Motorcycle Controls: Practice Questions & Explanations

On nearly all modern motorcycles, the right hand lever operates the front brake — the most powerful brake on the motorcycle, providing approximately 70% of stopping power. The right foot pedal operates the rear brake. The left hand lever operates the clutch. The left foot pedal operates the gear shifter. This standard layout means a rider trained on one motorcycle can operate any modern motorcycle. The front brake is most important: practice using it firmly and progressively without grabbing or locking the wheel. ABS-equipped motorcycles allow firm application without lockup; non-ABS motorcycles require finesse to avoid front-wheel lockup, which causes most riders to crash.

The left foot operates the gear shifter on a standard motorcycle, using the standard '1-down, rest-up' pattern: first gear is down (toe pressed down), neutral is between first and second (a half-click up from first), second through sixth are progressive clicks up. The right foot operates the rear brake. The hands operate the clutch (left lever) and front brake (right lever). The standard 1-N-2-3-4-5-6 shift pattern is essentially universal on modern motorcycles, including scooters with manual transmissions, sport bikes, cruisers, and adventure bikes. Some older or specialty motorcycles use different patterns, but new riders should expect the standard.

Most states issue motorcycle credentials in one of two ways: a separate motorcycle license, or an endorsement added to an existing driver's license. Requirements typically include: holding a valid driver's license or learner's permit; passing the motorcycle written knowledge test; passing either the state's motorcycle road skills test (administered by the DMV on your motorcycle) or completing the Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF) Basic RiderCourse — a 15-20 hour weekend course that includes classroom and range-time riding instruction. Most riders take the MSF course because it teaches the skills as well as testing them, provides motorcycles to learn on, costs less than purchasing then crashing your own bike, and produces better-prepared riders. Some states require the MSF course for riders under a certain age.

On a standard motorcycle, the right hand operates the throttle (twist grip) and the front brake lever. The left hand operates the clutch lever. The right foot works the rear brake pedal, and the left foot works the gear shift lever. Knowing which control each hand and foot operates is the foundation of riding — the right hand both adds power (throttle) and provides most of the stopping force (front brake). Mixing these up is dangerous, so new riders memorize the layout before ever moving: right hand = throttle and front brake, left hand = clutch.

The left foot operates the gear shift lever on a standard motorcycle. The shift pattern is usually one down for first gear and up through the remaining gears, with neutral located between first and second. The right foot controls the rear brake pedal. Together with the hand controls (right hand: throttle and front brake; left hand: clutch), this completes the four primary controls. Riders must be able to operate the shift lever smoothly with the left foot while managing the clutch with the left hand to change gears without jerking the bike.