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Motorcycle · Turning and Cornering

How do you initiate a turn at highway speeds?

Reviewed by Jordan Morley, Editorial Lead at 247SimpleTests. Written by the 247SimpleTests Editorial Team from the official source material cited on every question.

Correct answer

Press forward on the handlebar on the side you want to turn — 'press right to go right'. This is countersteering, which initiates the lean that turns the motorcycle

  1. A Just shift your body weight
  2. B Press forward on the handlebar on the side you want to turn — 'press right to go right'. This is countersteering, which initiates the lean that turns the motorcycle
  3. C Apply the brake
  4. D Turn the handlebars in the direction of the turn

Why this is the answer

Countersteering is how motorcycles turn at any speed above walking pace. To turn right at highway speed: press forward on the right handgrip. This briefly turns the front wheel slightly left, which causes the motorcycle to lean right (because the wheel rolls out from under the center of gravity). Once leaned, the motorcycle naturally tracks through the turn. The amount of countersteering pressure determines the lean angle and turn rate. The principle feels counterintuitive but it is how every two-wheeled vehicle steers above walking pace — bicycles, motorcycles, scooters all work the same way. Most riders countersteer instinctively without knowing the name; consciously practicing it dramatically improves cornering skill.
Source: MSF Basic RiderCourse, Countersteering

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About this topic: Turning and Cornering

Turning and cornering questions cover slowing before the turn, looking through it, pressing the handgrip (countersteering) and rolling on the throttle through the curve — the technique behind most single-vehicle crashes. This is one of 8 Motorcycle questions on turning and cornering, each with a full explanation on a single study page.

New to this exam? Our Motorcycle exam guide explains the format, scoring, and how to prepare.

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