Oversteer

Oversteer happens when the rear tyre runs out of grip before the front, so the back of the vehicle slides wide and the line tightens. The opposite, understeer, is when the front tyre slides and the vehicle runs wide.

On motorcycles the terms are less common than on cars, but rear slides are familiar: too much throttle or engine braking mid-corner, or a locked rear brake. Off-road and in flat track, controlled oversteer with throttle is used deliberately to steer the bike. On ATVs and quads oversteer behaves much like on a car.

On the road, smooth throttle, correct tyre pressures and rider aids such as traction control and slipper clutches help prevent unwanted rear slides.