Practice question

What should you do if your motorcycle starts to skid?

  1. Immediately brake hard
  2. Maintain your grip and steer away from the skid
  3. Relax your grip, do not brake, and steer in the direction you want to go
  4. Try to accelerate to regain control

Answer: C — Relax your grip, do not brake, and steer in the direction you want to go

When your motorcycle starts to skid, the best course of action is to relax your grip on the handlebars and avoid braking. This approach helps prevent further loss of traction. By steering in the direction you want to go, you can assist the motorcycle in regaining stability. Maintaining a firm grip may unintentionally lead to steering against the skid, which could worsen the situation. It’s essential to remain calm and allow the motorcycle to correct itself by aligning with the direction of travel. Promptly applying brakes or accelerating can cause the tires to lose even more grip, exacerbating the skid. In any situation where traction is compromised, the key is to remain smooth and steady in your control inputs, allowing the bike to regain its footing naturally. This method maximizes your chances of regaining control and minimizing the risk of an accident.

Practice more: Alabama Motorcycle Permit Practice Test →