M1 Turning and Cornering 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the 'vanishing point' technique used for when cornering on a motorcycle?
- Judging the safe following distance from a vehicle ahead
- Determining whether you are traveling too fast for an upcoming curve (Correct answer)
- Identifying blind spots created by other vehicles
- Estimating the length of a legal passing zone
Correct answer: Determining whether you are traveling too fast for an upcoming curve
The vanishing point is where the road appears to converge in a curve; if that point moves toward you, the curve is tightening and you may be going too fast.
Question 2: An 'off-camber' turn is one where:
- The road slopes upward toward the outside of the turn, aiding traction
- The road slopes downward toward the outside of the turn, reducing traction (Correct answer)
- The turn has no lane markings to guide the rider
- The turn surface is covered with loose gravel or sand
Correct answer: The road slopes downward toward the outside of the turn, reducing traction
An off-camber turn slopes away from the direction of the curve, which reduces tire traction and increases the risk of sliding out.
Question 3: What is a 'decreasing radius' curve?
- A curve that gradually becomes straighter as you ride through it
- A curve that gets progressively sharper (tighter) as you go through it (Correct answer)
- A curve marked with a decreasing advisory speed sign
- A U-turn executed at very low speed
Correct answer: A curve that gets progressively sharper (tighter) as you go through it
A decreasing radius curve tightens as you progress through it, requiring more lean or a lower entry speed than the initial arc suggests.
Question 4: If you enter a curve too fast, what is usually the safest response?
- Brake hard with both brakes while leaning
- Straighten the motorcycle immediately and brake in a straight line
- Commit to the lean, look through the curve, and trust your tires' grip (Correct answer)
- Swerve toward the right side of the road to reduce speed
Correct answer: Commit to the lean, look through the curve, and trust your tires' grip
Motorcycle tires can sustain considerably more lean than most riders realize; leaning further and looking through the curve is typically safer than straightening up, which would send you off the outside of the turn.
Question 5: When making a tight U-turn at low speed, which technique helps maintain balance and control?
- Lightly dragging the rear brake while applying a steady throttle (Correct answer)
- Applying both front and rear brakes firmly throughout the turn
- Leaning the bike toward the outside of the turn for stability
- Shifting to a higher gear to gain more gyroscopic stability
Correct answer: Lightly dragging the rear brake while applying a steady throttle
Using slight rear brake friction while maintaining steady throttle prevents stalling, controls your speed, and gives you better balance during slow, tight maneuvers.
Question 6: In a left-hand curve, which lane position generally gives you the best view through the bend?
- Left side of the lane near the center line
- Center of the lane
- Right side of the lane near the fog line (Correct answer)
- Straddle the center line for maximum visibility
Correct answer: Right side of the lane near the fog line
Positioning on the right side of your lane for a left-hand curve widens your sight line around the bend, giving you more time to react to hazards.
Question 7: Why is braking while leaning through a curve especially dangerous?
- It causes the headlight beam to aim toward the road shoulder
- Traction already used for cornering leaves little reserve for braking, risking a skid (Correct answer)
- It alerts following drivers that you are slowing unexpectedly
- It causes the handlebars to vibrate and reduces steering control
Correct answer: Traction already used for cornering leaves little reserve for braking, risking a skid
When the tires are leaned over, they are already using most of their available traction to maintain the curve; adding braking force can exceed the grip limit and cause a skid.
M1 Turning and Cornering 2
What is the 'vanishing point' technique used for when cornering on a motorcycle?