Why Don't They Teach Active Counter Steering?

[flymo]

Originally Posted by AndyW

Straight ahead. Momentum wouldn't be changed in the slightest.

I disagree, you may well fall off in the direction you were travelling but this will be to one side or the other of the bike. I was attempting to illustrate how the bike would react if you did not counter steer and simply turned the bars in the direction of the turn.

If you are travelling at any speed and you do as I mentioned, you would fall off. Try it on a mountain bike or something

[Drew Carey]

During my CBT it wasn't explained to me at all. Then upon leaving the school car park we immediately went onto national speed limit A road. The first set of S bends I completely mucked it up and ended up on the wrong side of the road!!!! Luckily, there were no cars. It then made me petrified of it all.

Stopped, chatted to the instructor who then explained it all to me. We then did the road again but this time with him telling me at which points to push on the bars and the twisties were smoother and fun, even on the 125.

I asked why they didn't explain it in the CBT as it could have been so much worse. His response was that due to the size of car park, you can get up to a decent speed and if they see people struggling round the corners in the car park then they address it. He said that I probably did it with out appreciating it and then forgot about it when on the road!!! My view is......teach it.....takes minutes to explain and is easy to demonstrate on the road with the pupil.

[flymo]

Originally Posted by Drew Carey

My view is......teach it.....takes minutes to explain and is easy to demonstrate on the road with the pupil.

that....and the offside rule in football . The worlds two biggest mysteries.

[Mej]

I dont fully understadn counter steering, but i watched a vid and had a little read and i have practiced a few times but im not to sure yet

[Drew Carey]

Originally Posted by J2UK

I dont fully understadn counter steering, but i watched a vid and had a little read and i have practiced a few times but im not to sure yet

Best way to understand is doing it. Next time you get a chance on an straight and clear dual carriageway with lots of room position yourself in the middle of the road. Dont lean at all, sit bolt upright and very gently push on the right handlebar. If you dont understand the concept, you would expect the bike to steer left, but, what will actually happen is that the bike will steer right as you are instigating the lean. Then gently push on the left (and therefore turning wheel right) and you will actually return back to where you were. Once more comfortable, you can use it more proactively and actually steer easier and with more control through the bends. Thats my experiences of it anyhow.

[Mej]

Originally Posted by Drew Carey

Best way to understand is doing it. Next time you get a chance on an straight and clear dual carriageway with lots of room position yourself in the middle of the road. Dont lean at all, sit bolt upright and very gently push on the right handlebar. If you dont understand the concept, you would expect the bike to steer left, but, what will actually happen is that the bike will steer right as you are instigating the lean. Then gently push on the left (and therefore turning wheel right) and you will actually return back to where you were. Once more comfortable, you can use it more proactively and actually steer easier and with more control through the bends. Thats my experiences of it anyhow.

Thats what i was trying earlier, i'll have a proper go on the way home.

Forgive me if I'm wrong but isn't something that you just do naturally? I can never remember being shown or taught countersteer but I know I do it without thinking.

[fizzwheel]

Originally Posted by Dicky Ticker

Forgive me if I'm wrong but isn't something that you just do naturally?

Yes it is, otherwise you wouldnt go around corners.

What you can do is push on the bars and exagerate or increase the naturally occuring effect which makes the bike respond to your steering inputs faster.

Originally Posted by fizzwheel

Yes it is, otherwise you wouldnt go around corners.

What you can do is push on the bars and exagerate or increase the naturally occuring effect which makes the bike respond to your steering inputs faster.

i dont really see the 'active' bit, surely all steering is intentional, brought on by using the handle bars. its just a case of turn or turn harder

[Drew Carey]

I agree, in hindsight it is natural. But, when first learning, active counter steering can actually be more beneficial for a relative newbie providing they know how as you feel more in control of cornering. But I guess when you ride for long enough it becomes instinct and you just always do it.