IanJSeattle Thank you for your wonderful explination of Counter Steering. I have searched YouTube for the answer to this question like I guess lots of motorcylists have before me.
You have explained this topic so well. Again, thank you for taking the time to post this video and help us back to biking riders to have a safe motorcycling experience.
my friend tells me I should counter-balance at low speeds, but I like this method better because your actually make a wider safer turn radius and it's so slight you do not even notice your doing it. at this slow of a speed it's mainly to "initiate" a turn and then turn as you would a car.... when your going faster like 20mph or greater then you KEEP counter-steering into the turn until you want to straighten out. what do you think?
well done. You are the only one ( of many vids) tht mentions to steer back after the initial push. The others don't tel you to steer into the turn, it was driving me crazy!
Thanks Ian...much appreciated. It's amazing how many of the riders I know have no clue what "countersteering" is...none of them took formal lessons...lucky b*st*rds!!!
You could just lean in the direction of the turn without touching the handlebars (I've tried, it works), but it's insanely slow compared to countersteering. Thing is, when you lean your body into a turn, you naturally tend to push on the inner bar end, thus causing countersteering. Countersteering is the best way to steer, not the only one.
@MrBskt10 you have to counter steer to be an efficient rider. your body lean does not make up the weight of the bike and never will unless you extremely fat. think of it this way bike weighs 500lb you 150 your lean will not change direction of the bike.
Great explaination! Other people make it sound like you countersteer the entire time you're turning, it was confusing the hell out of me! I constantly rode my bicycle as a kid, i guess it was just so instinctive and subliminal to flick to the oppiosite side before starting the turn i never noticed it. great job!
Well done IanJSeattle. This is one of the most clear and concise explanations of the balance of forces involved in countersteering a cycle. Very good vid.
I am not sure about your hair.... kidding.
Those that don't think riding motorcycles, especially in traffic, is inherently dangerous probably could not define the word danger.
Maybe I'm actually counter steering my bicycle into and out of a turn, but it's just so subliminal and instinctive that I don't notice it. I can't tell. I do plan to buy a motor cycle, so I'm just curious.
Yes, most likely you are countersteering without being aware of it. That's what happens when you first learn to ride a bike -- it's flipping that switch in your brain that tells you to steer the "wrong" direction. It's not "learning to balance:" your body *knows* how to balance (which is why you can walk on 2 feet). It's "learning to countersteer."
Compared to a motorcycle a bike is so light that you can uses your own body weight to lean into the turn. 20lb bike + 160lb rider means that you can shift more then half the weight to make it lean.
A motorcycle weighs a lot more. My motorcycle is 400lb and I'm 160lb. If I want the bike to lean I have to counter steer to make it go. A honda goldwing loaded down can go over 1000lb. No chance in hell it's going to lean without a counter steer.
How come you can't just lean your body in the direction you want to turn so that the bike leans too, like on a bicycle? Is it because a motor cycle is too heavy for your body weight to compensate for the turn?
You can do this, but it's very very slow. I've tried on my Ninja 250, and was able to turn the bike, but I'd measure the response time in seconds. Countersteering, on the other hand, happens immediately. If you want to steer a motorcycle (or even a bicycle at higher speeds) countersteering is how to do it.
what about hidden bumps and dips in the roads that may catch you off guard? manhole or drain covers? what about icy or wet roads? what about OTHER DRIVERS? what about travelling at high speeds with nothing between you and the road?
i love riding bikes, don't get me wrong, but you need to live in reality mate. it's a cocky attitude that tends to get people killed on bikes. don't assume you're always in control.
I am all to aware of the hazards on the road, but i disagree with the warning that motorcycling is dangerous, if that were the case then it would be banned, same as travelling at 500mph in a metal tube at 30,000ft with the fuel in the wings, with only a few mm between you and the sky. Whether your crossing the road or in a car whatever we're all doing dangerous activities, if your statement holds true. But we don't we minimise our risks. Don't assume i'm cocky i'm far from it, i'm a father.
"Don't assume i'm cocky i'm far from it, i'm a father."
lol... love it. All fathers are completely sensible at all times, huh?
anyway... your argument is a bit flawed. just because something's dangerous doesn't mean it'll get banned. for starters, as you and I have both agreed, most forms of transport are dangerous! however, most are necessary.
motorcycling is far more dangerous than most conventional forms of transport. but AS a form of transport it's legitimate. and fun! but dangerous. lol
Yes it is. Don't fool yourself. Lots of dangerous things are legal. You just have to decide what level of danger you are comfortable with. If you're well trained, wear proper gear, and ride defensively then the danger is minimal and tolerable for many... but it can still kill you.
