When riding an unfamiliar motorcycle, what precautions should you take before starting the engine?

• A. Ride slowly to test the engine
• B. Check tire color
• C. Check only the fuel level
• D. Practice gear changing and braking before starting the engine

Answer: (D)

Before starting the engine on an unfamiliar motorcycle, you want to make sure you can control the bike smoothly with the essential controls. Practicing gear changes and braking before starting the engine lets you locate the clutch, shift lever, and both brakes, and confirms you can shift through gears and slow the bike reliably. This helps prevent surprises like grabbing too much throttle, stalling, or the bike moving unexpectedly when the engine comes to life. It also helps you verify the bike’s gear pattern and how it responds to your inputs, so you can ride with confidence once the engine is running.

Riding slowly to test the engine isn’t a safe or reliable method for an unfamiliar bike, and checking tire color or only the fuel level misses the crucial controls needed for safe starts and stops.