How To Ride A Motorcycle - Countersteering And Turning

[markysan92]

I have some concerns about the video examples presented here. Based on your examples, countersteering only becomes necessary at higher speeds. This in not true!

Countersteering just as important at low speeds as it is at normal operating speeds. The physics do not change simply because you are going slower.

The reason turning at low speeds "seems" different is because you are able to account for the fighting forces more readily. The fastest way to steer at ANY speed is countersteering.

[ylism]

Look's like a Kawasaki Vulcan EN500 LTD bike, That your riding.

[PublicWifi]

You mean, I don't have to lean in my car while turning? Thanks Ben Stein! Just kidding. Good video. I know, I'm a jerk. Don't hate me.

[shagrat57]

Sorry, but the commentary sent me to sleep.......zzzzzzz

[PANDUHH92]

He sounds like seth rogan

[MrKinghuman]

you really want to be effective with this video put a helmet cam on with the handlebar in view, so you get a real view of what and how much your doing.

[justflooreit4me1]

That was awesome thank you

[joe7498]

Newton... Not Mewton... Damn fat fingers

[joe7498]

Just remember Mewton first law.. "An object tends to stay in motion, in a straight line unless acted upon by an outside force". It is the law of inertia. The motorcycle wants to always travel straight. When you countersteer, your forcing the mc to deviate from it straight path. Your body will lean naturally in the turn to sustain the turn (like video suggests). Thats one of the outside forces...

[carlosjimz]

Best video ever. I know how to ride now that i learnd this. After many years of riding wrong

[PointBlanc7]

um...has anyone ever tried leaning in for a turn for the first time and just gone splat?

[lariza36]

Okay I got this now how do i do a wheelie!

[naughtyfarhan78692]

"hey there " what are u ? a pig !!!

[Apacheshock]

@naughtyfarhan78692 Pigs cant say "hey there" -_-

[naughtyfarhan78692]

@Apacheshock how do u know ? are u a pig ?

[Ravercock]

This information would have come in handy yesterday. Awesome video!

[grantsdaman01]

actually in the motorcycle safety test in washington state, they have you countersteer at 15 mph

[UrJust2eZ]

6:24 - 6:50 is exactly me, iv'e thought about this a lot before and really couldn't figure it out when being explained to me, turns out I do it naturally, and it made me think learning about counter steering is for newbie riders not me, I seriously thought I was riding wrong for a while. Basically if you can go steadily round a bend at around 30 or more, retaining your balance, your counter-steering! It pickled my head for a while, very good explanation in terms of clearing it up for me!

[nilobaranda]

What evil magic is this?

[astroboirap]

the diagrams are shit

[DOBM]

An excellent explanation, easily the best I've seen and your demonstration of how the bike's physics change at modest speed is simply superb! Certainly I had no idea of this technique until hearing about it whilst doing rider training.

Well done Sir!

[201mxflyboy201]

Just like riding a bicycle only faster

[JackDaScarecrow]

DOH!!!!

[noxeternus1]

Hi, Just wanted to say Thank you very much for this video. I am a beginner and can now ride my bike properly. BIG THANK YOU.

[SUPERJOSHxAD]

I find this hard to masturbate to

[trulove2011]

lets say im going maybe 45 or 50 on a freeway and i push left and lean my body right then ill go left is that right???

[for3dollaz]

@trulove2011 if you wanna make a left ; you push left (pushing left makes bars turn right) and you lean left, so you will go left

if you wanna make a right ; you push right , and lean right (again pushing right makes bars turn left)

so if you're in center lane on the highway and you " turn the handlebars " to the right you will go into the left lane and vice versa

[trulove2011]

@for3dollaz ok thanks alot I was wondering because in March I was gonna go to get my learners permit then go and get a sportsbike.So I've been going around trying to learn as much as I can beforehand so when I start the classes I already know some of the basics.Once again thanks



[secutorclaudius]

@for3dollaz ok, i'm trying to wrap my head around how, when the wheels r turning right, the bike will go left, even tho u r leaning left. noob here.

[markysan92]

@secutorclaudius Leaning does not produce a turn, it is the result of countersteering.

[secutorclaudius]

@markysan92 seems counter intuitive, since i've never ridden. is it hard to learn or does it come naturally?

[thelawgracequestion]

This is the best explanation of counter steering I have seen so far.

[toobular9]

Good information.

ignore the unkind critcism of this instructor's voice.

[Colossusbird]

has anyone told you, that you sound like 24 from venture brothers?

