Counter steering on the 1200GS?

[TerryM]

Zmeagol

Try consciously NOT to countersteer at all when first entering a bend. But do it away from anything or anyone.

Another alternaltive which IMO amounts to the same thing is to ride no handed - it's hard work - and can be dangerous etc.

I sort of discovered countersteering as a spotty 17 yr old youth before it was called that or even discussed as a technique to my knowledge (1971).

I'm prepared to be challenged but I believe that it's just about always used unconsciously when initially getting the bike into a bend.

Where the application of countersteer is really useful is when it's consciously applied especially when already cranked over.

I find the 1200 countersteers brilliantly making it turn in really fast

WW, I had precisely the same sort of experience on my first bike(Ariel 250 twin 2T)in the early 60's, finding myself pushing on the inside bar or more noticeably pulling on the outside one.

But Keith Code wrote a book and made a career, and I am very glad for all concerned.

Regardless of 12GS steering characteristics(big wide bars and all the geometry etc)I countersteer all the time. The reason is that I can more precisely initiate the turn(peel off as was in Anglo-Saxon)and turn much quicker so that the lean angle is less for any given situation.

The difference is quite pronounced compared to my sportbikes and requires a technique adjustment.

Unless of coarse I just fancy ear'oling!!!! Or dodging the resident dead horse which must have been a serious and frequent hazard in belt drive days.

 

[Philip]

When I learnt to ride(8yrs ago) my instructor never once mentioned counter steering. I soon bloody learmnt it though down a 60mph set of twisties. When the bike was up to speed it felt like the steering had seized.

I dont profess to know me fisics but i think countersteering is necessary due to the "flywheel" effect of the wheels - ie the faster the wheels spin the harder it is to turn them off the axis of rotation - the heavier the wheel the more pronounced this is. That's why you dont need much effort to turn at low speed. try turniung a bike at 140mph though and even countersteering is hard work, even with wide bars, - lighter wheels should help though.
I think countersteering makes a bike easier to turn because you use the forward momentum of the bike(a lot of energy) to shift the wheels off axis ie the top of the bike and your body don't have to move but the bottom of the bike is forced in the direction you turn the bike, meaning you lean and turn the bike the other way - hey presto.
its also great for picking the bike up again quickly after a turn, in fact me thinks it might be the only practical way to get the bike upright again - you dont see too many riders (Capirossi excluded) leaning off the bike the wrong way in a turn to get it back over.

 

[Gogol]

Interesting conversation.

Some things true young paduan learner. You can't turn a bike (of any kind) easily, or rapidly, without countersteer - its to do with centripedal force. The superbike school has a bike with bars fitted to preclude countersteering - they go up by the screen - you can't turn quickly on it. S'physics innit. The reasons you you don't feel countersteering on yer GS are either that you are doing it completely subconsciously, you have no feeling left due to vibration, you are used to a bike which 'tells' you that you are counter steering or you have large lead weights attached to your elbows.

The best bit of countersteering is the delightful moment when you understand it and put a bike on its ear - luvverley. Its one of those intuitive things which make you faster when you understand them - same goes for dropping your shoulder into a bend.

Paul

 

[Den]

Since most counters are less than 3ft wide, carefull steering is essential, especially when it is slippy with beer spills etc.
Wood is the best counter for grip,granite being the worst. Sometimes these crafty shopfitters put bends in them . These demand a bit of caution. I find that my cylinder heads can knock into a carelessly placed beer tap when negotiating a counterbend, so tend to drift out to the edge, which can also be risky if customers are positioned there.
A wet beermat can completely ruin an otherwise perfectly taken counter steering move.
Leverage with wide bars is essential. Without it, staff tend to take advantage. Always try to find a personal secret about them and use it when a bit leverage is required, ie, when attempting an after hour purchase.

To sum up. Counter steering, whilst fun, can be dangerous and should only be attempted in a motorcycle friendly establishment. Stick to the roads, where I have discovered an excellent way of negotiating corners, it involves pushing the opposite handlebar to t.....................

 

[Mouse]

When I learnt to ride(8yrs ago) my instructor never once mentioned counter steering.

That's because the DSA don't admit that countersteering exists!