How To Counter Steer a Motorcycle Effectively

I'd estimate that more than 60 percent of motorcycle riders that I coach cannot actually demonstrate correct steering technique on a motorcycle ... a very worrying situation considering that steering is the essence of cornering.
So I made this short video to guide newer riders on how to experience and learn effective counter steering so they can steer their motorcycle properly.
Please share this with any new riders you know, learning to do this properly might just be a life saver.

[@gerardangelo761]

So far the best instruction about counter steering. Major respects to you sir.

[@TheBikeStig]

cheers Gerald, appreciate the feedback

[@sidetraxx]

I'm a new rider and this video has helped me improve my countersteering more than any other video I've watched.

[@TheBikeStig]

Thanks for saying so Jan, appreciate it. And stay upright mate.

[@zl1booker]

Best example of CS on the internet. Straight to the point and simple to understand. Thanks

[@TheBikeStig]

cheers mate, thanks for watching

[@banushankar566]

After watching hours of countersteering videos this is the best

[@TheBikeStig]

thanks mate, I was always hoping to make it simple yet practical ... and address as many misunderstandings as I could. Cheers

[@mikegm6326]

Great video!!! Most of the videos out there are about what is counter steering, but I was looking for a video on how you go back to position. Finally I found this great video. Thanks for sharing.

[@TheBikeStig]

awesome mate, cheers

[@rayeti5935]

This is the best explination and example that i have seen and the best advice ever GO AND EXPERIENCE IT!!!! Just get on your bike and try the techniques out and do not be scared to fall and wear your safety equipment as well thats number 1

[@TheBikeStig]

thanks for the comment mate, appreciate it.

[@juanlopez-campillo4565]

This is the best instructional video on counter steering I've seen. Thank you.

[@TheBikeStig]

Thanks for the comment Juan, I think the simplicity of it has been the key to it being useful. Cheers mate

[@markwilding5108]

Beat video I’ve watched about counter steering so far. Was having difficulty with keeping a good line after a initiating a turn and this definitely helped!

[@TheBikeStig]

fantastic, glad I could help Mark, the only other thing to make sure is that you don't roll that throttle on until the bike is on the line you want.

[@wayneshephard]

Nice explanation, I only really discovered this back in the 80's when I got my full licence and could take pillions, having to force the bike down when they chose to resist the lean, had to learn that one quickly and hadn't thought much of it before, hopefully beginner riders head this lesson.

[@TheBikeStig]

Cheers mate, interestingly I never thought about that pillion issue until you mentioned it. fortunately for me my lady pillion goes with the bike like a demon :-)

[@nlee5034]

You briefly touched on the ONE thing that NO ONE talks about… how to come out of the curve/turn. “Press left, turn left… and when you want to straighten up after the turn, you press right. “ I’ve watched a LOT of videos on this, and you’re the first one to mention what to do “after the turn”. 👍🏼

[@TheBikeStig]

cheers mate, thanks for watching and noticing

[@JunioJsv]

You have no idea how this video helped me! Thanks.

[@TheBikeStig]

cheers mate, glad to be able to help

[@stevebinaheaton287]

At last a simple, well thought out explanation. Great video. Thanks.

[@TheBikeStig]

thanks for the comment and your support

[@MuvaLaNegra]

Omggg, I've watched 1000 videos and today finally i learned what counter steering is...thank you sir

[@TheBikeStig]

glad I could be of assistance, and thanks for the comment

[@hasibulhasanzeeshan5751]

No matter how manu videos you watch you won't be perfect and clear your doubt without playing with the bike you have to feel this

[@hymnstring816]

The best instruction that I've seen here. Thank you sir.

[@TheBikeStig]

hey cheers mate, thanks for the comment

[@tmmtmm7089]

A very informative video. It completely cleared my confusions.

[@TheBikeStig]

thats awesome mate, if you watch the most recent video about gyroscopic precession we just uploaded it will show why this is the correct way to steer the bike at speed.

[@stevechampion7938]

Very well explained. Great video! In response to Jim. Sadly I don’t think we all do this when approaching turns. I’ve seen way too many people that have no idea on motorbikes not make turns that the average rider could. It’s all about knowledge and practice. Stay safe.

[@TheBikeStig]

Thanks and I agree mate. I've coached a lot of riders who when asked to 'show me' how to turn left ... can't actually demonstrate how to steer the bike correctly. I know for sure they counter steer a bike back onto a straight line but they don't actually know they're doing it. It's the awareness that turns everything around. Cheers champs

[@DNL1200GSA]

Great explanation George. I’m not sure if I had forgotten about the fact that once you’ve counter steered onto the chosen line, the bike holds the line. I’m sure this has been covered, especially at CSS, but after testing it out today, I’ve got to say I was amazed it held so well. Now to keep relaxing the arms!

[@TheBikeStig]

cheers mate, and keep on practicing

[@deadshot4245]

Excellent video by far the best video on youtube teaching key lessons

[@TheBikeStig]

thanks for the comment mate, its funny that the theory behind it can often make it super confusing, so only way to learn is to do it.

