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Motorcycle · DVSA-based revision questions
Motorcycle loading
32 motorcycle theory test questions on motorcycle loading. Preview the questions below, or open one to read its answer and continue through the whole topic.
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What should you do if a trailer you're towing swerves or snakes?
Ease off the throttle and reduce your speed
Let go of the handlebars and let it correct itself
Brake hard and hold the brake on
Accelerate until it stabilises itself
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Ease off the throttle and reduce your speedThis was the right answer
Don't be tempted to use harsh braking to stop swerving or snaking, as this could make things worse. You should reduce your speed gradually by easing off the throttle.
What should you be aware of when you ride a sidecar outfit for the first time?
You need time to get used to it
You'll be able to stop in a shorter distance
You need to accelerate around bends
You can approach corners without braking
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You need time to get used to itThis was the right answer
A motorcycle with a sidecar, or a trike, will feel very different to ride than a solo motorcycle. It requires a specific technique, especially when cornering, with different methods used for right and left turns. Keep your speed down until you get used to the outfit, especially when negotiating bends and junctions.
What may you need to adjust when you're carrying a heavy load on your motorcycle?
The footrests
The gear lever
The seat height
The tyre pressure
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The tyre pressureThis was the right answer
Carrying extra weight, such as luggage or a pillion passenger, can affect the feel and handling of your motorcycle. If possible, some items may need to be adjusted to help overcome this. These adjustments include the aim of the headlights, the suspension settings, the tyre pressures and the mirrors.
For a category A practical test in Great Britain using an ordinary petrol-powered solo motorcycle, what is the minimum power requirement?
Solo, with a maximum power of at least 25 kW (33 bhp)
Solo, with a maximum power of at least 11 kW (14.6 bhp)
Fitted with a sidecar, and with a maximum power of at least 35 kW (46.6 bhp)
Solo, with a maximum power of at least 50 kW (67 bhp)
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Solo, with a maximum power of at least 50 kW (67 bhp)This was the right answer
For an ordinary petrol-powered category A test motorcycle in Great Britain, the current minimums are 595 cc engine capacity, 50 kW power and 175 kg without the rider. The 40 kW figure in the archive is outdated. A sidecar may be used only under the agreed disability arrangements, which affect the resulting entitlement; electric test motorcycles have separate requirements.
What must you do when you're carrying a load on your motorcycle's luggage rack?
Make sure the load is securely fastened
Make sure the load is unevenly balanced
Make sure the load is highly visible
Make sure the load is covered with plastic sheeting
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Make sure the load is securely fastenedThis was the right answer
If you carry a load on your motorcycle you must make sure it's securely fastened. It's an offence to travel with an insecure load as it could fall into the path of following vehicles and cause danger.
What does a person need to do when they ride as a pillion passenger?
Have a provisional motorcycle licence
Be lighter than the rider
Wear a motorcycle helmet
Give signals for the rider
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Wear a motorcycle helmetThis was the right answer
Pillion passengers must wear a correctly fastened motorcycle helmet. They must also sit astride the motorcycle, on a proper passenger seat, and use the fitted passenger footrests.
What should a pillion passenger do while they're being carried on a motorcycle?
Give the rider directions
Lean with the rider when going around bends
Take rear observation for the rider
Give arm signals for the rider
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Lean with the rider when going around bendsThis was the right answer
When you ride with a pillion passenger, your motorcycle may feel unbalanced and its acceleration and braking distance may also be affected. Make sure your passenger knows they must lean with you while cornering. If they don’t, they could cause the motorcycle to become unstable and difficult to control.
What should your pillion passenger do while you're riding around a bend?
Give arm signals for you
Check behind for other vehicles
Lean with you
Lean to one side to see ahead
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Lean with youThis was the right answer
A pillion passenger shouldn't give signals or look around for you - that's your responsibility as the rider. If your passenger has never been on a motorcycle before, make sure they know that they need to lean with you when going around bends.
What might need to be adjusted if you carry a pillion passenger?
Indicators
Exhaust
Fairing
Headlights
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HeadlightsThis was the right answer
Your headlights must be properly adjusted to avoid dazzling other road users. You might need to do this when carrying a pillion passenger, because the extra weight can cause the headlight beam to aim higher than normal. You may also need to adjust the tyre pressures and the suspension.
What's the speed limit on a single carriageway road for a motorcycle towing a trailer?
50 mph
40 mph
60 mph
70 mph
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50 mphThis was the right answer
When you tow a trailer, remember that you must obey the reduced speed limits of 50 mph on a single carriageway and 60 mph on a dual carriageway or motorway. Make sure that the trailer is hitched correctly and that any load in the trailer is secure. You should also bear in mind that your stopping distance may increase.
