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Motorcycle · Starting and Stopping

How should you mount a motorcycle?

Reviewed by Jordan Morley, Editorial Lead at 247SimpleTests. Written by the 247SimpleTests Editorial Team from the official source material cited on every question.

Correct answer

Mount from the left side (since the kickstand is on the left and the bike leans that way), hold the handlebars and brake, and swing your right leg over the seat

  1. A Step on the seat first
  2. B Climb on from either side
  3. C Mount from the left side (since the kickstand is on the left and the bike leans that way), hold the handlebars and brake, and swing your right leg over the seat
  4. D Sit on the gas tank

Why this is the answer

Standard mounting procedure: approach the motorcycle from the left side (the kickstand is on the left and the bike leans that way, making mounting from the left more stable); grasp the left handlebar and either apply the front brake or hold the right handgrip; swing your right leg over the seat (over the back of the seat, not over the gas tank); settle onto the seat with both feet on the ground at first; retract the kickstand; balance with both feet down until ready to ride. Dismounting is the reverse. Most motorcycle handling habits — left-side mounting, brake-on dismounting, kickstand operation — become automatic with practice. Practice these basics in a parking lot before riding on the road.
Source: MSF Basic RiderCourse, Mounting

Practice more questions

This question is from our Motorcycle Permit Practice Tests practice test. Take the full practice test to test your knowledge across all Starting and Stopping and other topics.

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About this topic: Starting and Stopping

Starting and stopping questions cover the pre-ride check, the starting sequence (FINE-C), smooth clutch control, using both brakes to stop, and stopping in a curve. This is one of 4 Motorcycle questions on starting and stopping, each with a full explanation on a single study page.

New to this exam? Our Motorcycle exam guide explains the format, scoring, and how to prepare.

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