Triumphrat

johnsime · 10-10-2006, 01:44 PM

Someone told me about this and I wondered if anyone out there can comment. If I understand it correctly- it's steering slightly the opposite lock in a bend and leaning the rifght way - or have I got it wrong?
Anyway - it's supppose to make faster cornering easier

RoundSlide · 10-10-2006, 01:51 PM

You mean counter-steering right? Push right, go right, Push left, go left. For me on the Speedmaster, anything over about 10 mph is counter-steering and lean, under 10 mph, like riding a bicycle.

ohiorider · 10-10-2006, 02:17 PM

Hi, John - here's a good short article on countersteering. There's a bunch more out there.

Dave Hough countersteering article

Dave Hough has published several books on motorcycling and motorcycle handling.

There are folks who consciously use it to steer, there are those who use it and don't know it, because they're actually pushing on the bar as they lean their weight into the turn. But everyone who rides uses it, to a lesser or greater degree, whether they know it or not.

Last year I was following a pair of large V Twins on a relatively slow, steep down hill section of road in a nearby National Park. I watched as one of the riders struggled to get the bike around the left turn, which he did. Unfortunately, the left was followed by an immediate right turn, and all the weight-shifting in the world wasn't going to keep the bike in his lane. He ran wide, and sideswiped an oncoming car, and was injured badly. Understanding and using countersteering as a normal part of riding would have prevented this particular accident.

A couple of years ago, two competing riding schools were arguing over the merits of countersteering. One was a proponent of prmarily using weight-shift steering, the other countersteering. The countersteering proponent actually had a second non moveable handlebar welded to the frame of the bike, and asked a professional rider to remove his hands from the steerable bars, and while holding the stationary bars, make the bike lean into a turn using weight shift steering. The bike didn't turn very much.

Most likely, a combination of countersteering and weight shifting would be ideal.

Bob

[ This message was edited by: ohiorider on 2006-10-11 13:58 ]

Thunder_Forever · 10-10-2006, 04:00 PM

Buy the book "Twist of the Wrist". Tells you everything. I myself am more hands-on.....said the cop.

Rip · 10-10-2006, 04:42 PM

John,
I don't think there is enough power in a Bonnie to appreciate the effect of counter steering, but try, and have fun.

ohiorider · 10-10-2006, 05:11 PM

Quote:

On 2006-10-10 14:42, Rip wrote:
John,
I don't think there is enough power in a Bonnie to appreciate the effect of counter steering, but try, and have fun.

Hi, Rip - we're not talking about a technique for steering the bike with the back tire broken loose under power. We're talking about a technique to start the lean process into a turn, and to make in-turn corrections, whether it's a 60hp Bonnie or a Hayabusa.

Check out this link for a quick read on countersteering.

L I N K

Bob

bobmig · 10-10-2006, 05:34 PM

Yup... countersteering. I assume they teach it in MSF or Safety Council courses?? At least they did in mine. Find a nice quiet piece of road or a large empty parking lot and gently try it. You don't need much speed for it to work. Seems wierd but eventually it will become almost second nature.

Bob

MadMack · 10-10-2006, 06:49 PM

Yes, when you use countersteering, *you* are not leaning, but due to the force you apply, the bike itself actually leans and your body follows.

It sounds like an odd concept, but on my old Honda Interceptor, it worked like a dream. It feels weird at first, but after a little work, it feels natural. One caveat, don't use it at low speeds, you will end

I also remember that Twist of the Wrist Handbook. I bet that was written in the early 80s. Now, that is a blast from the past.

MadMack

Multibob · 10-10-2006, 07:25 PM

Counter-steering is a natural act of riding most new riders don't realize this and only when pointed out is it apparent. otherwise you would find a newbie in every ditch

MES · 10-10-2006, 08:03 PM

Quote:

otherwise you would find a newbie in every ditch

:roflmoa2:
counter-steering, use it well, use it often. whether you realize it or not.