If you must ride over an obstacle on the road, you should:

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

If you must ride over an obstacle on the road, you should:

1. Lean your motorcycle. 
2. Speed up as much as possible. 
3. Slow down as much as possible. 
4. Go over the object as close to parallel as possible. 

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. Slow down as much as possible. 

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

Explanation: Handling Obstacles on a Motorcycle

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. 

Sometimes riding over an obstacle on the road is unavoidable or may be your safest course of action due to other hazards around you. 

Obstacles like small pieces of trash, debris, car body components, or pieces of wood can be a common occurrence in some places. 

If you must ride over an obstacle, you should:

• Approach the object as close to 90 degrees as possible. 
• Keep your eyes on where you want to go, not on the obstacle. 
• Slow down as much as possible before getting to the object.
• Keep your motorcycle straight. 
• Rise off the seat to absorb the shock with your knees and elbows. 
• Roll on the throttle just before contact to lighten the front wheel, then close the throttle. 

After riding over an object in the road, it is a smart idea to pull over and inspect your bike for any damage. 

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.