How do you get a motorcycle to turn?

[GregGorman]

This is essential to know. Your ability to turn the bike quickly and when you want can literally be the difference between life and death. Whether it's making the turn that you think you're going too fast for or avoiding the bike that just brake checked you, this skill is critical.

So, what do you do on a motorcycle that makes it turn?

[admin]

pusch the handle bar in the opposite direction of travel

[Tampa Gixxxer]

pusch the handle bar in the opposite direction of travel


True it's called counter steering. Push in the opposite direction first, then quickly in the direction you want to go.

[ctate]

huh? opposite direction I don't get that.


If I want to go left I push on the left handle bar.


I dont ever go one then the other. that sounds like the recipt for a highside to me.

In fact. what I do is if I want to go left, I push on the left handle bar and take 90% of the weight off the right. move my body position low and to the left of the bikes center line and get my head over the left mirror, while pushing my right knee into the tank, I am looking though the turn to where I want to go.


the Key for me is being as smooth on the handle bars as possible. to the point to where I am bearly holding on to them. I use my knees to hold onto the bike and support my weight.

I use presure on the handle bars equal to the sharpness of the trun. so if I want to turn faster I use more presure.

but aways keeping smooth is the Key. I always use my legs to move around on the bike, I never pull or jerl the handle bars.

If your hands fall asleep while your ride your holding on too tight.


another thing is properly setting up your suspention. I had Chad Wolfe set mine up for $40. but if Martin wants to maybe we can set up a day and all of us can take our bikes up to his shop. and the members that don't have their bike properly set up for there weight can have him do it. correctly setting up you suspention is the best money you will ever spend on your bike and you will never really know how well you ride until you have it done. its like night and day in some cases...

[GregGorman]

Yeah, that's correct. Push left, go left. Push right, go right.

huh? opposite direction I don't get that.

They're saying the same thing you are Chris, just a bit differently. I agree with you that the better way to say it is, "Push left, go left. Push right, go right."

What they're saying is, if you're coming to a right hand turn you push the handlebars to the left - opposite direction.



Does anyone have any other ideas on how to steer a bike? Does anyone here steer by leaning their body, or pushing on the pegs, or by quick incantation?

[bsicilia]

i use some body lean on the street , when on the track i use a lot of body lean and transfer weight , and push on the on the peg. ?. incanantion ? not sure what ya mean there

[seatec]

With "incantation" in this context he probably means "doing without a thought!" At least thats what i hope because i dont go "o mani padme um" while riding.

[bsicilia]

we . j, incanation lol

[seatec]

lol

[GregGorman]

Yeah, incantation means the use of a majic phrase.


Does body lean or weighting STEER the motorcycle?

[ctate]

What they're saying is, if you're coming to a right hand turn you push the handlebars to the left - opposite direction.




see I still don't get it.

but if you guys say so. OK. :action-smiley-069:

[GregGorman]

If I read your post correctly, you said if you want to go left you push on the left handle bar. Which way does that turn the front wheel?

[Leif]

Yeah, incantation means the use of a majic phrase.


Does body lean or weighting STEER the motorcycle?

no
I bike is not going to steer because you lean
if Ia m going staraight in 100 mph an dlean over the bike si not going to turn but if I am going 100mph and lean while slightly pushing to handle on the left and the wheel to the right the bike will turn to the left

[Leif]

If I read your post correctly, you said if you want to go left you push on the left handle bar. Which way does that turn the front wheel?
right

[brooklyn Plumber]

DO YOU HAVE A MOTOCYCLE INDORSMENT ?

[GregGorman]

but if I am going 100mph and lean while slightly pushing to handle on the left and the wheel to the right the bike will turn to the left

Dude... I need better english than that. :smilie_help:

[Leif]

It is kind of the basics of dirt car racing or drifting.

you are about to hit a turn with a drift car or a dirt road car.
or a dirt bike.
You are straight and then turn the wheels to the right to make a left hand turn while back of bike comes out in the turn
but hopefully in a street bike that does not happend or you will loose traction fast lol...

As you approach the corner adopt the most appropriate position. When choosing your position, consider in order your safety, stability and information (view) needs, when determining the best position. Resist the temptation to smooth the bend too early as this will impact your view and limit your options.


Speed - Aim to settle your entry speed in good time, remember slow in = fast out. This will allow you to gather information as you prepare to round the bend and keep the power on around the bend, which will improve your stability. Use the vanishing point to check that your speed remains appropriate, if it moves within your safe stopping distance, you'll need to slow down, if it moves away you may speed up.


Gear - Selecting the appropriate gear will have a huge impact on your control as you take the bend. Choose an appropriate gear that will allow you to adapt. If the bend tightens, you'll need to slow down. If you have selected a low gear you'll be able to engine brake to wash off speed. This will affect the stability of your bike much less than applying the brakes.


Accelerate - As you reach the end of the corner (vanishing point moves away) and providing it is safe, smoothly roll the power back on as you bring your bike upright continue to accelerate until you reach the desired speed or other conditions apply. As soon as the bend hazards have past, start searching for the next hazard, resist the temptation to power out of the bend, as there may be a speed limit change or another bend ahead.



Key Tips:

Keep the power on slightly as you round the turn, to counter the effect of the turn and maintain your bike's stability. Keep your head up and physically look where you want to go, this will help you put the bike where you want it to be and the position will feel more natural. If you stare at the edge of the road, that's where you'll end up.

Avoid using the brakes when cornering If you need to slow down use engine braking, if that is not enough then apply brakes with caution, you do not want to exceed the traction limit.

Keep your arms loose and your weight off the bars, as this will increase your control. If you press down slightly on the pegs you'll find the steering becomes a lot lighter and the bike will be more responsive.

Use Counter Steering to initiate the turn - Counter Steering is steering the bike in the opposite direction.

[GregGorman]

OK. I see where you're going. Your Key Tips are great.

I think there are 46 different things you HAVE to do to some degree to get around a corner succesfully. I'm still trying to keep this focused on just one of those tasks though, steering - getting the bike leaned to the correct lean angle for the turn.



For everyone and anyone...
It sounds like you guys know counter steering - push right, go right; push left, go left.
So you push on the bar until the bike gets to the lean you want. Then what do you do? Pierre said he turns the wheel quickly in the direction of the turn. Is this right?

[ctate]

If I read your post correctly, you said if you want to go left you push on the left handle bar. Which way does that turn the front wheel?


I'm going to say right because from the sound of your typing thats the answer.

But in all honesty, I'm too busy with other things to pay attention to my tire. I always thought it was straight. just leaned over on the side.

Plus on a crusier you steer it opposite. which seems opposite to me. so saying oppoisite of normal for a sportbike doesn't seem correct to me.


I would never push right to go left like I do on a crusier. opposite from Normal for a sportbike.

So when I hear opposite thats opposite. Pushing left to go right. but pushing left to go left is the same.




and Now I'm confused:confused:

[GregGorman]

So you steer different motorcycles different ways?

Anybody have a mountain bike? Go out and balance on it. That is get your feet up on the pedals and keep the bike balanced as long as you can. Pay VERY careful attention to which way you turn the bars when the bike starts falling to the left and vice versa.