Counter weight while turning??
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 4,890
Likes: 553
From: USA
Leaning your upper body in the opposite direction you're turning; what you're describing is called 'crossed up' on the bike. Don't do it. Sounds like you're actually afraid to let the bike lean properly, your survival reactions are kicking in. Also, body steering is a complete myth; you're creating a counter steering effect on the bike by moving your body around.
Don't start developing these sorts of bad habits; it's all about training training training. Motorcycling is not an instinctive activity but rather a learned skill. You don't ride on instinct, you ride on technique.
Find a local motorcycling class and take it, best money you'll ever spend. IF you've taken the basic course take the advanced course. Read the works of Keith Code, Lee Parks, and Nick Ienatsch. Understand the technology of riding. The more you actually understand, the safer and better you'll be at motorcycling
If you do nothing else, buy this book and read it:
Twist of the Wrist II
Don't start developing these sorts of bad habits; it's all about training training training. Motorcycling is not an instinctive activity but rather a learned skill. You don't ride on instinct, you ride on technique.
Find a local motorcycling class and take it, best money you'll ever spend. IF you've taken the basic course take the advanced course. Read the works of Keith Code, Lee Parks, and Nick Ienatsch. Understand the technology of riding. The more you actually understand, the safer and better you'll be at motorcycling
If you do nothing else, buy this book and read it:
Twist of the Wrist II
Good video...tell teaches you what to do and what not to do when turning/cornering. There is one common skill applicable to slow speed maneuvers or normal cornering is to look where your want to go.
I am assuming you took the MSF course before you got your license, if not, take the course....excellent training (classroom and road).
Ride safe!
Last edited by hscic; Mar 14, 2016 at 10:20 AM.
Road Warrior
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,898
Likes: 67
From: Saint Amant, Acadiana
Dunno, after reading all these tips I just wonder how I could ride without knowing all that theory. I started riding a dirtbike when I was 14. I crashed daily. And I learned in process. Some reflexes I got as a child saved probably my life when I got my XL1200R in old age. Like braking and locking up the front, my hand releases the brake before I even can think of it. I used to be one of fastest among my friends, I still go close to limits sometimes. I cannot believe I'm doing it all wrong because I never took a course and I never studied theory. I do not think how I ride, I just ride!
Banned
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 1,127
Likes: 226
From: middle Tennessee
I don't know man. I started riding a bicycle in 1952 and the million or so miles I rode it set me up pretty good so when I started riding bikes in 1958 every thing just came naturally to me. We didn't have training classes back then. We just learned how on our own. You know we didn't have sesame street back then either, I'm surprised we ever learned how to talk. And for the record I have never crashed a bike on the highway.
Road Warrior
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 1,357
Likes: 91
From: Michigan
Because there wasn't training available back in the day doesn't mean it's not a good idea today, there are lot of things we didn't have back in the day that we have today, seemed much simpler back then. I am still a firm believer in training and recommending training, its all a matter of personal choice, if one chooses to learn on ones own then so be it.
Given that greater than 50% of MC accidents happen as single vehicle accidents, I would venture a guess that training on ones own may not be as good an idea as one would think and that all this stuff should come naturally just doesn't!
A statement which was made by an instructor of a recent RLAP course I took, "Keep practicing until you have it right, and don't stop practicing until you can't get it wrong", just made all the sense in the world to me.
Ride Safe
Given that greater than 50% of MC accidents happen as single vehicle accidents, I would venture a guess that training on ones own may not be as good an idea as one would think and that all this stuff should come naturally just doesn't!
A statement which was made by an instructor of a recent RLAP course I took, "Keep practicing until you have it right, and don't stop practicing until you can't get it wrong", just made all the sense in the world to me.
Ride Safe
Last edited by HardRider1; Mar 14, 2016 at 11:47 AM.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 3,932
Likes: 45
From: Stockbridge GA
I put many miles on bicycles and motorcycles long before I ever heard of a thing called counter steering. I think for most people "some" of it comes naturally because you CANT make a bike turn at speed without it.But once I learned of it, then studied it, then most importantly PRACTICED it, I was amazed at how much more in control I was.
And Im with son of the hounds, not only practice counter steering, practice it as an emergency maneuver, along with emergency braking. (not both at the same time)
And Im with son of the hounds, not only practice counter steering, practice it as an emergency maneuver, along with emergency braking. (not both at the same time)
Banned
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 1,127
Likes: 226
From: middle Tennessee
Because there wasn't training available back in the day doesn't mean it's not a good idea today, there are lot of things we didn't have back in the day that we have today, seemed much simpler back then. I am still a firm believer in training and recommending training, its all a matter of personal choice, if one chooses to learn on ones own then so be it.
