BC Motorcycle Test key terms

At speeds above a walking pace, a motorcycle turns by pushing the handlebar on the side you want to go toward, which briefly leans the bike that way. The lean, not the handlebar input, makes the turn happen.

How far a motorcycle tilts from vertical while turning. It must balance cornering force, and it increases with speed and with tighter curves. Too much lean for the available traction causes a slide.

The total grip the tires can supply, shared among braking, accelerating and leaning. Using most of it for one task leaves little for the others, so hard braking while deeply leaned risks a skid.

Squeezing both brakes firmly up to the point just short of locking a wheel, then holding that pressure. It produces the shortest stop on a straight, upright motorcycle with good traction.

Applying the brakes gradually and increasing pressure as weight shifts onto the front tire. Snatching the lever loads an unweighted front wheel and can cause a lockup or a front-wheel skid.

Keeping light brake pressure on while entering a curve and releasing it smoothly as lean increases. It shortens stopping distance into a corner but must taper off so grip is not overloaded.

The shift of load between tires as a motorcycle brakes, accelerates or rides over bumps. Braking loads the front, acceleration loads the rear, and each change alters how much grip each tire has.

The tendency to steer toward whatever you stare at. Riders who lock their eyes on a hazard, a roadside object or a crash often ride straight into it instead of looking through the curve.

Keeping your eyes far enough ahead to see and react to hazards in time. On a curve, look toward the exit, not the front wheel, so the bike follows your gaze through the turn.

The gap you keep behind the vehicle ahead, measured in seconds rather than metres. Two seconds is a minimum in good conditions; add more in rain, darkness or heavy traffic.

A clear route out of trouble that you identify before you need it, such as a gap beside a slowing car. Constantly scanning for one keeps you from being trapped with no option.

The buffer of empty road you keep around the motorcycle on all sides. It gives you time to react and room to swerve, and it shrinks quickly in dense traffic or bad weather.

The habit of sweeping your eyes far ahead, to the sides and into mirrors in a repeating pattern. It helps you spot gravel, potholes, animals or turning cars before they become emergencies.

How easily other road users can see you. Bright clothing, a light-coloured helmet, reflective material and a working headlight all raise your chances of being noticed at intersections.

The quality of standing out against the background so others notice you. On a motorcycle this comes from colour contrast, reflective strips, headlight use and lane position rather than size.

Choosing where within your lane to ride. The left third improves your view and visibility to oncoming traffic, the right third keeps you clear of oncoming vehicles, and the centre collects oil drips.

The area beside and behind a vehicle that its mirrors do not show. Before changing lanes, check your own mirrors and shoulder, and avoid lingering in another driver's blind area.

A brief turn of the head to look directly into the lane beside you before changing lanes or merging. Mirrors leave gaps, and a quick glance catches vehicles they miss.

Loss of grip at the back tire, often from braking too hard or accelerating on a slippery surface. The rear steps out and the bike may fishtail; ease off the brake and keep the bars steady.

Loss of grip at the front tire, usually from grabbing the brake on a slick surface. The front washes out and steering is lost, so release brake pressure smoothly to let the wheel roll again.

A system that rapidly releases and reapplies brake pressure to stop a wheel locking. On a bike with ABS you can brake hard on a slippery surface without the tires skidding.

Braking that is planned and completed before you reach the hazard or the curve entry, rather than being added mid-turn. It keeps the motorcycle settled and preserves grip for steering.

A quick, controlled change of direction to avoid an obstacle. Keep the bike upright, brake first if there is room, then push the bars firmly and straighten once past the hazard.

Riding with other motorcyclists in a staggered arrangement so each rider has a clear view and room to avoid hazards. It is not legal or wise to ride side by side in one lane in most situations.

Riding between lanes of moving traffic, which is prohibited in most Canadian jurisdictions. Riders should stay within a single lane and change lanes only when it is safe and legal.

The legal priority to proceed through an intersection or along a road. Having it does not guarantee safety, so riders should still confirm the other driver has seen them before moving.

Checking left, right and left again before entering an intersection, plus watching for turning vehicles. Most motorcycle crashes with cars happen when a driver fails to see the rider.

A solid white line painted across a lane at an intersection or crosswalk. A motorcycle must stop before it, and a rider who rolls past it may be ticketed or block pedestrians.

A marked or unmarked area where pedestrians cross a road. Drivers and riders must yield to pedestrians in it, and must not stop or park on the markings.

An inverted triangle sign meaning you must slow or stop and give way to traffic on the road you are joining. Proceed only when the way is clear.

An eight-sided red sign requiring a complete stop at the marked line or before entering the intersection. Come to a full halt, check for traffic and pedestrians, then proceed when safe.

A yellow sign showing a recommended maximum speed for a curve, ramp or hazard. The posted number is a suggestion for good conditions, not a limit you must reach, and it may be too fast in rain.

A white rectangular sign with black numbers showing the maximum legal speed on that road. Exceeding it is an offence, and in poor conditions the safe speed may be well below the posted limit.

A dashed line separating lanes travelling in the same direction. You may cross it to change lanes or pass when it is safe, signalling first and checking your mirrors and blind spot.

A continuous white line marking the edge of a lane or travel direction. You should not cross it except in specific situations, and it often marks a shoulder or bike lane.

Two continuous yellow lines separating traffic moving in opposite directions. Passing is prohibited, and crossing them is only allowed for turning into a driveway or making a legal left turn.

A sign warning of tracks ahead, often with a crossbuck shape. Slow down, look and listen, and never stop on the tracks; a motorcycle can stall or slip on the rails.

The loose, unpaved edge of a road. Loose gravel reduces tire grip sharply, so slow down before turning onto it and avoid hard braking or sharp steering while on it.

Riding while tired, which slows reaction time and judgment much like alcohol. Plan rest stops, avoid long rides without breaks, and stop riding when concentration fades.