What does 'leaning' involve during cornering?

Leaning into the turn and steering is crucial for maintaining balance and control while cornering on a motorcycle. When a rider leans into the turn, they shift their weight in the direction of the turn, which helps to counterbalance the centrifugal force that tries to push the motorcycle outward. This action allows the motorcycle to maintain a proper line through the curve and prevents it from tipping over.

In a corner, a motorcycle's tires need to maintain grip with the road surface, and leaning into the turn assists in achieving an optimal lean angle. This allows the motorcycle to navigate safely and effectively while cornering, as it distributes the weight appropriately between the tires, enhancing traction and stability.

Other options do not align with good riding techniques. Leaning away from the direction of the turn would cause the motorcycle to become unstable, making it difficult to navigate the corner. Leaning backwards shifts the center of gravity in a way that can affect balance negatively and is not needed in cornering. Leaning forward for more speed may affect control and is not a factor in proper cornering technique.