You find a helmet with loose padding and a frayed strap. What is the sound choice before riding?
Correct answer: Choose an undamaged, snug-fitting DOT-compliant 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: Oregon Motorcycle & Moped Manual, Form 735-6367 (01-26); Section Three — Before You Ride; printed page 12, physical PDF page 18. Current linked manual claim text reviewed September 29, 2026. ↗
Your motorcycle has a windshield, and you wear ordinary eyeglasses. What protective choice does the Oregon manual recommend for your eyes and face?
Correct answer: Use a suitable face shield or goggles; a windshield and ordinary glasses are not substitutes.
A face shield protects the eyes and face, while goggles protect the eyes. The manual warns that windshields and ordinary eyeglasses do not provide the same protection.
Source: Oregon Motorcycle & Moped Manual, Form 735-6367 (01-26); Section Three — Before You Ride; printed page 13, physical PDF page 19. Current linked manual claim text reviewed September 29, 2026. ↗
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: Oregon Motorcycle & Moped Manual, Form 735-6367 (01-26); Section Three — Before You Ride; printed page 13, physical PDF page 19. Current linked manual claim text reviewed September 29, 2026. ↗
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.
A borrowed motorcycle may have unfamiliar controls and responses. Read the owner's manual, locate the controls before riding and learn their operation before entering traffic.
Source: Oregon Motorcycle & Moped Manual, Form 735-6367 (01-26); Section Three — Before You Ride; printed page 14, physical PDF page 20. Current linked manual claim text reviewed September 29, 2026. ↗
Before a motorcycle trip, you discover that the tires are below their specified pressure. What should you do?
Correct answer: Correct the pressure before riding.
The Oregon manual warns that low tire pressure can make the motorcycle difficult to control. Check the tires and use the manufacturer's specified pressure before riding.
Source: Oregon Motorcycle & Moped Manual, Form 735-6367 (01-26); Section Three — Before You Ride; printed page 14, physical PDF page 20. Current linked manual claim text reviewed September 29, 2026. ↗
A beginner's motorcycle jerks forward whenever the clutch is released from a stop. What skill should the rider practice in a controlled training area?
Correct answer: Gradually release the clutch through its friction zone while coordinating the throttle.
The friction zone is the part of clutch-lever travel where engine power begins reaching the rear wheel. Smooth coordination of clutch and throttle helps produce a controlled start.
Source: Oregon Motorcycle & Moped Manual, Form 735-6367 (01-26); Section Four — Vehicle Control Skills; printed page 20, physical PDF page 26. Current linked manual claim text reviewed September 29, 2026. ↗
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: Oregon Motorcycle & Moped Manual, Form 735-6367 (01-26); Section Three — Before You Ride; printed page 15, physical PDF page 21. Current linked manual claim text reviewed September 29, 2026. ↗
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: Oregon Motorcycle & Moped Manual, Form 735-6367 (01-26); Section Three — Before You Ride; printed page 16, physical PDF page 22. Current linked manual claim text reviewed September 29, 2026. ↗
You find yourself supporting your upper-body weight on the handlebars. Which posture better supports motorcycle control?
Correct answer: Keep your back straight and head up, using your arms to steer rather than hold up your body.
The manual recommends a straight back and raised head and eyes. Your arms should control steering, not bear the weight of your upper body.
Source: Oregon Motorcycle & Moped Manual, Form 735-6367 (01-26); Section Four — Vehicle Control Skills; printed page 19, physical PDF page 25. Current linked manual claim text reviewed September 29, 2026. ↗
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: Oregon Motorcycle & Moped Manual, Form 735-6367 (01-26); Section Four — Vehicle Control Skills; printed page 19, physical PDF page 25. Current linked manual claim text reviewed September 29, 2026. ↗
During ordinary riding, where should your feet remain?
Correct answer: Firmly on the footrests near the controls, without dragging them.
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: Oregon Motorcycle & Moped Manual, Form 735-6367 (01-26); Section Four — Vehicle Control Skills; printed page 19, physical PDF page 25. Current linked manual claim text reviewed September 29, 2026. ↗
You are still moving too quickly for first gear on a manual motorcycle. What is the risk of selecting it and releasing the clutch abruptly?
Correct answer: It can make the motorcycle lurch and the rear wheel skid.
Choose a gear suited to your road speed and release the clutch smoothly. A sudden mismatch between engine and wheel speed can upset rear-wheel traction.
Source: Oregon Motorcycle & Moped Manual, Form 735-6367 (01-26); Section Four — Vehicle Control Skills; printed page 20, physical PDF page 26. Current linked manual claim text reviewed September 29, 2026. ↗
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 how your own motorcycle's braking system operates.
Source: Oregon Motorcycle & Moped Manual, Form 735-6367 (01-26); Section Four — Vehicle Control Skills; printed page 21, physical PDF page 27. Current linked manual claim text reviewed September 29, 2026. ↗
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: Oregon Motorcycle & Moped Manual, Form 735-6367 (01-26); Section Four — Vehicle Control Skills; printed page 21, physical PDF page 27. Current linked manual claim text reviewed September 29, 2026. ↗
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: Oregon Motorcycle & Moped Manual, Form 735-6367 (01-26); Section Four — Vehicle Control Skills; printed page 22, physical PDF page 28. Current linked manual claim text reviewed September 29, 2026. ↗
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: Oregon Motorcycle & Moped Manual, Form 735-6367 (01-26); Section Four — Vehicle Control Skills; printed page 22, physical PDF page 28. Current linked manual claim text reviewed September 29, 2026. ↗
At ordinary road speed on a two-wheel motorcycle, you need to initiate a left turn. Which handgrip input does the Oregon motorcycle manual 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: Oregon Motorcycle & Moped Manual, Form 735-6367 (01-26); Section Four — Vehicle Control Skills; printed page 22, physical PDF page 28. Current linked manual claim text reviewed September 29, 2026. ↗
During a slow, tight maneuver on a two-wheel motorcycle, how does the Oregon motorcycle manual 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: Oregon Motorcycle & Moped Manual, Form 735-6367 (01-26); Section Four — Vehicle Control Skills; printed page 22, physical PDF page 28. Current linked manual claim text reviewed September 29, 2026. ↗
You are preparing to start uphill on a manual motorcycle. What helps prevent rolling backward while your right hand operates the throttle?
Correct answer: Hold the motorcycle with the rear brake, then release it as the clutch and throttle begin moving you forward.
The rear brake holds the motorcycle while you coordinate the throttle and clutch. Release it when the engine begins pulling the motorcycle forward, using a smooth, controlled start.
Source: Oregon Motorcycle & Moped Manual, Form 735-6367 (01-26); Section Four — Vehicle Control Skills; printed pages 20–21, physical PDF pages 26–27. Current linked manual claim text reviewed September 29, 2026. ↗
A rider insists on staying in the left third of the lane for the entire trip. What is the better strategy?
Correct answer: Change lane position as visibility, traffic and surface hazards change.
No single position provides the best view and space in every situation. Choose a position within your lane that helps others see you, avoids hazards and preserves an escape path.
Source: Oregon Motorcycle & Moped Manual, Form 735-6367 (01-26); Section Five — Street Strategies; printed page 28, physical PDF page 34. Current linked manual claim text reviewed September 29, 2026. ↗
