Countersteering at low speed

[yuyu553]

I agree, they say at low speeds it doesn't work, but really what they mean is that the countersteer is so slight you don't notice, after the lean you would ride it like a normal car steering. HOWEVER, when your going faster you have to implement the countersteering method in order to turn. do you agree?

[spork33]

@yuyu553

That's right. On a two wheeler everyone always initiates a turn through countersteering except in the most rare of cases (which only highly trained athletes are capable of). But it's so intuitive and subtle at low speeds that many (even experienced) riders swear they don't do it. But they do.

[UTJhn]

@spork33

I think a problem is that 2 separate effects are being lumped into this term. The first is only a matter of balance and is the only one I have seen explained or well described. This is what your video is about and applies at all speeds (although you can initiate a turn by leaning in the OPPOSITE direction). The other effect is gyroscopic and is only noticeable at high enough speeds. I base this on videos as I haven't used motorbikes. But I think I can explain if someone is interested.

[SuperFamousSeamus]

The MSF riding course that I took teaches counter steering from a dead stop at an intersection, turning in either direction. The point of counter steering is that gravity makes the bike lean when the center of gravity is moved in the direction that you want to go.

[ioscope]

Counter steering is for lazy people, just shift your weight, it is a bicycle, not a motogp bike. The only time I countersteer is intentionally when dirt jumping/downhilling/mountain biking. It is totally unnecessary on the street unless you need to avoid an obstacle or stay on a curb or something.

[spork33]

You may not consciously countersteer at low speed, but I guarantee you do it. If you didn't you'd fall.  It's as simple as that.

[ioscope]

FALSE. You certainly can turn without countersteering.

[spork33]

FALSE. It may feel like you're turning without countersteering, but unless you're a circus performer using a long balancing beam, I assure you that you'll simply fall over if you attempt to make a right turn on a bike whose steering has a lock that prevents any left turn. Do you think you can ride a bike in a straight line if the steering is welded straight ahead? Why not?

[spork33]

If you think you can simply steer right to turn right you should try the experiment JB demonstrates in this video. Have someone walk along beside you, give you a light steering input to the right, and just lean into that right turn and complete the turn. You CAN'T do it.

[mentospounds]

There is no point in counter steering at low speeds. And yoare not explaining it either.

[spork33]

>> There is no point in counter steering at low speeds.

There is if you don't want to fall.