New York City Motorcycle Permit Practice Test

What is the best practice for maintaining control during a turn?

1. Leaning hard into the turn

2. Reducing speed before the turn

3. Accelerating through the turn

4. Straightening handlebars during the turn

The correct answer is: Reducing speed before the turn

Reducing speed before the turn is the best practice for maintaining control during a turn on a motorcycle. When you decrease your speed prior to the turn, you allow for better control over your motorcycle's handling dynamics. A slower approach gives you ample time to assess the road conditions, identify potential hazards, and execute the turn more smoothly. Adjusting your speed allows you to lean the bike appropriately, which is crucial for maintaining balance and traction. In a turn, the centrifugal force acting on the motorcycle can be significant, and by managing your speed beforehand, you can counteract that force and ensure a safer navigation through the turn. Furthermore, reducing speed helps prevent skidding and loss of traction, which are critical factors in maintaining stability. When considering other options, leaning hard into the turn can lead to a loss of control, particularly at high speeds or on uneven surfaces. Accelerating through a turn may induce a loss of traction if the bike isn’t properly leaned over, which can destabilize the motorcycle. Finally, straightening the handlebars during a turn could disrupt the balance and orientation of the motorcycle, as it typically requires leaning into the turn for proper steering and control. Thus, reducing speed before the turn is a fundamental technique for safe and effective motorcycle riding.