Steering Head Shake and Bar Grip.

[uscgmac_imp]

I agree 100%. Its usually rider error. Other small factors could add to it such as not checking tires for propper inflation or over weight bags and packs on the bike and uneven loads. Most people might just not know that its the bikes natural reaction and to not over act and relax. I tell people who get all tense riding in strong wind or rain or over grating on bridges to just relax and let the bike do what it wants to.

[Motogeezer1949_imp]

Be loose, goose

[Cormanus]

All this is enough to make a bloke shake his head in amazement.

Thanks for the post, Pterodactyl. Most informative. Refreshers are always good.

[Pterodactyl_imp]

Pterodactyl, I admittedly assume everyone knows this stuff. And that's just wrong on my part.

What I've learned on top of what I learned from reading Code's books is experience (continued learning) plays just as an important roll in one's knowledge base.

In one of the posts (seems to be many right now) about head shake, I simply said 'relax your grip'.

The other person asked if that is counter-active at higher speeds.

And the answer is no, it isn't. It's more important to maintain a relaxed grip.

Actively riding a motorcycle smoothly and in control starts at the body's core.

If you have a weak core, then you can't expect great results.

Some bikes are more forgiving than others.

But the basic principals are the same.

To me, the handlebar is simply the place where the controls are to maniplulate my thoughts into actions. Not a place to hang on too.

I'm not always good at the written word. I also tend to speak my thoughts in the most boiled down form. So if any of this doesn't make sense, no worries.

For a bloke who reckons he doesn't handle words very well that is beautifully put.

Cheers

[Cormanus]

I missed that in my first read. Well said, indeed.

[Django]

The rider is part of the overall concept.

[Rolls_imp]

Some of the headshake situations reported do happen to be ones where your survival reactions might indeed coax you to take a tighter grip on the bars, even if unconsciously. I'm looking at you, dirty air from an 18-wheeler. But whatever the cause, I'm firmly in the loose grips save lives school. I'm always aspirin to a loose grip and remind myself along the way to keep me on track. While too tight a grip is always the prime suspect, if your front tire is showing any sign of not being in tip top health, balance and trueness, then kick it to the curb.