[MasterTenku]

Actually, leaning does initiate a turn. The circumference of the wheel in contact with the road gets smaller when you lean because the further from the centre of the tyre you are the less the circumference of the wheel at that point.

[innovationblue]

This video helps alot! no wonder I'm having hard time studying mc on my first 2 days... I'm used to cars driving skill and mc is totally new to me.

now, I'm learning from basics.

[kittykat7210]

well i'm confused, i ride a push bike fast everyday and i don't think i do this, im getting a motorbike soon and am now seriously scared!

[linuxxxunil]

Best description I found. I have now stopped searching and I send this link to all my buds. Give yourself a pat on the back.

[Japracer02]

Thanks !



[CubanRevival]

Ray Romano?

[trinidaredevil]

this guys voice is boring

[justyesful]

until this video i had no idea Thanks!

[DaBurntToaster]

wow, thats gotta be annoying

[sherrytucker]

I GOT IT NOW. COOK

[sherrytucker]

The last 30 second of the video, u say, if u push right u will go right and if u push left u will go left. Isnt that backward. Should u push right to go left and so on

[saxofoontje994]

@sherrytucker no that is what this whole video is about: countersteering. if you push left (in order to go right) you will go left becouse of the laws of physics. If you want to go right you will have to push right. at first you will go left but this makes you and your bike lean to the right side and so you will turn faster and safer to the right.

I hope you got it, if not just ask. it's better to learn it here the easy way than to learn it on the road, the hard way.

[bashboshi40]

Thank you very much for this great video , it really explains it very well :-)

[i3xc3l]

Could you do another video on counter steering? I wasn't sure if you push in the opposite direction slightly and then steer in the desired direction, or if you are strictly supposed to slightly steer in the opposite direction only.

[luvpoeshon]

Great job dude. I'm trying to prep for my MSF class, and you've done a wonderful job explaining the concept of counter-steering to me. Thanks!

[iSkateBoard10]

i have never owned a scooter before but i really need to buy a 50cc one, and im scared that if i go over 20mph and try to turn left that i will go right and kill myself :(, any tips on how to learn to countersteer?

[dasmartaz]

@iSkateBoard10 Ok, the term countersteer is very misleading. The best way to describe how to turn a bike is remember your bicycle. Everyone is all worried about turning a motorcycle but if you've ridden a bicycle and can turn it you can turn a motorcycle.  I jear countersteer and I imagine having the ass end of my car whipping around and having to bring it back by countersteering or steering into the skid. So I think that's where the confusion comes from. They need to call it something else.

[TheDavid2222]

know I'm probably going to get a Kawasaki Ninja 250r, but I'm worried because I have absolutely no idea what I'm doing. I bet I'm going to wipe out completely on my first turn. I think this will be a painful experience for me.

[redneckrodder]

I'm with the guy below... how do we straighten back up after the turn... I'm getting a bike Saturday and have never ridden before so I'm learning up as much as possible

[TheUltimateODST]

Had the same bike in my MSF class but no mirriors or taillights lol

[Memor86]

Doh! Homer go have a beer at moe's

[kellyluvkyle]

Awesome! I love your videos. These will help me so much!

[oratodasczardas]

Hi. I've watched several videos on countersteereing, and still have one question nobody seems to address. You only explain how to get in to a turn by countersteering and leening; no one explains how to get out of the leen and back up straight again once you've finished the curve and are back on straight road. My guess is you pull the inside bar a little turning the front wheel into the turn to strighten the bike up, but i'm scared to try this, coz i may be wrong and hit the pavement.

[deadly0nslaught]

@oratodasczardas it is difficult to explain, but when you are exiting the turn, just straighten back up. it comes pretty naturally so don't worry about it too much.

[exlynxjock]

@oratodasczardas exactly, while in the turn to bring the bike up straight or or initiate a turn to the opposite direction simply apply pressure to the opposite handlebar grip. for example in the left turn, you pushed slightly with left hand to initiate the turn, simply apply pressure to your right side handle bar grip to reduce the rate of turn, straighten up or initiate a turn to the right.

The reason a bike counter steers like this is because of a phenomena called Gyroscopic pre- session

[scapeface]

Thanks for the video, really helped me in my learning to ride!

[rpc29]

Thats not homer simpson. That's Mr. Dewey from Saved By The Bell

[haghighat1]

great video!! thanks for sharing

[MEXgraff94]

5-6mph is that tipping point

[vac0002]

very well demonstrated.

