Re: Yamaha YZF-R15 version 2.0

Here's a simple trick - forget cornering for a moment and focus on counter steering. Like Divya very rightly mentioned, the only way you change direction on a bike beyond 20kmph is thru counter steering - so you have been doing it already!

When going on an empty straight at modest speeds (>50kmph), try SLIGHTLY pushing your right forearm on the handle bar. Technically, since you are pushing your handle bar on the right, the front wheel should slightly point towards the left and theoretically the bike should also start turning towards the lift. However, you would notice the bike actually starts pulling towards the right. This is nothing but counter steering!

Try this a few times on the straights, get comfortable with the concept in your mind. Once done, then try hanging off the bike on the corners - then you wont have a choice but to turn using counter steering - n you would consciously notice that this time.

Re: Yamaha YZF-R15 version 2.0

And counter steering is the only way if you want to take a bullet doing a quick S-curve. We do it unconsciously but it is noticeable on heavier bikes.

Re: Yamaha YZF-R15 version 2.0

mehuel - mate, cornering in any which way IS counter steering...when you are entering a right hand corner, observe that you firmly push the front end of your bike to the left (the force applied also of course has a downward component) to let the bike lean over on its right side...that is what is counter steering...similarly when you enter a left hander, the front end of the bike is gently pushed to the right...consciously or unconsciously we all do it...

lots of people in xbhp and elsewhere have the misconception that counter steering is sliding your rear tyre out via opposite front end lock....that is just a style of cornering that slides and sometimes even drifts the rear, that is not exclusively "counter steering"... long time ago i too thought that is what counter steering is until i read up some articles in the internet written by experienced sport riding school instructors who cleared the meaning/definition of that word. :-)

it's not a matter of whether we all do it or not, as i said and others said we all do it all the time even when cornering just a little bit irrespective of whether we realise it or not...there's no other way to maneuver a speedily moving motorcycle through a corner...it's just that people don't know the correct meaning of that word and what it really refers to..

as for sliding the rear out deliberately on the R15v2 - well that's a different interesting topic :-)

Re: Yamaha YZF-R15 version 2.0

Yup, +1 for the above post.
Brother, there is a thread on counter steering in "The Art of safe Riding" section. Do check it out.
The science behind it is explained very clearly in that thread and helps to understand the concept better.

Re: Yamaha YZF-R15 version 2.0

Well this was quite a revelation. Thanks to all for your input . I guess I too totally misunderstood the meaning of counter steering. On my way back from office I try to be more observant. I have no more doubts about it though.
It's time for a refresher course .

Re: Yamaha YZF-R15 version 2.0

got rx100 main stand and connecting pin today at just rs185 total..

tried to adjust chain slack of my bike today but couldnt even get past the first step, that is loosening the axle nuts on both sides...goddamn it was so tight i tried and tried for half an hour with one of the spanners given in the toolkit but it just wouldn't move...

wanted to check the oil level but that cap also has got jammed in it seems, pained myself for so many minutes and it just didnt rotate at all...

eventually gave up on this after wasting over an hour...will just go to some local yamaha labeled mechanic shop tomorrow and hope they can be trusted with something so standard as adjusting the chain slack (will carry the manual of course) and also would ask them to somehow open that oil cap on the right side of the bike...

btw those of you who also use or have used the motul 300v 15w50, what colour the oil becomes when it gets very old/used thus signaling the need to change it ?

Re: Yamaha YZF-R15 version 2.0

You will need a ring spanner or a socket wrench to loosen the axle nut.. The one given in the tool kit is of absolutely no use (at least to me)..

Use pliers to open the oil cap..but Don't use too much force.

I change oil around 4500kms, it looks transparent brown when checked from the dip stick.. When drained into a pan dark brown..

You will need some tools apart from the tool kit to service your bike yourself..

:thumbup:
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Re: Yamaha YZF-R15 version 2.0

Do not open any bolts with tools provided...Almost all bolts break with open spanner ( Experience ) Get ring spanners and do the job... And about 300V, It will turn dark Green after use ( After 4000kms ) It will last 6000kms if used in cold climate and normal riding... In super hot climate here in chennai with high revs almost all time, It lasts for 4.5k kms... Brilliant oil

Re: Yamaha YZF-R15 version 2.0

i see..thanks for the info, gotta buy a couple of tools then.

it has been about 3200 kms of motul300v in my bike, so i guess it should still be fine for 1000 kms more or so at least but since i rip the bike hard pretty much all the time i thought i should start checking it on a more regular basis once it crosses 3000 kms.

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yeah same here, winter has started coming here but the oil has so far been running in hot climate (filled it in late april, has been abused all through the summer) with high revs pretty much always. nice, another 1200-1300 kms to go before i have to change...:-D

Re: Yamaha YZF-R15 version 2.0

In my case the oil colour was fine after 2k kms but the oil was about 300ml less when I drained I found around 650 700 ml oil

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Re: Yamaha YZF-R15 version 2.0


Motul 300v will be burnt brown in colour after it becomes very old. Appears rust brown in the right light (not to be confused with rust red).

Re: Yamaha YZF-R15 version 2.0

That doesnt look good.... Am using it for 10k + KMS. Not even once i drained less that 950ml.

Re: Yamaha YZF-R15 version 2.0

Used it back when my bike was 15k kms old since then never used it using 3100/5100 or 7100 with these oils never had low level issue while draining these oils always had found 950 + ml of oil bike currently ran 61k kms

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Re: Yamaha YZF-R15 version 2.0

How long should i warm up the bike before riding,i usually keep it idling for about 3-4 minutes.

Re: Yamaha YZF-R15 version 2.0

3-4 mins is too long IMHO, any where between 30 secs to 1 min should be ok. Though I have been told that modern bikes don't require this. But I have old habits, it's hard to kill them ..