Cornering - countersteer (The Myth)

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Joined
Aug 12, 2012
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BMW F800GS
Ok, I could not find a thread to 'explain' cornering on a bike - so hier gaan ons!!


Just to start off: a lot of you will think this is BULL but go and analyse/think/etc/etc.  Also Tar and Gravel use OPPOSITE TURNING TECHNIQUES.

Tar

Counter steering is ONLY USED TO 'INDUCE' THE TURN!!!!  Once you reach the desired 'curve' the bars MUST come back to NEUTRAL. (You can actually stay on course just by adjusting the throttle Surprised )

Changing direction on a bike is totally opposite from riding a car and almost EXACTLY the same as flying a plane. YOU DO NOT STEER AROUND A CORNER/BEND!!!!!!!!!!! You induce a change in 'attitude' of the bike. This new 'attitude' (lean for a bike) will change the contact patch from the center of the front Tyre (neutral straight) to somewhere on the side (neutral curve) (depending on how much you lean).  From this moment onward the bike (or plane) must just be kept in the same 'attitude' to maintain the desired radius. To end the turn you need to change attitude again to 'lift' the bike up and return to 'straight ahead' - again exactly like an aircraft.

I will not go into the technical jargon about how/why the radius of the turn is related to the lean angle and the speed as well as the 'profile' of the front Tyre.  What is interesting is that you actually ride 'uphill' (positive G's) during a turn on a bike and in an aircraft.

Gravel

The 'attitude' of the bike round a similar bend is much more upright and if we stand we also 'weigh the outside peg'. This require the handlebars to be turned 'into' the bend AND KEPT THERE to maintain turning radius as we do not ride 'the side' of the Tyre. You can 'power slide' through the bend to 'tighten' the radius as the rear wheel 'spin' and move outwards.  This power slide can be as minute as to move the rear wheel just 20mm to the outside with a huge effect on the turning radius.  This is also the reason why you must 'accelerate' in a turn if you realize you are to wide AND NOT DECELERATE which will 'lift' the bike up and 'pull' the rear in which will INCREASE the turning radius!!!.  Now both forces are against you. Frown  I'm not even sure you 'counter steer' to start the bend on gravel.

Plastics

This is even more 'unreal' as the whole body/bike relation is totally opposite from road riding. (heavy lean of the bike and upright body with the foot sticking out).


Food for thought.


Adie

Laat ons Stof Maak

rockfox.co.za
 
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