In a normal turn, how should you lean your body and the motorcycle?

In a normal turn, how should you lean your body and the motorcycle?

• A. The motorcycle leans but you stay upright
• B. Only your body leans
• C. Motorcycle and your body at the same angle
• D. Do not lean

Answer: (C)

When you enter a turn, you and the motorcycle should lean together at the same angle toward the inside of the curve. This alignment keeps the combined center of gravity over the motorcycle’s contact patches with the road, so the tires can grip and the forces from gravity and momentum stay balanced with the bike’s path. If you lean the bike but stay upright, or lean only your body, the weight distribution becomes mismatched and traction can be lost, making the turn unstable. Not leaning at all makes it hard to follow the curve and increases the chance of running wide or washing out. The lean angle adjusts with speed and how sharp the turn is, so faster or tighter turns require a greater lean.

When you enter a turn, you and the motorcycle should lean together at the same angle toward the inside of the curve. This alignment keeps the combined center of gravity over the motorcycle’s contact patches with the road, so the tires can grip and the forces from gravity and momentum stay balanced with the bike’s path. If you lean the bike but stay upright, or lean only your body, the weight distribution becomes mismatched and traction can be lost, making the turn unstable. Not leaning at all makes it hard to follow the curve and increases the chance of running wide or washing out. The lean angle adjusts with speed and how sharp the turn is, so faster or tighter turns require a greater lean.