NT motorcycle test cornering and counter steering practice questions

Question 1

At road speed, what happens if you press forward on the left handlebar?

• The bike leans and turns to the leftCorrect answer
• The bike leans and turns to the right
• The bike stands upright
• Nothing happens until you also lean your body

This is counter steering, and it is how every motorcycle turns above walking pace. Practising a deliberate press makes emergency swerves far quicker and more accurate.

Rule cited: Northern Territory motorcycle rider handbook, topic: steering and cornering

Question 2

Where should your braking and gear changing be done for a corner?

• In the middle of the corner
• Before you turn in, so the bike is settled at the right speed and gearCorrect answer
• On the exit as you accelerate
• It does not matter

A tyre can only do so much at once. Getting the slowing done early leaves the full grip budget available for turning, and lets you roll the throttle on smoothly from the turn in.

Rule cited: Northern Territory motorcycle rider handbook, topic: steering and cornering

Question 3

What is the danger of target fixation for a rider?

• It has no effect on where the bike goes
• You steer towards whatever you stare at, so fixing on a hazard makes you more likely to hit itCorrect answer
• It only affects night riding
• It makes the bike slow down

Train yourself to look at the gap and the line you want, not at the pothole, the gravel or the guide post. Where you look is where you go.

Rule cited: Northern Territory motorcycle rider handbook, topic: observation and cornering

Question 4

How should you take a corner on a well used unsealed road?

• Lean the bike hard and brake through the turn
• Slow down before the corner, keep the bike more upright, use a gentle line and steady throttleCorrect answer
• Accelerate hard through the middle
• Ride in the loose windrow at the edge

Gravel gives far less grip than seal, and loose material piles up on the outside of corners and in the centre ridge. Small, smooth inputs and lower speed keep the tyres working.

Rule cited: Northern Territory motorcycle rider handbook, topic: unsealed roads

Question 5

You are riding a long sweeping highway bend at speed. Why should you avoid sitting right on the centre line?

• It is more comfortable further left
• A wide vehicle, a road train trailer that cuts in, or an overtaking driver can occupy that space with no warningCorrect answer
• The paint improves grip
• It is illegal to ride near the centre line

Trailers track inside the line the prime mover takes, so the back of a long combination can swing into your lane on a bend. Buffer left and give yourself room.

Rule cited: Northern Territory motorcycle rider handbook, topic: sharing the road with heavy vehicles

Question 6

You enter a bend a little too fast and feel you may run wide. What is the correct response?

• Stand the bike up and brake hard
• Keep looking through the corner and press the inside bar more firmly to tighten your lineCorrect answer
• Close the throttle sharply
• Cross to the wrong side of the road

Most bikes have more lean angle in reserve than the rider is using. Standing the bike up sends it straight off the outside of the bend, which is a common single vehicle crash.

Rule cited: Northern Territory motorcycle rider handbook, topic: steering and cornering