You have to counter steer to turn the bike...you just do it faster when swerving. Speed doesn't matter...but the faster you're going the more stable the bike is so the harder you'll have to push to swerve out of the way of an obstacle.
My biggest pet peeve on the road, whether I'm riding a motorcycle or driving a car, is when you try to maintain proper following distance, and three other cars move into that space.
At the risk of sounding like a brown noser, I have learned more from your videos than any other UA-cam channel without you pushing anything. It seems you genuinely care about your subscriber's lives. Thanks once again.
I’ll amen that result. I had a broken foot right after I got my bike and spent hours most days for 3 months while my foot was healing watching MotoJitsu teaching/training vids. I really didn’t think it would help but I wanted to ride so badly that I just kept watching the vids and “practicing” in my mind like a simulator. I would feel the sensation of leaning, accelerating, shifting, braking, swerving, etc. That was 2 years ago. The training helped immediately once I did heal and got on the road, and even today I see people’s habits and wish everyone would take the time to learn by watching and practicing your good teaching and techniques. Thanks. I’m so grateful for the technology that is such that your amazing play list is available 24/7.
I just want to add a comment, in case people are scared of this technique. This is a requirement for anyone who takes the motorcycle license in Denmark where I live. This exact maneuver with minimum 50km/h (or 30 mph). So consider this: People with very little real world riding experience are expected to be able to perform this maneuver without fault, and an hour of practice should be more than enough for anyone to feel comfortable with this emergency technique. So don't be discouraged by thinking it is difficult to learn or something you don't need to know. It's easier than you imagine, and it might just save your life one day. Another great practice to do, is perform emergency brake tests like this: You mark a point on the road, which is your emergency point. You start off by accelerating to about 70km/h (45mph), and you now have to try and perform as much braking as possible - and the goal is to stop at the exact spot you marked up earlier. If you have to ease off on the brakes in order to hit the line, then you failed. If you go over the line you either applied brakes too late or you didn't apply enough brake power. Try to practice this for half an hour and try to hit the spot as closely as possible with the maximum amount of braking you are able to apply. ABS bikes are best for this, as they eliminate the risk of locking up the brakes and losing traction. If you hear the ABS system working (the ticking noise they make), then you failed. For non ABS bikes I recommend you start off easy and work your way up. As long as you don't go all out immediately, you should be fine even if you temporarily lose some traction (especially prone on the rear wheel).
Hey man, this is the exact case for getting your licence in my country too. The last stretch is swerving an obstacle and doing an emergency brake. Although it`s not as wide a Fast Eddie`s course it still helps you understand how counter-steering works and it really gets you confident enough to tackle the other things (although most students don really counter steer, they just reduce the speed low so they don`t have to do it). A bad habit that I have is leaning off the throttle when counter-steering and getting back on it aggressively while counter-steering back "in lane". I`ll try my best to keep the throttle steady for my licence exam. Tx again Fast Eddy.
3Catz House Good luck with your license exam! In my country you actually fail if you go too slow and don't perform the technique properly. The bike almost has to jump into the turn, otherwise it's just considered a regular quick turn which is not the same. It's insane how much cornering force this technique can apply, if done correctly. You can decompress the suspension so much that it shoots you out and into the counter-direction turn so you bunny jump around :D A bit scary to test out the limits at first, but having an instructor next to you is great. That's why I like this video so much, because it's the next best thing and its available to everyone.
a few years ago I was riding down a main street when a woman ran out from the curb without ever looking in my direction. I was going about 30 mph when I executed this swerving maneuver. I avoided hitting her. unfortunately I hit a patch of newly painted cross walk that was slick and my reatire slid out from under me and I lowsided. I slid about 30 feet and my bike went about 60 ft. A police officer was standing on the corner and saw the entire incident. I heard her call for an ambulance while I was still sliding. Although bruised I had no other injuries. My Goldwing didn't have a scratch. My protective gear did it's job perfectly. This swerving turn saved me from hitting the woman and my use of gear saved my skin. Perhaps had I practiced this swerve more often I might not have gone down (the painted surface didn't help) . I now find a parking lot once or twice a month and practice this and other skills.
it is kind of fun to work on and nothing looks more impressive than seeing someone take a big bike like a goldwing and slowly roll a U-turn and make it look effortless. someday that will be me.
I love that your videos are simple and all about content rather than fancy editing and fluff. Keep up the good work, you are saving lives. Also, as a side point, I really appreciate that your vocabulary is intelligent and you do not rely on profanity to “ color” your discussion.
No need for the bs editing! lol Swearing can have it's value, but I'm trying to get a message across...it would be useless to use in most of my videos.
Yep motojitsu is all about the point he wants to make.. he never begs for likes or subs or asks to follow them on discord or what ever.. there are not many youtubers left like him... There are many motorcycle channels on UA-cam and most of them are unpleasant to watch but my favorite ones are just a few and non of them use heavy editing or begging for subs and likes.. the only motorcycle youtuber I like that makes heavy editing is Fortnine, he doesn't beg for likes, makes good and informative content and his editing is done for a reason and makes the video feel almost like a movie..
I really love moto jitsu videos. I watched so many of them. Even when he only just use a drawing paper n the simple balanced way he explains, it is very concise, extremely intelligent and accurate. I learnt so much. He comes across as very humble, and humility breeds great success. I like him and Fortnine Ryan best. Thank u Fast Eddy for all ur love and sharing ur valuable precious knowledge.
Hey bro just want to let you know I appreciate all the work you do dog. Last week I told you I’d contribute to your patreon and got lazy and forgot to do it but I officially set up payments. It’s not much but hopefully it helps you cuz you sure as hell helped me yesterday. Had my first near death experience and I always play your videos in my head as I’m riding man and as I was riding yesterday an SUV coming out of a parking lot pulled out while I was doing 50 mph and almost killed me but that split second I remembered what you said about pushing the fuck out of that handle bar and getting out of the way and it worked man. So again, thank you bro, you saved a life yesterday. If you’re ever in Sacramento, hit me up bro.
You're very welcome! Wow, glad you made it...stupid is everywhere and yes, that's all that's needed, you know now more than ever, just PUSH hard and the bike will do the rest :)
My favorite exercise during my MSF course, but our instructor stood between the middle cones and he would point which side to go to at the last second, and I also had to swerve and then straighten the bike and brake as quick as possible next to the obstacle. He had me go quicker and quicker and waited even longer before pointing which direction, great exercise and one of the most useful. I like practicing more than I do riding on the street ;-)
When the camera showed how the front wheel responding I started to believe and rush on the parking lot to try it out. Yes I was nervous but following your example it works exactly how you said. Now I have to do the repetitions till I'll get it in my system and be able to apply it subconsciously when I will need it. Have to say you are an excellent rider and gifted instructor. Thanks a lot. My support will follow. Best Regards,
You can see how it works without even starting your bike. Get a friend to stand in front of your bike with their legs on either side of the front tire, and kind of pin it between their knees (they should be basically up against the forks). Their hands hold onto your bars, close to the grips. If you sit on the bike and put the stand up, you can push left or right on the bars, and you’ll see how the bike will automatically lean, which sends it in the given /desired direction. Physics! Keep it up Eddie!
It's called countersteering. Everyone does it all the time on two-wheelers, subconsciously and not, using small maneuvers, to keep the bike balanced at speed and to lean the bike when initiating a turn. At zero speed, to balance the bike, you can only shift your body. As speed increases however, countersteering takes over, and body shifting becomes incredibly inefficient; this happens at 5 mph already.
When I started ridding a few years ago all my friends thought this counter steering thing is stupid and no one on UA-cam was able to explain it properly. Watched like 10 videos to prove to my friends how this works, they didn't believe me cuz the explanations didn't make sense. Your video explains it so clearly. Gratz for doing something no other youtuber can. 👌
Still doesn’t make sense to me , if you push on the right hang grip your gonna go to the left not the right and vice versa. The way he explains it if you push on right hand grip you go right and vice versa. What am I missing ?
@@davidchapman3663 What you’re missing is the centrifugal effect, or your bike’s momentum which is trying to continue moving forward. If you’re moving at slow speeds, then countersteering doesn’t work. In this context, “slow” means any speed where the bike’s momentum isn’t strong enough to keep it upright (something like 5 MPH, maybe as much as 10. It depends on your bike). At slow speeds, if you turn the wheel then your bike will just follow the new direction of your wheel the way that you would intuitively expect. But if you move a little faster (like, faster than you can walk), then your bike’s momentum starts to affect the handling *more than the direction of the wheel does.* If the momentum is strong enough to keep the bike upright, then when you turn your wheel to the right (or push forward on the left handlebar), the bike’s momentum knocks you over into a left lean and your bike is forced to turn to the left (just like when you roll a quarter across a table, if the quarter leans to the left then it will turn left). The further you turn the wheel, the more dramatically the bike’s momentum will force it to lean in the opposite direction (if you think of the direction the wheel is pointing as describing a curve away from the straight line you were moving in, when you turn the wheel farther you’re putting all the same momentum into a much tighter curve so the resulting centrifugal effect is more dramatic). The wheel doesn’t stay turned in the opposite direction of your travel, though. If it did, you’d have a low-side right there. The friction between your tire and the ground (and the distance between the axis of your rake angle and your friction patch) will force the wheel to turn toward the new direction of travel as the bike rights itself. You’ll experience this as the handlebar kind of pushing back against you as the wheel aligns with its new direction of travel and the bike pushes itself back upright while you accelerate out of the turn.
