Tricks of the trade!

[JayC]

I'd have been more impressed if he weaved through some cones with no hands

You mean like this? Ok they're not cones but...

<iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/mLLbr5-174A" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

 

[Nutty]

You mean like this? Ok they're not cones but...

<iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/mLLbr5-174A" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

I'm impressed now. Is there an outtake video?

 

[Popell]

ALL bikes steer by moving the tyre contact under the centre of gravity. Even with a very light bike if you lean your body left the bike will lean right cancelling out the body lean. But it's almost impossible to lean your body without pushing the handlebar = counter steering.

Bikes with normal tele forks have interaction between steering, brakes and frame. In effect the bike is an articulated vehicle. On small bikes the forms bars and front wheel are a significant %age of the bike weight. It's no wonder they can get into a tank slapper.

The BMW Telelever (and Hossack/Duolever) isolates suspension and steering so tank slappers are less likely & maybe impossible.

As there is less interaction between frame and steering the rider has to deliberately steer the bike rather than do it as a byproduct of leaning his upper body.

Pull a wheely and land it with the wheel at 15 degrees off centre and you will see the possibilities unfold before you!!

I had a mate who had never heard of c/steering and had been riding far longer than I had. I read (some) of Kieth Codes book and did take on board the c/steering bit - I even went to try it out consciously in a big open space. Without suggesting that you overthink it, being aware of how the steering works will help you feel better whilst cornering and will improve one's cornering. Or at least it did for me, and after chatting with my mate and describing it, his did too!

You can make a bike corner with just weight transfer as it simply reverses the route that the forces travel when you do actually steer (or rather c/steer). It is in-evitable that if you transfer sufficient weight to induce a certain lean angle, you will traverse a curve, the dimensions of which is directly related to the speed that you are traveling. My 'umble opinion of course!

 

[Popell]

Found this quite illuminating - don't agree with it fully. Simply put, you can only steer a bike at speed by countersteering, whether you realise you are doing it or not, typically you might believe that you are putting weight downwards on the inside bar and this makes the bike lean - in reality, due to the design and angles of the bars or clip-ons, you are actually pushing it forwards and hence c/steering. The video does show it well by having the hand open thus only being able to exert a push, not a pull, try it with only one hand on, ie the right hand, open and the only bend you will be able to go round will be a right hand one. Good to be aware of and will ultimately make for safer cornering