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If you are preparing to ride an unfamiliar motorcycle, what should you do first?

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Use this motorcycle practice test question to prepare for the real written exam at the DMV or during your motorcycle safety course

If you are preparing to ride an unfamiliar motorcycle, what should you do first?

  1. Take it out on the highway. 
  2. Only ride in second gear. 
  3. Check it out and get familiar with the controls. 
  4. Charge the battery. 

Find the answer to this question and an explanation below. 

Answer

This topic may show up on your motorcycle permit test. 

The answer is: C. Check it out and get familiar with the controls. 

How’d you do? Learn more about this motorcycle topic below. 

Explanation: Riding Unfamiliar Motorcycles

In order to pass your motorcycle permit exams and to become a safe rider, it’s important to know why a particular answer on the motorcycle written test is correct. 

Over ½ of motorcycle crashes involve riders that have less than 5 months of experience with the bike they were riding at the time. 

While different motorcycles share many similarities, the differences – however slight – may take some getting used to before you are able to operate the bike safely. 

If you are borrowing a motorcycle or preparing to ride a new bike, you should first spend some time getting to know it. 

The first things you should do before riding in traffic include:

  • Checking out the motorcycle.
  • Reading through the owner’s manual. 
  • Find out the layout and function of the controls. 
  • Get to know the feel of the controls and the weight of the bike. 
  • Practice riding away from traffic. 

After you’ve familiarized yourself with the bike, you should ride cautiously at first. 

Accelerate slower until you’re used to the bike’s torque. Take turns more slowly, and give yourself extra space for stopping and other maneuvers. 

You can find more information about this topic in the motorcycle rider’s handbook.

Check out more motorcycle permit test questions and answers here.

Find in-depth articles for new riders in our section dedicated to learning how to ride a motorcycle.

Plus, check out an overview of the requirements to get a motorcycle endorsement in each state.