California DMV Motorcycle Knowledge Test (M1)Hazard Avoidance and Emergency ManeuversHard
You are riding your motorcycle at highway speed and suddenly encounter a large, unexpected pothole that you cannot avoid. What is the best technique to minimize the impact and maintain control?
- ALean back and lift the front wheel off the ground just before hitting the pothole.
- BBrake hard just before impact to reduce speed as much as possible.
- CStand up slightly on the footpegs, absorb the impact with your arms and legs, and maintain throttle.
- DGrip the handlebars very tightly and brace for impact.
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: C. Stand up slightly on the footpegs, absorb the impact with your arms and legs, and maintain throttle.
When hitting an unavoidable pothole, the goal is to absorb the impact and maintain control. Standing slightly on the footpegs allows your body's natural suspension (arms and legs) to absorb the shock, preventing it from being fully transmitted to the bike and you. Maintaining throttle helps keep the suspension loaded and prevents the front wheel from dropping fully into the hole.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. Lifting the front wheel is very difficult to execute perfectly and can destabilize the bike, especially at highway speeds.
- B. Braking hard can compress the front suspension, making the impact worse and potentially causing a loss of control.
- D. Griping tightly transfers the shock directly to your body and can make you lose control of the handlebars.
Unavoidable Pothole Impact
To minimize impact and maintain control when hitting an unavoidable pothole, stand slightly on the footpegs, absorb with arms/legs, and maintain throttle.
- Body acts as shock absorber.
- Maintains suspension loading.
- Avoids braking just before impact.
Memory trick: Pothole's a Pain? Stand, Absorb, and Sustain!