RoSPA Advanced Riders
Anyone who has ridden will have come across various methods of steering the motorcycle. Although counter steering is a natural product of our ability to balance, we need to understand why it is done and how it links to steering techniques overall.
Most of us can steer naturally. Around walking pace we steer the bike left for left – right for right but as speed rises we need to lean the bike in the direction of the turn. Counter steering is a natural phenomenon and it is the weight we apply to the end of the handlebar on the inside of the turn. We do this to stop the front wheel from turning towards the inside of the turn as we start to lean the bike.
So, accept the fact that we will observe well ahead; get our braking and gear changes over with on the straightest section; be ready to use positive throttle to keep weight of the bike and rider over the rear wheel and balance the bike. Be ready to increase speed depending on the road surface, weather, forward view and the rider’s expectations of what follows. What we will examine are what techniques that we can apply through the curve.
It would be remiss of me not to mention that as you lean the bike into corners, remember that you lose braking ability and some grip. Looking ahead will allow you to identify bends that may have road surface problems. You will be wise to slow down before entering such hazards to allow for the tyre grip trade off. More lean means less braking force can be applied.
As you enter the curve, keep looking across towards the exit, or where you expect the exit to be. Some riders lean their head away from the curve. You may find a better technique is to lean your head forwards. Try to point your chin towards your mirror, or the exit. This technique will help keep your eyes level with the road, despite your angle of lean, which helps with confidence in leaning to extreme angles.
You can make the steering circle tighter and quicker by putting some extra weight onto the inside handlebar. As you enter a corner just try gently pushing down on the inside bar. As you get used to the feel of the steering getting quicker, add more weight and also try the other following methods of steering until they become second nature to you.
You can also help the steering by pressing your foot down onto the peg on the inside of the turn. Do this with care as you learn how this feels. Lowering the inside elbow can also help steering the bike as it moves your upper body to the inside of the bike. You are creating a counter balance to the forces acting on the bike.
Moving your head towards the inside of the curve can also help steering, but remember to keep looking to where you want the bike to go, and keep scanning through the bend. If you keep looking you will keep assessing, which helps being smooth. Use your forward vision to maintain good all-round observations.
Getting a knee down on the road is not a good idea as a road is not as smooth as a racetrack surface. It can cause the rider to have less control, and often means the bike is going slower through a curve than one with a more upright rider.
That does not mean you cannot lean, but lean into the inside of the curve by lowering your elbow, the one inside the curve, just a touch. Even for straight roads you should not have rigid arms. Sit in a relaxed position with your arms bent and hands resting on the bars, not gripping. It all helps you to be smooth when operating the controls. Keep your legs relaxed but ready to grip the tank when braking or steering. Your pillion also needs to learn to be relaxed so as to assist the rider and machine through curves.
Remember there may be another hazard just out of sight, so be ready to stop, or at least slow and deviate. Make sure you keep looking well ahead and try to anticipate problems. Use a suitable gear, one that allows gradual throttle movements and good pulling power, without over-revving the engine, or making it struggle. Be smooth with all the controls and keep scanning for the next hazard to prevent surprises.
Through the turn apply small amounts of throttle to keep the machine under power. This helps to keep stability and prevent the bike wallowing. The bike will perform better with positive throttle as it travels through a curved path. However, be wary of road surface problems that may cause the tyres to lose grip.
Stabilise angle of lean, apply positive throttle, not acceleration, to balance the bike. If the curve opens apply gentle acceleration to suit road surface and any further hazards. Keep looking through the curve for what is ahead and to help turn the bike through the curve.
As the exit appears, gradually open the throttle to provide smooth acceleration. This helps you bring the bike upright, but you must be aware of what you are approaching. Throttle is related to forward view and forward view is essential for control. This brings us back to the first comment above, There may be another hazard just out of sight, so be ready to stop or at least slow and deviate.
Above all else make sure you keep scanning ahead. Keep your head turned in the direction of the curve exit as that helps you turn the bike naturally. Where you look is where you go. Be smooth in all operations of the machines controls, leaning and changing road position.
On wet roads you need to be more relaxed and smooth to corner well. As you begin the curve, try pressing your foot down onto the OUTSIDE footrest. This action puts you into the correct seat position for the curve, and steadies the bike onto the road surface.
Try these techniques with extra care in wet weather. Be aware of spray and visor fogging reducing your vision. Allow more room for decelerating and braking. Gauge your speed for the start of the curve, and obtain a gear to allow the engine to pull the bike and rider freely without any risk of the rear tyre spinning. Employ smooth steering skills through the curve and keep the throttle settings so that speed is maintained to pull the bike through the curve.
Keep speed increases small until the bike is upright again. Allow more room and time to see tar strips and damaged roads, especially when leaning the bike. Remember also that other road users will not be able to see you as well in wet weather.
The answer is that one technique on its own may not have much effect. However, try working out which techniques suit you and try them out until they become a natural part of you and your riding style.
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