Final answer:
The best response to a wobbling motorcycle is to close the throttle gradually, which helps stabilize the bike by reducing speed smoothly. Countersteering is used to initiate a turn at high speeds, where pushing on one side of the handlebars results in the motorcycle leaning and turning in the opposite direction due to the gyroscopic effect and the need for centripetal force.
Step-by-step explanation:
If your motorcycle starts to wobble, the best course of action to maintain control and safety is to close the throttle gradually. This can help to stabilize the motorcycle by reducing speed without applying abrupt forces that could make the wobble worse. Gripping the handlebars tightly or fighting the wobble can actually amplify the instability, while accelerating out of the wobble might increase the gyroscopic effect but also the speed, which could be dangerous. Applying the brakes quickly can lead to a loss of control, so it is advisable to reduce speed smoothly.
The phenomenon described where a motorcycle steers in the direction opposite to the handlebar input is called countersteering. At higher speeds, due to the gyroscopic effect of the wheels, pushing on one side of the handlebars causes the motorcycle to lean and turn towards the opposite side. This leaning generates a necessary centripetal force for the turn, which is the result of friction between the tires and the road, also known as the centripetal force. As the motorcycle leans, the force exerted by the ground through the center of gravity ensures stability.