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Motorcycle · Shifting and Braking

Why should a rider avoid braking hard while leaned over in a turn?

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

Because the tires have less grip available for braking when they are also being used for cornering, so hard braking can cause a skid or loss of control

  1. A It is illegal
  2. B It uses too much fuel
  3. C Because the tires have less grip available for braking when they are also being used for cornering, so hard braking can cause a skid or loss of control
  4. D It damages the brakes

Why this is the answer

In a turn, the tires are already using much of their available traction to hold the lean and corner. Braking hard at the same time asks the tires to do two demanding jobs at once, and they can exceed their grip and skid, causing a fall. The safe practice is to do most braking before the turn — slow down, then turn — and to straighten the bike as much as possible before braking firmly. If you must slow in a curve, brake gently and smoothly. The principle is that traction is shared among braking, cornering, and accelerating, so you cannot demand maximum of two at once.
Source: MSF Basic RiderCourse, Braking in Curves

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About this topic: Shifting and Braking

Most heavy commercial vehicles use non-synchronized manual transmissions, which require the double-clutch technique. Lugging or over-revving the engine wastes fuel and damages the powertrain. This is one of 5 Motorcycle questions on shifting and braking, 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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