Countersteering

[Gubb]

Since my opinion is obviously so offensive to some people, i'll just remove it.

I'm more than happy to be corrected if I get something wrong, i'm still learning. But to call me a fucktard because of it? A little over the top.

[Maki]

Maybe you should learn to ride a bicycle first, one with no engine except your legs.

[Ocean1]

Hokay,

I can do this countersteering thing, but I'm feeling pretty frustrated as it is STILL taking large amounts of rehearsing each corner as I approach them, and if I don't mentally rehearse them, I find myself running out of road on the outside of the corner going for my brakes - returning to my old ways again.

I have been practicing this for a few weeks now, and I feel like I'm missing something - not getting it at all. My speed through corners has increased though.. I was chickenshit scared to lean the bike before, but I'm still hitting some sort of mental block.

How do I get past this ? or am I being to impatient and hard on myself ? Just let it come ?


TIA,
DB

If you’re successfully negotiating corners at all then you are countersteering, can’t be done otherwise. It’s such an intuitive thing that it’s easy to over-analyse though. Sounds to me like your real problem is a fear of leaning too far. Join the club, everyone has a limit at which panic threatens to overcome better judgement.

By all means drill the routine into your head, but if you put yourself under too much pressure you will panic, and then all the technique goes out the window, that’s likely why you’re running wide. Get your entry speed down to the point you’re totally comfortable with and practice your drills there. The corner speed will come naturally, don’t push it.

One other thing about low entry speeds, it means you can roll onto the throttle early, like before the apex. Most bikes are more stable and smoother under power through a corner, they’re designed to stick best with a rear weight bias. Also, the power helps stand the bike up as you come out of the curve. Practice slow, build confidence, the speed will come, promise.

[Katman]

Hokay,

I find myself running out of road on the outside of the corner going for my brakes - returning to my old ways again.



My speed through corners has increased though.

I would seriously suggest you decrease your speed until you get comfortable with your cornering.

Try not to think too much about the countersteering. As long as you are aware of and understand the concept of countersteering you'll find that you're doing it sub-consciously.

[dipshit]

Look where you want to go. Look for your turn-in point... look for your apex.. and look for your exit. Relax and look at the line you want to take and the bike should follow. The countersteering should become a subconscious thing. Concentrate on visualising your line.

Also I would suggest a slow in fast out approach. Turning-in and apexing a wee bit later will help avoid that running wide feeling if taking more of a classic line.

[karla]

I thought I had counter steering sussed, but then I lost it and couldn't work out what was up; I was feeling really disappointed. A friend pointed out that I was looking too close in front of me at corners, down at the road instead of way ahead of me. Once I started looking ahead again and letting the bike do the work (trust your bike!) my cornering improved. But best suggestions I've had have been posted here already - practice on the track (or around a roundabout) and go back to riding a bicycle to work out what is going on. Have I done either? No ... at least not yet ...

[karla]

Look where you want to go. Look for your turn-in point... look for your apex.. and look for your exit. Relax and look at the line you want to take and the bike should follow. The countersteering should become a subconscious thing. Concentrate on visualising your line.

Also I would suggest a slow in fast out approach. Turning-in and apexing a wee bit later will help avoid that running wide feeling if taking more of a classic line.

Great minds think alike - lol ~

[babyblade250rr]

easiest way i found learning how to counter steer a sports bike was going round and round in circles in the local high school carpark or doing figures eights in a carkpark just take it easy and just adjust the amount of pressure on the bars ever so slightly till you get a feel of how the bike reacts given the amount of "push" also a big factor to steering is using your body weight into the direction your turning, if you have a good set of tyres you will be amaized at how little tyre surface needs to be connected to the road to stay vertical, i would suggest michelin pilot powers great traction,

but give it time it will come to you, in a sence it's like learning to walk practice makes perfect.


all the best with it anyhow

[babyblade250rr]

Look where you want to go. Look for your turn-in point... look for your apex.. and look for your exit. Relax and look at the line you want to take and the bike should follow. The countersteering should become a subconscious thing. Concentrate on visualising your line.

Also I would suggest a slow in fast out approach. Turning-in and apexing a wee bit later will help avoid that running wide feeling if taking more of a classic line.

This is also very good advice!

[xwhatsit]

Mate, if your feeling that uncomfortable about it, don't do it on the road.

This is what Track Days are for. From what I understand, Counter steering is more suited to the Track, rather than an unpredictable road anyway. Just stay safe.

Horse-shit. One of the best techniques to have under your belt for road-riding. Blind corner, starts to tighten up? Easy, push on the bar a little more to tighten your line. Rock falls off the back of a trailer right in front of you? Use counter-steering to quickly swerve around it.

Unpredictable road -- that's why it's so useful.

[Macktheknife]

Mate, if your feeling that uncomfortable about it, don't do it on the road.

This is what Track Days are for. From what I understand, Counter steering is more suited to the Track, rather than an unpredictable road anyway. Just stay safe.

No offence mate, but you must have been misinformed, countersteering is an essential skill of any riding, on the road, track or anywhere really.

You are correct about getting more comfortable off the road though, as others have said, practice in a carpark. You could get in touch with an experienced rider in your area to help give you some pointers, always a good thing. It is also worth going to a Ride Right, Ride Safe course if you can travel to one somewhere near you.

Take your time, relax, this will help. Focus more on being smooth and taking good lines around the corners, this is a good way to improve your skills and roadcraft in general.
Remember, when it comes to corners, "in like a lamb- out like a lion" it's much better than the other way around.
ride safe.
Mack

[madmal64]

I wouldnt sweat it too much. Try not to over think it. I suggest concentrating on the corner more than countersteering. Remember that you are going to go go where your eyes are looking so do what others have suggested.
Here is a great video explaining the principal anyway.
Theres plenty of these around but I find this one is really good at explaining the idea
[YOUTUBE]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lxM_GU7W-dE[/YOUTUBE]

[dipshit]

A friend pointed out that I was looking too close in front of me at corners, down at the road instead of way ahead of me. Once I started looking ahead again and letting the bike do the work (trust your bike!) my cornering improved.

Arrr... lesson number 2. Visualising your points on the road like turn-in and apexes... but then knowing when to be looking further through the corner and down the road or next corner so you can join it all up into one nice big flowing line. The higher the speed, the more ahead you need to be visualising.

[puddytat]

Maybe your overdoing "it"? Try like the others say somewhere safe,but if your pushing that insidearm to hard youll head straight...eg, on my old bike active countersteering was what was required to get her cornering nicely,whereas on the R6 its the opposite & has taken me quite a while to get over the old habits & to counter with virtually no pressure. The ole girl was a straight arm type of counter whereas the R6 is bent elbow tippin' in,& a wee bit of counter to hold her there. All bikes are different Id say....& trust your rubber

[Grub]

I can do this countersteering thing, but I'm feeling pretty frustrated as it is STILL taking large amounts of rehearsing each corner as I approach them, .. {snip}

Don't worry, you may be a "natural" rider and this counter-steering culture is stuffing you around.

Have a look at a different view in this thread and see if it makes more sense for you and your riding style.