Given that greater than 50% of MC accidents happen as single vehicle accidents, I would venture a guess that training on ones own may not be as good an idea as one would think and that all this stuff should come naturally just doesn't!
A statement which was made by an instructor of a recent RLAP course I took, "Keep practicing until you have it right, and don't stop practicing until you can't get it wrong", just made all the sense in the world to me.
Ride Safe
Given that greater than 50% of MC accidents happen as single vehicle accidents, I would venture a guess that training on ones own may not be as good an idea as one would think and that all this stuff should come naturally just doesn't!
A statement which was made by an instructor of a recent RLAP course I took, "Keep practicing until you have it right, and don't stop practicing until you can't get it wrong", just made all the sense in the world to me.
Ride Safe
Club Member
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 11,468
Likes: 3,572
From: Idaho
If there was a rule at HDF that there could only be one thread on any one topic, it would be 27,594 posts spread out over 3,000 pages and nobody would ever read anything other than the last post. Which happens way too often anyway.
There are lots of riders who are interested in oil, and lots of riders who don't understand why you should or shouldn't tune a bike, and lots of riders who are interested in riding techniques. As always, if you're not interested in that topic, feel free to not participate in the thread.
But I know you're a good guy. Love ya!
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,898
From: Bedford UK
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Club Member
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 11,468
Likes: 3,572
From: Idaho
Dunno, after reading all these tips I just wonder how I could ride without knowing all that theory. I started riding a dirtbike when I was 14. I crashed daily. And I learned in process. Some reflexes I got as a child saved probably my life when I got my XL1200R in old age. Like braking and locking up the front, my hand releases the brake before I even can think of it. I used to be one of fastest among my friends, I still go close to limits sometimes. I cannot believe I'm doing it all wrong because I never took a course and I never studied theory. I do not think how I ride, I just ride!
I don't know man. I started riding a bicycle in 1952 and the million or so miles I rode it set me up pretty good so when I started riding bikes in 1958 every thing just came naturally to me. We didn't have training classes back then. We just learned how on our own. You know we didn't have sesame street back then either, I'm surprised we ever learned how to talk. And for the record I have never crashed a bike on the highway.
I put many miles on bicycles and motorcycles long before I ever heard of a thing called counter steering. I think for most people "some" of it comes naturally because you CANT make a bike turn at speed without it.But once I learned of it, then studied it, then most importantly PRACTICED it, I was amazed at how much more in control I was.
And Im with son of the hounds, not only practice counter steering, practice it as an emergency maneuver, along with emergency braking. (not both at the same time)
And Im with son of the hounds, not only practice counter steering, practice it as an emergency maneuver, along with emergency braking. (not both at the same time)
Well, by 1968 I was commuting to school and work seven days a week, rain or shine, on a Harley, so I did survive.
Never had a class, never had an endorsement. Never had a crash.
When I got back into it a few years ago I decided to take a class to "brush up". Holy crap. I learned how much I had never learned, I learned how many bad habits my previous "training" had given me, and I learned how much fun getting out on the road and practicing is. At least for me!
Ride safe.
Yeah, I know, I posted in that one too.
If there was a rule at HDF that there could only be one thread on any one topic, it would be 27,594 posts spread out over 3,000 pages and nobody would ever read anything other than the last post. Which happens way too often anyway.
There are lots of riders who are interested in oil, and lots of riders who don't understand why you should or shouldn't tune a bike, and lots of riders who are interested in riding techniques. As always, if you're not interested in that topic, feel free to not participate in the thread.
But I know you're a good guy. Love ya!
If there was a rule at HDF that there could only be one thread on any one topic, it would be 27,594 posts spread out over 3,000 pages and nobody would ever read anything other than the last post. Which happens way too often anyway.
There are lots of riders who are interested in oil, and lots of riders who don't understand why you should or shouldn't tune a bike, and lots of riders who are interested in riding techniques. As always, if you're not interested in that topic, feel free to not participate in the thread.
But I know you're a good guy. Love ya!
didn't say anything other than "here we go..." and posted the link to the madness of last time when people started drawing lines in the sand for no reason and pulling guns.
please don't assume my interests or tell me "As always, if you're not interested in that topic, feel free to not participate in the thread." - that's a given.
We'll have none of that tomfoolery in this establishment.
Last edited by cvaria; Mar 14, 2016 at 04:25 PM.