One Trick To Master Counter Steering On A Motorcycle

[@AT-wl9yq]

After reading some of the comments, it looks like a couple of things should have been made clear. Regardless if you understand it or not, counter steering is not optional. Its not some technique you have to learn to go fast. When you turn a motorcycle, you always counter steer. Most people don't realize they're doing it, and it becomes a safety concern. If something isn't going right and the rider panics, they end up turning right into what they're trying to avoid. The only time you don't counter steer is when you are going very slow. You turn the handlebars in the direction you want to go. As you build speed, you get to a point where friction will force you to counter steer. I don't think he mentions this in the video.

[@J-Leww]

thats cuz its not counter steering.. push right go right push left go left lol.. they explain it as counter steering because your left hand pulls left as you go right .. thats because your right hand pushes right to go right.. the term is so dumb

[@Hpro1i]

@@J-Leww You're actually just tilting the bike. ie. you push on the left handlebar, the bike will tilt to the left and, as a result, turn left

[@kingjamir2135]

@@J-Lewwi think its called that because if you want to go right. Push right which makes the wheel go LEFT while the bike leans to the RIGHT.

[@StewieTopless]

It’s called countersteering because to initiate the lean you turn the front wheel the opposite direction of your desired direction. Because of gyroscopic procession, once the rider has chosen his appropriate lean angle the wheel turns into the turn on its own. The bike is self balancing the entire time. When you push the bar left, the bike falls to the left until you stop pushing the bar, the bike knows in order to stay upright it must balance it self by countering what you did to get it to lean & turns the wheel in the direction of travel to stay upright & not completely fall to the ground. Every input to the handle bars upsets the balance of the bike & it corrects it self. This is why it’s so imperative to keep light on your bars & not put unnecessary pressure on them. If you hear a biker talk about pain in their wrist, they ride in the “push up” position & that is not good for any type of riding…

[@williampilkington5250]

​j@@StewieTopless

[@_jess2much]

You’re the first person to make this make sense for me. Oh my god THANK YOU.

[@LAIRDO-]

I'm a new rider and this was very helpful. I've heard of counter-steering but didn't understand it until now. It's a really weird thing to comprehend but watching you, it seems to make sense...although on the surface it seems counter-intuitive actually. Thanks!

[@kjellg6532]

Actually you learned this as a kid learning to ride a pedal bike. Do not make so much theory out of it, just get mounted and start practising.

[@keningram35]

All that push push push push may work, but it’s a bunch of bull. put both hands on the handlebars and turn the wheel in the opposite direction you want to go. small brains like to complicate simple things.

[@CALI_BOY_VLOGS]

I think what gets people is the name '"counter steerin" makes it sound more difficult than it really is.

[@cr4sher7]

Exactly ^^ it make it sound like some rocket science while it's pretty simple

[@softailfun]

Push left grip forward - turn left. When the angle of desired lean is achieved maintain a neutral pressure on the grip (push no more and don’t ease off) for the duration of the bend. Bend taken, ease the pressure off, bike will stand up and carry on ahead. Same for right. Nothing complicated here.

[@Tducks72]

Yes

[@kenwittlief255]

@@softailfun you are not leaning the bike, you are STEERING it by pushing the grips what matters is where your bike is tracking its path in your lane, if you need to TURN harder push harder

[@softailfun]

@@kenwittlief255 Well I’m so pleased we agree. Why are you directing this comment at me? If you ain’t leaning, you sure ain’t steering.

[@mauriciomaldonado5699]

I have spent hours looking for videos on this subject and this is by far the only one people should watch. Thank you for posting.

[@aliboenky]

ive been lookng on tons of videos about counter stearing and yours gave me that click to really understand how to start practicing ; great man you rock!!

[@FoAmY99]

I"m getting my first bike next week, and only 4:25 in, I now truly understand HOW you counter-steer. I kept watching other vids talking about it, but it was so hard to figure out were they pushing the handlebar "down" with pressure going towards the ground, or forward. The slow mo finally spelled it out for me. This will make practicing the slow speed maneuvers much easier

[@AndrewHartsock]

Glad to hear it! Make sure to go practice and get a feel for it once you get your bike. Ride safe!

[@softailfun]

Push left grip forward - go left. Push right grip forward - go right Lean with the bike, the bike will not lean with you. Simples. Good luck on the bike. Ride safe.

