Lean Angle & Counter Steering

[menzies3032]

Hi All

In my usual rambling fashion I wanted to share some recent revelation.

I have recently learned the basic art of counter steering and although this was initially for track use this totally transfers onto road use. Rather then battling the bike to get it to move the bike seens to go just where I want it. Also it seems to make a big difference to corner stability and dont get anywhere near the same mid corner nervous front end twitch.

However having used a tablet app it seems to be clear that I am struggling to lean the bike. On a ride out today I was inside a 20 deg lean angle with the odd corner making it to 28 deg. On track I have been struggling with this and not leaning anywhere neer enough. Daft question but how do you learn to lean?

Happy to lean off the bike but have never managed to get my knee down

[ninjajockey]

You just need to carry more corner speed, easier to do on track than on the road.
The idea behind hanging off the bike is to keep weight to the inside of the curve, which lets you keep the bike more upright and as a consequence you can take the corner faster.
Hope that helps.

[rsv_man]

Or have a look at these

http://www.knee-down.biz/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://www.visordown.com/how-to-do-just ... 15554.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n0v4greHKuI" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://biketrackdayshub.com/how-to-get-your-knee-down" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Tractorwackyracer]

hi mate

I think your thinking and worrying about leaning and getting your knee down to much !!!
most not all riders never get their knee down it doesn't make you faster !!! I will agree it fun to do it but not everything !!!
counter steering seriously !!! my personal opinion is it comes naturally don't force it will end in tears !!!

[zing1100]

Relax and enjoy the ride and don't over analyse lean angles etc. Try outrunning a copper on a lardy beemer and you will lose and he will be sat bolt upright and his knees won't part from the tank. Bike safe day may teach you more than a track day. Just my tuppence

[Bullet]

If you wasn't counter steering you wouldn't be going round the bend! Try too hard and you could end up doing worse than good!

Not that I'm an expert

[billinom8s]

Walk before run
Look both ways before crossing
Don't be in a rush to know everything as your brain with explode and it won't make sense.
Use the force

Relax and have fun

[ninjajockey]

Use the force

Amen to that.

[MellowYellow]

Many moons ago, I recall wheeling our pushbikes around just holding the saddle. A tiny lean would get you round a corner. Also riding with no hands (sorry mum) just shift the body weight and round you go. Handlebars are for hanging helmets on.

[menzies3032]

Or have a look at these

http://www.knee-down.biz/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://www.visordown.com/how-to-do-just ... 15554.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n0v4greHKuI" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://biketrackdayshub.com/how-to-get-your-knee-down" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Thanks for these they are great. The visor down one made me smile as the picture is the same bike as mine in different colours

[menzies3032]

Relax and enjoy the ride and don't over analyse lean angles etc. Try outrunning a copper on a lardy beemer and you will lose and he will be sat bolt upright and his knees won't part from the tank. Bike safe day may teach you more than a track day. Just my tuppence

Have just done both british superbike school and bike safe both very very good

[menzies3032]

Don't be in a rush to know everything as your brain with explode and it won't make sense.
Use the force

Relax and have fun

Thanks Simon

[menzies3032]

All

Firstly thanks for all your comments

However just to confirm my question was not how do I get my knee down. It was more about better confidance at a greater lean and how do people learn to lean more. I am stable but not leaning the bike anywhere near what it can do and I am sure I am not carrying as much speed as I could?

Oh and by the way I over analysis everything, hence always looking to do/get better so sorry if I sound like trying to build Rome in a day.

[WubWub]

If you can put up with the cringeworthy acting (funny at first, but gets old fast) there's some great info in Twist of the Wrist II. And as luck would have it, I have a YouTube link http://youtu.be/Vr-Wqs37Ug4" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Ruffian]

I have the same problem since an off 2 years ago,
Knocked confidence out of me big time,
Only just getting it back now,

I find just riding a road you know well following someone a similar pace will give you confidence.
If there is only 2 or 3 of you then you know where each other are and can give pointers to where issues may be,
Yes you can get quite silly lean angles on most modern machinery.

It all comes with time in the saddle.