I teach people how to ride motorcycles. Nice video. To help the people that are still confused is that when a higher speeds you use counter steering to turn at speeds over 8 MPH. This initiates motorcycle LEAN. That is push forward on the left hand grip the wheel will deflect to the right and the motorcycle leans left. Notice I said the wheel deflects and not turns. In your video you were almost demonstrating a swerve which is 2 consecutive counter steers. 1 to avoid the hazard,1 to get on track
Thanks for that explanation.Watching motor cycle racing I thought it was an illusion the wheelturning out or "twitch" as youcall it.I now know I was seeing countersteering.Great instruction for a newb.
It does come more or less naturally to everyone. If you can also understand it intellectually (which is what this video attempts to help with), it enables you to steer very precisely and very quickly, which can save your life.
lol Helmet hair...anyway, good vid, very informative. Can't wait to practice it...saving up for a bike right now, first one!! Course, I've gotta learn how to start it first...
Excellent lesson. I started watching this video without the faintest idea of what countersteering was. By the time the video finished I knew exactly what it was. Thanks!
Once the bike is leaned over, it's not "normal steering, you aim where you want to go." As you note later on in the video to turn the bike more you have to lean more. To lean more you have to counter-steer again. To turn less, you have to lean less which, as you noted, means steering in the direction of the turn which is a counter-steering motion.
Sorry, I guess I could have been clearer -- I just meant that once the bike is leaned, you aim the wheel into your path of travel. Agreed, to change that path, you have to countersteer again, but I wanted to avoid the incorrect impression some people have that in order to trace a given path, the front wheel does something other than aim along that path.
likewise fantastic video, i found the concept terriby hard to understand as it was somewhat agaist phsyics to me, turn left to go right? yeh thats what caused me to stack my bicycle hard going through a trail last year!
IanJSeattle Thank you for your wonderful explination of Counter Steering. I have searched YouTube for the answer to this question like I guess lots of motorcylists have before me.
You have explained this topic so well. Again, thank you for taking the time to post this video and help us back to biking riders to have a safe motorcycling experience.
Great work!
Kind regards, Harley Davidson Fat Boy
CruisingHarleyFatBoy 6 months ago
my friend tells me I should counter-balance at low speeds, but I like this method better because your actually make a wider safer turn radius and it's so slight you do not even notice your doing it. at this slow of a speed it's mainly to "initiate" a turn and then turn as you would a car.... when your going faster like 20mph or greater then you KEEP counter-steering into the turn until you want to straighten out. what do you think?
yuyu553 1 year ago
well done. You are the only one ( of many vids) tht mentions to steer back after the initial push. The others don't tel you to steer into the turn, it was driving me crazy!
wineoscaris 1 year ago 7
when you ride, you dont even notice u lean lol, first day of riding i remember i just did it automaticly lol
121davo121 1 year ago
Great explanation ( that's not Charles Dickens, but Edmund Wells, wink,wink,nudge,nudge) of countersteer. Thanks, and God save the Flying Circus!
elebeu 1 year ago
i like your stick figure explanation. heh. no seriously this was good though thanks.
yuyu553 1 year ago
Thanks Ian...much appreciated. It's amazing how many of the riders I know have no clue what "countersteering" is...none of them took formal lessons...lucky b*st*rds!!!
Your videos are very informative. Cheers.
polesteppa 1 year ago
Great explaination.
I found it very scary the first time round cause it feels like your falling off
now do the leaning part from your butt.
as if you are dancing, bumping your hips.
and you can put the footrest on the ground
666jeroentje666 2 years ago
It is a wig.
mansonp 2 years ago
wait. wow. this is confusing me. couldn't you just lean in the direction of the turn? or do I turn and not realize it? or both? lol
MrBskt10 2 years ago
You could just lean in the direction of the turn without touching the handlebars (I've tried, it works), but it's insanely slow compared to countersteering. Thing is, when you lean your body into a turn, you naturally tend to push on the inner bar end, thus causing countersteering. Countersteering is the best way to steer, not the only one.