[@16CasualGamer]

Oh so push dowwn not push straight lol

[@XtreeM_FaiL]

@@16CasualGamer No. You push straight.

[@PampersNorway]

@@16CasualGamer no. Push straight. (some bikes, respond better on pulling the opposite side of the handlebars. that would be pulling on the right side to go left) The reason why all this is due to "Gyroscopic Precession" and " spinn angular momentum", or in laymans terms wheel momentum. If we oversimplyfy it a bit you can pretend that an applied force on the wheel, or in this case, the axel, gets "delayed" 90 degrees with the rotation of a fast spinning wheel. And this effect gets stronger the faster the wheel spins. Here is a good vid on the matter kzbin.info/www/bejne/hJa7eoljrLKJi80feature=shared

[@kynoVNs]

I just came back from my very first 3 hours on a course, and i gotta say, when the instructor told us to come at him with 50km/h, lift our left hand up in the air and push the handle bar forward with the right hand, i sorta shat myself thinking about it. It was such a scary thought, because with how the inertia law works here, you don't really understand what Counter Steering is until you try it out on the bike itself. It just doesn't click right in the brain. I for one thought that i'd push the handle bar, the wheel would get twisted and i'd fly off and break my neck. It was a real weird feeling when the bike just started going off to the right on it's own lol.

[@maudelgado.7301]

I've been watching videos on how to steer motorcycles and this has been the best explanation, I remember as a kid doing it on my bike and playing to take corners like a motorcycle would do, now I need just to get a motorcycle. Thanks man.

[@Goldcruz87]

Thanks this video shows clearly what's the counter steering. It clears my doubts. But first I need to have some practice to master it.

[@Surms41]

I think the most confusing part of counter steering is the fact that it happens so quickly, and most will learn it without knowing the name of it. It's the fraction of a second where the wheel is going away from the turn, making you lean, thereafter, you bring it back neutral and coast into it. Very thought provoking video man. 👍🏻

[@kjellg6532]

Agreed. Most people learn this being a kid learning to ride a pedaled bike.

[@softailfun]

The rider doesn’t steer the front wheel into the bend the bikes own steering geometry manages that. If a rider did try this he’d stand the bike up and fail to make the bend at all.

[@Surms41]

You nudge away from the turn, and the bike falls into the turn, for a handle bar turn. You could also just lean, and you're gonna go that way.

[@sweggieboi4928]

I'm just admiring how nice the bike looks

[@SeakalalaMojapelo-yg8jm]

You nailed it man, nothing less and nothing more.

[@adrianjackson3361]

Thanks Andrew, in line with many other previous comments, this is a very helpful tutorial. Thanks for taking the time to produce this.🙏

[@mahalomydude5900]

This is more clear explanation I've watched. thanks!

[@AndrewHartsock]

Happy to help

[@Nolan-yz6tv]

So helpful! Couldn't get it down today first time learning. I kept going wide

[@StevenSchapiro]

He returns 🙏🏼

[@Pr1zzm]

Thank you! The slow motion view really helped it click for me.

[@Illstatefishing]

The lifting of the bike in the begining did it for me, thanks

[@wlfdrgon455]

the slow mo really helped thanks dude

[@alaminio]

Thank you. This video helped me understanding counter steering.

[@albertokusmic9239]

Great explanation, thanks for sharing!

[@roryt420]

Very good explanation buddy. I'm trying to explain this to New riders and I think your video just helps me out a lot. Thank you!

[@alancotterell9207]

If you need to counter-steer to tip into corners, either change the fork yokes to get less offset or fit bigger wheels - you need more trail. If your bike understeers as you brake into corners, it will usually tend to understeer and run wide as you accelerate out. With more trail, you get less lean, and can accelerate earlier in corners.

[@darrylm79]

Great stuff! Never stop learning, never stop practicing! Now you made me wanna go outside and ride. Haha

[@AndrewHartsock]

Happy to help!

[@reneguay1347]

I must say you made it look so simple unlike a lot of other videos thank you very much and i have subscribed

[@softailfun]

The video is shit and it’s a cartoon ffs.