Thanks for continuing to teach outside of the classroom and going above and beyond by making resources like these. Always a lifelong learning experience, am grateful for everything I have learned from you
Thank you for everything you do. Swerving literally saved my life tonight. Was riding 3 miles to work. Third month on bike, I commute daily and ride around town several times a week. Lady in a large Jeep didn't see me at all. Had about 3 seconds to react going ~50 mph. Applied both breaks and swerved around her once I realized I couldn't slow quick enough. Thought "thank god I practice in parking lots." I love riding even though I'm new and it can be scary at times.
@@MotoJitsu Had a lady come across three lanes into mine. I had to lean left, ended up in opposite traffic with a semi coming, quickly flicked back right...meanwhile I could see the birdshit on her car hood as I passed by. Stopped infront of her and had words...
This was great. I'm on my 65th motorcycle in more than 40 years of riding. The one time I've been down, this might have prevented it. Anecdotally, it was on a GS1150.
maybe because I've always ridden a pedal bicycle, but I don't understand what's so counterintuitive about "counter" steering. there is no such thing as "normal" steering. you push left to go left and push right to go right. do people really debate this? as always, being on the bike makes it immediately apparent. thank you for sharing your wisdom on the topic at hand.
"Stupid is everywhere"~Motojitsu I am going to remember that solidly from now on. Such an effective quote to motivate you on why to practice safety skills on a bike.
I remember learning this for my motorcycle license (required here in Finland to pass) and this is the most unnatural thing I've ever had learn. First, it doesn't work until you hit maybe around 30 MPH / 50 Km/h, at lower speeds you just go where you point your front tire. Second, it has to be a bit violent, so it feels like you're trying to wilfully crash your bike. And thirdly, the countersteering "event" is so quick that you almost can't see it, so you can't really show it to somebody even though they're standing right next to you. The best way I can describe this is "autopilot", as what you're actually doing is jerking the steering to lean the bike, after that the bike twists the steering the other way and does the swerve automatically, which is bizarre the first time you get it right. I personally would recommend learning this in an empty parking lot when first trying it out, as that removes the "fear" of running into your cones or whatever.
Counter steering works at any speed and swerving could be violent because you're not trying to hit a car that pulled out in front of you...but just go ride at 10 or 50mph and push slow or fast on the right handlebar one handed and see what happens. Don't move your body...do nothing but push forward. Check out MotoJitsu.com for my new app, books, merch, etc. Thanks for watching :)
I took my MSF course a couple months ago and this is one of the maneuvers they taught us that I had forgot about. I recently just got my first bike and I'm looking for things to practice to familiarize myself when these situations come around. Thank you!
Counter steering works! I was not allowed on Silverstone racetrack in the UK until I had mastered it! It was scary at first, then great fun. The bike really does respond very well indeed.
I've commented on other videos, but cant stress enough how much myself and I'm sure others appreciate your time and motivation to get us off our butts and practice. I'm sure you will play a part in saving a life and that is amazing. Thank you
Excellent tutorial. This exercise (swerving to avoid obstacles) was included in a segment of defensive riding when I attended the CHP motorcycle academy back in the mid-70s. I recall the principles they taught there were very similar to what you demonstrated, however, due to the fact we worked in an environment called "enforcement riding", meaning motorcycle officers encounter more aggressive riding episodes because of higher speed scenarios. We practiced slower speed swerving a lot, but we also practiced higher speed swerving as well. That isn't to say we swerved at 60-70mph, but prior to conducting the maneuver, you had to scrub off speed quickly until you are at a speed that is slow enough to enable you to swerve without losing control of the bike. As you pointed out, there are many environmental variables to consider before you initiate the swerve maneuver, so your advice to practice makes perfect sense. The more you practice, the more any maneuver becomes automatic. You eventually strip away the unexpected and gain confidence in your ability to pull off a life-saving maneuver. Role playing those variables and working them into your practice routines is a big help, doing it mentally and on the pavement. Another exercise that I thought was a lot of fun was "broadside skidding". Believe it or not, we were taught how to broadside big police bikes, under controlled conditions of course. I took a couple spills during this interesting exercise, I liked it because it pushed the edge of the riding envelope. I recall two instances where I had to swerve quickly to avoid a pending collision, both involved pursuing speeding cars. In the first instance, I took off after a red light violator and accelerated through an intersection trying to overtake the violator. On the other side of the intersection, a car came out of a driveway and upon seeing me the driver stopped directly in my lane. I was too close to brake so I swerved left then right, missing the vehicle completely. To be honest, I think I smiled inside my helmet because I even impressed myself because the move felt automatic, I didn't think it out, I just did it. I attributed my actions to the training I received at the CHP academy. Later on, another officer met up with me and indicated he witnessed the maneuver and said he was super impressed. That made my night. The second instance was hairier. I was in pursuit of a high-speed violator in an area of town that was the last remaining remnant of rural living. The violator had quite a lead when I accelerated after him on my newer Kawasaki Police 1000. I liked the bike so much better than the Harley I rode earlier in my career due to its much faster acceleration and handling capabilities. Keep in mind this was back in the 70s and the newer Harleys are much improved in this category. In fact, the Kawasaki Police 1000 would probably be a slow bike by today's standards. Anyway, I had to reach a fairly high speed on this rural two-lane road when suddenly a flatbed trailer appeared in front of me, the driver was backing it out onto the roadway between a long row of trees. His vision was obscured, but that's no excuse for the manner he was backing out. Again, I was going too fast to stop in time and I do recall thinking I didn't want to hit a flatbed trailer broadside on a motorcycle, that wouldn't be good. I scrubbed off as much speed as I could for the time I had left then negotiated the swerve maneuver and just missed the rear end of the trailer, the part that is brimming with angled steel bracing. After getting by the flatbed by what seemed like inches I felt so relieved I was in no mood to continue the pursuit of the initial speeding vehicle. I returned to where the flatbed truck and had a conversation with the driver, he was very apologetic. But since I was going so damn fast and without red lights and siren blaring, not that they are a magic wand, far from it, I let it go and wrote that experience off because I avoided a potentially bad crash. It was time for a coffee and donut break. Thanks again Moto for the insightful demonstration of a potentially life-saving maneuver.
Dude, you're awesome for putting this kind of video and material together!!! I rode a little bit years ago and knew nothing about this kind of technique, nor did I have any training. Now my son, who is the same age as I was when I used to ride, has taken a class and is planning on buying his first bike, so I am following in his footsteps as well. Keep up the great job!!!
As an engineer, I often wonder why first-rate instructors, such as yourself never mention the principle of gyroscopic precession, which is what makes the motorcycle countersteer. That minor nitwit comment aside, I join all the rest of my fellow commenters in high praise for the quality of your instructional videos. You rock!
I'm 70 years old and I've been riding since I was a young teenager. This is good stuff. I developed this technique naturally, without being taught, but it would have been a lot better if I had been taught. I am still learning new things and refreshing my skills. I've been playing the banjo for years and I'm still not a great banjo player, so just the fact that I've been doing something for a long time, it doesn't mean I am great at it. As a helpful tip, to fully appreciate what is happening and how fast it happens, slow the playback speed to .25 and watch this head-on using full screen mode. I used to call it the flip. Push one way then go the other way. It has saved my bacon several times.
Yes Sir! I took the MSP course in Missouri some years ago and I recommend it for anyone serious about riding even if you are a seasoned rider. I've used the swerve technique many times to avoid inconsiderate drivers and continue to spend part of my saddle time practicing in empty lots.
In my 55 years of riding, I can't count how many times I've had to do this! It truly is a life saving skill. It's not uncommon for an 18 wheeler to throw off a huge chunk of tire right in front of you and right at you at 70 miles per hour so listen to Eddy and practice this skill!
that counter-steering is something else, I paused the video and saw the tire go to the "wrong" direction but than bike and rider went to the right direction. I have to find a school that teaches that with their bike. Still, I have learned a lot from you. I really appreciate all your work. Thanks again
I took my M1 course 2x just to practice this. I thought I was stupid for doing that. But now I realize how many people on the motorcycle set don’t know how to do this simple technique that has saved my ass a bunch of times.
This is one of the obligatory exercises during the motorcycle exam in Germany as well (emergency braking from 50km/h or 30 mph is also obligatory) and one is required to do two variations: swerve without braking and swerve after braking. Of course, practicing after one has obtained the license is paramount. So Imma gear up, shut up and go practice.
On my emergency braking exercise during my test, I was concentrating hard on the controls, rather than stopping to where the examiner had his arm out, I lost the correct line and almost hit the examiner! Still passed though.
Definitely think this is worth practicing. Thanks for the demo. Note the speed limit is supposed to be 5 mph. 😝 One of my rules is never stay behind a pickup truck in case it decides to take a dump.
Great countersteering lesson. I listen and learn from you. At 62 I now have a bicycle. The lessons I learn from you I have now transferred to my bicycle riding. As a cyclist, accidents and very similiar situations can even happen at slow speeds. Our lives are so precious and fragile. I applaud you, Mr Fast Freddie and your willing and able camera person in making this great video. Keep up the great work!!!
I got into mountain biking not too many years ago for a bit. So, funny thing is, I quit that because I figured that was a bit dangerous for me at my age and got into a safer sport like motorcycles. And I am not kidding..
