Turning a motorcycle

You use two systems to turn a motorcycle. At very low speeds, you actually have to turn the bike's wheel, so that the front tire is pointing in the direction you want to go (such as turning around in a driveway). However, on the highway they actually use a technique that is almost subliminal, it is called counter-steering. They are actually turning the wheel in the opposing direction than which they intend to turn. Most riders gasp in disbelief when you tell them that to turn left they must point the front of the wheel right. Many don't believe you until they actually think about what they are doing on their next ride.

At riding speeds, learn to turn and think to turn, and get this feeling trained into your mind where there is no doubt on how to turn a bike. Counter-steering is the quickest way to change the direction of a bike at riding speeds. It always works and nothing works quicker to adjust where your body and bike may be heading. If you don't concretely learn this technique and think absolutely about it now, you could falter and become injured when fumbling in a panic to get out of the direction of an incoming impact. Early on when learning to think in terms of counter-steering, I would have likely been killed had I not already been training my mind to think counter-steering when turning. I made an honest mistake that other bikers make, too. I went into a turn a little too fast and my front tire began to travel over the yellow lines into the other lane. The worst part, I was going into the path of a huge flat bed working truck coming at me at 45 mph. When you get into this situation, you can be sure of one thing, the force that is taking you into the lane you don't want to be in also happens to rattle you, and in fact seems like it sucks you further into the lane. Your balance and your nerves are frazzled and this all combines to prevent you from recovering in time to avoid a potentially deadly accident. This is the same situation you might have experienced as a kid when the curb tended to magnetically suck you and your bicycle into it for a spill on the pavement. Well, on my motorcycle I was facing something even worse. A collision with a huge truck with an impact speed the sum of the truck and my bike of about 75 mph. When I realized I was not going to get out of the way, I relied on only one thing. I relied on the counter-steering I had been teaching myself. Where another person may have tried to balance themselves out of the path of that truck, I simply used counter-steering and the bike leaned hard immediately and came back into my lane. I missed the truck by about 8 inches from my wheel to his. It was a sobering experience but only because I did what didn't yet seem natural to me. I counter-steered and it absolutely saved my life!

Learn this technique and become so comfortable with it that it is naturally how you steer your bike. At riding speeds, learn to turn right, push on the right handle bar (front of wheel is pointing left). To turn left, push on the left handle bar (front of wheel is pointing right). This action does everything for you. It shifts your weight properly (no balancing acts) and it immediately and instantly changes the direction you are heading. It is the most efficient way to steer a bike. You are already sub-consciously doing this so you might as well learn it.

For any of you that dispute the logic here. Take your bike to an empty and zero traffic parking lot and practice this technique. Learn how this works and learn to steer this way without having to think about it. When it comes time to avoid something quickly, you will be more likely to avoid a collision when you know how your steering is really working for you.

Swerving

Knowing how to swerve safely is something every motorcyclist needs in his or her bag of tricks. One never knows when one might need to make a quick change in direction.

Instructions

1. Plan ahead. Because you never know when you'll need to take evasive action, always have an escape route in mind.
2. Keep your head up and your eyes on where you want to be after the turn or swerve.
3. Leave your feet solid on the pegs.
4. Hit the rear brake; decelerate slightly with both brakes to reduce your speed.
5. Let off the brakes and turn the handlebars while leaning with the bike into the direction of the turn.
6. Begin the swerve with a small, quick turn to get away from the hazard, and then make another quick turn in the opposite direction to correct your balance and direction.
7. Accelerate slightly coming out of the turn to help keep your balance.

Tips & Warnings

• Attend a state-approved motorcycle-riding course.
• Always wear proper and safe riding gear: Department of Transportation-approved helmet, eye protection, long sleeves, long pants, gloves and footwear that covers the ankles. Note that the use of bright colors and reflective materials will help drivers see you.
• Practice sharp turns and swerving so that if you need this maneuver, you'll be comfortable with it and will not hesitate.
• Never brake and swerve at the same time.
• Keep a buffer between you and the vehicle in front of you. Be aware of your surroundings at all times.
• Motorcycling is an inherently dangerous activity that can result in serious injury or death. We recommend that you seek proper training and equipment before attempting this activity.