when to lean/turn?

[kaizashozay]

Excuse the fundamental question....but gotta ask.

How do you know the difference of when you lean into a turn, or when you should actually turn the wheel? Obviously you dont wanna turn the wheel at high speeds, but how many mph is the cut off when you should steer?

I feel pretty comfortable leaning into turns and moderate speeds....but sometimes....esp. highway riding, it feel like Im constantly drifting and it seems it takes more effort than it should to get the bike back straight...this goes for bendy parts of the highway too........I just feel like I'm putting way more effort than is required....any pointers? or ...better yet...can someone just post the CORRECT way to lean into a turn...not a track turn...just backroad twisties.



thanks

[CzarKat]

Not trying to sound like a smartass, but you just need to ride more.

I think anything over 25 MPH requires counter-steering, rather than actual pointing of the wheel to where you want to go.

But think about this... when was the last time you looked at the speedometer to determine what kind of steering was necessary for a particular turn?

Just ride more. I guarantee that it will just be instictive after some more experience.

[CzarKat]

Get this book and read it a few times. It really help with the concepts of riding.

Twist of the Wrist II by Keith Code

[mdsolutions]

Try this, get the bike up to about 40 miles an hour with no traffic around and at least a couple of lanes. Wiggle the handle bars right and left a little bit, you will notice that when you wiggle right the bike goes left when you wiggle left the bike goes right. That is the only way to steer a motorcycle at speed "counter steer".

I had the same problem when I first started riding. In a turn the bike would keep drifting to the outside of the turn, that's because I was trying to steer the bike by leaning and not countersteering. The leaning thing does not work!

[kaizashozay]

Im sure this will come more naturally....as I've only been riding for around 3 months, but thanks for the tips. I ordererd that book too! twist of the wrist 1&2.

[mdsolutions]

One of the best books I've ever read is Total Control by Lee Parks, I would suggest that as a must read.

[sandeld]

Originally Posted by mdsolutions

Try this, get the bike up to about 40 miles an hour with no traffic around and at least a couple of lanes. Wiggle the handle bars right and left a little bit, you will notice that when you wiggle right the bike goes left when you wiggle left the bike goes right. That is the only way to steer a motorcycle at speed "counter steer".

I had the same problem when I first started riding. In a turn the bike would keep drifting to the outside of the turn, that's because I was trying to steer the bike by leaning and not countersteering. The leaning thing does not work!

You should clarify your meaning of "wiggle" it is confusing.

I read on here the most basic concept of counter-steering: look right, push with your right hand, and you will turn right. Look left, push with your left hand, and you will turn left. Also, counter-steering should be done with most turns over 12 mph I think. Lastly, leaning is very important even when riding on the street.

Just my

[kaizashozay]

when you say push....do u mean push the bars forward? or push down?

[sandeld]

Forward, parallel to the ground

Edit - If you're in good riding position, your elbows should be bent and your forearms parallel to the ground. Therefore, when you push, you are pushing forward

[mdsolutions]

Originally Posted by sandeld

You should clarify your meaning of "wiggle" it is confusing.

I read on here the most basic concept of counter-steering: look right, push with your right hand, and you will turn right. Look left, push with your left hand, and you will turn left. Also, counter-steering should be done with most turns over 12 mph I think. Lastly, leaning is very important even when riding on the street.

Just my

I was not trying to give advise on countersteering properly I was just trying to get him to "wiggle" the handle bars left and right so that he can witness the way the bike behaves when turning the handle bars.

I don't think that leaning makes a difference at all, the bike leans as a result of the countersteer, your body should not "lean" at all in relation to the bike. Even while hanging off the body remains in line with the bike.