3 Tips for safer Cornering & the Black Art of Counter-Steering

Today the Mighty BMW takes a look at Cornering, in another video in the occasional series of rider tips.
Possibly the thing that riders like the most, the feeling of leaning into a bend, balancing the throttle and powering out the other side is a feeling only a biker can experience.
But there is a downside to cornering. If it goes wrong, it goes wrong bigtime.
So here we split the process of taking a bend into 3 easy steps.
1 - observation on the approach, we look at how to use observation and vanishing point to get the speed right before we get into the bend
2 - position the bike for the best view, taking into account safety
3 - counter-steer, use the black-art of counter -steering to dial in the exact point you want the bike to lean.
By using these simple 3 techniques you will be cornering smoother, and definitely safer.
Pull up a chair, grab a cuppa and let’s do some cornering.
Ride safe, Dave
My Bikes:
Royal Enfield Classic 350
Royal Enfield 350 machismo with sidecar
BMW R1150RT
Honda ST1100 Pan
Suzuki GN125
Yamaha 535 Virago
#RoyalEnfieldClassic350reborn #northyorkshiremoors #motorbikerides #thatblokeonamotorbike #RoyalEnfield #royalenfieldclassic350 #bmw #bmwr1150rt #cornering #countersteer

[@TheNorfolkThunderbolt]

I’ve been riding for 47 years now, and I did my advanced training when I was 25, but this series of videos is marvellous! Although I’m something of an old hand, it never hurts to refresh the memory, look at what bad habits I may have picked up over the years, and still try to be a safer, smoother and more precise rider. Please keep these videos coming, as I’m sure they will benefit a good many riders, old and new. Thankyou for making the time to do them!

[@thatblokeonamotorbike]

Hi thanks for your comment. I did my advanced test at 19, It's kept me safe over the years. Like you I strive to be a better rider every time I go out. The day you think you know it all is the day it goes wrong. I will keep the videos coming, if they help just one rider it's worth making them. Ride safe, Dave

[@johnb7855]

You’re a good man Dave.

[@cooperbiker]

Excellent - one of the clearest videos on road position and counter-steering that I've seen. It deserves a wide audience in the biking community.

[@ragarse3]

Brilliant Dave. The joy for me in riding bikes is the satisfaction when it all comes together. These videos provide an eye opener for newer riders and a much valued refresher for us older ones. A bike ridden well gives a certain freedom but that comes with control and responsibility...these lessons help us to in both areas.. Alas many road users seem to view a vehicle as simply a means of transport and having passed their test think thats it! I know I did until my examiner (car) said, ok youve lerned how to propel a vehicle..now go and learn how to drive. Some of the best advice I ever received, even if I didn't quite get it at tghe time. More please Dave, slow speed control would be very useful.

[@andrewhaley4623]

I have returned to motorcycles following family and work pressures, its called life. I have never got ride of my bikes and have decided after 35 years to return to the fold. your videos have been valuable, and have given me some real good tools, All of my bikes are classics so speed is not the main concerns that I would get involved with, but remembering positioning yourself in the road, looking ahead, and second guessing were the problems may occur has been valuable. Keep up the good work Kind regards Andrew

[@janetenwright2217]

I have been riding motorbikes nearly 60 years and even now it is rare i don't learn something every time i go riding. To watch your videos is very relaxing and very informative thankyou. Alan

[@thatblokeonamotorbike]

Thanks Alan, it's a learning curve on every ride. The day I stop learning is the day I will stop riding. Ride safe, Dave

[@chrisforan4497]

Just started my IAM training, these videos are excellent

[@tomcassidy2917]

Hi Dave. As mentioned in some of the previous comments, you are never too old to learn something new or be refreshed on good habits. All the best. Tom

[@johncarmichael8367]

Best damm explanation of counter steering ever

[@billy942]

Someone was trying to get me to momentarily turn the bars the opposite direction, this is a far more relaxed method

[@steveray8056]

Wonderful teaching with true real life (and death possibly) situations. I am enjoying this series. Keep going. Be safe.

[@paulclarke1233]

Hi that bloke on a moter bike , thank s that was very use full and well put over

[@anthonyplayford2204]

Another cracking video Dave. I liked your comment about being overtaken by a bike whilst in a bend! I think I prefer your methods of negotiating bends, much safer! Always a joy to watch your videos. Even advanced riders need reminding of the correct methods.

[@Borak-us9bf]

Great explanation! Just getting back into riding after a 30 year layoff and have watched several videos on the counter steering concept. Best explanation I have found and so easy to understand. Thanks for the tutorial!

[@233kosta]

Except it's wrong :| Without drawing free body diagrams and bringing maths into it, think of body roll on a car. Same exact principle, except on the bike you actually want the body roll.

[@richardrutel6806]

Another brilliant video, mate. I only wish every rider could see it. Very well explained and the combination of moving video and commentary is exceptionally well done.