@@MotoJitsu good going Fast Freddie. On the other side we had police who rode bicycles first. Then they transferred that knowledge to motorcycles. Man these guys were great! They also took the msf courses.
@@gypsymage7777 Wow g777. With bicyles I go a lot slower. Now I keep far away from cars and heavy vehicles. Cycle life requires me to be aware of my surroundings and limits. By doing that, I choose the safest path and techniques.
Best video on counter steering I've seen. After this one it makes so much more sense. Watching the front tire really helped. I rewatch the 2 passes you made before revealing that secret for an extended look at the front tire. It hard to see the tire counter before the alignment adjusts from POV. 3rd person head on really helped. Thanks.
Man, I’m so grateful for these instructional videos. And to the camera person, thank you for your facilitating them. If people are smart enough to recognise them for the exceptional effort and detail, and follow the instructions, you are most definitely going to be saving lives.
This maneuver literally saved my life last night. I was going straight. A car wanted to do a U-turn in front of me. Instead of waiting for me to pass, she just pulled out from the left side of the road. (I live in New Zealand, we drive on the left side) Out of instincts from practicing this technique, I pushed the right side of the handle bar HARD. My bike swerved right past the front of the car, with centimeters to spare. I also had to do the aggressive correction counter steering to go back to the left side of the road to avoid hitting a parked car. The first thing the woman said to me after I confronted her was "You came out of nowhere." like it was my fault. Some people....
Im 53 years old and bought my first bike two weeks ago. Wanted one my whole life. I cant tell you how much your videos have helped me. I practice everyday (White Belt). Today I did my first wheelie. (Just kidding). Thank you so much!
I just made a one-time donation because I'm so appreciative of what Gregory put in this video. I've seen several UA-cams on swerving and this is definitely the best and most applicable even without a slow motion clip showing the counter-intuitive counter-steering technique. It made me watch real-time very carefully and, sure enough, I could see the process clearly and why the bike takes on the desired trajectory after the counter-steer is applied. Good shot planning. The one truly underpants-filling moment I've had in my first two years of touring was the result of a lack of understanding of counter-steering. Happened on a mountain highway where, entering a steep downhill counter-clockwise two-lane section, the speed warnings dropped abruptly from 80 kmh (about 50 mph) to 20 kmh. The camber on the road was also steep so I found myself, with growing panic, trying to slow but drifting out towards a gravelly shoulder with too much speed on in a decreasing radius turn. My "correction" was to push on the right handlebar to get me away from the shoulder on my right but that just veered me closer to danger, pebbles now pinging off my front tire. I was fighting the motorcycle (750 Honda Shadow) for control. Cars behind me must have wondered why I was doing such weird gyrations on the edge of the road! Anyway, I've since come to understand counter-steering better and just wish I had seen this video before that unsettling incident. However, the best lessons are often learned when your hair is on fire so luckily I bumbled through it with no consequences more extreme than five minutes of hyper-ventilating at the bottom of the hill. So, thanks again to Moto- Jitsu for an excellent vid which I think it will, unheralded, save a few lives.
I actually had to swerve around a double wide refrigerator on a freeway transition curve two weeks ago. It was just a one lane with concrete barriers on both sides with a truck behind me. The refrigerator fell off a trailer about 60 mph and slid for a long way hitting the left concrete barrier, then bouncing back to the right side. I got around it no problem, but I always keep a safe following distance. Had I been close behind, like I see so many riders do, it would have been ugly.
I like watching your videos because you can tell the proper things how to ride the bike safer. But I think you forgot something ths time! This very important thing is the looking. Countersteering is the proper way to swerve but you have to look where the bike will be, or where you are going. If you are stareing the thing what you have to avoid you are risking that your bike will be go that way and you miss the maneuver. Keep in mind that you are going where you look and don't stare the blockage! cheers,
You can even practise counter steering on a bicycle. Infact if you ride a bicycle your most likely counter steering without noticing that your doing it. It's a must have skill for every rider. Eg. Rock on the road, you cant turn the handle bars left to go left. You turn handle bars left the bike falls to the right and then corrects itself. Your wheels will miss the rock even though your body is over it. I pratice this every time i ride, dodging holes, rocks, lines, anything on the road.
Its great advice and also a complete necessity. If you dont counter-steer while riding your motorcycle for 90% of the turns and maneuvers you do, your riding dangerously.
This video may well have just saved my life. A lady just pulled a U-turn right in front of me, I was travelling at about 65km/h. I immediately instinctively swerved to avoid collision, not even a thought of braking (there was no way I could stop). I've been riding for just over a year and while nothing in this video was really new to me, it was explained very well and stuck in my head. Particularly the part about practising, which I did passively for the past couple of weeks since watching, randomly swerving around cracks in the road and such. Just having this info fresh in my mind and having practised swerving I believe made the difference that really mattered. Thanks dude.
Hi from the UK, I’m a self taught biker and I have managed to keep safe over the last 30 years. Truth is though self taught doesn’t really cut it. There’s often a nagging doubt about am I doing this right, I’ve done many mountain passes in Europe but 100% confidence is not there. Perhaps 80%. My low speed manoeuvring really needs to come up to scratch too. I have been watching lots of your videos and will continue to do so. It’s best that I do, A Goldwing Tour arriving on my drive soon. I’ll be fine on normal roads but must get in tune with my new bike. Thanks so much, fantastic resource.
I had ridden a off-road as a teenager on an old 70's dual sport. After 18 years I just completed the MSF course and picked up a new-to me bike to get back in it. Thanks for the videos and pushing the training. The swerving exercises we did were right on par with this, and some of the most important ones I think. It helped really push home the advantage of counter steering than other exercises.
perfect display - thank you! One thing though regarding the counter steering: You can see how - after the front tyre facing the opposite direction at first - is straightening itself very fast, being in line with the bike again during the actual turn…do you change anything regarding the counter steering in that process or do you keep pushing the handle bar the opposite direction the entire time during the turn??
The front wheel actually points into the turn during most of it (after the initial countersteer). It's most obvious during a full-lock turn, and is caused by gravity and the fork's geometry (head angle and rake). That is, the fork is designed in such a way as to "fall" into the lean/turn, making the bike steer into the turn and thus right itself. The continued push on the handlebar prevents it from doing that so it stays leaned and keeps turning. When you relieve that pressure, you allow the fork to fall further into the turn, causing the bike to turn harder, which causes it to right itself.
You should suggest people play portions of the video at 0.5 or 0.25 speed on youtube so they can see and analyze your movements. They are spot on you don't do any anticipation of the swerve until the tape and it shows countersteering well.
Thank you for your work. I can adapt some of these lessons for my e-bike riding, even though there's no clutch - still has rear brake to use with throttle :)
This is 100% a lifesaving skill! I was riding as a passenger when we were cut off by a semi (without his trailer attached). He changed his mind, cutting over 2 lanes and stopping quickly in front of us. Fortunately, my husband was quick to react with a swerve that saved our lives. Now that I'm riding on my own, I'm taking all of your videos to heart and getting out there to practice!! Thanks for the hard work, Motojitsu.
Slow video speed on youtube really showed that wheel move the 'wrong' way. Next time put that slow motion yourself when you edit the video and keep those vids coming. :)
Not sure how it is in America, but here that's standard course for anyone learning to ride a motorcycle. We have to pass these exercises before we are even allowed to do our road-tests. We also need to do a certain speed (needs to be fast enough), otherwise it won't count. 2 mistakes and you're out.
Yeah. Now you have to do these tests 3 times if you want to drive a motorcycle before your 26th. A1: age 18+, for max 125cc and max 11kw (15pk) / 9-12hrs practical training after passing your theoretical tests A2: age 20+, for max 35kw & 47pk with 4hrs practical training if you've done A1 A: age 22 if you've done the previous two for any motorcycle higher than 35kw (anything on two wheels thus) or as of age 24 if you haven't done the previous two licenses. 4hrs practical training if you've done A2 before and 9-12hrs if you haven't. If you fail your tests twice in a row, you have to do two hours of practical training again until you can retry for your exam. After doing the practical trainings you are allowed a window of max. 1 year to do your exam. So you'll receive a provisional license for max. 1 year. If you fail to get your license within that year, regardless if you've done 4,6,12 or 200 hours of practical training lessons, you loose all progression and have to start from scratch all over again. I did my license when I was 28, so I did theory (even though I have a car license, I still had to redo the theory) and then 12hours practical lessons before riding around approx. 10 months on my provisional license and got my actual license after the first exam test. That costed 1200 euro's. Side note: in order to receive your provisional license, you first have to pass the manoeuvres as shown in the above video along with other manoeuvres and this on a private terrain. If you fail this tests, you will not receive your provisional license. After you passed the above tests, and rode around with your provisional license, you will have to do your final exam within 1 year, which involves you riding around in real traffic with an examinator behind you (on his own bike) telling you where to drive for 45 minutes long, checking if you position yourself correctly and make your turns at the right angles, how you shift your body etc.
You can put the video on slow motion and clearly see counter-steering in action. I froze the video on the exact moment the tire faced the wrong direction. Within a fraction of a second, bike leaned and Greg went right were he intended to go. Awesome demonstration! Thank you.
I really want to thank you for being so clear, consise and confident. I've watched a lot of videos on counter steering but you do such a great job, you teach and you can tell that you really care and enjoy it and have fun teaching us. I've been practicing in a empty parking lot at a movie theater and I enjoy it and I don't feel bad or embarrassed when I drop the motorcycle and the bike doesn't get dinged up. Thank you again, oh and thank the camera woman filming the video.
