Handling Emergencies

Study questions with answers

12 sample Handling Emergencies questions with the correct answer, a short explanation, and the official handbook reference. Read through them, then take the quiz above.

1. 1. At what angle should you try to cross an obstacle such as railroad tracks?

   Correct answer: At an angle as near to 90 degrees as you can manage

   Try to meet and ride over an obstacle at an angle as near to 90 degrees as you can.

   Source: Washington Motorcycle Operator's Manual — Strategies for the Street: Crossing an Obstacle

2. 2. Why should you never brake and swerve at the same time?

   Correct answer: Swerving requires a lot of traction, so doing both can overload the tires

   Swerving needs a lot of traction, so braking at the same time can overload the tires; instead, separate the two actions.

   Source: Washington Motorcycle Operator's Manual — Riding a Two-Wheeled Motorcycle: Swerves

3. 3. Why can swerving be riskier on a three-wheeler than on a two-wheeler?

   Correct answer: Side loads can upset the suspension and cause a tip or rollover

   On a three-wheeler the sudden side loads of a swerve can upset the suspension and cause a tip or rollover, and there is less room to swerve due to its size.

   Source: Washington Motorcycle Operator's Manual — Riding a Three-Wheeled Motorcycle: Swerves

4. 4. What are the two general categories of evasive maneuvers when you meet a hazard?

   Correct answer: Changing speed or changing position

   Evasive action falls into two groups: adjusting your speed (accelerating, easing off, or halting) or altering your position (swerving or turning).

   Source: Washington Motorcycle Operator's Manual — Riding a Two-Wheeled Motorcycle: Evasive Maneuvers

5. 5. When crossing an obstacle, why is it helpful to rise slightly off the seat?

   Correct answer: Your legs can act as shock absorbers and lower your center of gravity

   Rising off the seat lets your legs act as shock absorbers and puts more weight on the foot pegs, lowering your center of gravity for stability.

   Source: Washington Motorcycle Operator's Manual — Strategies for the Street: Crossing an Obstacle

6. 6. On a sidecar rig, how do you compensate for the yaw (leftward pull) you feel while braking?

   Correct answer: Steer slightly to the right

   When braking a sidecar rig you may feel thrust to the left, so steer slightly to the right to hold your path and stay in your lane.

   Source: Washington Motorcycle Operator's Manual — Riding a Three-Wheeled Motorcycle: Yaw

7. 7. To stop as quickly as possible in a curve on a two-wheeler, what should you do about lean angle?

   Correct answer: Reduce your lean angle, then brake

   Traction for braking is reduced while leaned, so reduce your lean angle and straighten the bike, then brake, when conditions allow.

   Source: Washington Motorcycle Operator's Manual — Riding a Two-Wheeled Motorcycle: Braking in a Corner

8. 8. If you must both swerve and brake to avoid a hazard, how should you combine them?

   Correct answer: Swerve first and brake afterward, or brake first and then swerve

   Perform them separately: swerve first and brake afterward, or brake first and swerve next, but never together.

   Source: Washington Motorcycle Operator's Manual — Riding a Two-Wheeled Motorcycle: Swerves

9. 9. During a swerve on a two-wheeler, how should you hold your body?

   Correct answer: Keep your body upright and centered, looking where you want to go

   Keep your body upright and centered and look where you want to go, so the bike can move independently beneath you.

   Source: Washington Motorcycle Operator's Manual — Riding a Two-Wheeled Motorcycle: Swerves

10. 10. What is target fixation, and how do you avoid its danger?

    Correct answer: Staring at a hazard tends to steer you into it, so look where you want to go instead

    Target fixation happens when staring intently at something pulls you toward it; the fix is to focus on your intended path rather than on the hazard itself.

    Source: Washington Motorcycle Operator's Manual — Strategies for the Street: Target Fixation

11. 11. What throttle technique helps the front tire cross over an obstacle?

    Correct answer: Add throttle just before the front tire crosses, then roll off as it passes over

    Add a bit of throttle just before the front tire reaches the obstacle, then roll off as the tire passes over it to lighten the front end.

    Source: Washington Motorcycle Operator's Manual — Strategies for the Street: Crossing an Obstacle

12. 12. During a quick stop, where should your eyes and knees be to help you stop in a straight line?

    Correct answer: Eyes up and well ahead, knees against the tank

    Press your knees to the tank and hold your gaze up and far ahead; this helps the bike come to a halt along a straight path.

    Source: Washington Motorcycle Operator's Manual — Riding a Two-Wheeled Motorcycle: Quick Stops