IanJSeattle 2 years ago
lol okay. yeah I just went out for a ride and noticed that I do turn the wheel
MrBskt10 2 years ago
@MrBskt10 you have to counter steer to be an efficient rider. your body lean does not make up the weight of the bike and never will unless you extremely fat. think of it this way bike weighs 500lb you 150 your lean will not change direction of the bike.
gaivoron 9 months ago
Your videos are so helpful. I'm sure you'll be saving me from some clumsy mistakes. Please, keep them coming!
petreestow 2 years ago
Great explaination! Other people make it sound like you countersteer the entire time you're turning, it was confusing the hell out of me! I constantly rode my bicycle as a kid, i guess it was just so instinctive and subliminal to flick to the oppiosite side before starting the turn i never noticed it. great job!
DJChesterton 2 years ago
Well done IanJSeattle. This is one of the most clear and concise explanations of the balance of forces involved in countersteering a cycle. Very good vid.
I am not sure about your hair.... kidding.
Those that don't think riding motorcycles, especially in traffic, is inherently dangerous probably could not define the word danger.
calineophyte 2 years ago
Nice hair man
CHOPERUS23 2 years ago
Maybe I'm actually counter steering my bicycle into and out of a turn, but it's just so subliminal and instinctive that I don't notice it. I can't tell. I do plan to buy a motor cycle, so I'm just curious.
GenKirby 3 years ago
Yes, most likely you are countersteering without being aware of it. That's what happens when you first learn to ride a bike -- it's flipping that switch in your brain that tells you to steer the "wrong" direction. It's not "learning to balance:" your body *knows* how to balance (which is why you can walk on 2 feet). It's "learning to countersteer."
IanJSeattle 3 years ago
Thanks for your responses. Definitely helped me out. =)
GenKirby 3 years ago
Comment removed
mutualin4mation 2 years ago
Compared to a motorcycle a bike is so light that you can uses your own body weight to lean into the turn. 20lb bike + 160lb rider means that you can shift more then half the weight to make it lean.
A motorcycle weighs a lot more. My motorcycle is 400lb and I'm 160lb. If I want the bike to lean I have to counter steer to make it go. A honda goldwing loaded down can go over 1000lb. No chance in hell it's going to lean without a counter steer.
mutualin4mation 2 years ago
How come you can't just lean your body in the direction you want to turn so that the bike leans too, like on a bicycle? Is it because a motor cycle is too heavy for your body weight to compensate for the turn?
GenKirby 3 years ago
You can do this, but it's very very slow. I've tried on my Ninja 250, and was able to turn the bike, but I'd measure the response time in seconds. Countersteering, on the other hand, happens immediately. If you want to steer a motorcycle (or even a bicycle at higher speeds) countersteering is how to do it.
IanJSeattle 3 years ago
Riding a Motorcycle is not dangerous.
thehowlingterror 3 years ago
pfff. what planet are you living on?
of course riding a motorcycle is dangerous!
what about hidden bumps and dips in the roads that may catch you off guard? manhole or drain covers? what about icy or wet roads? what about OTHER DRIVERS? what about travelling at high speeds with nothing between you and the road?
i love riding bikes, don't get me wrong, but you need to live in reality mate. it's a cocky attitude that tends to get people killed on bikes. don't assume you're always in control.
purklefluff 3 years ago
I am all to aware of the hazards on the road, but i disagree with the warning that motorcycling is dangerous, if that were the case then it would be banned, same as travelling at 500mph in a metal tube at 30,000ft with the fuel in the wings, with only a few mm between you and the sky. Whether your crossing the road or in a car whatever we're all doing dangerous activities, if your statement holds true. But we don't we minimise our risks. Don't assume i'm cocky i'm far from it, i'm a father.
thehowlingterror 3 years ago
"Don't assume i'm cocky i'm far from it, i'm a father."
lol... love it. All fathers are completely sensible at all times, huh?
anyway... your argument is a bit flawed. just because something's dangerous doesn't mean it'll get banned. for starters, as you and I have both agreed, most forms of transport are dangerous! however, most are necessary.
motorcycling is far more dangerous than most conventional forms of transport. but AS a form of transport it's legitimate. and fun! but dangerous. lol
purklefluff 3 years ago
Yes it is. Don't fool yourself. Lots of dangerous things are legal. You just have to decide what level of danger you are comfortable with. If you're well trained, wear proper gear, and ride defensively then the danger is minimal and tolerable for many... but it can still kill you.
