General Rules for Riding Motorcycles Quiz

Answer: Dangle your feet off the footpegs

Dangling your feet off the footpegs is not a good idea if you want to have control over your motorcycle. By dangling your feet, you increase the risk of losing control, as your feet can get caught on something and affect your control of the motorcycle.

The correct thing to do would be to keep your feet firmly on the footpegs to maintain your balance and control. It is important to maintain good posture while riding- it is not a good idea to slouch or even lie back on your motorcycle, as that can have a huge effect on your balance and your control.

It is extremely important to keep your body facing forward while riding a motorcycle. If you turn your whole body, you will throw off your balance, and could even lose control of your motorcycle. If you must turn to look at something, just turn your head, and not the rest of your body. And, holding onto the handlegrips firmly is a good idea, especially when riding over rough surfaces.

Information from the Oregon Motorcycle and Moped Manual (2004-2005).

Answer: False

When riding in a group, it is much safer to stagger your position at least two seconds behind the rider in front of you, and on the opposite side of the lane. For example, if the leader was riding in the front right part of the lane, the second rider would want to position themselves at least two seconds behind the leader, and in the left side of the lane.

Information from the Oregon Motorcycle and Moped Manual (2004-2005).

Answer: All three are correct

Motorcycle riders need to be especially careful when riding at night. Not only is it harder for the rider to see, but it is also harder for other drivers to see the rider. Reducing your speed will help increase your chance of avoiding a hazard, especially on a road you aren't familiar with. Using your high beam headlight is a good idea, since you need all the light you can get.

However, you should dim your headlight when you are within 500 feet of an approaching vehicle or 350 feet behind a vehicle. And, because distances are harder to judge at night, increasing your following distance is a very good idea. Ideally, you should open up a three-second following distance or more at night.

Information from the Oregon Motorcycle and Moped Manual (2004-2005).

Answer: True

When you are passing a car, you don't want to be in the driver's blind spot, especially on a motorcycle. Any time another driver can't see you increases your risk for being involved in an accident. If possible, get out of the driver's blind spot as quickly as you can, so you can avoid a potential accident. Information from the Oregon Motorcycle and Moped Manual (2004-2005).

Answer: Every 2 hours

When riding long distances, it is a good idea to stop at least every 2 hours to get off your motorcycle and stretch. If you don't, fatigue may become a problem, as you tire sooner riding a motorcycle than you would driving a car. Information from the Oregon Motorcycle and Moped Manual (2004-2005).

Answer: All answers are correct

When riding a motorcycle, it is important to choose a lane position that is best for optimal safety. You want to avoid other drivers' blind spots at all times, as you cannot be seen by them once you enter that area. You also want to provide an escape route for yourself, in case any hazard presents itself in your path. And, it is important to avoid hazards on the road like deep puddles, loose gravel, or even surface oil.

Information from the Oregon Motorcycle and Moped Manual (2004-2005).

Answer: False

It is never a good idea to wear dark clothing while riding a motorcycle. By wearing dark clothing, you reduce your chances of being seen by other motorists, which increases the risk of being involved in an accident. When riding during the day or night, it is a good idea to wear bright clothing, to increase your chances of being seen by other drivers.

Information from the Oregon Motorcycle and Moped Manual (2004-2005).

Answer: 3 seconds

3 seconds is the MINIMUM distance that should be maintained between you and the vehicle ahead of you. A three-second following distance leaves you a minimum amount of space to stop or swerve if the driver ahead of you stops suddenly. However, if the pavement is wet or slippery, you should open up your following distance to 4 or more seconds.

Information from the Oregon Motorcycle and Moped Manual (2004-2005).

Answer: False

Your passenger should never lean in the opposite direction you lean. This can affect your control of the motorcycle as well as your balance. Before taking a passenger with you, you should always instruct them to lean as you lean, never opposite. Information from the Oregon Motorcycle and Moped Manual (2004-2005).

Answer: Change lanes and let them pass

Changing lanes and letting the tailgater pass is the best option to get rid of them. You shouldn't let them intimidate you into going faster. By speeding up and hoping to lose them, they will only tailgate you at a higher speed, making things more dangerous for the both of you.

It is never a good idea to yell and make obscene gestures, since you don't want to cause problems for yourself. And, it is neither safe nor smart to slow down to a very slow speed. It will definitely annoy the tailgater, but it will also hold up traffic further behind you.

Information from the Oregon Motorcycle and Moped Manual (2004-2005).