Mississippi Motorcycle Test Study Guide

Before every ride, find and operate the throttle, clutch, front brake lever, rear brake pedal, gearshift, turn signals, horn, headlight switch and engine cut-off switch without looking for them. A motorcycle needs more frequent attention than a car, so run the MSF T-CLOCS pre-ride check every time (MOM 17th Ed., p.7-9).

• T-CLOCS = Tires & wheels, Controls, Lights & electrics, Oil & fluids, Chassis, Stands — done before every ride (MOM 17th Ed., p.9).
• Check tire pressure and tread, both headlight beams, taillight, turn signals and the brake light from each control (MOM 17th Ed., p.9).
• Make sure the throttle snaps back to fully closed when released, and clean and adjust both mirrors before you start (MOM 17th Ed., p.9).

Mississippi requires an approved helmet for every rider and passenger at any age. One in five motorcycle crashes results in head or neck injury, and helmeted riders are three times more likely to survive a head injury (MOM 17th Ed., p.5).

• Choose a three-quarter or full-face DOT-compliant helmet that fits snugly with no cracks, loose padding or frayed straps (MOM 17th Ed., p.5).
• A face shield protects your whole face; goggles protect only your eyes, and a windshield is not a substitute for either (MOM 17th Ed., p.6).
• Wear a jacket and pants that fully cover your arms and legs, sturdy over-the-ankle boots, and durable leather gloves (MOM 17th Ed., p.6-7).

Sit so your arms steer the motorcycle rather than hold you up, keep your knees against the tank and your feet on the pegs, and start with your right wrist flat. Always use both brakes — the front supplies at least 70% of your stopping power and is safe when you squeeze, never grab, the lever (MOM 17th Ed., p.11-13).

• Squeeze the front brake smoothly and progressively; apply light pressure to the rear to prevent a rear-wheel skid as weight shifts forward (MOM 17th Ed., p.13).
• Using both brakes for normal stops builds the habit you need for an emergency (MOM 17th Ed., p.13).
• Change gears before entering a turn; a sudden change of power to the rear wheel can cause a skid (MOM 17th Ed., p.12).

Riders crash by taking curves too fast, then running wide or braking too hard. Use four steps: SLOW, LOOK, PRESS, ROLL. Slow before the turn, look through it to where you want to go, press the handgrip toward the turn to lean — press left, lean left, go left — and roll on the throttle to stabilize the motorcycle (MOM 17th Ed., p.14).

• In normal turns the rider and motorcycle lean together; in slow tight turns lean the motorcycle only and keep your body upright (MOM 17th Ed., p.14).
• Running wide in a curve is a primary cause of single-vehicle crashes — ride within your skill and the posted limit (MOM 17th Ed., p.29).
• To stop quickly in a curve, straighten the bike and square the handlebars first, then brake (MOM 17th Ed., p.28).

Each lane gives a motorcycle three paths of travel — left, center and right. There is no single best position; choose the one that helps you see and be seen, avoids blind spots and surface hazards, and leaves an escape route. Keep at least a two-second following distance, opening it to three seconds or more in poor conditions (MOM 17th Ed., p.15-16).

• Ride in path 2 or 3 if hazards are on your left, path 1 or 2 if hazards are on your right, and the center (path 2) when vehicles are on both sides (MOM 17th Ed., p.15).
• Riding in the center portion puts your image in the driver's rearview mirror and discourages lane sharing (MOM 17th Ed., p.16-17).
• Cars and motorcycles each need a full lane; lane sharing is usually prohibited (MOM 17th Ed., p.18).

Experienced riders use SEE — Search, Evaluate, Execute — to spot hazards and act early (MOM 17th Ed., p.20). Search ahead, to the sides and behind; evaluate how road users and conditions could create risk; execute by communicating, adjusting speed, and adjusting position.

• Search your path of travel about 12 seconds ahead, and scan your 4-second immediate path for a quick response (MOM 17th Ed., p.20).
• Handle two or more hazards one at a time — adjust speed so they separate, then deal with each (MOM 17th Ed., p.21).
• In high-risk areas such as intersections and school or construction zones, cover the clutch and both brakes to cut reaction time (MOM 17th Ed., p.21).

