Post by Jon "bustanut" on Oct 14, 2009 21:38:52 GMT -5
Video---> www.youtube.com/watch?v=C848R9xWrjc&feature=player_embedded
So you have probably heard the term counterstreering either during driving tests, trackdays, or watching videos. So you ask. What exactly is counterstreering and does it apply to me? What if I only ride on the street or ride a crusier? No matter the answer you use counterstreering in all forms of motorcycling or cycling if you know if or not. As soon as you understand the mechanics behind countersteering it will help you control your motorcycle more accurately. After some practice countersteering will improve your riding skills. It is important to understand what your motorcycle is doing and why in order to ride with more accuracy and prepare you for more advanced riding. This is also a very useful technique for avoiding obstacles in the road.
What is Countersteering
Countersteering is achieved by pushing the handlebars in the opposite direction from the turn. I know it sounds confusing to turn the wheel in the opposite direction of the turn but, this is how turning a motorcycle actually works. When traveling about 10 MPH one way to turn the motorcycle is leaning. So if you lean to the right the motorcycle will want to turn to the right. Now traveling at the same speed if you push forward on the right handlebar, the front wheel will turn to the left causing the motorcycle to lean the opposite direction and turn the motorcycle to the right. “Push Right Go Right, Push Left Go Left” With me so far?
Now as your speed increases above 50 MPH the gyroscopic motion of the front and real wheels tries to keep the motorcycle straight up and down. You will have to push harder on the on the handlebar in order to turn the motorcycle. The reason you have to push harder is because you are fighting against the gyroscopic effect caused by the wheels. The faster you travel on the motorcycle the harder you have to push to turn the motorcycle.
How to Countersteer
Begin practice of this (and any other new motorcycle skill) in an empty parking lot or – even better – during a Motorcycle Safety Course. We stress to use caution and start off with small turns until you start understanding how the technique works.
1.Position the palm of your hand that is on the side of the direction of the turn, on the handlebar.
2.Enter a turn at speed.
3.Gently, increase pressure from your palm on the handlebar pushing forward (as if to turn the bike in the opposite direction of your intended turn).
4.The bike will begin to lean at a greater angle with the increase in pressure.
5.Try the other direction
6.Slowly increase speed
7.Practice Practice Practice until you understand how this works
So you have probably heard the term counterstreering either during driving tests, trackdays, or watching videos. So you ask. What exactly is counterstreering and does it apply to me? What if I only ride on the street or ride a crusier? No matter the answer you use counterstreering in all forms of motorcycling or cycling if you know if or not. As soon as you understand the mechanics behind countersteering it will help you control your motorcycle more accurately. After some practice countersteering will improve your riding skills. It is important to understand what your motorcycle is doing and why in order to ride with more accuracy and prepare you for more advanced riding. This is also a very useful technique for avoiding obstacles in the road.
What is Countersteering
Countersteering is achieved by pushing the handlebars in the opposite direction from the turn. I know it sounds confusing to turn the wheel in the opposite direction of the turn but, this is how turning a motorcycle actually works. When traveling about 10 MPH one way to turn the motorcycle is leaning. So if you lean to the right the motorcycle will want to turn to the right. Now traveling at the same speed if you push forward on the right handlebar, the front wheel will turn to the left causing the motorcycle to lean the opposite direction and turn the motorcycle to the right. “Push Right Go Right, Push Left Go Left” With me so far?
Now as your speed increases above 50 MPH the gyroscopic motion of the front and real wheels tries to keep the motorcycle straight up and down. You will have to push harder on the on the handlebar in order to turn the motorcycle. The reason you have to push harder is because you are fighting against the gyroscopic effect caused by the wheels. The faster you travel on the motorcycle the harder you have to push to turn the motorcycle.
How to Countersteer
Begin practice of this (and any other new motorcycle skill) in an empty parking lot or – even better – during a Motorcycle Safety Course. We stress to use caution and start off with small turns until you start understanding how the technique works.
1.Position the palm of your hand that is on the side of the direction of the turn, on the handlebar.
2.Enter a turn at speed.
3.Gently, increase pressure from your palm on the handlebar pushing forward (as if to turn the bike in the opposite direction of your intended turn).
4.The bike will begin to lean at a greater angle with the increase in pressure.
5.Try the other direction
6.Slowly increase speed
7.Practice Practice Practice until you understand how this works
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