All last week, our motorcycle accident attorney’s blog focused on a series of posts on the Motorcycle Skill Test Practice Guide from the Motorcycle Safety Foundation.  These past few days we’ve focused on turning the motorcycle.  Today’s practice exercises are on making sharp turns from a stop.

Exercise Seven: Executing Sharp Turns from a Stopped Position on Your Motorcycle

This practice exercise should enable you to make sharp turns from a stopped position on your motorcycle.  This is a useful skill as you will need to make these sharp turns when leaving a parking lot or turning at a red light.

Practice Exercise Directions

Start out with your motorcycle facing straight at the “Begin Turning” markers.  Begin by turning the handlebars in the direction you want to turn.  Lean in that direction while also turning your head through your intended direction.  Use a controlled clutch release and throttle to make a sharp turn.  Finish your turn as closely to the “A” line as possible without touching it (see the diagram to the right).

Motorcycle Safety Foundation’s Tips

  • Keep your head and eyes up, looking through the turn.
  • Turn your handlebars and lean in the direction of the turn.
  • Use a smooth clutch release and throttle as you exit your turn.

Common Problems & Recommended Corrections

  1. If you find yourself turning too short or too long, keep your head and eyes up looking through the turn.
  2. Should your motorcycle stall or begin to fall into the turn, concentrate on maintaining a steady speed/slight acceleration with a smooth clutch release.  Again, remember to look through the turn.

Check out the rest of this blog series:

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