During a rear-wheel skid, what is the immediate action you should take?

During a rear-wheel skid, what is the immediate action you should take?

• A. Release the rear brake immediately and reapply pressure.
• B. Continue braking hard with rear brake.
• C. Switch to neutral.
• D. Apply front brake.

Answer: (A)

When the rear wheel starts to skid, the priority is to restore traction by stopping the wheel from sliding. Releasing the rear brake immediately lets the wheel roll again, so it can grip the road and you regain control of the bike’s direction. Once you feel the rear tire regain traction, reapply the rear brake smoothly to slow down without locking it again. Keeping pressure on the rear brake during a skid just prolongs the slide and makes steering unpredictable. Switching to neutral removes engine braking and control, which doesn’t help you stop the skid or steer through it. Applying the front brake while the rear is skidding can cause the front wheel to lock or the bike to pitch, increasing the chance of a fall. The quickest, safest fix is to release the rear brake to regain traction and then reapply braking gradually and with control.

When the rear wheel starts to skid, the priority is to restore traction by stopping the wheel from sliding. Releasing the rear brake immediately lets the wheel roll again, so it can grip the road and you regain control of the bike’s direction. Once you feel the rear tire regain traction, reapply the rear brake smoothly to slow down without locking it again. Keeping pressure on the rear brake during a skid just prolongs the slide and makes steering unpredictable.

Switching to neutral removes engine braking and control, which doesn’t help you stop the skid or steer through it. Applying the front brake while the rear is skidding can cause the front wheel to lock or the bike to pitch, increasing the chance of a fall. The quickest, safest fix is to release the rear brake to regain traction and then reapply braking gradually and with control.