Anybody says counter steering doesn't work or they don't counter steer either doesn't ride or they don't understand how their bike works & shouldn't be riding it.
Many don't understand how GPS works but we all use satellites flying around the planet in order to get directions on our phones...many many don't understand that technology either but we still use it. Many this is an opportunity for many people to learn.
I just signed up for a local basic course and I honestly had no idea about counter steering. It seems backwards! I'm grateful for your videos, once I'm done with my course I'll keep watching and practicing!
Greetings from Croatia, nice videos, thank you for your work i am now learning to get A licensce and then first i go to work your practice because i am a totaly new rider of the bike, thx one more for doing this!
As a motor trainer, we set up the exercise making three gates using 4 cones. An instructor stands 10 yards beyond the cones with his arms down at his sides. As the student enters the exercise, the instructor points right or left. The student must instantly react to the instructors hand signal and chose the right direction. It is important to start slowly and build up the speed. If a student strikes a cone, tell him or her to drive over it as straight up as possible to avoid the motorcycle washing out. This is a great exercise to prepare you for the inevitable. Always have someone with you when you do this type of training in the event you go down. Great job MotoJitsu!
This technique saved my life also. Learned it in both MSF basic and expierenced. Riding with buddy, he went right to pass a semi, I looked over to see where he went, in the matter of 2 seconds I look up and its all brake lights. Emergency brake, down shift 2, glance, and lean left for all im worth to the only sunlight I could see. I was on a old KZ1000P and that fairing litorally only missed by an inch. After I was clear, and my heart came out of my throat, i thanked MSF in my head repeatedly.
I road dirt bikes my hole life so far. now I got an aprilia tuono v4. my first all around street motorcycle. last year I road my Buddys bike and it encouraged me to buy my own, now I have one! its so nice. but I need road practice and motivation and so far watching these videos helps out a lot. thanks.
Getting back into riding after literally 15 years. Newbie all over again. Thankfully the license doesn't expire so I can just go practice this stuff on my own. You have my Patreon support.
Can you ,put a camera in the helmet pointing to the steering so we can see it better. In this video, even in slow motion ,i can't see the steering move.
I recently bought a 600sliverwing honda scooter, just wanted to say thank you, these videos really are savings lives, while I'm still getting use to the bike and the weight, I watch your videos and learn something everytime. Next time I practice I know I'll be more confident and it's all because of your videos and advice thanks
After watching your videos and finding it out trying, you have to countersteer to get it to fall over to one side. This is golden. Still don't understand why i have never heard of this in class.
Ha, you're doing a lot of work already and probably busy with life when you're not practising. If you used a goPro as well as the phone and edited them together would make fantastic footage. You don't have to do everything in one take either :D Can edit together clips etc. Again what you're doing is great and really fantastic and enough work as it is. I don't mean any disrespect just some ideas I think some other people comment about alot. Beggars can't be choosers and you're building a fantastic community of new and old riders learning something new everyday. Thanks for making the videos and keep the rubber side down :)
I like my videos simple and to the point...my iPhone is what I use and I'll keep using it. I have no time or desire to do any fancy editing...plus this is only a hobby, maybe if I can do this full time I'll figure that out but as of now, people like my straight to the point videos and no bs style. That's the way I like it too.
I never take the time to write comments on UA-cam videos, but i had to make an exception here. I have learned more from your videos than from any other channel. Thank you for taking the time to make these videos. You are really making a difference and making people safer on the road.
Having watched many, many "how to ride" videos, I find your body weight shift technique for low speed maneuvering to be refreshing. I have been working with RLP videos from Jerry Palladino and while he very briefly mentions shifting weight on the bike during low speed riding, you are the first person I've come across who actually emphasizes this technique. I have used this very technique without having been specifically taught its use and have always wondered why no one talked about it. I thought maybe it was considered motorcycle Voodoo by professionals, but it always just made so much sense to me! Thanks for legitimizing what has been natural for me on the bike.
Am first time rider and your videos has helping me to understand more about riding. Easy to understand you and I feel comfortable when I try on my bike. You are a great instructor
A couple of days ago I did unconsciously that movement you explained at 15:59 to avoid hitting a car from behind because its driver forgot to use the blinkers and almost hits a bus on the side too for trying to change lanes while being in dense traffic. Now I know I wasn't out of my mind. Thanks for your straight forward content. Greetings from Bogotá, Colombia.
I always skip ads when watching, but for this channel I wouldn't.. you're a great teacher and explains really well..this helps me a lot especially leaving here in the Philippines..keep it up and please don't stop and don't get tired making this kind of video.
I'm honestly blown away I've been riding for three years now without having a clue how to properly steer. When I pushed left to turn left I was just pushing down and leaning left. The way your videos breakdown counter steering is really eye opening and helpful.
Honestly my 30+ years of riding bikes and I’ve never seen it explaind this well on how to countersteer. Cool stuff. I just picked up my 2021 Kawasaki Z 900 RS café and I can’t wait to do some honing of my skills
I’m currently getting my cat A license in my country, and this is what we’re being taught as well in the driving school. Only became mandatory in the last year btw, and you can only pass the first part of the exam if you can do this manoeuvre, so I’d say this is a very important technique to know. I’ve learnt a lot from your videos btw, thanks for your work!
This is very helpful thank you, one thing I noticed was when the bike leaned your body stayed fairly upright , without seeing this , personally I would lean with the bike but now thanks to you this makes sense. Keep up the great videos. Thanks.
This is the best motorcycle training video I’ve come across. It’s thorough, simple, easy to follow real world guidance n explanations. It’s very helpful for someone like me who has never ridden a motorcycle before...thank you.
Thanks for watching everyone. Check out MotoJitsu.com/shop for my books & new merch :)
You have to counter steer to turn the bike...you just do it faster when swerving. Speed doesn't matter...but the faster you're going the more stable the bike is so the harder you'll have to push to swerve out of the way of an obstacle.
MotoJitsu® Swerving salaom u turn and types of motorcycle skill test and Etc
i know it's pretty randomly asking but does anyone know a good place to watch newly released tv shows online?
@Clay Jairo i would suggest Flixzone. You can find it on google :)
@Liam Anson Yea, I've been using Flixzone for months myself :)
My biggest pet peeve on the road, whether I'm riding a motorcycle or driving a car, is when you try to maintain proper following distance, and three other cars move into that space.
Nah, that's not a pet peeve, that's just an unwritten rule. But people don't even follow written rules well, how much more for unwritten rules. 😅
At the risk of sounding like a brown noser, I have learned more from your videos than any other UA-cam channel without you pushing anything. It seems you genuinely care about your subscriber's lives. Thanks once again.
Wow, thanks!!! :)
I’ll amen that result. I had a broken foot right after I got my bike and spent hours most days for 3 months while my foot was healing watching MotoJitsu teaching/training vids. I really didn’t think it would help but I wanted to ride so badly that I just kept watching the vids and “practicing” in my mind like a simulator. I would feel the sensation of leaning, accelerating, shifting, braking, swerving, etc.
That was 2 years ago. The training helped immediately once I did heal and got on the road, and even today I see people’s habits and wish everyone would take the time to learn by watching and practicing your good teaching and techniques.
Thanks. I’m so grateful for the technology that is such that your amazing play list is available 24/7.
*brown-noser
Long live the mighty hyphen!!!
Another youtuber is: DanDanTheFireman.
real motorcycle enjoyers care about keeping their brothers and sisters alive, first and foremost. everything after is a honeymoon or a bad risk.
I just want to add a comment, in case people are scared of this technique. This is a requirement for anyone who takes the motorcycle license in Denmark where I live. This exact maneuver with minimum 50km/h (or 30 mph). So consider this: People with very little real world riding experience are expected to be able to perform this maneuver without fault, and an hour of practice should be more than enough for anyone to feel comfortable with this emergency technique. So don't be discouraged by thinking it is difficult to learn or something you don't need to know. It's easier than you imagine, and it might just save your life one day.
Another great practice to do, is perform emergency brake tests like this:
You mark a point on the road, which is your emergency point. You start off by accelerating to about 70km/h (45mph), and you now have to try and perform as much braking as possible - and the goal is to stop at the exact spot you marked up earlier. If you have to ease off on the brakes in order to hit the line, then you failed. If you go over the line you either applied brakes too late or you didn't apply enough brake power. Try to practice this for half an hour and try to hit the spot as closely as possible with the maximum amount of braking you are able to apply. ABS bikes are best for this, as they eliminate the risk of locking up the brakes and losing traction. If you hear the ABS system working (the ticking noise they make), then you failed. For non ABS bikes I recommend you start off easy and work your way up. As long as you don't go all out immediately, you should be fine even if you temporarily lose some traction (especially prone on the rear wheel).
Great points!
Hey man, this is the exact case for getting your licence in my country too. The last stretch is swerving an obstacle and doing an emergency brake. Although it`s not as wide a Fast Eddie`s course it still helps you understand how counter-steering works and it really gets you confident enough to tackle the other things (although most students don really counter steer, they just reduce the speed low so they don`t have to do it).
A bad habit that I have is leaning off the throttle when counter-steering and getting back on it aggressively while counter-steering back "in lane".
I`ll try my best to keep the throttle steady for my licence exam.
Tx again Fast Eddy.
Same requirement in Poland to get motorcycle license.
