Theory on motorcycle steering

[Clay]

I have been thinking on this topic for a while and thought I would get the opinions of the educated members on this site......
Every time, without fail, when we do demo rides at an event, someone will comment that "This bike oversteers". (Ususally the person who says this rides an orange bike.) I have started using this reply: Motorcycles don't steer. A motorcycle is like a gun. It can't do anything without the input of an operator. Some bikes steer better than others and if you think this bike steers too quickly that means you are putting more effort into turning it than needed because you are use to a bike that doesn't steer as well as the Gas Gas or Sherco you just rode.
So far, no one has punched me in the mouth!
I don't say it exactly that bluntly. I try to be a little more diplomatic than the above statement but it seems to get the rider thinking about the bike he currently owns and the bike he just got to demo.
What do you guys think? Make sense?

[einsteingarage]

That is in line with the responses I got from the demos I have done. Test riders stated that the gasgas steering was quicker and it cornered better than the orange bikes they were use to

[gasgasman]

Bring up "counter steering". That will throw them for a loop.

[Fred1956]

Originally Posted by gasgasman

Bring up "counter steering".

You can't steer counters either, just like the orange bikes?..

Clay, that made perfect sense to me??.Any Pics of the '14s yet??

[thumperflipper]

Clay you are right on. Like a wise man once said regarding no safety on a handgun: "If you don't want it (the gun) to go off, don't pull the trigger" LOL...Besides, quick steering is one of the best parts of my GasGas, that's what I want. Trials-like steering in an enduro. I can now rail switchbacks with confidence. AND it still doesn't need a steering stabilizer at high speeds. Knuckles for that.

[Clay]

Originally Posted by Fred1956

You can't steer counters either, just like the orange bikes?..

Clay, that made perfect sense to me??.Any Pics of the '14s yet??

My demo bikes didn't make it so its being shipped out to NV and I will get it there. I will take some pics when I get it.
Are you going to be standing on the side of I-40 with your thumb out Thursday afternoon?

[Jakobi]

Sounds like a good sales pitch to me

Seriously though, it all makes sense except for them complaining about a bike that wants to take you to the inside of a turn. I'm much happier using a little more finess to position the bike where I want it than turning the bars and still having it want to plough its way to the outside.

[3beejay3]

Obviously - how a bike steers has a lot to do with basic chassis & suspension setup. However, the GG chassis seems to have an inherent stability and planted feeling that makes them feel like they steer quick.
There's no wasted effort. Put the front wheel where you want it and go.

[Fred1956]

Originally Posted by Clay

My demo bikes didn't make it so its being shipped out to NV and I will get it there. I will take some pics when I get it.
Are you going to be standing on the side of I-40 with your thumb out Thursday afternoon?

Boy do I wish, don't be surprised if I find a way to get to Vegas though....Have fun & ride safe!

[Leo]

This is an kind of a thing that you need to ride a month to talk about.....Demo rides is just an first impression.

There guys that talk too much to show that they know too much about bikes....and invariably fail.