More people do it than realize because most of the time its subtle. Like the pic below.
Counter weight while turning??
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Joined: Feb 2016
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From: Georgia
Counter weight while turning??
SoI I just bought my 883. I've only had it for about 2 weeks. Here's my question(s):
When turning do you guys counter the weight by leaning your upper body the opposite direction you're turning? I do this a lot because everyone says Sportsters are top heavy. I know that some other bikes you lean into the turn with the bike.
Also, while riding on the freeway/ highway, side winds tends to slowly drift me to the right. I lean my upper body right so I can cautiously and easily counter steer into the wind. Is this normal?? I'm going about 65 mph.
When turning do you guys counter the weight by leaning your upper body the opposite direction you're turning? I do this a lot because everyone says Sportsters are top heavy. I know that some other bikes you lean into the turn with the bike.
Also, while riding on the freeway/ highway, side winds tends to slowly drift me to the right. I lean my upper body right so I can cautiously and easily counter steer into the wind. Is this normal?? I'm going about 65 mph.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 10,907
Likes: 8,758
From: Galt's Gulch - MI
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:
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:
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 5,456
Likes: 2,860
From: SW FL-Jersey Shore Emigre
Under 15 MPH, leaning AWAY from the turn may help you control the bike a bit better, through a tight turn, but for anything faster, you should lean INTO the turn. This will move the Center of Gravity of the bike-rider system away from the turn hence decreasing the lean angle of the bike necessary to maintain adequate traction (assuming proper throttle control) for a given speed through the turn.
This is a fact of life for any tandem two-wheeled vehicle, not just a Sportster, even a bicycle! Log onto Amazon today and order the Jerry Palladino's "Ride Like a Pro" DVD and Keith Codes "Twist of the Wrist II" DVD, and schedule yourself for an MSF course. Ride safe!
This is a fact of life for any tandem two-wheeled vehicle, not just a Sportster, even a bicycle! Log onto Amazon today and order the Jerry Palladino's "Ride Like a Pro" DVD and Keith Codes "Twist of the Wrist II" DVD, and schedule yourself for an MSF course. Ride safe!
Last edited by shorelasHD; Mar 13, 2016 at 03:47 PM.
Road Warrior
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 1,357
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From: Michigan
If you are asking questions like these here I advise you to seek an MSF Basic riders course immediately! The lack of understanding for the basic operational skills of riding a motorcycle will get you hurt. If you asking these questions I can't even imagine what you are doing when applying the brakes.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 21,173
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From: South Carolina
If you are asking questions like these here I advise you to seek an MSF Basic riders course immediately! The lack of understanding for the basic operational skills of riding a motorcycle will get you hurt. If you asking these questions I can't even imagine what you are doing when applying the brakes.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2013
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From: Great State of Canada
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Club Member
Joined: Jul 2014
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From: Idaho
First, I will strongly agree with this post: Take a class, as soon as you can get registered.
Now I'll answer your questions. Here's the number one point of confusion among relatively new riders: the lack of understanding that everything you do in a low speed turn, like a u-turn, and everything you do during turn at normal road speed is the complete opposite.
In a low speed turn, you turn the handlebars in the direction you want to go. At road speed you turn the handlebars in the opposite direction you want to go, which is why it's called countersteering. And always, always use both arms. The inside arm pushes and the outside arm pulls. Always.
In a low speed turn you keep your body upright, "outside" or "above" the bike, essentially leaning the opposite way the bike is leaning in order to keep your body upright, and putting most of your body weight on the outside peg. This is called counter-leaning or counter-weighting. At road speed you lean your body in the same direction the bike is turning, but at a slightly greater angle than the bike is leaning, essentially "inside" the bike.
There are, not surprisingly, more techniques involved, but don't want to overwhelm your brain. It's really, really hard to learn this from "the internet", so you really, really need to be shown and taught by somebody who knows what to look for, which isn't necessarily your riding buddy.
Take a class.
If you are asking questions like these here I advise you to seek an MSF Basic riders course immediately! The lack of understanding for the basic operational skills of riding a motorcycle will get you hurt. If you asking these questions I can't even imagine what you are doing when applying the brakes.
In a low speed turn, you turn the handlebars in the direction you want to go. At road speed you turn the handlebars in the opposite direction you want to go, which is why it's called countersteering. And always, always use both arms. The inside arm pushes and the outside arm pulls. Always.
In a low speed turn you keep your body upright, "outside" or "above" the bike, essentially leaning the opposite way the bike is leaning in order to keep your body upright, and putting most of your body weight on the outside peg. This is called counter-leaning or counter-weighting. At road speed you lean your body in the same direction the bike is turning, but at a slightly greater angle than the bike is leaning, essentially "inside" the bike.
There are, not surprisingly, more techniques involved, but don't want to overwhelm your brain. It's really, really hard to learn this from "the internet", so you really, really need to be shown and taught by somebody who knows what to look for, which isn't necessarily your riding buddy.
Take a class.
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 6,175
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From: Great State of Canada
As everyone else has said. Enrolling in a course is a learning imperative. The YouTube video I posted shows, among other things, why learning the basics by the seat of your pants is a bad idea. The guy in the video was doing just that and discovered the test came before the lesson.