3Catz House Good luck with your license exam! In my country you actually fail if you go too slow and don't perform the technique properly. The bike almost has to jump into the turn, otherwise it's just considered a regular quick turn which is not the same. It's insane how much cornering force this technique can apply, if done correctly. You can decompress the suspension so much that it shoots you out and into the counter-direction turn so you bunny jump around :D A bit scary to test out the limits at first, but having an instructor next to you is great. That's why I like this video so much, because it's the next best thing and its available to everyone.
Daniel Kemnitz k
a few years ago I was riding down a main street when a woman ran out from the curb without ever looking in my direction. I was going about 30 mph when I executed this swerving maneuver. I avoided hitting her. unfortunately I hit a patch of newly painted cross walk that was slick and my reatire slid out from under me and I lowsided. I slid about 30 feet and my bike went about 60 ft. A police officer was standing on the corner and saw the entire incident. I heard her call for an ambulance while I was still sliding. Although bruised I had no other injuries. My Goldwing didn't have a scratch. My protective gear did it's job perfectly. This swerving turn saved me from hitting the woman and my use of gear saved my skin. Perhaps had I practiced this swerve more often I might not have gone down (the painted surface didn't help) . I now find a parking lot once or twice a month and practice this and other skills.
I challenge you to AT LEAST once a week at a minimum! Need to practice more to ensure it's into muscle memory!
you are correct and I try to work on my slow maneuvering several times a week. I call them parking lot moving.
Good for you!
it is kind of fun to work on and nothing looks more impressive than seeing someone take a big bike like a goldwing and slowly roll a U-turn and make it look effortless. someday that will be me.
Heck yes! looks and feels great to do!
I love that your videos are simple and all about content rather than fancy editing and fluff. Keep up the good work, you are saving lives.
Also, as a side point, I really appreciate that your vocabulary is intelligent and you do not rely on profanity to “ color” your discussion.
No need for the bs editing! lol Swearing can have it's value, but I'm trying to get a message across...it would be useless to use in most of my videos.
Yep motojitsu is all about the point he wants to make.. he never begs for likes or subs or asks to follow them on discord or what ever.. there are not many youtubers left like him...
There are many motorcycle channels on UA-cam and most of them are unpleasant to watch but my favorite ones are just a few and non of them use heavy editing or begging for subs and likes.. the only motorcycle youtuber I like that makes heavy editing is Fortnine, he doesn't beg for likes, makes good and informative content and his editing is done for a reason and makes the video feel almost like a movie..
I really love moto jitsu videos. I watched so many of them. Even when he only just use a drawing paper n the simple balanced way he explains, it is very concise, extremely intelligent and accurate. I learnt so much. He comes across as very humble, and humility breeds great success. I like him and Fortnine Ryan best. Thank u Fast Eddy for all ur love and sharing ur valuable precious knowledge.
Hey bro just want to let you know I appreciate all the work you do dog. Last week I told you I’d contribute to your patreon and got lazy and forgot to do it but I officially set up payments. It’s not much but hopefully it helps you cuz you sure as hell helped me yesterday. Had my first near death experience and I always play your videos in my head as I’m riding man and as I was riding yesterday an SUV coming out of a parking lot pulled out while I was doing 50 mph and almost killed me but that split second I remembered what you said about pushing the fuck out of that handle bar and getting out of the way and it worked man. So again, thank you bro, you saved a life yesterday. If you’re ever in Sacramento, hit me up bro.
You're very welcome! Wow, glad you made it...stupid is everywhere and yes, that's all that's needed, you know now more than ever, just PUSH hard and the bike will do the rest :)
My favorite exercise during my MSF course, but our instructor stood between the middle cones and he would point which side to go to at the last second, and I also had to swerve and then straighten the bike and brake as quick as possible next to the obstacle. He had me go quicker and quicker and waited even longer before pointing which direction, great exercise and one of the most useful. I like practicing more than I do riding on the street ;-)
Ha. Really? Kind of defeats d main purpose, right?
Hey David do u mind if I chat with you about what you learned in your MSF course?
Not very smart instructor
@@s7edgekat610 Why is that? My Harley MSF instructor did the same thing and it worked great for the entire class.
When the camera showed how the front wheel responding I started to believe and rush on the parking lot to try it out. Yes I was nervous but following your example it works exactly how you said. Now I have to do the repetitions till I'll get it in my system and be able to apply it subconsciously when I will need it. Have to say you are an excellent rider and gifted instructor. Thanks a lot. My support will follow. Best Regards,
Thank you so much!! Sounds like you have that lightbulb moment!!
Slow the video down to quarter speed , wheel flicks to the right and the bike falls/leans and turns left. So cool
Exactly!
You can see how it works without even starting your bike. Get a friend to stand in front of your bike with their legs on either side of the front tire, and kind of pin it between their knees (they should be basically up against the forks). Their hands hold onto your bars, close to the grips.
If you sit on the bike and put the stand up, you can push left or right on the bars, and you’ll see how the bike will automatically lean, which sends it in the given /desired direction. Physics!
Keep it up Eddie!
Thanks!
It's called countersteering. Everyone does it all the time on two-wheelers, subconsciously and not, using small maneuvers, to keep the bike balanced at speed and to lean the bike when initiating a turn.
At zero speed, to balance the bike, you can only shift your body. As speed increases however, countersteering takes over, and body shifting becomes incredibly inefficient; this happens at 5 mph already.
@Lenny saint Depends on the bike
When I started ridding a few years ago all my friends thought this counter steering thing is stupid and no one on UA-cam was able to explain it properly. Watched like 10 videos to prove to my friends how this works, they didn't believe me cuz the explanations didn't make sense.
Your video explains it so clearly. Gratz for doing something no other youtuber can. 👌
Thanks!!
Still doesn’t make sense to me , if you push on the right hang grip your gonna go to the left not the right and vice versa. The way he explains it if you push on right hand grip you go right and vice versa. What am I missing ?
@@davidchapman3663 just try pushing on the left or right side of the handlebar while turning. You'll understand if you try.
@@davidchapman3663 What you’re missing is the centrifugal effect, or your bike’s momentum which is trying to continue moving forward.
If you’re moving at slow speeds, then countersteering doesn’t work. In this context, “slow” means any speed where the bike’s momentum isn’t strong enough to keep it upright (something like 5 MPH, maybe as much as 10. It depends on your bike). At slow speeds, if you turn the wheel then your bike will just follow the new direction of your wheel the way that you would intuitively expect.
But if you move a little faster (like, faster than you can walk), then your bike’s momentum starts to affect the handling *more than the direction of the wheel does.* If the momentum is strong enough to keep the bike upright, then when you turn your wheel to the right (or push forward on the left handlebar), the bike’s momentum knocks you over into a left lean and your bike is forced to turn to the left (just like when you roll a quarter across a table, if the quarter leans to the left then it will turn left). The further you turn the wheel, the more dramatically the bike’s momentum will force it to lean in the opposite direction (if you think of the direction the wheel is pointing as describing a curve away from the straight line you were moving in, when you turn the wheel farther you’re putting all the same momentum into a much tighter curve so the resulting centrifugal effect is more dramatic).
The wheel doesn’t stay turned in the opposite direction of your travel, though. If it did, you’d have a low-side right there. The friction between your tire and the ground (and the distance between the axis of your rake angle and your friction patch) will force the wheel to turn toward the new direction of travel as the bike rights itself. You’ll experience this as the handlebar kind of pushing back against you as the wheel aligns with its new direction of travel and the bike pushes itself back upright while you accelerate out of the turn.
Thanks for continuing to teach outside of the classroom and going above and beyond by making resources like these. Always a lifelong learning experience, am grateful for everything I have learned from you
Thank you!
You are by far the best instructor on UA-cam for motorcycle riding
Thank you for everything you do. Swerving literally saved my life tonight. Was riding 3 miles to work. Third month on bike, I commute daily and ride around town several times a week. Lady in a large Jeep didn't see me at all. Had about 3 seconds to react going ~50 mph. Applied both breaks and swerved around her once I realized I couldn't slow quick enough. Thought "thank god I practice in parking lots." I love riding even though I'm new and it can be scary at times.
Wow, that's crazy!
@@MotoJitsu Had a lady come across three lanes into mine. I had to lean left, ended up in opposite traffic with a semi coming, quickly flicked back right...meanwhile I could see the birdshit on her car hood as I passed by. Stopped infront of her and had words...
@@hincapiej4 wow
@@MotoJitsu fun right?!?!
This was great. I'm on my 65th motorcycle in more than 40 years of riding. The one time I've been down, this might have prevented it. Anecdotally, it was on a GS1150.
maybe because I've always ridden a pedal bicycle, but I don't understand what's so counterintuitive about "counter" steering. there is no such thing as "normal" steering. you push left to go left and push right to go right. do people really debate this?
as always, being on the bike makes it immediately apparent. thank you for sharing your wisdom on the topic at hand.
"Stupid is everywhere"~Motojitsu
I am going to remember that solidly from now on. Such an effective quote to motivate you on why to practice safety skills on a bike.
Practice then practice some more!! :)
I remember learning this for my motorcycle license (required here in Finland to pass) and this is the most unnatural thing I've ever had learn. First, it doesn't work until you hit maybe around 30 MPH / 50 Km/h, at lower speeds you just go where you point your front tire. Second, it has to be a bit violent, so it feels like you're trying to wilfully crash your bike. And thirdly, the countersteering "event" is so quick that you almost can't see it, so you can't really show it to somebody even though they're standing right next to you. The best way I can describe this is "autopilot", as what you're actually doing is jerking the steering to lean the bike, after that the bike twists the steering the other way and does the swerve automatically, which is bizarre the first time you get it right. I personally would recommend learning this in an empty parking lot when first trying it out, as that removes the "fear" of running into your cones or whatever.