[TaoriUTS]

luxury of four wheels? you mean burden... it's the car drivers who suffer under not driving the most awesome of all vehicles...

[mistergrammar]

@TaoriUTS haha i was going to say the same thing. Four wheels aren't a luxury, they are a handicap.

[bandsaw000o0]

Umm yeah. This is definitely helpful. Thanks for the vid.

[RandomDirectors]

So once you reach 20mph if you push forward with your right hand you go left?

Hugh you learn something new every day.

[darwin604]

@RandomDirectors Please tell me you're kidding...

[PLZiggy]

@RandomDirectors If you push on the left handle bar, and lean left, you go left. If you push on the right handle bar, learn right, you go right. Do you have speakers?? If not than put some headphones on next time.

[RandomDirectors]

@PLZiggy omg yeah i get it but i wrote down the wrong thing :P

[NargacugaVQ]

@RandomDirectors no its push right, go right. if you want to turn left its the opposite, you push on the left handlebar.

[yousillygrouse]

nice vid

[andrel841972]

This guys voice makes me want to kill myself.....bueller......buelle­r.....bueller

[VvLOGiKvV]

Good video, thanks!

[terrell568]

All these rules apply on a sportbike right?

[VvLOGiKvV]

@terrell568 Yes, it applies to anything on two wheels.

[MortalMaster09]

Ive been riding my dads bike for the last few days and im having trouble turning from a stop. (esp. right hand turns). Ive been trying to find a video on it but most vids are sportbikes, and I think its different on a harley? Any help?

[enamouravectoi]

I will soon be learning how to ride a motorcyle and am very excited, but nervous. I find your videos and instructions very helpful. Thank you for creating these very important videos for learners.

[princekg]

Thanks for clarifying so much in such great detail for myself as a beginner rider!!

You pretty much covered all the bases as I did find the concept somewhat counter-intuitive.

Cheers:)

[thesignsupermarket]

Yeah besides these tosses that just want to comment on your voice. I found your explanation very useful, cheers mate

[pategrillo]

Thanks for the video, very well explained. It is amazing to see the counter steering action taking place,(split second) and realize that I never knew it, even though I have been doing it unconsciously for many years. Thanks again.

[Kyr4x]

Doh!

[FuriaTitanica]

Guys, we've been doing counter-steering while riding our BICYCLES since we were kids. Next time you ride your bicycle pay attention and see how you do it unconsciously every time you turn.

MA thanks for the vid.

[mbcyclery]

i don't like that method, although it is the fastest way to swerve hard. i push DOWN instead of forward while pulling the opposite grip in conjunction with normal/counter weight. requires muscle to motivate even a 450 honda, but not too much slower. especially when at freeway speeds in low traction conditions where counter twitch can be of concern.

[folgerscoffee56]

Check out Keith Code's school, and his "no b.s. bike". I have noticed I always countersteer, even at low speed: if you try varying the amount of push you can learn to "feel" the balance. Try riding at an idle and going in a right circle with just your right hand, leave your fingers open and just push with your palm, you will feel the "push right go right" in action. If you push less, the bike will straighten out, and vice versa. Go easy at first or you will fall over.

[nmanyo]

now let me get this straight, once you push the bars left, and you lean left, do you then turn the bars in the direction you're going?

[DJmontiie]

do we do that without knowin?

[datahop]

Great explanation and it really makes sense when riding an sportbike at really high speeds. There's no way to turn without counter steering. I learned that when I rode for the first time my Kawasaki ZX-9. Thanks for the explanation!

[ozbillybong]

been riden all my life since 1976 never heard of this ya learn somthing every day hey mate thanks.

[phuongymy]

Thanks, good counter steering video. probably the best out there. The 12 people couldn't counter steer.. Sad story.

[TheSafehaven]

If you are a beginner, please don't believe this video or whatever is being said. You can be doing 2 mph or 50 mph, but if you shove the right side of the handlebar all the way forward I guarantee you will always drop the bike on it's right flank..

If you want to go right you push right, always.

[phuongymy]

@TheSafehaven thats wat he said. LOL!

[YogiKaivalyananda]

Excellent instructional video. Thank you for posting. I've riden over 200,000 miles on bikes thus far and knowing this technique has saved me several times. Hopefully, I'll remain upright the next time I use it too. :-)

[spydirtek]

D'Oh!

[windmane]

safely*

[acarter4242]

12 people fell down after trying this.

