Deflated

Jnukes · 08-25-2010, 11:42 AM

Was going home yesterday and had a guy behind me yell something, so i stopped. He said nice bike but i needed to learn how to ride it. WTF. I was pissed, but got me thinking and went home to do some research. And he was right, i have been doing some wrong bad habits. Feel like shit and second guessing myself now but gonna work to improve.

2 things I know now i was screwing up. One, never new about counter steering and 2 was using back breaks more then front. I think I am gonna take a course to see what else i have been missing.

woodenhorse · 08-25-2010, 11:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jnukes

Was going home yesterday and had a guy behind me yell something, so i stopped. He said nice bike but i needed to learn how to ride it. WTF. I was pissed, but got me thinking and went home to do some research. And he was right, i have been doing some wrong bad habits. Feel like shit and second guessing myself now but gonna work to improve.

2 things I know now i was screwing up. One, never new about counter steering and 2 was using back breaks more then front. I think I am gonna take a course to see what else i have been missing.

Never heard anyone tell anyone else that....I wouldn't worry about it.

RedspawnSilver · 08-25-2010, 11:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by woodenhorse

Never heard anyone tell anyone else that....I wouldn't worry about it.

I would still take the course anyways and yes, counter steering helps on some of the turns.

I have heard this response before directed towards me and some of my other friends, usually it's a smart ass remark for a couple of reasons... either he wants a bike and wants to show you how to "ride it" or he is jealous for some reason... As my friends and I weren't doing much when it came to just driving casually around town and we got this comment, literally at low speeds.

woodenhorse · 08-25-2010, 11:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RedspawnSilver

I would still take the course anyways and yes, counter steering helps on some of the turns.

I have heard this response before directed towards me and some of my other friends, usually it's a smart ass remark for a couple of reasons... either he wants a bike and wants to show you how to "ride it" or he is jealous for some reason... As my friends and I weren't doing much when it came to just driving casually around town and we got this comment, literally at low speeds.

Speed, how you are sitting in the bike, road surface, angle of turn, etc... all have a bearing and are all different...sometimes, you just gotta pull......

The guy saying that to him was just being a jerk, imo. I'd imagine that most onlookers would comment on whether you were cracking the throttle at intersection, or leaving your feet down too long or putting them down too early, or wobbling and having difficulty moving slowly with your feet on the pegs...or if you had your feet off the pegs at the ready to stabilize when going slowly.....I can't really see them commenting on rear braking or counter steering.....just my thoughts.

mtdrydock · 08-25-2010, 11:59 AM

With that skinny tire up front, I find myself using my back brake quite a bit more than on my FLHTC.

mental · 08-25-2010, 12:00 PM

Counter steering is very important to learn, especially for emergency maneuvers. It takes constant practice, because it is a counter intuitive steering skill, but well worth the time and effort, however a lot of riders have never heard of it. It does not take effect untill you are over 20-25 mph.

RedspawnSilver · 08-25-2010, 12:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by woodenhorse

Speed, how you are sitting in the bike, road surface, angle of turn, etc... all have a bearing and are all different...sometimes, you just gotta pull......

The guy saying that to him was just being a jerk, imo. I'd imagine that most onlookers would comment on whether you were cracking the throttle at intersection, or leaving your feet down too long or putting them down too early, or wobbling and having difficulty moving slowly with your feet on the pegs...or if you had your feet off the pegs at the ready to stabilize when going slowly.....I can't really see them commenting on rear braking or counter steering.....just my thoughts.

Totally agree, kind of why I had my second comment in there, think the counter-steering and rear braking was from his own research though, which is good! Means he can at least learn from his mistakes.

But yea, it was just a dick comment, any one of use could comment on another persons riding style, but all of us have different riding styles that work best for us and we could have taken the safety course and just adjusted our own riding styles to adapt to the same technique.

Steveo · 08-25-2010, 12:05 PM

Screw that douche! You should've told him to go f*ck himself.

I actually thought that I use my front brake too often sometimes, if that's possible. I trained myself a long time ago to use both brakes when slowing or stopping. It's just a habit I got into.

Dumb question alert.... What is "counter steering"? Anyone?

Clueless · 08-25-2010, 12:13 PM

Maybe he followed you for 10 blocks with the turn signals on. I know how irritating that is to be behind.

mental · 08-25-2010, 12:17 PM

It is about turning and cornering. Instead of throwing your weight over to throw bike over, you counter steer and which throws bike over first and your weight follows, in a quicker time frame, and is easier. Above 20-25 mph, if you want to steer right, you would press down on right handlebar grip, which will turn wheel slightly left, which throws bike over to the right first and your weight follows.