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Alberta Class 6 overview

Alberta Class 6: Braking, traction and stopping distance

Tires and traction, using the front and rear brakes, threshold braking, and perception, reaction and braking distance.

  • 14 questions
  • Topic drill
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Braking, traction and stopping distance · Question 1Score 0/0

You increase your speed. What happens to your stopping distance?

Study reference: Rider's Guide (Spring 2023), Ch. 4 The Basics of Safe Operating and Riding — Tires and traction, Braking and stopping, Stopping time and distance, pp. 31–33

All 14 questions in this test

Every question and its answer choices. The correct answers and explanations appear when you take the test above.

  1. You increase your speed. What happens to your stopping distance?

    1. It depends only on your brakes
    2. It decreases
    3. It stays the same
    4. It increases

  2. What is wrong with riding with the brake partly applied?

    1. It improves traction
    2. It keeps the brakes warm and ready for a quick stop
    3. It confuses drivers and wears the brakes
    4. It saves fuel

  3. When you brake, about how much of the braking traction is on the front tire?

    1. None of it
    2. About three-quarters
    3. About half
    4. About one-quarter

  4. Which of these reduces traction for a motorcycle?

    1. A steady, moderate speed
    2. Painted lines on the road
    3. Dry, clean asphalt
    4. Warm tires at the right pressure

  5. The Rider's Guide talks a lot about traction. What does the term mean?

    1. The strength of your brakes
    2. The power of your engine
    3. The grip of your tires on the road
    4. The weight of your motorcycle

  6. What is the average reaction time for moving your hand or foot to the brake?

    1. One-quarter of a second
    2. Three-quarters of a second
    3. Three seconds
    4. Two seconds

  7. In normal conditions, how should you brake to stop?

    1. Use front and rear brakes together
    2. Use only the front brake lever
    3. Downshift without using brakes
    4. Use only the rear brake pedal

  8. Which actions demand the most traction?

    1. Riding straight at a steady speed
    2. Coasting downhill in neutral
    3. Braking, turning, curves and accelerating
    4. Idling at a stop

  9. What should you do with the rear brake while stopped at a light?

    1. Keep it firmly applied
    2. Pump it to flash the light
    3. Hold the front brake instead only
    4. Release it fully

  10. What is threshold braking?

    1. Braking to the point just before the wheels lock
    2. Braking only with the rear brake to keep the bike stable
    3. Pumping the brakes rapidly
    4. Braking after the wheels lock

  11. How does under- or over-inflating your tires affect traction?

    1. It only affects fuel economy
    2. It improves traction
    3. It reduces traction
    4. It has no effect on traction

  12. It has just started to rain. When are the roads most slippery?

    1. During the first few minutes of rain
    2. Only once puddles form
    3. Only when the rain stops
    4. After an hour or more of steady, heavy rain

  13. What makes up total stopping distance?

    1. Reaction distance and braking distance only
    2. Perception, reaction and braking distance
    3. Braking distance only
    4. Following distance plus braking distance

  14. Why should you brake lightly between downshifts when slowing?

    1. It is required to change gears
    2. Downshifting alone damages the clutch and the gearbox
    3. It keeps the engine from stalling
    4. Downshifting alone does not turn on the brake light

Braking, traction and stopping distance: key rules to remember

Our summary of what the official handbook says on this topic, in our own words. Read it before or after the practice questions above, then check the original chapter. Read the official chapter ↗

Rider's Guide (Spring 2023), Ch. 4 The Basics of Safe Operating and Riding, pp. 31–33

  • Traction = grip of tires on the road; rider controls speed, acceleration and braking.
  • Softer compounds grip better but wear sooner; under- or over-inflation reduces traction and affects wear; choose tread for conditions; replace worn tires.
  • Traction reduced by wet roads, metal bridges, snow/ice, painted lines, holes/cracks, gravel, sand, leaves, antifreeze, oil.
  • Roads are most slippery in the first few minutes of rain; watch for hydroplaning.
  • Braking, cornering, curves and acceleration need the most traction; asking for more than available = loss of control.
  • Most motorcycles: hand-operated front brake, foot-operated rear brake, working independently; some have linked brakes or ABS (read owner's manual).
  • Normal stop: apply front and rear together.
  • Weight shifts forward: about three-quarters of braking traction is on the front tire, approaching all of it with harder braking; rear may lose contact.
  • Increase pressure gradually; threshold braking = just before wheels lock.
  • Downshifting without braking doesn't light the brake light — brake lightly between downshifts.
  • Avoid braking with the wheel turned; caution braking in turns, curves, slippery/rough roads.
  • Downshift to first before stopping; keep rear brake applied while stopped.
  • Riding with brake partly on lights brake light, confuses drivers, wears brakes.
  • Perception time (recognize need to stop) ≈ three-quarters of a second; new riders often slower.
  • Reaction time (move hand/foot to brake) — average three-quarters of a second.
  • Braking distance depends on speed, weight, tire traction, brakes, road/weather, skill.
  • Stopping distance = perception + reaction + braking distance; higher speed increases all.
  • Visual skill, attention, fatigue, alcohol/drugs affect all three.

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