Emergency Maneuvers Flashcards

When swerving to avoid an obstacle, when should you brake?

Answer: Before or after the swerve, not during

Braking during a swerve shifts weight in a way that can cause a loss of control; brake before or after the swerve when the bike is upright.

Which body action initiates a quick swerve on a motorcycle?

Answer: Pressing firmly on the handlebar in the direction of the swerve

Counter-steering — pressing the handlebar on the side of the desired turn — initiates a rapid lean and swerve at speeds above 12 mph.

An animal darts into your path. You cannot stop in time. What is the MSF-recommended approach?

Answer: Brake firmly to reduce speed as much as possible before impact

Reducing speed as much as possible before contact lessens the severity of the impact when a collision cannot be fully avoided.

What does MSF mean by a 'two-second swerve'?

Answer: A swerve that should be completed in under two seconds

The MSF teaches that an effective emergency swerve should be executed quickly — typically within about two seconds — to clear a hazard.

After successfully swerving around a hazard, what is the next critical action?

Answer: Look for and steer toward a safe path while smoothly straightening the bike

After the swerve, you must look ahead toward a safe path and smoothly return the bike to an upright position without over-correcting.

Which factor most affects how quickly you can perform an emergency swerve?

Answer: Your ability to recognize the hazard early

Early hazard recognition gives you the maximum time to react and execute any emergency maneuver effectively.

When riding over an unavoidable obstacle like a pothole, what is the best technique?

Answer: Rise slightly off the seat and grip the tank with your knees to absorb the impact

Lifting slightly off the seat and gripping with the knees lets your legs absorb the shock and prevents the jolt from launching you off the seat.