[@stup1299]

Extremely informative as usual. Please keep these coming. I've been riding for nearly 50 years and it's good to know I'm pretty much doing at least the counter steering and road position correctly. I did notice the warning chevrons looked to be consistent with the actual corners. I used to ride for long distances a lot at night (less traffic) and found the 2/3/4 chevrons a great help in setting up for corners. Not sure they're as accurate nowadays. There are plenty in Lancashire that just look like they've put a sign up with no regard to the actual radius of the corner.

[@OldSkoolBiker62]

Thanks for a great video.. I've been riding for 40 years and only recently decided to start watching and learning about advanced riding.. probably because of my age I have noticed my confidence isn't what it used to be.. and even though I'm a old skool biker, these days I'm a very sensible rider.. even swapped my naked, street fighter, sports bikes for a sensible triumph speedmaster and a triumph trident.. Your explanation of vanishing point and it going away from you and when to start accelerating is the best I've heard on KZbin.. Really hoping you do lots more of these riding tip videos.. Subscribed.. 🤟😎

[@dinomalta712]

Thanx again Dave, very interesting and easily understood, my time riding in the company of Police Bike friends years ago , brought it back to me,I didn't realise how much I still observe, and read the road, the counter steering is SO much help on long trips, lost count of times mates have been tired out, just because they "wrestled" the bike instead of letting it do the work! Cheers again,DINO.

[@thatblokeonamotorbike]

Hi Dino, glad it brought back some good memories for you. Once you start riding like that it does become second nature. On another good point, I pick the Classic 350 up tomorrow, it's finally ready Ride safe, Dave

[@dinomalta712]

@@thatblokeonamotorbike GOOD News Indeed, I bet you can't wait, 6 weeks is along wait for a good friend, stay safe, DINO.

[@shanegill7810]

Magnificent video so clearly explained..

[@peterguy8454]

Great video. All aspects covered. Thanks for reinforcing everything.

[@AndrewSmith-hy8gl]

Absolutely fantastic, really, really well explained and demonstrated techniques and insights into safer riding. I’ve been watching a few of these vlogs to help improve my riding, your approach is one the very best. THANK YOU very much indeed for helping to keep me safe.

[@jeffarnold9957]

Thanks Dave, as always very informative and clearly explained. I have always pushed left or right but will go and practice pressure down left or right. Another pork pie I owe you👍

[@thatblokeonamotorbike]

Hi Jeff, it works the same as pushing, but it's a bit more controlled and less likely to make riders who are just learning to to panic and overcook it. We will have to sort a meet up and have the pies and a ride out, I get the Classic back tomorrow Ride safe, Dave

[@GrahamHughes-uu1gi]

Love these videos, very informative for riding on today's roads, any riding information is a great benefit to an older rider or younger riders, love it keep em coming Dave 😉👌

[@thatblokeonamotorbike]

Hi Graham, thanks for commenting, If just one rider picks up something from them, I will be very happy. Ride safe, Dave

[@Wigglesway]

This makes for great viewing, really enjoying this, plenty to take on board for sometime like myself who does not ride but would certainly like to, thanks for these quality videos. All the best Nige.

[@IngramCars]

Undoubtedly you must be one of the best and most advanced riders on the road, and it's great to see. Always loved bikes but never trusted myself on big bike,. It's only now aged 54 that I feel mature enough to realise that ambition and about to embark on going for the training and test. This is a big help, thanks.

[@cherrymacknay4808]

Fantastically helpful. First time I’ve heard of the hidden curb round a bend. Really useful information to add to my riding. And finally a clear description of countersteering. To my astonishment it’s what I’m doing already and now that’s been cleared up for me I can hone my skills with confidence.

[@michaelburgess2993]

That was another very interesting training video Dave. I actually kept going back a few times to take it in. Now I know why you always give a very relaxed rider. Take care and I am definitely going to practice what you have shown.

[@thatblokeonamotorbike]

Hi Michael, glad you found it useful, let me know what you think to it when you try it. I get the Classic back tomorrow, can't wait. Ride safe, Dave

[@michaelbrammer2483]

Thanks for that. Extremely helpful.

[@stevesmith3216]

Very informative, i shall be practicing this .

[@denismcinerney4978]

Brilliant riding tutorial. I passed my test in February, Im 51 years old and loving riding my Classic 350. Thanks again for another great video and for the excellent riding advice. Any update on your Classic 350?

[@artiexr222]

That is one of your best videos yet Dave plenty to learn from very informative. About 12 yrs ago a good friend of mine was killed up Holme Moss(I wasn,t with him at the time} by the mast a bend he had been round on countless occasions.Subsequant investigations said he was going no more than 30mph but for some reason he braked mid corner the bike stood up and he ended up on the wrong side of the road where he was sadly in collision with a car if the car had not been there he would have got away with it. It was a monkey I rode with for a while on my back a stark reminder how dangerous it can be if you get it wrong. Ride safe Martin

[@thatblokeonamotorbike]

Hi Martin, that's tragic, it's one of those things that will never be fully explained. It's also a sobering thought for us all when riding, I wish some other riders could see the aftermath of incidents like that and learn from them. One rider lost is too many, we all do our bit to make it safe. Ride safe mate, Dave

[@alanalan3290]

Very informative video and passed my test back in 1986 but been away from bikes for the last five years but has now spurred me on the do some additional advanced training to help me to ride safely

[@williamparry9314]

Excellent content.

