push steering or counter steering..

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dahviet · #1 Unread post by **dahviet** » Mon Oct 01, 2007 7:56 am

So im taking a bike class and they said my counter steering sucks so i got dismissed from that class which sucked!! i couldnt do it because i dont know how and was scared that the bike might tip over.. i really wanna ride a bike but i gotta know how to counter steer. any1 had the same problem? i read the info on it and it said its really hard to fall when ur trying to counter steer inless u do it on purpose.. feed backs tha nks!

UberC · #2 Unread post by **UberC** » Mon Oct 01, 2007 9:53 am

I took the class this weekend and counter steering didn't feel as unnatural as I was expecting, maybe because I haven't ridden a bicycle in a long time. I'm not sure what tips I can offer. Maybe read about the physics behind it so you understand why it works and that it actually makes sense.

Nalian · #3 Unread post by **Nalian** » Mon Oct 01, 2007 10:18 am

What part of counter-steering is hard for you? What did you find you had the most trouble with? What exercises did they have you do that ultimately got you kicked out?

One way completely unrelated to biking to think about it is this:

If you were ever a kid and played 'superman' and pretended to fly around, you probably imitated superman from the movies flying. When he wanted to turn in the air, say to the right, you saw him move his right arm out and he kind of turned his whole body in that direction. Counter-steering isn't that different really.

If you're more of a visual learner, there's a guy here on the board who does a great video talking about it. You can see it here:

http://www.livevideo.com/video/RideYour ... teeri.aspx

dahviet · #4 Unread post by **dahviet** » Mon Oct 01, 2007 4:37 pm

well it was hard i guess its because they made us stop and then speed and try to counter ster after the stop.. while still in first gear i found counter steering pretty hard... even second gear it was kinda hard i guesS? because it seemed like it was still pretty off balance.. thanks though guys

dahviet · #5 Unread post by **dahviet** » Mon Oct 01, 2007 4:46 pm

that was a great video.. i guess its because they made me do a counter steering like in 2nd gear on a honda rebel i think.. i hope next time i do it. it'll be better.. and pass if not ill get kicked out and gotta pay again which i wont.. soo ill buy a biek and practice on my own..

acritzer · #6 Unread post by **acritzer** » Tue Oct 02, 2007 12:29 am

In my class they made sure and tell us that you have to be going at least 12 mph for it to work....it gets easier through towards 15 mph and up.
They just kept saying, push right go right, push left go left.
Don't think too hard about it.

IcyHound · #7 Unread post by **IcyHound** » Tue Oct 02, 2007 1:03 am

The bike does 'tip' and it is scary. It doesn't fall over but it 'leans'. I had read Proficient Motorcycling and the physics of the gyroscoping wheels. My first wreck was still because I panicked at the lean.

I don't panic anymore but sometimes I find it uncomfortable in tight situations. It can feel very wrong and unnatural as your motorcycle starts to lean or lay or tip sideways and you want to correct it and be 'straight' and upright.

They had us stand in class and pretend we where holding handle bars and then pretend to go left and right. If you had your hands in front of you and pushed with your left hand while keeping hold of your imaginary handle bars you saw the motion.

A lot of it is also trusting the bike. Thats very hard at first.

And riding a motorcycle is not driving a car. You have to learn a completely new set of skills. Its easier for some then for others.

paul1149 · #8 Unread post by **paul1149** » Tue Oct 02, 2007 3:08 am

Most of the problems I've encountered with countersteering involve not trusting the physics of the bike. That translates into stiff arms and holding the bars too tightly. Consequently my outside arm would act as a brace preventing the inside arm from turning the bars. That can be dangerous, and in turn fuels more fear.

Lee Parks, I think it is, advocates using only the inside arm to move the bars for that very reason. I found that helpful for a while, because it reminded me to loosen up the outside arm. But as I continue to ride and become more comfortable and loose, I'm now finding that using both arms, one to push and one to pull, offers wonderful control.

p.

dahviet · #9 Unread post by **dahviet** » Tue Oct 02, 2007 4:56 am

dang in my class they didnt mention anything about speed.. thats why i was soo pissed.. i was going really slow and they want me to counter steer.. well next time i go .. ill trust the bike and go anyways.. i hope i make it.. thanks for the tips guys.. and if they dismiss me again.. i will cuss at them!

dbrann11 · #10 Unread post by **dbrann11** » Tue Oct 02, 2007 5:26 am

yea speed is key. That may be why the dismissed you. I know we had a guy who was going pretty slow and it was hard for any of us to do the exercises right.

Funny thing is, what felt fast in the class, wasn't much faster than i roll down my dirt driveway now. Its hard to "just trust it" but the instructors aren't going to let you go fast enough to do anything super dangerous and most of the exercises are actually easier to do as you speed up towards 20 mph. Hell my wife was dragging pegs on the weaves the 2nd day and she'd never been on a bike. 1st day she was scared to death.