The life saver "Counter steering"

Counter-steering

In Bangladesh the riders have to face a lot of difficulties on road at the time of riding. Among them sudden obstacles like running dog, unconscious passer-by, Ev (auto rickshaw) etc. are the major, to keep oneself safe from these types of obstacles Counter-steering is a must for rider.

What is Counter-steering:

When riding a motorcycle at speeds above roughly 20/25 km/h, the easiest and fastest way to initiate a turn is to momentarily steer the handlebars in the opposite direction of the turn you want to make.

Instance:

• You want to turn left → You gently push forward on the left handlebar.
• This causes the front wheel to turn slightly right for a fraction of a second.
• That tiny input tips the bike to the left due to the physics of balance and gyroscopic forces.
• Once the bike leans, you then steer with the turn to maintain your line.

Important notes:

• At low speeds (parking lot speeds), you steer normally (turn left to go left).
• At higher speeds, counter-steering is the reliable way to start a turn.
• It’s especially crucial for quick maneuvers, like avoiding an obstacle.
• The push is small — you’re not cranking the bars, just a quick, firm input.

Counter-steering practice:

1. Find a safe place

• Empty parking lot or a wide, low-traffic road.
• Wear all your riding gear.
• No passengers during practice.

2. Start at a steady speed

• Aim for 20–40 km/h (12–25 mph) at first.
• Keep a relaxed grip — don’t lock your elbows.

3. “Push to go”

• If you want to turn left → push forward gently on the left handlebar.
• If you want to turn right → push forward on the right handlebar.
• Think: “Push left, go left. Push right, go right.”
• Keep the push brief — the lean will do the rest.

4. Look where you want to go

• Your eyes lead the bike. If you look at the obstacle, you’ll hit it.
• Turn your head and focus on your exit path.

5. Let the bike lean

• Don’t fight the lean — trust the process.
• Once leaned, you can make minor steering adjustments to hold the curve.

6. Practice in both directions

• Do wide S-curves to get the feel of switching lean angles smoothly.
• Gradually increase speed once you’re confident.

Pro tip: At highway speeds, even a small counter-steering input creates a big lean. Smooth, precise pressure is better than jerky movements.