How Countersteering Can Save Your Life on a Motorcycle
I’m Ed Smith, a Santa Barbara Motorcycle Accident Attorney. Countersteering is a technique that all motorcycle riders should learn how to perform. It is a skill that could wind up saving your life on the roads of California one day. Today, we will discuss countersteering, how to teach yourself this skill, and how to use it to save your life instantly.
Countersteering is Not Complex
Many riders believe that countersteering is a complex skill. Therefore, they don’t like practicing or even attempting to learn it. This skill, once learned, is typically performed subconsciously when riders hop on their bikes to avoid motorcycle accidents. The bike operator must turn the front wheel using the handlebar to countersteer. The turn must be done opposite to where the bike is headed. This skill is used to change the angle at which the bike leans. For riders interested in formal instruction, the California Highway Patrol (CHP) offers safety programs from which riders of all skill levels can benefit.
Where to Practice
If you are a novice rider, you want to practice countersteering as much as possible. Once mastered, an experienced rider will instinctively countersteer without even thinking about it. The best place to practice is on an open stretch without much traffic. You must travel at least 20 miles per hour for this skill to work correctly. Until you feel confident in your abilities, it is unnecessary to travel at a high rate of speed to feel the effects of the steering.
Begin driving at a comfortable speed. As you operate, push one of the handlebars forward. As you perform this maneuver, watch how the bike responds. As you become comfortable with the movement, push the other handlebar using different levels of force. As you learn the bike’s reactions from your movements, you will see how easy it is to use countersteering effectively.
Why Do You Need Countersteering?
Many motorcycle riders ask why they might need countersteering. This is a common question with a simple answer: it can save your life. This skill will allow you to make turns, handle corners effectively, and make evasive maneuvers should another vehicle enter your path unexpectedly. Being able to countersteer effectively can also help you navigate a curve tighter than you thought, helping you avoid a fall that could leave you with traumatic injuries.
Santa Barbara Motorcycle Accident Attorney
I’m Ed Smith, a Santa Barbara Motorcycle Accident Attorney. Motorcycle accidents can potentially leave a person with severe injuries and financial hardship. If you or a loved one have been hurt in a motorcycle accident due to the negligence of another party, please reach out to me. You can contact me by calling my office at (916) 921-6400 or (800) 404-5400 for free and friendly legal advice. I am also available online at AutoAccident.com.
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