[@jonathanjones5282]

Amazing I'm riding in Thailand ATM,I'm a lorry driver never ridden before but feel confident to handle a vehicle. I've been struggling to handle the steering, now I'm informed, thank you, kind regards John 👍

[@TheBikeStig]

Cheers John, yeah this knowledge is super important and can make a huge difference to riding confidence.

[@lequsejones5384]

I forgot about this. Learned it naturally from riding a bicycle and found myself doing it automatically on my motorbike.

[@TheBikeStig]

perfect, it's the conscious awareness of what it is you are doing to steer that really sets you up for high speed steering.

[@gerard224]

muy buena explicación para los que recién nos iniciamos con las motocicletas. thanks a lots mate for your practical explanations on counter steering.

[@TheBikeStig]

cheers mate, you're welcome

[@shemchua5671]

very clear instruction on coounter steering good job sir

[@TheBikeStig]

thanks Shem, cheers

[@otakucat3827]

Thanks for this video! Your explanation was very easy to understand.

[@TheBikeStig]

cheers mate

[@bahaakrayem4104]

Great, simple, accurate explanation Thank you very much

[@TheBikeStig]

cheers mate

[@mrparkuksmith1311]

Many thanks. A great demo and explanation. Particularly the release after press and body position stuff.👍

[@TheBikeStig]

Glad it was helpful mate, cheers

[@tonybirmingham2]

thank you for best video showing what to do. Knowing this in past may have saved me a crash or two. But will help me v much for the future tvm

[@TheBikeStig]

Thats fantastic mate, combined with good throttle control, it's a game changer

[@snappycattimesten]

Everyone always forgets to mention the 2nd part of counter steering. Once the bike and front wheel are pointing where you want it you don’t push anymore. Thank you!

[@TheBikeStig]

Yep thats it mate, stop pressing once it is online.

[@stevenlofthouse684]

Excellent explanation. I'm just starting out and this helps a lot

[@TheBikeStig]

cheers mate, thanks for watching Steven

[@walterwolf2027]

Brilliant Video, thanks. I haven't ridden a bike for over 30 years and am just getting back into it now. Having ridden an 1100 Kawasaki for a few years back in the 80's, until the last couple of weeks, I had never heard of counter steering other than in motocross circles but knowing this back then would have saved me some hair raising moments trying to pull that big quarter tonne kwak over with my body to stop it running wide.

[@TheBikeStig]

Awesome mate, definitely a game changer when you have this understanding. Enjoy the riding

[@walterwolf2027]

@@TheBikeStigThanks mate, On a personal note, have I seen you around Perth with a personalised plate on your bike?

[@TheBikeStig]

@@walterwolf2027 no mate, I don't think I have ever ridden a bike over there, I travel there for some work but never on a bike.

[@walterwolf2027]

@@TheBikeStig Ah OK, I had somebody fly past me a few weeks ago with the rego plate "BIKESTIG" and wondered if that was you, obviously not :)

[@philiphanvy7092]

Thank you so much for this!

[@TheBikeStig]

Cheers mate

[@user-wd9mh9qe8e]

Good video for learners.thanks bro

[@TheBikeStig]

cheers mate

[@wesleydavis8595]

Great presentation, I understand exactly what you are saying and trying to get across. I think you should be promoted to Doctor of motorcycle steering.

[@TheBikeStig]

Lmao, cheers mate

[@emptech]

Although I've been riding for years, mostly on dirt, never heard of counter steering, until I had an accident on the street. I have always used conventional steering, but I noticed at higher speeds, the motorcycle wanted to resist my attempts at steering. Although I tried leaning but it didn't work. I eventually took a turn too wide and went off the road. A friend of mine told me of counter steering. I've seen lots of videos but your's is the first that combined that combined the voice over with the video. Once my foot heals, I can't wait to get out on the road and try counter steering. Jim

[@TheBikeStig]

hey mate, sorry to hear about the injury, that sucks. Yeah, conscious awareness of counter steering is a game changer, and absolutely necessary at speed. I think you'll be surprised how much difference that press and release method will make to your riding. Let me know how you go.

[@eskertoo]

If the bike leans there has been an element of countersteering to initiate the lean...even at 5mph.Pedal cycles countersteer.There is no 'conventional steering' on a motorcycle unless it is attached to a sidecar.

[@mohammadabbas6764]

Good video thanks.

[@TheBikeStig]

cheers mate

[@narvaised8657]

Great info

[@TheBikeStig]

cheers, glad to help

[@Boss-sw3cb]

Great video

[@TheBikeStig]

Thanks mate

[@GunCollector007]

Excellent. Thanks very much

[@TheBikeStig]

cheers mate

[@MarkAlvimRufo]

Counter steering is pushing/ pulling the steering forward/backward but not pushing it downward on the left or the right bar. As soon as you pull it or push the handlebar forward or backward the bike will automatically lean or other terms is fall which will give you enough angle to manuever the bike as physics explained. Most of the common misenterpretation about countersteering is they push the handlebar down which is not the proper way of countersteering

[@TheBikeStig]

I would absolutely agree mate, we often have to work with students on their arm angle so they aren't pushing down

[@hasibulhasanzeeshan5751]

It would have been more appropriate if you had said pushing forward, because some may think pressing means pressing downward on the handlebars.

