[Monster231]

Ok So I have read twist of the wrist II 3 to 4 times, and it keeps emphasizing the fact that I should be looser on the bars and more relaxed. I was riding around in my garage practicing some quick stops, low speed turns, accelerating through turns, and countersteering. through everything I kept finding my self keeping my weight on the bars. I tried to keep my elbows bent and stay centered on the bike, but it seems like a natural tendency to put my weight on the bars. In fact ti feels kinda strange when I dont. What do you do

Also explain countersteering, I think im doing it... but everyone talks as if its some huge mystery. Is it something that you kinda do anyway?? In the book it describes it as this big elaborate ordeal

 

[slam150]

i have started to put the weight of my body on the lower back and upper legs.

straddel the tank with your legs, hold on some what tight but not really tight, and support your back.

i was tought to not have alot of weight on the bars, but some weight to control the bike. dont lean on the tank and put pressure on the bars, but just ride in a relaxing point so that you are not tense while riding.
"words of my buddy who tought me."

 

[GixxerNHemi]

Yea...i constantly shift positions while riding casually. I put my ass back pretty far in the seat and try to keep my hands loose most of the time.

When i gas it up a little, i get lighter in the seat and use my legs to move around on the bike, still trying to keep weight off of my arms to the bars.

Im also uncomfortable regardless because the days I can out riding are only about 38-40 degrees out....middle of winter here on long island SUCKS!!!

wait until spring when its 75 or so and I can ride for longer durations!

 

[No Worries]

The reason they say not to put too much weight on the bars while going straight is because of countersteering. To countersteer, you push the bar right to turn right. Same with the left. This way, you don't have to think about it, you just push the handlebar the way you want to go.

If you are already pushing (leaning) on both handlebars while going straight, it is hard to push one and lighten the other. If you have a light grip on the bars, it is very easy to push one side. That's why I raised my handlebars from stock. I don't lean on them much, and it makes it easy to "push" my 600 pound bike around like a 500 pound bike with low bars.

 

[slam150]

question, what does raising the bars do for the rider and the ride? will it make the bike less agile while riding turns or straight?

 

[oldetymebiker]

question, what does raising the bars do for the rider and the ride? will it make the bike less agile while riding turns or straight?

A lot of setting up the bike has to do with your size, weight and general preference; that's why there are companies like Gen-Mar and the like that make kits to raise, lower and adjust bars, footpegs and controls. As a matter of fact, setting the bike up comfortably for you is one of the biggest factors in increasing rider confidence. You may need to experiment and see what works best for you: your Kwacker was designed as a roadracer knock-off; the needs of a 5' 4" roadracer are different from a 6' 1" commuter/weekend warrior. There are couple companies that make adjustable bars for your machine...if I find the links I'll post 'em if somebody doesn't beat me to it.

And no, it will not effect steering quickness.

 

[No Worries]

...Also explain countersteering, I think im doing it... but everyone talks as if its some huge mystery. Is it something that you kinda do anyway?? In the book it describes it as this big elaborate ordeal

Countersteering is turning the handlebar to the right in order to turn left. Of course, it doesn't work unless you are going more than about 10 mph.

There is this great 180 degree switchback on my favorite road. The road is very steep and crowned. When going uphill, you have to slow down and countersteer into the turn. But it's so steep and slow, that you leave the countersteering zone and enter the speed zone of regular turning. I'm always amazed the bike doesn't just fall over. If you stalled the bike or had any hesitation, the bike would fall over. Coming down is much easier.

It's basically too weird for my little brain. So instead of thinking countersteering, I like to "push" the handlebar in the direction I want to go.

 

[twisty]

What I did to help me was get adjustable rearsets. I postioned them so they in a good the made me feel comfortable to put my weight them more than my bars.

 

[jeeps84]

The whole counter steer thing starts with the basic forces that keep a two wheeled vehicle up right. You are always and naturally (at speed) steering the wrong way. It is up to the rider to determine how much for every turn.

 

[jeeps84]

What I did to help me was get adjustable rearsets. I postioned them so they in a good the made me feel comfortable to put my weight them more than my bars.

You also (at high speed) steer with the pegs as much or even more than the bars.

 

[No Worries]

There's a limit to how high you want to raise your handlebars. I've always wondered how guys with ape-hangers turn their bikes. Plus they usually have jockey shifts, so the clutch hand is off the bar. Maybe the skull or 44-magnum shells in the shift handle compensate.

 

[jeeps84]

There's a limit to how high you want to raise your handlebars. I've always wondered how guys with ape-hangers turn their bikes. Plus they usually have jockey shifts, so the clutch hand is off the bar. Maybe the skull or 44-magnum shells in the shift handle compensate.

My old man had a Pan Head with ape-hangers, suicide shifter and 6 foot forks. :crazy: I begged to ride it for what seemed for ever. He gave in one day and sent me down the road.
I made it to the end of the street, turned left (almost dropped it). Turned right on next street (almost dropped it again). Missed gear and said Fugg it.:help: I managed to get turned around and back to the house only to drop it in the driveway in front of him. :bash: Ill never build or ride any thing like that again.:nonod:

 

[Gas Man]

Do you got pics of that Jeeps?

 

[jeeps84]

Do you got pics of that Jeeps?

I know I do some where. They are just in hard copy and I wouldn't know were to start looking for them at this time.

 

[Gas Man]

Ok... well sometime...

 

[Bandit 6S]

I don't think countersteering is the huge mystery that some make it out to be. If you've ever ridden a bicycle at any kind of speed you already know how to do it. However, understanding the principle has made me a better rider. The weight on the bars thing is more to reduce unwanted inputs to the handlebars than anything else. If your arms are tight and weighted and you hit a bump any movement of your body will be applied directly to the bars and cause the bike to do things you haven't mentally asked it to do. Your arms should act like a shock absorber and mininmize this effect. Thats how I understand it anyway. Also as you strenghthen your lower back, abs, etc, your ride will be much more comfortable on long rides regardless of layout of your bike.

 

[Monster231]

The Bicycle analogy was perfect, That what I was comparing it to.

 

[FireNIce]

Do you got pics of that Jeeps?

Ill see if I can find them.

 

[FireNIce]

I think we have ever book written about riding and most of the are way over my head.

 

[GixxerNHemi]

I just picked up TOTW II tonite at borders....im gonna start reading tomorrow.

Countersteering seems to be the topic of discussion thus far though...

my take....

coming into a corner (hard or not) you always lean you body...just depends on whether or not its a simple flick to one side or coming into a nice clover leaf and floating on the seat while throwing out your knees.

Countersteering almost comes naturally (to me at least) while rolling on the throttle as i come through the turn. for instance...the other day i was out riding and came into a nice maybe 50 degree bend at around 45-50mph and positioned myself half off the motorcyle but keeping my head almost upright toward the center of the bike while rolling onto the throttle and constantly using body/legs and weight on the peg to turn in while using hands to gradually point the bike to the outside of the curve....this makes the bike hold a steady line....as long as you stay on the throttle of course.....and i gained about 15-20mph through the duration of the curve.