California DMV Motorcycle Knowledge Test (M1)Hazard Avoidance and Emergency ManeuversHard
You are riding your motorcycle and your drive chain breaks. What is the most immediate hazard, and how should you react?
- ALoss of engine power; shift to neutral and coast.
- BLoss of steering; grip handlebars firmly and slow down.
- CRear wheel lock-up or entanglement; pull in clutch and coast to a stop.
- DFront wheel lock-up; apply rear brake and steer away.
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: C. Rear wheel lock-up or entanglement; pull in clutch and coast to a stop.
A broken drive chain can jam the rear wheel, causing it to lock up, or the chain pieces can become entangled in the rear wheel or sprocket. The immediate reaction is to pull in the clutch to disengage power from the engine and prevent further damage or entanglement, then coast to a stop.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. While loss of engine power occurs, the primary hazard is the chain itself causing a mechanical lock-up or damage.
- B. Loss of steering is not the primary immediate hazard; rear wheel issues are more critical.
- D. A broken drive chain does not directly cause front wheel lock-up.
Broken Drive Chain
A mechanical failure where the chain connecting the engine to the rear wheel breaks, requiring immediate safety actions.
- Can cause immediate rear wheel lock-up.
- Pull clutch in to disengage power.
- Coast to a safe stop, avoid braking hard.
Memory trick: Chain breaks, clutch in, coast and pray, no rear lock today!