Safety check questions for practical motorcycle tests

Combination 1
• Identify where you would check the engine oil level and tell me how you would check that the engine has sufficient oil. Identify where to check level, ie dipstick or sight glass. Explain that level should be between max and min marks. For dipstick remove dipstick and wipe clean, return and remove again to check oil level against max/min marks. For sight glass, ensure glass is clean when checking.

• Show me how you would check that the horn is working on this machine(off road only). Check is carried out by using control (turn on ignition if necessary).

Combination 2
• Identify where the brake fluid reservoir is and tell me how you would check that you have a safe level of hydraulic fluid.
Identify reservoir, check level against high/low markings.

• Show me how you would check that the lights & brake lights and reflectors are clean and working.
Operate switch (turn on ignition if necessary), identify reflectors. Check visually for cleanliness and operation.

Combination 3
• Tell me how you would check the condition of the chain on this machine.
Check for chain wear, correct tension and rear wheel alignment. Tension should be adjusted as specified in the machine handbook. Drive chain should be lubricated to ensure that excessive wear does not take place.

• Show me what checks you would make on the steering movement before using the machine.
Handlebars should be free to move smoothly from full left lock to full right lock without any control cables being stretched, trapped or pinched and without any snagging between moving and fixed parts.

Combination 4
• Tell me how you would check your tyres to ensure that they are correctly inflated, have sufficient tread depth and that their general condition is safe to use on the road.
Correct tyre pressure settings can be found in the owner’s manual. Pressures should be checked using a reliable gauge. Tread depth must be at least 1mm deep, forming a continuous band at least ¾ of the breadth of the tread and all the way around. There should be no lumps, bulges or tears.

• Show me how you would check the operation of the front brake on this machine.
Wheel the machine forward and apply the front brake.

Combination 5
• Identify where you would check the engine oil level and tell me how you would check that the engine has sufficient oil.
Identify where to check level, ie dipstick or sight glass. Explain that level should be between max and min marks. For dipstick remove dipstick and wipe clean, return and remove again to check oil level against max/min marks. For sight glass, ensure glass is clean when checking.

• Show me how you would check that the lights & brake lights and reflectors are clean and working.
Operate switch (turn on ignition if necessary), identify reflectors. Check visually for cleanliness and operation.

Combination 6
• Tell me how you would check your tyres to ensure that they are correctly inflated, have sufficient tread depth and that their general condition is safe to use on the road.
Correct tyre pressure settings can be found in the owner’s manual. Pressures should be checked using a reliable gauge. Tread depth must be at least one millimetre deep, forming a continuous band at least three quarters of the breadth of the tread and all the way around. There should be no lumps, bulges or tears.

• Show me how you would check the operation of the brakes on this machine.
Check for excessive travel on the brake lever and the brake pedal and for unusual play or sponginess.

Combination 7
• Identify where you would check the engine oil level and tell me how you would check that the engine has sufficient oil.
Identify where to check level, ie dipstick or sight glass. Explain that level should be between max and min marks. For dipstick remove dipstick and wipe clean, return and remove again to check oil level against max/min marks. For sight glass, ensure glass is clean when checking.

• Show me how you would check the operation of the engine cut out switch.
Operate switch.

Combination 8
• Tell me how you would check your tyres to ensure that they are correctly inflated, have sufficient tread depth and that their general condition is safe to use on the road.
Correct tyre pressure settings can be found in the owner’s manual. Pressures should be checked using a reliable gauge. Tread depth must be at least 1mm deep, forming a continuous band at least ¾ of the breadth of the tread and all the way around. There should be no lumps, bulges or tears.

• Show me what checks you would make on the steering movement before using the machine.
Handlebars should be free to move smoothly from full left lock to full right lock without any control cables being stretched, trapped or pinched and without any snagging between moving and fixed parts.

Combination 9
• Identify where the brake fluid reservoir is and tell me how you would check that you have a safe level of hydraulic fluid.
Identify reservoir, check level against high/low markings.

• Show me how you would check the operation of the engine cut out switch.
Operate switch.

Combination 10
• Tell me how you would check the condition of the chain on this machine.
Check for chain wear, correct tension and rear wheel alignment. Tension should be adjusted as specified in the machine handbook. Drive chain should be lubricated to ensure that excessive wear does not take place.

• Show me how you would check that the horn is working on this machine (off road only).
Check is carried out by using control (turn on ignition if necessary