Turning & Cornering

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.

1. 1. A good lane choice for a curve is to do what before entering?

   Correct answer: Move to the center of the lane and stay there through it

   Moving to the center of your lane before a curve, and staying there through it, lets you see approaching traffic sooner.

   Source: MSF Motorcycle Operator Manual (18th ed.), Oklahoma edition — Crash Avoidance

2. 2. Because every curve is different, what should you watch for as you approach one?

   Correct answer: Whether it stays constant, widens, tightens, or has multiple turns

   Be alert to whether a curve stays constant, widens, tightens, or contains several turns.

   Source: MSF Motorcycle Operator Manual (18th ed.), Oklahoma edition — Crash Avoidance

3. 3. Pressing on the right handgrip makes the motorcycle do what?

   Correct answer: Lean and go to the right

   Pressing the handgrip on one side leans the bike that way, so pressing right leans and steers you to the right.

   Source: MSF Motorcycle Operator Manual (18th ed.), Oklahoma edition — Turning

4. 4. Riders who enter a curve too fast and cannot hold their line often end up doing what?

   Correct answer: Crossing into another lane or going off the road

   Taking a curve too fast can lead to crossing into another lane or running off the road.

   Source: MSF Motorcycle Operator Manual (18th ed.), Oklahoma edition — Turning

5. 5. As your speed or the sharpness of a turn increases, the lean angle needs to do what?

   Correct answer: Increase

   The faster you go or the tighter the turn, the more the motorcycle must lean.

   Source: MSF Motorcycle Operator Manual (18th ed.), Oklahoma edition — Turning

6. 6. A leading cause of single-vehicle motorcycle crashes is what?

   Correct answer: Running wide in a curve

   Riders running wide in a curve or turn is a primary cause of single-vehicle crashes.

   Source: MSF Motorcycle Operator Manual (18th ed.), Oklahoma edition — Crash Avoidance

7. 7. In a normal turn, how should the rider and the motorcycle lean?

   Correct answer: Together at the same angle

   During an ordinary turn the rider leans together with the machine at the same angle.

   Source: MSF Motorcycle Operator Manual (18th ed.), Oklahoma edition — Turning

8. 8. During the 'look' step of a turn, what should you turn?

   Correct answer: Just your head, with eyes level to the horizon

   You should turn just your head, keeping your eyes level with the horizon and looking where you want to go.

   Source: MSF Motorcycle Operator Manual (18th ed.), Oklahoma edition — Turning

9. 9. Your best path through a curve will always follow the curve of the road. True or false?

   Correct answer: False; it may not always follow the road's curve

   The ideal line through a curve may not match the road's curve; you adjust for traffic, surface, and the shape of the bend.

   Source: MSF Motorcycle Operator Manual (18th ed.), Oklahoma edition — Crash Avoidance

10. 10. For a motorcycle to change direction in a turn, what must it first do?

    Correct answer: Lean

    A motorcycle has to lean in order to turn.

    Source: MSF Motorcycle Operator Manual (18th ed.), Oklahoma edition — Turning

11. 11. What should you base your speed for a curve on?

    Correct answer: Your skill level and the posted speed limit

    Choose a curve speed that stays within your own skill level and the posted speed limit.

    Source: MSF Motorcycle Operator Manual (18th ed.), Oklahoma edition — Crash Avoidance

12. 12. What are the four steps for taking a turn, in order?

    Correct answer: Slow, look, press, roll

    The manual teaches a four-step approach to turning: slow, look, press, and roll.

    Source: MSF Motorcycle Operator Manual (18th ed.), Oklahoma edition — Turning