http://www.sportrider.com/ride/RSS/146_0008_motorcycle_body_steering/index.html
Riding Skills Series: Body Steering



illustrators: Dean Groover

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1. Over the years, there has been much ado about the importance of
countersteering. Simply put, countersteering-or turning a bike's handlebar in
the opposite direction of your desired turn-is the best way to control your
motorcycle. Those riders who doubt the importance of countersteering owe it
to themselves and their loved ones to sign up for an MSF Basic RiderCourse or
Experienced RiderCourse as soon as possible (800/446-9227; www.mic.org or
www.msf-usa.org). Still, a small but vocal group of seasoned riders insist
that-in the efforts to impress upon novice riders the importance of
countersteering-an effective, advanced method of turning a motorcycle has
been neglected. Body steering utilizes a rider's feet and legs to augment
handlebar input for quick, controlled turns.




2. Before experimenting with body steering, a rider needs to be proficient at
countersteering. Also, bad habits-such as riding with locked elbows or
improper body positioning (see RSS, June '00)-can dull or even negate the
effects of body steering. Begin by riding a section of road that you are
familiar with at a moderate pace. With the balls of your feet, evenly place
weight on the bike's pegs. Focus on your riding position, making sure to
support your torso with your stomach muscles while keeping your elbows bent
and your arms relaxed. Next, choose a corner to try this body steering
technique. At the turn-in point, countersteer while pressing down on the
inside peg and pulling your outside knee in and down toward the inside of the
turn. Try varying the force of the foot/knee input while body steering into a
variety of corners to learn the proper combination of countersteering and
body steering.




3. Although body steering is more effective at initiating a turn in some
types of corners than in others, the technique is particularly well suited
for midcorner line corrections or bending your bike into a decreasing radius
turn as shown above. By using the lower extremities instead of your arms to
alter your bike's line while leaned over, your hands are free to modulate the
throttle. Also, by using your legs to steer the bike, your arms stay relaxed
allowing the bars to move as your bike tracks over pavement irregularities.
Some riders report that they not only press toward the inside of a turn with
their outside knee, but also, while keeping their toes on the peg, hook their
outside heel against the frame or bodywork to assist in pulling their bikes
into a turn.




4. Body steering isn't just useful for turning a bike into a corner. This
technique can be reversed by applying weight on the outside peg to widen the
line midcorner. At the exit of a turn, body steering can help stand a bike up
when used in conjunction with countersteering, putting the meat of the tire
to the ground, while your hands are busy rolling on the throttle or shifting.
Riders who want to study this riding technique in more detail should attend
Jason Pridmore's Star School (805/658-6333; www.starmotorcycle.com) to
explore the limits of body steering in a controlled environment. When used
properly, body steering and countersteering will help you turn your bike
smoothly and quickly in a variety of cornering situations.

This article was originally published in the August 2000 issue of <i>Sport
Rider</i>.