What should you do if you lock the front tire when stopping?

When you lock the front tire while stopping, the best course of action is to release and reapply the front brake. This technique allows the wheel to start rolling again, maintaining control of the motorcycle and enabling you to stop safely. A locked front tire can lead to a loss of traction and steering control, which increases the risk of a crash.

Releasing the brake pressure allows the tire to regain traction on the road surface. Once the wheel is rolling again, you can cautiously reapply the front brake while also using the rear brake to assist with stopping. This balanced approach prevents further locking of the front tire and helps maintain stability.

In contrast to this, simply keeping the front brake locked until you are completely stopped can lead to a skid, making it difficult to steer, which could result in losing control of the motorcycle. Releasing the rear brake isn't advisable, as it doesn't address the issue of the front tire being locked. Panic and applying both brakes can exacerbate the problem, increasing the chances of losing control. Thus, the recommended action helps in regaining control and safely bringing the motorcycle to a stop.