Prepare for the New York City Motorcycle Permit Test. Get access to a variety of questions, insights, and strategies to boost your confidence and readiness. Let's accelerate your journey to becoming a licensed rider!

Practice this question and more.


What should be your priority if you find yourself with a flat rear tire?

  1. Maintain speed and control

  2. Increase throttle to stabilize

  3. Gradually use the front brake while looking for space

  4. Stop immediately to avoid accidents

The correct answer is: Gradually use the front brake while looking for space

When you experience a flat rear tire while riding a motorcycle, the priority is to maintain control and manage the situation as safely as possible. Gradually using the front brake while looking for space allows you to bring the motorcycle to a stop in a controlled manner. This approach helps prevent loss of balance or skidding, which can occur if sudden braking or acceleration is attempted. Utilizing the front brake allows you to slow down while still maintaining some level of control over the motorcycle. It’s important to keep an eye on your surroundings to identify a safe area where you can pull off the road to check the tire and assess the situation further. Maintaining speed and control could lead to a more dangerous situation since a flat tire significantly affects the handling and stability of the motorcycle. Increasing throttle to stabilize can also lead to loss of control, as the bike may unexpectedly behave differently due to the flat tire. Stopping immediately without considering your surroundings might result in unsafe situations, including causing a collision if there's traffic close behind you. Focusing on a gradual braking technique while surveying your surroundings ultimately emphasizes safe riding practices in a challenging scenario.