i need some advice on how to countersteer
- Thread starter geckospec
- Start date
slydrite
On a brake
geckospec said:
unless you've only ridden in a straight line your entire riding career, you've definitely counter-steered......
try not to get too hung up on the term.......just remember that as long as you're looking where you want to go, your hands and feet will do the right thing to get you there
To feel the effect of countersteering, get on a straight section of road. At 30 mph or so, and without consciously doing anything else, lean to the left and then back to the right several times in succession This is how most novice riders steer. Try to get a feel for how long it takes for the bike to make these linked turns.
Next, at the same speed and without doing anything else, give a push on the left handlebar and then the right bar several times in succession. You should feel the bike react much faster. This is countersteering, and the harder you push the faster it will turn (up to a point). Take it easy, and compare it to just leaning alone. If you are doing it correctly you will notice you can turn much quicker.
Now experiment at higher speeds and compare the two methods. You are now on your way to a more efficient method of turning a motorcycle. Continue to practice countersteering until it becomes ingrained and you don't have to think about it anymore.
Congratulations, you are now a safer rider because you can swerve away from danger quicker than you could before.
Next, at the same speed and without doing anything else, give a push on the left handlebar and then the right bar several times in succession. You should feel the bike react much faster. This is countersteering, and the harder you push the faster it will turn (up to a point). Take it easy, and compare it to just leaning alone. If you are doing it correctly you will notice you can turn much quicker.
Now experiment at higher speeds and compare the two methods. You are now on your way to a more efficient method of turning a motorcycle. Continue to practice countersteering until it becomes ingrained and you don't have to think about it anymore.
Congratulations, you are now a safer rider because you can swerve away from danger quicker than you could before.
afm199
Well-known member
pushing on the bars will turn the bike. Knowing how to set up for a corner and move your body will make you a faster and better rider. They go together, part of a package, steering a motorcycle is not a matter of hanging off OR pushing on the bars, it is a matter of series of INTERLOCKING movements that result in fast smooth and safe bike handling.
So we know via the original post, that the rider has just started riding. Let's keep it simple for now. In other words, keep them thinking about using the handlebars and leave out the other methods that some use to control a motorcycle. Once a novice understands AND becomes proficient in using the handlebars, then maybe that rider might ready to move on to additional techniques.
Not every motorcycle rider want's to become faster. Some just want to ride. Let's ensure that the basics are covered before moving on to the other techniques.
Not every motorcycle rider want's to become faster. Some just want to ride. Let's ensure that the basics are covered before moving on to the other techniques.
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squid vicious
nomnomnomnom
The best way I'v ever been able to illustrate the point is to get up to about 60 on the freeway in the middle lane. Try and *gently!* steer the bars toward the left lane. Where did you end up? (hint: not the left lane) That's counter steering.
fasteddie_rr
Well-known member
VTRweasel said:
Best advise of the day mojo.
darkie
Dylan Code
When I coach riders on steering I bring up two points that some riders did not know about countersteering:
1: countersteering initiates the turn; following the initial countersteer the bike will "pro-steer" itself into the turn.
2: and going with #1 above, once you have countersteered and the bike starts leaning, you can relax your pressure on the bars. Pressure the bars again if you want/need to make another steering input but there is no reason to continue to grip the bars after you have steered the bike.
1: countersteering initiates the turn; following the initial countersteer the bike will "pro-steer" itself into the turn.
2: and going with #1 above, once you have countersteered and the bike starts leaning, you can relax your pressure on the bars. Pressure the bars again if you want/need to make another steering input but there is no reason to continue to grip the bars after you have steered the bike.
darkie said:
Interesting. I have ridden many, many motorcycles that will not maintain their line if you relax pressure on the bars. Some continue to fall into the turn, and some will stand up and run wide. Even while rolling on the throttle.
When stock, my R1 would run wide when relaxing pressure on the bars. It took a little clever massaging with some GMD #'s to get it to be 'neutral steering'.
edited for spelling
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Wrong Way
Well-known member
I typically do not push, pull, or apply pressure to my bars. The less input I put into the bars, the more I can listen to what they are telling me. Before I induce counter steering, I must be totally confident I understand how much available traction my front tire has. When I do initiate counter steering I do it this way....
darkie said: