Swerving on a motorcycle:

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Use this motorcycle practice test question to prepare for the real written exam at the DMV or during your motorcycle safety course

Swerving on a motorcycle:

  1. Should be done while braking. 
  2. Is always dangerous. 
  3. Is a crash avoidance technique. 
  4. Is a major cause of motorcycle crashes. 

Find the answer to this question and an explanation below. 

Answer

This topic may show up on your motorcycle permit test. 

The answer is: C. Is a crash avoidance technique. 

How’d you do? Learn more about this motorcycle topic below. 

Explanation: Swerves and Quick Turns on a Motorcycle

In order to pass your motorcycle permit exams and to become a safe rider, it’s important to know why a particular answer on the motorcycle written test is correct. 

Swerving or turning quickly to avoid something is a crash avoidance technique that riders can use. 

Sometimes, you will not have enough time to stop completely to avoid an object or stopping would put you in harm’s way. 

In these situations, swerving, or making a sudden change of direction, may be your safest option. 

To swerve on a motorcycle, you’ll need to keep your body upright and apply a small amount of pressure to the handgrip in the direction you intend to go. 

The sharper you need to swerve, the more the motorcycle will need to lean. 

Keep your knees against the tank and your feet on the footrests and allow the motorcycle to move underneath you. 

Keep an eye on your escape path, and press in the opposite direction once you’ve cleared the hazard. 

If you also need to brake to avoid the specific hazard, you should separate braking and swerving into two separate actions. 

Braking while swerving can cause you to lose control and crash. 

You can find more information about this topic in the motorcycle rider’s handbook.

Check out more motorcycle permit test questions and answers here.

Find in-depth articles for new riders in our section dedicated to learning how to ride a motorcycle.

Plus, check out an overview of the requirements to get a motorcycle endorsement in each state.