[@kerimnutku1324]

I can't believe it! Thanks, Andrew for this great video. I didn't get it on Learner's course. And although MotoJitsu has a great video with slow mo to show what havens to bike lean when you countersteer, I still didn't fully get it or feel comfortable doing it, thinking bike would tip. After your video, I went straight out and tried. I have made a huge leap forward Thals to you!!.

[@gingrbredgaming8651]

Great video, was trying to figure out how the test meant this, now to just put it into practice. Thanks for the info and the slowmo!

[@komanguy]

We see it better in slow motion. Thanks for the great advice!

[@Lehmann108]

This guy explains it clearly!

[@cvetelinadzhorova]

It is so useful! I watched a lot of videos and i could not understand anything but then i found this one and i can finally understand what counter steering is

[@carmenellie5697]

thank you for making this make sense, it seems pretty straight forward, but i feel the name counter steering makes it seem confusing

[@vondahartsock-oneil3343]

omg, found my long lost cousin lol All Hartsocks are related, however distantly. I didn't even notice the name at first. Just the title. I ride also. Not a street bike like that, but have ridden a Hurricane and a Ninja back in the day. Always great advice tho. Centrifugal force makes a bike want to stay right side up anyway. That's why you will sometimes see a bike keep going w/o a rider. Yikes. Plus, I'm sure that type of bike is balanced properly. I really don't know much about them. I have a Honda Shadow Custom Deluxe 600, and a 250cc dirt/street. 55 yrs old, been riding since about age 9, when my dad bought me a suzuki 50cc dirt bike back in the late 70s. Then a Honda 80cc XL. That thing was so fun. Dirt/street and went 50mph with 2 teenage kids, and 60 with only myself. Full throttle tho. Sounded like a weedeater at that point. Otherwise, pretty quiet. Then a Honda Rebel 125, Honda Rebel 250...they are just so reliable. I did lay the Shadow on the pavement one time. Did not take the curve properly. Right by my house too. So embarrassing but....lesson learned. PAY ATTENTION, don't EVER get to comfy, no matter HOW LONG you've been riding! It can happen at any point in time. Doesn't even have to be your fault, as all riders know. Sorry for the book :) Just saw a family name and was shocked!

[@Blahahhahahaaa]

i dont understand if you keep pushing the left side of the steering wheel how it turns right and not left?

[@anettedouglasdotter]

Thank you so much for this brilliant video - I FINALLY got the hang of this now!! ❤❤❤

[@MyFluffyClouds]

Is it like balancing the actions of ones arms to lock the bike into the desired turn? Push with one arm but limit that push with the other arm?

[@JinZuS]

Thank you, is it the same concept at higher speeds ?

[@geckokid1019]

Yes

[@jakubadamec3243]

So this is my normal steering since beginning at the school. Thats what they told me, just push a go 😅

[@lisasparling2431]

Thank you for making this easy to understand!

[@Wadebrowndrums]

Push right to turn right.push left to turn left , it gets confusing when they say left to turn right and right to turn left

[@reneguay1347]

If you stop at a light and want to turn left does counter steering still apply

[@Opuskrokus]

No.

[@Wasatch_Sasquatch]

No, this guy is confusing you. At slower speeds up to say 40mph like he’s demonstrating, you are actually steering in the direction you are going but you are ‘holding back’ the front wheel from tucking and, that’s not counter steering and definitely taking off from a stop there is no counter steering whatsoever. Likewise, beginning at slow moving there is a momentary initial push on the inside and pull on the outside but you are mostly steering in the direction you are going after that…even watch his demonstration you’ll see the wheel is turned in not out as he’s describing. Things change when you go faster than 30-40 mph, then counter-steering is the name of the game for smooth wide turns. But, at the same time I would add over-steering has some huge advantages in finishing very tight turns on the street but especially on dirt-biking. That is another set of skills that includes braking, throttle and clutching and squaring your shoulders with the bars to execute them…you shouldn’t have to worry about them yet to just go have fun.

[@kenwittlief255]

if you want to turn the bike right from a stop, keep both feet down, turn the handlebars in the direction you want to go, and friction zone the clutch to get the bike moving. As it moves you will have to lean into the curve and pick up your feet when you feet stable

[@kjellg6532]

Yepp, but it takes only a second or two. If you start from a complete standstill you may tilt the bike a fraction with your toes without noticing it.

