Above roughly walking-to-jogging pace (about 15-20 km/h), a motorcycle does not turn the way a car does. To go right, you press forward on the right handlebar. The front wheel briefly steers left, the bike leans right, and it turns right. Press left to go left. This is countersteering.

You already do it without noticing. The aim here is to do it on purpose, so you can steer precisely and quickly when you need to.

Drill

1. On a quiet straight road at about 40 km/h, gently press the right grip forward. Feel the bike lean and move right.
2. Return to centre, then press left.
3. Gradually make the presses firmer and quicker. Firmer pressure gives a faster lean.

Leaning your body helps a little, but bar pressure is what steers the bike at speed.

Dig deeper

• Wikipedia: Countersteering (with the physics explained)
• MSF Basic RiderCourse Rider Handbook (PDF)
• California Superbike School: the Levels curriculum
• Book: Keith Code, A Twist of the Wrist (Vol. I) and A Twist of the Wrist II