MSF - Motorcycle Safety Foundation Cornering and Turning Questions and Answers

Question 1

When executing a turn, what is the primary purpose of smoothly rolling on the throttle after initiating the lean?

Accepted Answer

To stabilize the suspension and maintain traction.

Answer

Applying smooth, steady or slightly increasing throttle through a turn stabilizes the motorcycle's suspension. This gentle acceleration puts a light, consistent load on the chassis and rear tire, which helps maintain traction and control throughout the corner.

Question 2

A rider is approaching a blind right-hand curve. To maximize safety and visibility, what is the recommended path of travel through the turn?

Accepted Answer

Start wide on the outside (left portion) of the lane, move toward the inside (apex) once the exit is visible, and exit toward the outside.

Answer

The 'outside-inside-outside' path is the standard and safest line for cornering. Starting wide (outside) provides the best and earliest view through the corner, allowing the rider to spot hazards. Moving to the inside (apex) and exiting wide straightens the curve, requiring less lean angle for a given speed and increasing stability.

Question 3

To make a motorcycle initiate a lean to the right at speeds above 10-15 mph, what action must the rider take?

Accepted Answer

Press forward on the right handgrip.

Answer

This technique is known as counter-steering. At speed, pressing forward on the handgrip in the direction of the desired turn (press right to go right) causes the front wheel to momentarily steer left. This action unbalances the motorcycle, initiating a lean to the right, and the motorcycle then turns in the direction of the lean.

Question 4

While leaned over in a turn, you unexpectedly encounter a patch of loose gravel covering your intended path. What is the safest response?

Accepted Answer

Make no abrupt control inputs; cross the hazard as smoothly as possible.

Answer

When encountering a slippery surface mid-turn, abrupt inputs like hard braking, sharp swerving, or sudden acceleration can easily overwhelm the limited traction, causing a fall. The safest strategy is to keep a steady throttle and steering, look ahead, and ride across the hazard with as little change in speed or direction as possible.

Question 5

Which of the following best describes a 'decreasing radius' turn?

Accepted Answer

A turn that becomes progressively tighter as you ride through it.

Answer

A decreasing radius turn is one that gets sharper as you proceed through it. This can be hazardous because a speed that was appropriate for the entrance of the turn may become too fast for the tighter portion, requiring the rider to add more lean or reduce speed mid-corner.

MSF - Motorcycle Safety Foundation Practice Test

MSF - Motorcycle Safety Foundation Practice Test

MSF - Motorcycle Safety Foundation Cornering and Turning Questions and Answers