[@TheBikeStig]

That's a fair comment. We generally talk about pressing and are conscious of the direction of the press in our coaching with a big emphasis on the lower arm being parallel to the ground. But I do like your logic here. thanks

[@punisherhi2990]

sir thank you

[@runningman316]

Tqvm

[@JoseLRoque]

Well done sir. Great video. What's the minimun speed to make CS effective ?

[@TheBikeStig]

cheers mate, i could not actually answer that. I do know that at low speed (e.g. for me it would be turning around to ride into my shed on the property), if you want to lean the bike CS still works. However most people going slow don't want to lean at super low speeds so they simply steer like they're on a tricycle and keep the bike upright so as not to fall over. For your info, we have a big guy who works in the superbike school garage and he drops the bike right down on a massive lean while pushing it using CS, and then does a u turn. But he's not normal :-)

[@RajpalSidhu]

There is always room for improvement and thanks for the video. Maybe next video could be about Picking the line and When to start the press/steer. And how to use it effectively with/without braking? Is Trail braking important while counter steering or not?

[@TheBikeStig]

Good suggestions mate, I will do some work on these as I've had a zillion requests for more tips on riding. Cheers mate

[@niepuchale5556]

@@TheBikeStig steer right to go left?

[@TheBikeStig]

@@niepuchale5556 yes, it will steer initially the opposite way but as the bike falls into the turn the steering will realign naturally wth the line of the bike

[@MorsDengse]

@@TheBikeStig This is not correct : ) See my explanation above.

[@TheBikeStig]

@@MorsDengse as a general response it's not really incorrect, we have video of the track of a bike at a moderate speed showing that it deviates slightly in the direction the wheel is pointed before the tilt takes place. No arguments here from me about anything you said, we both agree that the speed of the bike gives the answers context.

[@mirekkudzia7052]

Do you press on the bar or you push/pull it towards or outwards? Does pushing on the bar really help to countersteer? I am a bit confused

[@TheBikeStig]

It's a push mate. The real test of what works is when you are at high speed. Turning a bike into certain corners of Phillip Island GP circuit occurs at over 200kph, and the only way to get the bike to turn effectively is pushing on the bars. That said, a counter steering takes place when you push and / or pull on the bars. Best way to find out is to go out and ride, take left hand off the bar at a constant speed, then push on the bar with the remaining hand and see what the bike does without you interfering with your body. If you are neutral with your body, pushing on the right bar will immediately make the bike turn right. Pulling n that bar will make it turn left. Try it out.

[@stevewilson8752]

Great video 😝👍 Cheers from Bundaberg Qld 🇭🇲🍹🕺

[@TheBikeStig]

Good on ya mate, cheers from a bit further north 🙂

[@fabzrustrider9838]

Awesome informative video UK 🇬🇧 FabzRustRider wishes everyone a happy holidays

[@TheBikeStig]

You too 👍👊🏻

[@robin212212]

i am thinking that when you are leaning into the turn (e.g. leaning left when at a left corner), you may be subconsciously pushing with your left hand a bit when leaning left, so you are basically countersteering subconsciously.

[@TheBikeStig]

truth is if someone can steer a bike fast enough to turn, there is always some counter steering taking place, when they stand the bike back up same thing. The key is to consciously do this, but also to remember that once the bike is leaned (e.g. left like you say), zero pressure is required to hold that lean and line ... you actually have to steer the bike back up. So is pressure required to hold a left corner lean ... not once you've finished adding lean.

[@jenaplissken3748]

Hi, when i release the pressure my motorcycle stands up, does not keep the line likes you showed. Is there something wrong that i do?

[@softailfun]

No, you’re doing nothing wrong. The forward pressure should be maintained throughout the turn. That’s to say, you push forward to initiate a lean, when the desired lean is achieved the rider stops pushing but maintains a “neutral pressure” on the grip. Hope this helps.

[@TheBikeStig]

When you press you add lean to the bike, when you finish adding lean (i.e. are on line) you release pressure so you are (as softail fun says) neutral on the bars. The fact that you have 'Trail' built into the front end causes the front wheel to then naturally act like a castor and turn in slightly to follow the arc of the bike. That is called 'pro steer'. The bike will only stand up when you do something to steer it up such as pressure on the outside bar or even weight shifting.

[@Fee.1]

I don’t think it’s even possible to ride without doing this, they must just not realize it

[@TheBikeStig]

you nailed it mate, no conscious awareness of how it steers is the issue.

[@fredblogd8448]

When you say press, do you mean down or do you mean push away from you?

[@TheBikeStig]

think forward which is away from you. When you are steering your lower arms would ideally be parallel to the ground which is where you have the most leverage anyway

[@narwhal7642]

I am just learning and the instructor s said to push as in forward not press down..??

