Explain counter steering

[tutton]

Well, people using this term alot but i dont know what it means,
i probably do it, or heard i should be using it but dont really get why and what im doing.

Anyone care to share?
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Past: '05 Peugeot XPS '99 Aprillia RS125 '94 FZR600R
Current: '02 ZX636 A1P '51 CCM R30

[deanoet]

I await the re-post police to arrive

Someone will provide a link to a previous thread on it, but:

When you go round a corner you actually steer in the opposite direction to what you are turning.
So turn turn right when leaning over you are pushing the bars to the left.

You do it without thinking, if you didnt you wouldnt turn corners, unless you sat upright on each one and steered that way
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CBT Passed 18th July 2007 : Previous Bikes> CG125 : Current Bike> Hornet 600 : PASSED DAS 30th Oct 2007
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[Damon]

you are doing it without realising. Basically its you turn the handlebars right to turn left and vise versa. Im sure someone who can be bothered to explain it properly will be over in a second.

Get Kieth Code's "twist of the wrist" Its a good read

[ncrn]

It's basically when you steer right, you push the bars to the left, this upsets the balance of the front wheel and causes the wheel to try to fall to the right which causes the bike to turn to the right.

This works opposite for the other direction. However, if you are travelling at too low a speed there won't be enough centrifugal force acting on the wheel so that when you turn left you will turn left.

Realistically you don't think about it as you ride, you just ride and your subconscious tends to deal with the steering elements.
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Past: 55 Sym Jet, 91 ZZR250, 03 NSR125R. Present: 97 ER-5.
https://www.nsr125.co.uk - NSR Owners forum.

[Shay HTFC]

Next time you are out and going round a corner (at more than say 25mph) just push your bars in the opposite direction a bit more. You will find the bike drops into the corner more and you tighten up the turning circle.
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Full Motorbike License - GS500E '95

[ms51ves3]

Clicky

You can see it in this video.

[Charlie]

If you think of a cone, with the wheels being the big end of the cone, as you counter-steer you make the circle smaller (I think) which makes it turn in faster.

Like pushing around a cone, if it is smaller it spins around faster.

I think thats how it sort of works, can't explain it too well.
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Past: Honda x8rs, Honda City fly, Honda Hornet 250, Honda VFR750, Yamaha xt600e.
Current: Honda CBR929RR & Yamaha XT660Z Tenere

[Billd]

When you do it consciously it does make a serious difference. Handling feels sharper, bike more responsive. When you get used to doing though it doesn't seem to help as much and just forgetting about it makes... handling feel sharper, bike more responsive....

I think it's a very personal thing but something you should be aware of... imo...
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Remember. wherever you go, there you are!!
FVMCC

[ms51ves3]

[colin1]

i'd agree with what ncrn said

to lean a bike, you do it unconsciously, but if you do it deliberately, you can put full lean on much quicker

according to keith code (and I believe him) one of the main difference between normal riders and fast race riders, is they can turn in quicker

this means they can be straight for longer and turn later, as they then drop into a really sharp turn very quickly

thats down to extreme counter steering
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colin1 is officially faster than god

[Rovman]

Its just a simple pivot. You can see it at a standstill, if you turn the bars to the right, the bike will try to fall to the left (but you're holding it right?) thus leaning left and the left lean means you turn left. Once you are actually in the lean, the bars will turn back slightly to follow the direction you are actually going. If you keep holding the bars "The wrong way" you will keep increasing the lean angle till eventually you're on your arse.
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Theory Test Passed 01/03/2008 || A2 Test Passed 04/04/08
Kawasaki Ninja 250r 2008

[ncrn]

Couple of videos on youtube that showed me wrong, countersteering does work at all speeds even slow ones.

Slow Speed
Mid Speed
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Past: 55 Sym Jet, 91 ZZR250, 03 NSR125R. Present: 97 ER-5.
https://www.nsr125.co.uk - NSR Owners forum.

[tutton]

Slow speed one - The URL contained a malformed video ID.
I kind of get it now,
so its twitching the steering the oppisite way to in which your turning, then turning back into the turn normally which should give a bit more lean into the corner?
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Past: '05 Peugeot XPS '99 Aprillia RS125 '94 FZR600R
Current: '02 ZX636 A1P '51 CCM R30

[Fawbish]

No twitching involved tutton, no sharp moves, nothing quickly.

Just apply light pressure in the desired direction and the bike will start to lean.


I find counter steering most effective when you dont think about it


If I wanna pick the bike up when Im mid corner, or lean further, steering input is easiest method Ive found
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"Oh....it looks like Average Joe's is forfeiting the match!" - "Yeah, its a risky strategy but lets see if it pays off for 'em Cotton."

[fortknoq]

lol. Been thinking, what the hell are these crazy fools talking about.

But it's actually really obvious without realised doing it. You probably do the same on a pushbike when riding at high speed

[Quickly]

I always wondered if I was counter steering - because it didn't feel like it on the bike - and if there was something I could be doing to make me go a bit faster.

Then I noticed when going around a left hander that I coud feel the bike more in my right hand than my left, because, ever so slightly, the grip was pushed further into my right hand.

Try it next time you go out.
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[deanoet]

Tutton
Go to a quiet road and turn as you would normally, then as you are going round the corner push the bars the opposite way you would expect to be pushing, and the bike will "drop" into the turn more
Equally, push the bars the way you would expect to be turning them to turn the corner and the bike will sit up and straighten up

It doesnt need much to increase the effect, so dont ram the bars forwards or you will be picking your bike up off the floor or out of a hedge.


You do it all the time when biking without thinking. When practising dont endanger yourself or others, make sure it is a clear / quiet road.
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CBT Passed 18th July 2007 : Previous Bikes> CG125 : Current Bike> Hornet 600 : PASSED DAS 30th Oct 2007
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[Pie-Roe]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B8IdTq3_3WI

Pyro
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