Hazards & Road Surfaces

Study questions with answers

12 sample Hazards & Road Surfaces questions with the correct answer, a short explanation, and the official handbook reference. Read through them, then take the quiz above.

1. 1. How far ahead should you search for hazards that are further out?

   Correct answer: About 12 seconds ahead

   Look well ahead to an area it would take you roughly 12 seconds to reach.

   Source: MSF Motorcycle Operator Manual (18th ed.), Oklahoma edition — SEE

2. 2. The three steps of the SEE strategy are what?

   Correct answer: Search, Evaluate, Execute

   SEE stands for Search, Evaluate, and Execute.

   Source: MSF Motorcycle Operator Manual (18th ed.), Oklahoma edition — SEE

3. 3. Just before your tire reaches an obstacle you must ride over, what brief action helps?

   Correct answer: Briefly roll on the throttle to lighten the front end

   A quick, slight roll-on of the throttle just before contact lightens the front end so it can rise over the obstacle.

   Source: MSF Motorcycle Operator Manual (18th ed.), Oklahoma edition — Handling Dangerous Surfaces

4. 4. Which of these gives poor traction, especially when wet?

   Correct answer: Painted lines, steel plates, and surface covers

   Painted lane markings, steel plates, and surface covers all offer poor grip, particularly when wet.

   Source: MSF Motorcycle Operator Manual (18th ed.), Oklahoma edition — Handling Dangerous Surfaces

5. 5. A swerve is best described as what?

   Correct answer: A sudden change of direction

   A swerve is a sudden change of direction used to avoid a hazard.

   Source: MSF Motorcycle Operator Manual (18th ed.), Oklahoma edition — Crash Avoidance

6. 6. When it starts to rain, where is usually the best place to ride?

   Correct answer: In the tire tracks left by other vehicles

   As rain begins, riding in the tire tracks left by other vehicles gives better traction than the center.

   Source: MSF Motorcycle Operator Manual (18th ed.), Oklahoma edition — Handling Dangerous Surfaces

7. 7. When you must ride over an obstacle you cannot avoid, at what angle should you approach it?

   Correct answer: As close to a 90-degree angle as possible

   Try to meet an unavoidable obstacle at as close to a right angle (90 degrees) as you can.

   Source: MSF Motorcycle Operator Manual (18th ed.), Oklahoma edition — Handling Dangerous Surfaces

8. 8. How should you handle the wandering feeling of riding across bridge gratings?

   Correct answer: Relax and keep a steady speed straight across

   The uneasy weaving over gratings is usually harmless; relax, hold a steady speed, and ride straight across.

   Source: MSF Motorcycle Operator Manual (18th ed.), Oklahoma edition — Handling Dangerous Surfaces

9. 9. If a dog chases your motorcycle, what is the recommended response?

   Correct answer: Approach slowly, then accelerate away as you reach it

   Downshift and approach a chasing dog slowly, then accelerate away as you reach it.

   Source: MSF Motorcycle Operator Manual (18th ed.), Oklahoma edition — Animals

10. 10. For a large animal such as a deer standing in the road, what should you do?

    Correct answer: Brake and prepare to stop

    Large animals are unpredictable, so brake and be ready to stop.

    Source: MSF Motorcycle Operator Manual (18th ed.), Oklahoma edition — Animals

11. 11. To swerve, you apply pressure to the handgrip on which side?

    Correct answer: The side of your intended escape

    Press the handgrip on the side toward which you want to escape so the bike leans that way quickly.

    Source: MSF Motorcycle Operator Manual (18th ed.), Oklahoma edition — Crash Avoidance

12. 12. Wet pavement is often most slippery at what point?

    Correct answer: Just after it begins to rain, before the oil washes away

    Pavement is especially slick right after rain begins, before the surface oil is washed toward the road's edge.

    Source: MSF Motorcycle Operator Manual (18th ed.), Oklahoma edition — Handling Dangerous Surfaces