[@sdbrogs]

You’re not explaining what’s happening when the bike is leaning, I get you initiate the push left turn left, but when in the turn the handlebars are facing left. So does the bike correct it and turn left because it’s leaning in or are you now pulling left? It doesn’t make sense how he says he’s still pushing left in the turn and the handlebars are facing left (as if he is pushing right). Hopefully my question makes sense

[@isaacwebber704]

I don’t get it either, your question makes perfect sense to me

[@Uniquecapture]

I agree entirely, the part where he stands in front of the bike is the opposite of what he is trying to demonstrate. It would be better to have the bike upright to start with and then push/full with one hand, observing the lean direction it initiates

[@youareaperosn2278]

most helpful video I've watched thank you

[@chelimelasanthosh9594]

cool, you explained very clear

[@beekeeper8474]

How is a counter steering when you turn the handlebars to the left buddy I can see your headlight pointing to the left

[@damionpatterson1507]

What would confuse me was that "push" to me means forward (pushing arms away from me). So, if I push (forward) on the right handlebar, the handlebars turn to the left, making the bike turn to the left. But the term "push" means more of a downward motion. So, if I push (downward) on the right handlebar, the bike leans downward to the right, steering you to the right. The term counter-steering is confusing in that regard. It took me a while to understand what "push" meant and which way to "push" the handlebars. Hope this helps someone.

[@gaid81]

perfect explanation ❤

[@Perry-666]

Great explanation

[@softailfun]

Shite explanation. It should be removed.

[@ixholla1]

It’s handle bar steering anything less than 15mph. Counter steering is more for when youre fast in the corners and it’s done very gently. Also…..if you want to lean to the right, you very slightly steer to the left and vice versa, hence counter steering.

[@captainoates7236]

The way it clicked for me was not necessarily pushing or pulling the bars, even though that's relavent. To lean right, for instance, don't think about getting your body or top half of the bike leaning to the right but just think you need to get your wheels/tyres to the left instead. That way you will steer left and both the bike and you will lean right. Use a bit of restraint at first but pretty soon you will learn how much input you need to tip the bike in and stand it up too. It's pretty useful in gusty side winds too.

[@MrElosobear]

so if i will be going to the right ill push the right and i dont do any left push even a little?

[@softailfun]

Yes

[@Sukhi-SS]

So, is counter steering ' The ' best option to steer a bike? Or as some say 'Leaning' is the way to go.....it's confusing. But this video is by far the best tutorial I have come across, so simply explained. Thanks !!

[@kenwittlief255]

so is turning the steering wheel in a car the best option to steer a car, or say something like shifting your weight to one side of the car seat.... ?! counter steering is the ONLY WAY TO STEER A MOTORCYCLE - dont think about it, dont google it, dont watch videos just GO RIDE YOUR BIKE AND PUSH THE GRIPS AND VOLIA!

[@softailfun]

It’s the ONLY way to steer a bike. Countersteering causes the bike to lean, it’s the only way to make the bike lean.

[@useruseruseruseruser790]

@@softailfunShifting your weight, and counterbalancing, also makes the bike lean.

[@useruseruseruseruser790]

@@kenwittlief255I am a new rider. I rode for months taking turns by shifting my weight to get lean on the bike. Counter steering was a revelation, but not the only way to turn a bike.

[@softailfun]

@@useruseruseruseruser790 If you had a system by which to steer a bike safe and accurate . And you also had a couple of ideas that would put the bike slowly at a location close to where you wanted to be in a slow sluggish manner. Question: which system would put the safest a or b. Now if you pick a, well done. If you pick b sell your bike and save your family some heartbreaking news. It’s as simple as that.

[@Drewbie_Doo_]

Pretty sure when I heal up I'm gonna have to make a proper explanation video of counter steering. Was looking for something to send to a new rider that explains it and... Only been posting on TT but back to YT for a minute I guess

[@antonioskarasulas7604]

Best video on counter steering on the net. Thanks!

[@stuartbailey9941]

Good video but - if you push all the way around the corner the turning arc will tighten, you will lean more and more until you fall over. It should be an initial push (as you said) to overcome the gyroscopic effect then relax the pressure and the bike will naturally go left.

[@softailfun]

Release the pressure an the bike will stand up. Forward pressure should be maintained on the inside grip throughout the bend.

[@XtreeM_FaiL]

Problem that doesn't exist. How often you have heard a biker rode off inside curve?

