another counter-steering question

[bok]

take the a look at the three countersteering pics posted in the "post your pics" link in my signature.

to go right you look right, push right and then straighten the bars. the tire will quickly point left but will "fall into" the turn. The amount of initial pressure on the bar will determin how fast it gets into that turn, the amount of consistant pressure will determine how long it stays there.

when doing low speed countersteering many people think they have to try and keep that pushing arm straight out from their original body position, but it's more like pushing yourself back onto the side of your seat.

countersteering becomes so natural to people who do it well, that it is very difficult to describe to someone else, kind of like "how do you stand without falling over?" "i don't know i just do it"

[DieMonkeys]

It is possible to practice the idea of countersteering with a bicycle. Just the other day I was riding my mom's bike (replaced her tires, making sure they seated right) and I pushed on the right handle, front of wheel goes to the left and the bike leaned right and turned right. Pushed the left handle, front of wheel went right, bike leaned left and turned left. Anything on two wheels over 10mph and you'll have to countersteer.

[MikeyDude]

Anything on two wheels over 10mph and you'll have to countersteer.

Provided it has rake and trail. Thats what causes countersteering to happen.

[m1a1dvr]

Well I was out today and I was trying to get the counter steering thing down on some sharp corners. The road was empty so I had plenty of room for error. I found out that the faster that I go the less snap there is to the lean. If that makes sense. I just thought of another question. while leaning in the turns I was shifting my weight by hanigng a cheek off of the seat. I thought that I was feeling a little more stability and manuverability in the turn. Was I doing anything constructive or was it just me?

[cgalavis]

You are definitely in the right track. Weight management and counter steering are very important skills to accomplish good cornering, but they are not the only ones, there is also throttle management, brake trailing, proper entry, and more. You can learn most of the theory from books like “Smooth Riding” (by Reg Pridmore) or “Sport Riding Techniques” (by Nick Ienatsch).

The first book is great for learning basic riding skills and includes many drills that can help you practice a particular skill.

The second book is geared towards safety and includes information about riding in different weather conditions and in groups.

Both of these books cover a lot of the same basic skills and the information may prove a bit repetitive at times, but I believe this is a good thing. Mastering basic riding skills has many benefits; you will be able to ride faster, with more confidence. You will enjoy those twisty roads like never before and you will be safer. The key is to read and practice. Practice a lot and concentrate on individual skills until they become second nature, then move to the next.

If you have the money, take a sportbike class, they offer training with a professional instructor who covers the basics with you and provides feedback. It will also give you the chance to ride your bike in a track allowing you to experiment further than you could in public roads.

Hope this helps.

[Geoffrey7b]

m1a1dvr:

Here's a page explaining countersteering: http://www.vsa.cape.com/~wayg/mrep/csteer.htm

Hope this helps.