TAS rider knowledge test cornering and counter steering practice questions

Question 1

You are riding at 60 km/h and want to turn right. Which handlebar input starts the turn?

• Press forward on the left handlebar
• Press forward on the right handlebarCorrect answer
• Pull back evenly on both handlebars
• Let go of the bars and lean your body

This is counter steering. Above walking pace, a light press forward on the bar on the side you want to go makes the bike lean and turn that way. Most riders already do it without knowing, and doing it on purpose makes swerving much faster.

Rule cited: Tasmanian motorcycle rider handbook, topic: steering and cornering

Question 2

What is the correct order of actions for a corner?

• Turn in first, then brake, then look ahead
• Set your speed and gear before the corner, look through it, steer in, then roll the throttle on smoothlyCorrect answer
• Enter fast, brake in the middle, then accelerate hard
• Coast through with the clutch in

Getting the slowing done before the turn frees the tyres to do one job at a time. A gentle throttle from the turn in point settles the suspension and holds a steady line.

Rule cited: Tasmanian motorcycle rider handbook, topic: steering and cornering

Question 3

You are approaching a blind right hand bend on a country road. Where should you position the motorcycle on the approach?

• Close to the centre line, for the shortest line
• Towards the left of your lane, which opens your view around the bend and keeps you away from oncoming trafficCorrect answer
• In the middle of the lane at all times
• It makes no difference on a bike

Moving to the outside of the bend on the approach lets you see further through it and buys distance from anything crossing the centre line. Move in later, once you can see the exit.

Rule cited: Tasmanian motorcycle rider handbook, topic: road position and cornering

Question 4

Where should you be looking as you ride through a corner?

• At the road surface just in front of the front wheel
• At the guard rail or the hazard you want to avoid
• Through the corner to where you want the bike to goCorrect answer
• At the speedometer

A motorcycle tends to go where the rider looks. Staring at a hazard makes you steer towards it, which is why riders often hit the one thing they were watching.

Rule cited: Tasmanian motorcycle rider handbook, topic: observation and cornering

Question 5

Why is a small steady amount of throttle better than closing the throttle in the middle of a corner?

• It saves fuel
• It keeps the suspension settled and the weight balanced, so the bike holds its lineCorrect answer
• It makes the bike lean further
• It has no effect, throttle only changes speed

Shutting the throttle mid corner shifts weight forward, makes the bike tighten its line and can unsettle the rear tyre. A gentle roll on keeps everything stable.

Rule cited: Tasmanian motorcycle rider handbook, topic: steering and cornering

Question 6

A bend tightens up more than you expected part way through. What should you do?

• Sit up and brake hard while leaned over
• Look further through the bend and press the inside bar a little harder to tighten your lineCorrect answer
• Close the throttle suddenly and hope the bike turns
• Cross the centre line to straighten the corner

Most bikes have far more lean available than the rider is using. Panicking and standing the bike up sends it straight off the outside of the bend, which is a common single vehicle crash.

Rule cited: Tasmanian motorcycle rider handbook, topic: steering and cornering

Question 7

How can you tell before you get there that a corner will be tighter than it first looks?

• You cannot tell until you are in it
• Watch how the edges of the road and any guide posts or tree lines close together as you look aheadCorrect answer
• By the road surface colour
• By the speed of the vehicle in front

The vanishing point, where the two edges of the road appear to meet, moves away from you as a corner opens and comes towards you as it tightens. Advisory speed signs and chevrons give you more warning again.

Rule cited: Tasmanian motorcycle rider handbook, topic: reading the road