[@TheBikeStig]

he's correct, in this video I am not saying press down by the way, it's press forward and then stop pressing ... press or push, meant to be the same thing.

[@rjackdaw]

is it press forward ? or press downward? does it work on slow or fast speed?

[@TheBikeStig]

Hey mate, press forward and it is the only real way to effectively steer a bike at high speed. A high speed corner, example turning into turn 3 at Phillip Island at over 200kph requires a conscious press on the left bar to overcome the forces (gyroscopic and inertia) that want the bike to remain on its line. At really low speed (e.g. walking pace) there are multiple ways to steer depending on what you are doing, but as speed increases the best technique becomes the counter steer. Hope that helps mate.

[@francesco6075]

Hi! Thanks for the video! New rider here. Is it actually possible to lean and make a turn just by shifting the body in the direction where you want to go? Perhaps it's just too inefficient on big heavy bikes but possible on light bikes like my little 250cc benelli ( though less effective than counter steering of course ). I'm just trying to figure out what the heck I've been doing until now and I think that's exactly how I made turns. Thanks

[@TheBikeStig]

Hey Francesco. Truth is you can influence the direction of the bike by body lean but it's very ineffective. Reality is you would have been counter steering as well as moving your body even though it sounds like you were not conscious of the counter steering. I know for a fact when you straighten the bike up after the lean you were definitely counter steering it up. With a conscious understanding of the press and release action on the bars your steering goes to the next level, it's a function all fast riders are very competent at. Enjoy the knowledge mate.

[@TheBikeStig]

There's a great video about how ineffective body lean and weighting is to steer a bike, they demo it on what they call the No BS Bike - kzbin.info/www/bejne/bofUiXV3Yth6fqM

[@francesco6075]

@@TheBikeStig Thank you so much, i l will record myself and check on video, perhaps it'll show. Thanks again!

[@TheBikeStig]

@breezelow unknown I appreciate you have an opinion about it, but no point in me arguing with you mate, you've obviously bought into an idea that isn't wrong at slow speed [yes you can turn the bike by unbalancing it] but reality will hit you hard when you try turning the bike quickly enough to make a corner at 200kmh, good luck with your riding. Stay safe

[@TheBikeStig]

@breezelow unknown Good luck with that mate

[@gatehanger1385]

Great demo... Just one question:what if I don't use countersteering and just follow my intuition? I can still go round corners but less efficiently and with less lean?

[@mhoeij]

Subconscious steering works 99.9% of the time, but when something scary happens, people often forget how to steer and the bike goes wide. A lot of accidents result from that. That's when it becomes important to know about counter steering. At least half of the corner crashes occur in situations where the bike could have easily made the corner, if only the rider had pressed more on the inside handlebar.

[@softailfun]

If your intuition tells you that steering to the left means you lean to the left you’re in for a shock! You’ll lean right!!!! Always counter steer!!!

[@jridenour31]

You can't "not use countersteering." Countersteering is just steering. The term countersteering needs to go away. It just confuses people and overcomplicates everything. If you're riding and successfully make a turn, you "countersteered." It's impossible to ride without doing it.

[@TheBikeStig]

You are mostly correct mate. We have a bike with the handle bars fixed. Riders can make it turn without counter steering. However the steering is not very effective obviously. In order for a rider to be able to ride fast on a track, e.g. turn into a corner at 200+ kph, they must be consciously aware of the counter steer ... it is a game changer once they recognise what it is. I know for a fact that the teaching of the practical aspects of counter steering are important and hugely impactful on students of the California Superbike school. Just saying from experience and years of observation of students in that environment.

[@XtreeM_FaiL]

​@@TheBikeStig "We have a bike with the handle bars fixed. Riders can make it turn without counter steering." No they can't. Bikes always countersteer before they start to lean. Make a bike with fixed fork and you will see that it can't turn.

[@MorsDengse]

Nice explanation. One small note. When you press on the right handlebar, the steering is not really turning to the left if you are travelling at speed. Because of the gyroscopic effect of the rotating front wheel, the force applied to the handlebars is rotated 90 degrees, and turned into a tilt of the bike. That tilt is what makes the bike turn. Now to the hard part : ) Where the front wheel is pointing when turning, is not something the rider controls. It is controlled by bike geometry and physics. If in a right hand turn, the wheel will point ever so slightly to the right to keep acting gyroscopic forces in balance. When the bike leans over at speed, the sideways force on the front wheel (gravity), will translate 90 degrees because of the gyroscopic effect, and cause the front wheel to turn. So, to recapture. When riding a bike at speed, and pushing gently on the right handlebar, the turning force applied to the front wheel, will translate into a tilt. When the bike starts tilting, gravity will now start to act as a tilt on the wheel, and be translated into a slight turn of the wheel. So gently pushing the right handlebar, will make it come a bit closer to you : ) Now, some of you will try this on a parking lot, and say that you definitely see the handlebar turning left when pushing right. This is because at low speed, the gyroscopic forces are small, and not capable of forcing a tilt. The tilt will instead be initiated by a change in centre of gravity. Because if the low gyroscopic force, the front wheel will not turn from gravity, and unless you immediately release the pressure on the handlebars, you will fall over. As the behaviour between a tilt caused by a change in centre of gravity works much like a tilt caused by gyroscopic effects, the transition from low speed to high speed is completely smooth. Finally, changes in speed will also translate forces due to the gyroscopic effect. Unfortunately reducing speed will force a tilt opposite of the turning direction, effectively opening the turning radius. So when entering a corner, you have to be committed. Braking mid corner will try to force the bike to run wide. HTH.

