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10-29-2014, 07:59 AM | #1 |
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Osceola,WI
Posts: 3,084
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Countersteering explained
EVERYONE should watch these short videos.
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Mike "GIBBY" Gibson Osceola, WI VBA # 1279 2011 National Rally 2012 NCR Rally 2012 Antlers Rally 2013 National Rally 2013 Antlers Rally 2014 NC/SC Rally 2014 Antlers Rally 2015 VRA/VBA Rally 2016 NCR Rally 2016 Antlers Rally 2017 Antlers Rally 2018 NC/SC Rally 2018 Antlers Rally 2019 Antlers Rally 2020 Antlers Rally 2022 Antlers Rally 2023 Antlers Rally 2021 Indian Roadmaster Limited 2022 Indian Roadmaster Login or Register to Remove Ads |
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10-29-2014, 08:25 AM | #2 |
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Central Massachusetts
Posts: 765
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Good stuff.
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VBA #02996 2008 Kawasaki Vulcan 1600 Nomad |
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11-01-2014, 02:35 PM | #3 |
Top Contributor
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Fayetteville, Georgia
Posts: 5,792
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Well, I started riding over 50 years ago. Never knew or heard about "counter-steering" until probably the last 8 years or so. Gee, managed to steer just fine. If you don't counter steer you don't ride. Doesn't really matter if you know it or not.
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Bob KawaNOW/VBA 210 Green/Silver 2006 Patriot Guard Riders 2009 |
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11-01-2014, 03:12 PM | #4 |
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Osceola,WI
Posts: 3,084
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I have seen many riders in the VBA that ride like they are sitting in a recliner. You are correct, if you don't counter steer you don't ride, howewver, better understanding of the principle is in everybody's best interest. If you think that you are beyond learning do not watch the videos.
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Mike "GIBBY" Gibson Osceola, WI VBA # 1279 2011 National Rally 2012 NCR Rally 2012 Antlers Rally 2013 National Rally 2013 Antlers Rally 2014 NC/SC Rally 2014 Antlers Rally 2015 VRA/VBA Rally 2016 NCR Rally 2016 Antlers Rally 2017 Antlers Rally 2018 NC/SC Rally 2018 Antlers Rally 2019 Antlers Rally 2020 Antlers Rally 2022 Antlers Rally 2023 Antlers Rally 2021 Indian Roadmaster Limited 2022 Indian Roadmaster |
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11-01-2014, 03:18 PM | #5 | |
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Peoples Republic of New York State
Posts: 15,154
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Quote:
That being said, Cindy took the riding course for beginning riders. It saved her from going off the road a couple times. She changed her line in a curve to miss an object and was heading for the ditch. The rider training popped into her head "look and push, look and push" she came right back on line. I on the other hand have never taken a riding course. A few years ago on the way back from Americade I changed my line in a curve and fixated on the edge of the road and tried to lean the bike away from it, didn't work. Off the road I went into a field of soybeans. I was lucky.
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Tim "TC" Conley VBA #9 2011 Victory Kingpin mine 2013 Victory Boardwalk -hers [LEFT][COLOR=#000000] [SIZE=4] Login or Register to Remove Ads |
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11-01-2014, 04:45 PM | #6 |
Sr. Member
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: On The Shakey Side
Posts: 2,501
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..Being an Old School Renegade Character ..and biking (Dirt/Scramblers/Cruisers, since the mid 60's...I took the riders school about 6 years ago...tho I'd never heard of "Counter-Steering"...This "old dog actually did learn some new tricks" ! I'd recommend the schooling to anyone, new, or experienced...(And besides it reduces your insur. cost...and does away with taking the drivers portion of getting the Motorcycle License Endorsement !)
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11-01-2014, 06:10 PM | #7 |
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: North Central Illinois
Posts: 8,575
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I see a lot of riders with extremely poor riding position and control technique. You see it all the time, everywhere.
Many of riders believe since they have ridden for decades they know how to ride. Unfortunately, the number of years or miles one has ridden is not an indicator of how skilled they are. If they haven't been hurt yet, they have simple been lucky so far. Great riders conscientiously know, understand, and use counter steering when riding. Their application of it is evident when watching them. They also understand body positioning is key in safely handling a bike when the corners get tight and fast; or when an emergency avoidance maneuver is required. They know they cannot simply sit back as if they are in a recliner and expect to execute maneuvers well. Once in a great while I will see a great rider out on the road; and it is always enjoyable to watch them.