Over half of motorcycle/car crashes happen when a driver enters a rider's right-of-way at an intersection — usually a car turning left or pulling out (MOM 17th Ed., p.21). Keep your headlight on (a lit motorcycle is twice as likely to be noticed by day), wear bright or reflective gear, and signal every time (MOM 17th Ed., p.24).

• Eye contact does not guarantee a driver will yield — slow down and be ready to react (MOM 17th Ed., p.22).
• Cancel your signal after each turn so drivers do not think you plan to turn again (MOM 17th Ed., p.25).
• A motorcycle's brake light is less noticeable than a car's — flash it before slowing where others may not expect it (MOM 17th Ed., p.25).

In a tight spot, two skills save you: stopping quickly and swerving. To stop quickly, apply both brakes at the same time, squeezing the front lever firmly and progressively — never grabbing it. When there is no room to stop, swerve by pressing the handgrip on the side of your escape direction, then pressing the opposite grip to recover (MOM 17th Ed., p.27-29).

• If the front wheel locks, release the front brake immediately, then reapply it smoothly (MOM 17th Ed., p.29).
• A locked rear wheel can stay locked until you stop, as long as you are upright and going straight (MOM 17th Ed., p.27).
• Never brake while swerving — separate braking from swerving, doing one before or after the other (MOM 17th Ed., p.29).

Wet pavement, gravel, mud, lane markings and metal plates all reduce traction. Slow before a slippery surface, avoid sudden moves, and use both brakes gently. When it starts to rain, ride in the tire tracks left by cars and avoid the oily center strip (MOM 17th Ed., p.31-32).

• Cross railroad and trolley tracks by riding straight within your lane; turning to take them head-on is more dangerous (MOM 17th Ed., p.33).
• For seams or grooves that run parallel to your path, move over far enough to cross them at an angle of at least 45 degrees (MOM 17th Ed., p.33).
• At night, slow down, open a three-second-or-more following distance, and use your high beam when not following or meeting a car (MOM 17th Ed., p.27).

Checking your motorcycle before every ride catches trouble before traffic does (MOM 17th Ed., p.9). If a problem happens on the road, account for traffic and surface conditions. If a tire goes flat, hold the grips firmly, ease off the throttle, keep a straight course, and edge to the side of the road (MOM 17th Ed., p.33).

• Stuck throttle: twist it back and forth; if it stays stuck, use the engine cut-off switch and pull in the clutch together (MOM 17th Ed., p.33).
• Wobble: do not accelerate or brake — close the throttle gradually, move your weight forward and down, and pull off the road (MOM 17th Ed., p.34).
• If the engine seizes from low oil, squeeze the clutch to disengage the rear wheel and pull off the road (MOM 17th Ed., p.34).

Only experienced riders should carry a passenger or large load, because the extra weight changes how the motorcycle accelerates, stops and turns (MOM 17th Ed., p.35). A passenger sits close behind, holds your waist or the handholds, keeps both feet on the pegs, and leans with you through turns. Keep cargo low, forward and securely fastened (MOM 17th Ed., p.36-38).

• With a passenger, ride a little slower, start slowing earlier, and keep a larger space cushion (MOM 17th Ed., p.37).
• Load saddlebags with about equal weight; an uneven load makes the motorcycle pull to one side (MOM 17th Ed., p.38).
• Ride in groups in a staggered formation, place inexperienced riders behind the leader, and move to single file for curves and turns (MOM 17th Ed., p.38-39).

Alcohol and other drugs degrade your ability to think clearly and ride safely more than any other factor — as little as one drink affects performance, and impairment begins well below the legal limit (MOM 17th Ed., p.42-44). An adult is legally intoxicated at a BAC of 0.08%, and alcohol leaves the body at only about one drink per hour (MOM 17th Ed., p.43-44).

• Riders under 21 face a lower BAC limit (about 0.00 to 0.02% depending on the state) (MOM 17th Ed., p.44).
• Waiting an hour per drink still leaves fatiguing side effects; the only sure choice is not to drink and ride (MOM 17th Ed., p.46).
• Riding is more tiring than driving — take a rest break at least every two hours and never ride when fatigued (MOM 17th Ed., p.46).