FEBRUARY 2006 “TALES FROM THE TRAILS”

MEMBER SAFETY RELATED QUESTIONS

Our Chapter members are asking safety questions relating to their own riding experiences and situations out on the pavement “trails”.

One Chapter member asks:

“Last summer, I enjoyed my first experience with mountain terrain out West. I had some difficulty in making high speed turns and cornering. I have been riding on Florida roads for over 4 years. What is the correct method to turn a bike at higher speeds?”

Response:

The technique used to turn our motorcycles at speeds over about 20 mph is called

“Countersteering”. Our comfort level with the technique of “Countersteering “

will allow us to corner more confidently and safely, especially in more challenging terrain. This allows us to execute quick and precise changes in direction that allow us to glide through higher speed turns more easily or avoid road hazards quickly.

It is not necessary to understand the physics behind the science of “Countersteering”

but understanding its effects can help all of us become better riders. As an example, if we find ourselves fighting our bike to make a line as we go through a curve, there is a good chance we are trying to “Steer” through the turn instead of “Countersteering”. In simple terms, “Countersteering” means turning the handlebars to the left to make the bike go right and vice versa. Even though this is counterintuitive, the method works!

“Countersteering “is a key element in our ability to ride in control. The four basic steps to turning a motorcycle in control include:

• Slow: Reduce speed before a turn.
• Look: turn the head in the direction of the turn. Keep eyes up and look through the direction of the turn.
• Press: to initiate motorcycle lean, press” forward” on the handgrip in the direction of the turn to initiate “Countersteering”. Pressing forward on the grip works better than pressing down. This is where most of us can quickly improve our “Countersteeering” abilities to turn at higher speeds. Press forward on the right grip to turn right. Press forward on the left grip to go left.
• Roll: Roll on the throttle throughout the turn.

“Countersteering” is a rider skill that requires practice. Try practicing” Countersteering” at varying speeds by just changing positions within your lane out on a low traffic open road. Note that by applying more forward pressure to the grip will cause the bike to lean more quickly while pressing forward longer results in a greater lean angle.

Once this concept feels comfortable, try “Countersteering” on some wide open curves—and marvel at the bike response and control available while going through the corner!!

Ride smart and have safe fun,

David

If any chapter member has a safety related question, please e-mail your question(s) with specifics to (dmesard@teamconst.com) or to any Chapter officer. Your question(s) will be answered personally and confidentially prior to publication in the newsletter.