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"During times of universal deceit, telling the truth becomes a revolutionary act." "You can have your own opinion, but not your own facts." Former VBA NCR Assist Regional Leader Formerly: 2004 1500FI Bronze Nomad: 2009 & 2014 HD Ultra Current Rides: 2017 HD Ultra Limited & 2011 Can Am Spyder RTS-SE Attended: VBA National Rallies 2009, 2011, 2015; VBA/NCR Regional Rally 2010, 12, 14, 16 and several rides throughout with regional members. VBA Member #652 HOG Member #3935417 |
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11-02-2014, 04:55 AM | #8 |
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Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Winnipeg, Manitoba
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I always point new riders that are struggling to this video taken from Twist of the Wrist II by Keith Code.
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Doug Engstrom 2012 Victory Cross Country Tour 2001 Vulcan Nomad 1500FI, (Sold at 83,000 km) |
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11-02-2014, 08:28 AM | #9 |
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Join Date: Dec 2008
Posts: 18,287
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It's always good to refresh the brain. Thanks guys!
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Gerry Martineau / 802 VT / VBA #0892 /[email]glmjgm@gmail.com[email] |
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11-02-2014, 12:33 PM | #10 |
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Langley B.C.
Posts: 516
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Thanks good refresher!
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JET-LAG |
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02-09-2015, 06:10 PM | #11 |
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Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Morrow, Ga.
Posts: 830
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Great videos.
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02 1500 Nomad (07 1600 Motor) 160,000 Red & Black 12" mini apes Galfer lines (6' over) EJK Dobeck Reckless Fairing. Led H4 headlight All LED lights Rockford Fosgate radio |
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02-13-2015, 01:38 PM | #12 |
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Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: La Vista, NE
Posts: 4,060
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Nice update. Txs
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Bill (usranger74) Blake 2016 Goldwing VBA # 1505 |
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04-02-2015, 11:09 AM | #13 |
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Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Missouri
Posts: 24
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Hey, I know the guy in the second video
I feel famous! Also glad to hear folks think this is important. One of the points I (tried) to make in the video is that everyone is counter steering; whether they know it or not. It's simply how the bike works. But doing it without knowing you're doing it isn't meritous; in fact you'll be far better off if you do it intentionally and master it!
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2014 Vulcan 1700 Vaquero SE ABS |
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02-12-2019, 02:56 PM | #14 |
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Join Date: Dec 2017
Location: Green Bay WI
Posts: 768
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+1. I tell both my MSF beginner riders and the riders in my Road America Street Skills classes (on the small track) that we ALL countersteer whether you feel it, know it, don't believe, don't think you need it, etc, etc, etc. And for most riding you can make a motorcycle do the countersteering it needs to do with subtle body actions. For MOST riding that gets it done, and there in lies the danger.
Because, when you NEED to do it, when you MUST do it to save your butt, you BETTER know it and how to apply it for control and stability. It can easily make the difference of a mid-turn adjustment from a "hmm" moment to a "HOLY SHIT" moment which is usually followed by a lot of pain and dollars thrown about. The "hmm" moment is when you make the needed actions and the bike tracks exactly as YOU decided it go, and then perhaps reflect on what you did to cause you to make that needed adjustment (too fast, no paying attention, not fully aware of the situation). The "HOLY SHIT" moment is when a rider has no idea to maintain/regain control and the bike does everything THE RIDER told it to do/no do. I have met too many riders who claim "the bike wouldn't make the turn!!" No. YOU the rider did not control the bike properly to make the turn. For that matter, you the rider FORCED the bike to not make the turn.
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My $1200 Vulcan, to start from. |
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05-30-2019, 12:36 AM | #15 |
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Location: Green Bay WI
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I did a Street Skills 1 class this past Sunday at Road America. One of the exercises is to simply ride the main straight at 35 mph and press-press the handgrips alternately just to feel the bike respond to the rider inputs, so the riders feels initiating the lean and diredtion change.
One rider, a somewhat new rider, would NOT accept the action of press-left/go-left, press-right/go-right. He kept saying, "the handlebar turns right so I'll go right". No I said, don't even think about it, just do it and feel it. He still would not accept it would go as intended, and it was obvious how he wobbled along, trying to "steer" the bike and then fighting it as it went opposite his intentions. You'd think he would catch on. I need to email him and follow up on a countersteering review.
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My $1200 Vulcan, to start from. |
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