Riding skills: controls, curves and braking

By the end of this topic you can

• You can name and use each primary control.
• You can sit in a balanced riding posture.
• You can use countersteering to lean and turn at speed.
• You can ride a curve using slow, look, press and roll.
• You can stop smoothly and quickly using both brakes.

What you need to know and understand

• On most motorcycles the throttle and front brake are on the right handlebar, the clutch on the left.
• The gear shifter is usually worked by the left foot and the rear brake by the right foot.
• The front brake provides most of the stopping power.
• Above walking pace, pressing the handgrip on one side leans the motorcycle that way; this is countersteering.
• Most of your speed adjustment should be done before a curve, not in it.
• You can use different positions within your lane to see, be seen and avoid hazards.

Know your controls and posture

Do a quick check before every ride: tires, controls, lights, horn, fluids and chassis. Many manuals use a memory aid for this check; follow the one in your state manual.

Sit far enough forward to bend your arms slightly at the elbow. Keep your knees against the tank, your feet on the footrests and your wrist flat on the throttle so you do not twist it by accident.

Cornering step by step

If you enter a curve too fast, keep looking through it and lean more rather than grabbing the brakes.

1. Slow: brake and downshift as needed before you enter the curve.
2. Look: turn your head and eyes through the curve toward where you want to go.
3. Press: press the handgrip on the side of the turn to lean the motorcycle.
4. Roll: roll gently on the throttle through the curve to keep the motorcycle stable.

Braking that keeps you upright

Use both brakes every time you stop so the habit is there in an emergency. Squeeze the front brake progressively rather than grabbing it. If the rear wheel locks on a straight road, keep it locked until you stop rather than releasing it suddenly, which can upset the motorcycle. If you must stop while leaning, straighten the motorcycle first if you can, then brake firmly.

Using your lane

• Your lane can be thought of as three parts: left, center and right.
• Pick the position that lets drivers see you and keeps you away from hazards.
• The center of a lane can be slick with oil dripped from cars, especially at intersections.
• Keep at least a two-second following distance, more on poor roads or at higher speeds.

Common mistakes

• Grabbing the front brake: squeeze it progressively to avoid locking the wheel.
• Using only the rear brake: you lose most of your stopping power.
• Braking hard in the middle of a curve: slow down before the curve.
• Looking at the hazard you want to miss: look at the escape path instead.

Test yourself: Riding skills: controls, curves and braking

Answer each question, then read the explanation. Questions come in a random order each time.