Push steering, also known as countersteering, is the technique used to initiate a turn on a motorcycle by briefly steering the handlebars in the opposite direction of the intended turn.
Think of it this way:
- Intend to turn right? You briefly push on the right handlebar.
- Intend to turn left? You briefly push on the left handlebar.
This action causes the motorcycle to lean into the direction of the intended turn.
How Push Steering Works
The physics behind push steering are related to angular momentum and the geometry of a motorcycle.
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Initiating the Lean: When you push on the right handlebar, for instance, the front wheel briefly steers slightly to the left. This causes the motorcycle's centre of mass to move to the right relative to the contact patch of the tires.
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Overcoming Stability: Motorcycles are designed to be stable when upright. The act of countersteering provides the initial force needed to overcome this stability and initiate a lean.
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Combining Centre of Mass: The rider's and motorcycle's combined centre of mass is shifted, causing the lean in the desired direction.
Why Push Steering is Necessary
At higher speeds, direct steering (like on a bicycle) becomes ineffective on a motorcycle. The gyroscopic forces from the spinning wheels, along with the motorcycle's geometry, make push steering the primary method for controlling direction. Even experienced riders often perform countersteering instinctively.
Example
Imagine you're riding your motorcycle and want to make a right turn. You would:
- Apply a slight push to the right handlebar.
- The front wheel will momentarily steer to the left.
- The motorcycle will then begin to lean to the right.
- You then maintain the pressure on the handlebar to sustain the turn, adjusting as needed.
