MSF Basic Rider Course Glossary Terms Exam
with correct Answers
Accident
a pure change occurrence; an unexpected and undesirable event; most are preventable; preferred
term is "crash" or "collision"
Alcohol
specifically ethyl alcohol, a depressant drug consumed as a beverage
Anti-lock brakes
type of braking system that automatically releases brake pressure prior to wheel lockup
Apex
the sharpest point in a curve
BAC
Blood Alcohol Concentration; percentage by volume of ethyl alcohol in the blood stream
Blind spot
area behind or to the side not seen in the mirrors or blocked from view by an object
Braking distance
space traveled between brake application and completed stop
Center of gravity/Center of mass
that point around which mass of an object is evenly distributed or balanced
Conspicuous
be easily seen by others; to be highly visible
Contact patch
portion of a tire that touches the road surface
Convex mirrors
mirrors designed with an outwardly curved surface; shows more area but objects are closer than they
appear in the mirror
Countersteer
a momentary steering deflection away from the intended direction of travel caused by pressing on
the handgrip in the direction of the turn; used to produce a lean in the desired direction; press right,
lean right, go right; press left, lean left, go left
Counterweight
use primarily in slow, tight turns; rider shifts weight opposite to the lean of the motorcycle
, Crowned road
road surface that is higher in the middle to allow for water runoff
Decreasing - radius turn
a turn that becomes progressively tighter; use steady throttle to negotiate
DOT
stands for U.S. Department of Transportation. Used to note a helmet that has been manufactured to
meet DOT performance standards as required by federal law for all helmets sold in the U.S.
Engine braking
slowing by shifting down and releasing the clutch to use the engine as a braking force
Entry speed
in turning and cornering, the motorcycle's speed at the point where the steering input to lean into the
turn occurs. The maximum desired entry speed is one that allows for some roll-on of throttle to
maintain speed and stability while cornering; one that assures no deceleration in a turn will be
required, and one that provides time and space to "straighten and brake" if necessary
FINE-C
acronym for the engine pre-starting checklist (Fuel valve; Ignition switch; Neutral; Engine cut-off
switch; Clutch/Choke)
Friction zone
area of clutch-lever movement that begins where the clutch starts to transmit power to the rear
wheel and ends just prior to full clutch engagement. Used to get under way from a stop, to control
speed when riding slowly, and to ensure smooth downshifts when engine braking
Gauntlets
refers to protective gloves that extend past the wrist
High-side crash
crash in which the rider loses control and is thrown to the ground in front of the motorcycle's path.
This type of crash is likely to result in serious injury to the rider and is often the result of releasing the
rear brake when a skidding rear tire is not aligned with the front
Hydroplaning
water buildup under the tires resulting in loss of traction
Hypothermia
subnormal body temperature due to the cooling effects of cold and wind on exposed skin
Integrated brake system
system that also applies partial front braking when the rear brake is applied
with correct Answers
Accident
a pure change occurrence; an unexpected and undesirable event; most are preventable; preferred
term is "crash" or "collision"
Alcohol
specifically ethyl alcohol, a depressant drug consumed as a beverage
Anti-lock brakes
type of braking system that automatically releases brake pressure prior to wheel lockup
Apex
the sharpest point in a curve
BAC
Blood Alcohol Concentration; percentage by volume of ethyl alcohol in the blood stream
Blind spot
area behind or to the side not seen in the mirrors or blocked from view by an object
Braking distance
space traveled between brake application and completed stop
Center of gravity/Center of mass
that point around which mass of an object is evenly distributed or balanced
Conspicuous
be easily seen by others; to be highly visible
Contact patch
portion of a tire that touches the road surface
Convex mirrors
mirrors designed with an outwardly curved surface; shows more area but objects are closer than they
appear in the mirror
Countersteer
a momentary steering deflection away from the intended direction of travel caused by pressing on
the handgrip in the direction of the turn; used to produce a lean in the desired direction; press right,
lean right, go right; press left, lean left, go left
Counterweight
use primarily in slow, tight turns; rider shifts weight opposite to the lean of the motorcycle
, Crowned road
road surface that is higher in the middle to allow for water runoff
Decreasing - radius turn
a turn that becomes progressively tighter; use steady throttle to negotiate
DOT
stands for U.S. Department of Transportation. Used to note a helmet that has been manufactured to
meet DOT performance standards as required by federal law for all helmets sold in the U.S.
Engine braking
slowing by shifting down and releasing the clutch to use the engine as a braking force
Entry speed
in turning and cornering, the motorcycle's speed at the point where the steering input to lean into the
turn occurs. The maximum desired entry speed is one that allows for some roll-on of throttle to
maintain speed and stability while cornering; one that assures no deceleration in a turn will be
required, and one that provides time and space to "straighten and brake" if necessary
FINE-C
acronym for the engine pre-starting checklist (Fuel valve; Ignition switch; Neutral; Engine cut-off
switch; Clutch/Choke)
Friction zone
area of clutch-lever movement that begins where the clutch starts to transmit power to the rear
wheel and ends just prior to full clutch engagement. Used to get under way from a stop, to control
speed when riding slowly, and to ensure smooth downshifts when engine braking
Gauntlets
refers to protective gloves that extend past the wrist
High-side crash
crash in which the rider loses control and is thrown to the ground in front of the motorcycle's path.
This type of crash is likely to result in serious injury to the rider and is often the result of releasing the
rear brake when a skidding rear tire is not aligned with the front
Hydroplaning
water buildup under the tires resulting in loss of traction
Hypothermia
subnormal body temperature due to the cooling effects of cold and wind on exposed skin
Integrated brake system
system that also applies partial front braking when the rear brake is applied
