countersteering

[katana bob]

I have had an issue for quite a while with running wide on corner exit. I had tried adjusting my line or leaning more wich wasn't correcting the problem. I started to experiment with countersteering and problem solved! it seemed I was letting the bike decide where it wanted to go instead of me making it go where I wanted to go. it takes some getting used to pushing the bars away from the direction you want to go but just a little input will really tighten your line. be careful though, too much input and you'll be in trouble quickly.

[Black_peter]

Umm how were you turning above 10 MPH before if not using countersteer?

[Damian]

Umm how were you turning above 10 MPH before if not using countersteer?

It's possible to turn a bike just by leaning, right?

[allblackkat]

Umm how were you turning above 10 MPH before if not using countersteer?

It's possible to turn a bike just by leaning, right?

Take a MSF course. They'll show you how to do it right....

[allblackkat]

welcome to katriders.

[Damian]

Thanks for the welcome! I did take the MSF and I know how to do it right (still working on the execution, lol), but I was just thinking that it is, in fact possible to turn a bike without countersteering.

[allblackkat]

whether safe or not, I've seen it done by some famous stunt rider on a bmw last year at Laguna Seca...

so yes, it is in fact possible

[allblackkat]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pKAIz94s39o

Chris Pfeifer....

[Black_peter]

Umm how were you turning above 10 MPH before if not using countersteer?

It's possible to turn a bike just by leaning, right?

Possible? Yes...
Can you ride to the corner store just by leaning on a Katana?
No..

Whether you know it or not you are (you must) pushing on the right bar to turn left. It is just how a motorcycle works. EOS...(end of story)

[allblackkat]

unless you are going slower than BP said, 10mph or so...

[katana bob]

to clarify, yes I guess there is some unconcious countersteering involved all the time but I'm talking about conciously pushing the bars to turn tighter. like I said, making the bike go where I wanted it to go instead of allowing it to take the line it wanted to.

[md86]

but I was just thinking that it is, in fact possible to turn a bike without countersteering.

Yup . I turn mine with my hands off the bars sometimes , so I'm definately NOT countersteering then .
BTW ......

The bike SHOULD be neutral and hold whatever line it's on by itself . Adjusting your line when need be is cool , but having to fight the bike (which it kinda sounds like) means something else may be going on . I'm just sayin ......

[Black_peter]

Adjusting your line when need be is cool , but having to fight the bike (which it kinda sounds like) means something else may be going on . I'm just sayin ......

I must be missing something....
If katana bob just realized that adding steering will close up a line.
(or open it) that's super. But I have to say this is something that comes up 20 minutes into riding a motorcycle....

[ThAzKat]

The bike has it's own geometry of steering, the bike will countersteer all on it's own. test it, and video tape the steering head, it will move back and forth.

[hellcamp]

pushing on the right bar to turn left

You mean pushing on the right bar to turn right, right ? Wow too many rights there.