What should you do if your motorcycle begins to skid?

When your motorcycle begins to skid, the most effective and safest response is to look in the direction you want to go and ease off the throttle. This approach helps to maintain control of the bike. By looking where you want to navigate, you provide your brain with a clearer focus, which aids in guiding the motorcycle back onto its intended path. Easing off the throttle allows for a reduction in speed that can help regain traction, as applying too much throttle or braking abruptly can worsen the skid and lead to a loss of control.

In contrast, braking hard can cause the wheels to lock up, which might increase the risk of a crash, as it could lead to more instability and further sliding. Turning the handlebars in the opposite direction of the skid does not effectively address the underlying issue, as this action might confuse the motorcycle’s motion rather than correct it. Accelerating to gain more traction is counterproductive, as it can potentially push the bike further into a slide instead of stabilizing it. Therefore, looking and easing off the throttle is the safest course of action in a skidding situation.