MSF Braking and Stopping 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: When braking on a curve, what should you do before applying the brakes?
- Lean the motorcycle further into the curve
- Straighten the motorcycle as much as possible (Correct answer)
- Increase your speed to exit the curve faster
- Shift to a lower gear before braking
Correct answer: Straighten the motorcycle as much as possible
You should straighten the motorcycle as much as possible before braking hard, because braking while leaned over reduces traction and can cause a skid.
Question 2: What is 'threshold braking' in motorcycle riding?
- Braking only when the ABS activates
- Applying maximum brake force just before wheel lockup (Correct answer)
- Using only the rear brake to slow down gradually
- Pumping the brakes rapidly to prevent skidding
Correct answer: Applying maximum brake force just before wheel lockup
Threshold braking means applying maximum braking force just at the point before the wheels lock up, giving you the shortest possible stopping distance.
Question 3: If your front wheel locks during braking, what should you do?
- Continue holding the brake and steer around the obstacle
- Immediately release the front brake to regain steering control (Correct answer)
- Apply more rear brake to compensate
- Shift to a higher gear to slow the engine braking
Correct answer: Immediately release the front brake to regain steering control
Release the front brake immediately if the wheel locks — a locked front wheel causes loss of steering and can result in a fall.
Question 4: Which factor most affects your total stopping distance?
- The color of your brake pads
- Your speed at the time of braking (Correct answer)
- The weight of your passenger
- The outside air temperature
Correct answer: Your speed at the time of braking
Speed has the greatest effect on stopping distance — doubling your speed quadruples the stopping distance needed.
Question 5: When riding in a group and an emergency stop is needed, riders should:
- All brake simultaneously and maintain formation
- Each brake independently and allow space between bikes to expand (Correct answer)
- Follow the lead rider's braking exactly with no gap
- Use only engine braking to avoid rear-end collisions
Correct answer: Each brake independently and allow space between bikes to expand
Each rider must brake independently, and the natural gap between bikes in formation allows room for everyone to stop safely.
Question 6: How does carrying a passenger affect your braking distance?
- It has no effect on braking distance
- It decreases braking distance due to added weight on the rear
- It increases braking distance because the added weight requires more force to stop (Correct answer)
- It improves braking by lowering the center of gravity
Correct answer: It increases braking distance because the added weight requires more force to stop
A passenger adds significant weight that increases momentum, requiring more stopping force and distance to come to a complete halt.
Question 7: What is the correct technique for stopping on a downhill slope?
- Use only the engine braking by downshifting
- Apply both brakes smoothly with increased front brake emphasis (Correct answer)
- Apply only the rear brake to prevent front wheel washout
- Shift to neutral and coast to a stop
Correct answer: Apply both brakes smoothly with increased front brake emphasis
On a downhill slope, gravity adds to your momentum, so smooth application of both brakes with more emphasis on the front brake provides the most effective stopping.
MSF Braking and Stopping 2
When braking on a curve, what should you do before applying the brakes?