MSF EXAM 170 QUESTIONS & CORRECT ANSWERS
LATEST 2026
Why is motorcycling considered serious fun? - ANSWER-Serious because there is
risk involved, fun because riding a motorcycle is a joy.
Learning to ride well requires what physical traits? - ANSWER-Be healthy, have
fitness, strength, and coordination.
What do RiderCoaches do? - ANSWER-They are here to guide me.
What are the four requirements for successful course completion? - ANSWER-1.
Complete all course assignments. 2. Attend all sessions fully. 3. Pass a knowledge
test. 4. Pass an on-motorcycle skill test.
When does a RiderCoach not permit further riding in the course? - ANSWER-If
you have a lot of difficulty, or become a danger to yourself and/or others.
What are the three basic motorcycle types? - ANSWER-Street, Dual-Purpose, Off-
Highway
What motorcycle type will you likely ride? Why? - ANSWER-I will likely ride a
street motorcycle and use it for transportation.
What are the six primary motorcycle controls? - ANSWER-Clutch, handle bars,
front brake lever, throttle, gearshift lever, rear brake pedal.
,How do you operate a motorcycles throttle? - ANSWER-To increase engine speed,
twist towards you. To decrease engine speed, twist away.
What does the clutch lever do? - ANSWER-It connects power from the engine to
the rear wheel. Squeeze it in to disconnect the power and ease it out to connect.
How is the gearshift lever operated? - ANSWER-Lift up firmly and release for a
higher gear, press down firmly and release for a lower gear.
What is a shift pattern? - ANSWER-?
How are the two brake controls operated? - ANSWER-Front brake is squeezed rear
brake is pressed down.
What are possible positions on the fuel valve? - ANSWER-On, reserve, prime, off.
What are possible positions on the ignition switch? - ANSWER-On, off, lock, and
sometimes park.
What is the choke control used for? - ANSWER-It provides an enriched fuel
mixture to help start a cold engine.
Why does a motorcycle have an engine cut-off switch? - ANSWER-It allows you
to shut off the engine without removing your hand from the grip.
What are some common indicators that display information? - ANSWER-
Speedometer, odometer, tachometer.
, What is important to know about a convex mirror? - ANSWER-They provide a
wider view but make objects look farther away.
What is the difference between a side stand and a center stand? - ANSWER-A side
stand supports a motorcycle when parked, a center stand makes the motorcycle
upright and raises the rear tire for maintenance.
Complete the Controls Quiz on page 7 and check your answers - ANSWER-Just
google a picture of motorcycle controls and study it.
List the five steps of the engine pre-start routine. - ANSWER-FINE-C; Fuel,
Ignition, Neutral, Engine cut-off switch, Choke/Clutch.
What are the three steps to follow when shutting off the engine? - ANSWER-1.
Turn the engine cut-off switch to off with your right thumb. 2. Turn the ignition
switch to off. 3. Turn the fuel supply valve to off.
What is the friction zone? - ANSWER-A small area of travel in the clutch lever
that controls connection the engine to the rear wheel.
What does squeezing the clutch lever do? - ANSWER-Removes power from the
rear wheel.
What must you do if you start to lose control of the motorcycle? - ANSWER-
Squeeze in the clutch firmly and use the brakes as needed.
What is the position of the right wrist for good riding posture? - ANSWER-Fingers
around the throttle with a flat wrist.
LATEST 2026
Why is motorcycling considered serious fun? - ANSWER-Serious because there is
risk involved, fun because riding a motorcycle is a joy.
Learning to ride well requires what physical traits? - ANSWER-Be healthy, have
fitness, strength, and coordination.
What do RiderCoaches do? - ANSWER-They are here to guide me.
What are the four requirements for successful course completion? - ANSWER-1.
Complete all course assignments. 2. Attend all sessions fully. 3. Pass a knowledge
test. 4. Pass an on-motorcycle skill test.
When does a RiderCoach not permit further riding in the course? - ANSWER-If
you have a lot of difficulty, or become a danger to yourself and/or others.
What are the three basic motorcycle types? - ANSWER-Street, Dual-Purpose, Off-
Highway
What motorcycle type will you likely ride? Why? - ANSWER-I will likely ride a
street motorcycle and use it for transportation.
What are the six primary motorcycle controls? - ANSWER-Clutch, handle bars,
front brake lever, throttle, gearshift lever, rear brake pedal.
,How do you operate a motorcycles throttle? - ANSWER-To increase engine speed,
twist towards you. To decrease engine speed, twist away.
What does the clutch lever do? - ANSWER-It connects power from the engine to
the rear wheel. Squeeze it in to disconnect the power and ease it out to connect.
How is the gearshift lever operated? - ANSWER-Lift up firmly and release for a
higher gear, press down firmly and release for a lower gear.
What is a shift pattern? - ANSWER-?
How are the two brake controls operated? - ANSWER-Front brake is squeezed rear
brake is pressed down.
What are possible positions on the fuel valve? - ANSWER-On, reserve, prime, off.
What are possible positions on the ignition switch? - ANSWER-On, off, lock, and
sometimes park.
What is the choke control used for? - ANSWER-It provides an enriched fuel
mixture to help start a cold engine.
Why does a motorcycle have an engine cut-off switch? - ANSWER-It allows you
to shut off the engine without removing your hand from the grip.
What are some common indicators that display information? - ANSWER-
Speedometer, odometer, tachometer.
, What is important to know about a convex mirror? - ANSWER-They provide a
wider view but make objects look farther away.
What is the difference between a side stand and a center stand? - ANSWER-A side
stand supports a motorcycle when parked, a center stand makes the motorcycle
upright and raises the rear tire for maintenance.
Complete the Controls Quiz on page 7 and check your answers - ANSWER-Just
google a picture of motorcycle controls and study it.
List the five steps of the engine pre-start routine. - ANSWER-FINE-C; Fuel,
Ignition, Neutral, Engine cut-off switch, Choke/Clutch.
What are the three steps to follow when shutting off the engine? - ANSWER-1.
Turn the engine cut-off switch to off with your right thumb. 2. Turn the ignition
switch to off. 3. Turn the fuel supply valve to off.
What is the friction zone? - ANSWER-A small area of travel in the clutch lever
that controls connection the engine to the rear wheel.
What does squeezing the clutch lever do? - ANSWER-Removes power from the
rear wheel.
What must you do if you start to lose control of the motorcycle? - ANSWER-
Squeeze in the clutch firmly and use the brakes as needed.
What is the position of the right wrist for good riding posture? - ANSWER-Fingers
around the throttle with a flat wrist.
