Minnesota Motorcycle practice
Minnesota 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
12 questions · pass with 10 correct. You get instant feedback and an explanation 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. Motorcycle mirrors are aimed correctly when they show you:
Correct answer: The lane behind you and the lane next to you
Clean and set them before you set off; a sliver of your arm in view is fine, but what matters is the road behind and beside you.
Source: Minnesota Motorcycle and Motorized Bicycle Manual — Check Your Motorcycle
2. Choosing a lower gear while you are still traveling too fast can cause:
Correct answer: The machine to lurch, with the rear wheel possibly skidding
Slow down enough first, using the brakes if you must, or the sudden engine drag can break the rear tire loose.
Source: Minnesota Motorcycle and Motorized Bicycle Manual — Shifting Gears
3. Handlebars are properly adjusted when your hands sit:
Correct answer: Level with your elbows or lower
That relationship between hands and elbows brings the right muscles into play for steering.
Source: Minnesota Motorcycle and Motorized Bicycle Manual — Basic Vehicle Control
4. Letting your toes point downward as you ride is risky because they may:
Correct answer: Become trapped between the footrests and the road
Keep your feet planted on the pegs and near the controls rather than trailing toward the pavement.
Source: Minnesota Motorcycle and Motorized Bicycle Manual — Basic Vehicle Control
5. On a motorcycle using the common 1-N-2-3-4-5 layout, neutral is selected by:
Correct answer: A half lift out of first gear or a half press down from second
Neutral sits between first and second, so a partial movement of the lever from either side lands you in it.
Source: Minnesota Motorcycle and Motorized Bicycle Manual — Shifting Gears
6. The manual advises holding the handgrips while starting with your right wrist:
Correct answer: flat, so you avoid too much throttle
Starting with a flat right wrist helps keep you from accidentally applying too much throttle.
Source: Minnesota Motorcycle and Motorized Bicycle Manual — Basic Vehicle Control
7. During a pre-ride check of the controls, a healthy throttle should:
Correct answer: Snap shut by itself the moment you let go
A throttle that will not return to the closed position on its own can leave power applied when you want none.
Source: Minnesota Motorcycle and Motorized Bicycle Manual — Check Your Motorcycle
8. Before riding a motorcycle you have never used, you should be able to find and work, without hunting for them:
Correct answer: The horn, the light switch, the turn signals, the fuel valve and the engine cut-off
Those are the controls you may need on an instant's notice, so locate and try each of them before you ride into traffic.
Source: Minnesota Motorcycle and Motorized Bicycle Manual — Get Familiar with the Motorcycle Controls
9. Where should you sit on the seat for the best control?
Correct answer: Far enough forward that your arms stay slightly bent at the grips
Slightly bent arms let you press on the handlebars to steer without having to stretch for them.
Source: Minnesota Motorcycle and Motorized Bicycle Manual — Basic Vehicle Control
10. While you are stopped in traffic, the manual says the transmission should be left:
Correct answer: In first gear
Holding the lowest gear means you can pull away immediately if you need to move out of danger.
Source: Minnesota Motorcycle and Motorized Bicycle Manual — Shifting Gears
11. A pre-ride T-CLOCS inspection should be performed:
Correct answer: before every ride
The T-CLOCS check of tires, controls, lights, oil, chassis, and stands should be routine before each ride.
Source: Minnesota Motorcycle and Motorized Bicycle Manual — Check Your Motorcycle
12. On a typical motorcycle, the gearshift lever is:
Correct answer: Ahead of the left footrest and worked with the left foot
Lift the lever to move up a gear and press it down to move down one; spring loading returns it to center after each change.
Source: Minnesota Motorcycle and Motorized Bicycle Manual — Shifting Gears
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Every Minnesota question is written from the official Minnesota 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