Counterlean vs lean
Discussion
I've fallen down a youtube rabbit hole at the moment. I'm in the middle of doing an IAM course and have been told I sometimes lean "the wrong way" (counterlean). I think I've picked this up from various YouTube videos on the subject (particularly police riders in the US etc chucking massive bikes about).
Is there anything that can offer a clearer explanation on this? I seem to otherwise be staying mostly neutral at speed but leaning "correctly" is certainly helping maintain much faster pace on wet roads - but I feel I look like a massive t
t doing so....
Is there anything that can offer a clearer explanation on this? I seem to otherwise be staying mostly neutral at speed but leaning "correctly" is certainly helping maintain much faster pace on wet roads - but I feel I look like a massive t
t doing so....Agree with JJones, if you're doing a slow manoeuvre like a u-turn or figure of eight at near walking pace then counter-lean. At normal traffic speeds, get your weight towards the inside of the turn. Heads are heavy, get your head over towards the inside of the turn too.
No, I can't spell manoeuvre. Thank goodness for spellcheck.
edit: Re your comment on US police riders chucking massive bikes about, they are very impressive. They are always looking where they want to go, not down or at the ground, or a few feet in front of the front wheel.
No, I can't spell manoeuvre. Thank goodness for spellcheck.
edit: Re your comment on US police riders chucking massive bikes about, they are very impressive. They are always looking where they want to go, not down or at the ground, or a few feet in front of the front wheel.
Edited by underwhelmist on Saturday 5th March 02:54
A good book to read on the theory of bike handling is Total Control by Lee Parks https://www.amazon.co.uk/Total-Control-Performance...
Its useful to read in addition to the usual Police Roadcraft manual that is used by IAM, RoSPA
Some good tips here too explaining different body position options
https://www.ridinginthezone.com/body-position-tips...
Its useful to read in addition to the usual Police Roadcraft manual that is used by IAM, RoSPA
Some good tips here too explaining different body position options
https://www.ridinginthezone.com/body-position-tips...
Supermoto v Superbikes
Here's a quick semi serious clip
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U1mSavQ_DXs
Of course there are videos that counter it
Here's a quick semi serious clip
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U1mSavQ_DXs
Of course there are videos that counter it
Some people get into the habit of "pushing the bike down" when cornering - i.e. they push the inside bar to initiate the turn, but then extend their arm and don't move with the bike as it turns in. Overall that will result in the bike needing to be more leant over than if the rider had moved with it. If this is what you're doing, then at least you're aware of it, and can work on trying to move more with the bike rather than pushing it away.
outnumbered said:
Some people get into the habit of "pushing the bike down" when cornering - i.e. they push the inside bar to initiate the turn, but then extend their arm and don't move with the bike as it turns in. Overall that will result in the bike needing to be more leant over than if the rider had moved with it. If this is what you're doing, then at least you're aware of it, and can work on trying to move more with the bike rather than pushing it away.
Yes this sounds exactly like what I'm doing!Thanks guys. Will put the links into practice.
castex said:
As I understand things, lean is for speed. Knee down, maximum lean, is for the track
Counterlean provides balance and allows you to adjust the bike's trajectory more easily.
Not only this but it improves visibility round corners ( seeing over hedges as an example), and it gets rid of more of your chicken strips.Counterlean provides balance and allows you to adjust the bike's trajectory more easily.
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