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. If a gear change becomes necessary while you are already in a turn, you should:

   Correct answer: Do it smoothly to avoid a rear-wheel skid

   Change gears smoothly, because an abrupt shift in power at the back tire can trigger a skid.

   Source: Basic Vehicle Control — Shifting Gears

2. 2. As you go through a turn, how should you use your head and eyes?

   Correct answer: Turn just your head and look through the turn

   Rotate only your head rather than your shoulders, aim your sight through the corner toward where you intend to exit, and keep your gaze roughly parallel to the horizon.

   Source: Turning

3. 3. What are the four steps the manual gives for turning effectively?

   Correct answer: Slow, Look, Press, Roll

   The turning sequence is Slow, Look, Press, and Roll.

   Source: Turning

4. 4. In the 'Slow' step of turning, how do you reduce speed before the turn?

   Correct answer: Close the throttle and, if needed, use both brakes

   Close the throttle and, if needed, apply both brakes to slow down before the turn begins.

   Source: Turning

5. 5. In a slow, tight turn, how should the rider's body position differ from a normal turn?

   Correct answer: Keep the body upright and lean only the motorcycle

   In slow, tight turns you counterbalance by leaning only the motorcycle while keeping your body upright.

   Source: Turning

6. 6. What lane position does the manual suggest as you approach and ride through a curve?

   Correct answer: The center of your lane, entering and holding it

   Settling into the middle of your lane ahead of a bend, and holding it, lets you see oncoming traffic sooner and dodge debris.

   Source: Crash Avoidance — Curves

7. 7. In a regular (not tight) turn, how should the rider and motorcycle lean?

   Correct answer: The rider and motorcycle lean together at the same angle

   In ordinary turns the rider and the motorcycle lean together at the same angle.

   Source: Turning

8. 8. A leading cause of single-vehicle motorcycle crashes is:

   Correct answer: Running wide in a curve or turn

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

   Source: Crash Avoidance — Curves

9. 9. In the 'Roll' step of a normal turn, rolling on the throttle helps to:

   Correct answer: Stabilize the motorcycle

   Rolling on the throttle to keep or slightly increase speed helps stabilize the motorcycle through the turn.

   Source: Turning

10. 10. When riders take a curve too fast and cannot hold it, a common bad outcome is that they:

    Correct answer: Cross into another lane or leave the road

    They may cross into another lane or run off the road, or overreact by braking too hard and skidding.

    Source: Turning

11. 11. How does the needed lean angle change as speed rises or the turn gets sharper?

    Correct answer: The lean angle needs to be greater

    As speed climbs or a corner tightens, the bike must lean at a steeper angle.

    Source: Turning

12. 12. To make the motorcycle lean left in a turn, which handgrip do you press?

    Correct answer: Press the left handgrip

    Press the left handgrip to lean left and go left; press the right handgrip to lean right and go right.

    Source: Turning