Kansas MOTORCYCLE DMV Practice Test 11

A rider should always maintain a cushion of space appropriate for conditions. Motorcycles need as much room to stop as other vehicles.

Your arms should be slightly bent when you are holding the handle grips of a motorcycle. Bending your arms reduces arm fatigue and permits you to press on the handlebars without having to stretch.

As with any other vehicle, the mirrors of a motorcycle have blind spots. Always turn your head to check for traffic in your blind spot before changing lanes.

Most motorcycle crashes occur in broad daylight. To make yourself more visible to other drivers, you should always wear brightly-colored clothing when riding, even during the day.

The front brake of a motorcycle is more powerful than the rear brake. It can provide at least 70 percent of a motorcycle's total stopping power.

On a two-lane road, a group of motorcyclists should pass another vehicle one at a time. Each motorcyclist should complete the pass before another begins to pass.

In a group, less experienced riders should be positioned toward the front, just behind the leader. This will allow more experienced riders to watch them from behind.

Tell passengers to avoid unnecessary conversation or movement while on a moving motorcycle. Passengers should get onto a motorcycle only after the engine is started. They should sit as far forward as possible without crowding the operator.

When turning, look through the turn to where you want to go. Turn only your head, not your shoulders, and keep your eyes level with the horizon. Turning your shoulders may cause you to steer off course.

In comparison to flat mirrors, convex mirrors provide a wider view of the road behind you. They also make objects seem farther away than they actually are. Take the time to get used to your mirrors if your motorcycle is equipped with convex mirrors.

When being passed on your left, you should ride in the center portion of your lane. Riding in the right portion of the lane can be dangerous as it may tempt the passing driver to re-enter your lane too quickly.

Grabbing at the front brake or jamming down on the rear brake can cause the brakes to lock. This may result in control problems.

Your feet should remain on your footrests while riding to help you maintain proper balance.

The best way to handle a tailgater is to allow them to pass you. Speeding up may result in them continuing to tailgate you, just at a higher speed.

Taking a turn or curve too fast may cause a rider to lose control of their motorcycle. The motorcycle may cross into another lane of traffic or careen off the road.

If you accidentally lock the rear wheel while stopping on a surface with good traction, you can keep it locked until you have completely stopped. Even with a locked rear wheel, you can control your motorcycle if it is upright and traveling in a straight line.

Jackets and pants should fit snugly enough that they do not flap in the wind, but also loosely enough that you are able to move freely.

If the front wheel locks up while you are braking, release the pressure from the front brake. Immediately re-apply pressure to the brake with controlled gradual pressure.

It is a good idea to get into the habit of using both the front and rear brakes every time you slow or stop.

A passenger places extra weight on a motorcycle. Because of the added weight, the motorcycle will respond to the operator's movements more slowly than it would otherwise, taking more time to speed up, slow down, and turn. To accommodate the change in handling when carrying a passenger, you should reduce your speed, begin slowing down earlier when you stop, and look for larger gaps when crossing, entering, or merging into traffic.

Before beginning your ride, tell your passenger to maintain a firm grasp on your hips, waist, or belt. If there are secure handholds for your passenger, they may also hold those.

When taking a turn, you should look through the turn to where you want to go. Turn just your head, not your shoulders, and keep your eyes level with the horizon.

If you are being followed by a tailgater, you should ride in a way that encourages them to pass you. Riding at a higher speed may only result in them tailgating you at a higher speed, increasing the danger.

A motorcyclist who is towing a trailer should increase their following distance. The added weight of the trailer means that the motorcycle will require more time to stop than it would otherwise.

Bright oranges, reds, yellows, and greens are the best colors for motorcyclists to wear. These colors can help other road users see motorcyclists.