To go right steer left, right?

My riding skills suck, but I seem to recall reading an article when I was a kid that in order to turn in one direction, on any two-wheeled vehicle w/two axles, the rider must turn in the opposite direction so that all the weight (Me) can start falling toward the direction of the intended turn. Any 6-year-old kid can do this subconsciously on his Schwinn. Hell, even a bear can do this at the Circus.

For some reason this lesson alway stuck in my mind, so when I got back on a motorcycle after a 20 year hiatus I consciously applied this technique just to see if the laws of physics still work when applied to Hondas. Turns out this technique works whether I'm aware of it or not. When I'm in the middle of a big, smooth sweeping turn I can change the radius by applying pressure on the handlebar in the opposite direction.

I know this is all utterly simple but I found it very cool. It's a feeling I hadn't felt since I was a kid on my Stingray.

Ed


ps- As my riding skills improve I can see myself cruising down Las Vegas Blvd while standing on my tank- arms outstretched... and crashing right into the fountain at the Bellagio...

 

Called push steering. Wanna go left push on the left bar. Think that's cool? find a sweeper and watch bikes go by. The front wheel totally points in the wrong direction; try being a tire design engineer!

 

Sorry, counter-controller here. Don't fall prey to the counter-steering conspiracy!

 

Aha, I suspected it was a conspiracy!

 

hang on! counter steering is the ONLY way to initiate a turn on a two wheeled vehicle. Here is an article that may enlighten you
Superbike School :: No B.S. Machine
WATCH THE VIDEO ON THE LINK.

 

really worried that this shit "counter lean" and advice still permeates the unenlightened. Please read this before you kill someone (i.e., yourself)
A Twist Of The Wrist Volume II

 

Excellent articles, the first one in particular summed it up nicely. Your concern for my safety is appreciated, the crack about counter-steering as a conspiracy was just joke (at least on my part). I'll not kid around in the future.

 

kidding around always welcome (I am the king). Shitty riding advice not welcome.

 

Works fine for these guys.

 

Man, a million wise-ass remarks flew thru my mind... But Betarace's warning is heeded; it's mucky enough, even on this board, among experienced riders, my ass-hat remarks would only muck up the waters more...

 

Tell any non-believers:
Try the old "balance a broomstick on the palm of your hand" trick. To get the broom to drop left, you HAVE to move your hand right. And then to restore balance, you have to move your hand left under the falling broom, even further than it, to get it vertical.
Think of that broomstick as the vertical axis of your bike.

 

I thought we settled all of this on this thread.
http://vfrworld.com/forums/anything-goes/24558-cross-controlling-counter-steering.html

 

Thanks for the link to the previous thread.
It really surprised me that people questioned counter-steering. To me it was just part of riding that I took for granted. Kind of like putting a foot down when you stop and putting them on the footpegs when you go.

Also your statement, "I thought we settled all of this on this thread" seemed to deserve a response.
This is an internet forum. Nothing is ever settled on an internet forum.:biggrin:

 

I just do wheelies wherever I go, so I don't have to participate in any of this push, pull, steer, countersteer, twist, slide, drag knee stuff.

 

Hey, get off the counter and start riding. SHeesh.

 

Just thought the photo looked cool so added it to the most recent " Counter steering " thread. Those guys on Motards are supprisingly quick through tight twisties but their exaggerated and agressive riding style while entertaining to watch while following doesn't suit Sports bikes.

 

Forgive my ignorance, but doesn't that only apply to off-road riding where traction is always limited? Maybe I don't ride hard enough but I've never had a road bike sideways.

 

Was your first bike a Buell?

 

For most of us, that's not a bad thing.:thumb:

 

If you're talking about that Supermoto pic, than yes... That is really not the same as the counter steering that you and I do. It's more of a balancing act for the slipping rear tire.
With (normal) counter-steering, your tires don't lose traction, and you are just getting the wheels to move to one direction to let the bike fall toward the opposite direction. Once lean angle is attained, the counter steering stops and the front tire returns to being inline with the rest of the bike (more or less), although constant adjustments happen constantly while you are riding, whether leaned over or straight up.
The same thing happens in reverse to get the bike up out of a lean.

Make sense?