The motorcycle skills test

By the end of this topic you can

• You can describe the exercises commonly found on a skills test.
• You can perform smooth low-speed turns using your eyes, clutch and rear brake.
• You can stop quickly and in a straight line using both brakes.
• You can swerve around an obstacle without braking during the swerve.
• You can prepare your motorcycle and gear for test day.

What you need to know and understand

• Many states base their test on a standard course design marked with cones and painted lines.
• Common exercises include a cone weave, a sharp turn, a U-turn inside a box, a normal stop, a quick stop and an obstacle swerve.
• Examiners usually score errors such as putting a foot down, hitting cones, stalling or leaving the boundary.
• You normally provide your own street-legal, registered and insured motorcycle.
• You must hold a valid motorcycle permit and wear required gear.
• Some states, such as California, use their own test layout.

Exercises you may meet

• Cone weave: steer smoothly through a row of offset cones at low speed.
• Turn from a stop: pull away and make a tight turn within marked lines.
• U-turn: turn around inside a painted box without putting a foot down.
• Normal stop: stop smoothly with your front tire on or near a set line.
• Quick stop: brake hard but under control when signalled.
• Obstacle swerve: steer around a marked obstacle, then straighten up and carry on.
• Curve: ride a curved path at a steady speed.

How to handle slow, tight turns

1. Turn your head and look where you want to go, not at the cones or the line.
2. Keep the engine slightly above idle and control speed with the clutch.
3. Drag the rear brake lightly to steady the motorcycle.
4. Lean the motorcycle into the turn while keeping your body more upright.
5. Keep your feet on the footrests until you have stopped.

Stopping and swerving well

For a quick stop, keep the motorcycle upright and straight, squeeze the front brake firmly and progressively, press the rear brake, and pull in the clutch. Keep your eyes up. For a swerve, press the handgrip on the side you want to go toward, then press the other side to straighten. Brake before or after a swerve, never during it, because braking while leaned can cause a skid.

Before you arrive

Check that lights, horn, signals and brakes all work, and bring registration and insurance papers. A smaller, lighter motorcycle is often easier for tight exercises. If you do not have one, a rider course that provides training motorcycles may be a better route.

Common mistakes

• Looking down at the cones: you go where you look, so keep your head and eyes up.
• Using only the front brake at walking pace: in tight turns, a light rear brake gives more stability.
• Braking during a swerve: separate braking and swerving.
• Putting a foot down in the U-turn box: practice slow clutch and rear brake control in a marked area.

Test yourself: The motorcycle skills test

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