Hawaii Motorcycle practice
Hawaii Motorcycle: Motorcycle Controls & Operation practice test
Throttle, clutch, both brakes, and shifting — the controls you must operate smoothly before the road test.
Content reviewed against official driver handbooks · August 12, 2026
16 questions · pass with 13 correct. You get instant feedback and an explanation after every answer.
Choose your level
Up to 20 questions on this topic, with feedback after every answer.
Study questions with answers
12 sample Motorcycle Controls & Operation questions with the correct answer, a short explanation, and the official handbook reference. Read through them, then take the quiz above.
Show all 12 questions with answers
1. Why does the manual tell a rider to start out with the right wrist flat?
Correct answer: It guards against feeding in too much throttle by accident
A flat wrist on the twistgrip keeps the rider from rolling on more throttle than intended.
Source: Hawaii Motorcycle Operator Manual — Basic Vehicle Control, Body Position
2. How many mirrors does the manual list as minimum equipment on a street-legal motorcycle?
Correct answer: Two
The minimum list covers a headlight, taillight and brakelight, brakes front and rear, turn signals, a horn, and a pair of mirrors.
Source: Hawaii Motorcycle Operator Manual — Know Your Motorcycle, The Right Motorcycle For You
3. What should a rider do with the knees while the motorcycle is turning?
Correct answer: Hold them against the gas tank
Knees pressed to the fuel tank help the rider stay balanced as the machine changes direction.
Source: Hawaii Motorcycle Operator Manual — Basic Vehicle Control, Body Position
4. What can happen if you drop into a lower gear while still moving too fast for it?
Correct answer: The motorcycle may lurch and the rear wheel may skid
Choosing a lower gear at too high a road speed makes the machine lurch and can skid the back tire, so slow enough first, using the brakes if needed.
Source: Hawaii Motorcycle Operator Manual — Basic Vehicle Control, Shifting Gears
5. When is the best time to change gears for a turn?
Correct answer: Before you enter it
Gear changes belong before the turn starts; if you must shift mid-corner, do it gently, because an abrupt change in power at the rear tire can break traction.
Source: Hawaii Motorcycle Operator Manual — Basic Vehicle Control, Shifting Gears
6. What can happen if you ride away with the fuel valve closed?
Correct answer: The engine may start on fuel left in the lines and then quit once they run dry
A closed valve still leaves fuel sitting in the lines, so the engine may fire up and run briefly before starving and quitting once those lines empty.
Source: Hawaii Motorcycle Operator Manual — Know Your Motorcycle, Check Your Motorcycle
7. Which sequence describes an upshift?
Correct answer: Close the throttle while pulling the clutch in, lift the lever fully, then ease the clutch out and add throttle
An upshift runs in three moves: ease off the throttle while squeezing the clutch, lift the lever firmly through its travel, then let the clutch out smoothly and pick the throttle back up.
Source: Hawaii Motorcycle Operator Manual — Basic Vehicle Control, Shifting Gears
8. How should the handlebars be set relative to the rider's elbows?
Correct answer: So the hands sit level with or below the elbows
With the bars adjusted so the hands sit level with the elbows or a little lower, the rider can call on the right muscles for precise steering.
Source: Hawaii Motorcycle Operator Manual — Basic Vehicle Control, Body Position
9. Where is the gearshift lever found, and which limb works it?
Correct answer: Ahead of the left footrest, worked by the left foot
The lever sits ahead of the left footrest and is worked with the left foot; lifting it selects a higher gear and pressing it selects a lower one.
Source: Hawaii Motorcycle Operator Manual — Basic Vehicle Control, Shifting Gears
10. Your throttle sticks open. After twisting it back and forth fails to free it, what should you do?
Correct answer: Hit the engine cut-off switch while pulling the clutch in
If working the twistgrip does not release a stuck cable, hit the engine cut-off switch and pull the clutch in together to cut power to the rear wheel, then pull over and inspect the cable.
Source: Hawaii Motorcycle Operator Manual — Mechanical Problems, Stuck Throttle
11. What is the correct response to a side-to-side wobble in the front wheel and handlebars?
Correct answer: Keep a firm grip and close the throttle gradually
Hold the bars firmly without fighting the shake, close the throttle gradually, shift your weight forward and down, and leave the brakes alone, because braking can worsen a wobble.
Source: Hawaii Motorcycle Operator Manual — Mechanical Problems, Wobble
12. How should mirrors be aimed before you set off?
Correct answer: So each shows the road behind and as much of the next lane as possible
Clean and set the mirrors while stopped so each one shows the lane behind you and as much of the neighboring lane as it can; catching a sliver of your own shoulder is normal.
Source: Hawaii Motorcycle Operator Manual — Know Your Motorcycle, Check Your Motorcycle
More Motorcycle topics
Practice Motorcycle Controls & Operation in another state
Every Hawaii question is written from the official Hawaii driver handbook and checked against its current edition. DMV Test Free is a free, independent study resource — not affiliated with any DMV or government agency. About DMV Test Free