[@DavidMossMGS]

So helpful! Thanks a bunch

[@liaMXWolfGaming]

Basically you push it downawards not foraward?

[@softailfun]

Forward.

[@aqaar_saudi_arabia]

downward of course

[@motoTomy]

Ty for nice info :)

[@jimmynoname336]

That's was awesome ! A minute and I got it! Thank you!

[@Petbacteriadotcom]

The push on one side of the handle bars is about creating instability, which is then immediately corrected by the normal lean and steering.

[@michaelmoore1114]

so essential when coming out of a lean or slower speed? just got my first bike today! getting my helmet tomorrow and gonna start learning to ride. feel free to drop some tips.

[@softailfun]

But not by the rider. The rider maintains a pressure on the inside bar.

[@alchercraft7014]

Hi now i understand how it work and also i want question one thing, you talking about push and pressure do you mean like you pushing down your handlebar while you're pushing it to the left or you just give it pressure like only push it down and it will automatically goes left? I don't have bike yet so i cant try it yet

[@XtreeM_FaiL]

Push forward aka turn the handlebars opposite direction.

[@hasibulhasanzeeshan5751]

Pushing down will do nothing, no matter how hard you push. You have to push forward. Think of it like steering: if you want to go left, steer right (push left forward); if you want to go right, push right forward.

[@kenwittlief255]

if your handle bars move up and down they are FALLING OFF they are only suppose to move forward and back

[@xNemesiSxPR]

i dont ride a bike but i think they are cool and see many videos. I just saw a video about this and was like wtf, you expllained it better, in the end is simple just push lol. The other video i saw was lot of physics and shit and i dont even know if they were right about it. I wonder (not a rider) how much force need to be applied in the push, i imagine too much and you will fall to the side lol.

[@josephleister9198]

Great video...thank you

[@twavy4563]

What bike is that it looks beautiful

[@tackcoma5280]

Sorry newbie question, are you pushing down or forward?

[@kenwittlief255]

If your handlebars move up and down take your bike to a professional shop on a trailer and get it FIXED!

[@softailfun]

Forward.

[@Redd800]

2:58 this is for myself so I know what time to go to

[@michaelmoore1114]

thank you so much for making this teachable, i understand a lot more after watching ur video. Sick bike!

[@softailfun]

Shite video. Dangerous and should be removed!

[@WindRunner187]

PUSH or PULL cuz when you push right you go to Lift?

[@geckokid1019]

Push on the left bar to turn left, the bike leaning is what causes the bars to turn in to the direction the bike is travelling

[@SurinderSingh-rr8oy]

Very helpful

[@ashleymumbynewton390]

Do you have to counter steer the whole corner or to just start the corner I got my cbt in 5 days

[@kenwittlief255]

on a corner its very touchy (at low speeds) but on slow corners or fast curves you steer all the way thru the turn

[@mclovinlife4018]

Finally found a video where it sunk in my thick skull. Hallelujah!

[@klarrjames5828]

i wonder if countersteering can be practiced on a pushbike?

[@techtinkerin]

Of course

[@kenwittlief255]

there is nothing to practice you just DO IT

[@kjellg6532]

On any bike.

[@abdelrahmanalnajjar815]

well explained

[@roviroipariong7336]

bro what model is your bike??

[@growthfocus2245]

Thanks for sharing Andrew, found this incredibly helpful

[@johnhewett9483]

Most worrying about this is he cannot remember which side of the handlebars is the starter button😊😊

[@kenwittlief255]

their horn sounds like grinding starter gear teeth!

[@douglasradowick508]

I have 3 motorcycle riding 1.) Rev matching. 2.) Trail braking. 3.) Counter steering. These are the ones I have to get a "grip" on, to be able to free of "newb" status!😱🏍️🥺😵 Doug

[@AT-wl9yq]

Don't even think about trail braking until you know what you are doing. Its not something you need to know as a beginner. Trail braking is done to keep your suspension compressed as you enter a turn, so you can go faster. Its optional and it takes skill to do it effectively. Counter steering isn't optional. Most people don't realize they're doing it.

[@TheDanishBully]

if u are so good to counter steering, remove ur hand that are not pushing ;) If u push right to go right - do u lean left or right then?

