CORE 3
Braking, turning, and swerving
The highest-yield page on the test
Front frees; rear may ride
A locked front is released and reapplied. A locked rear may stay locked only in the handbook's good-traction, upright, straight-line context.
1
SLOW
Roll off. Brake before the lean.
2
LOOK
Head only. Eyes level, through the turn.
3
PRESS
Press left to go left.
4
ROLL
Steady throttle through the arc.
Locked front
Release, then reapply
A locked front will not steer. Free it immediately, then put firm smooth pressure back on.
Locked rear
May ride it to the stop
Only upright, straight, and on good traction. Any lean or slick surface — release.
Brake rules
- BESTUse both brakes every time you slow or stop. Squeeze the front and press the rear; do not grab or jam.Why it matters: Grabbing or jamming is how wheels lock when you did not mean them to. Smooth and firm is the emergency technique.
- NUMBERThe front brake can provide three-quarters of total stopping power.Why it matters: The front is the main brake because weight transfers onto it in a stop. “Never use the front in the wet” is a myth — squeeze it more gently.
- LOCKED FRONTRelease the front brake immediately, then reapply it firmly and smoothly.
- LOCKED REAROn a good-traction surface, if the bike is upright and traveling straight, the rear may remain locked until fully stopped.
- CURVE STOPBest: straighten the motorcycle, then brake. If you cannot straighten, brake lightly while reducing lean, then add pressure as the bike becomes upright.
- U-TURNLook through the turn, work the friction zone, drag the rear brake, keep weight close. Do not use the front brake in the tight U-turn.
- SHIFTDownshift through gears as you slow and stay in first while stopped. Shift before a turn when possible; sudden power changes can skid the rear.
Turn + swerve
- BESTSLPR: Slow before the turn. Look through the turn, head only, eyes level. Press the grip in the direction you want to go. Roll on steady throttle through the turn.Why it matters: Slow first. Looking without slowing, or rolling on before the lean is set, is how riders run wide — the leading single-vehicle crash cause.
- POSTUREStart with a flat right wrist to prevent accidental over-throttle. Hands even with or below the elbows, knees against the tank, feet on the pegs, toes up.
- LEANNormal turn: rider and bike lean together. Slow, tight turn: keep the body more upright while the bike leans.
- SWERVEPress the grip on the side of the escape path. Keep your body upright and knees against the tank; press the opposite grip to recover.
- ABSOLUTESeparate braking from swerving. Brake before or after, never during the swerve.
- CURVERunning wide in a curve is a primary cause of single-vehicle motorcycle collisions. Set speed before entry and look where you want to go. Watch shaded curves for ice, moisture, and leaves.
- LINEWhen conditions allow, outside-inside-outside improves sight and radius. A centered lane path is another valid choice when traffic or debris makes it safer.