California Motorcycle Gear and Pre-ride Checks Practice Test

What the California Motorcycle Handbook says about gear and pre-ride checks

• Helmet Selection

  There are four helmet types: half shell, three-quarters, modular and full-face; a full-face helmet with a lock-in visor gives the best coverage of the back and sides of the head. A helmet should meet DOT standards, fit snugly all the way around and have no cracks, loose padding or frayed straps. p. 9

• Face, Eye, and Ear Protection

  California law bars wearing a headset, earplugs or earphones in both ears while riding, except protectors made to reduce harmful noise, and even those must still let you hear an emergency vehicle's siren or another vehicle's horn. p. 10

• Get Familiar With the Motorcycle Controls

  More than half of all motorcycle collisions involve riders with less than six months of experience, so get to know any new or unfamiliar motorcycle in a controlled area and ride it extra carefully, however experienced you are. p. 11

• Clothing

  Wear a jacket even in warm weather to prevent dehydration; many jackets protect without overheating, and some riders choose jackets and pants with body armor inserts for extra protection. p. 11

• Check Your Motorcycle

  Before every ride check tires, fluids, lights, turn signals, battery, brake light, chain or belt, kickstand, clutch and throttle, mirrors, brakes and horn. p. 13

Where it is in the California Motorcycle Handbook

• p. 8–13Chapter 2 · Preparing to ride: gear, controls and checks

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