Riding Technique and Vehicle Control
Slow-speed control and balance
Motorcycle control begins at walking pace. Use clutch friction, rear brake and throttle together to keep the bike stable during slow manoeuvres, and counterbalance by weighting the outside peg in tight turns. Keep your head up and look where you want to go - the bike follows your vision. Traps: questions suggest grabbing the front brake at low speed, which pitches the bike down; the rear brake is the stabilising control at low speed.
Cornering and braking
Set speed before the corner, then maintain or gently roll on the throttle through it. Brake progressively and squeeze the lever rather than snatching it, transferring weight smoothly to the front tyre. On a wet or gravelly surface, use both brakes together and reduce lean angle. Trail braking into a corner is an advanced technique; the exam generally expects braking completed before turn-in. Countersteering - pressing the bar in the direction of the turn - initiates lean at speed and is the fastest way to change direction.
Observation and lifesavers
Before changing lane or position, check mirrors, then perform a head check (lifesaver) into the blind spot. This is a legal and practical requirement, and questions frequently test the correct sequence: mirror, signal, head check, then move.
Riding at night and in poor conditions
Reduce speed, increase following distance, and use the high beam only when it will not dazzle others. Clean visors and clear lenses matter more than riders expect. Fatigue degrades control long before you feel sleepy; plan breaks every two hours.
Worked example
You are turning right from a stopped position at a T-junction on a slight uphill. Rule of thumb: keep the rear brake lightly applied to hold the bike while you release the clutch to friction point, then release the brake as you pull away - this prevents rolling back and keeps the bike stable.