Keith Code (advanced riding instructor) built a special bike that proved once and for all that everyone countersteers. With his bike, he mounted another set of handle bars to the frame itself. With the riders hands on that set of bars, it was impossible to continually steer the bike.

http://www.vf750fd.com/blurbs/countercode.html

At this writing, we have run nearly 100 riders of all experience levels on this double barred bike. It has made believers out of every single one in the actuality of countersteering of course. At 20 to 35 mph, no matter how much you tug or push or pull or jump around on the bike, the best we saw was that the bike wiggled and became somewhat unstable. Did it turn? Not really. Would it turn at higher speed? Absolutely not.

 

If you can get the bike to lean you can turn. If you can get the bike to lean with out counter-steering, you can turn with out counter-steering, after all, leaning is turning.

I think the potential for turning with out counter-steering depends solely on the bike in question. There are many bikes you simply can't throw around by shifting your weight and you must counter-steer to obtain the necessary lean, as the bikes have too much mass compared to the rider.

I also think counter-steering is often thought to be irrelevant because many riders combine counter-steering with other movements, and/or the degree of counter-steer used is negligible and goes unobserved.

Also, counter-steering can be utilized at low speeds to get the bike to fall into the turn.

 

Great article. I'm going to point friends to that one. It duscusses all of the problems with body steering and how you benefit from countersteering. Everyone should read this.

 

I'm sorry but you are wrong. You can steer a bike with no bars at all. Check out the video I posted earlier.

Now.. Let's define counter steering versus body steering.

Counter steering - The direct and intent action of pushing the bar forward in the direction you wish to turn
Body steering - adjusting the weight load of the bike to one side or the other causing the bike to follow the direction of the natrual centrifical force put onto the bike's center of balance

Trust me, I know guys that ride stunt bikes for monster and guiys that race super bikes. You can steer without your hands on the bars. The video I posted proves that [8D]

 

actually keith code built that bike, it's used at superbike schools to prove to the disbelievers that body steering does NOT work, not for learning how to ride fast

 

actually, other schools use bikes like that to learn how to toss their bodies from one side to the other. Most tools have more then one use don't they?

 

It's been fun arguing the ins and outs of turning but now I am going to leave work and go ride! And yes, I will be counter steering

 

That rider was phenominal!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Very interesting thread. I rode a lot many years ago, then didn't ride for a long time. Recently bought my first Harley after riding Honda, Kawis, etc. I heard about this countersteering thing, and at first I didn't think I'd do it, but then I guessthat that was exactly what I'd been doing all along; come into a curve, use the bars as levers; press down on the inside grip, lift up on the outside grip, lean into it, tilt head upright,keep eyes level.

'05 XL1200R
'98 XL883H (For Sale)

 

All of the above methods of turning ie shifting weight etc. even without using your hands directs the handlebars in exactly the same direction as if you were countersteering with your hands. Still no difference. The only way a bike will turn at speed is if the front tire is slightly out of alignment from the rear. In a left turn it will be slightly to the right of the rar tire. To turn right the front tire musttake a line slightly to the left of the rear. It's the only way a bike willturn at speed. Hoever you are managing to create this"mal-alignment" it's still the same. Countersteering is just a word used to verbally communicate a concept.