Passed my MSF today and counter steer question

[drivrswntd]

Took the MSF course today, recieved a perfect score on the field test. Going to register the bike and get my permit on Monday. Can't wait to go out and start riding.

i keep reading about countersteering, and that you push with your right hand to go right and with your left to go left, this makes no sense to me, or am I not reading this right. If you pushed with your right hand forward, wouldnt this turn the wheel to the left, initiating a left hand turn? I come from car racing, and we countersteer (turn in the opposite direction of the cars travel) to correct oversteer. Can anyone help maybe clear this up for me.

Thanks

[JHawk303]

i dont really know the basic physics of COUNTERsteering, but yea, you push left to go left. try pushing right on your bars to go left. then try pushing left to go left, you'll get the idea after trying it.

[dragonfire6]

counter-steering only applies when ur at a decent speed... if ur making a normal, low speed left or right hand turn ur gonna turn like normal... but when ur really moving counter steering comes into play... i doubt u got goin fast enough in ur msf course to actually use counter steering and its a little harder to do on the bikes they give u at the course...

but basically its using ur body position and pushing on the handlebar that is the direction that u wanna go... racers and track day guys, help me out here
its kinda hard to grasp without actually doin it, but in a week its gonna be like 2nd nature... for me, blipping the throttle was just not clicking when i started riding forever ago... but eventually it just becomes part of ur riding style...

-chris

[AFC]

In no way meaning to bash or hate or anything like that, as I am a firm believer in solid motorcycle training.....BUT......

How can you pass the MSF course without understanding countersteering or it coming up during the course of the sessions....

It is second nature and a basic motorcycling skill IMO.

Again, no hate involved here, happy trails and CONGRATS on passing the course.

[Andymax]

If you REALLY WANT to understand this, and know a whole lot more about Motorcycle physics and riding and staying alive...GET THIS BOOK.

I'm not trying to assign homework here, but this is a really great book.

http://www.webbikeworld.com/books/pr...torcycling.htm. Amazon has it too.

[MrSmurf]

Simple explation(and yes when I took the MSF 4 years ago I didn't really get it either at first):

When you want to go Left and you push the left clip-on turning the wheel to the right it causes the bike to lean to left. It is usually very very subtle and typically you will not be able to see it if your watching someone else. Also as stated you have to be a decent speed to use this, if you try this at say a stop light or something you'll get good practice of picking your bike up or going the wrong direction.

[JohnniR6]

thats odd. where im from, you take the permit test first at the dmv, then take the msf class course. after you finish the msf class course, you get your endorsment (motorcycle license). my instructors even told us, they recommend you taking your permit test before signing up for class. congrats on passing though! =)

[DisturbedOne]

the msf class here, you dont need a permit... and if u pass the class, they give u a certificate and u egt ur liscense... id otn see why u need to egt a permt too...

[drivrswntd]

I think i understand it now, kinda makes sense, i'm sure in a week it will all click in. In Rhode Island, to get your permit, you have to take the msf class. once you've completed the pass, then they hand you your permit, and after 30 days you can go pick up your license.

[darksaleen281]

hmm... here in texas ya'll, all i had to do was take my msf, go to the license place, take a written test, pass that, and got my license. Man, it's been a while lol. The test at the dmv is really easy though so eh.