As a relative newbie to bikes but a veteran of fast cars, I had heard of counter steer on a motorbike but naturally assumed it was something to do with counteracting tyre squirm on bends when exiting under power.

During a conversation about learning to ride quickly and effectively and safely with a guy who works for me on Friday he explained what countersteer was. Naturally it sounded completely barmy to me...apparently a common reaction when being told to do the opposite of what your brain thinks you should do.

Anyway I forgot all about it until I was riding in to work this morning. Literally the second I did it for the first time I almost felt the new connections happening in my brain! I'm sure it's second nature to all of you now, but wow what a great feeling! I had been feeling a little like a passenger during my first week on the bike, but for the rest of the ride in I suddenly felt totally in control, much less tense and more agile and confident.

Still not had chance for a proper ride out yet as I've not had time to get my gear, but even just commuting every day into central London is really helping me to get comfortable on the bike. I need to switch the front to a 14t gear as the Monster is very snatchy at low revs due to that big twin, but otherwise I absolutely love it! :thumb:

much less tense and more agile and confident.
:thumb:

That in itself will make a huge difference. One thing i sometimes have to remember is to relax more! Tricky when the adrenaline is going!

5t.

Psst........ you've actually been doing it ever since you rode a push bike for the first time. It's just a case of realising what is going on and using it to your advantage.
Now get yourself on to a track and give that inside bar a bloody great shove at the first corner (after warming tyres etc......;)) to see just how quickly you can turn when you don't have other traffic to worry about :D.

I suddenly felt totally in control
A soapy tenner says you weren't. :p

Psst........ you've actually been doing it ever since you rode a push bike for the first time. It's just a case of realising what is going on and using it to your advantage.
Now get yourself on to a track and give that inside bar a bloody great shove at the first corner (after warming tyres etc......;)) to see just how quickly you can turn when you don't have other traffic to worry about D).

It's funny, I ride (and occasionally race) downhill mountain bikes to a pretty high standard and have done for years, but I'm sure I've never turned using that technique before? Maybe it's just much more noticeable a) at higher speeds and b) given the amount of weight underneath you versus a push bike?

Max - :razz:;)

A soapy tenner says you weren't. :p

wrong bbs ;)

wrong bbs ;):norty:

Ed - I went straight out and tried it on my mountain bike after my CBT. Eeeeets not such a good idea. :D

Psst........ you've actually been doing it ever since you rode a push bike for the first time. It's just a case of realising what is going on and using it to your advantage.
Now get yourself on to a track and give that inside bar a bloody great shove at the first corner (after warming tyres etc......;)) to see just how quickly you can turn when you don't have other traffic to worry about D).

Agreed, bikes are designed so we do this otherwise we would all be in hedges:thumb:

It's funny, I ride (and occasionally race) downhill mountain bikes to a pretty high standard and have done for years, but I'm sure I've never turned using that technique before? Maybe it's just much more noticeable a) at higher speeds and b) given the amount of weight underneath you versus a push bike?

Max - :razz:;)


Cant be that high a standard, ;)

Its called a forced turn in the push bike world.

Ona bike, pedal or motor the only way you can turn it at speed (above about 10mph) is by turning the bars opposite to the direction of the turn. :thumb:

Cant be that high a standard, ;)

Its called a forced turn in the push bike world.

Ona bike, pedal or motor the only way you can turn it at speed (above about 10mph) is by turning the bars opposite to the direction of the turn. :thumb:

I will post some headcam footage from the world cup track at Pila in Italy, and also Verbier in a week or two and let you judge for yourself ;)

Maybe I do it naturally on the pushbike and so just never notice it?

All I know is that the first time i did it on a motorbike it was like fireworks going off in my brain :)

veteran of fast cars
I ride (and occasionally race) downhill mountain bikes to a pretty high standard
*neee naaaaw, neee naaaaw*
Heads up, it's the self promotion police.
;) :p

Rumbled. Mind you, to be fair I am pretty good at most things :razz::thumb::lol:

:D

If I were only a couple of inches taller, life would be perfect :(