Turning & Cornering

Study questions with answers

12 sample Turning & Cornering questions with the correct answer, a short explanation, and the official handbook reference. Read through them, then take the quiz above.

1. 1. As speed in a turn increases or the turn gets sharper, the needed lean angle:

   Correct answer: Increases

   A higher speed or a sharper turn requires a greater lean angle.

   Source: CT Motorcycle Operator Manual - Basic Vehicle Control: Turning

2. 2. A good default lane choice when entering a curve is to:

   Correct answer: Move to the center of the lane and stay there through it

   Moving to the center of the lane before a curve and holding it lets you spot oncoming traffic early, though your best path may not follow the road's curve exactly.

   Source: CT Motorcycle Operator Manual - Crash Avoidance: Curves

3. 3. Rolling on the throttle through a turn helps to:

   Correct answer: Stabilize the motorcycle

   Maintaining or slightly increasing speed with the throttle steadies the motorcycle through the turn.

   Source: CT Motorcycle Operator Manual - Basic Vehicle Control: Turning

4. 4. When looking through a turn, you should turn:

   Correct answer: Just your head and eyes

   Look toward your intended path by turning only the head and eyes, keeping the shoulders still.

   Source: CT Motorcycle Operator Manual - Basic Vehicle Control: Turning

5. 5. In a slow, tight turn, a rider should:

   Correct answer: Lean the bike while keeping the body upright

   For slow tight turns you counterbalance by leaning only the motorcycle and holding your upper body upright.

   Source: CT Motorcycle Operator Manual - Basic Vehicle Control: Turning

6. 6. In a normal, higher-speed turn, the rider and motorcycle should:

   Correct answer: Lean together at the same angle

   During regular turns the rider and machine lean together at the same angle.

   Source: CT Motorcycle Operator Manual - Basic Vehicle Control: Turning

7. 7. On a motorcycle with a sidecar, a right turn tends to make the:

   Correct answer: Sidecar wheel lift off the ground

   During a right turn the sidecar wheel tends to rise, particularly when the sidecar carries little or no load.

   Source: CT Motorcycle Operator Manual - Three-Wheel Supplement: Turning

8. 8. A leading cause of single-vehicle motorcycle crashes is:

   Correct answer: Running wide in a curve or turn

   Running wide in curves and turns is identified as a primary cause of single-vehicle crashes.

   Source: CT Motorcycle Operator Manual - Crash Avoidance: Curves

9. 9. In the 'Slow' step of a turn, you reduce speed by:

   Correct answer: Closing the throttle and, if needed, using both brakes

   Cut speed before the turn by rolling off the throttle and, when necessary, applying both brakes.

   Source: CT Motorcycle Operator Manual - Basic Vehicle Control: Turning

10. 10. Why do riders often get into trouble in curves?

    Correct answer: They enter too fast and cannot hold the turn

    Taking a curve too fast can force a rider into another lane or off the road, or cause overbraking and a skid.

    Source: CT Motorcycle Operator Manual - Basic Vehicle Control: Turning

11. 11. During the 'Look' step, a rider should:

    Correct answer: Turn the head and look through the turn to where they want to go

    Look through the turn by turning just your head, keeping your eyes level with the horizon.

    Source: CT Motorcycle Operator Manual - Basic Vehicle Control: Turning

12. 12. A conventional three-wheel motorcycle steers differently because it:

    Correct answer: Cannot lean, so it cannot countersteer

    Because it cannot lean, a three-wheeler is steered by pointing the front wheel where you want to go rather than by countersteering.

    Source: CT Motorcycle Operator Manual - Three-Wheel Supplement: Basic Vehicle Control