Cornering Intro: Push Steering (counter steering) is the only way to turn motorcycle?

Previously (about 2 months ago), I posted that there are differences in between road-race track cornering and street / high-way style cornering. Also explained “Centrifugal Force” helps high-speed cornering, and Push / Counter steer technique does not actually help steering but leaning, steering angle is set by lean angle.

Before I proceed showing this, I would like to emphasis is that I never mean making “correct & wrong” argument in between counter/push steering and body-steering (in Japan, we call self-steering). Important thing is that you should try both ways, keep options in your hands, and use techniques based on types of curves and speed-range.

When you took motorcycle safety course, I am 100% sure that instructor(s) showed you how to mount on a motorcycle…the basic mounting posture is exactly the same no matter what type of motorcycle you ride…which is place your feet on foot-pegs (or foot-boards), seating position is not too close to the fuel tank (or not far from the fuel tank), arms should not be stretched but prepared to absorb shocks as dumper, arms and shoulders must be relaxed, your head…always physically turn your head and look where you want to go.

Needless to say, this basic riding posture is really important even when cornering. If I add one more thing is….”twist your upper body towards same direction your motorcycle is turning”. If you have some experience of riding on dirt (trail, motocross, trials etc), maybe you understand what I am talking about.

My good friend, Mr. Mark Kruger (7 times Canadian Superbike Champion in West Region) provided me his cornering photo. Let’s see what are differences and similarities in between us.

Mark is on left, riding with hang-off posture in hi-speed….perfect style as textbook example….I am on the right…low-speed range…I was riding in 50kph range. This low speed range…body steering technique is really useful when the speed is in between 10~80kph (depends on road, tyre condition and the type of motorcycle)

As you can see these pictures, the arrows pointing to left…that is Centrifugal Force…you can see Mark has longer one, and I don’t . Other major differences are…inside leg and steering angle (Thicker Arrow: Yellow with Red), and lean angle. I have more steering angle, but less lean angle.

Anything else is same. Look where you want to go, relax shoulders, arms, hands, slightly stretch outside arm, folding inside arm…yet still really relaxing.

If you know both ways to execute corners….that would be awesome, don’t you think? All you need to do is just choose which one you would apply for the corner you are to enter.

Next time, I will introduce several types of body-steering.

See you!!