Chapter 3: Knowing Your Motorcycle

The “Knowing Your Motorcycle” chapter in the Alberta motorcycle practice test is designed to familiarize riders with their bike’s mechanics and features.

Alberta Motorcycle Test - Chapter 3: Knowing Your Motorcycle

1 / 30

When using a motorcycle you are not familiar with, you should first:

Ride at low speed in traffic until you figure out the controls

Only check where the ignition key goes

Assume all motorcycles have identical controls

Read the owner’s manual and learn where all the controls and gauges are

2 / 30

For a liquid-cooled engine, you must:

Check coolant is at the recommended level and that hoses are not leaking or cracked

Ignore small hose cracks

Check coolant only in hot weather

Overfill the coolant reservoir

3 / 30

The exhaust system inspection should include:

Removing any muffler baffles to increase noise

Checking that the muffler is in good condition and securely attached

Making sure the exhaust is as loud as possible

Ignoring small holes in the muffler

4 / 30

A proper mirror inspection includes:

Ensuring mirrors are clean, properly adjusted, and securely fastened

Folding mirrors in for better aerodynamics

Aiming mirrors at the ground

Ignoring mirror adjustment if you can turn your head

5 / 30

The engine cut-off switch must be checked to ensure it:

Locks the steering

Stops the engine when used

Activates the horn

Changes the headlight beam

6 / 30

If you find nails, metal, or glass that have punctured a tire, you must:

Remove the object and repair the tire

Only let out some air and continue riding

Ignore it if the tire is still holding air

Push it in deeper so it doesn’t fall out

7 / 30

When storing your motorcycle for winter, you should:

Only wash it and then ignore it until spring

Store it with a full tank and battery connected, with no other steps

Protect the tires, handle remaining fuel, remove the battery, protect from weather, and address storage concerns

Leave it outside without any preparation

8 / 30

To become familiar with the brakes before riding, you should:

Use only the rear brake at all times

Use only the front brake at all times

Lock both wheels immediately to see how it feels

Move the motorcycle slightly and use front, then rear, then both brakes to stop

9 / 30

When inspecting tire tread, you should look for:

Only the brand name on the sidewall

Adequate tread depth and signs of uneven or worn tread

Only the colour of the rubber

Tread that is completely smooth

10 / 30

Your posture on the motorcycle should allow you to:

Reach and operate all controls without straining or stretching

Stretch to reach the hand grips

Lean far forward to reach the controls

Keep your arms fully locked straight at all times

11 / 30

Before riding on the road, you should be familiar with:

Only the throttle and front brake

Only the horn and turn signals

Only the fuel valve and starter button

The location, operation, and function of all controls and gauges

12 / 30

To test the brakes during inspection, you should:

Test the brakes only while riding at high speed

Test only the rear brake

Test only the front brake

Apply front and rear brakes separately to ensure each holds the motorcycle still when pushed

13 / 30

When inspecting lights and electrical components, you must ensure:

Only the signal lights are working

All lights and reflectors are clean, securely mounted, undamaged, and working

Only the headlight is working

Only the tail light is working

14 / 30

While sitting on the motorcycle, which of the following indicates a proper fit?

You can place one foot flat on the ground while the other is on the brake

Only your toes can touch the ground on both sides

You should not be able to touch the ground at all

Both feet must be flat on the ground at all times

15 / 30

When checking fluids, engine oil should be:

Dark black to show it has been used

At the recommended level, with colour yellow (good) rather than black or dark

Above the maximum mark for safety

Never changed if the level is correct

16 / 30

To coordinate throttle and clutch before riding, you should:

Only practice shifting into first gear

Fully open the throttle with the engine off

Practice only with the engine running at high speed

Go through the motions of rotating and releasing the throttle with the clutch and gear selector, without moving the throttle

17 / 30

When choosing a motorcycle, what is the most important overall consideration?

That it matches the colour of your riding gear

That it is the newest model available

That you can handle it at your level of experience and skill

That it has the largest possible engine

18 / 30

Before starting the engine, you should practice gear changes by:

Revving the engine and shifting without the clutch

Pushing the bike in neutral only

Using only the rear brake and ignoring the clutch

Squeezing and releasing the clutch lever while operating the gear selector

19 / 30

When checking the general condition of the tires, you should look for:

Cuts, bulges, cracks, and sidewall damage

Only small stones on the surface

The brightest shine after cleaning

Only the age printed on the tire

20 / 30

Proper wheel condition includes:

Cracks in the rim to save weight

Rusted bearings to hold grease better

No damaged or cracked wheels/rims and properly lubricated bearings

Loose bearings so the wheel turns more freely

21 / 30

During a wheel and rim inspection, you should:

Check for loose, damaged, missing, or broken spokes

Only check the colour of the rim

Spin the wheel as fast as possible with the engine

Add grease to the tire sidewalls

22 / 30

The brake light must:

Be checked only at night

Work only with the hand brake

Be activated easily by both the foot and hand brake controls

Work only with the foot brake

23 / 30

Why is a pre-trip inspection important before every ride?

It is only necessary once a year

It is required only to keep the motorcycle clean

Problems with tires, lights, or brakes can lead to collisions causing injury or death

It is mainly to make the motorcycle look newer

24 / 30

Tire pressure should be checked to ensure:

It matches the pressure recommended in the owner’s manual

It is lower than recommended for comfort

It is whatever was in the tire last ride

It is as high as the tire will allow

25 / 30

The licence plate must be:

Securely attached, clearly visible at the rear, with its light working and clean (if equipped)

Hidden under the seat

Mounted on the front wheel

Removable while riding

26 / 30

Objects stuck in the tire tread, such as rocks, should be:

Painted so they are more visible

Left in place to improve traction

Ignored unless the tire goes flat

Removed during the inspection

27 / 30

For the drive system, depending on type, you should:

Check chain or belt for lubrication/wear and proper tension, and shaft for oil leaks

Never lubricate the chain

Over-tighten the belt so it cannot move

Ignore small oil leaks from the shaft

28 / 30

The throttle should be checked to ensure that it:

Feels sticky and hard to move

Only works when the engine is off

Moves freely and returns to the closed position easily without assistance

Stays open when released

29 / 30

The battery inspection should confirm that:

The battery is secure, terminals are clean, and connections are tight

The connections are hanging slightly free

The terminals are covered in corrosion

The battery is loose so it can move freely

30 / 30

When checking the clutch lever and cable, you should confirm that:

The lever is very loose with no resistance

The cable moves freely and feels tight, and hydraulic fluid (if equipped) is at the recommended level

The cable is rusted and stiff

The hydraulic reservoir is empty

Your score is

It underscores the importance of understanding the motorcycle’s controls, such as brakes, throttle, and clutch, ensuring smooth operation. This chapter teaches riders how to perform routine maintenance checks, including inspecting tires, brakes, and fluid levels. It also highlights the significance of adjusting mirrors and seat positions for optimal comfort and visibility. By mastering these aspects, riders can enhance their safety, efficiency, and confidence on the road, laying a strong foundation for responsible motorcycle operation.