Why is it that I pull Left, to take a Right ??

Question

My conversation about pulling on the left bar, to take a right turn (and right to go left) was overheard by a customer.

How do I explain the physics of this action ???

Answer 1

Its known as counter steering, and if you try to understand it.... it can be hard to absorb.

Fist I'd say if you used  a wide enough space to go around a corner you don't use, left versus right to achieve turn because you have enough room to keep bike upright, so it can be done by steering bars alone.

When the bike has a tight turning space that's when you counter steer, and you physically can not turn 100% right to turn right, the front wheel will push in oppositte direction..... here we go..... so to achieve turn you have to learn the way you are turning, and keep the bike s engine on load (revs for better control) , and tthe inertia of bike will make turn  http://c2.com/cgi/wiki?CounterSteering

Answer 2

you may have heard it referred to as counter steering.....

Answer 3

Gyroscopic forces on the front wheel.

Answer 4

Hi i say that i push right to take a right ,As you push right the front tyre is turned off its flattest section towards the more angled side wall which has a smaller diameter .Not real sure on the maths but it happens with body position, centre of gravity change. Still worries me to think people can pass a test on a big bike without learning to drop a bike into a corner or sit it back up...what if a brick is mid corner ?

Answer 5

Hi Girl racer. Iv never thought of it as pulling left. But it is pushing the right to go right. I'd been riding years when a mate told me to try it, I thought he was just wanting me to crash and burn. but being young and stupid at the time I gave it a go. Imagine my suprise at the result.  a lot faster in the corners since. but im not sure I pull left. I think it allows more power to the rear before the rear lets go.  good question though. I shall ponder it a bit more.

Answer 6

When you are traveling in a straight line and pull on the left bar. Your bike will lean to the right. When going around a right hand bend this is obviously the direction you need to be leaning. By pulling momentarily on your left bar you are setting up the bikes lean direction to take the right hand bend

Answer 7

Oops, I have just fallen off.

Answer 8

it's quite difficult to explain the physics of the action, but its something everybody on a bike (above about 15-20mph) does without realizing it.

If you want to give an example of actually seeing it in action, then just look at a Speedway race. Sure its a very exaggerated movement, and they're actually turning into a skid. But the principle is the same.

Hope that helps.

Answer 9

All you're doing is countersteering. It;s a natural way of getting round those bends. From a girly biker. - gsxr1000k3

Answer 10

Its push left side and pull right to go right