This is the final part of a 10-part series on motorcyclist training based on the Motorcycle Safety Foundation’s Motorcycle Skill Test Practice Guide.  In today’s installment, our motorcycle accident attorneys will talk about stopping on a curved road.

Exercise Nine: Stopping Your Motorcycle on a Curve

The goal of this exercise to gain the necessary skills to stop smoothly on a curved road.

Practice Exercise Directions

Start out by riding on your motorcycle to the outside of line “A” and up-shift to the second gear.  When you reach marker one, turn along the curved path of markers two, three and four.  Once you’ve entered the curve, apply pressure to both brakes and down-shift.  Do not, however, release the clutch.  Try to come to a smooth stop with your front tire next to marker three.  Begin by practicing at 10 mph and when you’re comfortable try it at 15 mph.

Motorcycle Safety Foundation’s Tips

  • Keep your head and eyes up.  Focus on where you want to go.
  • Straighten up the motorcycle and square up the handlebars before you come to a complete stop.
  • Don’t overuse both brakes so you can come to a smooth stop.
  • Keep your feet on the pegs until you’re almost stopped.
  • When you do stop, your left foot should touch the ground first with your motorcycle in first gear.
  • Do not grab the front brake or skid either tire.

Common Problems & Recommended Corrections

  1. If you find yourself overshooting the final marker, gradually apply more pressure to the brakes as the motorcycle straightens.
  2. Should your motorcycle fall over or start to fall over, make sure the handlebars are square with the motorcycle when you stop.  Remember to keep your eyes up and don’t grab the front brake.
  3. If your rear wheel skids, apply less pressure on the rear brake and make sure your motorcycle is straight up as you stop.

BONUS Exercise: Quickly Stopping Your Motorcycle on a Curve

Practicing this exercise should help you stop quickly in the even that something — a car, pedestrian or animal — crosses your path.  This skill could help you prevent a motorcycle crash once you actually have your license.

Practice Exercise Directions

Start out by riding to the outside of line “A” facing marker one in first gear.  When you reach marker one, turn in the curved path indicated by markers two, three and four.  When your front tire reaches marker two, straighten your motorcycle and begin braking.  Try to stop before marker three.  Practice this at 10 mph and 15 mph.

Motorcycle Safety Foundation’s Tips

  • Keep your head and eyes up focused in the direction you want to ride.
  • Straighten your motorcycle and then apply both brakes to stop as quickly as possible.
  • Keep both feet on the pegs until you’re almost at a complete stop.
  • Put your left foot on the ground first after you stop.
  • Don’t grab the front brake or skid either tire.

Common Problems & Recommended Corrections

  1. If you overshoot the final marker, try applying the maximum pressure to the brakes AFTER your motorcycle straightens from the lean angle.
  2. Should your motorcycle feel like its going to fall over, make sure that you’re straightening up the motorcycle first before applying the brakes.  Also, be sure that your handlebars are square with the motorcycle.  Keep your eyes up and don’t grab the front brake.
  3. If your rear wheel skids, apply less pressure on the rear brake and make sure your motorcycle is straight up when you stop.

Check out the rest of this blog series:

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