Did I learn something new tonight ?

[The Old Geeza]

Don't forget, I'm new to 'real' biking in every aspect.

I went out for a 'breeze' tonight on my own (as I do from time to time), just to get some more experience riding my bike. OK, it's only a 250 but I enjoy riding it.

I'm actually afraid of banking the bike because I always fear the tyres will lose their grip and the bike will simply 'disappear' away from me.

However, tonight I noticed that if I push the steering in the OPPOSITE direction to where I'm going, the bike actually banks even further into the turn I'm actually taking. That is, if I push the steering to the left when I'm actually banking to the right, the bike actually drops further to the RIGHT. Strange, but I actually felt more in control of the bike, and the more I did it the more the bike seemed to respond. I felt as though I really didn't need to bank the bike as low as I thought in order to take a corner or roundabout. It was very exhillarating.

Am I doing something wrong? Or have I discovered something all you 'real' bikers are already doing?

No sarcasm please. I'm a novice to biking and just willing to learn.
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Horse Power was safer when the Horses had it!

[Bendy]

Countersteering.

Something instructors generally fail to mention, but we all do subconsciously (otherwise you wouldn't get round corners). But doing it consciously has advantages too, as you've just discovered.

[mistergixer]

It's called countersteering, and it's how bikes turn when moving above a certain speed.
I don't understand the science, but i know it works.
It is amazing how few people understand/know about it. 2 blokes at my work have 30+ years of biking experience between them and they refused to believe me, then they went out and tried it.
The amazed look on their faces told me everything!!
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[White Noise]

there are two types of countersterring

passive - where you push the inner side of the handlebar
active - where you pull the outer handlebar

Good on you for realising whats going on

now find a roundabout and countersteer you nads off and get you knee down!
WN
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[The Old Geeza]

Gets a bit 'scarey' though, sometimes, especially if you've got a sharp left then a sharp right and you actually push the steering in completely the opposite direction to which you're going.

Feels good though. I love my bike but I'm still frightened of my tyres not gripping and me falling off, with the bike flying off in the opposite direction of my body.

I'm not talking about 'knee down' stuff here. That's something I haven't even got the guts to do. Just normal, everyday riding 30, 40, 50mph stuff.

Is this just something I need to put more trust in? IE: I need to put more trust in my bike and believe in my bike's ability to stick to the road.

Sorry if I seem a bit of a novice. But I am. But I'm also beginning to really enjoy the experience. And I love riding my bike.
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Horse Power was safer when the Horses had it!

[Zoffo]

Sooner or later your gonna find yourself going into a corner a tad too hot. That's the time to remember counter steering. The more you activly push the bars counter to the turn the more the bike will lay down and the tighter you make the corner.
And most half decent bikes will lean much further than most people got the balls for
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https://hyperbikes.forumsplace.com/

[.....]

Just make sure your tyres are nicely warmed up and the road surface is good and put faith in your tyres.

You'll be amazed at how far you can crank the bike over. What tyres are you running btw?

[White Noise]

[Fruit'n'nut]

[The Old Geeza]

Thank you - Everyone. Keep the replies coming. Everybody's reassurance is heart-warming.

I can't wait to go out tomorrow night and try again.

In reply to 'Fruit'n'nut'...

My back tyre is well squared off, I've known that since I bought the bike. But I'm having a brand new rear tyre fitted next week. Im reliably informed that this will substantially improve my bike's performance and handling when cornering and banking.

Thanks for taking the time to reply.
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Horse Power was safer when the Horses had it!

[Fruit'n'nut]

[The Old Geeza]

Sorry for late reply 'Joe'

Got Pirellis

Now't wrong with front tyre - almost brand new. But must get a new one on the rear. Well squared off. New tyre to be fitted next week.
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Horse Power was safer when the Horses had it!

[stinkwheel]

[NY_Sniper]

i found countersteering noticed on a long corner and was wondering y i was pushing the right bar going round a right hander but then i thought about it and the science makes sence and it gets me round corners 20 mph faster now my chicken strips are getting smaller i never understood y ppl like twistys i do now
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[Jamie_ducati]

Doesnt biking just never cease to excite?
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[Sheepy1209]

Like TOG I'm completely new to biking, and as with many others my instruction centred entirely on passing the test; we did have a decent ride out on the last day, covering things like settling the bike down before going into the corner, holding on the throttle, vanishing point etc, but no mention of countersteering.

I was aware of it, though, and I've found that by being aware that I'm doing it all the time I feel much more in control - e.g. on large roundabouts where there you lean left-right-left in quick succession (no knee down though!). I'm still wary of banking too much (partly because I've got an old bike and I'm still building confidence in its mechanical integrity) but already practising countersteering is helping.

The hardest thing I find is mini roundabouts - my bike's got a sharpish clutch and is jerky even in 2nd and 3rd, so I put on a good newbie show going round those!

[stinkwheel]

[AcIdBuRnZ]

[DEN MONKEY]

Just something to consider also, is that once you have the new tyre put on the back take it easy on it before trying to lay it straight over. They tend to be a tad "slippery" for the first 50 miles or so.
Maybe do a search on here about the subject, there's plenty of helpful info on it.

[G]

[MarJay]

[Delbwoy]

Good thread!

I was well pleased when I learnt about counter steering (From this forum!) and tried it out. Helps massively when I go into a bend too fast and my heart starts beating that bit faster. Just push away accordingly and round I go. Loving it!

I get scared too when leaning. The thought is there at the front of my mind " Are these tyres gonna hang on?" and then "How low can I go?"

I think track days are going to be the solution to get over the fear. Get taught properly with marshals etc to help if things go a bit wrong. Also no pedestrians/traffic to cause concern.

That's all in the distant future now as I can't ride my bike as of yesterday. I'll post about that.

Good luck all.
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[steveh]

good read

I haven't been around for a while, Tiscali isp was ripping us off, anyway going to get some clothes on and go out and give this a bash, ill let you know when it all goes pear-shaped and i end up eating tarmac


Steve.
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