MSF Cornering and Turning 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: When approaching a curve that is tighter than expected, what is the best corrective action?
- Brake hard in the middle of the curve
- Increase lean angle and look through the exit (Correct answer)
- Straighten up and ride off the road edge
- Downshift to engine brake through the curve
Correct answer: Increase lean angle and look through the exit
If a curve tightens unexpectedly, increase your lean angle and focus your vision on the exit to help the motorcycle follow a tighter arc.
Question 2: What does it mean to 'trust the lean' when cornering on a motorcycle?
- Rely on passenger weight to stabilize the bike
- Accept that greater lean angles generate the cornering force needed (Correct answer)
- Lean the body but keep the bike upright
- Use countersteering only on left turns
Correct answer: Accept that greater lean angles generate the cornering force needed
Leaning the motorcycle creates the centripetal force needed to follow a curved path, so riders must trust that appropriate lean angles are safe within traction limits.
Question 3: When riding through a curve, where should your eyes be focused?
- On the front tire contact patch
- On the road surface immediately ahead
- Through the turn toward the exit (Correct answer)
- On the center line of the lane
Correct answer: Through the turn toward the exit
Looking through the turn toward its exit causes your body and steering inputs to naturally guide the motorcycle along the desired path.
Question 4: Which technique helps a motorcycle turn more quickly when a late-apex correction is needed?
- Apply gradual front brake pressure
- Push harder on the inside handlebar (countersteering) (Correct answer)
- Sit upright to reduce lean angle
- Increase throttle to straighten the path
Correct answer: Push harder on the inside handlebar (countersteering)
Additional countersteering pressure on the inside bar increases lean angle rapidly, tightening the turning radius to achieve a later apex.
Question 5: What is 'target fixation' and why is it dangerous in a curve?
- Staring at a hazard, causing the rider to steer toward it (Correct answer)
- Focusing too far ahead past the curve exit
- Looking at the speedometer mid-corner
- Fixating on the correct apex point
Correct answer: Staring at a hazard, causing the rider to steer toward it
Target fixation happens when a rider stares at a hazard (guardrail, pothole) and unconsciously steers toward it instead of around it.
Question 6: On a two-lane road with a right curve, which lane position offers the best sightline into the turn?
- Right side of the lane (position 3)
- Center of the lane (position 2)
- Left side of the lane (position 1) (Correct answer)
- Straddle the center line
Correct answer: Left side of the lane (position 1)
For a right curve, moving to position 1 (left side of your lane) increases your line of sight around the bend without crossing into oncoming traffic.
Question 7: Why should you avoid applying the brakes while deeply leaned in a corner?
- Braking increases lean angle and improves stability
- Braking while leaned can exceed combined traction limits and cause a slide (Correct answer)
- The rear brake is ineffective when leaned
- ABS systems are disabled during lean
Correct answer: Braking while leaned can exceed combined traction limits and cause a slide
Traction is shared between cornering and braking forces; applying significant brakes while leaned can overwhelm the tire's grip and cause a slide.
