Question image

Question 8136

If, while riding a motorcycle, you cannot avoid a pothole in the roadway, which of the following behaviors is the most appropriate?

  1. Stand up on the side footrests and increase speed.
  2. Reduce speed and keep the motorcycle upright while passing over the pothole.
  3. Increase speed and disengage the clutch while passing over the pothole.
Show answer and explanation

Correct answer: Reduce speed and keep the motorcycle upright while passing over the pothole.

If you cannot avoid the pothole, slow down before reaching it and ride over it with the motorcycle upright, without leaning it or braking, accelerating, or steering abruptly. Going over it faster does not make it less dangerous. In the image, there is a pothole in the motorcyclist's lane.

Motorcycle Operator Manual with Supplementary Information for Three-Wheel Motorcycles