RTT machine checks
RTT Pre-Ride Checks and Motorcycle Maintenance Guide
A guide to pre-ride checks, motorcycle structure, tyres, brakes, lights, chain, controls, and why faults matter before riding.
Last reviewed: 1 June 2026. Handbook baseline: 11-18, 25-26.
Remember
Pre-ride checks reduce breakdown and control risks.
Remember
Tyres, brakes, lights, chain, and controls affect rider safety.
Remember
A fault found before riding should be corrected before continuing.
Checks are not just mechanical trivia
RTT maintenance questions test whether a rider understands how the motorcycle stays controllable. Tyres affect grip, brakes affect stopping, lights affect visibility, and controls affect response.
Check tyres for condition and inflation.
Check brakes before relying on them in traffic.
Check lights and signals for visibility and communication.
Chain and controls affect smoothness
A motorcycle depends on exposed mechanical parts more visibly than a car. Poor chain condition or stiff controls can affect acceleration, stability, and rider confidence.
Know the purpose of chain condition checks.
Make sure throttle and clutch controls return and operate smoothly.
Do not ignore unusual noises or control feel.
Lights and signals protect the rider
Because riders are less visible, working lights and signals are especially important. Faulty lighting can make the rider harder to detect and harder to predict.
Check headlight and tail light function.
Check brake light response.
Check direction indicators before riding.
Faults change the plan
A safe rider does not continue as normal after finding a serious fault. The correct theory answer normally repairs, reports, or avoids riding until the motorcycle is safe.
Do not ride with unsafe brakes or tyres.
Do not treat warning signs as minor inconvenience.
Fix safety-critical defects before riding.
Scenario check
Apply the rule before you move on.
These short checks are intentionally close to how test traps feel: one detail changes the answer.
Question
The brake light does not work before a ride.
Answer
Do not ignore it. Other road users need to know when you are braking.
Question
A tyre looks under-inflated.
Answer
Correct it before riding because tyre condition affects grip and stability.
Question
The throttle does not return smoothly.
Answer
Treat it as a safety issue and do not ride as normal.
Next step
Turn this guide into active recall.
Read the related module for full explanation, then use flashcards to check whether the distinction is actually memorised.
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