[@TheBikeStig]

Interesting read, thanks for posting

[@softailfun]

Thank god it was only a small note.😂

[@kenwittlief255]

you've lost yourself in the physics and ended up with wrong answers the way the bike responds to countersteering is a function of both the gyro effect (that you explained pretty well) and the rake (angle) of the front fork and the trail (location) of the front axle behind the center line of the fork. Its not one or the other, its all three. You can make a chopper bike that is NOT self balancing and stable, when you let go of the grips the front wheel will turn to the left or right from the weight of the bike and rider. Or if the bike hits something head on and bends up the triple tree (steering head) the bike wont steer correctly at speed. When the bike is leaning in a turn the center of gravity is aligned with the center of mass of the bike and rider over the tire patch. There is no gravity pulling the bike to the left or right.. its balanced by the centripetal force. A glass of water on the handlebars will stay level, like an airplane in a coordinated turn, even if the bike is 45° over. Lastly: If you speed up in a turn and do not alter your steering the bike will go WIDE in the turn. If you slow down in a turn and do not alter your steering the bike will turn TIGHTER... not wider. You absolutely can and MUST be able to speed up and slow down (brake) in curves and turns - you must be aware that you continue to adjust your counter steer as needed to hold your line in the lane. We teach new riders to hold a steady speed in a curve because it takes practice and its easier. You only get in trouble if you are taking a curve so fast that all your traction is needed to stay in the curve, riding on the edge of a slide.. DONT DO THAT. When you press on the right grip at speed you are interfering with the self balancing - go straight design of the motorcycle. You are keeping it from turning the front wheel to the right as much as it "wants to". The result is a new self balance with the bike turning in a big circle to the right. The harder you push, the tighter the circle. dont overthink it - the bike wants to stand up and go straight. When you want to turn: countersteer. Its that simple.

[@MorsDengse]

@@kenwittlief255 Yes, rake and trailing to a very high degree defines how the bike counter steers. Thats why bike geometry is insanely important. However, rake and trailing are dont-cares when it comes to explaining the basics of counter steering. So I kept them out to keep it simple. Gravity doesnt turn the bike, thats correct. However, it is gravity and gyro that makes the front wheel turn in the right direction. As you probably know, it is very easy to steer without touching the handlebars (alltho nowhere nearly as effective as countersteering), but have you ever thought abaut who makes sure the front wheel points in the right direction when you are driving without hands? God? What turns the front wheel for you when not touching the handlebars, is gravity (it also is when counter steering, but thats much harder to understand because you push the other way). It is not rake or trail which turns the front wheel. They merely provide the stability and dictate the amount. Fine if you dont believe me, but it really is. The most common mistake made by new riders, is braking mid-corner because they feel they cant make it. That will 100.00% sure make them run wide. The braking will cause the bike to raise, and open the corner. You will see them panic braking, not understanding why all the cornering suddenly went away. If you are too fast in a corner, there is only more counter steering that works. Thats why they say you have to be committed when cornering on a bike. A seasoned rider will have no problems slowing down or accelerating through a corner. Braking is always bad though as it will unsettle the bike, and increase the chances or low siding. If you start to get wide, you just push harder on the handlebar Finally, you do NOT turn the front wheel, or prevent it from turning, when counter steering. You do not turn the front wheel at speed, EVER. Period. It is physically impossible. It is nearly impossible for people to fathom, that they are NOT turning the front wheel in the turning direction. Counter steering in stead flips the bike from side to side, it doesnt turn the front wheel. The tilted wheel in conjunction with gravity, makes the front wheel turn. Again, I dont care if you dont believe me, but that is none the less how it works. Peace out : )

[@664662]

Hi, I think this video is very clear. However, as a beginner this Is totally counter intuitive isn't It? Is this method something you do It automatically after a while or Is It something that if not told, you will keep riding your bike not totally correct forever?

[@TheBikeStig]

If you can turn the bike quickly you are counter steering it, you'll notice it more as you stand the bike up from a turn in that you counter steer it up. If you balance a broom on your hand you'll see that to men the top of the broom go right you move the hand to the left. Same concept for the motorcycle which behaves the same way.

[@jridenour31]

It's exactly the same thing on a bicycle. If you can ride a bike, you know how to countersteer. New riders hear the term "countersteer" and overthink it, not realizing that it's literally the only way to steer.

[@kshred3043]

All the counter steer videos I have seen to date, this one included, implicitly imply that counter steering is an alternative turning method. My question is then 'ALTERNATIVE TO WHAT ?' Is there an alternative, 'conventional steering', method ? If so what exactly is it ? If not, have I been counter steering all along without knowing or caring ?

