North Dakota Motorcycle practice
North Dakota Motorcycle: Turning & Cornering practice test
Countersteering, the slow-look-press-roll technique, and choosing the right line through a curve at motorcycle speeds.
Content reviewed against official driver handbooks · August 12, 2026
15 questions · pass with 12 correct. You get instant feedback and an explanation after every answer.
Study questions with answers
12 sample Turning & Cornering questions with the correct answer, a short explanation, and the official handbook reference. Read through them, then take the quiz above.
Show all 12 questions with answers
1. How should you counterbalance in a slow, tight turn?
Correct answer: Lean the motorcycle only while keeping your body upright
Slow, tight turns are the exception to leaning together: the motorcycle leans and the rider's body stays straight.
Source: North Dakota Class M Motorcycle Operator Manual — Basic Vehicle Control, Turning
2. Why does the manual say to be alert to how each curve is shaped?
Correct answer: A curve may stay constant, gradually widen, tighten, or combine several turns
Curves are not all alike; watch whether one holds steady, opens up, gets tighter, or links into multiple turns, and ride within your skill and the posted limits.
Source: North Dakota Class M Motorcycle Operator Manual — Crash Avoidance, Curves
3. The manual lists steps for making a right turn on a motorcycle with a sidecar. What is the first step, before you slow down?
Correct answer: Anticipate how sharp the turn is going to be
For a right turn on a sidecar rig, the manual starts with anticipating the degree of turn required. Then you cut speed ahead of the curve by downshifting or braking, lean your upper body slightly toward the turn, hold your speed on entry, and speed up gradually on the way out.
Source: North Dakota Class M Motorcycle Operator Manual — Supplementary Information for Three-Wheel Motorcycles, Turning
4. How do speed and the sharpness of a turn affect how far the motorcycle must lean?
Correct answer: Higher speed or a sharper turn calls for more lean
The faster you go through a turn, or the tighter the turn, the greater the lean angle required.
Source: North Dakota Class M Motorcycle Operator Manual — Basic Vehicle Control, Turning
5. Every curve is different. What does the manual say should cap your speed through one?
Correct answer: Your own skill level and the posted speed limit
The manual's advice on curves is to stay within both your own skill level and the posted speed limits. Riders running wide in a curve or turn are a primary cause of single-vehicle crashes.
Source: North Dakota Class M Motorcycle Operator Manual — Crash Avoidance, Curves
6. What does rolling on the throttle through a turn do?
Correct answer: Holds or slightly raises your speed, which stabilizes the motorcycle
The Roll step keeps speed steady or a little increasing through the turn, helping the motorcycle stay stable.
Source: North Dakota Class M Motorcycle Operator Manual — Basic Vehicle Control, Turning
7. Why do you press on a handgrip to turn a motorcycle?
Correct answer: The motorcycle must lean to turn, and pressing the grip starts the lean
A motorcycle turns by leaning. Press the grip on the side you want to go: press left to lean and go left, press right to lean and go right.
Source: North Dakota Class M Motorcycle Operator Manual — Basic Vehicle Control, Turning
8. How should you adjust your riding through curves when you carry a passenger?
Correct answer: Ride a little slower, because a part scraping the ground while leaned can cost you steering control
With a passenger aboard, take curves, corners and bumps more slowly; if any part of the motorcycle drags at lean angle, you can lose steering control.
Source: North Dakota Class M Motorcycle Operator Manual — Carrying Passengers and Cargo, Riding with Passengers
9. In a normal turn, how should the rider lean compared with the motorcycle?
Correct answer: The rider and motorcycle lean together at the same angle
For ordinary turns the manual says rider and machine should lean as one, at matching angles.
Source: North Dakota Class M Motorcycle Operator Manual — Basic Vehicle Control, Turning
10. What is the advantage of moving to the center of your lane before a curve and staying there until you exit?
Correct answer: You can see approaching traffic as early as possible
Holding the lane center through the curve lets you spot oncoming vehicles sooner and adjust for traffic near the center line or debris in your lane.
Source: North Dakota Class M Motorcycle Operator Manual — Crash Avoidance, Curves
11. Because a conventional three-wheel motorcycle cannot lean, how is it steered?
Correct answer: By pointing the front wheel where you want to go
Without the ability to lean, a three-wheel motorcycle cannot countersteer; the rider aims the front wheel in the direction of travel.
Source: North Dakota Class M Motorcycle Operator Manual — Supplementary Information for Three-Wheel Motorcycles, Steering and Tip
12. When turning left on a motorcycle with a sidecar, how should you use the brakes?
Correct answer: Slow before the turn and use more rear brake than front
In a left turn the sidecar acts as a stabilizer, but taking it too fast can lift the motorcycle's rear wheel, so reduce speed first and favor the rear brake.
Source: North Dakota Class M Motorcycle Operator Manual — Supplementary Information for Three-Wheel Motorcycles, Turning
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Every North Dakota question is written from the official North Dakota driver handbook and checked against its current edition. DMV Test Free is a free, independent study resource — not affiliated with any DMV or government agency. About DMV Test Free