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. The lean angle needed in a turn increases when:

   Correct answer: The turn is sharper or your speed is higher

   A faster pace or a tighter corner calls for the bike to lean over more.

   Source: Oregon Motorcycle & Moped Manual, Section Four - Turning

2. 2. When traffic is present in a curve, the best path is to:

   Correct answer: Stay in the center of your lane through the curve

   When other traffic shares the road, settle into the middle of your lane ahead of the bend and hold it while looking through the turn.

   Source: Oregon Motorcycle & Moped Manual, Section Six - Cornering and Curves

3. 3. During the 'Look' step of a turn, you should:

   Correct answer: Turn only your head toward where you want to go

   Look through the turn by turning just your head, not your shoulders, keeping your eyes level with the horizon.

   Source: Oregon Motorcycle & Moped Manual, Section Four - Turning

4. 4. To lean the motorcycle into a right turn, which handgrip do you press forward on?

   Correct answer: Press forward on the right handgrip

   To turn, the bike must lean; press forward on the grip in the direction of the turn, so the right grip to go right and the left grip to go left.

   Source: Oregon Motorcycle & Moped Manual, Section Four - Turning (Press)

5. 5. In the turning sequence, when should you reduce your speed?

   Correct answer: Before entering the turn

   Slow means reduce speed before the turn, then hold that speed through the curve.

   Source: Oregon Motorcycle & Moped Manual, Section Four - Turning

6. 6. When starting a motorcycle on an uphill grade, after using the front brake to hold it you should:

   Correct answer: Switch to the foot brake so your right hand can work the throttle

   On a hill, hold with the front brake to start and shift to first, then switch to the foot brake so your right hand can work the throttle, releasing the rear brake as the bike pulls forward.

   Source: Oregon Motorcycle & Moped Manual, Section Four - Starting on an Incline

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

   Correct answer: Lean the motorcycle only and keep the body upright

   In slow tight turns, counterbalance by leaning only the motorcycle while keeping your body upright.

   Source: Oregon Motorcycle & Moped Manual, Section Four - Turning Techniques

8. 8. A special danger when starting a motorcycle on an upgrade is:

   Correct answer: Rolling backward into a vehicle behind you

   Starting on an upgrade is harder than on flat ground, with the constant risk of rolling backward into a vehicle behind you.

   Source: Oregon Motorcycle & Moped Manual, Section Four - Starting on an Incline

9. 9. A frequent mistake riders make when approaching curves is:

   Correct answer: Entering too fast to complete the curve

   A lot of riders in curve crashes had carried too much speed in and could not hold their line, so ease off before the bend.

   Source: Oregon Motorcycle & Moped Manual, Section Six - Cornering and Curves

10. 10. With no traffic present, a smoother line through a curve begins:

    Correct answer: At the outside of the curve to widen your sight line

    With no traffic, start at the outside of the curve to widen your sight line, move toward the inside, then back to the outside at the exit.

    Source: Oregon Motorcycle & Moped Manual, Section Six - Cornering and Curves

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

    Correct answer: Lean together at the same angle

    In normal turns, the rider and machine lean together at the same angle.

    Source: Oregon Motorcycle & Moped Manual, Section Four - Turning Techniques

12. 12. What are the four steps for making a turn on a motorcycle?

    Correct answer: Slow, Look, Roll, Press

    The turning steps are Slow, Look, Roll, and Press.

    Source: Oregon Motorcycle & Moped Manual, Section Four - Turning