A motorcycle changes direction by leaning, so a quick turn requires getting it to lean fast. Countersteering accomplishes that: press firmly on the handlebar grip on the side you wish to turn to.
Losing air in the rear tire usually makes the back of the motorcycle jerk or weave from side to side, whereas heavy steering points to a problem with the front tire. You will seldom hear or see the air escape, so watch for a sudden change in how the motorcycle handles.
A chain with too much slack can slip off the sprockets or snap, and it can then jam the rear wheel and lock it, throwing the motorcycle into a skid. Adjusting and lubricating the chain regularly prevents this.
A wobble is a sudden side-to-side shaking of the front wheel and handlebars, and the usual culprits are tire pressure that is off and a load that is badly placed or too heavy. Keeping the tires properly inflated and loading the motorcycle carefully prevents most wobbles.
Braking and swerving should be separate actions, done in whichever order the situation demands. Braking in the middle of a swerve can make a tire lose its grip and put the motorcycle into a skid.
Working the throttle grip back and forth can free a cable that is hanging up. If the throttle still will not close, flip the engine cut-off switch while pulling in the clutch, then leave the road once the motorcycle is under control.
Oil keeps the metal surfaces inside the engine from rubbing directly against each other; when it runs too low, heat and friction build until the parts bind and lock. Running out of fuel only makes the engine quit, and tire pressure has no effect on the engine itself.
When the motorcycle is leaned over, part of the tires' grip is already being used to carry it through the curve, so less is left for stopping. Whenever you can, do your braking while the bike is still upright, before the curve begins.
Adding speed feeds a wobble and makes the motorcycle harder to control. Instead, hold the handlebars firmly without fighting them, close the throttle gradually, and avoid braking, which can also make the wobble worse.
A front tire that has lost air drags on the pavement and resists turning, so the handlebars feel heavy. If this happens, hold on firmly, ease off the throttle, keep a straight line and, if you must brake, use the rear brake gently.
A motorcycle that stays upright and moves in a straight line can still be controlled with the rear wheel locked, so on a straightaway with good traction you can keep it locked until you stop. Letting off the rear brake is not needed in that case.
With the front wheel locked, the motorcycle cannot be steered and you can lose your balance quickly. Release the front brake completely so the wheel rolls again, then squeeze the lever back on smoothly.
The front wheel sets the motorcycle's direction, and a rider stays upright through constant small steering corrections, so losing that tire's grip threatens both control and balance. If it happens, hold the grips firmly, ease off the throttle and keep a straight course while slowing gradually.
Every question in this set has its own page with the correct answer and an explanation.
