Read its instructions and practice with the controls in a controlled area.
Experience does not make every motorcycle familiar. Locate the controls and learn their response away from traffic, then ride cautiously while getting used to the machine.
Source: Minnesota Motorcycle and Motorized Bicycle Manual, PS30001-21 (11/2021); printed page 5 (PDF page 18); Unfamiliar motorcycle. ↗
While checking the motorcycle before a trip, you notice low tire pressure and a fresh fluid puddle beneath it. What is appropriate?
Correct answer: Investigate and correct the problems before riding.
Check tire pressure, wear and tread, fluid levels and signs of leaks before riding. Small faults can have serious consequences for a motorcycle’s balance and control.
Source: Minnesota Motorcycle and Motorized Bicycle Manual, PS30001-21 (11/2021); printed page 6 (PDF page 19); Tire and fluid checks. ↗
The brake light comes on with the rear pedal. What else should you check before the ride?
Correct answer: That operating the front brake control also activates the brake light.
Test the brake light with each brake control. A working light on one control does not establish that the other switch works.
Source: Minnesota Motorcycle and Motorized Bicycle Manual, PS30001-21 (11/2021); printed page 6 (PDF page 19); Brake-light check. ↗
During a stationary pre-ride check, the throttle does not return when released. What should you do?
Correct answer: Have the fault corrected before riding.
The throttle should move smoothly and return when released. A sticking control is a defect to resolve before entering traffic, not a riding technique to work around.
Source: Minnesota Motorcycle and Motorized Bicycle Manual, PS30001-21 (11/2021); printed page 6 (PDF page 19); Throttle operation. ↗
Another person has just used your motorcycle and changed both mirror positions. When should you readjust them?
Correct answer: While stationary before starting the trip.
Clean and adjust mirrors before riding so you can see behind and beside you. Adjusting them while moving diverts attention and may require riding one-handed.
Source: Minnesota Motorcycle and Motorized Bicycle Manual, PS30001-21 (11/2021); printed page 6 (PDF page 19); Mirror setup. ↗
You are stretched so far back on the seat that your elbows lock straight. What adjustment supports better control?
Correct answer: Sit forward enough to hold the grips with slightly bent arms.
A relaxed control position lets the arms steer without overreaching or supporting the rider’s weight. Slightly bent arms help with precise handlebar pressure.
Source: Supplemental riding-safety guidance, NY DMV Motorcycle Manual; Controlling the Motorcycle, Body Position; not a Minnesota legal requirement. ↗
What starting position of your right wrist helps avoid accidentally opening the throttle too far?
Correct answer: Keep the wrist flat while holding the grip.
A flat right wrist helps moderate throttle input. Maintain a firm, comfortable grip rather than setting up a position that can roll on excessive power unintentionally.
Source: Supplemental riding-safety guidance, NY DMV Motorcycle Manual; Controlling the Motorcycle, Body Position; not a Minnesota legal requirement. ↗
During ordinary riding, where should your feet remain?
Correct answer: On the footpegs near the controls, without toes pointing down.
Footpegs support balance and keep the feet available for the controls. Dangling or dragging a foot can catch it on the road and upset control.
Source: Supplemental riding-safety guidance, NY DMV Motorcycle Manual; Controlling the Motorcycle, Body Position; not a Minnesota legal requirement. ↗
You need a lower gear while descending a hill. What should you establish before releasing the clutch in the lower gear?
Correct answer: A road speed suitable for that gear.
Downshifting at excessive speed can make the motorcycle lurch or the rear wheel skid. Slow as necessary and release the clutch smoothly.
Source: Minnesota Motorcycle and Motorized Bicycle Manual, PS30001-21 (11/2021); printed page 9 (PDF page 22); Downshifting. ↗
You have stopped in traffic and need to remain ready to move if danger develops behind you. What does the handbook recommend?
Correct answer: Remain in first gear while stopped.
First gear helps you move promptly if a safe escape becomes necessary. Still watch surrounding traffic and keep adequate space; gear selection does not create a safe path by itself.
Source: Minnesota Motorcycle and Motorized Bicycle Manual, PS30001-21 (11/2021); printed page 9 (PDF page 22); Stopped in traffic — gear selection. ↗
On a conventional motorcycle with separate brake controls, which habit should you build for routine slowing and stopping?
Correct answer: Apply both brakes smoothly together.
Practice coordinated front and rear braking so the habit is available in an emergency. Squeeze rather than grab the front lever, and understand your own motorcycle’s linked or anti-lock system.
Source: Minnesota Motorcycle and Motorized Bicycle Manual, PS30001-21 (11/2021); printed page 9 (PDF page 22); Normal braking. ↗
Why must braking while leaned into a curve be especially controlled?
Correct answer: Some available tire grip is already being used to corner.
Turning and braking share available traction. Abrupt braking while leaned can exceed that grip; learn the appropriate technique through rider training.
Source: Minnesota Motorcycle and Motorized Bicycle Manual, PS30001-21 (11/2021); printed page 10 (PDF page 23); Traction while leaning. ↗
A curve ahead is sharper than the road you have just been riding. When should you make the main reduction to an appropriate entry speed?
Correct answer: Before entering the curve.
Assess the curve and slow before leaning into it. Entering too fast reduces your margin and can cause a wide path or an abrupt, destabilizing correction.
Source: Minnesota Motorcycle and Motorized Bicycle Manual, PS30001-21 (11/2021); printed page 11 (PDF page 24); Curve entry speed. ↗
In a normal turn, where should you direct your eyes?
Correct answer: Through the turn toward the path you intend to follow.
Turn the head to look along the intended path and keep the eyes level. Fixating on the front wheel or a hazard does not provide the forward view needed for a controlled turn.
Source: Minnesota Motorcycle and Motorized Bicycle Manual, PS30001-21 (11/2021); printed page 11 (PDF page 24); Looking through a turn. ↗
At ordinary road speed on a two-wheel motorcycle, you need to initiate a left turn. Which handgrip input does the handbook describe?
Correct answer: Press the left handgrip to initiate a left lean.
For the two-wheel road-speed technique described, pressure on the left grip initiates the left lean. This is not steering instruction for a non-leaning trike; learn and practice with a qualified rider coach.
Source: Minnesota Motorcycle and Motorized Bicycle Manual, PS30001-21 (11/2021); printed page 11 (PDF page 24); Pressing to initiate lean. ↗
During a slow, tight maneuver on a two-wheel motorcycle, how does the handbook describe counterbalancing?
Correct answer: Let the motorcycle lean while keeping your body more upright.
Slow, tight turns use counterbalancing rather than simply copying the body position of a normal road-speed turn. Practice these skills off-street with appropriate instruction.
Source: Minnesota Motorcycle and Motorized Bicycle Manual, PS30001-21 (11/2021); printed page 11 (PDF page 24); Slow tight turns. ↗
You unexpectedly need to change gear while already in a turn. What is important about the control input?
Correct answer: Make the shift and clutch engagement smooth.
Choosing a gear before the turn is preferable. If a shift becomes necessary in the turn, avoid a sudden change in rear-wheel power that can upset traction.
Source: Minnesota Motorcycle and Motorized Bicycle Manual, PS30001-21 (11/2021); printed page 9 (PDF page 22); Shifting in a turn. ↗