[Goodie8486]

all you riders who are just starting, dont rely on youtube videos. this video is great and spoton however please take an MSF rider course. completion of one of these courses is extremely helpful/important for new riders and waves the drivers test at the DMV.

[eneeland]

I have heard this word countersteering a lot but until I saw your video...I never really understood it. Well done! Thank you

[thabanesan1]

Thank you. It is very useful and very clear



[mycatwilatackyou]

I watched a show on this before . I never really thought about then I tried it and I notice that yes this is how it works . Thanks for posting this

[libread1]

great instruction,well said.thank you!!!!!

[pacrat90]

Hmm.. I didn't know Homer Simpson did Motorcycle Videos! :)

[jonysoares150]

@pacrat90 kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk

[anirudhkrishnamani]

@pacrat90

when this guy crashes his bike:

"DOH!!!"

[meandmyevo]

@pacrat90 I can't NOT hear it now...

[woof12345678910]

so ture get it right or your going to be pounded by slugehammers thats how it feels if you go down

[cjfredonia]

I'm screwed!

[socal248300]

guys tust me on this, it comes so naturally when on the bike, i thought it would be super confusing my first time on my motorcycle, but its so simple, just get on a bike and ride, its super easy, people freak out and panic when on a motorcycle, stay calm, and keep ur witts, and ull be fine.

[lizc40]

I get the idea, but when say "push" the right handlebar, the video shows you veering to the left! At the end you say, "push" the handlebar to the right and it will go right (and vice versa). Don't you mean "PULL" the Right, you go to the Right, "PUSH" the RIGHT, you'll go to the LEFT?

[jhardy66617]

@lizc40 no hes correct on countersteering push right go right push left go left

watch the last left hand swerve at 9:20. watch his left hand(on the right side of the screen incase ur getting confused) you see he pushes it forward right before the bike turns to the left then he reverses that to come out of the swerve

any questions just message me

[A7xRc]

@lizc40 I was thinking the exact same thing.

[flabalance]

Very informative explanation of the physics of countersteering. Well done

[MintzUk]

yawwwn

[manpd22]

ridiculous voice. like he is bored to death. very nice vid btw and nice bike

[MrDokcrash]

If you are going around a long winding curve, do you keep the counter pressure on the handlebars to maintain the curve (long left curve equals constant pressure on the right handlecar)? And coming out of a curve, do you apply opposite pressure to come back to straight? I guess I understand the principle behind initiating the turn, but not quite how to stop the turning.

[jhardy66617]

@MrDokcrash if your speed stays constant through a constant bend in the road yes the pressure on the handlebar would remain the same

now if if its a turn you had to brake for you should brake before the corner and then continually roll on the throttle and countersteering more

speed affects the ammount of steering input needed so if you wanna turn left at 40 you have to countersteer quite alot more then at 20

practice and youll get it

and yes comming out of a turn you basically undo what you did

[zoomie888]

Thanks. I hadn't realized that the effects of countersteering are unique the speed at which the motorcycle is going. That's pretty darn important. Thanks again for the video.

[MrMikal24]

lmao fuck is up with all these lames in here arguing? your bickering with a kid posing as a 25 year old ninja? fuck outta here man u a little ass boy in special ed and you gettin on him about his spelling? and thts your best comebacks? find a fuckin hobby man. And he is so dumb it takes him an hour and a half to watch 60 minutes? that was the best thing you could think of...? Really...?

[geritolwhamfan]

@MrMikal24 You can't spell either, so why don't you fuck off and go back to school too?

What is thts, gettin,outta, u a little? Lames is not a noun. Your should have been you're. Don't give me the line that it is o.k. to spell incorrectly on the internet. Eventually you won't use proper spelling and grammar in every day life and it shows.

[jhardy66617]

@geritolwhamfan agreed :D

[gretsch58]

Great instructional videos, thanks!!!

[FRVSniperNI]

Great video, I now understand what to do, before I start to learn to ride. does this apply off road as well?

[barejolad]

nahh just floor it and drop te clutch

[pwniin]

thank you so much for this video, and yes my handbook tells me about countersteering and it lost me. Ive only been riding now for... 1 hour and havent gotten over 10 mph (been playing with stopping and starting)

again thank you so much for your video :)

[HapkidoScorpion305]

is this to only initiate the turn? After you push left and the bike leans do you then turn the steering left?

[StealthAssasin1]

Somehow i understand it in a car but got confused with the motorcycle then it made perfect sense again lol. very odd. I want a motorcycle =\

[NinjaOnANinja]

That shows nothing in regard to anything.

