Cornering and Turning Flashcards

When approaching a curve that is tighter than expected, what is the best corrective action?

Answer: Increase lean angle and look through the exit

If a curve tightens unexpectedly, increase your lean angle and focus your vision on the exit to help the motorcycle follow a tighter arc.

What does it mean to 'trust the lean' when cornering on a motorcycle?

Answer: Accept that greater lean angles generate the cornering force needed

Leaning the motorcycle creates the centripetal force needed to follow a curved path, so riders must trust that appropriate lean angles are safe within traction limits.

When riding through a curve, where should your eyes be focused?

Answer: Through the turn toward the exit

Looking through the turn toward its exit causes your body and steering inputs to naturally guide the motorcycle along the desired path.

Which technique helps a motorcycle turn more quickly when a late-apex correction is needed?

Answer: Push harder on the inside handlebar (countersteering)

Additional countersteering pressure on the inside bar increases lean angle rapidly, tightening the turning radius to achieve a later apex.

What is 'target fixation' and why is it dangerous in a curve?

Answer: Staring at a hazard, causing the rider to steer toward it

Target fixation happens when a rider stares at a hazard (guardrail, pothole) and unconsciously steers toward it instead of around it.

On a two-lane road with a right curve, which lane position offers the best sightline into the turn?

Answer: Left side of the lane (position 1)

For a right curve, moving to position 1 (left side of your lane) increases your line of sight around the bend without crossing into oncoming traffic.

Why should you avoid applying the brakes while deeply leaned in a corner?

Answer: Braking while leaned can exceed combined traction limits and cause a slide

Traction is shared between cornering and braking forces; applying significant brakes while leaned can overwhelm the tire's grip and cause a slide.