[@williamstilgoe61]

Excellent clear video, been off my bike a while but it’s good to refresh what I learnt doing my IAM. I do have a question though. I have ridden out with police riders (and wish I had asked them) and watched police videos, bike safe etc. I was taught to sacrifice position for oncoming traffic they almost never seem to do this.

[@thatblokeonamotorbike]

Hi, thanks for commenting. I think it's a perception of risk. When I'm taking position if I see the vehicle as a threat I will sacrifice position. It's a continuous reassessment of the hazard, if the threat changes then your rider plan changes with it. It's keeping fluid and predicting actions It also helps when you're on a marked police bike! Ride safe, Dave

[@charliedirtbike6035]

Great video as a born again biker it’s great reminder 😊

[@barrysimmons8648]

Late to the party I know but please do more of these.

[@stevey566]

I'm going to practice this tomorrow on my way to work. Thankyou for another great video

[@thatblokeonamotorbike]

Hi, try it on a straight road to start with to feel how the bike moves. Remember to relax as well, if you fight it, it won't work. Let me know what you think to it, ride safe, Dave

[@stevey566]

@@thatblokeonamotorbike will do Dave. I've got a nice little back road to travel on, not much traffic on it especially at 5.50am

[@LordBazilBarrington]

Watch Motojitsu One Finger Countersteering Demo for countersteering. Motojitsu pushes the handlebar with one finger, not weighting. There is also a US ex-police bike rider showing exactly the same, pushing the bar. Countersteering is moving the handlebar in the opposite direction of where you want to go: push the rightside to go right. Push the left side to go left. It only works above 20-25 mph.

[@thatblokeonamotorbike]

The change point between turning in the direction of steering and counter steering is around 5 to 6 mph not 20 to 25. I have been teaching this for 40 years as a UK registered motorcycle instructor covering basic to advanced riders. Pushing on the bar can cause a violent movement in the bike. There is much more control my weighting the bar. It allows you to steer into the turn AND recover from it Ride safe, Dave

[@alanwrigley8156]

Hi Dave great stuff, but was just wondering why you put weight on the bar to counter steer and not push forward?

[@thatblokeonamotorbike]

Hi Alan, thanks for your comment and question. It's basically the same as pushing the bar. The big difference is by using your weight on the bar it's more controlled and potentially less violent. From teaching it I found that riders were pushing far too hard causing the bike to move off line violently initiating a weave, or the riders panicked and grabbed the brake. By getting them us weight the bar it was a gentler way of getting them into the black art. Hope this makes sense, Ride safe, Dave

[@rcraven1013]

Nice video but I have concerns about the limit or vanishing point on a left hand bend. The diagram shown draws a line up from our position and until it hits the right hand kerbside or verge. That is not completely true as if you look at that diagram then it shows a line drawn which is well over our mid line and onto the other side of the road to the kerb/verge. That space on the offside of the road is not of any use to us and so the distance that you can safely stop in is only up to the mid line as we cannot use the other side of the road for stopping distances. . That distance could only a few feet if its a short bend of say 90 deg. but that distance that we can see up the road on a slight curve could mean we are seeing quite a distance on the wrong side of the road of many metres/yards.

[@niall5181]

Re counter steering… when you apply pressure to say the right bar to turn right it makes the bike lean right. Do you need to press on left bar to bring the bike bike to vertical as you come out bend ..?

[@thatblokeonamotorbike]

Hi, you can either relax the pressure and the bike will come back up, Or you can use pressure on the opposite bar to lift it up. I find that useful in a set of bends, it makes the steering much more precise. Practice it on shallow bends first though. And don't grip the bars tightly, it's almost like just resting your hands on the bars. Hope this helps Ride safe, Dave

[@wombal177jim]

Great informative vlog however why not push bar instead to weight it I get the same results.ATB

[@alexharris8500]

Weighting the bar is the same as leaning into the bend. This doesn't counter steer. It's mechanically impossible to change the gyroscopic force that way. He is pushing forward but dosnt realise it. You have to MOVE the bar forward to counter steering.

[@wombal177jim]

exactly what am saying you counter steer subconsciouly @@alexharris8500

[@233kosta]

One technical comment I would add, countersteering isn't a "black art", it's basic Newtonian physics. It just feels non-intuitive at first. A good analogy is car body roll. Turn the front wheels left - car leans right. Simple, intuitive. Works exactly the same and for the same reasons on the bike ;) Edit: spoke too soon... I'm going to have to pop my youtube cherry and make an actual video on this, aren't I...

[@Mikethebike721]

Fabulous video. Many thanks