The Motorcycle Quiz

Estimated Completion Time
1 min
The Motorcycle Quiz
Image: Ronald Saunders/Flickr

About This Quiz

From Grand Prix dirt bikes to high-end models with built-in navigation systems, motorcycles appeal to a wide range of folks. All you easy riders rev up your engines and test your knowledge with the motorcycle quiz.
When was the motorcycle's layout established?
1904
1914
1934
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The layout of the modern motorcycle has remained relatively unchanged since it was established in 1914.

The rotational force of the crankshaft is transmitted to:
the engine
the front wheel
the rear wheel
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Rotational force created by the crankshaft is transmitted to the motorcycle's rear wheel via the transmission.

Which of the following is NOT one of the three ways used to classify a motorcycle engine?
the number of cylinders
the number of strokes in its power cycle
the size of the camshaft
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Motorcycle engines are generally classified by the number of cylinders they have, the capacity of their combustion chambers or the number of strokes in their power cycles.

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In 1917, who bought roughly one-third of all the Harley-Davidson motorcycles produced?
Hell's Angels
the U.S. military
the Salvation Army
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

During World War I, American and European armies used motorcycles extensively. In 1917, the U.S. military bought nearly one-third of all Harley-Davidson motorcycles produced; in 1918, that figure rose to 50 percent.

Which of the following is NOT one of the three basic ways to transmit engine power to the motorcycle's rear wheel?
chain
belt
waterjet
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

A chain, belt or shaft is used to transmit engine power to a motorcycle's rear wheel.

Unwanted motion in the rear of the motorcycle is called:
gear shaking
shaft jacking
clutch clunking
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Heavy shaft drives sometimes cause unwanted motion, called shaft jacking, in the motorcycle's rear.

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The frame, suspension, wheels and brakes comprise the motorcycle's:
body
channel
chassis
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

A motorcycle chassis includes the frame, suspension, wheels and brakes.

What allows motorcycles to use tubeless tires now?
cast wheels
pneumatic tires
steel rims
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Cast wheels allow the bikes to use tubeless tires, which, unlike traditional pneumatic tires, don't have an inner tube to hold the compressed air. Instead, the air is held between the rim and the tire, relying on a seal to maintain the internal air pressure.

What do riders use to activate a motorcycle's brakes?
hand levers
foot pedals
both hand levers and foot pedals
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Riders engage the front brake with a hand lever on the right grip and the rear brake with the right foot pedal.

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Which of the following types of motorcycles aren't street-legal?
"naked bikes"
off-road bikes
sport bikes
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Since they don't come standard with lights, mirrors, horns or mufflers, off-road bikes aren't street-legal.

You Got:
/10
Ronald Saunders/Flickr