Topic: Counter Steering

[Chris Schneiter]

How many people use counter steering? Lately, I've really been working on it and it really helps make cornering feel controlled and comfortable. I find that now on twisty/turnees, I can hold any line I want, and rather than slow way down as I used to, I now feel as if I can accelerate in corners (I know, don't get too cocky).
I've ridden since I was 11, never missed a corner, but somehow this evaded me.

[Rushoid]

Well, as I said in another post, I read about it before I actually started riding (March of this year). Once I was somewhat comfortable on the bike, I started experimenting with it. It's surprisingly easy and has become second nature to me now. When I first started, I was leaning, or shifting my weight, to turn and it seemed a little scary. Countersteering lets me easily hold a line, or tighten the turn, while maintaining speed. Plus I feel more planted and stable.

If you're unfamiliar with how it works try this: When riding in a straight line at moderate speed (not in heavy traffic!) push your right grip away from you ever so slightly (like you're turning left). The bike will lean right. The farther you push, the more it leans. Try it! It's fun!   

[ofreen]

I've ridden since I was 11, never missed a corner, but somehow this evaded me.

You've been countersteering all along, just not concious of it.  It is how a bike turns at anything above walking speed. 

[Chris Schneiter]

I'm sure to some extent I have, but I don't think I've actually been pushing the grip. I think I have been turning the handlebars  (right to turn right) like on a bicycle.

[Chris Schneiter]

Here's some input from Bob Wessner:
http://www.msgroup.org/TIP048.html

[nickjtc]

You've been countersteering all along, just not concious of it.  It is how a bike turns at anything above walking speed. 

Precisely. The problem is that if you start navel-gazing and thinking about it too much you can lose the natural fluidity that is necessary for smooth cornering.

The only time that having a theoretical knowledge of what is going on is important is in hazard avoidance. So for example, if you want to do an emergency swerve away from that idiot who has just pulled out form the right you have to apply a left bar end input to initiate the left turn away from the danger.