[@cjinfa]

Thank you

[@paulb1383]

Great video on counter steering. I usually prefer to lean instead but this seems more precise and accurate! 👏 Can't wait to try it this weekend 💯

[@softailfun]

You prefer to lean instead of counter steering??? 😂😂😂. Speechless!

[@milknei_beats]

3:20 But your bars are turned left. You’re just resisting the force. Why are u saying “push left”? That’s what get people confused

[@geckokid1019]

Because he is pushing on the left bar causing the bike to lean, the bike leaning is what causes the bar to turn the other way

[@kenwittlief255]

how can anyone "struggle" with counter steering? Get on your bike get up to 30mph put forward pressure on the left grip, bike drifts left put more pressure on left grip, bike leans left more and turns left harder stop putting pressure on left grip, bike stands up and goes straight it could not be any simpler

[@SickDayFishing262]

It's confusing because he says you're not turning the wheel to that desired direction, yet here he is. Turning his wheel to that direction 😂

[@softailfun]

@@SickDayFishing262 The rider isn’t turning the wheel in the desired direction, the bike is.

[@SickDayFishing262]

@@softailfun I understand how it works. I was answering the question “how can anyone struggle counter steering”.

[@polloisverycool1023]

I was always able to do this bc I went from bicycles to motorcycles but I never understood what I was even doing, thanks!

[@cdmChase1]

It's gyroscopic. The weight of the engine wants to go in a straight line. Counter steering sends the engine, Weight the opposite way..

[@big_chrispy]

Love it!

[@deformatekjv]

"...causing me to go right. AKA counter steering!" *beep* "Oops" *bike starts* Oh man this makes me laugh every time and I dont know why.

[@daveroberts1]

I learnt countersteering in the 70's from a book written in the 30's!

[@kjellg6532]

And I learned counter steering in mid 50-ies when I had my first bicycle. Nothing fancy about this, its the only way to control a bike, with petrol motor or just leg-motor.

[@JediFOMO]

What do I avoid doing so I don’t wreak while doing counter steering

[@CryptikzChannel]

I don't see how you're pushing the bike in the opposite direction? Just looks like you're holding the grip, why couldn't you pull with the other side too? I don't see how it's countering at all lol

[@geckokid1019]

You could pull as well but it is easier to push

[@XtreeM_FaiL]

What did you expect? Him to yank handlebar 90 °?

[@pboobooz]

This is great thank you

[@KrisVickers-wn6dd]

wasn't taught this in my cbt

[@abduljaljalani9935]

fucking amazing and simple, great vid

[@mysticvirgo9318]

man Counter steering seems like it would feel counter intuitve :)

[@DuckingAround58]

Am I pushing out, our pushing down?

[@EROCC007]

Out

[@countryjoe3551]

Push the grip forward.

[@rjackdaw]

so that's why Im having trouble. im countering my counter steering

[@snachev2010]

Why counter steering? Don't you go in the same direction you go with the handle bar

[@Opuskrokus]

No, you go in the direction the bike is leaning,

[@kenwittlief255]

NO at riding speeds the bike is self balancing and it goes straight all by itself to make it turn you have to hold it OFF its self balancing, and you do that by pushing a grip forward when you push the right grip forward the bike leans and turns to the right - its the opposite of what you do going around a corner at 3mph

[@kjellg6532]

@@kenwittlief255 You do exactly the same going in 4,8 km/h. The first moment you get into a tiny lean by counter steering, then you contol that lean with the handelbar. As in any turn.

[@softailfun]

@@kjellg6532 Just a question. Do you actually ride a motorcycle. I only ask because you give shit advise throughout these comments.

[@cardboardgaming398]

You can’t just lean and turn??

[@softailfun]

Nope.

[@keningram35]

Turn the steering wheel to the right you will go left. Don’t have to overcomplicate it

[@tsoukallos]

Should be called counter leaning!

[@prabsmrn]

I drove motorcycles in India for about 5 years since i was 13 or so without a license. Fell a couple times not big accidents but i learned it by myself. No courses or anything. Came to canada and went to take my knowledge test for motorcycle, I don't even know half of the concepts they asked me about. Really weird how west does stuff.

[@PampersNorway]

wierd, yeah. Instead of learning from our own fuckups and risking killing ourselves we perfer to learn by mistakes already made by others..... wierd this.

[@je-sus-6910]

@@PampersNorwayroasted