counter-stear or lean?
Thread Starter
|
Novice
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 22
Likes: 0
counter-stear or lean?
Just curious,
I learned to counter-stear (i.e. push left handle bar, turn left) after taking a rider's edge course many years ago. What a difference it makes controlling those highway curves!!!
When I was a kid on my little yamaha, I never knew about counter-stearing and simply leaned into all my turns. Of course with counter-steering, one leans away from the turn for counter balancing. Sorta "counter-intuitive", no pun intented.
How many out there still lean their bikes as a principle way of stearing? As I said, just curious.
Jim
07' RK Classic
I learned to counter-stear (i.e. push left handle bar, turn left) after taking a rider's edge course many years ago. What a difference it makes controlling those highway curves!!!
When I was a kid on my little yamaha, I never knew about counter-stearing and simply leaned into all my turns. Of course with counter-steering, one leans away from the turn for counter balancing. Sorta "counter-intuitive", no pun intented.
How many out there still lean their bikes as a principle way of stearing? As I said, just curious.
Jim
07' RK Classic
Road Warrior
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 1,383
Likes: 3
From: Texas City, TX
RE: counter-stear or lean?
I love questions like this! 
I've got a news flash for you, you have "always" countersteered, you just didn't understand it before the riding course. You may "think" that the "only" thing you were doing beforewas shifting your weight but I promise you, for any significant maneuvering, you were manipulating those handlebars too! Now, I'm not saying that weight shift doesn't play a part in the process, just that it's a relatively minor part, especiallythe faster you go and/or ona heavier machine.
Ride Safe,
Steve R.
I've got a news flash for you, you have "always" countersteered, you just didn't understand it before the riding course. You may "think" that the "only" thing you were doing beforewas shifting your weight but I promise you, for any significant maneuvering, you were manipulating those handlebars too! Now, I'm not saying that weight shift doesn't play a part in the process, just that it's a relatively minor part, especiallythe faster you go and/or ona heavier machine.
Ride Safe,
Steve R.
Road Master
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 824
Likes: 1
From: North Central Iowa
RE: counter-stear or lean?
ORIGINAL: Intrepid175
I love questions like this!
I've got a news flash for you, you have "always" countersteered, you just didn't understand it before the riding course. You may "think" that the "only" thing you were doing beforewas shifting your weight but I promise you, for any significant maneuvering, you were manipulating those handlebars too! Now, I'm not saying that weight shift doesn't play a part in the process, just that it's a relatively minor part, especiallythe faster you go and/or ona heavier machine.
Ride Safe,
Steve R.
I love questions like this!
I've got a news flash for you, you have "always" countersteered, you just didn't understand it before the riding course. You may "think" that the "only" thing you were doing beforewas shifting your weight but I promise you, for any significant maneuvering, you were manipulating those handlebars too! Now, I'm not saying that weight shift doesn't play a part in the process, just that it's a relatively minor part, especiallythe faster you go and/or ona heavier machine.
Ride Safe,
Steve R.
Cruiser
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 162
Likes: 1
From:
RE: counter-stear or lean?
If someone doesn't understand counter steering and they attempt to ride, they're going to either learn really fast or crash.
When my daughter was just starting to drive, I had an old Honda 400 automatic that my wife would ride some so I decided to teach my daughter how to ride it. First time out I was behind her on the seat and holding the bars helping her steer. She was doing pretty good (slow speed) so I sat back a little and let her do more on her own. We were doing about 30 and came to a curve....to the ditch she headed! I grabbed the bars and got her back straight, she did this a couple of more times until I showed her and she got used to how to counter steer. Her first thought was to steer into the curve which was, as we know, sending the bike in the wrong direction. Lessons learned......lol............
When my daughter was just starting to drive, I had an old Honda 400 automatic that my wife would ride some so I decided to teach my daughter how to ride it. First time out I was behind her on the seat and holding the bars helping her steer. She was doing pretty good (slow speed) so I sat back a little and let her do more on her own. We were doing about 30 and came to a curve....to the ditch she headed! I grabbed the bars and got her back straight, she did this a couple of more times until I showed her and she got used to how to counter steer. Her first thought was to steer into the curve which was, as we know, sending the bike in the wrong direction. Lessons learned......lol............
Trending Topics
Cruiser
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 139
Likes: 0
From:
RE: counter-stear or lean?
ORIGINAL: jchico
Just curious,
I learned to counter-stear (i.e. push left handle bar, turn left) after taking a rider's edge course many years ago. What a difference it makes controlling those highway curves!!!
When I was a kid on my little yamaha, I never knew about counter-stearing and simply leaned into all my turns. Of course with counter-steering, one leans away from the turn for counter balancing. Sorta "counter-intuitive", no pun intented.
How many out there still lean their bikes as a principle way of stearing? As I said, just curious.
Jim
07' RK Classic
Just curious,
I learned to counter-stear (i.e. push left handle bar, turn left) after taking a rider's edge course many years ago. What a difference it makes controlling those highway curves!!!
When I was a kid on my little yamaha, I never knew about counter-stearing and simply leaned into all my turns. Of course with counter-steering, one leans away from the turn for counter balancing. Sorta "counter-intuitive", no pun intented.
How many out there still lean their bikes as a principle way of stearing? As I said, just curious.
Jim
07' RK Classic
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
Thread Starter
|
Novice
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 22
Likes: 0
RE: counter-stear or lean?
I think "consciously" counter steering is a lot different than "sub-consciously" doing it. When I countersteer at highway speed, I have to consciously shift my weight to compensate giving me way more control and accuracy in my turns.
Cruiser
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 139
Likes: 0
From:
RE: counter-stear or lean?
ORIGINAL: jchico
I think "consciously" counter steering is a lot different than "sub-consciously" doing it. When I countersteer at highway speed, I have to consciously shift my weight to compensate giving me way more control and accuracy in my turns.
I think "consciously" counter steering is a lot different than "sub-consciously" doing it. When I countersteer at highway speed, I have to consciously shift my weight to compensate giving me way more control and accuracy in my turns.