Counter steering works at any speed and swerving could be violent because you're not trying to hit a car that pulled out in front of you...but just go ride at 10 or 50mph and push slow or fast on the right handlebar one handed and see what happens. Don't move your body...do nothing but push forward.
Check out MotoJitsu.com for my new app, books, merch, etc. Thanks for watching :)
I took my MSF course a couple months ago and this is one of the maneuvers they taught us that I had forgot about. I recently just got my first bike and I'm looking for things to practice to familiarize myself when these situations come around. Thank you!
you're welcome!
Counter steering works! I was not allowed on Silverstone racetrack in the UK until I had mastered it! It was scary at first, then great fun. The bike really does respond very well indeed.
Kudos to the brave lady. 👍🏻
I've commented on other videos, but cant stress enough how much myself and I'm sure others appreciate your time and motivation to get us off our butts and practice. I'm sure you will play a part in saving a life and that is amazing. Thank you
you're welcome! Consider helping out motojitsu.com/shop
Excellent tutorial. This exercise (swerving to avoid obstacles) was included in a segment of defensive riding when I attended the CHP motorcycle academy back in the mid-70s. I recall the principles they taught there were very similar to what you demonstrated, however, due to the fact we worked in an environment called "enforcement riding", meaning motorcycle officers encounter more aggressive riding episodes because of higher speed scenarios. We practiced slower speed swerving a lot, but we also practiced higher speed swerving as well. That isn't to say we swerved at 60-70mph, but prior to conducting the maneuver, you had to scrub off speed quickly until you are at a speed that is slow enough to enable you to swerve without losing control of the bike. As you pointed out, there are many environmental variables to consider before you initiate the swerve maneuver, so your advice to practice makes perfect sense. The more you practice, the more any maneuver becomes automatic. You eventually strip away the unexpected and gain confidence in your ability to pull off a life-saving maneuver. Role playing those variables and working them into your practice routines is a big help, doing it mentally and on the pavement. Another exercise that I thought was a lot of fun was "broadside skidding". Believe it or not, we were taught how to broadside big police bikes, under controlled conditions of course. I took a couple spills during this interesting exercise, I liked it because it pushed the edge of the riding envelope.
I recall two instances where I had to swerve quickly to avoid a pending collision, both involved pursuing speeding cars. In the first instance, I took off after a red light violator and accelerated through an intersection trying to overtake the violator. On the other side of the intersection, a car came out of a driveway and upon seeing me the driver stopped directly in my lane. I was too close to brake so I swerved left then right, missing the vehicle completely. To be honest, I think I smiled inside my helmet because I even impressed myself because the move felt automatic, I didn't think it out, I just did it. I attributed my actions to the training I received at the CHP academy. Later on, another officer met up with me and indicated he witnessed the maneuver and said he was super impressed. That made my night. The second instance was hairier. I was in pursuit of a high-speed violator in an area of town that was the last remaining remnant of rural living. The violator had quite a lead when I accelerated after him on my newer Kawasaki Police 1000. I liked the bike so much better than the Harley I rode earlier in my career due to its much faster acceleration and handling capabilities. Keep in mind this was back in the 70s and the newer Harleys are much improved in this category. In fact, the Kawasaki Police 1000 would probably be a slow bike by today's standards. Anyway, I had to reach a fairly high speed on this rural two-lane road when suddenly a flatbed trailer appeared in front of me, the driver was backing it out onto the roadway between a long row of trees. His vision was obscured, but that's no excuse for the manner he was backing out. Again, I was going too fast to stop in time and I do recall thinking I didn't want to hit a flatbed trailer broadside on a motorcycle, that wouldn't be good. I scrubbed off as much speed as I could for the time I had left then negotiated the swerve maneuver and just missed the rear end of the trailer, the part that is brimming with angled steel bracing. After getting by the flatbed by what seemed like inches I felt so relieved I was in no mood to continue the pursuit of the initial speeding vehicle. I returned to where the flatbed truck and had a conversation with the driver, he was very apologetic. But since I was going so damn fast and without red lights and siren blaring, not that they are a magic wand, far from it, I let it go and wrote that experience off because I avoided a potentially bad crash. It was time for a coffee and donut break.
Thanks again Moto for the insightful demonstration of a potentially life-saving maneuver.
Wow. Hairy situations indeed. Glad u made it through to be able to talk about it decades later.
Dude, you're awesome for putting this kind of video and material together!!! I rode a little bit years ago and knew nothing about this kind of technique, nor did I have any training. Now my son, who is the same age as I was when I used to ride, has taken a class and is planning on buying his first bike, so I am following in his footsteps as well. Keep up the great job!!!
Glad you enjoyed it!
As an engineer, I often wonder why first-rate instructors, such as yourself never mention the principle of gyroscopic precession, which is what makes the motorcycle countersteer. That minor nitwit comment aside, I join all the rest of my fellow commenters in high praise for the quality of your instructional videos. You rock!
I'm 70 years old and I've been riding since I was a young teenager. This is good stuff. I developed this technique naturally, without being taught, but it would have been a lot better if I had been taught. I am still learning new things and refreshing my skills. I've been playing the banjo for years and I'm still not a great banjo player, so just the fact that I've been doing something for a long time, it doesn't mean I am great at it. As a helpful tip, to fully appreciate what is happening and how fast it happens, slow the playback speed to .25 and watch this head-on using full screen mode. I used to call it the flip. Push one way then go the other way. It has saved my bacon several times.
Yes Sir! I took the MSP course in Missouri some years ago and I recommend it for anyone serious about riding even if you are a seasoned rider.
I've used the swerve technique many times to avoid inconsiderate drivers and continue to spend part of my saddle time practicing in empty lots.
Awesome! Good for you!! keep at it!
In my 55 years of riding, I can't count how many times I've had to do this! It truly is a life saving skill. It's not uncommon for an 18 wheeler to throw off a huge chunk of tire right in front of you and right at you at 70 miles per hour so listen to Eddy and practice this skill!
Exactly! Must be ready at all times!
I love your passion and how enthusiastic you are keep up the good work.
Thank you so much!
that counter-steering is something else, I paused the video and saw the tire go to the "wrong" direction but than bike and rider went to the right direction. I have to find a school that teaches that with their bike. Still, I have learned a lot from you. I really appreciate all your work. Thanks again
www.motojitsu.com has a bunch of courses I recommend :)
I took my M1 course 2x just to practice this. I thought I was stupid for doing that. But now I realize how many people on the motorcycle set don’t know how to do this simple technique that has saved my ass a bunch of times.
Hope you practice all the time now :) don’t need a course to set this up
MotoJitsu always 😎
You do a great job of explaining and you generate confidence in myself that i can do it. Plus every other word isnt F this and F that. Thank you.
thanks!
This is one of the obligatory exercises during the motorcycle exam in Germany as well (emergency braking from 50km/h or 30 mph is also obligatory) and one is required to do two variations: swerve without braking and swerve after braking.
Of course, practicing after one has obtained the license is paramount. So Imma gear up, shut up and go practice.
lol
On my emergency braking exercise during my test, I was concentrating hard on the controls, rather than stopping to where the examiner had his arm out, I lost the correct line and almost hit the examiner! Still passed though.
Definitely think this is worth practicing. Thanks for the demo. Note the speed limit is supposed to be 5 mph. 😝 One of my rules is never stay behind a pickup truck in case it decides to take a dump.
True statement!
Great countersteering lesson. I listen and learn from you. At 62 I now have a bicycle. The lessons I learn from you I have now transferred to my bicycle riding. As a cyclist, accidents and very similiar situations can even happen at slow speeds. Our lives are so precious and fragile. I applaud you, Mr Fast Freddie and your willing and able camera person in making this great video. Keep up the great work!!!
Very easy to transfer my tips to a bicycle!! Thank you!
I got into mountain biking not too many years ago for a bit. So, funny thing is, I quit that because I figured that was a bit dangerous for me at my age and got into a safer sport like motorcycles. And I am not kidding..
@@MotoJitsu good going Fast Freddie. On the other side we had police who rode bicycles first. Then they transferred that knowledge to motorcycles. Man these guys were great! They also took the msf courses.
@@gypsymage7777 Wow g777. With bicyles I go a lot slower. Now I keep far away from cars and heavy vehicles. Cycle life requires me to be aware of my surroundings and limits. By doing that, I choose the safest path and techniques.
Best video on counter steering I've seen. After this one it makes so much more sense. Watching the front tire really helped. I rewatch the 2 passes you made before revealing that secret for an extended look at the front tire. It hard to see the tire counter before the alignment adjusts from POV. 3rd person head on really helped. Thanks.
Man, I’m so grateful for these instructional videos. And to the camera person, thank you for your facilitating them.
If people are smart enough to recognise them for the exceptional effort and detail, and follow the instructions, you are most definitely going to be saving lives.
Hope so! Most importantly, go out and practice!!!!
This maneuver literally saved my life last night.
I was going straight. A car wanted to do a U-turn in front of me. Instead of waiting for me to pass, she just pulled out from the left side of the road. (I live in New Zealand, we drive on the left side)
Out of instincts from practicing this technique, I pushed the right side of the handle bar HARD. My bike swerved right past the front of the car, with centimeters to spare.
