Acceleration is "all maintained or increasing forward motion". What the dictionary doesn't tell you is it's also buzz spelt with a capital B. Due to their impressive power-to-weight ratios, good acceleration is one of a bike's most important performance features. It's also hugely enjoyable and, despite the myths, a very effective safety tool when used correctly.

Motorcycles are more stable while accelerating. Explore your bike's acceleration capabilities so you'll know just how to use them when necessary. Controlled and progressive acceleration out of corners is great practise. Acceleration from the apex-point can be increased incrementally as the bike becomes upright. Accelerating whilst banked over tends to produce under-steer, making the bike want to stand up and run wide.

Braking is clearly the primary means of avoiding a spill, yet in certain situations acceleration can be used for evasive purposes. It may be better to accelerate away from potential trouble than brake into it, or end up stationary in a hazardous position.

Common problems
Smooth throttle application will keep your rear wheel firmly grounded on slippery surfaces. Many fuel-injected bikes respond rather abruptly as the throttle is opened and need special care.

On gravel, acceleration to lift the front wheel slightly is the best way to steady up any uneasiness caused by its tyre bogging down.

Violent acceleration can make a passenger very uncomfortable and in extreme cases even fall off backwards, so unless you're giving Dracula a lift home, aim to ride smoothly.

Acceleration is greatest just before tyre adhesion is lost, after which wheel-spin will occur. This can be prevented by easing the throttle slightly until adhesion is regained, or by selecting a higher gear.

If violent wheel-spin is replaced by a sudden return of adhesion with the bike in a banked or yawed position, the reaction can be severe enough to flick you off into the air. This is known as 'high-siding' and common under racing conditions. It happens too fast for any remedial action to be realistic. Riders of very powerful bikes be warned!

Alternatively, 'low-siding' is when your bike goes down on its side through total loss of rear-tyre adhesion when accelerating. The rider tends to be dropped onto the ground behind the bike from low height. Provided he or she is not caught under the bike and is wearing abrasion-resistant gear, they have a good chance of surviving reasonably well.

Wheelies and aviating
Unless a bike is extremely powerful, progressively applied power alone won't cause 'wheelies'. They're normally promoted by rapid clutch engagement with the engine well into its power band on an open throttle - then tugging back simultaneously on the handlebars. Fun, but keep the stunt riding off public roads. And never depress the front brake or turn the steering or loss of control on landing is likely. Be prepared to land with a bump and a yelp from your front tyre, and for some wagging.

'Aviating' is where the whole bike leaves the ground as a result of passing over a hump or undulation. It's usually accompanied by a momentary rise in engine revs as the rear wheel leaves the ground. Aviating normally occurs only at high speeds and can lead to a serious crash if you land badly. Best left to the pros.