Tucking the Front

Tucking the front is when a motorcycle's front tire suddenly loses grip during cornering, causing the front wheel to slide out and the bike to fall almost instantly to the inside of the turn.

This type of crash happens most often in motorcycle racing and is considered one of the most dangerous incidents a rider can experience. Unlike a rear tire slide, which riders can sometimes control or recover from, tucking the front happens so quickly that there's almost no time to react. One moment the rider is leaning through a corner, and the next moment they're on the ground.

The term "tucking" comes from how the front wheel literally tucks underneath the motorcycle as it loses traction. Riders often describe feeling the handlebars suddenly turn sharply toward the inside of the corner just before the crash. This movement happens in a split second, which is why front-end washouts are so difficult to prevent once they begin.

Several factors can cause a rider to lose the front end. The most common cause is applying too much front brake while the motorcycle is leaned over in a turn. When a bike is upright, the front tire has maximum grip for braking. But when the bike is tilted at an angle, that same tire has less grip available because it's already being used to hold the bike through the corner. Braking too hard in this situation exceeds what the tire can handle.

Another common cause involves throttle control. If a rider suddenly closes the throttle completely while mid-corner, the bike's weight shifts forward onto the front tire. This extra weight can overload the front tire beyond its grip limit, causing it to slide out. This is why smooth throttle control is so important in motorcycle racing.

Tire conditions play a crucial role in preventing front-end tucks. Cold tires that haven't reached their proper operating temperature don't provide maximum grip. Worn tires with shallow tread depth, incorrect tire pressure, or even riding over a slippery patch on the track can all trigger a loss of front-end traction.

The consequences of tucking the front are often serious. Because the crash happens so suddenly and the rider falls on their side, collarbone fractures are extremely common. Rib injuries, shoulder damage, and wrist fractures also occur frequently in these crashes. The lack of warning time means riders can't prepare their bodies for impact.

Professional racing teams spend considerable time and resources trying to minimize the risk of front-end washouts. They carefully adjust the motorcycle's suspension settings, select appropriate tires for each track and weather condition, and make geometry changes to the bike's steering angle. These adjustments help increase the front tire's contact patch with the road surface, providing more grip and reducing the chance of losing the front.