Motorcycle countersteering.?

Question

I recently passed a local MSF course and bought the book Proficient Motorcycling, and I'm a bit confused. I thought countersteering involved me pushing down on the handle bar grip in the direction I wanted to go. For example, push right, go right.

Maybe I'm reading something wrong here, but the book is telling me to push that grip forward, rather than push down on it, which would force my steering wheel to go to the left if I want to countersteer to the right.

Any help?

Answer 1

It's not a steering wheel.

They're handlebars.

You countersteer with the handlebars to initiate a LEAN, and it's not necessarily "down" or "forward", it's simply turning the bars in the opposite direction of your intended direction to lean the bike over. Telling newbies to "push right, turn right" is simply easier than filling their heads with countersteering, coning, leaning, gyroscopic precession, and all the other physics involved.

Re-read the part about how a bike turns, including the section on coning. Then go ride, and practice swerving around manhole covers on a non-busy street to hone your skills and understand it better.

Answer 2

The book is right. Take a look at people racing motorcycles. Their arms are pretty much parallel to the ground. They are pushing the bars only in a forward motion. Maybe because your arms are more upright on a street bike they describe it as a downward push. But it is the forward push that causes your bike to countersteer. Practice the drills in the book and you'll be an old pro in no time. Take it slow and be safe.

Answer 3

To start with, try not to think of the front rim as a steering wheel. It's not. The only reason you want any movement in the handlebars is to cause the motorcycle to lean. If your leaning over and the front wheel is slightly ****** away from the direction of the turn, the inner radius of the front wheel is pescribing a smaller circle than the rear and causing the motorcycle to travel in that direction.
There have been many books written on this subject and the best way to learn it is to practice, it really is instinctive. Bicycles perform in exactly the same manner.

Answer 4

Forward and down are going to be pretty much the same thing. Either way, you are pushing it away from you. So countersteering is when you push the right handlebar away from you to go right.

Answer 5

when you ride it will work if you are going at speeds of at least 30 mph or more, going any slower and you won't really feel it. Yes the book is right! you actually push the handle bar foward to the left and the bike will go to the right. pushing down wont really do any thing. I know its hard to imagine but it does work. when rideing it will feel very natural, try not to think about it and it will all come with ease. good luck and always wear your helmet

Answer 6

Next time you are on a bike try it, push the right hand away, that means steer left, the bike will lean to the right and go right. Most people do it intuitively but its a good idea to be aware of it, understanding this basic principle will allow you to react faster in unexpected situations.

Answer 7

Bikernoj has it right.
Since there are large differences between motorcycles, there are corresponding differences in "down" and "forward". Concentrate on starting the lean, rather than pushing the bars.

Answer 8

You are only moving the handle bar slightly..To turn right,slightly push the right side on the handle bar...It lays the bike in that direction and it kinda steers itself thru the curve.

Answer 9

counter steering is just that...opposite (counter). So when you want to go right you actually lean over to the right and gently pull with your left the opposite way.........with centrifugal force, you're not going to change the direction you're turning, you're just going to stabilize the turn.........

Answer 10

Try this site Hope it helps Ride safe