Every kid who's ever ridden a bicycle knows the basic mechanics of countersteering.If you are riding a motorcycle, you already do it.It is important to have a basic understanding of the process of leaning into a turn at higher speeds.If you push on the handlebars to initiate a lean, countersteering doesn't mean turning your handlebars away from the turn.The push on the handlebars will cause your wheel to head in the wrong direction, and as a result your bike will head the way you want it to.By knowing what countersteering is and how it works, any rider can ride with less fatigue and make more controlled turns.
Step 1: Stay parallel to the ground by keeping your arms relaxed.
You don't want to pull on the bars.You will be fighting against the bike if you do that.Your handlebars are going to jerk a little if the road is bumpy.Allow for small movements.
Step 2: Use your knees to anchor yourself to the bike.
Since you won't be gripping onto the handlebars with your arms really tightly, it's important to anchor yourself by hugging the motorcycleIt doesn't need to be a death grip.With the heels of your boot, you can hold down the pegs.
Step 3: Take your turn.
You have entered the turn too quickly if you have to decelerate, downshift or brake.If you brake before the turn, you can enter it smoothly.You can use the delayed apex strategy if you want to enter the turn differently.You must enter the turn on the outside and then return to the inside as you clear the apex.
Step 4: If you want to turn, push the handlebars in a certain direction.
Push the handlebars on the right side if you want to turn right.Push the handlebars on the left side if you want to turn left.The bike will tilt slightly if the bars are turned in the opposite direction from the turn.Turn right, push right.Push left if you turn left.
Step 5: You can use the delayed apex strategy.
As you approach your turn, signal at least 100 feet before the turn and check your mirrors for signs of traffic.The corner opposite your turn is the outside third of your lane.You should not go so far that you are in danger of oncoming traffic.You can enter the turn with enough room to swing back to the inside if you chose the outer third.
Step 6: Before you turn, slow your bike.
If you want to turn on a motorcycle, it's important to brake on your approach to the turn, then hold the throttle as you turn.If necessary, downshift before the turn.If you want to, you can shift into a higher gear during the turn, but not until you are more comfortable.The motorcycle's balance is gyroscopic, which means that speed keeps it up.Depending on the grade of the turn and the speed at which you're traveling, you may need to slow down.It's never a good idea to brake in the middle of a turn or slow down if there is an emergency.It is safer to evade than to attempt to stop.Level your handlebars before you start to brake.Apply progressive pressure to both brakes at the same time.70 percent of your stopping power comes from your front brake, so don't grab it in a turn.Apply pressure.
Step 7: The handlebars should be pushed towards the direction of the turn.
If you are turning right, you'll want to push the handlebars to the right.This is not the same as turning in close quarters.Keeping your handlebars square is what you are doing.Push the handlebars gently, increasing pressure from your palm.It may seem like you were trying to turn the bike in the opposite direction.As you lean into the turn, shift your weight slightly in the direction you want the bike to tilt.The principle of counter steering, turning the front wheel slightly to drop the bike into a gentle lean, is counterintuitive at first, but it allows for greater stability during a turn.Your lean angle should be greater if you want to make the turn sharper.
Step 8: Don't let your head go down.
Look through the turn to the road ahead of you and maintain pressure on the handlebars.Target fixation can cause you to go directly toward it if you look at the side of the road.Look at the path you want to travel on.
Step 9: Continue to maintain a steady throttle.
Don't let off the gas during the turn.You don't have to go fast in the turn.You entered the turn too fast if you need to let it go.It's important to have confidence in your bike.Just because it is leaning doesn't mean it's going to fall over.Keeping the bike steady is achieved by pushing the back wheel into the road.
Step 10: Look through the road.
Don't look at the ground.You will end up crashing if your vision is wrong.You will go to the ground if you look at it.The exit point of the turn is where you should keep your eyes.Vision is very important.
Step 11: Out of the turn, accelerate.
When you exit the turn, you should add more pressure to your throttle by releasing some pressure on the inner handlebars.The bike will come back upright if you push on the outer handlebar.This doesn't need to be a dramatic push back to the outside, just a slight nudging as you release pressure on the inside handlebars.
Step 12: You should apply your front brake before the grade.
If you want to stay stable in turns at high speed, you should only apply your front brake during the downshift.Just before the grade starts, this should happen on the outside of the lane, opposite the direction you want to go, and in the straight.You should accelerate into the turn.Depending on the type of motor you have, you may want to downshift more if your engine spins out in the back tires.Listen to your bike and see if you can push it.The section assumes dry asphalt and racing road conditions.
Step 13: countersteer away from the turn.
As you approach the grade, counter steer away from the turn and lean toward it, at no more than 45 degrees on the angle.You don't have to throw a lot of weight, but you might need to adjust your body position to maintain stability at higher speeds.
Step 14: Your body position should be adjusted.
More aggressive turns such as those done by competitors on sports bikes may require riders to adjust their body positions, such that the torso is parallel to the bike on the right side, and dropped low beside the fuel tank.Correctly position your head.The helmet should be in a position near the right handlebar, with the ball of the foot on the peg and the heel against the bike.
Step 15: Proceed into the turn.
Immediately after securing yourself in your lean, accelerate the motorcycle through the turn.The bike should be accelerated slowly throughout the turn if you keep your lean angle stable.The gear you use depends on a lot of things, such as the style of the bike, the road conditions, and the speed that you're traveling.There is no one gear for turning fast.If necessary, drag your knee as you maintain a stable lean throughout the turn.If the lean angle is aggressive enough, the right knee can drag on the ground.
Step 16: Right yourself by taking a turn.
As racers exit the grade, they will go back the other way into the direction of the turn which was just completed.You should be able to pop up into a stable, upright position.If you want to have a stable bike, shift your body back to a centered and low position.
Step 17: Don't let up.
Most of the time, you'll need to shift up immediately after a turn in order to keep going at high speed.