Motorcycle Turning, Part 3 - Bodysteering

Hanging Out
Ofcourse, I probably didn't do it as well as the pros. It was done at a street of some rural area in Singapore, the only regret I had was I didn't bring my gloves out. Have you ever wondered why the necessity to hang out? It's about weight-shifting.

In bodysteering, it's important to know where your weight is going, because it is what that determines how your motorcycle leans/corners. To start with, there are 3 kinds of leaning method. Namely lean with, lean in, lean out. However, weight shifting should still be the basis of these 3 cornering techniques.

To start with, a correct leaning/weight-shifting method should involve mainly only your lower limbs.

Firstly, the outer thigh should push against the tank so that your upper body will be prevented from falling towards the direction of the lean. (Grip the seat if you don't have a tank, else, just countersteer)

Secondly, the inner foot should push diagonally towards the inside of the foot peg, so that it further stabilises your whole body and giving "downwards" weight to the lean.

Thirdly, your eye level must be horizontal to the ground and look far, it is to orientate your mind of the actual world level that you are travelling on.

Fourthly, your arms should be stress-free, as you are supposed to keep your hands free for counter-steering and adaptable to any road changes. Stiff hands would only amplify the uneven-ness of the road to your body, thus making your turning wobbly.

Click HERE to check out how the pro does it.

However, countersteering should still be the main focus of motorcycle turning. IMO, countersteering is the best way to initiate a lean/corner whereas bodysteering is just a tool that puts your cornering technique more steadily and readily into use. Infact, though you might not know it, your arms are subconsciously countersteering while leaning through a corner.