Motorcycle riding skills for new riders: counter-steering, braking and cornering

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Passing the test proves you can ride safely on an examiner's route. The skills that keep you safe for years are built afterwards, one ride at a time. These are the techniques most worth practising in your first season, ideally in an empty car park before you rely on them on the road.

Counter-steering

Above walking pace, a motorcycle turns by leaning, and you start the lean by pushing the handlebar on the side you want to go. Push the right bar forward, and the bike leans right and turns right. It feels backwards when you read it, but you already do it without thinking. Practise it deliberately: on a straight, quiet road, give a gentle press on one bar and feel the bike tip that way. The firmer the press, the quicker the lean. Knowing this consciously is what lets you swerve around a pothole or tighten a corner when you need to, instead of freezing.

Braking

Use both brakes. The front brake does most of the stopping, because weight shifts forward as you slow. The rear helps settle the bike and is useful at low speed.
Squeeze, do not grab. Take up the slack at the lever, then build pressure progressively. A sudden grab can lock the front on a bike without ABS.
Brake upright where you can. Braking hard while leaned uses grip you need for turning. Do most of your slowing before the corner.
Practise emergency stops in a safe place, gradually increasing speed. ABS helps a great deal, but you still need to squeeze hard and keep looking ahead.

Cornering

A simple routine helps: slow, look, lean, roll.

Set your speed and gear before the corner, on the straight.
Look through the corner to where you want to go. The bike follows your eyes.
Lean the bike with a smooth push on the bar.
Roll on a little throttle through the bend to keep the bike settled.

Wide entry, late apex is a good default line on public roads: stay towards the outside of the bend until you can see the exit, then turn in. That gives you the longest view and keeps you away from oncoming traffic on right-hand bends (left-hand in countries that drive on the right).

Road positioning

Your position in the lane is a tool. Move to where you can see the most and be seen the most, and away from hazards: parked car doors, junctions, gravel, diesel. Do not ride in drivers' blind spots, and leave enough space in front to stop. A two-second gap is a minimum in dry conditions; double it in the wet.

Riding in the rain

Be smooth with everything: throttle, brakes, steering. Grip is lower, but rarely as low as nervous riders fear.
Watch for slippery surfaces: painted lines, metal covers, tram lines, wet leaves and the rainbow sheen of diesel.
The first rain after a dry spell is often the slipperiest, as oil lifts off the road.
Increase your following distance and brake earlier and more gently.
Keep your visor clear and wear gear that keeps you warm; a cold rider is a slow one.

Low-speed control

Most drops happen at walking pace. Practise slow U-turns and figure-eights using the clutch's friction zone, a touch of rear brake and steady throttle, with your head up looking where you want to go.

Keep learning

Post-test training courses, track days and advanced rider groups are worth more than any upgrade to the bike. Many riders find one session with a good instructor fixes habits they did not know they had. Which skill took you longest to feel comfortable with? Share your experience or ask a question in the comments.