[@softailfun]

There is no alternative to counter steering.

[@TheBikeStig]

Like Softail Fan said, there is no alternative. The intent of what I was saying is that consciously counter steering a bike is how it should be done, its the alternative to all the crazy talk and bullshit we hear about how to steer a bike.

[@jridenour31]

@TheBikeStig This is 1000% correct. The term "countersteering" confuses people because they think they're just "steering" and don't realize they're already countersteering.

[@colehickerson677]

i am a new rider and i have seen it explained like this (pushing down towards the ground on the right bar to go right), and i have seen it explained that to go right i need to turn my whole bars to the left and am very confused. this video just seems like normal steering, no?

[@sashank6024]

He didn't pushed the bike directly downwards .he pushed in such a way that the handle bars turns the opposite direction of turn...it's same as pulling the left handle bar to go right.😊

[@TheBikeStig]

You said it right Sashank. Cole, you need to counter steer to steer a motorcycle properly which means putting forward pressure on the right side handlebar to turn right, and left side to turn left. It's called counter-steering because you are actually turning the front wheel in the direction opposite to where you want to go. But the physics of the motorcycle make the bike lean and then turn in the direction you do want to go. It's a strange concept but an important one and a game changer for anyone who wants to go fast on a motorcycle.

[@ryan3656]

I agree I’ve seen people explain it in a confusing way. From what I’ve gathered it’s simply when you wanna go left you push the bar to the left. But really it’s pushing the bike kinda over to where it leans instead of turning the handle bars. I’m sure you’ve got it by now but I’m just thinking out loud

[@TheBikeStig]

@@ryan3656 what you said works for me mate, cheers

[@ryan3656]

@@TheBikeStig awesome! Thanks for the video. Helped alot.

[@Jontinue]

Curious, but wouldn’t you want to have that crossover of your body and the bike once into the turn. I.E. push right, bike front wheel turns slightly left, bike starts right turn, as bike starts turn keep body in original “upright” position. Wouldn’t the body being in that position assist stability/likely hood you can traverse possible hazards like objects? Otherwise, if your body follows then you hit a rock etc then you have misaligned wheel+bike lean force + body weight all falling right instead of “upright” which has misaligned wheel + bike lean force - (upright body weight acting somewhat opposite). Newer rider, and great video overall no doubts. Thanks 👍🏻

[@TheBikeStig]

No mate, the reality about that position with the body upright is that the bike will need to use more lean angle for a given turn and speed than if the body is on the inside. The lower centre of mass which is moved inside, means less lean angle and thats exactly why racers put their bodies in that position. At slower speeds we get away with pretty much anything, the weakness of technique is only revealed at higher speeds. One other thing, try swerving around an obstacle on the road using these two different ways, I've done that quite a few times to compare and it is much more effective to swerve aggressively when the body goes with the bike rather than being left behind. Hope that helps mate. Thanks for the comment and question.

[@TheBikeStig]

let me add something - off road riding is different, I noticed you mentioned "hit a rock". We tend to ride more upright and consciously weight the outside foot peg, but remember there is also a lot of other things happening that are different such as throttle control and steering with the rear wheel. While there are similarities, off road and bitumen riding have some major difference in technique.

[@Jontinue]

@@TheBikeStig Thanks for the in-depth explanation to my question! I've definitely noticed that at slower speeds cornering, ie less than 30ish, I still stay mostly upright. However, faster speeds, and deeper curves, I do lean with the bike. I had never really thought about it when it occurs more or less was a natural feel/reaction. Thanks again :D

[@dv8danger458]

Why some people say press the the bar and others say push the bar forward in the direction you want to go?

[@TheBikeStig]

They are actually saying the same thing using different words. Press or push, its the same action.

[@Nyhtmaer]

What's the difference between counter steering and leaning towards a turn?

[@softailfun]

Counter steering initiates the lean. Simply moving you weight to one side or another doesn’t cause the bike to lean.

[@TheBikeStig]

Softail Fun is absolutely correct. Counter Steering is the first part of turning a bike and causes the bike to fall into a turn and add lean. You have to stop counter steering (i.e. release bar pressure) when you are leaned and on your chosen line through a corner.

[@bensin2076]

Sir I am a new rider , should I practise counter steering ??

[@TheBikeStig]

Yes, it is the only way to properly steer a moving motorcycle, the faster you go the more important it is

[@stepheneurosailor1623]

👍🍻

[@Chris-vp2vk]

What you say makes sense but why then do they call it countersteering, I thought the counter bit meant that you push on the opposite, the counter, side of the handle bar to initiate the turn. The terminology is very confusing....?

[@softailfun]

When you push forward on the left grip to turn left, you momentarily steer the front wheel to the right. Opposite direction to the bend, therefore counter steering.

