Geoff & Richard R. on Steering a Motorcycle

I had a discussion with some good friends of mine recently about the difference between counter steering an body steering. First, a little background. Geoff MacKay is the man who first introduce me to race style bikes, and Richard R. MacKay has been riding only a short time, but is very fast, and spends lots of time on the track.

Geoff is of the opinion that the way to steer is counter steering, or using the handlebars completely. Richard thinks it is more important to use your body to steer, through weight shifting at the seat and through weight on the footpegs.
I think they both have good points, but I believe the best way to ride is through a combination of both techniques. I believe you must initiate a turn with the handlebars, and stabilize the bike through the turn, making small changes with your body weight.

I had never tried the method of body steering until speaking with some really fast riders after a day on the track. It doesn't seem to upset the bike as much in a turn when small adjustments are made at the pegs, and shifting weight in the seat seems to lower the center of gravity and really "plant" the bike.