Tennessee Motorcycle: Turning & Cornering Practice Test

Question 1

Which four steps describe the proper way to handle a turn on a motorcycle?

Accepted Answer

Slow, Look, Press, Roll — The recommended turning sequence is Slow, Look, Press, and Roll: reduce speed, look through the turn, press the handgrip to lean, then roll on the throttle.

Answer

Stop, Signal, Steer, Speed

Answer

Brake, Lean, Coast, Turn

Answer

Search, Evaluate, Execute, Exit

Question 2

To make a motorcycle lean to the left in a normal-speed turn, in which direction do you press the handgrip?

Accepted Answer

Press the left handgrip — To lean left you press on the left handgrip: press left to lean left and go left; press right to lean right and go right.

Answer

Press the right handgrip

Answer

Pull both handgrips

Answer

Release both handgrips

Question 3

What decides how far a motorcycle must lean in a turn?

Accepted Answer

The higher the speed or the tighter the turn, the greater the lean — Lean angle grows with speed and with how sharp the corner is: the faster you go through it, or the tighter it gets, the more the machine has to lean over.

Answer

Lean angle depends only on the weight of the rider

Answer

Every turn calls for the same lean angle

Answer

Slower speeds always require the greatest lean

Question 4

When is the best time to change gears for a turn?

Accepted Answer

Before you enter the turn — Select the gear before you enter the turn; if a shift in the corner cannot be avoided, make it smoothly, because an abrupt change in power at the rear wheel can start a skid.

Answer

Halfway through the corner, at maximum lean

Answer

Only after the motorcycle is fully upright again

Answer

Gear choice makes no difference in a turn

Question 5

How does a rider steer a conventional three-wheel motorcycle through a turn?

Accepted Answer

By pointing the front wheel in the direction of travel — A three-wheeler cannot lean, so countersteering does not apply; instead the front wheel or wheels are simply aimed where the rider wants to go, with the upper body leaned slightly into the turn.

Answer

By pressing the handgrip opposite the turn to make it lean

Answer

By shifting all body weight to the outside of the turn

Answer

By locking the inside rear wheel with the brake

Question 6

Which lane position does the manual suggest for entering a curve on a two-wheel motorcycle?

Accepted Answer

Ride the center of the lane, and stay there until you exit — Move to the middle of your lane before the curve begins and hold that line until you are out of it; from there you pick up approaching traffic earliest and have room for vehicles crowding the center line or debris in your lane.

Answer

Hug the outside edge all the way through

Answer

Straddle the center line to straighten the curve

Answer

Ride the shoulder where the surface is smoothest

Question 7

To swerve around a sudden obstacle, what do you do with the handgrip?

Accepted Answer

Press the handgrip on the side you want to go — To swerve, apply a small amount of pressure to the handgrip on the side of your intended escape, which leans the motorcycle quickly in that direction.

Answer

Turn the handlebars sharply the opposite way

Answer

Release both handgrips

Answer

Pull straight back on both grips

Question 8

Why do you roll on the throttle as you go through a turn?

Accepted Answer

To hold speed steady and help stabilize the machine — Feeding in a little throttle holds your speed steady or raises it slightly, which helps settle the motorcycle through the corner.

Answer

To shorten the distance needed to stop

Answer

To make the motorcycle stand up straight

Answer

To move weight onto the front wheel

Question 9

What is the primary cause of many single-vehicle motorcycle crashes in curves?

Accepted Answer

Running wide in the curve — A primary cause of single-vehicle crashes is riders running wide in a curve, so you should ride within your skill level and adjust to how the curve changes.

Answer

Braking too gently on the straightaway

Answer

Using turn signals too early

Answer

Wearing bright clothing

Question 10

When looking through a turn, how should you position your head and shoulders?

Accepted Answer

Turn just your head and eyes toward where you want to go — You should turn just your head, not your shoulders, and keep your eyes level with the horizon while looking through the turn to where you want to go.

Answer

Keep your eyes on the instruments

Answer

Turn your head and shoulders together

Answer

Look down at the front wheel

Question 11

How should your body and the motorcycle be positioned in a slow, tight turn?

Accepted Answer

The motorcycle leans while the rider stays upright — Counterbalance the machine: let the motorcycle lean into the turn while you hold your own body upright, unlike a normal-speed turn where rider and machine lean together at the same angle.

Answer

Both the rider and the machine stay perfectly upright

Answer

The rider leans farther than the motorcycle does

Answer

Both lean together at exactly the same angle

Tennessee Motorcycle: Turning & Cornering practice test

Study questions with answers

1. Which four steps describe the proper way to handle a turn on a motorcycle?

2. To make a motorcycle lean to the left in a normal-speed turn, in which direction do you press the handgrip?

3. What decides how far a motorcycle must lean in a turn?

4. When is the best time to change gears for a turn?

5. How does a rider steer a conventional three-wheel motorcycle through a turn?

6. Which lane position does the manual suggest for entering a curve on a two-wheel motorcycle?

7. To swerve around a sudden obstacle, what do you do with the handgrip?

8. Why do you roll on the throttle as you go through a turn?

9. What is the primary cause of many single-vehicle motorcycle crashes in curves?

10. When looking through a turn, how should you position your head and shoulders?

11. How should your body and the motorcycle be positioned in a slow, tight turn?

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