[@TheBikeStig]

Exactly what Softail Fun said ... when you turn the front wheel slightly to the left the top of the bike falls to the right causing it to turn right, once you release pressure on the bar the front wheel then aligns to the arc you are now on which is what we call "pro steering" ... I will make a video of this and show everyone exactly what it looks like to see front wheel turn one way with the bike leaning over the opposite way

[@LTVoyager]

Nice video. The main thing still remaining to be covered is the “magic speed” myth that persists even among those who claim to understand countersteering. Countersteering works at ALL speeds. There is no magic speed below which countersteering stops working. It is simply that at slow speeds the constant countersteering required to maintain balance hides the countersteer required to initiate a turn.,

[@TheBikeStig]

I hadn't actually heard of this magic speed myth, I'd bet the idea comes from the fact that people pushing a bike around or riding at super slow speeds try to steer the bike like a trike. Interesting.

[@LTVoyager]

@@TheBikeStig Almost everyone, except Keith Code and those with engineering background, teaches and believes this myth. Here is one of many example starting at the 1:10 point: kzbin.info/www/bejne/qWWZdqF-ZsqGbpI

[@softailfun]

@@TheBikeStig Well at speeds below 12mph my Harley doesn’t like counter steering, that’s for sure, but it’s a very heavy bike. I know lighter bikes respond to CS at lower speeds well. So in my opinion not ALL bikes handle the same.

[@TheBikeStig]

@@LTVoyager thanks for sharing, funny thing is if you push a bike at walking speed and counter steer it, rather than do this handlebar steering as he calls it, it still turns they way it is supposed to. I do wonder why people even put effort into this, does it even matter? I've been pushing bikes around for 45+ years at walking speed and never once had trouble making the turn :-)

[@LTVoyager]

@@TheBikeStig It matters for two reasons: 1. It is not technically correct to say that countersteering stops working below some magic speed and, 2. It can get people in trouble in an emergency. If you are riding straight ahead at 10 MPH and need to swerve quickly to the left and you quickly “direct” steer by turning the handlebars to the left, you will not make a swerve to the left … you will either make a turn to the right if you catch the lean quickly enough or you will low-side crash on your right side if you don’t stop the lean quickly enough. I tell people who say that countersteering stops working below a certain speed to get a bike they don’t have much money invested in and wear a couple layers of protective gear and go to a parking lot and ride straight ahead at 5 MPH and then quickly “direct steer” either left or right and tell me what happens. I guarantee them that they will not make a quick turn in the direction they “direct steered.” Funny how nobody has ever been willing to try this experiment. 😂 So far, I only know of a few people that understand how motorcycle dynamics really works. Keith Code is the most famous, but I am pretty sure that Tony Foale understands as did Gordon Jennings when he was alive. And this gentleman here understands, but he works with bicycles rather than motorcycles. However, the physics is the same. kzbin.info/www/bejne/aIqXnpWKaNStmaM

[@royksk]

I've just realised that when I rode my motorcycle back in the 60-70s, I intuitively used counterintuitive steering. I don’t understand the big deal here.

[@TheBikeStig]

Thats usually the case, someone who turns a bike successfully on the road is generally counter steering. The big deal is that when people go to the track or want to ride a bike faster, the lack of awareness of how a bike actually turns prevents them from doing what they need to do to turn the bike faster. We see this at every Superbike school coaching event where around 50 percent of students struggle as they pick up speed not realising that for a given turn in point, they have to steer the bike faster in order to hit their apex, and the pressure required to do that is much greater. Once they become aware, it's a game changer for them on the track, and their riding on the road is that much better as a result. Like I said, on the street at low speeds people just learn to turn the bike, it's at speed where the knowledge limitation is revealed through inadequate turning of the bike. Cheers mate

[@user-zu1ix3yq2w]

The thing is, people think they're LEANING their bodies and they INADVERTENTLY counter-steer. This isn't the case for everyone. This is pretty important at faster speeds. It's a big deal when people start going at faster speeds and don't know how to counter-steer or that they should know how to, and end up crashing.

[@TheBikeStig]

@@user-zu1ix3yq2w totally on board with your comments mate

[@mortadahasaad530]

There's nothing counter intuitive as they say about this except it is called COUNTER STEERING!

[@TheBikeStig]

interestingly a lot of our just starting bike riding students find it to be 'counter' to how they think a bike is steered. Once it becomes a conscious thing rather than an unconscious thing, they improve their on track steering immensely

[@kenwittlief255]

Im surprised no one has called you out on the second part of your video! Motorcycles are self balancing and they will stabilize and go STRAIGHT if there is no pressure on the handlebars. To countersteer a motorcycle at speed, you apply a force to the grip and you hold it all the way thru the curve. As the road straightens out you release the pressure and the bike stands up and goes straight again. I cant understand why you think otherwise. The curves you were riding thru are not much of a curve. If you did this on a 180 curve at 100 kph and release the push on the grip halfway thru the curve, the bike would stand up straight and you would be in the field. I cant see what kind of bike you are riding, I suspect its a dam scooter or a very small twitchy "sporty" bike. Or maybe someone hit something and bent the steering head messing up the rake and trail of the front wheel... Or maybe you have the wrong tires on the motorcycle...or maybe the cones on the bearings of your steering head are screwed in so tight the steering head is not moving freely! Or maybe its a light bike and you are shifting your weight way off the seat. I ride a Yamaha 650 and a 1300 and can tell you with a proper motorcycle that is factory stock you MUST hold the pressure on the grip all the way thru the turn, or the bike will stand up and go straight again.

