North Carolina: Two-wheel control and cornering

Selected knowledge practice, not a complete licensing course or practical training.

Practice mode

Question 1 of 5

Review all 5 questions with answers

Which seated posture gives a rider useful control of the handlebars?
Correct answer: Sit with arms slightly bent and controls comfortably within reach.
A comfortable position with slightly bent arms allows controlled steering inputs. The handlebars should help you steer rather than serve as the support for your body.
Source: Maryland Motorcycle Operator Manual, DL-001 (10/12), publicly hosted mirror; PDF page 17, printed page 8; Body Position. General riding guidance; current state laws are cited separately. ↗
While moving normally, where should your feet be?
Correct answer: On the footrests, near the controls, with toes not hanging down.
Keep feet supported and ready for the controls. A dragging foot or a toe hanging down may catch the road and interfere with control.
Source: Maryland Motorcycle Operator Manual, DL-001 (10/12), publicly hosted mirror; PDF page 17, printed page 8; Body Position. General riding guidance; current state laws are cited separately. ↗
You are waiting at a traffic light with the motorcycle under control. Why stay in first gear?
Correct answer: So you can move promptly if a safe escape becomes necessary.
First gear keeps the motorcycle ready to move when needed. Continue checking traffic and maintaining space; being in gear does not itself guarantee an escape.
Source: Maryland Motorcycle Operator Manual, DL-001 (10/12), publicly hosted mirror; PDF page 17, printed page 8; Shifting Gears. General riding guidance; current state laws are cited separately. ↗
During a straight-line stop on a motorcycle with separate conventional brakes, how should the front lever be applied?
Correct answer: Squeeze progressively while coordinating the rear brake.
Use both brakes with control. Progressive front pressure allows braking force to build as weight transfers forward, while an abrupt grab can cause loss of traction.
Source: Maryland Motorcycle Operator Manual, DL-001 (10/12), publicly hosted mirror; PDF page 18, printed page 9; Braking. General riding guidance; current state laws are cited separately. ↗
On a conventional two-wheel motorcycle at normal road speed, which initial handgrip pressure starts a left lean?
Correct answer: Press forward on the left handgrip.
A controlled forward press on the left grip initiates a left lean and turn at normal riding speed. This is not a direction to use the same steering technique on a non-leaning trike.
Source: Maryland Motorcycle Operator Manual, DL-001 (10/12), publicly hosted mirror; PDF page 18, printed page 9; Turning — Press. General riding guidance; current state laws are cited separately. ↗

Report a problem with this question

Question reference: nc-moto-expanded-md-moto-015

Opens a draft in your email app. Review and send it there; nothing is sent automatically.

Draft a correction email

Contact details & help

Study tools & test information

North Carolina: Two-wheel control and cornering

5 questions on two-wheel control and cornering. Start a short set, read each explanation and revisit your saved mistakes.

The main short sets and fresh mix use 58 two-wheel questions. Trike and fixed-sidecar questions stay in separately selected topics.

Short sets for this topic

Each numbered set has up to 20 questions. These sets cover this topic once, without repeating questions to fill a short set. Published sets keep their questions as new topics are added.