Countersteering vs body leaning?

**onearmedbandit** · 25th May 2010, 11:13

Are you saying that it isn't possible to make a bike change direction (ie turn) regardless of the arc without input from the bars?

**MSTRS:Me** · 25th May 2010, 11:26

Not me.
Weight change can turn a bike. Just not quick, sharp or precise.

**bogan** · 25th May 2010, 11:30

Originally Posted by MSTRS

Not me.
Weight change can turn a bike. Just not quick, sharp or precise.

tis that way by design too I reckon, you seen those little RC bikes? apparently they have a shifting weight in them to steer, and they are well nimble

**Spearfish** · 25th May 2010, 12:04

Originally Posted by bogan

tis that way by design too I reckon, you seen those little RC bikes? apparently they have a shifting weight in them to steer, and they are well nimble

The full dvd shows a rider on the BS bike heaving it over to make it turn, it did slightly but the interesting thing was it slightly counter steered (no direct rider input) before slightly veering off line. It seemed wheel diameter, speed, weight, rake and trail makes a difference to what speed and how much it works and or course how much you heave into it.

I'm not sure Rossi will win any races riding while checking out is own pic in a bike mag with his spare hands.

**onearmedbandit** · 25th May 2010, 12:14

No one is saying that weight movement is a replacement for countersteer via the bars, you'd have to draw a pretty long bow to come to that conclusion. All that's being said is that a bike can have it's direction changed, no matter how ineffectively, by moving your weight. It appears however that some dispute this.

**R-Soul** · 25th May 2010, 12:31

Originally Posted by onearmedbandit

No one is saying that weight movement is a replacement for countersteer via the bars, you'd have to draw a pretty long bow to come to that conclusion. All that's being said is that a bike can have it's direction changed, no matter how ineffectively, by moving your weight. It appears however that some dispute this.

I am not disputing this - you can change direction by weight shift- but so slowly that its mostly inneffective in everyday riding.

Choppa did not say what corners he was riding around with his partner. If they were gradual sweeping corners on a motorway or country road, then his partner could very well have steered the bike through them by weight shifting. But I would question it if he said she steered it around 90 degree suburban streets.

**MSTRS:Me** · 25th May 2010, 14:22

Originally Posted by onearmedbandit

All that's being said is that a bike can have it's direction changed, no matter how ineffectively, by moving your weight. It appears however that some dispute this.

I'm picking up that some believe that bar input is totally un-necessary, and that weight shifting alone is all they need...

**onearmedbandit** · 25th May 2010, 14:40

Originally Posted by MSTRS

I'm picking up that some believe that bar input is totally un-necessary, and that weight shifting alone is all they need...

Ooookay, that is scary.

**MSTRS:Me** · 25th May 2010, 15:04

We share the roads with these turkeys...

**bogan** · 25th May 2010, 15:05

but not for too long (for your individual turkey that is), one way or another...

**GOONR** · 25th May 2010, 15:33

Originally Posted by R-Soul

....... steered it around 90 degree suburban streets.

I used to be able to do that on a push bike without touching the bars. Buggered if I'd even think about trying it on a motorbike.

**MSTRS:Me** · 25th May 2010, 15:46

It's a matter of weight, coupled with the mass/gyroscopic forces...

**R-Soul** · 26th May 2010, 08:16

Originally Posted by GOONR

I used to be able to do that on a push bike without touching the bars. Buggered if I'd even think about trying it on a motorbike.

You might be able to do it if you were going reeeeeal slow (like 10-20kph - although I am not sure and have never tried it). But def's not at normal useful commuting speeds.

A push bike has 10kg, my bike 189kg. Major difference. Especially at speed when the gyroscpic forces on heavy rotating wheel is keeping them upright.

**CHOPPA** · 26th May 2010, 08:58

Originally Posted by R-Soul

then I put it to you that you are subcionsciously assisting her with your steering. Do you remove your hands from the bars?

I wrote out my argument but it sorta just proved me wrong... I guess the point im trying to make is that counter steering doesnt just happen through the bars. When you move your body and weight the pegs it automatically makes the bike counter steer. The bars obviously work the best but it is a whole fluid motion, i still dont have it smooth enough..................