[@TheBikeStig]

sorry mate, gyroscopic forces of the wheels dictate that (lets assume constant throttle) if the bike is leaned over and following a curve and there is no pressure on the bars then it will simply follow that line. It will only straighten when the rider steers the bike back upright. But don't believe me, try it, hold throttle constant on a long curve and be totally neutral on the bars and with your body ... bike will hold the line.

[@sabadabigarage1595]

Release or hold in the position? Wouldn’t the bike want to right itself, if u release the forward pressure? Should it be you push in the direction u want to steer, hold to the desired learn angle then release when exiting the corner Please clarify.

[@TheBikeStig]

Release as soon as you are at the lean you want, the gyroscopic forces of the wheels spinning will hold it without any pressure on the bars.

[@sabadabigarage1595]

@@TheBikeStig got u.

[@liloukulele5238]

PUSH: push left...lean left...turn left

[@TheBikeStig]

I'd go with that, cheers mate

[@Fee.1]

Aprillia or BMW?

[@TheBikeStig]

KTM 690SM

[@Fee.1]

@@TheBikeStig interesting are those the stock bars??

[@TheBikeStig]

@@Fee.1 they are mate

[@seiraeziar8631]

there's no such thing like counter steering, this is how the bike turns, you can't turn your bike without counter steering. we do it without even realizing it

[@TheBikeStig]

No arguments from me, but without know what and how it works people can't turn properly as they go faster, and sudden turns won't be as good. We see this on track all of the time at the superbike school, huge performance shifts once a rider is conscious of how to do it intentionally

[@kuyaGAMERofficial]

Its not a Press, its more like a Push..

[@TheBikeStig]

that works for me also, intended meaning is the same

[@EEEBA1]

Either way works the same, even pull on the opposite handlebar will have the same effect.

[@bens6865]

The bahhhhhhh

[@jimanders9971]

We all counter steer intuitively. Its the only way to steer the bike at speed. The author is only explaining what you already do. No magic here.

[@TheBikeStig]

Awareness of what it is that turns a bike makes it easier to turn the bike, ask the 1000s of riding students who’ve experienced the light bulb moment and awakening that they never really understood it. It was not meant to be magic mate, just a service to people who are riding bikes without knowing really how it is properly steered and who are exposing themselves to risk. That’s all.

[@TheBikeStig]

@federico bosio cheers, got a bunch of videos in the pipeline :-)

[@user-zu1ix3yq2w]

No, actually. We don't ALL counter-steer intuitively. Nor are people aware that's what they're doing. At slower speeds counter-steering isn't vital to your safety, even though it plays a role here it's not important. It's at faster speeds that do. At sower speeds, people steer normally to change where their bicycle goes. At higher speeds if they try to do that they will either inadvertently counter-steer in the correct direction while "leaning" or "turning," or they'll counter-steer in the wrong direction and likely crash. Leaning your body at higher speeds has minimal effectiveness.

[@jimanders9971]

@@user-zu1ix3yq2w sorry, you are wrong. You have to counter steer in the correct direction at higher speeds or you wont turn, and you do it intuitively, do some research. At slower speeds of course you can turn without counter steer. In fact counter steer wont work at low speeds. After you do some research you can come back and apologize.

[@user-zu1ix3yq2w]

@@jimanders9971 No. I am not wrong. You just don't know how to read. I've done way more research on this than you have. You can be sure of that. You should spend your time improving your reading comprehension instead of trying to educate. You read half of a sentence and skipped over everything else I said. It's pathetic and sad, really. You realize there are people who pick up their speed for the first time and just promptly crash, right? They're not counter-steering intuitively (at higher speeds). (Or they received bad advice from someone. I.e. "lean your body.") Counter-steering is only done "intuitively" at lower speeds once people learn how to ride a bicycle. But it's not applied in the same manner at low speeds as it is at high speeds. It may as well be something totally different. What YOU think is intuitive is actually just the inadvertent (accidental) result of people leaning their body, because they're gripping the handlebar while leaning their body. Causing the wheel to turn. Unfortunately, not everyone starts out by doing it this way. And those who are doing this "intuitively" don't realize they're actually employing counter-steering. It's not something you do intuitively, but rather, inadvertently. The physics of the whole process is complex, but not that relevant. I kept this simple in the hopes you could easily understand. But you can ask Google for the definition of any word, if you don't have a dictionary.

[@markchristian7377]

Counter steering is such stupidity. Quit trying to complicate things or act like you have some special skill. Counter steering... People are truly stupid.

[@TheBikeStig]

entitled to your opinion for sure mate, rather than a pointless argument with you, I'll just suggest that if ever you get to ride fast on a racetrack, take care in the corners.