I also had to do the aggressive correction counter steering to go back to the left side of the road to avoid hitting a parked car.
The first thing the woman said to me after I confronted her was "You came out of nowhere." like it was my fault. Some people....
keep practicing!! :)
Im 53 years old and bought my first bike two weeks ago. Wanted one my whole life. I cant tell you how much your videos have helped me. I practice everyday (White Belt). Today I did my first wheelie. (Just kidding). Thank you so much!
I just made a one-time donation because I'm so appreciative of what Gregory put in this video. I've seen several UA-cams on swerving and this is definitely the best and most applicable even without a slow motion clip showing the counter-intuitive counter-steering technique. It made me watch real-time very carefully and, sure enough, I could see the process clearly and why the bike takes on the desired trajectory after the counter-steer is applied. Good shot planning.
The one truly underpants-filling moment I've had in my first two years of touring was the result of a lack of understanding of counter-steering. Happened on a mountain highway where, entering a steep downhill counter-clockwise two-lane section, the speed warnings dropped abruptly from 80 kmh (about 50 mph) to 20 kmh. The camber on the road was also steep so I found myself, with growing panic, trying to slow but drifting out towards a gravelly shoulder with too much speed on in a decreasing radius turn. My "correction" was to push on the right handlebar to get me away from the shoulder on my right but that just veered me closer to danger, pebbles now pinging off my front tire. I was fighting the motorcycle (750 Honda Shadow) for control. Cars behind me must have wondered why I was doing such weird gyrations on the edge of the road!
Anyway, I've since come to understand counter-steering better and just wish I had seen this video before that unsettling incident. However, the best lessons are often learned when your hair is on fire so luckily I bumbled through it with no consequences more extreme than five minutes of hyper-ventilating at the bottom of the hill.
So, thanks again to Moto- Jitsu for an excellent vid which I think it will, unheralded, save a few lives.
thank you so much!!
Swerving saved my life on numerous emergency occasions. I can not agree more on how essential it is to learn , exercise and master this technique.
practiceeee!!!!! yes...this is life saving
I actually had to swerve around a double wide refrigerator on a freeway transition curve two weeks ago. It was just a one lane with concrete barriers on both sides with a truck behind me. The refrigerator fell off a trailer about 60 mph and slid for a long way hitting the left concrete barrier, then bouncing back to the right side. I got around it no problem, but I always keep a safe following distance. Had I been close behind, like I see so many riders do, it would have been ugly.
Dang!
Well done!
where did just happened? OOOoow!
I like watching your videos because you can tell the proper things how to ride the bike safer. But I think you forgot something ths time!
This very important thing is the looking.
Countersteering is the proper way to swerve but you have to look where the bike will be, or where you are going. If you are stareing the thing what you have to avoid you are risking that your bike will be go that way and you miss the maneuver.
Keep in mind that you are going where you look and don't stare the blockage!
cheers,
Of course! lol
You can even practise counter steering on a bicycle. Infact if you ride a bicycle your most likely counter steering without noticing that your doing it. It's a must have skill for every rider. Eg. Rock on the road, you cant turn the handle bars left to go left. You turn handle bars left the bike falls to the right and then corrects itself. Your wheels will miss the rock even though your body is over it. I pratice this every time i ride, dodging holes, rocks, lines, anything on the road.
Yup you can
I appreciate the way you explain things. No bullshit. No sweet talk.
Thanks!
I just discovered your videos... You're so well informed.. thank you so much for what you do. You do it so well.
thanks!!
This is some of your best advice yet. Good job
Thank you! I hope this one really reaches a lot of people since it's so crucial to get good at.
Its great advice and also a complete necessity. If you dont counter-steer while riding your motorcycle for 90% of the turns and maneuvers you do, your riding dangerously.
Start riding at 12:58. It's a requirement in France too at 50-60 km/h
Nice!
You should do a video about riding in the wind. I'm getting pushed around on my 320-lbs bike on the freeway and, as a new rider, it's frightening.
I have one
MotoJitsu.com for my new app, books, merch, affiliate links to Revzilla, etc. :)
This video may well have just saved my life. A lady just pulled a U-turn right in front of me, I was travelling at about 65km/h. I immediately instinctively swerved to avoid collision, not even a thought of braking (there was no way I could stop). I've been riding for just over a year and while nothing in this video was really new to me, it was explained very well and stuck in my head. Particularly the part about practising, which I did passively for the past couple of weeks since watching, randomly swerving around cracks in the road and such. Just having this info fresh in my mind and having practised swerving I believe made the difference that really mattered. Thanks dude.
you're welcome!!!
This guy has definitely a gift for teaching.
Lots of years of education & practice :)
MotoJitsu.com for my new app, books, merch, etc.
Why is Jesse Pinkman teaching?
Walt fired him off meth job 😂😂😂
Who’s Jesse hahahahahahAh
@@rustypotatos Jessy or Jessi, idk, the guy from Breaking Bad
@@simaolopes2112 and I’m guessing moto jitsu is jessi lol
@@rustypotatos Yuuuup :P
Thank you Moto Jitsu, that was Excellently demonstrated ,I've saved these videos as well & thank you friend & I'm due for my practice session soon😊😊😊
Glad to help
Hi from the UK, I’m a self taught biker and I have managed to keep safe over the last 30 years. Truth is though self taught doesn’t really cut it. There’s often a nagging doubt about am I doing this right, I’ve done many mountain passes in Europe but 100% confidence is not there. Perhaps 80%. My low speed manoeuvring really needs to come up to scratch too. I have been watching lots of your videos and will continue to do so. It’s best that I do, A Goldwing Tour arriving on my drive soon. I’ll be fine on normal roads but must get in tune with my new bike. Thanks so much, fantastic resource.
Find high level training and get in!
I had ridden a off-road as a teenager on an old 70's dual sport. After 18 years I just completed the MSF course and picked up a new-to me bike to get back in it. Thanks for the videos and pushing the training. The swerving exercises we did were right on par with this, and some of the most important ones I think. It helped really push home the advantage of counter steering than other exercises.
You're welcome!
perfect display - thank you!
One thing though regarding the counter steering: You can see how - after the front tyre facing the opposite direction at first - is straightening itself very fast, being in line with the bike again during the actual turn…do you change anything regarding the counter steering in that process or do you keep pushing the handle bar the opposite direction the entire time during the turn??
Keep pushing until you clear whatever you're swerving around :)
The front wheel actually points into the turn during most of it (after the initial countersteer). It's most obvious during a full-lock turn, and is caused by gravity and the fork's geometry (head angle and rake). That is, the fork is designed in such a way as to "fall" into the lean/turn, making the bike steer into the turn and thus right itself. The continued push on the handlebar prevents it from doing that so it stays leaned and keeps turning. When you relieve that pressure, you allow the fork to fall further into the turn, causing the bike to turn harder, which causes it to right itself.
@@KibberShuriq Thanks a bunch but push right to go right works for me.😀
@@patrickmba7638 Sure, I'm just trying to de-mistify why it works )
All the way from India... A life saving technique... Thank you...
Thanks!
Time to go practice!! Life saving skill to master. motojitsu.com
You should suggest people play portions of the video at 0.5 or 0.25 speed on youtube so they can see and analyze your movements. They are spot on you don't do any anticipation of the swerve until the tape and it shows countersteering well.
Im a new rider and this is a great channel, you deserve waay more subscribers
@@krizzo That is exactly what I did so that I could analyze it!
Thank you for your work. I can adapt some of these lessons for my e-bike riding, even though there's no clutch - still has rear brake to use with throttle :)
Fantastic video, I have chosen to ride bikes again here in UK after 30 years in 4 wheels and your videos have taught me loads thank you.
This is 100% a lifesaving skill! I was riding as a passenger when we were cut off by a semi (without his trailer attached). He changed his mind, cutting over 2 lanes and stopping quickly in front of us. Fortunately, my husband was quick to react with a swerve that saved our lives. Now that I'm riding on my own, I'm taking all of your videos to heart and getting out there to practice!! Thanks for the hard work, Motojitsu.
Sure it!! You're welcome!!
Slow video speed on youtube really showed that wheel move the 'wrong' way. Next time put that slow motion yourself when you edit the video and keep those vids coming. :)
You can do it lol
but lot of people dont know that , so u can tell them or do it yourself
regards
Thanks for another great video! Could you please make a video on how to buy a used motorcycle and what to look out for?
Hey Raymond, I made that video already, take the time to search my videos!
Not sure how it is in America, but here that's standard course for anyone learning to ride a motorcycle. We have to pass these exercises before we are even allowed to do our road-tests.
We also need to do a certain speed (needs to be fast enough), otherwise it won't count. 2 mistakes and you're out.
Yes, it's 2 days of riding here.
Lucky you'll. We in India have nothing of all this before we get a permanent licence :P
Yeah. Now you have to do these tests 3 times if you want to drive a motorcycle before your 26th.
A1: age 18+, for max 125cc and max 11kw (15pk) / 9-12hrs practical training after passing your theoretical tests
A2: age 20+, for max 35kw & 47pk with 4hrs practical training if you've done A1
A: age 22 if you've done the previous two for any motorcycle higher than 35kw (anything on two wheels thus)
or as of age 24 if you haven't done the previous two licenses. 4hrs practical training if you've done A2 before and 9-12hrs if you haven't.
