I still can't comprehend counter-steering

[Jamers!]

How slow is slow though?

I always read that it works at 20 miles per hour. Wikipedia says 5 (though I find that hard to comprehend as a bicycle does not counter-steer).

for me slow is 50 plus. If your going under 50, at least me. I dont lean all that much under 50, and if im not leaning much and not going that fast it doesnt work all that well Probably different for everyone and every bike though


JWF

[skoebl]

On my GS I can countersteer as slow as 10mph. It's probably just my amateur-ness coming through, but it seems to take very exaggerated movements to get it to lean like I want it.
But still, I can do it at about 10mph before I really start to lose stability.

[Shiv]

So counter-steering is a conscious decision?

Like, going 70 or so you choose whether you want to turn your handle bars like you would at a slow speed or turn them and (do something else) to get it to counter-steer?


That doesn't seem right.

[Jamers!]

On my GS I can countersteer as slow as 10mph. It's probably just my amateur-ness coming through, but it seems to take very exaggerated movements to get it to lean like I want it.
But still, I can do it at about 10mph before I really start to lose stability.

man, i need to work on my slow speed abilitys

JWF

[Sev]

Oh wow, I'm getting close to scraping pegs on left hand turns at lights using counterstearing. That's under 20km/h

The way I see it is a couple of things working at once. We've argued about this on the forums before, so I'm not saying it's 100% correct, but it makes sense to me.

1) The bike gets tipped towards the hand that is pushing out, this moves the center of gravity towards the inside of the circle that would be prosribed by the turn. With the center of gravity inside you're accelerating towards the middle of the circle (falling). Forward momentum keeps you up. So you're accelerating in the direction you're leaning, and the direction you're moving. Thus turning.

2) The other theory is that you move your bike onto a different part of the tire that is shorter and round, it's like rolling a pint glass which naturally proscibes a circle. Though someone will argue against this.


The tire will remain pointed in the direction you point it, but you're tipping towards the hand that is turning.

You need to try it to truely understand. Until then it doesn't make any sense, but knowing that it works and how it works means you'll do a better job of turning when you actually have to do it. Until then don't worry about how it works, just believe that it does.

[Sev]

So counter-steering is a conscious decision?

Like, going 70 or so you choose whether you want to turn your handle bars like you would at a slow speed or turn them and (do something else) to get it to counter-steer?


That doesn't seem right.

If you're doing 70 and turn the handlebars to the right conciously or unconciously you'll go left.

[VermilionX]

Shiv,

watch this, you can clearly see they counter steer to attack corners and it works.

http://media.putfile.com/MotoGP-Animals

that's my personal inspirational vid, i watch it everyday.

[Jamers!]

Shiv,

watch this, you can clearly see they counter steer to attack corners and it works.

http://media.putfile.com/MotoGP-Animals

that's my personal inspirational vid, i watch it everyday.

and you can clearly see that they are much better at riding than most of us will ever be


JWF

[MikeyDude]

Could it be possible that one is actually countersteering without even realizing it? I've read that it's actually a natural movement when "leaning" into a turn... just really hard to explain.

[Jamers!]

Could it be possible that one is actually countersteering without even realizing it? I've read that it's actually a natural movement when "leaning" into a turn... just really hard to explain.

it can be. its possible your breathing without realizing it. Its possible to check your mirrors without realizing it. So it probably is.


JWF