I've had a few bikes over the years, and always thought I was a pretty good rider. Rode dirt bikes as a kid, and several Harleys as an adult.

However, when I bought the Wide Glide, I was having difficulty with cornering at any decent speed. I've taken a rider's course, years ago, but unfortunately they only covered the basics of slow maneuvers and braking.

I decided that I need to polish my skills a bit, and bought the "Ride Like a Pro" video, along with another Palladino video (something about surviving the mean streets, I think). I also bought a couple of books. The subject of countersteering was brought up a few times, and it's something of which I was previously unaware. Sad, I know, but an old dog can learn new tricks.

This was the single most important thing I have learned about riding this bike (though it applies to all bikes). The extra rake and skinny front tire seem to really make this bike want to hold a straight line more than any other bike I've ever owned.

So I started applying the simple counter-steering technique, and now I'm able to handle curves better on this bike than I thought possible. I had heard the "push left, lean left, go left" thing before, but it didn't make sense because it was poorly explained.

Today we have internet, youtube, books delivered in a day or two, DVD's, etc., through which we can see the same concept taught in different ways. This made a difference for me.

I think that, if an "experienced" rider like myself can learn something new, so can a lot of other riders, regardless of how many years you may have been riding.

In my line of work, I have to train people on some simple procedures. I occasionally run across someone who says, "I've been doing it this way for 20 years", and I have to explain to them that they've been doing it wrong for 20 years.

I now humbly admit that I've been doing it wrong for 35 years, and it feels so good to finally find the key that makes it all click for me.

If you're not familiar with countersteering, where you actually turn the bars slightly to the right in order to turn left (and vice-versa), I hope you can benefit a bit from this post.

With this bike, I have to consciously countersteer. On other bikes I've had in the past, it just happened intuitively by leaning the bike, so I've obviously never realized the true potential of any bike I've ever owned before.

Seat position and loading the peg are also factors which are making the twisties even more fun. I feel safer and a thousand times more confident now.

Regardless of how long you've been riding, chances are that there is something you can do to improve your riding skills for both safety and performance.

 

I've got the DVD's on the way. I'll only be able to watch them out here in Afghanistan but I'll put them to use when I get back. I totaled my Fat Bob because I made a stupid decision, but I'm determined to keep the Fat Boy Lo I'm getting rubber side down.

 

I rode a Ducati 620 before the Harleys. I was not good at cornering the 620 until I learned to countersteer. Then, I took a SuperBike course and that made a huge difference. We had a racetrack with instructors and classroom time as well. I can tell you that everything I learned on the track (riding Ninjas) can be applied to the Dyna. You just need to remember that the max lean angles are less than a sport bike.

I do find myself sometimes pulling on the left grip to turn right, instead of pushing on the right grip to turn right. But the effect is the same. One mistake is to apex too soon when entering a turn. A later apex can mean a lesser lean angle and can be safer. Of course, you can apex too late and that can be bad!

Also, it is key to keep the throttle cracked at least a little in a turn to keep the bike settled. Chopping the the throttle upsets the bike.

Anyway, the best thing is to ride within your limits. I enjoy taking a turn nice and clean at lower speeds rather than too fast with frantic overcorrections.

Check out Keith Code's videos and books. They explain things quite well. He also runs the California SuperBike school.

 

"push left, lean left, go left" ... this makes sense.

"turn the bars slightly to the right in order to turn left"... is a poor discription of the above.

 

OK, and "discription" is a poor way to spell "description". (just razzin' ya)

Which way does the steering head turn when you pull on the left grip and push on the right? Does it not turn the bars slightly to the left? Does the bike not then lean and turn right when doing this at normal cruising speeds?



The point is that everyone "hears" and reads things in their own mind, in their own way. What makes perfect sense to me may well confuse the **** out of someone else, as I believe you just proved.

I taught Aikido and Judo for many years. I learned quickly that each student responds differently to the same instruction. Only by taking the time to find different methods and analogies was I able to achieve the best results across the board.

It's also most important that the student have enough courage to admit that they don't understand the concept. Some folks need things explained more in depth. Some understand better by reading, some by hearing, some by seeing, all by doing. However, it's good to have a solid understanding before doing these things on a motorcycle.

I'm simply admitting that I didn't understand it fully, failed to admit it when I should have, and have finally seen the light. It's one of those, "Oh! That's what they've been trying to tell me." moments.

 

Sometimes, I'll 'push' a little bit on the inside bar. By that I mean, if I'm taking a fast right-hand turn, I'll push down a little on the right-hand grip. Obvioulsy, taking a left-hand turn you push a little bit on the left-hand bar.

I don't really care for it a whole lot. Maybe I'm not really good at it or doing it right. But it does kinda work. Sorta. I think.

An old-timer told me about it and I've tried it a few times. Prolly just not used to it.

 

Try this too:

Lean forward and raise your outside elbow (i.e., if you're turning right, raise your left elbow).

Someone told me to try that when cornering aggressively and I thought they were nuts. I tried it and it really does help.

 

An advanced rider course usually covers this and braking in turns etc. Only trouble with advanced courses is you have to usually use your own bike. Gives you a bad feeling locking up your back brake at about 20-25 mph and come to a stop......but you do learn that once the rear wheel locks....do not release the back brake

 

Here is a great short video on the subject. I rode years ago and knew this but had completely forgotten until I came across this video.

http://youtu.be/oVa2Ax-Dins

 

If you've been riding as long as you say, (and I'm not doubting you). Then you've been doing it without knowing it. It works, don't over think it. It'll warp your brain. Really, It's physics. Now that you understand what your doing your noticing it more.