Riding technique and vehicle control
Riding technique and vehicle control tests whether you can actually place and stop a motorcycle: vision, cornering line, braking, low-speed control and hill work. Items are phrased as situations - a tightening bend, a wet junction, a hairpin two-up - and reward the technique that keeps the bike stable and within your sight line.
Vision first
Look where you want to go; the bike follows the eyes. Fixating on the kerb, the oncoming car or the wall pulls you towards it. In a bend, turn your head to the exit and keep the horizon in view.
Cornering
Brake and choose your speed before the bend: slow in, fast out. On blind bends stay on your own side of the centre line and use a late apex so you can see through. Keep a light, constant throttle through the bend - shutting off or grabbing the brake while leaned stands the bike up and runs you wide. Countersteering is the tool: push the left bar to lean left, the right bar to lean right, and the bike changes direction immediately.
Braking
Use both brakes, front doing most of the work, applied progressively as weight transfers forward. Emergency stop: bike upright, bars straight, firm progressive front pressure, easing the rear. With ABS keep the pressure on and let the system work. On gravel or in heavy rain, more rear and less front.
Low speed and hills
Clutch in the friction zone, steady throttle, rear brake for control, head and eyes up. Downhill hairpins in a low gear with engine braking; uphill hairpins entered wide on your side, second gear, rear brake to tighten the line.
Worked example
A tight uphill hairpin, two-up. Reasoning: approach wide on your own side for maximum view, brake to your speed before the turn, select second, feather the clutch into the friction zone, drag the rear brake to control the radius, look at the exit and let the bike run out.
Traps
Braking hard mid-corner; coasting with the clutch pulled in, losing both engine braking and drive; entering too fast and staring at the outside wall; grabbing the front brake on a wet painted line.