Just because you know what a word means, doesn't mean what you assume is it.

The fact you STILL don't understand what I was getting at with higher and hire says enough.

I do know everything. About everything. You're just to ignorant to see it.

[geritolwhamfan]

@NinjaOnANinja "I do know everything about everything." "You're just to ignorant to see it. To, in your second sentence should have been too.

If you know everything, answer some questions for me.

Hot hot is the sun? What is the intake valve clearance for a 2006 CBR 1000RR?

How far away is the moon? How deep is the deepest ocean? How many breeds of dogs are there. What is my wife's name. How old is the earth? How many stars are in the universe. How did you become such a huge asshole?

[NinjaOnANinja]

@geritolwhamfan Its easy. I just didn't do what you did. What is that you ask? Lost the game.

[NinjaOnANinja]

@geritolwhamfan Basically, I have played a trap card, and you fell right into it. Just give up old-timer. Your e-"battle" of wits is over.

Fact is, you really had no ground in anyway shape or form. You were arguing against a point that didn't exist. Come back at me when you have something worth talking about, because at this point you got nothin.

"Unarmed person" I am just glad to see my ninja ways are still working even for the "witted old men" of the world.

[NinjaOnANinja]

@geritolwhamfan No, this all started because you assumed you knew WTF I was talking about. I said, I never sat on a bike, does not mean I don't know how to drive or turn one. I do know everything and No, the Ninja part of me is not what likes untamed women. I wish I never had sex.

Fact is, you're an old jealous fart that has been riding a bike his whole life and a guy that never sat on one knows just as much as he does. Welcome to the interwebs. Has nice day!

Willingly immature. Big diff.

[NinjaOnANinja]

@geritolwhamfan You know teachers don't need to know anything. All they need to do is go by the book. So, don't really help your stance at all.

I never said I know as much as you... haha, that would be silly. I said I know more then you.

[NinjaOnANinja]

@geritolwhamfan Honestly, in today's age, you would be amazed.

[NinjaOnANinja]

@geritolwhamfan Yes yes and yes.

[NinjaOnANinja]

@geritolwhamfan Finally some recognition!

[NinjaOnANinja]

@geritolwhamfan Old man is to old for teh interwebs.

[NinjaOnANinja]

@geritolwhamfan O boi! U sooo smart! two smart missed her! If onle of us were own have brain did good!

[NinjaOnANinja]

@geritolwhamfan Dude, seriously, I am done with you. I suggest you go to urban Dictionary and look up what a "troll" is and why its in my occupation.

Has gewd dai!

[NinjaOnANinja]

@geritolwhamfan Clearly you don't because your an old fart.

I do have a life and in fact, I am not a loser. In fact I am getting paid for this as I wait to see my girl. Gonna take some nice pictures of her on my car today. I might post one. We will see what happens.

I don't dream it, I live it.

[NinjaOnANinja]

@geritolwhamfan Yeah? Well, you no.. Grammar Nazis are the best. Do you no why? It mean's you'll have no thing to say 2 wat is which was said already so you must have to turn to something so desperate to avoid the fail in which you presenting. The thing is, you're brain dont comprehend lil things purposefully set off two invigorate hatred unto a person being well being of it. Sew, in real, it you that is problem.

[NinjaOnANinja]

@geritolwhamfan Further proving how big of an idiot you are. Just give it up old man. You got trolled hard and you still walk into it blindly.

[NinjaOnANinja]

@geritolwhamfan You're an old fart. You old coon.

[geritolwhamfan]

@NinjaOnANinja OMG....I am so hurt. Can't you come up with something better than that?

Hey, how is the motorcycle riding going? Maybe you could use your ninja skills to learn how....oh no wait.....you know everything. LMFAO.

FYI: I would rather be an old fart than a stupid young boy.

[NinjaOnANinja]

@geritolwhamfan Oh, my bad. I hate to see grown men cry.

Still waiting. Oh, I plan to. They never let me down so far.

To each his own.

[NinjaOnANinja]

@geritolwhamfan Yes they do.

Cool.

Nope.

So you admit I am a ninja? Hah! Its on record now!

That was stupid.

[NinjaOnANinja]

@geritolwhamfan Yes, and you used it in a passed tense fashion. So, that would mean that there was a time that I was trying and a time that I am. So, TY again for admitting it. Yes

Duh, and no. I do it to people IRL too and my friends. Its just fun and a nice way to kill time.

I am, pissing you off.