amundeii 2 years ago
I teach people how to ride motorcycles. Nice video. To help the people that are still confused is that when a higher speeds you use counter steering to turn at speeds over 8 MPH. This initiates motorcycle LEAN. That is push forward on the left hand grip the wheel will deflect to the right and the motorcycle leans left. Notice I said the wheel deflects and not turns. In your video you were almost demonstrating a swerve which is 2 consecutive counter steers. 1 to avoid the hazard,1 to get on track
jjaytx 3 years ago
Thanks for that explanation.Watching motor cycle racing I thought it was an illusion the wheelturning out or "twitch" as youcall it.I now know I was seeing countersteering.Great instruction for a newb.
konascraper26 3 years ago
obviously these are over exaggerated, but it does get the concept across very well.
BIZNAILEY 3 years ago
um... i really hope people don't get confused and think you have to twitch everytime before you turn...
Just think of pressing the handlebars in the direct on the turn... the rest will be fine. And take a MSC if your serious about riding.
lifeisgood070 3 years ago
u mean msf?
so if i wanna go right i just push the right handlebar?
calfan3 3 years ago
ya the whole time i was thinking "dont people just do this naturally?"
lordbutz 3 years ago
cool vid.. nice basket on the back of your bike =p
your hair reminds me of conan o'brien's. he does the same hair flick haha
SlyEvoIX 3 years ago
thanks Ian. the hair is cool.
jackmehoffer68 3 years ago
Comment removed
thatonetom 3 years ago
It does come more or less naturally to everyone. If you can also understand it intellectually (which is what this video attempts to help with), it enables you to steer very precisely and very quickly, which can save your life.
IanJSeattle 3 years ago
lol Helmet hair...anyway, good vid, very informative. Can't wait to practice it...saving up for a bike right now, first one!! Course, I've gotta learn how to start it first...
silverstorm05 3 years ago
Excellent lesson. I started watching this video without the faintest idea of what countersteering was. By the time the video finished I knew exactly what it was. Thanks!
914512 3 years ago
These are some of the best counter-steering videos I have seen on Youtube. Great work.
opmike343 3 years ago
Thanks.
IanJSeattle 3 years ago
Very well done videos.
Once the bike is leaned over, it's not "normal steering, you aim where you want to go." As you note later on in the video to turn the bike more you have to lean more. To lean more you have to counter-steer again. To turn less, you have to lean less which, as you noted, means steering in the direction of the turn which is a counter-steering motion.
gkgorman 3 years ago
Sorry, I guess I could have been clearer -- I just meant that once the bike is leaned, you aim the wheel into your path of travel. Agreed, to change that path, you have to countersteer again, but I wanted to avoid the incorrect impression some people have that in order to trace a given path, the front wheel does something other than aim along that path.
IanJSeattle 3 years ago
Eh... just a nit picky point. The video is well done. Better than any I've made on the subject... :)
gkgorman 3 years ago
i just bought that bike for my wife but man is that bike fun it handles so good
tonor 3 years ago
i dont understand unless i do it without thinking
NBertuzzi 4 years ago 5
Very good video. I knew about countersteering and I practice it, but it is reassuring to check against this footage.
chrisjhart221138 4 years ago
man... I've been doing countersteering with my bicycle for the last 15years than...
I didn't have to learn it
but I heard this can save lives at high speed motorcycling...
nurbsenvi 4 years ago
thanks for the nice vid and demostration! now that i know counter-steering!
max7evans 4 years ago
Great video!!
mwkid19 4 years ago
likewise fantastic video, i found the concept terriby hard to understand as it was somewhat agaist phsyics to me, turn left to go right? yeh thats what caused me to stack my bicycle hard going through a trail last year!
666sense 4 years ago
Whoa, been doing it for years and never realised the physics of it!!
Thanks man.
bazrippa 4 years ago
Great vid mate!
motorwerks919 4 years ago
that is a big fro. Great vid. I agree with Juvie.. Reading about it makes it sound hopless to do. Thanks.
jedipimp74 4 years ago
awesome!
jreed8721 4 years ago
man, it was confusing reading about it..but watching someone do it explains ALOT! thanks
totaljuvenille 4 years ago
Your the first that made me understand the physical action that uses counterstearing. I been confused on this for awhile. Thanks, Ken
K3nny45 4 years ago