Is counter steering instinctual?
Is Counter Steering Instinctual?
There’s only one aspect of riding a motorcycle properly where your instinct is actually correct. Actually, semi-instinctual, that’s counter steering. Before I go any further I’ll define what’s commonly known as counter steering.
I actually prefer the term “push steering” since it’s a lot less confusing. What push steering/counter steering means is in order to change direction at speeds above 15 mph as in; when rounding a curve, you must push forward on one of the grips. To go left, you push forward on the left grip; the motorcycle leans left and goes left. To go right, you push forward on the right grip; the motorcycle leans right and goes right. Under normal conditions, the majority of riders have no problem push steering/counter steering even though most riders don’t even realize they’re doing it. If you’ve ever rounded a curve at speeds above 15 mph on your motorcycle, you’ve push steered/counter steered.
So, why do I say push steering/counter steering is only “semi-instinctual”? Because if you have to push steer/counter steer in a hurry, as in an emergency situation, chances are you will do the opposite. Here’s the scenario—You’re cruising down the left lane passing a vehicle in the right lane. The driver in the right lane starts to drift into your lane. About half of you will attempt to turn your handlebars to the left, away from that vehicle. That is mainly due to being used to driving a four-wheeled vehicle and it works great in a four-wheeled vehicle. However, on the two-wheeled vehicle, that quick defensive turn to the left amount to a push forward on the right grip. That of course will cause the bike to lean right and go directly into that vehicle. Here’s another scenario. You’re speeding straight down the highway when a vehicle pulls out from your right in an attempt to cross the highway and your path of travel. You try to steer to the right to get around the back of that vehicle, that quick reflexive turn of the bars to the right causes the bike instead to lean left and go left directly into the vehicle you were trying to avoid.
I’m aware that many of you out there riding motorcycles for years don’t believe a word I’ve just written. If you’re one of those riders that doesn’t believe me or, don’t understand the push steering/counter steering phenomenon, here’s any easy way to prove to yourself how it works. Get on your motorcycle, get above 15 mph and give a little push forward on one of the grips. I’ll wait right here while you try it. Ok, you’re back. Now that you understand how it works and that I’m not feeding you a line of bulls%&! let me show you how to use push steering/counter steering to your advantage all the time, even in an emergency situation.
First, find a deserted road or a parking lot with enough space to get to 15 mph or above. By the way, the reason you can’t push steer/counter steer below 15 mph is that the gyroscopic effect of the two spinning wheels of the motorcycle is not strong enough to overcome the force of gravity wanting to pull you down to the ground. Now all you have to do is push forward on the right grip, then the left grip and feel the bike lean and swerve from side to side. Next, set up five or six cones or any kind of markers you have at 30’ apart and weave through them at 20 mph. Do this until you avoid all the cones without slowing down or using any braking.
To see how push steering/counter steering can help you on a winding road, start turning some big circles. When I say big, I mean at least 50 feet in diameter. The bigger the circle, the higher the speed you can obtain. As you’re circling, notice that if you push forward on the low side grip, the bike will lean further to the low side and the circle will tighten up the harder you push forward on that grip. At these counter steering speeds, it’s helpful to lean your body slightly toward the low side as well. Just make sure your head is level with the horizon.
You may have seen racers leaning so far off the low side of their bike that they can even drag a knee on the ground. While I don’t suggest you go any where near the “hanging a knee off” extreme, you will definitely find how much faster you can round a curve using this technique, (notice the body position in the pictures). Make sure you practice in both directions. The more you practice these simple exercises, the sooner push steering/counter steering will truly become instinct “all the time”.
I would like to remind you to check out my website, www.ridelikeapro.com and buy one of my Ride Like a Pro DVDs or Book as present for a friend or loved one. In this economy, my DVDs are a gift that is truly worth it. You can call and order toll free, 866-868-7433 or order directly from my website.
Copyright 2017 – Jerry “Motorman” Palladino
The post Is counter steering instinctual? appeared first on Ride Like A Pro, Inc..