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

When you lock the front tire while stopping, releasing and reapplying the front brake is the correct action to take. Locking the front tire can lead to a loss of traction and control, increasing the risk of a crash. By releasing the brake pressure slightly, you allow the tire to regain traction. This also helps to stabilize the motorcycle and maintain steering control.

Once you release the brake, you can reapply it gently to slow down smoothly without locking the wheel again. Proper braking technique involves using both the front and rear brakes, applying them progressively to avoid the risk of skidding.

In scenarios where the front tire is locked, keeping the brakes engaged can lead to a fall due to loss of control. Shifting your weight forward also doesn't address the problem of a locked brake and might make losing control more likely. Accelerating in such a situation would further destabilize the motorcycle, rather than helping to regain control. Thus, the safest and most effective response is to release and then gently reapply the front brake.