counter-steering (what??)

[Keen]

what is this counter steering that I keep hearing about, can anyone explain it too me? I've heard it mentioned as a good way to increase turning ability- especially in an emergency.

[G]

Counter stering is pretty much the only way to turn a motorbike at reasonable speeds (you may not realise you're doing it but you probably are unconsiously). It works by turning the bars in the *opposite* direction to the way you want to go.

Try going in a straight line, at say 30, and turn your bars slightly while still going in a straight line. You'll find the bike leans to the opposite side and you have to shift your weight to carry on going in a straight line.

You can use this effect to turn into corners faster by making the bike lean rather than you leaning and hopeing the bike will follow. It's also a lot easier to change your angle of lean mid-turn using counter-steering.

[Keen]

yeah I see what you mean- you probably do that anyway when you lean don't you- thanks. Maybe you can do it better if you make a conscious effort though. I'll try it.

[G]

It definatley makes a significant difference... next time you go for a ride try just counter-steering (lean with the bike rather than the bike leaning with you)... you can lean a lot quicker

[Keen]

when I get my bike on the road I'll give it a go. There's a massive roundabout just up the road (it joins the A1) so when I get it back I'm gonna go there at night and get some practise in- try leaning as far as possible and counter-steering etc.

[G]

You can do it on a mountain bike as well... just not for long because you turn *far* too quickly and end up turning in again with the handlebars