Omg.....!

[judecatmad]

I tried the countersteering thing today...and whaddya know, it works, it really works! LOL

OK, I've only just discovered something that everyone else in the bike universe has known for the whole of eternity, and having had my learners now for 18 months it's something I probably should have figured earlier....but hey!

I was somewhat skeptical when I read up about it during the week, and somewhat nervous about giving it a go (corners and me don't really get along that well), but woo hoo! A new and easier way of going around corners!!

OK, that's me over and done with Make fun of me at your leisure!

[SwanTiger]

To my Dearest judecatmad,

Congratulations!

I am delighted to learn of your new found discovery and I hope it brings an enhanced many years of pleasure to your motorcycling.

I wish you all the best with your future adventures on two wheels.


Scincerly yours,

Swan Tiger

[hurricane_r]

great work man,

[sunhuntin]

good stuff!

i find it fun to corner one handed...really gets the lean going! went and saw my wrecker buddy...he doesnt have a muffler for you, sorry, but he says the hole should be easily repaired. he hasnt had a chance to look for the rest, but he says the tail light is the same across all years [for the older bikes at least, not sure about the new ones]
he also asked me have i tried counter steering...with my feet?! tried it a couple of times today and must say i didnt even notice the difference. i notice if i press with the foot in the direction im leaning, but thats not quite what he meant!

[judecatmad]

went and saw my wrecker buddy...he doesnt have a muffler for you, sorry, but he says the hole should be easily repaired. he hasnt had a chance to look for the rest, but he says the tail light is the same across all years [for the older bikes at least, not sure about the new ones]

Thanks for that - really appreciate your efforts.

Dave's going to order a new muffler this week and paint up the pipes. If your mate can come up with any other bits, we'd be really chuffed

Buckbuck mentioned steering with foot pegs in one of his recent newbie updates - I really didn't understand it too much, but it's taken me long enough to get this far so my not understanding something is not any great surprise!

[toymachine]

Yeah i've been really getting into countersteering lately as well... it's great.

Often I still do some big leans without it just for the whole rolling side to side fun factor, but countersteerings great.

[jtzzr]

You go girl , I find that the foot option is best.(thats me)You keep up the good work!!

[sunhuntin]

Thanks for that - really appreciate your efforts.

Dave's going to order a new muffler this week and paint up the pipes. If your mate can come up with any other bits, we'd be really chuffed

Buckbuck mentioned steering with foot pegs in one of his recent newbie updates - I really didn't understand it too much, but it's taken me long enough to get this far so my not understanding something is not any great surprise!

thing is...youve been countersteering subconciously this whole time... its when you try and do it, as in, actively thinking to do it. like when im cornering on that bit of road just outside foxton....i actively do it and really notice the difference. once you get your confidence up, try and do a bit with one arm....youll really notice it then!!

[SuperDave]

Try doing the countersteering thing and leaning, you'll see using the two techniques together is really quite useful.

[Terminated]

I tried the countersteering thing today:

Perhaps that's the difference between Port and Starboard.

Say gidday to the hubby for me.

Regards

[Nicksta]

good on ya.... you never stop learning new techniques and stuff.... and thats a good one that will help you a lot.. believe me...

[judecatmad]

Say gidday to the hubby for me.

Done

JCM

[Terminated]

Buckbuck mentioned steering with foot pegs in one of his recent newbie updates - I really didn't understand it too much, but it's taken me long enough to get this far so my not understanding something is not any great surprise!

Gidday judecatmad, now as you know this comment is coming from a newbie, a total newbie, so accept it in that light.

Having read the chapter in Flick of the Wrist II, I looked at Pivot Steering and essentially it is one of 'feel' and 'balance' for me repeat for me. Going into a right hander: I push a little on the right handlebar/pull a little on the left handlebar, while at the same time keep a bit of pressure on my left foot against the peg.

Here's a little drill, sitting at the computer: put both palms against each side of the keyboard, and you feet firm against the chair legs. Gently push your right palm against the side of the keyboard, with pressure down on your left foot - visualise that sweeping left curve.

Heads Up and Enjoy

[judecatmad]

thing is...youve been countersteering subconciously this whole time... its when you try and do it, as in, actively thinking to do it. like when im cornering on that bit of road just outside foxton....i actively do it and really notice the difference. once you get your confidence up, try and do a bit with one arm....youll really notice it then!!

That's the thing - I actually paid attention to it today and put conscious effort into it on corners that I'm familiar with. Knowing how I normally go around them and paying attention to what I was doing today really made a difference. I found myself going around them faster and easier than before. Quite an achievement for me cos corners do scare me silly for some stupid reason!!

Try doing the countersteering thing and leaning, you'll see using the two techniques together is really quite useful.

See the 'corners scare me silly' comment above! LOL.

While I've still got the original factory GN front tyre on the bike, I'm not confident pushing it too much. I'd dearly love to try out a sports bike just to see the difference and to find out if it's my lack of confidence in the GN or if it really is my riding that's holding me back. (if it's anything like driving cars, I guess I just answered my own question - you should be able to drive even a bad car well if you're a good driver! Guess bikes aren't too different )

[McJim]

That's cool - it's a good way to change the direction of the bike - you've probably been countersteering a bit for the past 18 months anyway. I've been trying different cornering techniques in car parks like countersteering, shifting weight to the outside footpeg, hanging my arse off the inside of the bike and just crouching down really low as I turn to reduce the height of the centre of gravity (this is particularly effective coz I'm a fat bastard and my bike is particularly light!)