Motorcycle study notes
Safety and Your Motorcycle
Pre-ride checks, tyres, lights, protective gear and reporting defects.
What this topic covers
Pre-ride checks, tyres, lights, protective gear and reporting defects. The full Motorcycle Theory Test app contains 99 questions on this topic, drawn from the official DVSA bank.
Worked examples
Here are a few practice questions from this topic. Try answering each before reading the explanation.
Example 1
A loose drive chain on a motorcycle could cause
- A. the front wheel to wobble
- B. the ignition to cut out
- C. the brakes to fail
- D. the rear wheel to lock ✓ correct
Explanation: Drive chains are subject to wear and require frequent adjustment to maintain the correct tension. Allowing the drive chain to run dry will greatly increase the rate of wear, so it is important to keep it lubricated. If the chain becomes worn or slack it can jump off the sprocket and lock the rear wheel.
Example 2
The legal minimum depth of tread for motorcycle tyres is
- A. 1 mm ✓ correct
- B. 1.6 mm
- C. 2.5 mm
- D. 4 mm
Explanation: The entire original tread should be continuous. Don’t ride a motorcycle with worn tyres. Your tyres are your only contact with the road so it’s very important that you ensure they are in good condition.
Example 3
You are riding on a quiet road. Your visor fogs up. What should you do?
- A. Continue at a reduced speed
- B. Stop as soon as possible and wipe it ✓ correct
- C. Build up speed to increase air flow
- D. Close the helmet air vents
Explanation: In cold and wet weather your visor may fog up. If this happens when you are riding choose somewhere safe to stop, and wipe it clean with a damp cloth. Special anti-fog products are available at motorcycle dealers.
Example 4
After adjusting the final drive chain what should you check?
- A. The rear wheel alignment ✓ correct
- B. The suspension adjustment
- C. The rear shock absorber
- D. The front suspension forks
Explanation: Always check the rear wheel alignment after adjusting the chain tension. Marks on the chain adjuster may be provided to make this easy. Incorrect alignment can cause instability and increased tyre wear.
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