Leaning the bike ::: How to "counterbalance" & "lean in"

Basically, there are 3 ways to position yourself while turning, and/or leaning, your motorcycle (and you):::

1 - Stay In-Line : lean at the same angle (in the same line) as your bike
(fine for slow speed, with a large turning radius)

2 - counterbalance : keeping your body verticle (90* to ground) and push the bike down into the turn (by countersteering & a lil extra muscle). You must offset your seating by sitting with a buttcheek off the seat, on the outside of the turn, and straightening your inside arm

3 - leaning in : sitting with a buttcheek towards the inside of the turn, squeeze your outside knee against the tank to hold you on, bend your inside elbow and "kiss the mirror". This means to take your head and look over the outside of the mirror (on the inside part of the turn)

The point of all this is to be able to turn the motorcycle by leaning, without breaching 45*. Most motorcycle street tires can take a lean until 45*, and then traction will be lost.... now that is (i'm sure) with optimum conditions.
Just remember that you aren't turning the motorcycle... you are leaning the mass of both you and the bike to accomplish a turn. So the faster you are traveling, the more straight you want to keep the bike ::: so you lean in. The slower you are going, the more control you have ::: so you can counterbalance or stay in-line.

Practice and find what works best for yourself, and at what speed, in what conditions.
And don't underestimate the weight of your head. Once your head gets to the outside of the mirror, you WILL lean.
Also, don't lean-in keep your head over the gas tank. If you're going to lean-in, then kiss that mirror!

Trust your tires and start off at slower speeds on a slow curve with more turning radius.... then move to faster, tighter turns


Be safe

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• counter balancing
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[EMTNinja]

Atlantic county new jersey

[EMTNinja]

@luq .... Start a lil wide and be sure to downshift and slow down well before the turn .... Countersteer ...then steer into turn....accelerate through turn.

Back brake will steady bike....slow acceleration will straighten bike up

[EMTNinja]

The 250 is great to learn and ok to test with ....that's it. The wind blows it around, and the acceleration is not great.

750-1200 too much power and not necessary.

500-650 is perfect. The 500 can stunt, is sturdy and can break 150mph.

I suggest taking the test on a rented scooter or some hardcore practicing before hand.

Be sure to watch my 'alt.most' videos for more tips and I even have a vid of the scorecard.

Good luck and lemme kno if you're in south jersey for a ride

[EMTNinja]

Ps... hints

practice in a parking lot

Accelerate, brake, and steer in moderation,,, no powerful movements

Always look where u want to go

Let the tires track

Let the machine do the work

And the biggie....

Keep your arms loose. When I ride, my lower body is stiff..upper body loose. You may be putting too much weight on front tire. Squeeze ur knees and loosen ur arms.

And from shoulder to wrist should be a downward 90* angle. Arms shouldn't be straight

[EMTNinja]

Ie.. if you are making a 90* right TURN,, you'll slow down, downshift (to 2nd usually), turn wheel LEFT..Bike will lean right. At a certain point (probably 1/4 or 1/3 through turn), you then steer into the turn (right) and then slowly accelerate (roll on) and then complete the turn.

To turn, the bike MUST lean, but you still hafta steer through the turn.

Remember - push right, go right..push left, go left.

Please watch my other how to vids and feel free to leave questions or comments.

Be safe

[EMTNinja]

As a "newbie" (no offense)... it's difficult to trust the wheels, machine, and your own skill.... but you must.

I started this channel because I didn't know how to ride nor did I have any help to learn...so I learned from watching countless hours of 'how to' vids on YouTube.

As you countersteer, the bike will lean to the opposite side (steer right, lean left)... if you are making a turn (not a bend), as the bike leans, you'll need to turn the front wheel in the direction you are turning.

[1214cookiemonster]

hahahahahahaha "gotta love south jersey"

[ADNUIDMDE]

Hm. Where is this?



[luq080290]

@EMTNinja the L turn is the hardest thing for me to handle right now. i always took too much space and almost get myself into accident. huhu. i need help

[themeanguyguy]

Hey EMTNinja, I'm a new rider (or will be) planning on buying a new 09 500r Ninja next saturday. I take my rider safety course this mon-wed. Anyways, I am about 5'4 130pds. Do you think I'll be able to handle the ninja 500 okay? I went and sat on one at the dealer last week and he said i looked fine for it.. I'm sure they'll say anything though. It was between the 500R and a 250 Ninja.. I'd rather have 500R for long distant riding and freeways/etc.. what do you think? Im a certted EMT-B too (: