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

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

Ignore small oil leaks from the shaft

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

2 / 30

When inspecting tire tread, you should look for:

Only the colour of the rubber

Only the brand name on the sidewall

Tread that is completely smooth

Adequate tread depth and signs of uneven or worn tread

3 / 30

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

Stops the engine when used

Activates the horn

Changes the headlight beam

Locks the steering

4 / 30

For a liquid-cooled engine, you must:

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

Check coolant only in hot weather

Overfill the coolant reservoir

Ignore small hose cracks

5 / 30

Proper wheel condition includes:

Rusted bearings to hold grease better

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

6 / 30

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

Using only the rear brake and ignoring the clutch

Squeezing and releasing the clutch lever while operating the gear selector

Pushing the bike in neutral only

Revving the engine and shifting without the clutch

7 / 30

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

Ignore it if the tire is still holding air

Remove the object and repair the tire

Push it in deeper so it doesn’t fall out

Only let out some air and continue riding

8 / 30

The exhaust system inspection should include:

Checking that the muffler is in good condition and securely attached

Removing any muffler baffles to increase noise

Making sure the exhaust is as loud as possible

Ignoring small holes in the muffler

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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

10 / 30

The battery inspection should confirm that:

The terminals are covered in corrosion

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

The battery is loose so it can move freely

The connections are hanging slightly free

11 / 30

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

Only your toes can touch the ground on both sides

You should not be able to touch the ground at all

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

Both feet must be flat on the ground at all times

12 / 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 tail light is working

Only the headlight is working

13 / 30

During a wheel and rim inspection, you should:

Check for loose, damaged, missing, or broken spokes

Spin the wheel as fast as possible with the engine

Only check the colour of the rim

Add grease to the tire sidewalls

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The licence plate must be:

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

Hidden under the seat

Removable while riding

Mounted on the front wheel

15 / 30

When checking fluids, engine oil should be:

Above the maximum mark for safety

Never changed if the level is correct

Dark black to show it has been used

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

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

Ignored unless the tire goes flat

Left in place to improve traction

Removed during the inspection

Painted so they are more visible

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To test the brakes during inspection, you should:

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

Test the brakes only while riding at high speed

Test only the rear brake

Test only the front brake

18 / 30

A proper mirror inspection includes:

Aiming mirrors at the ground

Ignoring mirror adjustment if you can turn your head

Ensuring mirrors are clean, properly adjusted, and securely fastened

Folding mirrors in for better aerodynamics

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

That it matches the colour of your riding gear

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

That it is the newest model available

That it has the largest possible engine

20 / 30

When storing your motorcycle for winter, you should:

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

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

Only wash it and then ignore it until spring

Leave it outside without any preparation

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The brake light must:

Work only with the foot brake

Work only with the hand brake

Be checked only at night

Be activated easily by both the foot and hand brake controls

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

Lock both wheels immediately to see how it feels

Use only the rear brake at all times

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

Use only the front brake at all times

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

Assume all motorcycles have identical controls

Only check where the ignition key goes

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

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

24 / 30

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

Only the age printed on the tire

Only small stones on the surface

The brightest shine after cleaning

Cuts, bulges, cracks, and sidewall damage

25 / 30

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

The hydraulic reservoir is empty

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

The lever is very loose with no resistance

The cable is rusted and stiff

26 / 30

The throttle should be checked to ensure that it:

Feels sticky and hard to move

Stays open when released

Moves freely and returns to the closed position easily without assistance

Only works when the engine is off

27 / 30

Tire pressure should be checked to ensure:

It is whatever was in the tire last ride

It is lower than recommended for comfort

It matches the pressure recommended in the owner’s manual

It is as high as the tire will allow

28 / 30

Your posture on the motorcycle should allow you to:

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

Stretch to reach the hand grips

29 / 30

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

Only the horn and turn signals

Only the throttle and front brake

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

Only the fuel valve and starter button

30 / 30

To coordinate throttle and clutch before riding, you should:

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

Practice only with the engine running at high speed

Only practice shifting into first gear

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.