What should you do if your motorcycle starts to skid?

When a motorcycle starts to skid, the best response is to relax your grip on the handlebars and avoid making any sudden movements, such as braking abruptly. By doing this, you allow the motorcycle to regain its traction and stability. Skids often occur when the tires lose grip on the surface, and sudden actions can worsen the situation and lead to a loss of control.

Relaxing your grip helps you maintain better control as the motorcycle adjusts to the skidding conditions. It also prevents you from inadvertently turning the handlebars too sharply, which can cause you to fall. Maintaining a smooth, steady input and allowing the motorcycle to respond naturally to the situation enhances safety and increases the chances of recovering from the skid successfully.

Other responses, like braking immediately or accelerating, can lead to further loss of control and potentially increase the severity of the skid. Shifting your weight forward may not address the skidding issue directly and could create imbalances on the motorcycle. Thus, relaxing and avoiding sudden reactions is critical for safely navigating a skid.