Quickly grabbing or jamming down on the brake levers:

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

Quickly grabbing or jamming down on the brake levers:

1. Can cause the wheels to lock and skid.
2. Is the proper way to use the brakes in all circumstances.
3. Should only be done when doing a quick stop. 
4. Should be done on both brakes simultaneously.

Find the answer to this question and an explanation below. 

Answer

This topic may show up on your motorcycle permit test. 

The answer is: a. Can cause the wheels to lock and skid.

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

Explanation: Braking Technique 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. 

Suddenly jamming on the rear brake pedal or grabbing the front brake lever may cause the wheels to lock up and begin to skid. 

In these situations, it is easy to lose control of the motorcycle and crash. 

To recover from a locked wheel skid, you should release the brake lever or pedal immediately and reapply them with less pressure. 

A front brake skid will result in a loss of steering control and make it difficult to balance the motorcycle. Remaining in a front wheel skid will often result in a crash. 

A rear brake skid will also remove your ability to change direction. A rear wheel skid can also cause a high-side crash if you release the brake pedal when the front and the rear are out of alignment. 

Try to get the motorcycle moving straight before releasing the rear brake pedal. 

If you are riding on a surface with good traction and are moving in a straight line, you can sometimes allow the rear wheel to skid until you come to a stop. 

However, you should avoid locking up either wheel by squeezing the brake lever and pedal smoothly and gradually. 

For the front brake, increase the brake pressure as you slow down. For the rear brake, apply light to lighter pressure on the pedal. 

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.