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

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

Never lubricate the chain

Ignore small oil leaks from the shaft

Over-tighten the belt so it cannot move

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

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During a wheel and rim inspection, you should:

Spin the wheel as fast as possible with the engine

Check for loose, damaged, missing, or broken spokes

Add grease to the tire sidewalls

Only check the colour of the rim

3 / 30

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

Push it in deeper so it doesn’t fall out

Ignore it if the tire is still holding air

Remove the object and repair the tire

Only let out some air and continue riding

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The throttle should be checked to ensure that it:

Feels sticky and hard to move

Only works when the engine is off

Stays open when released

Moves freely and returns to the closed position easily without assistance

5 / 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 hydraulic reservoir is empty

The cable is rusted and stiff

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To coordinate throttle and clutch before riding, you should:

Practice only with the engine running at high speed

Only practice shifting into first gear

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

Fully open the throttle with the engine off

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

Only check where the ignition key goes

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

Assume all motorcycles have identical controls

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

8 / 30

Proper wheel condition includes:

Loose bearings so the wheel turns more freely

No damaged or cracked wheels/rims and properly lubricated bearings

Cracks in the rim to save weight

Rusted bearings to hold grease better

9 / 30

When inspecting lights and electrical components, you must ensure:

Only the tail light is working

Only the signal lights are working

Only the headlight is working

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

10 / 30

The battery inspection should confirm that:

The battery is loose so it can move freely

The terminals are covered in corrosion

The connections are hanging slightly free

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

11 / 30

A proper mirror inspection includes:

Ignoring mirror adjustment if you can turn your head

Aiming mirrors at the ground

Folding mirrors in for better aerodynamics

Ensuring mirrors are clean, properly adjusted, and securely fastened

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

Only the horn and turn signals

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

Only the fuel valve and starter button

Only the throttle and front brake

13 / 30

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

Cuts, bulges, cracks, and sidewall damage

Only the age printed on the tire

The brightest shine after cleaning

Only small stones on the surface

14 / 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

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

Lock both wheels immediately to see how it feels

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

Pushing the bike in neutral only

Squeezing and releasing the clutch lever while operating the gear selector

Using only the rear brake and ignoring the clutch

Revving the engine and shifting without the clutch

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

Left in place to improve traction

Ignored unless the tire goes flat

Painted so they are more visible

Removed during the inspection

17 / 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

18 / 30

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

That it matches the colour of your riding gear

That it has the largest possible engine

That it is the newest model available

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

19 / 30

Your posture on the motorcycle should allow you to:

Stretch to reach the hand grips

Lean far forward to reach the controls

Keep your arms fully locked straight at all times

Reach and operate all controls without straining or stretching

20 / 30

When inspecting tire tread, you should look for:

Only the colour of the rubber

Tread that is completely smooth

Only the brand name on the sidewall

Adequate tread depth and signs of uneven or worn tread

21 / 30

When checking fluids, engine oil should be:

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

Dark black to show it has been used

22 / 30

Tire pressure should be checked to ensure:

It is as high as the tire will allow

It matches the pressure recommended in the owner’s manual

It is whatever was in the tire last ride

It is lower than recommended for comfort

23 / 30

When storing your motorcycle for winter, you should:

Leave it outside without any preparation

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

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

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

It is required only to keep the motorcycle clean

It is mainly to make the motorcycle look newer

It is only necessary once a year

25 / 30

For a liquid-cooled engine, you must:

Overfill the coolant reservoir

Ignore small hose cracks

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

Check coolant only in hot weather

26 / 30

The exhaust system inspection should include:

Checking that the muffler is in good condition and securely attached

Ignoring small holes in the muffler

Removing any muffler baffles to increase noise

Making sure the exhaust is as loud as possible

27 / 30

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

Locks the steering

Changes the headlight beam

Activates the horn

Stops the engine when used

28 / 30

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

You should not be able to touch the ground at all

Both feet must be flat on the ground at all times

Only your toes can touch the ground on both sides

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

29 / 30

The brake light must:

Work only with the foot brake

Be checked only at night

Be activated easily by both the foot and hand brake controls

Work only with the hand brake

30 / 30

To test the brakes during inspection, you should:

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

Test the brakes only while riding at high speed

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.