counter/active steering

[phillvr6]

Wow, been reading the latest issue of ride, specifically the article on active steering. Yesterday I needed to take a trip down the A3 from Guildford to Waterlooville so decided to put the theory in to practice.

Well, the road was wide and empty so I took the bull by the horns and turned the bars the opposite way to which I wanted go.Sure enough the bike leant itself over and went exactly where I wanted it to.

From that point I started to deliberately counter steer for every change of direction from overtaking, to long sweeping bends, to sharp bends. All I can say is what a revelation, by the time I got back to Guildford I was doing it without thinking (although it did take some convincing myself to steer towards the concrete barrier in the centre of the A3 just before Guildford).

By the time I got home, my cornering was more accurate and more confident, plus my chicken strips are getting thinner.

So if you haven't tried it, or don't do it regually, give it a go.

Thanks,

Phill

[r5gttgaz]

You have to do it or you wont go round corners, however now you realise and can increase the input your cornering will improve no end.

[shot2bits]

I read this article and had to read it again because how else do you go around corners?? I'm no pro but you have to counter steer at speed to lean the bike and go around corners! It's just that the article made it sound like there was another way of steering other than counter steering - I wondered how else you could get a bike to corner?

It was a good article though and has made me much more confident with my steering - push harder and quicker than I used to

Rob.

[phillvr6]

I think previously I just went around corners but never actually thought about how I was doing it. Now I realise how I am doing it I can make use of that and improve.

Phill

[Scott W]

Also, consider making sure your elbows are in line with the handle bars (or as best as you can) as this will increase the effect of counter steering tremendously.

I thought I was doing it correctly for years, but spending a day doing the California Superbike School soon showed me I wasn't, and by having straighter/more upright arms my pushing on the bars was just having no real effect whatsoever.

[slim_boy_fat]

It’s good to see the penny drop for people, especially on a motorbike.

Steer bike, turn bars. Mmmmmm doughnuts (said in best Homer Simpson style)

[catso]

phillvr6 said:

From that point I started to deliberately counter steer for every change of direction from overtaking Phill

Just wondering how you've been steering up to now...........

[phillvr6]

catso said:

phillvr6 said: From that point I started to deliberately counter steer for every change of direction from overtaking Phill Just wondering how you've been steering up to now...........

As I think I said earlier, I had just been doing ti without really thinking what I was doing.

[shot2bits]

phillvr6 said:

catso said: phillvr6 said: From that point I started to deliberately counter steer for every change of direction from overtaking Phill Just wondering how you've been steering up to now........... As I think I said earlier, I had just been doing ti without really thinking what I was doing.

Yeah, counter steering isn't obvious is it - considering you only push 5mm to lean the bike by 40o... In everday riding the input to the bars would be tiny so I do understand what you're saying. The article gave me the confidence to push harder and faster...