Mid-speed countersteering

This video demonstrates and explains higher-speed (15 MPH or so) countersteering. It is a companion to the slow-speed video, and was also produced to be part of my countersteering article:

http://www.obairlann.net/reaper/motorcycle/beginner/countersteering.html

Category:

Autos & Vehicles

Tags:

• countersteering
• counter
• steering
• motorcycle
• bicycle
• riding
• cycle

[MrBskt10]

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

[IanJSeattle]

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.

[GenKirby]

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.

[IanJSeattle]

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."

[GenKirby]

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?

[IanJSeattle]

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.

[wineoscaris]

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!

[NBertuzzi]

i dont understand unless i do it without thinking

[moomoodeadcow]

@IanJSeattle Your hair is freakin awesome!

[CruisingHarleyFatBoy]

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

[gaivoron]

@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.

[yuyu553]

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?

[121davo121]

when you ride, you dont even notice u lean lol, first day of riding i remember i just did it automaticly lol

[elebeu]

Great explanation ( that's not Charles Dickens, but Edmund Wells, wink,wink,nudge,nudge) of countersteer. Thanks, and God save the Flying Circus!

[yuyu553]

i like your stick figure explanation. heh. no seriously this was good though thanks.

[polesteppa]

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.

[666jeroentje666]

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