Practice question

What should you do when taking a curve to maintain control?

  1. Accelerate through the middle of the turn
  2. Leverage your body weight against the bike
  3. Apply the front brake gently
  4. Gear down as you enter the curve

Answer: B — Leverage your body weight against the bike

Maintaining control while taking a curve on a motorcycle is essential for safety and stability, and leveraging your body weight against the bike is a crucial technique to accomplish this. By shifting your body weight in the direction of the turn, you help to counteract the centrifugal force acting on the motorcycle. This shift allows for better balance and makes it easier for the bike to maintain a stable trajectory through the curve. When you lean into the turn, it lowers the center of gravity and increases the contact between the tires and the road, which can enhance grip and help avoid skidding. This technique also allows for a more natural and smoother turning motion, enabling you to navigate curves more effectively. While other methods, such as using brakes or gearing down, may have their places in certain situations, they can lead to instability or the potential for losing traction if not executed properly. Therefore, leveraging body weight is a fundamental practice that contributes significantly to a rider's control and confidence while cornering.

Practice more: West Virginia Motorcycle Permit Practice Test →