If you fail your tests twice in a row, you have to do two hours of practical training again until you can retry for your exam. After doing the practical trainings you are allowed a window of max. 1 year to do your exam. So you'll receive a provisional license for max. 1 year. If you fail to get your license within that year, regardless if you've done 4,6,12 or 200 hours of practical training lessons, you loose all progression and have to start from scratch all over again.
I did my license when I was 28, so I did theory (even though I have a car license, I still had to redo the theory) and then 12hours practical lessons before riding around approx. 10 months on my provisional license and got my actual license after the first exam test. That costed 1200 euro's.
Side note: in order to receive your provisional license, you first have to pass the manoeuvres as shown in the above video along with other manoeuvres and this on a private terrain. If you fail this tests, you will not receive your provisional license. After you passed the above tests, and rode around with your provisional license, you will have to do your final exam within 1 year, which involves you riding around in real traffic with an examinator behind you (on his own bike) telling you where to drive for 45 minutes long, checking if you position yourself correctly and make your turns at the right angles, how you shift your body etc.
You can put the video on slow motion and clearly see counter-steering in action. I froze the video on the exact moment the tire faced the wrong direction. Within a fraction of a second, bike leaned and Greg went right were he intended to go. Awesome demonstration! Thank you.
Sweet!
I really want to thank you for being so clear, consise and confident. I've watched a lot of videos on counter steering but you do such a great job, you teach and you can tell that you really care and enjoy it and have fun teaching us. I've been practicing in a empty parking lot at a movie theater and I enjoy it and I don't feel bad or embarrassed when I drop the motorcycle and the bike doesn't get dinged up. Thank you again, oh and thank the camera woman filming the video.
you're welcome!
Practice is key. Your approach to encouraging practice and taking classes is spot on.
Sure is!
Anybody says counter steering doesn't work or they don't counter steer either doesn't ride or they don't understand how their bike works & shouldn't be riding it.
Many don't understand how GPS works but we all use satellites flying around the planet in order to get directions on our phones...many many don't understand that technology either but we still use it. Many this is an opportunity for many people to learn.
gotta love this wannabe-elitist b/s, you feel like a big boy now, Colton?
No joke I used this to avoid a dog while going 60kph. Absolute lifesaver.
sure is!
I just signed up for a local basic course and I honestly had no idea about counter steering. It seems backwards! I'm grateful for your videos, once I'm done with my course I'll keep watching and practicing!
It is. But it will make you negotiate a turn at high speed. I learned really quickly. On my 750. Ride safe
Greetings from Croatia, nice videos, thank you for your work i am now learning to get A licensce and then first i go to work your practice because i am a totaly new rider of the bike, thx one more for doing this!
This is actually one of the exercises that you are tested on in the MSF course in order to pass.
Yes but slower and with tiny cones.
@@MotoJitsu yeah, my course they just tiny pucks on the ground.
What is the MSF course?
I like using man hole covers on empty streets to practice this on regular rides just to keep the skills fresh
That's one way :)
I do the same, bro
you have a new sub.now. i will have my daughter watching too. between you and Dan Dan the fireman great work
also can you show this tec. .in slow motion please
Thanks!
Better for you just to go do it yourself.
As a motor trainer, we set up the exercise making three gates using 4 cones. An instructor stands 10 yards beyond the cones with his arms down at his sides. As the student enters the exercise, the instructor points right or left. The student must instantly react to the instructors hand signal and chose the right direction. It is important to start slowly and build up the speed. If a student strikes a cone, tell him or her to drive over it as straight up as possible to avoid the motorcycle washing out. This is a great exercise to prepare you for the inevitable. Always have someone with you when you do this type of training in the event you go down. Great job MotoJitsu!
Yes, many ways to do one thing :)
This technique saved my life also. Learned it in both MSF basic and expierenced. Riding with buddy, he went right to pass a semi, I looked over to see where he went, in the matter of 2 seconds I look up and its all brake lights. Emergency brake, down shift 2, glance, and lean left for all im worth to the only sunlight I could see. I was on a old KZ1000P and that fairing litorally only missed by an inch. After I was clear, and my heart came out of my throat, i thanked MSF in my head repeatedly.
hey there bro! learning a lot , your big fan from INDIA . DO A VIDEO ON SCOOTER skills too ...
If I had one to ride I would!
Awesome content! Thanks
You're welcome!
Congrats on 20k subs
Thanks!
I road dirt bikes my hole life so far. now I got an aprilia tuono v4. my first all around street motorcycle. last year I road my Buddys bike and it encouraged me to buy my own, now I have one! its so nice. but I need road practice and motivation and so far watching these videos helps out a lot. thanks.
:) welcome
Check out MotoJitsu.com for my new app, books, etc. Thanks for watching.
Getting back into riding after literally 15 years. Newbie all over again. Thankfully the license doesn't expire so I can just go practice this stuff on my own. You have my Patreon support.
Liked before the video started.
Sweet!
I've been practicing in this same parking lot, lol
I don't go there anymore, lost permission a while ago now.
Can you ,put a camera in the helmet pointing to the steering so we can see it better. In this video, even in slow motion ,i can't see the steering move.
Eh, go out and feel for yourself...it's the best way to learn.
I recently bought a 600sliverwing honda scooter, just wanted to say thank you, these videos really are savings lives, while I'm still getting use to the bike and the weight, I watch your videos and learn something everytime. Next time I practice I know I'll be more confident and it's all because of your videos and advice thanks
You're welcome!
After watching your videos and finding it out trying, you have to countersteer to get it to fall over to one side. This is golden. Still don't understand why i have never heard of this in class.
Thanks! SHARE IT
15:58 :O
;)
Sweve
Good catch!
Fast Eddie’s Motorcycle Fun xD
Please get a gopro
I have one.
Could have used it here.
No kidding.
Ha, you're doing a lot of work already and probably busy with life when you're not practising. If you used a goPro as well as the phone and edited them together would make fantastic footage. You don't have to do everything in one take either :D Can edit together clips etc.
Again what you're doing is great and really fantastic and enough work as it is. I don't mean any disrespect just some ideas I think some other people comment about alot.
Beggars can't be choosers and you're building a fantastic community of new and old riders learning something new everyday.
Thanks for making the videos and keep the rubber side down :)
I like my videos simple and to the point...my iPhone is what I use and I'll keep using it. I have no time or desire to do any fancy editing...plus this is only a hobby, maybe if I can do this full time I'll figure that out but as of now, people like my straight to the point videos and no bs style. That's the way I like it too.
I never take the time to write comments on UA-cam videos, but i had to make an exception here. I have learned more from your videos than from any other channel. Thank you for taking the time to make these videos. You are really making a difference and making people safer on the road.
You could shoot it in 120 fps and slow it down to 24 or 30 fps in post for a slow motion effect.
Having watched many, many "how to ride" videos, I find your body weight shift technique for low speed maneuvering to be refreshing. I have been working with RLP videos from Jerry Palladino and while he very briefly mentions shifting weight on the bike during low speed riding, you are the first person I've come across who actually emphasizes this technique. I have used this very technique without having been specifically taught its use and have always wondered why no one talked about it. I thought maybe it was considered motorcycle Voodoo by professionals, but it always just made so much sense to me! Thanks for legitimizing what has been natural for me on the bike.
It's one way to do slow speed drills, certainly not the only way :)
Am first time rider and your videos has helping me to understand more about riding. Easy to understand you and I feel comfortable when I try on my bike. You are a great instructor
Thanks!
A couple of days ago I did unconsciously that movement you explained at 15:59 to avoid hitting a car from behind because its driver forgot to use the blinkers and almost hits a bus on the side too for trying to change lanes while being in dense traffic.
Now I know I wasn't out of my mind.
Thanks for your straight forward content. Greetings from Bogotá, Colombia.
I always skip ads when watching, but for this channel I wouldn't.. you're a great teacher and explains really well..this helps me a lot especially leaving here in the Philippines..keep it up and please don't stop and don't get tired making this kind of video.
Thanks!
I'm honestly blown away I've been riding for three years now without having a clue how to properly steer. When I pushed left to turn left I was just pushing down and leaning left. The way your videos breakdown counter steering is really eye opening and helpful.
Thanks...pushing down does nothing..it's forward :)
Honestly my 30+ years of riding bikes and I’ve never seen it explaind this well on how to countersteer. Cool stuff. I just picked up my 2021 Kawasaki Z 900 RS café and I can’t wait to do some honing of my skills
Awesome!!
MotoJitsu.com for my app, books, merch, etc. :)
I’m currently getting my cat A license in my country, and this is what we’re being taught as well in the driving school. Only became mandatory in the last year btw, and you can only pass the first part of the exam if you can do this manoeuvre, so I’d say this is a very important technique to know. I’ve learnt a lot from your videos btw, thanks for your work!
This is very helpful thank you, one thing I noticed was when the bike leaned your body stayed fairly upright , without seeing this , personally I would lean with the bike but now thanks to you this makes sense. Keep up the great videos. Thanks.
You're welcome! There's no time to move your body during a swerve since it's an emergency.
This is the best motorcycle training video I’ve come across. It’s thorough, simple, easy to follow real world guidance n explanations. It’s very helpful for someone like me who has never ridden a motorcycle before...thank you.
Glad you enjoyed it!
I passed my first motorcycle driving test, first try, because I watched and took notes on numerous videos.
🎊❤️👍🏼