How will a heavy load in your top box affect your motorcycle?
It will improve stability
It will reduce stability
It will reduce tyre wear
It will improve braking
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It will reduce stabilityThis was the right answer
Carrying a heavy load in your top box could make your motorcycle unstable, because the weight is high up and at the very back of the machine.
Who's responsible for making sure that a motorcycle is correctly loaded?
The rider of the motorcycle
The owner of the items being carried
The licensing authority
The owner of the motorcycle
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The rider of the motorcycleThis was the right answer
Correct loading is the responsibility of the rider. Overloading a motorcycle can seriously affect the control and handling. It could result in a crash, with serious or even fatal consequences.
What should you do before fitting a sidecar to a motorcycle?
Have the wheels balanced
Have the engine tuned
Pass the extended motorcycle test
Check that the motorcycle is suitable
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Check that the motorcycle is suitableThis was the right answer
Check that the motorcycle is suitable for a sidecar and its additional load, and that the attachment and alignment meet the maker’s requirements. In Great Britain, a motorcycle registered on or after 1 August 1981 must not be used with a right-side sidecar, except a motorcycle brought temporarily into Great Britain by a person resident abroad. A sidecar outfit needs different handling skills from a solo motorcycle.
You're using throwover saddlebags. Why is it important to make sure they're evenly loaded?
Uneven loads can make the engine overheat
Uneven loads can make the motorcycle uncomfortable
Uneven loads can make the motorcycle unstable
Uneven loads can make the battery overcharge
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Uneven loads can make the motorcycle unstableThis was the right answer
Panniers or saddlebags should be loaded so that you carry about the same weight in each bag. Uneven loading could make the motorcycle unstable, especially when cornering.
What could be affected if you fit a bulky tank bag to your motorcycle?
Your ability to steer
Your ability to accelerate
Your view ahead
Your insurance premium
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Your ability to steerThis was the right answer
If your tank bag is too bulky, it could get in the way of your arms or restrict the movement of the handlebars.
What must you have if you want to carry a pillion passenger on your motorcycle?
A full car licence
A full motorcycle licence
Comprehensive insurance
Breakdown insurance
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A full motorcycle licenceThis was the right answer
Before you can carry a pillion passenger, the law requires you to have a full licence for the category of motorcycle you're using.
What might you need to adjust when you carry a heavy load on your motorcycle?
The seat height
The rear brake
The steering-head bearings
The tyre pressures
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The tyre pressuresThis was the right answer
Take care if you're carrying a heavy load on your motorcycle. Try to carry the weight as low down as possible – ideally in panniers, with the weight evenly spread on each side. You may need to adjust your tyre pressures, your headlight aim and your rear shock-absorber preload setting.
You're carrying a pillion passenger on your motorcycle. What should you do when you're following other traffic?
Keep to your normal following distance
Get your passenger to keep checking behind
Keep further back than you normally would
Get your passenger to signal for you
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Keep further back than you normally wouldThis was the right answer
The extra weight of a passenger may increase your stopping distance. Allow for this when following another vehicle by increasing the separation distance.
Your motorcycle has a proper pillion seat with passenger handholds and footrests. Which is an essential check before carrying a child on it?
When they're over 14 years old
When they're over 16 years old
When they can reach the floor from the seat
When they can reach the handholds and footrests
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When they can reach the handholds and footrestsThis was the right answer
A passenger must sit securely facing forwards, reach the footrests and be able to hold on safely. On this motorcycle that includes reaching the fitted passenger handholds; on other suitable machines the passenger may hold the rider. Check that the helmet fits correctly and give a clear passenger briefing. Do not use an arbitrary age alone as proof that a child can travel safely.
What should you check when you fit a sidecar to your motorcycle?
That the sidecar has a registration plate
That the sidecar is correctly aligned
That the sidecar has a waterproof cover
That the sidecar has a spare wheel
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That the sidecar is correctly alignedThis was the right answer
If the sidecar isn't correctly aligned with the mounting points, the outfit will be difficult to control and could be dangerous. Riding with a sidecar attached requires a different technique from riding a solo motorcycle. You should keep your speed down while learning this skill.
More motorcycle topics
13 moreEvery question in this bank sits in one of these, and each one is a page like this.
Alertness33 questionsAttitude28 questionsEssential documents32 questionsHazard awareness51 questionsIncidents, accidents and emergencies38 questionsMotorcycle handling51 questionsMotorway rules51 questionsOther types of vehicle17 questionsRoad and traffic signs134 questionsRules of the road52 questionsSafety and your motorcycle79 questionsSafety margins38 questionsVulnerable road users67 questionsAll motorcycle questionsThe whole bank, in 14 topics